Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Drinking Tea at the Vlad Inn & Thoughts
Familiar Faces through the years... The one comforting aspect of an adoption in Vladivostok, Russia is the familiarity. Although our adoption process has been rocky, I still stand by the people who have been helping us throughout. There is a special place for each person who has helped us take one more step in this journey.
To us they are family as they have given us more than we could ever have asked for with Alexei, a trooper in this trip to Russia. A typical three year old but asked to do so much from meeting his potential sister to his new brother to returning to his baby home and saying hello to everyone so politely.
He calls it "his old home" and I love how much he takes pride in Russia, whether it be yelling it from the tarmac "Back in Russia" or mentioning Russia every where we seem to go here. He was incredibly excited even to see the monument up top the hill in Vladivstok. For a three year old he just puts me in awe each day.
Even when it comes to him chasing after each girl. Oh dear, these boys are going to do a number on us lol.
He saw another girl today and ran after her down the Vlad Inn path to the park. When it comes to a boy, he stops, looks at them and stares at them cautiously lol.
I have also come to meet such incredible families once again at the Vlad Inn who are also going through the process.
Thank you Shelly for your incredibly kind message. It was wonderful meeting you today and I have to admit, you are in the most incredible hands here. One of my favorite people here to have on your side.
Let's see what another day brings us!
To us they are family as they have given us more than we could ever have asked for with Alexei, a trooper in this trip to Russia. A typical three year old but asked to do so much from meeting his potential sister to his new brother to returning to his baby home and saying hello to everyone so politely.
He calls it "his old home" and I love how much he takes pride in Russia, whether it be yelling it from the tarmac "Back in Russia" or mentioning Russia every where we seem to go here. He was incredibly excited even to see the monument up top the hill in Vladivstok. For a three year old he just puts me in awe each day.
Even when it comes to him chasing after each girl. Oh dear, these boys are going to do a number on us lol.
He saw another girl today and ran after her down the Vlad Inn path to the park. When it comes to a boy, he stops, looks at them and stares at them cautiously lol.
I have also come to meet such incredible families once again at the Vlad Inn who are also going through the process.
Thank you Shelly for your incredibly kind message. It was wonderful meeting you today and I have to admit, you are in the most incredible hands here. One of my favorite people here to have on your side.
Let's see what another day brings us!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
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.
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.
Adoption Update: Court on Hold
I know there are many waiting to read an update on our adoption journey.
We arrived safely in Vladivostok, happily at the Vlad Motor Inn. Korea was very nice and they have renovated the transit hotel with flat screen televisions, new beds, new showers/tubs, very nice.
It was very warm and humid the first couple of days in Vladivostok and now it is around 37 at night and 60 during the day. The leaves are falling and the autumn chill is in the air.
I unpacked all of our clothes including our daughter's clothes and put out her first outfit, a very cute blue ruffly skirt, black polka dot tights, white shoes, black long sleeve shirt and sweater with matching knit hat.
We went to visit our daughter to be the first 2 days where we saw other children playing and took our son back to his baby home. He enjoyed it very much. He said hello to everyone, shook their hands and played with the toys. He said to my sister later that he had visited his old home. He was very happy with his sister. He gave her big hugs and she was all over him, just about chasing him down.
The day before court, we said our paka paka's to our daughter to be, she hugged us like crazy that day and reached out for us. She had become so attached giggling and wanting up over and over. I was so happy with our daughter to be. She was sweet, smiling all of the time and was just a wonderful little girl. We had gone shopping for baby food, drinks and diapers and then back to the hotel to rest.
The day before court I never thought life would change once again for us. My sister and I had taken Alexei out for a walk around the hotel getting some fresh air. As I turned the corner, I saw our coordinator standing with my husband at the back door waving me over. I knew at that moment something was incredibly wrong.
Indeed the information was not good. We had lost our daughter to be at the very last moment, the ever so feared witching hour. A relative had come forth, however not guaranteed but put a stop to us getting to bring our little girl into our family. The bonding, the hugs, the smiles and the thoughts were all lost to one fact "I would never see her again".
I suppose it was the last line, "I would never see her again" that made my heart sink. It was broken. My husband took it hardest on the first day and I stayed strong trying to figure out what was next for us. The second day I was not great but things were moving fast and I had to keep up. We were already seeing a new referral of a little boy. A little boy who reminded me of our own son just with brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin.
So here I was realizing that everyone back home, our parents, family, friends all wanted to know what happened and I couldn't even bring the words out to tell them what or how I truly felt. I think as most who knew here were left speechless. This is how I feel.
I would walk into our bedroom and want to walk back out seeing the girls clothing, the first outfit, the 3 little pairs of shoes and the small knit hats. Then I would think of the little girl room we all created and what was waiting for her. It felt like a huge weight pulling down inside my chest and my stomach, like a sudden, great loss.
My son who had met his sister was so excited to see her again and I wasn't even sure how to tell him he didn't have a sister anymore, now a brother. He did not accept it until late today when he finally said "okay".
We know not of what will happen in the next few days. We have spent time with a little boy, given him a name and hope that everything will turn out successful. Honestly, I fear the outcome as I am not sure it will all work out but hope fate will come through the way it is supposed to for us.
I cannot put in words the loss we feel and yet the hope we have that things will come out the way we need them too. Either way, we hold tight that Alexei will be able to bring home that sibling he has so been waiting to come to Russia for.
We arrived safely in Vladivostok, happily at the Vlad Motor Inn. Korea was very nice and they have renovated the transit hotel with flat screen televisions, new beds, new showers/tubs, very nice.
It was very warm and humid the first couple of days in Vladivostok and now it is around 37 at night and 60 during the day. The leaves are falling and the autumn chill is in the air.
I unpacked all of our clothes including our daughter's clothes and put out her first outfit, a very cute blue ruffly skirt, black polka dot tights, white shoes, black long sleeve shirt and sweater with matching knit hat.
We went to visit our daughter to be the first 2 days where we saw other children playing and took our son back to his baby home. He enjoyed it very much. He said hello to everyone, shook their hands and played with the toys. He said to my sister later that he had visited his old home. He was very happy with his sister. He gave her big hugs and she was all over him, just about chasing him down.
The day before court, we said our paka paka's to our daughter to be, she hugged us like crazy that day and reached out for us. She had become so attached giggling and wanting up over and over. I was so happy with our daughter to be. She was sweet, smiling all of the time and was just a wonderful little girl. We had gone shopping for baby food, drinks and diapers and then back to the hotel to rest.
The day before court I never thought life would change once again for us. My sister and I had taken Alexei out for a walk around the hotel getting some fresh air. As I turned the corner, I saw our coordinator standing with my husband at the back door waving me over. I knew at that moment something was incredibly wrong.
Indeed the information was not good. We had lost our daughter to be at the very last moment, the ever so feared witching hour. A relative had come forth, however not guaranteed but put a stop to us getting to bring our little girl into our family. The bonding, the hugs, the smiles and the thoughts were all lost to one fact "I would never see her again".
I suppose it was the last line, "I would never see her again" that made my heart sink. It was broken. My husband took it hardest on the first day and I stayed strong trying to figure out what was next for us. The second day I was not great but things were moving fast and I had to keep up. We were already seeing a new referral of a little boy. A little boy who reminded me of our own son just with brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin.
So here I was realizing that everyone back home, our parents, family, friends all wanted to know what happened and I couldn't even bring the words out to tell them what or how I truly felt. I think as most who knew here were left speechless. This is how I feel.
I would walk into our bedroom and want to walk back out seeing the girls clothing, the first outfit, the 3 little pairs of shoes and the small knit hats. Then I would think of the little girl room we all created and what was waiting for her. It felt like a huge weight pulling down inside my chest and my stomach, like a sudden, great loss.
My son who had met his sister was so excited to see her again and I wasn't even sure how to tell him he didn't have a sister anymore, now a brother. He did not accept it until late today when he finally said "okay".
We know not of what will happen in the next few days. We have spent time with a little boy, given him a name and hope that everything will turn out successful. Honestly, I fear the outcome as I am not sure it will all work out but hope fate will come through the way it is supposed to for us.
I cannot put in words the loss we feel and yet the hope we have that things will come out the way we need them too. Either way, we hold tight that Alexei will be able to bring home that sibling he has so been waiting to come to Russia for.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
3 days and Counting to Vladivostok
I am running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done, however wanted to stop in and update the blog quickly.
We leave in 3 days to Vladivostok for our Court Date.
It is 37 degrees right now at night so I am glad I had a difficult time packing before as I would have had to re-pack the entire suitcase.
At this point, Cordelia's room has 3 suitcases awaiting organization. As much as I try to go smaller, then it gets colder and I need to have jackets for the kids, hats and warmer clothing than what we originally had prepared for late summer.
In fact, now that I think about it tomorrow is the beginning of Autumn already! WOW, time flies.
Today I pick up my sister who will be traveling with us for the first 10 days. I have not seen her for 7 years! Since we are in Vlad for almost 24 days, it was a bit long to ask anyone to stay for that length of time.
I am printing up photos of our little one's to put into the Vlad Photo Album.
We received confirmation of our Korean Transit Hotel room today on the way there. Love the airport there, so much to do and a Starbucks! Last stop for a Starbucks for the next 24 days or so. I advise VIA, I have had some and a girlfriend recommended taking a whole bunch.
Travel visas arrive today or tomorrow.
We leave in 3 days to Vladivostok for our Court Date.
It is 37 degrees right now at night so I am glad I had a difficult time packing before as I would have had to re-pack the entire suitcase.
At this point, Cordelia's room has 3 suitcases awaiting organization. As much as I try to go smaller, then it gets colder and I need to have jackets for the kids, hats and warmer clothing than what we originally had prepared for late summer.
In fact, now that I think about it tomorrow is the beginning of Autumn already! WOW, time flies.
Today I pick up my sister who will be traveling with us for the first 10 days. I have not seen her for 7 years! Since we are in Vlad for almost 24 days, it was a bit long to ask anyone to stay for that length of time.
I am printing up photos of our little one's to put into the Vlad Photo Album.
We received confirmation of our Korean Transit Hotel room today on the way there. Love the airport there, so much to do and a Starbucks! Last stop for a Starbucks for the next 24 days or so. I advise VIA, I have had some and a girlfriend recommended taking a whole bunch.
Travel visas arrive today or tomorrow.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Orphans At Play Family Kits
Family Kits are now available in our Orphans at Play Store.
The Family Kits make an excellent gift for an adoption baby shower if your sister or friend is waiting for their beautiful child from Russia or if you simply want to surprise the family with a coming home gift to say Congratulations. Nothing is more special than saying we are so happy for all of you with a package representing their child's heritage and culture.
Our Orphans at Play Kits come packaged in a gift box with a special note to say Thank You. The kits include a T-shirt, Baseball Cap, Stationary and the choice of a Necklace or Key Chain. Choose between 2 designs: The Orphans at Play Design or our Popular Matyroshka Design. All kits are available in either white or black (add $5 for black).
Coming soon, we will sell each item individually.
Family Kits
The Family Kits make an excellent gift for an adoption baby shower if your sister or friend is waiting for their beautiful child from Russia or if you simply want to surprise the family with a coming home gift to say Congratulations. Nothing is more special than saying we are so happy for all of you with a package representing their child's heritage and culture.
Our Orphans at Play Kits come packaged in a gift box with a special note to say Thank You. The kits include a T-shirt, Baseball Cap, Stationary and the choice of a Necklace or Key Chain. Choose between 2 designs: The Orphans at Play Design or our Popular Matyroshka Design. All kits are available in either white or black (add $5 for black).
Coming soon, we will sell each item individually.
Family Kits
5 Days and Counting
Just 5 days away to waking up and getting on an airplane to complete our adoption of our 17 month old baby girl, Cordelia Anya.
Of course the list is huge in between but each day we have been doing a good job at knocking down the items one by one.
My biggest challenge right now is finding out what to wear for 39-43 degrees at night and 65 during the day. I had all of my summer clothes picked out and now I am layering and grabbing the sweaters.
I do love Autumn though and have never been to Russia in Autumn. So far just spring and summer.
There should be about 7- 10 days of rain while we are there so I have packed the dvd's, music and toys, which will be ready for Alexei.
My sister comes in on Wednesday to fly with us on Saturday and she will be with us a total of 10 days there, which should really help us and give Alexei someone more exciting during the down times ;)
It will surely be busy but I am hoping for some vacation too in between our work days, court date and concluding business.
Of course the list is huge in between but each day we have been doing a good job at knocking down the items one by one.
My biggest challenge right now is finding out what to wear for 39-43 degrees at night and 65 during the day. I had all of my summer clothes picked out and now I am layering and grabbing the sweaters.
I do love Autumn though and have never been to Russia in Autumn. So far just spring and summer.
There should be about 7- 10 days of rain while we are there so I have packed the dvd's, music and toys, which will be ready for Alexei.
My sister comes in on Wednesday to fly with us on Saturday and she will be with us a total of 10 days there, which should really help us and give Alexei someone more exciting during the down times ;)
It will surely be busy but I am hoping for some vacation too in between our work days, court date and concluding business.
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