Tuesday, March 31, 2009
where does he LEARN these things?
Moving back to "regular blog"
www.trio-to-quad.blogspot.com
So be sure to bookmark for at least semi-regular updates on our family of four! Thanks for reading about Nathan Genya's journey and please continue to read and post comments!
Debbie, Brian, JJ and Nathan
Monday, March 30, 2009
Weekend Update
As mentioned we had a heavy, wet snowstorm Saturday night so Sunday morning it was all white! I'm not sure what he thought of it - but in the afternoon JJ, Nathan and I had a snowball fight outside where he liked the throwing more than the being hit! He "told" his dad all about it!
Tonight Nathan got an early bath -- while JJ was working on some homework Nathan was sitting by him with a pen and paper -- I thought writing on the paper. Nope, he was writing all over his ARMS! Like a self tattoo!! But when I said "oh, wait until we show your dad!" he was not at all happy with what he had done and wanted to immediately take a bath! I wasn't even mad, JJ and I thought it was funny actually! But apparently Nathan knew his dad might have a different opinion. So he did manage to scrub most of it off himself in his bath and there were barely any marks to show his dad! LOL
So as we finish one week at home I continue to say it's going "better than expected". We are trying to keep somewhat to routine and welcome visitors into our home but aren't venturing too many places with him yet. Wal-Mart will be awhile yet! ha, ha... but overall Nathan is adjusting so well and continues to amaze us with how smart he is. He loves to figure out how things work and is getting much better at remembering the "rules" of the house and not getting into trouble for the infractions! And he sleeps great! To bed by 8:30 - wakes up between 6:30-7:00am... His eating is becoming more American every day - little more picky, little less quantity... but we are experienced with this this with JJ as many of you know so we deal with it!
JJ and Nathan are getting along - they don't really "play" together but do tolerate each other without jealousy and each sort of just do their own thing right now. They do like to gang up against dad when wrestling tho so that bonding will come in time! JJ loves to hear Nathan talk so often has him repeat things just so he can laugh. They share a room and now the bunks are up again so Nathan has a dresser and the room looks much nicer and bigger. JJ gets the top bunk and has settled in with about 50-stuffed animals. Nathan has the bottom and prefers just to have Candy with him.
Ganging up on dad
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday pictures
Nathan and Cousin Sarah (also his godmother) making animal balloons
JJ playing DS - Nathan Genya watching (not touching actually! yeah!)
He LOVED Grandpa's hot rod -- kept saying "mine!"
Nathan's first Wisconsin Fish Fry! Had two yesterday -- lunch and dinner!! Yumm (well, maybe Brian and I were more excited about it than Nathan was!)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Stop Pop Clop
A quick note for my faithful readers to let you know we're doing okay! I have heard from many of you that I was like a daily addiction and need to keep posting! I'll do my best!
Yesterday we went to the playgroup at school and Genya did very well. He was the oldest but played nicely with the children and followed the directions of the teacher when needed. This morning when we took JJ to school he thought he was staying and wanted to take off his coat and put it where he had yesterday! Yesterday he also did his first church service – the afternoon Lenten service and followed that by the soup/sandwich dinner. He did VERY WELL in church so that was nice! This morning we went to the chapel service the school kids have on Thursdays and again he did very well.
A funny story from Tuesday night at dinner. JJ wanted a type of cheese that we didn't have in the house (shredded cheese) – Genya was listening to the conversation and went to the fridge, opened it up and showed "zay zay" – Cheese! It was the string cheese but he knew what we were all talking about! Last night at dinner he had to have exactly what JJ had also! Overall the boys are getting along well. We let JJ have the choice if Genya plays with his toys or not and he's being very grown up about that. They don't really "play" together but they do interact well. I think Genya's excitement over a big brother is a little more than JJ's over a little brother. The kids at school have all been very good at greeting Genya but worried that they don't speak Russian. Today they were trying to tell him to stop running in the halls while I was talking to JJ's teacher – I said the Russian stop and English stop are the same! They said "oh, ok!"
There actually isn't that much to report – we just are going about our days and finding our rhythm. The morning routine we're still figuring out but it's coming… How to fill our day also is coming. I also, unfortunately, am trying to catch up on mail and get our taxes ready so that's taking some of my time. But today we have some kid visitors after school so that should allow me some time to get it done.
The title of today's blog refers to what Nathan Genya is calling Brian – "pop" generally, but likes to now say "pop clop" (from the Dr. Seuss book) and sometimes adds "stop" to the saying.
We did play outside today for the first time since the rain has stopped. He liked the fort and swinging. We still have to get the boys room arranged – the beds made back into bunks so we can get Genya's dresser in so I have a place to put his clothes!
Elena is planning to come out Saturday to visit so we should be able to find out more what Genya's thinking of all the changes in his life and we can go over some of the "house rules" better. But he is doing much better than he had in Russia – more space and more activities are helping for sure! Next week we have our social worker coming for a check in visit on Thursday and Friday we have his appointment at with the team at the International Adoption Clinic that is part of Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. We should have a better understanding of his health as well as many other things after that visit. They will have a translator as part of it also and will evaluate his speaking in Russian to help determine how his English will develop. I'm looking forward to this all. (other than the blood draw they'll be doing but at least I don't have to do that!)
We also have to figure out what we're going to call Nathan Genya – right now he's either name or sometimes both – but sometimes he'll say his name is Nathan, sometimes Genya. And he answers to both… But the "JJ" – "Genya" thing is getting confusing (yell at the wrong boy!) so we'll see!
I have now made it though the pictures we haven't downloaded so will be posting some from Moscow and home…
Pictures from the past week+
Picture from this morning -- I guess they're settling in ok! (watching cartoons)
The piles of mail waiting for us on our return!
Last link on the chain! We can LEAVE RUSSIA!!
Kathy, this is why pigeons should NOT sit on heads, especially bare ones!
Eating pizza on the hotel room floor!
Philip with Genya
What do you read this sign to be?
KFC in Moscow
He thought he was hot stuff!
Helping the street crew wash the poles and street
Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, Moscow
I should look up the name of this famous and beautiful building!
Carrying across Red Square
Red Square pictures
Nathan Genya & dad @ St. Basil's
Nathan Genya and mom at St. Basil's
With Andrew at the airport in IRK
All ready for the airport and to LEAVE Irkutsk!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
First Day
As mentioned, we were ALL awake from 3:30am on… good thing JJ had an "arranged skip day" today!
I put away Christmas decorations, unpacked suitcases and did laundry, JJ played his "Spore" computer game that he had received for Christmas but we couldn't get working before we left – thanks to Uncle Billy for getting the computer ready so now he can play it! Genya explored the house and found the few "weapons" we had in the house – if you would have asked me I would have said we had none but he found a plastic sword JJ had received at Logan's birthday part and also the Nintendo "gun" for Duck Hunter game… He also found some "Lightening McQueen" toys, including all the CARS cars we have and played with them quite a bit on and off through the day. He enjoyed the basement, especially the toy tractor he can ride on, and was quite good at not touching Brian's toys that aren't all put away.
Grandma came around 1pm so I could sleep a bit – I know I napped at least an hour. When I woke up I thought I was in Russia yet for a few seconds! Total disorientation! Grandma and Genya got along very well – she wound up being here all afternoon as we had some visitors and then I had to go meet with my dad for a bit to go over some business items.
I am keeping educational TV on for the background noise and to help him start with the English transition. Later in the afternoon my nieces Samantha, Carissa and Sophia (and their mom Aunt Sarah) came to visit as well as Pastor Pries and daughter Sarah came… They all played nicely together – Genya liked Samantha best it seems – and he spoke a few new words in English. I think the more we get him with other kids it will come as everyone says will happen. He just doesn't like to sit down to read books much or "work" on educational things so I have to figure out some strategy on our days to come.
Lunch was cheese pizza for the boys and I had my frozen Weight Watchers entrée – back to reality eating again! I am about 2-lbs lighter coming back from Russia than when leaving so all that walking helped combat the full-fat foods! Dinner was eaten in shifts – JJ was "so hungry" I made him dinner, Genya was taking a bath so he wouldn't fall asleep too early and Brian and I ate a little later. Genya ate a little bit but then was dozing off – a little after 7pm I put him to bed… Sang to him again like I had done in IRK but only two songs before he was asking to be put down. He was then OUT! JJ did a little bit of homework but since it's going to rain Tuesday I told him he could do much of it at school tomorrow as he'll have no outside recess. We then read for about 15-minutes before I couldn't see anymore. I fell asleep about 8:30pm and JJ shortly afterwards next to me in my bed. Brian's Uncle Bruce was visiting so once he left Brian came to bed, moved JJ (not as easy a task anymore!) and fell asleep also. I slept great until about 10:30 when I watched Leno and then fell asleep again until about 4am – Brian and I were both a little awake then – but then JJ came in by us and we all three fell asleep some more. Genya woke at 6:30am so I got up too, then Brian and JJ woke and we started day #2. A 6:30am wake up time is MUCH more manageable! Hopefully we'll all be adjusted soon!
Today's goal is to get our finances caught up to date – the piles of mail waiting for us took me over 1-hour to go through yesterday so I'm down to one big stack of "to handle" and a bigger stack of "to read" (magazines mainly!)
Brian was happy to be back at work yesterday. My dad is leaving for California/Arizona today so they had lots to discuss before his departure. Brian forgot his chiro appt tho so will not get in until Wednesday – he'll be happy to be back in line soon! We're settling in and the long stay away from home is already becoming a very distant memory!
I'll try to post some pictures from Moscow soon – one thing at a time! J
Travelling Home
I'm typing this a few days later so hopefully will recall the highlights anyways!
I was awake somewhat early and got ready and went to do a final posting after getting my coffee. We were all dressed and ready by the time our breakfast came a little after 8am. It was fabulous! A nice "American Breakfast" of eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, bread, grilled tomato and mushrooms. Also juice and coffee for me, hot chocolate for Brian. A nice start to the day!
Our driver arrived right on time and we about an hour ride to the airport. It was nice seeing more of the city but really is just a lot of apartment buildings!! Big ones!
Our checkin and passage through passport control and security all went well. We did have to show the adoption papers to the airport official and the passport control guy. That was fine! The passport young man also asked Genya something, I think if he knew who he was going with or something. That was fine also – somewhat reassuring! We had to wait in line to get into a secured waiting area and if we would have left there we would have had to do the security check in that area again so we just waited. W e did the "pre-boarding" as we had a young child and Genya was the FIRST ONE on the plane. He ran down the ramp onto the plane. We had the purser on the flight tell him not to put the eating tray up and down continually and some other airline basics and overall Genya did very well oon the flight. A few too many turning the reading lights on and off but that was about it. We didn't show him the toilet in the lavatory flushed so that wasn't as much fun for him – I'd just flush it while leaving! LOL He did fall asleep for about 30-minutes early in the flight and then for about 2-3 hours at the end. Neither Brian or I slept but it was a comfortable flight and decent enough entertainment on the TV screen. The food was ok and service was good. We actually arrived EARLY into Chicago – almost 45-minutes early I think! Genya did throw up a little at the end so got his "welcome clothes" home on then.
Immigration was no problems – the gal at passport control thought Genya was cute as he was winking at her – and then we went to the 2nd stage of immigration where it had been said it might be 45-minutes. We handed the guy our packet of paperwork, he stamped Genya's passport and said "go through customs" That was it! We did have to "redline" and get our bags scanned and then we were into the terminal – anxious to see JJ and everyone!
But where were they??? No one was there that looked familiear?! I thought maybe they got delayed but Brian went to look and faound them waiting for us but didn't let them know he saw them. He came back and got us and so instead of them welcoming US we welcomed THEM!! It was funny! JJ was so happy to see us – he looks so TALL! Kathy & Marty Friend and Jane Cook and her daughter Ava (officially daughter as of 3/17) were there too – Jane was a surprise! Had driven 4-hours one way to greet us!! How nice!
JJ was anxious to get us going so we didn't have a long time to visit but it was so nice – Genya was happy with the balloons and pinwheel and greeted everyone happily! We then went into the limo/bus and headed towards Wisconsin. Stopped at Culver's Restaurant for dinner – Genya and JJ had hot dogs – and then back on the road. Genya did throw up a little bit again so must suffer a little motion sickness. We moved him into the center of the bus then instead of the rear. I think almost everyone slept a little on the way home – I know Genya and I did for sure!
It was so nice to walk into our home – it looked so BIG and clean! Thanks, Mom and Carissa for helping to get it ready for us! We found some PJs for Genya and JJ and got them into bed… it wasn't real easy this first night but I finally slept by JJ for awhile and Genya did fall asleep eventually – until 3:30am anyways when he woke up the whole house!
Zoo Day
Our final (full) day in Russia! I slept until about 7am and then got myself somewhat presentable to go to the lobby to get coffee. Then stopped at the computer to check emails, etc. Love the comments! While I was gone Brian said Genya slept until about 8am – so he got a good night's sleep! After my shower and getting dressed I went to the supermarket for some breakfast items, few more bananas and apples for Genya and some salsa which they restocked. I was surprised when I stepped outside to go there that it had snowed some overnight and was still some snow in the air!
Earlier I had stopped by the desk to inquire about the best way to get to the zoo. We had walked by it a few times but didn't want to walk that far today and then still do the zoo. It's one metro stop away or would be a 1000-ruble taxi ride! Yikes! I said we'll figure out the taxi (like 75c/person and kids are free). So for that much savings we'll get over being chickens about the Moscow Metro!
Meanwhile, while watching Nickelodeon, I'm planning out the packing – what can stay, what needs to go and how to pack it all in for space and protection!
There are a lot of Americans here in the Marriott right now – there is some big conference and from here I think they go to St. Petersburg and then Poland and maybe one more place – heard them talking on the elevator about it… Brian and I both commented this morning how since we've been here we've hardly spoken Russian at all (a little to Genya and some basic greetings) – I haven't had my translation books out once on this part of our stay! At the hotel they all speak perfect English and we haven't done much else talking to people… the few we have spoken to at length has all been in English.
We left a little before 11am to head to the zoo. The metro was so easy to use – of course it was only one stop and no transfers and that helped! It was neat – you take an escalator ride WAY down into the earth and then you wait for your train. They come very quickly – you sit and ride until you hear your stop (ours was the next one) and then you take a very steep elevator ride back UP to the street. Genya slipped backwards once on the first trip up – scared me some! We then just had use the underground walking place to cross under the street and we were at the zoo! Only 300 rubles for us adults, children free. This was the bargain of Moscow other than the metro ride! I'm glad we brought Genya's snowpants from IRK as he wore them and his boots – was dressed like we were in Siberia! It was just about at freezing but the wind was strong and the snow kept slapping our faces. The zoo was very nice – quite large! Not many of the animals were outside but we were able to see most of them in their inside lodging. We didn't pay extra to see the Siberian Tiger but we can see that at the MKE zoo! Overall it was very nice and we're glad we did it – and it greatly occupied the day!
The neatest thing on the day was this – we had seen the Polar Bears earlier in the visit and when we were walking by them again to head to the other part of the zoo Genya just started reciting the book we read a lot in IRK: "Polar Bear, Polar Bear what do you see?" So I replied "I see Genya looking at me!" We did this several times (and now he just did it in his bath too) – We know Grandma is ready to start reading to him so he'll be ready to listen!
Back at the hotel we treated ourselves to a drink in the hotel lobby bar – Genya had cherry juice and Brian and I had hot chocolate. It was an expensive treat but we enjoyed it! Tomorrow morning I'm ordering room service for breakfast – again somewhat expensive but it will be a nice "goodbye to Russia" for us and we'll have a decent meal before leaving for the airport. (Genya will be having his normal yogurt, fruit and dry cereal but I'm sure he'll eat some of our meals also!) Tonight it is Sabarro's Pizza again – Brian also went to the bookstore up the street where he found some magazines in English. As he's been out of reading material for WEEKS he needs something for the plane. I still have my one book so then we'll be set – we know we have STACKS of magazines waiting for us at home!
We had two callers this afternoon (had one last night also) – Elena was one of the callers so Genya enjoyed talking to her about the last few days. Wanted to know why we still weren't in America – she said there were documents we needed to get and he replied that he had all sorts of documents!! How right in a way he was. Overall tho he was still happy with everything so when we do discipline him it must not be retained as "bad"!
I did manage to get the suitcases all packed – there are some things we're leaving behind here in Moscow (mostly clothing items) to save space more than weight. Nothing we'll be heartbroken about! Have I mentioned how happy I will be to see my clothes and shoes again!?! I've been using the same one pair of shoes, one pair of boots (which are staying here) and six sweaters with four pants for the past two months!! Two sweaters stayed behind in IRK along with one pair of pants – the rest of my clothes, other than my PJs, will be coming home with us… both of us are thoroughly tired of our pajamas – to never see them again will not be long enough!
Genya's just finishing up his "last bath in Russia". We're all anxious to be getting on that plane tomorrow!
And we walked…
Early morning today! I slept well until about 4:30am and was mostly awake from then on so about 5pm decided to go to the computer to check emails. Apparently about 5:30am Genya woke to go to the bathroom and was up since then! So we were all up! I got coffee from the lobby and then went to the grocery store this morning (we decided on this rather than the café bakery) and I got a pecan Danish – yummo! I got Brian some donuts and Genya a little fried dough item (as yesterday he took a donut and only ate about two bites). Genya's thing was 17-rubles and he ate it up. He also finally finished the apple he started two days ago – and I think he ate the whole thing…seeds and all!
I stopped at the currency exchange here in the hotel to turn in some of our cash – I know it's not the best exchange rate but it wasn't bad and it was done…now we should have enough rubles to carry us the next few days, even allowing for a meal other than KFC!
Philip called a little after 9am and said his wife was sick so wasn't able to take us on our walking tour today. We were disappointed but that's how things go! Brian signed some papers for the hopeful consulate registration and then we headed outside since we were all up and ready! We headed toward Red Square but then took a turn and found a small children's park. Genya had just his shoes on and one time broke through the thin ice and got it a little wet but didn't seem to affect him any! It was a pleasant half hour or so swinging mostly. We then walked a block off the main Tverskaya Rd and found a short pedestrian street… that took us back to Tverskaya and the McDonalds we were heading toward for lunch! Well, actually we didn't know which one we were heading to, just to McD's as there are three in close proximity to where we were. A little more difficulty getting what we ordered today but it all worked out eventually! Then we walked through the underground mall near the Kremlin/Red Square and at then through the park by the war memorial. Cutting over on another street we found the Rolls-Royce of Moscow car dealership! And then all of a sudden (not too far walking) we found ourselves at Arbat St again! I had read the history on it – it's from the 15th Century I believe! But then it's a long walk back to the hotel. Yes, we probably should figure out the underground (subway) but we're used to walking and we're chickens so we just walk. Genya was a very good walker today (in between getting carried by his dad) so it was fairly pleasant to do it! We were able to take a picture of the US Embassy from across the street today so we have something for the lifebook I'll eventually do for Genya. We had been out and about from about 9:30am-3pm and only stopped really at McDonalds for lunch and the park before that! Genya had a banana break about halfway back to the hotel and then I gave him a small chocolate bar once in the room…. I told him he deserved it!
One thing we are missing from Irkutsk are the café prices! We would always say that each day in Irkutsk was about a 500-ruble day (two café stops or one decent dinner)… Here in Moscow you get lunch at McDonald's for 500-rubles!
Philip stopped by about 4pm and said he was successful in getting us registered at the Russian Consulate. He said he told them our whole story and they couldn't believe it! I guess the time we put in counted for something here anyways! Lol I asked how his wife was and he said that she told him she is pregnant! I had that thought at one point this morning – women's intuition I guess! So now we have everything done here in Moscow and the registration done so just will have the three post placement reports over the coming years – at 6 mo, 12 mo and 36 mo I believe.
Genya and I then went to the 4th floor to hit the balloon around for awhile. I was hoping maybe other adopting families would be there but it was just us and some American men having a post-business meeting discussion. We played until the balloon popped. Genya also did summersaults across the floor. Brian then left to go get our Sabarro Pizza for supper. Genya was bound and determined that I would put on my coat and we'd walk to find Papa (at least I think that was the gist of the conversation) until I finally got him to take a bath while we waited! Brian came back from his walk to tell me an interesting thing that happened to him – he got propositioned while he was carrying the pizza back to the hotel!! Due to the sensitive nature of this I'll make HIM tell YOU the details if you ask. Needless to say he said "no" and we laughed about it!!
The pizza was good – we each ate two slices! So Brian got jipped a little but Genya will sleep well with his full belly, tired legs and the early morning too! I then took a bath also to get the city grime off me and to enjoy the 5-foot long, 2-foot deep tub! Genya's spread out, tummy down, on the bed watching Nickelodeon and zoning…Brian's waiting to get on the computer and I'm typing and then reading. And yes, continuing to watch the TV news shows in English – I'm getting filled in on European/Asian/African news if not the USA's.
Also learned little Emma, who we met yesterday, is sick today…hope she gets better soon! I would not want to be on an airplane for so long with a sick child!
Embassy
It is not hard to adjust to the quiet sleeping room (compared to the noisy 5th Army St we listened to for two months)!
We were all awake by 6:00am today – Genya apparently all slept out but until it got lighter outside we told him it was still night… but once he saw the lighter sky he said "good morning". Brian again went to get us some donuts for breakfast and Genya ate some of his big apple he has yet from last night, banana and some cereal we had also bought last night. As I told my mom last night, having English on the TV, no matter if it's usually the same news over and over, makes the time go much faster when in the room.
Yesterday when we were leaving the hotel I asked at the front desk if they could adjust the heat in our room (make it cooler). I reminded him we were used to Siberia (!) so he said "no problem, we'll change it to -40!" I replied "no, -20 will be fine!" LOL They have really nice people working here! I rode the elevator with the assistant GM yesterday and complimented him on his employees.
We went outside to walk a little before finding a place for an early lunch. The streets here all run on angles, similar to Irkutsk, so we know we have to be careful thinking we know where we are walking! We went a few blocks off the main street our hotel is on and eventually just doubled back to it. On the way there were some men on the street crew pressure washing the light poles. We had stopped so the water wouldn't hit us as then as we walked by they asked Genya if he wanted to do it! So he did that for a little bit and Brian got a few pictures. Genya thought he was tough stuff then! Lol We stopped at a coffee shop that is a chain (located every few blocks). It was good food but expensive! (as EVERYTHING in Moscow is)… 1000 rubles with the tip but I had good coffee. Brian had brought donuts in from the grocery again this morning and I had coffee from the lobby so my good caffeine level is getting up there again! Tomorrow we think we'll get bakery from this coffeehouse tho as it's just a little more money but sounds much more delicious – almond croissant anyone??? Lol
Walking back from the café Genya threw an absolute fit – all because I wouldn't let him leave the bookstore on his own!! He was very, very naughty but eventually apologized to both of us, in English. We met Philip in the lobby at 1pm and headed to the embassy. By now Genya was more his normal self, even quiet!
Going into the embassy is like going through an airport security – take off your coat (shoes don't come off tho), show passport, go through metal detectors, nothing sharp allowed, etc. It wasn't bad. It is a beautiful building and I wish we could have taken pictures but cameras are not allowed inside. We went to pay our visa fee and my credit card was declined! I checked later and there is "no credit left" so the hotel must have it all blocked!! Good thing Brian had his other card along – all of a sudden I'm having numerous credit card issues! We do have some cash yet tho so will be changing some of that for rubles tomorrow! We got called for our interview and it was Mark Seibel, from the Dept of State, who did it himself. He's not really responsible for that anymore since it's changed to the immigration service but he wanted to meet us, etc. Very nice man! Transferring to El Savador at end of month I think so we're probably the last IRK family he'll have helped personally through the end of this. Confirmed the spelling of Nathan Eugeny's name, went over paperwork with us, explained things, etc. Then shook our hands, congratulated us, and said the visa will be ready in about 30-minutes. There were 3 other American families there today – one from New York, one Alabama and one Mississippi (and then us). The other kids were all 15-months and younger…two girls, one boy. Nice families. They all said they won't complain about anything with their adoption after hearing our story! The passport/visa was then ready so we looked it over and it looks fine. We got our paperwork for immigration and were free to go. We met Philip and the driver Vladimir at the van. Showed the visa to Philip and he said "very good" and took some info he needed for the Russian Consulate registry off it. I thought we'd be doing that tomorrow but he said that we'll be doing it from home as otherwise we'd have to stay until Tuesday and he didn't think that was the right decision for us! Wow!! But then a few minutes later he said he would go to the Consulate tomorrow and explain our story and see if he couldn't get the registration done before we leave so we'll see what happens. Worse case he fills out paperwork for us again and we send from home. He also said his wife will be taking us on a walking tour tomorrow so we'll meet in the lobby at 9:15am - yeah! We'll learn more about what we saw on our own the other day!
Back at the hotel we were just hanging in the room when the computer became open so I was going to go down to check emails and quickly blog. I saw a lady heading into the hallway with a little girl and thought she looked like the picture Philip had shown me earlier of another BCS family who came in from St. Petersburg last night…well, it was! So I hung out in the hallway visiting with Caroline and her daughter Emma Alicia for a long time, a man from Massachusetts, Kim (dad) and his son Ilia and later the mom Jackie came by also. We just visited and told stories for a long time. Genya spent his time running the hallways – was his face red! Then Caroline and Emma and Genya and I went to the 4th floor by the computer where the kids played with balloons and I blogged. Emma was laughing so hard!
It was almost 6pm by now so we headed upstairs to go out to get dinner. Genya then threw ANOTHER fit so Brian stayed in the room with him and I walked to the KFC for chicken sandwiches for dinner. (Genya had eaten some in between this all so low blood sugar was not an excuse for his behavior today!) By the time I got back to the hotel he was making up to Brian and then to me. We continue to tell him we love him but don't like his behavior when he's like this! Genya decided to eat yogurt and cereal instead of a chicken sandwich so that was his dinner tonight.
We watched some TV and Genya fell asleep about 8pm – not surprising considering all his running today and his outbursts. Brian's napping also but I'm trying to stay awake for awhile!!
And yes, our flights are confirmed for Sunday. We will arrive in Chicago at O'Hare at scheduled 4:30pm but have to clear customs and immigration so it will probably be closer to 5:30 before we see JJ again but it will be great!! We leave Moscow at 1:30pm local time, fly 11 hours and arrive 4:30pm Chicago local time… how is that for a day's "work"?
Gone American…
Oh, the joys of sleeping on a real mattress, with soft sheets, soft & comfortable pillows and a quiet room. Brian said his back actually did better on the other bed but not mine…it's feeling good!
Genya had fallen asleep about 7pm and Brian and I stayed up till around 9pm. I didn't sleep real soundly all night but did at stretches. (I never sleep well the first night in a different place and had some things on my mind too!) Genya woke up the first time about 3am to go to the bathroom but then went back to sleep. He is enjoying having the queen sized bed to himself after the little cot he had at the apartment and probably his little bed at the orphanage too – he slept every which way on the bed during the night! He then woke again a little before 5am and said "dobre ootra" (good morning) but I showed him it was still dark outside and had him lay back down. Wasn't sure at that point if he'd go back to sleep but he did until just after 6:30am – he then went to look out the window and it was a little lighter so he came by me and said "dobre ootra, mama"! I said now it's morning? He said "da" and so we all got up. He wanted some juice – not surprising as the room is a little warm and he hasn't drank much since lunch yesterday! I think I'm going to have to have someone come show us how to run the ac in this room – I thought I lowered it but it didn't help much. We're used to the Siberian climate now and need it a little cooler to sleep! They have great down comforters on the beds too so it's better to snuggle under when it's cooler!
I'm not usually a fan of watching CNN but we pretty much have that on when the TV is on here – it's English! We watched skynews also and saw the CBS evening news from last night. Seems we didn't miss much these last weeks! I gave Genya the portable DVD player as he wanted to watch his Spiderman DVD and he's happy pressing the pause/play buttons which usually drives me nuts but figure if that's how he wants to watch it…! He also keeps touching the screen thinking it will react to his touch like the DS – that's on the list of things to have Elena explain to him once we're home!
We got an English newspaper delivered to our door this morning. "The Moscow Times" which is 16-pages long but is 16-pages more than I've read in weeks and weeks. For those of you who don't know I'm a reading junky and get the paper delivered every Friday, Saturday and especially Sunday and also got for a Christmas present the local daily paper so this little paper is a welcome sight – I'll read every word!! They also had complimentary coffee in the lobby so Brian went to get me some – it tastes like hotel coffee but better than the Maxwell House instant! Sometime in the next few days we'll find the Starbucks or even will buy a McDonald's coffee (normally I'm not overly fond of McD's but hey, it's a taste of home). Genya ate the last banana I had brought from IRK and the last apple but since we're only a few minutes from the 24-hour supermarket we'll restock as needed. There is a very, very small refrigerator in the room so we'll just keep Genya's juice and a yogurt or two in there! Brian went to check the emails and then was going for a walk outside and will bring us some some baked goods from the grocery store for breakfast.
I did get email from our travel agent and she has us booked out of here on Sunday – there were no seats available Saturday – but until I know for sure we're leaving I won't post any details!
The thing with the passport is that the Russian names matches the birth and adoption certificates – so there really should be no reason the English middle name missing is a concern. We can prove who he is! And the English on the passport is spelled wrong anyways - he's Neytan Ninman - so how can something not being there make any difference??? This all has me vexed.
Brian brought back some donuts – yumm! Philip called around 10:30a and said he got the embassy to accept Nathan's passport – he said they didn't know what to make of it! So tomorrow really (Thurs) we go at 1pm to get his passport with his entry visa. After we got this great news (I cried a little when hearing it) we headed out for the afternoon. We walked to Arbat St – a LONG walk! We had the 'cultural map' that really isn't to scale but somewhat helpful. I thought we were getting close to our destination when Genya said he had to go toilet – so we looked for either the restaurant or a public toilet… finally spotted a pay toilet so he was better. Then I figured out I had looked at the map wrong and we were on the wrong side of the street! To cross the busy streets here you go underground and walk under the streets, but there isn't one on every intersection. We made it across and found (eventually) where we wanted to go… Hard Rock Café! Longtime blog readers will remember me posting last year that I was 21 before my first Hard Rock – JJ got to his first (Indy) at 7 – Genya his at 5! We had a nice lunch and it was smoke free in the roomuntil just when we were leaving – unbelievable! Brian had a hamburger w/fries, I had a salad with chicken and fruit and Genya had Mac n'cheese, fries with ketchup and even put his m&c into the ketchup also – said that will impress JJ! Genya also did some air guitaring with the music – cute! We then headed to look for a few souvenirs we had been asked to look for and found a few more things we thought were cute. I also found a traditional Russian shirt for Genya (or so they say anyways! LOL) they gave Genya a gift of a toy car but it has a missing headlight so probably couldn't sell it! Ah, it's the thought that counts – he likes it!! We then walked the rest of the street for awhile and found "two" Starbucks so I got a latte and Brian got an almond steamer – Genya liked the steamer also. When I came out with the drinks there was a street vendor drawing Genya's pix. We had already decided NOT to do it but they're somewhat aggressive and just did it. The pix of Genya is ok but he was quite happy about it getting done so we splurged and bought it (after getting a little discount anyway!) and then another guy came up and was doing mine "gift to you – nice eyes". That one actually looked quite a bit like me but I kept saying "no, not buying!" – but finally gave him what really is a token amount so between the two drawings we paid a fair price – and a unique remembrance. There was a McDonalds on the street so we were sure to stop at the "free public toilets" before departing the street. The walk back to the hotel didn't seem too bad even tho it was quite a ways… we stayed on the main streets so probably that made it seem shorter. We made a quick stop at the grocery store and then to the room. We had been gone for over 5-hours!
It was dinnertime then and we were getting hungry so headed for the Russian Chicken Restaurant owned by KFC (lists both names). We got some chicken pieces, fries and a chicken sandwich for Brian. Took it back to eat in the hotel room as it was quite busy there and Genya was a little ornery. That not eating on schedule affects him so much! He enjyed the chicken drumsticks – ate one complete and part of another and also some fries. Then part of one of the expensive apples we had purchased earlier… He didn't get a bath tonight but got his pajamas on after I put mine on also. By 8:30pm he had fallen asleep. I was reading some of the English tourism literature in the room and trying to stay awake until 10pm. Brian dozed some, checked email, took care of getting our travel arrangements paid for as the c/card the travel agent has expired end of February and then we watched an episode of "House" on the Hallmark channel – one Brian hadn't even seen believe it or not!
So yes, today we did Hard Rock Café, Starbucks, McDonalds (somewhat) and KFC… Also were asked a few times if we "lived here".
At 1:15am JJ and mom called from home – think they got the time difference messed up! We're "eight" hours, not nine different – the USA daylight savings time change is messing me up! I also posted the wrong phone number for here – listed central reservations so mom had to track us down! Genya slept through the whole call and Brian and I fell back asleep easily.
Moscow
We were awake on and off most the night so when the alarm rang we were ready. Got a call from JJ to make sure we were up and ready to leave… we were getting there. Got Genya up and dressed (when it was still night as he reported) and Andrew in the taxi arrived almost on time! It was a little hard saying goodbye but not too much! We somehow had overweight luggage – and that was even without weighing our carry-ons! So Brian went off to pay that charge (took a bunch of our rubles to pay it!) and we were on the way through passport control.
The flight left on time and was very LONG but very comfortable. We wish we would have flown Aeroflot before! Genya was given a little gift bag upon boarding and loved the orange baseball cap the best – wore it the rest of the day! Genya was a good flyer if a bit antsy. Never dozed a second but turned the reading lights and air fans on off/on off about 10,000 times at least. Also had to go to the toilet every 45-minutes. We were in the bulkhead seats so it was a LONG walk to the back of the plane! We got served a "dinner" meal around 7am IRK time so that was the start of our weird eating schedule today.
The plane landed safely and on time in Moscow and we were met by Vladimer, the same driver who has met us before. We met up with Philip (coordinator) after being in a HUGE traffic jam for a long time. Genya had fallen asleep for a bit on the way even tho he denied it (we have pictures)! Within minutes of being in the car Philip took all our paperwork and reviewed it in the car. (Brian was impressed by the multi-tasking!) We went to get Genya's pix taken as we needed it for some purpose and then went to the medical doctor for Genya's exam. It was quite short and he reviewed his medical history and signed the form we need for the embassy. We paid this in rubles also so that wiped out our "big bills" so had to stop at a ATM a little later to replenish! While there Philip asked if they had seen the new biometric passport yet and they said "no, this is the first one"… hmm – Philip hadn't seen one yet either he said. He's also suspicious of the whole procedure and some of the things that happened but nothing we can do about that now!
We then went to the Marriott to check in and got our room assigned. We signed some of the forms that Philip will be presenting to the embassy on our behalf tomorrow. Genya was drinking some water at the time and for some reason felt obligated to tell Philip "mama drinks peeve" (in Russian but I understood it) – Philip laughed, said now it starts! It was about noon Moscow time by now. After settling in quickly to our room we went to find something to eat – we were hungry! We walked towards Red Square and found a McDonalds – yep, we ate there! Brian and I had Big Mac's and fries and Genya had a hamburger happy meal. We enjoyed it all.
We then continued walking and found ourselves at Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral. It was a bright sunny day so it was wonderful to look at. We snapped some of the obligatory pictures and continued our walk. We were heading back to the hotel now tho as it is quite a long ways to where we were. Good thing we trained Genya for walking in Irkutsk! He did pretty well considering! Got carried by Brian a few times but not too many.
We stopped at the grocery store up the street for a few basics (soda/juice) and found salsa and chips so that will be our dinner tonight. Genya is having a banana, maybe two. He hasn't eaten much today and is all off schedule. In the car from the airport he did throw up two times! Not bad (wasn't stinky or anything, mostly water) but messy enough – had an extra shirt in my carry-on as I was prepared if it would have happened on the plane… So put that shirt on and within 5-minutes threw up on that one. That one stayed on the rest of the day tho LOL
We were just settling down for the evening (5:00pm local time) and had given Genya his bath (big, deep bathtub!) when the phone rang. It was Philip and he said he was just reviewing the documents and Nathan's middle name is missing in English on his passport. I said I noticed that, along with the last name being spelled differently than ours (one less N), but I was told it's the Russian that matters – Philip said the Embassy might not agree as they're being extremely picky and might tell us to get the passport redone. He said this was no one's fault, especially not ours, and will argue about it tomorrow. So today's prayers will be that there not be a problem for the US Government to accept this passport that we waited SO LONG to get! (What gets me is that the RUSSIANS accepted it and would let him go anywhere with it but the USA might not accept another country's official document? What if someone did that to an American? Maybe I'm thinking too hard on this tho).Philip said I should still contact the travel agent to arrange us flights out on Saturday so he must feel somewhat confident. I asked if our contact inside the embassy would be any help and he said that that man is not the decision maker anymore (due to transfer of responsibilities from the Dept of State to USCIS (immigration)). But he again sounded ok, if not overly confident, that things would be fine. Me, as with everything with this adoption, once it's done then I'll feel confident! Said something about going without a middle name if needed or saying his middle name doesn't really matter – it is THERE but only in RUSSIAN, not ENGLISH) but my brain was faded already by that part of the conversation. This news on top of lack of sleep and jet lag is not a good thing!
Genya was quite wound up but is really sleepy too – he looks so wiped out! I hope he stays awake a little longer and then sleeps awhile into the morning! We'll be getting a call between 10-11am local time saying how the embassy interview went. Not sure of any other plans for tomorrow yet.
(Genya did fall asleep when I went to the computer)
This is a shorter report of a very busy day (we crammed more into the past 18-hours than we had done in the last few weeks but I'm a little tired and have to go yet to the public computer to post this and contact the travel agent also. And we didn't find any Corned Beef and Cabbage so we'll have to wait for that when we get home! We did find a Mexican restaurant tho that had its sign written in English!
Our phone number here is:
007-495-258-30-00 – we're in room 512 (they speak English when the answer the phone, or at least when you talk in English) – we are now 9 (nine) hours ahead of you!
So this will be how you reach us:
1-800-367-9241
150-763-2808
011-7-(4952) 58-30-00#
Pictures will have to wait for awhile as we're on a public computer and I'm too tired tonight tho so will try either when I[m up in the wee hours or tomorrow day!
Monday, March 23, 2009
We're home!
At our dinner stop, Culver's Restaurant! They both had hot dogs
Saturday, March 21, 2009
6-hours and counting down
It's 7:30am here in Moscow and I'm up, dressed, make-up'd and hair fixed (for what the hair fixing does...has a mind of it's own!) Waiting for breakfast to be delivered and then we'll get the final packing done and wait for what will seem an eternity. Then it's about an hour or less drive to the airport (prob less on a Sunday) where we'll get checked-in, go through security and passport control and then wait for the plane. I know these last hours until we're sitting on the 767 will seem to take forever but will go quickly too. We'll probably do alot of walking to tire Genya out and get our leg circulation going also for the long, long flight...
Genya did wake up at 6am today so maybe we will get him to sleep some on the plane? We can only hope...
Until the next posting from America... thank you for reading and watch for the "full updates" (not the Readers Digest Condensed versions) to be posted soon.
Our last full day in Russia
Our bags are packed (almost) and we're ready to go (totally!) so I'll continue that song, Claudine!
On how to pronounce Genya's name -- it's like the G in giraffe but actually in Russian, and how he says it, it's ZHenya. He's taken to calling me "mom" and Brian is "pop" - so sometimes we call him "Jen" if that helps you know how to say it. He's not been "Nathan" much here in Moscow but we'll see what transitions once we get to America.
Elena called and Genya told her he could NOT understand why we weren't in America yet! She told him there were documents that needed to be done - he said he had all sorts of documents!!
I'm sure I'll post one more time before leaving here tomorrow - we're getting picked up at 10am our time... But if for some reason I don't continue those prayers for a safe flight, that Genya behaves reasonably well and that maybe we all can sleep a little so once we have our reunion with JJ and parents we won't be totally wiped out! LOL
Looking forward to being on American soil soon!!
Friday, March 20, 2009
And Genya's passport is registered!
Philip's wife was sick this morning so she couldn't take us on our tour - I asked him this afternoon how she was doing and he said he found out she's pregnant! Their second - their son is 5! I said I almost asked him that but of couse hadn't LOL
We walked alot today -- Genya had a little headache when we got back so I gave him some children's aspirin and water and now he's his normal self...
Our flight arrangement for anyone in the Chicago area who wants to come meet us (LOL) - we're on American Airlines flight # 0159 arriving Chicago 4:30pm 3/22 - we will have to do immigration and customs once we arrive. But if you can't meet us you can watch the flight on the internet (like flightracker or such) and see where we are... We'll hopefully be sleeping for part of it!
Keep commenting and emailing us - we check it often here at the hotel!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
And we have the visa!
Philip then took the passport with visa and is going to try and register us with the Russian Consulate tomorrow. I thought we were doing that tomorrow but apparently not...? Anyway, he said he will "explain our circumstances and maybe can get it done" - otherwise we'll do back in America...
Tomorrow Philip's wife, Anna, is going to do a walking tour with us. Saturday we're planning on going to the zoo and Sunday at 10am we'll be picked up to head to the airport...
This is another short update as Genya's playing balloon with a 3-yo girl, Emma, (another Bethany family here in from St. Petersburg) so the mom and I are supervising and visiting...
I do continue to blog on the laptop so there will be bigger reports coming!
If you'd like to call us remember we're "8" hours ahead - my mom posted the correct phone number in a comment so you don't get reservations like she did! LOL
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
WE ARE LEAVING SUNDAY!!!!
These are short reports but I am blogging as usual on the laptop so once home, at the latest, i'll post those so you'll have LOTS of reading to do then!!
Met a couple in the lobby this morning back for a 2nd adoption - they said there is a park just up the street so we'll head there later today with Genya - get some energy off him. We all slept until 6:30am this morning...
Thank you - thank you to everyone for prayers and comments. I'm still crying with joy over being able to leave here!
We are leaving Sunday as that's when we could get seats out - Saturday wasn't available. Once I have the confirmation from the TA I'll post details...
Hey, did I mention - WE ARE FINALLY COMING HOME!!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Moscow
Things are ok but we got a call from Philip the coordinator here that he's concerned because Nathan's passport doesn't list his middle name in english (ony russian) and the embassy is being very picky about details right now - they might want us to redo his passport! Philip will argue his best tomorrow when he presents the paperwork but some extra prayers about this - and this is our USA gov't who might question it! - would be appreciated!!!
Otherwise I'll try to do the other posting when I'm more awake... but we're all here and fine. Mom, the phone number here is (7) 495-937-00-50 - so use the other instructions but this number now and then ask for our room... we're registered under our name...
I am going to email the travel agent now tho, Philip said to go ahead and try to book home for Saturday -- but again, an extra prayer for us would be most welcome!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Few more thoughts
We left the apartment and took a final walk down to the river – Genya threw some coins in and we took a picture. I told him to tell it "da svidana". We then went to dinner across the street – our favorite (usual) waitress was there. She read our note and then there was another customer in there who could apparently understand and write engloish so she had that lady write us a note – it almost made me cry! It said we were their favorite clients and hopes that we come back sometime (among other things)… so nice! Dinner was great as usual. At the end I tried to order one ice cream for us to share with three spoons – this was to the gal who doesn't speak English – well we got three ice creams! You should have seen Genya's face when it came – priceless!!
Back at the apartment Genya got his final bath here – we watched Monsters, Inc one more time and I called Tami J to say goodbye… The suitcases are all ready for the final items in the morning… Genya is not real sleepy yet so he'll be tired in the morning! We're not worried about us being awake, more so that Andrew and the taxi is on time LOL!!
Genya told the waitress in Russian that tomorrow he's going on an airplane to Moscow – then back at home later he said the same thing to us and then says "yeah, yeah" and hugs and kisses me… he's so excited over it – but we wonder if he still thinks he's flying the plane?!?!?
few final pictures
Deb & Genya at the Angara River's footbridge
The BIG ice cream!
Debbie and the waitresses from across the street - the blond on my right was our usual server.
Oh Happy Day!
As previously posted, we have tickets out of IRK for Moscow on the early flight tomorrow. We figured we'd drive ourselves NUTS sitting around for the afternoon flight and aren't going to sleep well anyway!
Genya slept until after 8:30am today! What's up with that?? I got a call from Sarah E, Samantha and JJ – JJ telling me his likes Turkey Loaf and LOVES fish frys "don't you remember, Mom? I have liked since I was 7!" I said I didn't but we'd discuss in person soon as Dad and I are totally craving a Wisconsin Fish Fry!!
We woke up to SNOW this morning – and it snowed all morning and early afternoon! Probably the most snow we've seen at one time since we've been here! Funny!!
We also got a call this morning telling us we'd meet at the passport office at 10:30, not 10am. I said that was fine but we had to be at the airline office by 1pm when they close for lunch! I had check flights online in the morning and it said you had to book at least 24-hours in advance so I thought we maybe would only be able to get the afternoon flight (2pm) tomorrow and didn't want to miss that. Alex and Andrew both arrived on time and by about 11am we had the passport in hand. It wasn't so quick and easy as it usually is apparently but I had seen it at one point so I knew it was there! It might have been an issue as Genya's name is only spelled with one "N" at the end in Ninmann – but Andrew said not to worry as it's the Russian name that matter. Nathan is Naytan – but it is stamped that he can leave the country – YEAH!! Then we went to the Aeroflot office – we were (obviously) able to purchase the tickets for tomorrow morning's flight! I told Andrew he had to wake up early but can sleep afterwards LOL Little payback to him – oooh, mean! The ticketing process took longer than getting the passport – was probably about a 30-minute procedure! The girl spoke quite good English but it was just a process to get – copies of our passports, coppies of our visas, hand write the credit card slip, call in for credit verifications, print the e-tickets, etc… Brian and Genya waited patiently!
Then Alex, Brian, Genya and I went to our apartment where Alex went over all the paperwork he was giving me that I hand over to Philip in Moscow. There was one word translated wrong that he's going to re-do tonight – it said in WI we could adopt if the child's parents were both "diseased" (deceased is the correct word!) so he's going to change that word out in the document and get us new copies with Andrew tomorrow. There also is an error in the letter from the Ministry in Moscow (the one stating Genya was on the databank long enough) – anyway they have us living in France in the Russian letter but Alex translated it correctly – AND he spoke to Philip about this and he's not concerned so we shouldn't be either. We then paid him the obscene amount of rent for living here for 60-days! Took a picture of Alex with Genya and then said our goodbyes. Alex said he might come to the USA in July so if he does we'll try to meet up with him then – otherwise I said I wasn't sure we'd be in Irkutsk real soon so would have to meet him in America sometime! We then asked him to tell Genya that tomorrow we're going on an airplane, etc. Genya's response? "Do I get to wear a helmet and special gloves?" We think he thinks he's flying a military plane!! Oh, he might be disappointed! LOL!
As Alex was leaving Genya was helping Brian change the phone line from the computer to the phone – well, yes, he tugged too much again and killed the phone! Brian indicated for me not to tell Alex and was able to fix it (again) in a little bit. He told Genya he can't fix everything with "Scotch" (Russian word for tape)… The phone line works fine again!! I emailed to Philip in Moscow our arrival information and asked when I should have the travel agent book us a flight home…waiting for that response as I type this.
We headed to our "blue door café" for lunch – had to say goodbye to that great lady. I had Alex write out our goodbye note and she read it and wrote us a response so now we have to find out what she wrote to us!! While taking our order she asked Genya, in Russian, if he spoke English – he said "nyet" but I said "yes you do! One, two, three" and some other words… he must not realize he's speaking English when he does! We had a good lunch again today – Genya wanted soup but didn't eat much (didn't eat much all day today?!?) but he did put my tea bag in his apple juice and thought that was great! He doesn't like his tea with milk – just with a little sugar. He did finish a sip of my coffee this morning and DIDN'T like – good! Then Brian and Genya went for a walk while I went back to the apartment to start packing. Put in "Abba's Number Ones" CD and started… by the time the disc was done I had it pretty much done – just the last minute items to do. I did use our three big suitcases – figure the somewhat broken one will work fine and better than jamming into the smaller one! And they're all just over 16-kilos so even when adding the last minute items we should be underweight – or at least not too much overweight on luggage!
When I was finishing up the boys came back – Genya found my luggage scale and started playing with it – entertained him for HOURS! Glad I saved that until the last day (actually was packed away so sort of forgot about it). He weighed everything he could and then just kept pulling it. One casualty this morning was my travel alarm clock. Genya dropped it accidently (about a 6" drop) and the seconds hand got stuck so it doesn't work correctly. Sure, the day we NEED the alarm to wake up! So Brian set the alarm on the DS and we are waking at 4:19am tomorrow – I asked why that time and he said "because!" I said it's fine as I'll not sleep much anyways and I have to let the flat iron cool before packing anyways!
As they were watching a DVD I went to our local deli hoping the blond girl was working so I could have her read my goodbye note – she was and she smiled and said "spasiba" – I then bought some pierskees for us – cabbage for Brian and I and potato for Genya. Now we're just watching TV cartoons until we go to dinner later across the street and show those girls our goodbye note and have a nice dinner. I plan for us to watch "Monsters, Inc" tonight after Genya's bath. I'm sure he won't go to bed any earlier but not sure if sleeping in his clothes for tomorrow would be understood so I'll have him sleep in his PJs and we'll just dress him in the morning!
I'll probably post one more time tonight but going to put this one out there now so maybe we can get a few comments before bed tonight and travel tomorrow!
So today I get to post some of the Psalm verses that I found a few weeks ago – please take these in the spirit they are intended (the first is so relevant even tho we had snow today!) Actually I'm only posting two – the "appropriate one" and a wonderful one… some more might come when we leave Moscow!
Ps 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand; He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Ps 150 – Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Monday pictures
last night's fish pizza - Mike, I think it is exactly what you described!
Larry G, this is for you -- a "Nine-Five"
Alex and Genya
leaving for lunch - see the snowflakes?
Genya with the "sushi guy" (statue) at the place next to the Snowflake...he always had to go up and talk to it!
Another link off the chain... how many more can come off soon??
YES!! I have my passport and can leave the country too!!!
We have tickets out of here!
I'll post more tonight -- also have to figure out how many days in Moscow we need but will start arranging that flight home too -- we're almost on our way!!!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Ninth – and final! – Sunday in Siberia
Now it may not be our final one in Russia depending on how things fall in line this week but at least we'll be closer to home by this time next week!
I didn't realize until we started getting comments that I had forgotten to go back and title the blog (so mom, you're right!). I might put one in yet!
I thought I had explained why we have to go to Moscow but maybe not so I'll do again for those of you wondering. And if I have any of this wrong, someone who has been through it can correct! Right now Nathan Genya is still a Russia citizen – adopted by American citizens, yes – but still a 100% Russian citizen so he cannot enter the USA without our government granting that right. (like we had to get visas to come to Russia). We will be getting his Russian international passport to leave the country. It will be in his new name – Nathan Eugeny Ninmann. In Moscow first we need to get clearance from the US Embassy to bring him into the United States. This is a two day process (generally, but could extend an extra day if complications, what complications I don't know but usually it is two days). There we will get the visa put into his Russian passport so he can enter the United States with us. After that is done the next day we will be registering him with the Russian Consulate in Moscow. This is a requirement our agency has, that it gets done while we're still in Moscow. By law you have to register them within a certain number of weeks (not sure what that is) but if we have it done while we're still here it is done – we don't have to worry about it when we're first home and still sleep deprived. I believe that takes one day. Then we can leave for the USA the day after that happens. When we land in Chicago with him he becomes a US citizen based on our citizenship – but he'll still have his Russian citizenship also…He'll have dual citizenship. We will re-adopt him in Dodge County sometime this year so we can get him an American birth certificate and Social Security number but the adoption in Russia is still final and binding. He will continue to have his Russian passport – if he travels to anywhere in the world except Russia will use his USA passport (that we'll have to get him sometime) but if he goes to Russia he travels on his Russian passport. A way of them keeping control I guess, don't really know…
Once we have our travel plans out of IRK I'll be contacting our contact person in Moscow to find out about timeline there and then I'll contact our travel agent in New York and we'll get our flights home booked. While in Moscow we will be staying at a Marriott hotel so we'll be able to sleep in "real beds" and sit on "real couches" and have some English TV – as well as free internet on a public computer. We'll also be messed up sleep-wise so probably will be napping some also! And we also will be able to do some sightseeing and shopping – and eat at McDonalds and drink at Starbucks! I know, I've said that before! We are purposely not letting Genya have a restaurant hamburger until McD's (not MacCafe's here in IRK) so he doesn't get scared off them! LOL
Speaking of messed up sleep – last night Genya woke up in the middle of the night and came into our room. He climbed into our bed between us without saying anything and soon fell asleep. He later became a big wiggly/kicking so Brian moved him back to his bed where he stayed until morning (7:30am) – we again had our "usual morning". I took what I hope to be my final bath. I love the tub here – it's so deep – but usually take showers except on the weekends. So prayerfully this will be my last "bath opportunity" in IRK (might do one at the Marriott yet – was re-reading my journal from past trips where I commented on the nice tubs there). Lunch for the boys were hot dogs, pickles, apple and chips… I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Shortly after that we headed outside. It is warm here again today – probably mid 30's F so there is MUD and WATER EVERYWHERE!
We started out walking down to the riverfront and Genya threw some coins into the river from the bridge. We then headed the same street we had done about 6-weeks ago (when it was probably 60-degrees colder) and it was slightly mucky. But then we had to turn onto a street we hadn't been on before and it was AWEFUL! See pictures – but maybe that doesn't show it enough. I told Genya to remember this walk the rest of his life! LOL We finally got up to Lenin St and took a rest by the Stadium. Genya had a "banana break". After that we went to the supermarket to pick up items for dinner and then went to feed the birds again. A nice, cheap, bribe to keep Genya walking! No birds on heads today but eating out of their hands again! Kathy F, there was a gal there today who could have been your sister – blond, tall, skinny, dressed perfectly – we both thought of you! And she didn't have any birds on her or her daughter's heads!!
We then started the walk back to the apartment – I had bought another microwave popcorn to make once we were home – this time with "cheese". It actually tasted okay! We put Toy Story 1 into the DVD player and played it in Russian – figure this will help Genya understand the plot of the movie better when we play it in English again. He really seems to like these Toy Story movies. He has never fallen asleep for us in the middle of the day – sleeps well at night once he goes to sleep (sometimes that takes awhile – 3 or 4 potty breaks, something else to show us, etc). So we're wondering if he's going to sleep on the airplanes at all or not? The time he came closest to sleeping during the day was in Steve J's car coming back from their house last week Saturday!
I again washed Genya's jacket and snow pants – they've taken a beating the last few days! Glad I didn't do it yesterday! Today he fell down a few times, walked thru the water and mud and walked into a few street garbage cans!
Dinner tonight was salad and pizza (frozen "Fiesta" ones) – I had to guess at the toppings! Turns out I'M not a good guesser – one was "meat" that I had figured out – the other turned out to be salmon and something else… good thing Genya thought that was good LOL! He ate two pieces of that and gave up his meat one to me! He claims he might want more tomorrow – we'll see, I saved it in case.
Andrew called while I was giving Genya his bath – Brian talked to him (Brian thinks he might be slightly afraid of him now since Brian yelled at him last week!) Anyway we are to meet him at the passport office at 10am tomorrow – it's only like 6-blocks from here so we'll walk. Then we'll go to the airline office which is probably another 6-8 blocks away. For some reason he thought we had tickets – Brian said "no, we have to buy some!".
We watched "CARS" a final time tonight before it gets packed away in the suitcase – quiz question… the mini-van that passes Mack early in the movie – what happens to it at the truck stop??
