Moscow

So here we are. In Russia. The glass half full, I suppose. The good news is that we made it on our connecting flight in Chicago. Our first plane was an hour late leaving because they wanted maintenance to check a bird strike on the engine. Hard to complain about that. But it did take the pilot calling 3 times for them to finally arrive. So in Chicago we arrived about 2 minutes before our plane to Moscow was departing. In a different gate. Jim was amazing. You might think he is just a 41 yr old salesman, but I tell you, when we got off that plane he might have been a 20 yr old hockey star. He left me in his dust. I've never seen a man move so fast carrying a 25 lb weight (he has the carry-on with all the electronics). I tried to keep up, but my 15 lb bag was like a rock on my back, and I started to think I might pass out. Jim was able to tell the gate lady that I was coming, and they re-opened the door for us. It took about an hour of being able to taste our lungs with every breath, but it was worth it getting on the plane.

Bad news is that our luggage was not so lucky. Not only did it not arrive, but they tell us there is no way to get it to Novokuznetsk before we are ready to come back. So we will have no luggage the entire trip. So much for painstaking packing of toys and cheerios and snacks to ensure that Owen warms up to us. So much for the album of family pictures and the little snuggly that I slept with all week to give it my smell.

Glass half full...glass half full...

So, we did bring the camera battery, after a close call with that. Three-fourths of the way to the airport I took out the camera to check it, and realized that I left the battery and charger plugged into the wall at home. Luckily we had left with plenty of time, so we had time to go all the way back home. Grandma didn't even seem too surprised to see me run in, grab a battery, and run out. There was no way I could forget that, not only because we need to have pictures of us with Owen when we eventually go to court, but also because Liam gave me strict instructions before I left: "Mom. You have to take LOTS of pictures of Owen. Click, click, click, click, click, click. Nap. Click, click, click, click, click. Nap. Click, click, click." The boy wants pictures. He is very excited about this. So we will get pictures. I may look like a homeless person in dirty clothes and no makeup, but we'll get pictures. Oh yes, and I forgot the sweater I was supposed to stick in my carry-on to complete my "layers". So I'm only in my base layer. It's just Siberia, right? Here's hoping they have a mall of some sort.

Don't know what the access will be when we get there, but we'll try to keep updating. Not much else to do since most of my books were in my bag.

Anticipation Building

I'm finally feeling like I am actually getting ready for a trip. Now I feel like I'm scrambling, of course. Not like having an extra month would make me any more prepared, or anything.

Liam's teacher has told me several times now that he is very excited about Owen. I would love to know what he tells her. He told me last night how lucky I am to get to meet him, and he really wishes he could go too. Then today he got a prize from the treasure box at school (for good behavior). He picked out a zip-up bag, like a lunch box. I thought it was odd. But he told me it was so we could put the new pictures of Owen in it and bring them home safely. He is too sweet.

Natalie's teachers have also said that she has been talking about Owen, and all in a very positive way. She has asked several times to double check that he is a boy though. I think she may be mulling over the shift in the balance of power between the genders.

It was such nice weather this afternoon, the kids thought they needed umbrellas for the sun. I just looked up the extended forecast in Novo, and I think we may get lucky there too. Highs in the 20s, and lows around 4. woo-hoo That is quite a bit warmer than a week or 2 ago. Excitement is building...

Tick, Tock Again

Time is still crawling by as we wait for Trip 1. It is getting closer, however, and I had one brief flash of excitement this weekend as I wondered what Owen will be like in person. Not to worry, I squashed that excitement pretty darn quickly. Squash, squash. By the time this is over I think I will need a therapist to sort out repressed emotions.

As part of that, and possibly as part of a burgeoning mid-life crisis, I went to the beauty salon this weekend. I decided to ask for my natural color back. Mind you, I'm not entirely sure what this is anymore, but I ran across my old college graduation picture the other day that gave me an idea. My stylist was reluctant. "You don't really want it that dark. Really. You don't." "Don't I? Hmmm... I was thinking I did."

So we compromised, and I went dark...but with a few highlights added back in. So. Now. I was happy until Liam was practicing using the camera today and I actually saw myself in a digital photo. Ugh. I guess I forgot that my 20-yr-old face is no longer around to go with the dark hair. Nevertheless...it is one thing I feel like I can control right now, I suppose. We'd better travel soon, before I start making other changes and they will insist that I am not the same person in my passport photo (which is already 6 or so years old). And NO, I'm not posting a picture. Maybe I'll go back in and go red, which is what Grandma Helen was pushing for (she says everyone should be a red-head once in their life...)

Five Year Old Sweetness

A few of Liam's sweet drawings from the past week. In one he explains what he would do if he were President. It is a little hard to decipher the spelling, but it is supposed to say "I would tell everyone to do what's right." I like that. I also love the crowd of people with the little wavy lines showing that they are listening to him.

Then for his free draw in Art, he drew a picture of his house and wrote "This is my home. I like it. My mom and dad protect me." Awwwwww....I am so glad he feels that way.

Other than that, time is crawling by as we wait for the big trip. I feel like we dodged a bullet (for once) because the Russian gov't sent out a list this week of Homestudy agencies from which they will no longer accept Homestudy documents. It was a long list. Our original homestudy agency was on it, but the one that has done our last 2 updates was not. That is a good thing, since we've already done 3 Homestudies, and would hate to have to pay for a fourth. I hope there aren't any more changes to the process before we're done, but I know better than to assume that. I feel bad for families who were ready to go to court and are now scrambling, not knowing if their paperwork will be rejected. Last minute changes are so stressful.

Happy Valentine's Day late

Happy Valentine's Day! We had several celebrations here. Jim and I went out to eat last weekend, because we thought it was our last chance before Grandma left. Now that she is staying, she graciously let us go out again this weekend. This prompted Liam to demand, "Are you guys going on a date AGAIN?!? Why do you go on dates all the time?" Because we really do, you know. If you count 4 times a year (when Grandma visits) a lot. And depending on perspective, I guess that could be a lot. Anyway, we do feel lucky to have the time together. We know we'll have some alone time in Russia as well, but somehow doubt if it will be quite as romantic. Who knows though - maybe a 27 hr trip with little sleep, a 13 hr time difference, low temperatures that have been dipping into the -30F range, new foods, new language, and first meeting of new baby, will bring out my warm, fuzzy side. Or not. Maybe it's just a good thing we're talking to each other a lot now on these dates, because we may just end up like one of those feuding couples on The Amazing Race. Which, by the way, I think may be going through Russia this season. I look forward to seeing it.

So you may or may not have noticed that I added the book Twilight to my Shelfari, along the side of the blog. Yes, that is the vampire book (and movie) that all the teen/tween girls love. Let me just say: President Obama, you know I'm a fan, but I have been plodding through the Audacity of Hope for some time now...and you make a lot of good points...and you are very verbose, in a lawyer-like kind of way, and I kind of like that...but, I've been needing a pick-me-up lately with all the adoption emotional rollercoaster ride...and a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. So I had to say: Bring on the teenage vampires!

It's not bad, actually. If you like lots of teenage, vampire, sexual tension. Which apparently I do. I can see why my niece is a fan. I think next I will pull out some old Judy Blume books, and then watch Breakfast Club and talk to my friends all night on the phone. I kid. All I'm really doing is being a prepared mother for when Natalie wants to read these books...and I'm just a few (13) years early. Really. That's the only reason I'm reading it. I can't wait to finish up the Audacity of Hope.

...A Riddle Wrapped In a Mystery Inside an Enigma

I was just thinking about the Quote from Winston Churchill that "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." That Winston sure was insightful. It's funny, because I didn't realize who said that quote or that it was about Russia. It was familiar to me mainly because Jim would always say it (not necessarily in the correct order) about Natalie. And I knew it was a quote from someone else. So finally one day I Googled it, and found out that it was actually said about Russia. How very appropriate. Natalie and Russian adoption do have some things in common. They can both be very random and illogical, and you never know what is going to happen next.

Today we tried an earlier time and a different teacher for gymnastics, and Natalie did wonderfully. She bounced around and had all kinds of fun. I hope it lasts. Grandma got to see this 180 degree change herself, because she is generously staying until our next scheduled trip to Russia. We do have new travel dates, in several more weeks.

I wish I could say that I am excited, but I'm afraid I'm not this time. I am reserving excitement for actually meeting Owen. Right now, it's just "one more time." Fourth time for receiving travel dates; third time for booking flights. I'll believe it when I walk in that orphanage door.

I'll leave you with, the funny faces of Liam and Natalie. You might not be able to tell she is a girl of many interesting moods. Oh yes, we did go to the Medieval Times show, with horses and knights and a princess. The kids both loved it (despite the funny face).

Nothing In Particular

So we've been having fun with Grandma during her visit. Unfortunately, Natalie decided to show Grandma what it looks like when she boycotts gymnastics class though. I may try switching class times to see if that helps. But if this continues, I think we will have to quit for a while. That makes me sad, because I do think she enjoys it.

Tomorrow Liam is supposed to help with the Friday morning assembly by saying into the microphone: "Please remain standing for the Star Spangled Banner". He has been doing very well practicing his line. We'll see if he has inherited my acute fear of talking in front of people and choking under pressure. I'm trying not to let him see how anxious I am for him.

With Grandma visiting, Jim and I actually had lunch together today. Before we left, Natalie asked where we were going. We were going to a sushi place, so Jim told her "We're going to eat raw fish." (no doubt trying to shock her into saying "Gross!") Without missing a beat, Natalie asked "Is that how you get married?"

Hmmm...not sure where she came up with that one. Let's hope that's not how most people get married. I have a sneaking suspicion that it was because I was dressed better than normal. Mommy's not in sweats! She must be doing something special like getting married! Maybe I should keep myself up a little better while I'm at home.

Oh yes, and Liam thinks he has 2 loose teeth. I haven't tested them yet, but I think it is only because they have been talking about loose teeth and the Tooth Fairy this week in school (who knew that school would teach about something like the Tooth Fairy...). On the back of a story about teeth, he drew a picture of a boy sitting on a chair, and there was a clock on the wall. Grandma asked if it was a picture of Liam at the dentist. He said "No, it's me waiting for my teeth to fall out." ha ha I think I can relate. Liam is so sure it is going to happen soon, with all this talk of loose teeth, yet there he is, sitting in that chair looking at the clock on the wall just waiting for them to fall out. Here I sit, with the clock on the wall, just waiting to go to Russia. Shall we bet on which happens first? No, better not.

No Go

We're half packed (and half baked), have lists galore for Grandma, laundry almost done, house clean, visas arrived today. And the verdict is...we're cancelled. Maybe we can get rescheduled before the 30-day visa expires, maybe not.

There isn't much to say right now. It is disappointing.

Natalie thinks we can't bring Owen home yet because he doesn't know how to walk yet (we don't actually know whether he can or can't, but she saw a baby crawling the other day and I compared him to Owen, so that is now her image of him). I only wish the hold-up was that simple.