Wednesday, June 3, 2009

We Meet





What a day!!! I soooooo want to post some photos to share our little princess with you!!! I will do so as soon as I can.




Today we met with our agency reps (husband and wife: Alex and Tania) at 8:30am. They drove us to city center, and we were able to walk around with Tania while Alex waited at the Ministry of Education for our appointment. We had to go there to sign papers and then to get permission to go and see our little girl. Yes, Barb, the lady there was very stoic!!! We must have passed inspection, though, because she granted our wish. While we were in the MOE, we randomly met another family there from Charlotte, NC - what are the odds?? The other couple waiting is from Italy!!!




After the MOE, we did not have time to drive to the baby home (which takes about an hour by car due to traffic). Tania again walked around with us pointing out historical places, and she took us inside St Isaac's Cathedral. At this point it was raining pretty heavily and very windy and chilly. We did not know this morning that we would be out walking. I had on dressy shoes and no jacket!




After St. Isaac's, we went to a souvenir market with Tania who helped to translate for us and get us a discount. The prices here are still expensive in my opinion. We were able to get a few things, but I am hoping to be able to find some places in Moscow. Apparently, the main market is really not safe in Moscow right now so we won't be going there.


We then had lunch with both Tania and Alex at a traditional Russian restaurant. They ordered for us, and let's just say that I am not much of a fan of the food. I'll leave it at that! :)


Since it was still pouring rain, we drove around while Tania was pointing out landmarks like the Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilievsky Island, and the Summer Gardens. Thankfully, Alex was able to call the baby home and arrange for us to go there early.


We entered the baby home, and it was much like what you would envision. We were taken to a nice room with lots of NEW toys where we met with the director and the social worker. Apparently we answered the questions correctly as there really weren't many. We were prepared to be grilled about adopting. In the middle of a translation, the door opens and the caregiver brought Emma in the room, and I promise all the noise (3 ladies speaking in a foreign language) stopped. JC and I both had tears in our eyes...very surreal. She brought Emma to me instantly, and she let me hold her. She is very cuddly and very healthy. She was quite heavy - which is a blessing to me!!! She sat in my lap while we finished the Q&A. She did start to fuss, but as soon as I stood up and started rocking back and forth, she settled down. We brought her a blanket and little rattle today, and she kept those in her grasp the entire visit.


After answering questions and getting her medical from the director and social worker, we had about an hour just to spend time with Emma. We sat on the floor with her, and she played with some of the toys. She was always touching me though and she wanted me to hold her. I handed her to JC at the beginning, but she was NOT happy about that. There are no men who work in the baby home so she was a little frightened of him. That was a little heartbreaking; I know. She is very clever, and she figured out a game with a ball and a tunnel where you fit the ball through a small opening and it goes round and round until it comes out at the bottom. At first she just wanted to hold as many balls as possible with the blanket and rattle. We took many photos, and thanks to Tania we were able to get a few of all three of us.


After playing, she did become very sleepy, and she would lay her head back against my shoulder - what a nice feeling.


She is very precious! She did stand and start walking before her first birthday. She is described as full of joy and cheerful. She is medically healthy and has received some vaccines already. Two months ago she was moved out of a younger group because she is a little more advanced...all those things sounded like music to my ears!!!

What can I say??? We are already in love!!!

We have signed the papers saying that we want to proceed with the adoption, and Friday we have to go to the notary here to redo one power of attorney form.

We get to visit twice tomorrow and Friday. There were no trains available so we will be flying again...please say some prayers for us on Friday!!!

We are very tired again since we were up most of the night. We came back to our hotel tonight around 7pm and had trail mix and meal bars again for dinner.

Hopefully more to follow from our stay here! It is very exhausting and it is making us even more homesick. Being able to visit more Thursday and Friday will make it all worthwhile!

Thank you all for your kind comments, your positive thoughts and your prayers!!!

16 comments:

Kristen said...

I have tears in my eyes right now....I cannot wait until you bring her home!!! Love to you all....The Katulas

Love Being A Nonny said...

I loved reading this and I am continually praying for all of you!

Tara said...

Oh girl, I'm crying like a baby over here. Thanks again for posting and sharing your amazing experience with us!

Sarah said...

Thank you so much for the happy update! Thanks for sharing!

Caroline Armijo said...

This is such wonderful news!!! I am so excited that you had a great time meeting her and she is already so connected to you. I can't wait to see her pictures.

☆ Loren ☆ said...

It's a fairytale in the making. Im so overjoyed for ya'll. I'll continue to pray everything continues to go smoothly!

fleur de lis cottage said...

Oh, I loved reading the description of your sweet little girl. Praying for rest, strength and stamina for you guys!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I can only imagine what you felt like the moment that door swung open and Emma was brought into the room:) I am so happy for you......it is all so exciting!!

Sending good thoughts and prayers....Safe Travels!!

Sorry I missed your last two posts....I am behind again....

Lisa

Anonymous said...

What complete happiness you must be feeling - to have your girl in your arms is an answered prayer!!

Continuing to pray for a speedy rest of the proceedings and safe travels:)

Ashley

Jo said...

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. What a lucky little girl Emma is to have you. Stay strong! You can do this, the end is in sight, only a few more hurdles and you will all be together as a family!

Can't wait to see all the lovely photos. I may even need to "stop by" and meet Emma in person when I take Nick back to school this fall! :)

Jo

USCEmily said...

I'm so glad that your visit with Emma went well! She will surely warm up to JC, it will just take a bit more time, I'm sure!

My prayers are with you on this journey! Can't wait to see pictures of little Emma!!

Rachel said...

Like everyone else, I have tears in my eyes! I am so happy you finally got to hold your little girl in your hands. She sounds precious and like she is doing great physically and developmentally!

I can't wait to read more and my htoughts are with you!

Rachel

Jodee said...

Wow! What a great visit! It sounds like Emma is healthy and doing great. I can't wait to see her!

teg said...

WONDERFUL - thinking of you! xoxo

Barb said...

Thank you for the wonderful update! I remember all those feelings like it was yesterday. We, also, signed the petition to adopt right away, in the yard of the orphanage:-)

Heather said...

This is such wonderful news!

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