Well, it's even more official, Drew has a passport and visa and we're heading home tomorrow! Mom, Drew and I will arrive at the Oakland airport around 8:30pm and we'll anxiously await our reunion with Daddy and Liam!
Hope to catch-up with everyone soon.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Journey Continues......
Well, since the last post many things have happened on our Russian adventure.
On Sunday, Mom arrived via train fro Moscow in the evening. We got somewhat settled and then we said farewell to Michael who was taking the overnight train back to Moscow. His train arrived around 8am and then he did some sightseeing with his driver, Sasha, before heading to the airport. He arrived home on Monday night and kissed his baby boy goodnight!
Mom and I went to the Police dept on Monday in NN to get Drew's passport. We couldn't get a ticket for the over night train, so we got a good night sleep in the hotel and took the 8am train on Tuesday and arrived in Moscow at 2pm to TONS of traffic. We checked into our apartment (we call it our "bunker-which is a whole story in and of itself!) and then did lots of immigration paperwork for US Embassy appointment the next day. Then, exhausted and hot (it's humid here), we walked a few blocks to do some grocery shopping and the three of us hauled our load back to the apartment, had dinner and passed out!
Today, Wednesday, we all went to the international adoption pediatrician, which is a requirement to get a visa. He passed with flying colors and the doc nicknamed him "buddha belly". I think there were a few times we called Liam the same! After the doctor appointment, Mom sat in the car with Drew while I went to the US Embassy to submit paperwork and request the visa for Drew.
After all the adoption work was done we asked to be taken to an area called Arbat. There is a pedestrian walkway and we had lunch at....The Hard Rock Cafe; such the adventurers! Then we walked the street and shopped and enjoyed the fresh air. Drew was such a trooper all day. It was good for us to get out and about for a change. Once home, Drew went down for a 2 hour nap and so did Mom and Baba Kia (Grandma Kia).
We've had a pretty lazy evening around the house and Drew went to bed early.
Tomorrow we are free in the morning and then head back to the US Embassy around lunch time. After we're done, I think we will be dropped off at Red Square and walk around for a bit.
We fly home 1 day early, on Friday. Very happy about that! We'll be home late on Friday night and hope to update the blog this weekend with more pics...especially of NN and Moscow sites.
And, thank you to everyone who looked after Liam while we were away. We can't tell you how much we appreciate your help.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Update from Nizhny!
Hello to all!
It’s Sunday morning and we just put Drew down for a nap. Whew! I forgot how hard it is to watch a child in a non child-proofed area. Anyway, the following is a brief update since we picked up Drew on Friday afternoon.
Friday eve: After picking up Drew from the baby house, we arrived back at the hotel and played in the room for a few hours. Boy oh boy did he crack his head quite a few times on every possible corner of every piece of furniture. Ouch! We went to dinner with the two other adoptive parents and enjoyed our last night together in NN as the single woman was leaving the following evening. When MSC and I came back to the room after dinner (and after pretty much ignoring the schedule we’d been given from the baby house), Drew was full of life, but we knew he must be tired because he hadn’t had a long afternoon nap. And, it was odd for me because I didn’t know how to soothe this little guy or what would work to get him to go to sleep (he’s not addicted to the binky like his bro was). Anyway, we just put him in his jammies and popped him into the crib and let him move around. He sat down after about 2 minutes and layed down after another few minutes and was out 5 minutes after that. Then we realized that’s exactly what they do at the baby house, they just put them in their beds and let them work it out until they go to sleep. I’m pleased to report that Drew slept for 10-1/2 hours without a peep! J So unlike his brother!
Saturday, we went downstairs to the hotel restaurant and had the same breakfast we’ve had for the last 7 days. Drew has been eating really well and is on soy formula as per the request of the baby house…ring any bells? Anyway, after breakfast we had planned to take the trolley car/bus into town with other families, but all the kids went down for naps (and so did we!). So, after napping, we then all headed out to see with world. The trolley was very easy and got us to the cool pedestrian area in City Center. We walked for a little bit and then had an early dinner at an outdoor café. Most people speak zero English and the menus are not translated, so you really have to eat at a restaurant where someone knows a tiny bit of English. We found such place and had fried and chicken sandwiches…all of us. That’s the only thing we could communicate to the server. Anyway, it was good. After lunch we took the trolley back to the hotel. There is a shopping mall of some sort that is attached to the hotel, so we went and stocked up on more baby food, had dinner in the room. Drew fell asleep while drinking his bottle because he hadn’t had his afternoon nap…again…what kind of parents are we? J
Today is Sunday. I’ve confirmed that my Mom made it safe to Moscow, although her arrival was cluttered with logistical problems, but she made it safe to an alternate hotel by 10pm (her plane landed at 6:30pm!). She is scheduled to get on a train to NN at 2pm and will arrive here at 7pm. The translator and driver will pick me up and we will all go to the train station to pick up Grandma Kia.
As for our Sunday, we’ve had our breakfast and Drew is down for a nap. Interestingly enough, today he tried the crying thing for about 5 minutes vs. just going to sleep. He’s catching on the response he usually gets with a cry. I think when he wakes up, we’ll head back to City Center again and do some more walking around before Kia arrives.
As for our Drew’s personality, he is an inquisitive little boy, he likes to see and touch everything. His caregiver told us that he needs to have goals set for him and he will hit them. Based on the fact that he’s walking already at 13 months and he was 8 weeks premie, I think what they’re saying is that he’s ahead of others his age and so they’ve had to set his standards or achievements higher. Not really sure, as I think part of what they said was lost in translation. We’ll find out as we spend more time with him. Having said that, he is very happy and smiley, eating and sleeping well, and yesterday he even had a poop!
So, all is well. MSC is leaving on a train back to Moscow tonight and tomorrow (Monday) takes a flight back to SF via LAX. He will be home late Monday night.
Kia and I will get Drew’s passport here in NN on Monday and hope to take a Monday night train back to Moscow. From there we will need to files some papers and get Drew’s visa and then we will head home on Saturday. Seems so darn far away!
All for now. We’ll post updates as we can.
xoxo
It’s Sunday morning and we just put Drew down for a nap. Whew! I forgot how hard it is to watch a child in a non child-proofed area. Anyway, the following is a brief update since we picked up Drew on Friday afternoon.
Friday eve: After picking up Drew from the baby house, we arrived back at the hotel and played in the room for a few hours. Boy oh boy did he crack his head quite a few times on every possible corner of every piece of furniture. Ouch! We went to dinner with the two other adoptive parents and enjoyed our last night together in NN as the single woman was leaving the following evening. When MSC and I came back to the room after dinner (and after pretty much ignoring the schedule we’d been given from the baby house), Drew was full of life, but we knew he must be tired because he hadn’t had a long afternoon nap. And, it was odd for me because I didn’t know how to soothe this little guy or what would work to get him to go to sleep (he’s not addicted to the binky like his bro was). Anyway, we just put him in his jammies and popped him into the crib and let him move around. He sat down after about 2 minutes and layed down after another few minutes and was out 5 minutes after that. Then we realized that’s exactly what they do at the baby house, they just put them in their beds and let them work it out until they go to sleep. I’m pleased to report that Drew slept for 10-1/2 hours without a peep! J So unlike his brother!
Saturday, we went downstairs to the hotel restaurant and had the same breakfast we’ve had for the last 7 days. Drew has been eating really well and is on soy formula as per the request of the baby house…ring any bells? Anyway, after breakfast we had planned to take the trolley car/bus into town with other families, but all the kids went down for naps (and so did we!). So, after napping, we then all headed out to see with world. The trolley was very easy and got us to the cool pedestrian area in City Center. We walked for a little bit and then had an early dinner at an outdoor café. Most people speak zero English and the menus are not translated, so you really have to eat at a restaurant where someone knows a tiny bit of English. We found such place and had fried and chicken sandwiches…all of us. That’s the only thing we could communicate to the server. Anyway, it was good. After lunch we took the trolley back to the hotel. There is a shopping mall of some sort that is attached to the hotel, so we went and stocked up on more baby food, had dinner in the room. Drew fell asleep while drinking his bottle because he hadn’t had his afternoon nap…again…what kind of parents are we? J
Today is Sunday. I’ve confirmed that my Mom made it safe to Moscow, although her arrival was cluttered with logistical problems, but she made it safe to an alternate hotel by 10pm (her plane landed at 6:30pm!). She is scheduled to get on a train to NN at 2pm and will arrive here at 7pm. The translator and driver will pick me up and we will all go to the train station to pick up Grandma Kia.
As for our Sunday, we’ve had our breakfast and Drew is down for a nap. Interestingly enough, today he tried the crying thing for about 5 minutes vs. just going to sleep. He’s catching on the response he usually gets with a cry. I think when he wakes up, we’ll head back to City Center again and do some more walking around before Kia arrives.
As for our Drew’s personality, he is an inquisitive little boy, he likes to see and touch everything. His caregiver told us that he needs to have goals set for him and he will hit them. Based on the fact that he’s walking already at 13 months and he was 8 weeks premie, I think what they’re saying is that he’s ahead of others his age and so they’ve had to set his standards or achievements higher. Not really sure, as I think part of what they said was lost in translation. We’ll find out as we spend more time with him. Having said that, he is very happy and smiley, eating and sleeping well, and yesterday he even had a poop!
So, all is well. MSC is leaving on a train back to Moscow tonight and tomorrow (Monday) takes a flight back to SF via LAX. He will be home late Monday night.
Kia and I will get Drew’s passport here in NN on Monday and hope to take a Monday night train back to Moscow. From there we will need to files some papers and get Drew’s visa and then we will head home on Saturday. Seems so darn far away!
All for now. We’ll post updates as we can.
xoxo
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Day Has Finally Arrived!
We're leaving the hotel to pick-up Drew at 12:15pm today. We should be to the baby house by 1:30pm and will be on our way back to the hotel with our newest addition by 2:00pm.
We hope to continue posting pics and updates of how Drew is transitioning, but may find our time is limited.
We'll send updates as soon as possible.
Love to All!
We hope to continue posting pics and updates of how Drew is transitioning, but may find our time is limited.
We'll send updates as soon as possible.
Love to All!
Thursday – Court Date Finally Arrives!
This morning Michael and I had a court appointment at 10am. We were asked to meet our interpreter and agency rep in the lobby at 9am. We were both very quiet this morning before we went to court and pretty quiet before court began. Translation: While we had both been told that this Judge has not turned anyone down, we were still very nervous to speak in front of her and to respond to any questions she or the prosecutor may have had.Michael had the longer speaking part of the two of us. He had to cover much more territory than I did (Whew!) and it took about 30 minutes for the Judge to be satisfied with Michaels “presentation”. She is very thorough and while our story is pretty compatible with adoption, she still ALWAYS asks additional questions, sometimes that same question over and over again.
Then it was onto me and I spoke for about 20 minutes. I tried to give more detail to the Judge based on her questions to Michael. She did ask me a few additional questions after I spoke, but the prosecutor did not have any questions. The rep for the city that Drew is from did ask one question, but all were easy and info I knew.
After Michael and I finished speaking, the Judge leaves the courtroom to make her final decision; will she grant custody to us and will she waive the 10 day waiting period.
The Judge returned within about 5 minutes, and the verdict was…
WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED CUSTODY OF KIRILL VLADAMIRAVICH POLYAKOV and the 10 day waiting period has been waived!
We’re very excited and look forward to picking up Drew tomorrow! There are two families that have already brought home two girls and tomorrow we and another couple will bring home two boys, so we’ll have lots of fun play dates before we leave NN and we’ll probably all get together in Moscow as well.
More to come…
Wednesday Visit with Drew
On Wednesday, we had somewhat of a free day and took our time getting out of the hotel by late morning. We did some walking around and checked out this shopping center-like place; interesting everyday items like clothes, shoes, coats, etc. This isn’t a tourist city, so very few people speak English and you really have to search for shops that see trinkets.
Anyway, we went to see Drew in the late afternoon and spent another hour with him. Pics have been posted below. He was even more interactive and really “played” this time vs. watching us and tentatively engaging. He seemed to enjoy his time with us as we did with him. He was most interested in eating the “Hi Liam” sign, although we didn’t get any pics of him with his mouth all over the sign. After about an hour they came to get him again. We were sad to see him go, but very pleased we were able to have had 3 visits with him prior to our picking him up on Friday.
When we returned to the hotel, all four families went to the grocery store with our interpreter and we shopped for baby stuff. I had most of what I needed already, but did buy some similar products to what the baby house would have. It was a fun little trip for all of us.
After our shopping excursion, we all had dinner together in the hotel. There is a single woman here with her parents (adopting a baby girl). Both she and an older couple had court today and so we were all in a celebratory mood. Those two would pick up their children tomorrow, so they were excited. The other couple and Michael and I were nervous because we still had to go to court. Anyway, we had a nice long grown up dinner…would probably be the last during our stay in Russia.
Stay tuned…tomorrow is our day in Court!
Anyway, we went to see Drew in the late afternoon and spent another hour with him. Pics have been posted below. He was even more interactive and really “played” this time vs. watching us and tentatively engaging. He seemed to enjoy his time with us as we did with him. He was most interested in eating the “Hi Liam” sign, although we didn’t get any pics of him with his mouth all over the sign. After about an hour they came to get him again. We were sad to see him go, but very pleased we were able to have had 3 visits with him prior to our picking him up on Friday.
When we returned to the hotel, all four families went to the grocery store with our interpreter and we shopped for baby stuff. I had most of what I needed already, but did buy some similar products to what the baby house would have. It was a fun little trip for all of us.
After our shopping excursion, we all had dinner together in the hotel. There is a single woman here with her parents (adopting a baby girl). Both she and an older couple had court today and so we were all in a celebratory mood. Those two would pick up their children tomorrow, so they were excited. The other couple and Michael and I were nervous because we still had to go to court. Anyway, we had a nice long grown up dinner…would probably be the last during our stay in Russia.
Stay tuned…tomorrow is our day in Court!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tuesday Visit to See Drew
MSC and I had a nice leisurely morning, which included sleeping in and reading magazines for a few hours. There are two other couples here that are also adopting through our agency, so we have spent sometime with them. We had dinner with them on Monday night and chatted with one of the people at breakfast. Another couple is coming in on Wednesday night and they will go to court on Thursday with us. Anyway, we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed out to see Drew. His baby house is about 1 hour away in Dzerzhinsk. We’ll post a picture of the huge sign that is at the entrance of his town.
When we first arrived at the baby house, there was a man there ready to take a picture of Drew for his passport…so exciting! Drew took a few minutes to warm up to us as he had just awoken from his nap. But, he kicked into gear pretty quick and started playing with his toys and running for the door over and over and over and over and over again. J It’s nice to see him walking so well and when he does take a little tumble he usually laughs. Whew!
We stayed at the baby house for about an hour and Drew was very upbeat during the entire visit. We posted some pics of our visit and plan to come back tomorrow for another final visit before our court date.
Upon our return, we met with the court interpreter for about 45 minutes. He prep’d us for court and what we will need to do while there; what questions will be asked and how we should respond to certain things. He let us know that while the Judge wouldn’t see us unless everything was OK, it is still a formal proceeding that is taken very seriously. Fortunately, the only people in the room who understand English are our interpreter and MSC and I. So, if we make a mistake in how we say something, the interpreter will be able to help us change it. But its pretty easy stuff we have to talk about; who we are, where we live, who our family is, how we will care for Drew. We’re potentially in for a bump when they hit the “religion” section, but it will be ok. :-)
We’re going to dinner just next door with a single women who is adopting a baby girl and then we’ll try to get to bed before midnight tonight.
Stay tuned…
P.S. We are thoroughly enjoying the harsh stench of paint or something worse (wallpaper glue?)! They are painting the bathrooms above us and it seems to seep through the grates in our bathroom. Let’s just say we’ve killed a few brain cells. :-) This isn’t our favorite hotel, to say the least!
When we first arrived at the baby house, there was a man there ready to take a picture of Drew for his passport…so exciting! Drew took a few minutes to warm up to us as he had just awoken from his nap. But, he kicked into gear pretty quick and started playing with his toys and running for the door over and over and over and over and over again. J It’s nice to see him walking so well and when he does take a little tumble he usually laughs. Whew!
We stayed at the baby house for about an hour and Drew was very upbeat during the entire visit. We posted some pics of our visit and plan to come back tomorrow for another final visit before our court date.
Upon our return, we met with the court interpreter for about 45 minutes. He prep’d us for court and what we will need to do while there; what questions will be asked and how we should respond to certain things. He let us know that while the Judge wouldn’t see us unless everything was OK, it is still a formal proceeding that is taken very seriously. Fortunately, the only people in the room who understand English are our interpreter and MSC and I. So, if we make a mistake in how we say something, the interpreter will be able to help us change it. But its pretty easy stuff we have to talk about; who we are, where we live, who our family is, how we will care for Drew. We’re potentially in for a bump when they hit the “religion” section, but it will be ok. :-)
We’re going to dinner just next door with a single women who is adopting a baby girl and then we’ll try to get to bed before midnight tonight.
Stay tuned…
P.S. We are thoroughly enjoying the harsh stench of paint or something worse (wallpaper glue?)! They are painting the bathrooms above us and it seems to seep through the grates in our bathroom. Let’s just say we’ve killed a few brain cells. :-) This isn’t our favorite hotel, to say the least!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Visit with Drew at the Baby House
Yesterday afternoon we went to the baby house in Dzerzhinsk to visit with Drew. We arrived at 5pm and waited in the playroom for his caretakers to bring him out to us. Within 5 minutes, we were looking at Drew. He looks great! He’s very cute and has more fuzzy blond hair…similar to his big brother, Liam. They are taking good care of him it appears. Drew had a cute little black Disneyland-like vest jacket on and some black cord pants. Mind you it was about 80+ yesterday and MSC and I were very warm, but they dress these kids like it’s winter all the time. Anyway, his caretaker put him down on the floor and let him go. He stood there for quite sometime just checking us out and then the caretaker started him walking…he’s walking really well on his own. Whew! We can cross that one off the list. J MSC is sad that he missed his first steps. I’m happy I missed his first 10 falls!
Anyway, we were able to spend 1 hour with him and he warmed up to us toward the very end of the visit. We asked the translator to communicate to Drew that we were giving him a birthday card and gift. She translated for him what we had written in the card. And she handed him the present and told him it was for him, that it was his birthday present. She said that he was being shy as he’d never been given a gift before. L Anyway, we proceeded to play with many toys. Probably overwhelming for Drew, but he had a few favorites! He loves to chew on some of the toys and he loves the mirrors. What baby doesn’t like to look at themselves!
MSC had some one-on-one time, e.g. flinging Drew in the air. It was funny because Drew could barely contain his smile, but it took awhile for him to let MSC see him smile. These kids aren’t used to seeing men, so sometimes they don’t relate well to them. Drew has done well with MSC on all visits, which is great.
My approach is to be close to him and help him move around and let him stand or sit in my lap. I feel like we both need to get to know each other. I definitely feel like he is my child now and am not so fearful of him being taken away from me prior to court. Let the bonding begin!
We head back to the orphanage this morning at 11am and will be able to stay for two hours. We may be able to take him outside if they have a playground area, which I think they do. We’re looking forward to the visit.
We had a few little heart stoppers yesterday as out agency Rep asked if we had some document we needed (social worker’s renewed license), which we didn’t, but our agency is working on getting it here by Wednesday. Our court date is Thursday and we pick up Drew on Friday, if all goes as planned (think positive thoughts!). The other problem, which may or may not present itself in the US is that the Russian Courts will only acknowledge me by my maiden name because that is what is on the first page of my passport (name change to Crowley on last page). Therefore, Drew will be adopted by Michael Crowley and Elizabeth Foster. We’ll see how that goes over in the US when we re-adopting. I just want to get him out of here, so whatever!
Anyway, we’re off to have a quick breakfast and post this to the blog. Enjoy and we’ll update more as we go.
Thanks to everyone for your support. We can’t wait to bring Drew home in the next few weeks!
xoxoxo
Anyway, we were able to spend 1 hour with him and he warmed up to us toward the very end of the visit. We asked the translator to communicate to Drew that we were giving him a birthday card and gift. She translated for him what we had written in the card. And she handed him the present and told him it was for him, that it was his birthday present. She said that he was being shy as he’d never been given a gift before. L Anyway, we proceeded to play with many toys. Probably overwhelming for Drew, but he had a few favorites! He loves to chew on some of the toys and he loves the mirrors. What baby doesn’t like to look at themselves!
MSC had some one-on-one time, e.g. flinging Drew in the air. It was funny because Drew could barely contain his smile, but it took awhile for him to let MSC see him smile. These kids aren’t used to seeing men, so sometimes they don’t relate well to them. Drew has done well with MSC on all visits, which is great.
My approach is to be close to him and help him move around and let him stand or sit in my lap. I feel like we both need to get to know each other. I definitely feel like he is my child now and am not so fearful of him being taken away from me prior to court. Let the bonding begin!
We head back to the orphanage this morning at 11am and will be able to stay for two hours. We may be able to take him outside if they have a playground area, which I think they do. We’re looking forward to the visit.
We had a few little heart stoppers yesterday as out agency Rep asked if we had some document we needed (social worker’s renewed license), which we didn’t, but our agency is working on getting it here by Wednesday. Our court date is Thursday and we pick up Drew on Friday, if all goes as planned (think positive thoughts!). The other problem, which may or may not present itself in the US is that the Russian Courts will only acknowledge me by my maiden name because that is what is on the first page of my passport (name change to Crowley on last page). Therefore, Drew will be adopted by Michael Crowley and Elizabeth Foster. We’ll see how that goes over in the US when we re-adopting. I just want to get him out of here, so whatever!
Anyway, we’re off to have a quick breakfast and post this to the blog. Enjoy and we’ll update more as we go.
Thanks to everyone for your support. We can’t wait to bring Drew home in the next few weeks!
xoxoxo
Nizhniy Novgorod Day 1
Today is Monday and we received a text message from our rep that we will go to see Drew at 4pm. It is about an hour drive to his baby house, so we will be with him at around 5pm (6am PDT). We’re very excited to see him and have a bag of toys packed up for playtime. My guess is he’ll probably be getting tired by the time we get there, but we’re happy to see him today regardless. We’re also thankful that we aren’t traveling to the Vyska baby house, which is three (3) hours away! Another couple that is here must drive 3 hours to and from the baby house today, tomorrow and again on Wed. or Thurs. before they bring their baby girl home. Whew, we sure did catch a break there!
We are staying at the Central Hotel in NN. The hotel is attached to a sort of large shopping mall, but ½ the mall (including grocery store) are under ground. It’s very nice to have everything you might need right near the hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel is not in a great place to just get out and walk to what’s called City Central. We enjoyed walking to this area from our hotel on the last trip. There is a nice pedestrian area and plenty to look at. We’ll have to figure out how to get there easily, although I don’t think a cab will work unless we write down in Cyrillic where we want to go. And then there’s the trouble of knowing who the heck your driver is. Anyway, we did some grocery shopping this morning and now we are relaxing in our room. Right now there is a rain storm and we just looked at each other and asked “did you see that flash”? And then, we heard the loudest thunder sound ever. Geesh! That was scary.
Anyway, that’s all for now. We’ll post again after our visit to see Drew. Although the hotel claims they have internet connection in the rooms, we would have to disagree. We’re going to try again from the business center. I guess if you’re reading this then we were actually able to post.
Stay tuned!
We are staying at the Central Hotel in NN. The hotel is attached to a sort of large shopping mall, but ½ the mall (including grocery store) are under ground. It’s very nice to have everything you might need right near the hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel is not in a great place to just get out and walk to what’s called City Central. We enjoyed walking to this area from our hotel on the last trip. There is a nice pedestrian area and plenty to look at. We’ll have to figure out how to get there easily, although I don’t think a cab will work unless we write down in Cyrillic where we want to go. And then there’s the trouble of knowing who the heck your driver is. Anyway, we did some grocery shopping this morning and now we are relaxing in our room. Right now there is a rain storm and we just looked at each other and asked “did you see that flash”? And then, we heard the loudest thunder sound ever. Geesh! That was scary.
Anyway, that’s all for now. We’ll post again after our visit to see Drew. Although the hotel claims they have internet connection in the rooms, we would have to disagree. We’re going to try again from the business center. I guess if you’re reading this then we were actually able to post.
Stay tuned!
Travels to Nizhniy Novgorod
Finally, an update on our trip to Nizhniy Novgorod (NN) to pick up baby Drew!
Much to my surprise Michael and I were able to get ALL our clothes, Drew’s clothes, orphanage clothes and many gifts packed and in our rental car on Friday morning. And, for those of you who know us, we were stressing because we left the house ½ hour late. Anyway, we had rented a car and dropped it off at the Oakland Airport. We got out of Oakland without a hitch and landed at LAX without a hitch.
Once we were at LAX we experienced the awkwardness of taking an international flight. First you must wait in a very long line to check-in and then they don’t take your bags, so you get to wait in another long line where they do take your bags. Once through that line, you wait in another long line to get through security. None of it was too bad just so unorganized.
Our flight to Moscow departed on time. We were excited to have the two seats on the side of the plane vs. being 2 seats in the middle section. The flight was uneventful. We stayed awake for several hours and then slept for the same. By the time we woke up we only had about two hours until we landed and they were serving breakfast. All in all, it was a very easy flight and we definitely rested on the plane.
Once in Moscow, it took a little longer than expected, but we cleared customs and our Alliance rep was waiting for us as expected. The driver picked us up and we literally jammed 4 large suitcases in a sedan, one on our lap! We drove about an hour to the Grand Marriott, which was lovely and American…ahhhhhhh. It was very nice and we enjoyed the comforts of home…for one night. Mom, enjoy the Marriott Tverskaya while you can!
Anyway, we had dinner and hit the sack on Saturday. On Sunday, we left the hotel and ventured out to the Kremlin and to St. Basil’s Cathedral. Both are very beautiful and we took tons of pics. We also did some shopping in the little bizarre area outside the Kremlin. We were only able to sight see for a few hours and then had to head back to the hotel where our interpreter and driver picked us up to take us to the train station. The interpreter loaded us onto the train and helped us get settled, which was awesome. The train is pretty much like taking a train in Italy…far from fancy. I don’t know how four strangers can share a compartment. Anyway, we advised to buy 4 tickets vs. 2 tickets so we could have the entire compartment to ourselves. Now just because I use the words “entire compartment”, don’t think there was anything big about it. J
We arrived promptly in NN at 7pm and the rep and driver were there to greet us and help us off the train. We were there with another couple, so they had two cars take us and our luggage to the hotel, which is very close to the train station. Once we checked in and got settled, we had a quick dinner in the hotel and then the next few hours unpacking and sorting through gifts and clothes.
Much to my surprise Michael and I were able to get ALL our clothes, Drew’s clothes, orphanage clothes and many gifts packed and in our rental car on Friday morning. And, for those of you who know us, we were stressing because we left the house ½ hour late. Anyway, we had rented a car and dropped it off at the Oakland Airport. We got out of Oakland without a hitch and landed at LAX without a hitch.
Once we were at LAX we experienced the awkwardness of taking an international flight. First you must wait in a very long line to check-in and then they don’t take your bags, so you get to wait in another long line where they do take your bags. Once through that line, you wait in another long line to get through security. None of it was too bad just so unorganized.
Our flight to Moscow departed on time. We were excited to have the two seats on the side of the plane vs. being 2 seats in the middle section. The flight was uneventful. We stayed awake for several hours and then slept for the same. By the time we woke up we only had about two hours until we landed and they were serving breakfast. All in all, it was a very easy flight and we definitely rested on the plane.
Once in Moscow, it took a little longer than expected, but we cleared customs and our Alliance rep was waiting for us as expected. The driver picked us up and we literally jammed 4 large suitcases in a sedan, one on our lap! We drove about an hour to the Grand Marriott, which was lovely and American…ahhhhhhh. It was very nice and we enjoyed the comforts of home…for one night. Mom, enjoy the Marriott Tverskaya while you can!
Anyway, we had dinner and hit the sack on Saturday. On Sunday, we left the hotel and ventured out to the Kremlin and to St. Basil’s Cathedral. Both are very beautiful and we took tons of pics. We also did some shopping in the little bizarre area outside the Kremlin. We were only able to sight see for a few hours and then had to head back to the hotel where our interpreter and driver picked us up to take us to the train station. The interpreter loaded us onto the train and helped us get settled, which was awesome. The train is pretty much like taking a train in Italy…far from fancy. I don’t know how four strangers can share a compartment. Anyway, we advised to buy 4 tickets vs. 2 tickets so we could have the entire compartment to ourselves. Now just because I use the words “entire compartment”, don’t think there was anything big about it. J
We arrived promptly in NN at 7pm and the rep and driver were there to greet us and help us off the train. We were there with another couple, so they had two cars take us and our luggage to the hotel, which is very close to the train station. Once we checked in and got settled, we had a quick dinner in the hotel and then the next few hours unpacking and sorting through gifts and clothes.
Monday, June 11, 2007
We're Leaving For Russia This Friday!
We’re off to Russia to pick up Drew this Friday! Our court date is set for Thursday, June 21st. If all goes well, we will have Drew the next day and will head to Moscow the following Monday. In Moscow, we will need to complete some additional paperwork and Drew will see another pediatrician before our return home. Michael returns on June 25th and Drew, Mom and I return on Friday, June 29th, again, assuming all goes as planned.
Please follow our adventures by checking our blog. We will probably only post updates vs. send emails, so stay tuned. http://crowleyadoption2007.blogspot.com/
Wish us luck!
Please follow our adventures by checking our blog. We will probably only post updates vs. send emails, so stay tuned. http://crowleyadoption2007.blogspot.com/
Wish us luck!
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Wait Continues
As of today, we have been home from Russia for eight weeks. It really does seem like such a long time ago that we met our little guy and played with him. We are ready as a family to get back to Niznhiy to pick up Drew and bring him home. We're ready to move on and be a family of four.
So, the update from the agency is that they have all our paperwork and will try to get a court date for us either the 2nd or 3rd week of June. I believe there are 5 couples waiting that the agency is trying to get a court date for prior to July 9th when the Judge goes on vacation for a few weeks.
Cross your fingers and stay tuned for updates on the court date.
So, the update from the agency is that they have all our paperwork and will try to get a court date for us either the 2nd or 3rd week of June. I believe there are 5 couples waiting that the agency is trying to get a court date for prior to July 9th when the Judge goes on vacation for a few weeks.
Cross your fingers and stay tuned for updates on the court date.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)