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Sorry that I have not posted lately, my the little one has been keeping me really busy. We have been having a wonderful time together and he has adjusted so well, I am truly amazed at this little boy. I think that my taking time off work to spend with him has really been good, but now I am getting ready to head back to work and not looking forward to it. Here are some updated pictures.
We have made it home. We arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday around 6:30 pm. It was quite a long trip home. The flight from Moscow was full, not an empty seat on the plane so little one had to sit on my lap the whole way home. Considering the circumstances I would have to say he did quite well. He only slept maybe 3 hours of the 10 1/2 hours, cried for about 4 hours of the 10 1/2 hours (in about 10-20 minute increments until I started feeding him Cheerios - I am so glad someone had the good mind to create Cheerios) and then ate and played for the remainder of the 10 1/2 hours. I felt so bad for him because it was such a long flight and he couldn't get comfortable, there was no where to play and grandma and I tried to entertain him as much as we could. He flirted with the lady sitting next to us quite a bit and the Russian gentlemen behind me took pity on me and tried to amuse him when I stood him up on my lap. When we finally landed at JFK they could not get the walkway over to the plane so we had to wait probably about 30 minutes until we could get off, he did what most of us felt like doing - cried. When we finally got off I went to get my stroller only to find out that I would have to claim it in baggage claim - it needed to clear customs, so I had to lug a diaper bag, computer, backpack and 25lb baby through the airport. Grandma and I were rushing because we only had 1 hr 35 minutes to catch our next flight. We finally got to customs to see a long line and then realized that was for non-US citizens and there was no line for US citizens. We cleared there and then had to take Alex to Immigration where there was a wait of 5-10 minutes. I saw a lady that was also at the US Embassy the day before and was talking to her and told her we had a flight to catch and were really running late. Mom said that one of the immigration officers heard me and came right over and cleared Alex in less than 5 minutes, YEAH he is a US Citizen! We then had to run about 3/4 of a mile through the airport and only had about 10 minutes before our plane took off to find out that they plane was delayed because they down-sized the plane from a 70 seater to a 50 seater and were rerouting people through other airports. Everyone had to get back in line to find out where they were being sent to, Mom and I prayed so hard that we would still get our original flight and our prayers were answered. Once on the plane there was a mechanical problem so we had to wait until that was fixed and then little one decided to really stink up his diaper, I apoligized to the people around me and then changed his diaper. About 10 minutes later mom started laughing really hard because little one peed all over her, I guess it was all the juice he drank earlier. When we finally took off we were exhausted and he fell asleep right away. Finally landed in Pittsburgh and his daddy was calling to see where we were, he was anxious. Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Papa, Aunt Carol, Uncle Chris, Aunt Karla, Anna, Sydney and Claire were all there to welcome us home, it was such a site to see. Everyone was so excited and Alex was not really sure what to do and after about 15 minutes he was down and running around the airport.
On the way home, Mama and Alex both slept until daddy woke us up, what a good site it was to see our house. Alex came in and just walked around from room to room looking at everything. Eventually he fell asleep, but we are still messed up with our schedule. We have been waking up about 1:00am until about 2:30am and then waking back up around 5:00am. Mama and Daddy are both really tired, but as I sit here and type this both of my boys are sleeping and snoring, what a good life I have!
Today everything went so well for us at the Embassy, they decided to issue his Visa and documents today instead of Monday, so we are coming home. I was so excited when they told me this morning it was a possibility, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. They said to come back at 2:00pm with Alex and I would have my interview. We ended up seeing the other couples that we met yesterday adopting the two girls from St. Petersburg. When they called our name, I hurried up to the window only to find but they had not received the facial recognition confirmation as of yet, this was the only thing holding us up and then it just appeared on the screen as we were standing there. I called the airline and they only had 2 seats available on the flight out, so little one will be sitting on my lap on the return trip, will make for a long 10 1/2 hours, but I don't care, we are coming home. Now hopefully everything will go well at JFK and we will make it through immigration, where he will become a US Citizen, and we will have enough time to catch our connecting flight home, we only have 1 hour 30 minutes, so please say a prayer for us that we can make it. See you all soon in the USA.
We had to go get Alex's medical exam this morning. There were other couples there who were adopting 2 girls who were about 12 years old and little man was flirting with them. When it was his turn to get his exam I had to undress him and put him on the table and he started screaming, the doctor had not even touched him yet. The doctor made me go sit down because he said that Alex was playing me, he had crocodile tears, and that he wanted me to quit picking him up every time he cried (he wants to save my back). I told him once we got him home and settled I would quit, but he said it would be even harder for both of us then. I know what he is saying is true, but when those little eyes look up at me, what am I supposed to do. When he was finally done examining him and Alex came over to me I had tears in my eyes because I couldn't stand to see him cry. I know I will have to get over this, but I think it is going to take me some time. He is adjusting so well to everything. We went to get his picture taken at St. Basil's today and walk around Red Square, he is just amazed at everything and sits in his stroller and looks around. I am so pleased at how well adjusted he is and how well he is settling in with us. We have been so blessed by this little boy.
We picked up our little boy today, this is such a good day. When we got to the orphanage everything was very rushed, they dressed him, said their goodbye's and we were in the car leaving. He did so well in the car, just looked out the window at everything and was amazed. I am so proud of him. The last 5 minutes he was ready to get out of the car, but so was I. Once we got to the apartment I think the elevator scared him a little bit, he just looked around. We came into the apartment and he was just holding on to me tightly. After about 5 minutes I put him down and off he went, he just kept walking from one room to another, looking at the TV, looking out the window, listening to all the cars, he didn't know what to do with himself. After about an hour I could tell he was tired because he was sucking his thumb so I took him into the bedroom for his nap, oh boy did he cry, it broke my heart. I stayed with him and he calmed down after about 10 minutes and layed down in the crib and I rubbed his back and eventually fell asleep. That is the most precious thing to put your baby to sleep for the first time. I am enjoying his nap time but can't wait for him to wake up.
Today when we got there Mr. Man was just getting up from his nap and so we got to see him eat his lunch, he is a good eater! Mom and I were amazed at what good table manners all of the children have. They are taught to eat with only one hand and the other hand stays on the table. It was so funny to see him eat with a big spoon, the size his dada would use, and he just shoveled the food into his mouth. When he was done he had such a big smile on his face, he was in a very good mood, singing songs while we were walking and just as happy as could be. I kept telling him one more day baby boy and you get to come with mama. I can't wait for tomorrow it is going to be such a happy day to finally get to bring him home with me and an even happier day when we can both come home to dada.
Mr. Man was in another good mood today. On our first visit today Mama was late because she was shopping at the markets, but once she got there we went for a walk. He has declared his independence and decided that he does not want to hold my hand when we walk he wants to do it on his own. Well, of course, with the snowsuit, boots, etc. he wiped out and ate some dirt. When he stood up his face was all black so mama had to wipe it off for him. He has also really decided that he loves his Cheerios. He goes right for the bag and grabs them out and brings them over to me and goes "Aaahhh" (I believe that is "give me one"). After he ate one I put the container in my coat pocket and he came over and hit me on the leg and went "Aaahhh" again and then got in my pocket and got them out. He is so observant, doesn't miss a thing. On our second visit we did another walk and this time he decided in the dirt that he would hold my hand, smart child. Tomorrow we are not visiting because mom and I are touring the Kremlin. I will miss the little one and can't wait to pick him up next week.
Mr. Man was in a good mood again today. We dressed him in his little snow suit and headed out for a walk. We spent about an hour outside riding in the stroller and then he decided he wanted out to walk around and chase the kitty cat that runs around. He was no match for the cat, never even got near it. With all that he is bundled in and his boots he can hardly move. Afterwards we went inside to play and he was in a really good mood, he was singing some kind of song but I have not idea what the words were. After about another hour he looked over and caught me eating a cracker, I tried to hide it really quick but nothing gets by him. He came over and looked behind my back like I know it's there and then I had to get his snacks out. We introduced him to Cheerios today, boy did he like them. He made one last about 10 minutes because he kept licking it and then licking his thumb, rubbing the Cheerio on his thumb, suck his thumb and then start the whole process over again. Mom and I were amazed that one Cheerio could last that long. All the ones afterwards went straight into the mouth, he didn't waste any time. I can't wait to bring him home and introduce him to all kinds of new foods. He has such a funny expression on his face when he eats, he will really love the stuff at home.
I went shopping for him today and bought him a new pair of shoes and some new toys, not that he needs any but I am just panicking about the plane ride home and keeping him occupied for 10-12 hours. We will try his new shoes on tomorrow to see if they fit his chubby little feet. I brought 2 pairs with me and the one pair you can't even get on his foot and the other I think is a little too big.