A Day with My Son Alexei in the Park We Played in 2 Years Ago

Alexei and I were able to have a few hours alone today. We decided on this chilly October day to set out to the park behind the Vlad Motor Inn. I watched him as he ran around the tennis court, went down the new tube slide and said hello to a pigeon. I couldn't help but think about how small he was when we first came to this park together. The waddling 15 month old, so tiny and yet ran around in slower fashion.

Today we spent time in the lobby while he stood with the hotel clown and she blew up balloons for him. Incredibly wonderful to see how well he does with all of the other children who speak Russian. He seems to enjoy playing with the children, running around together and laughing. I stand in awe at the strength he has had and the light emotions he has shown in returning to Russia. When we landed with Korean Air, he yelled "Back to Russia!" I cannot even imagine what people thought as his excitement was clearly shown in his loud voice, hands on the airplane window and huge smile.

He has also declared his love loudly for two girls. "I love her!" "I love her!" He yells. Oh boy, to have two boys who charm the pants off these girls.

Customs Experience: So, we are in line waiting to go through customs. We are next and Alexei has been pretty patient. DEAR LORD, you will not believe what he said and did: Long Lines, Sister in front of us waiting for the customs agent to return her passport, suddenly Alexei says, "Hey Sweetheart, we've been waiting long enough, it's our turn." THANK GOODNESS he is 3 years old. That is the only way we were able to get away with that. Whew.

From the moment I first met my son, I felt this instant connection and here we are back in Russia after 2 years of being together. He is my everything and the alone time is certainly cherished even when we sit together and converse at the table over lunch about Sponge Bob.

I often whisper when we are running around in his ears, "I love you" in Russian and he says it back quietly. There is nothing quite like the mother and son bond. I will say today, he answered the coordinator when she asked if he wanted to go meet his brother, he said, "My sister". He is still trying to figure things out since he met the girl we thought to be his sister and he became hooked. I show him video of his new brother and I think about the potential of me raising two sons. A funny thought really. Hockey, tennis, I suppose our house is ready for sure. Double the Trouble I say.

Alexei has waited months thinking we are bringing home his sister so this should be really interesting as to whether we are able to bring home a brother or if I am going to have to explain to him we are going home without his brother or sister. Aye, aye, aye is all I can say. I am so hoping to not have this conversation with him if we have to leave without.

It surely is a beautiful sunny, chilly day in Vladivostok. Chilly 37 in the evening and 55 during the day.