Let's Go To Moscow

4/25/02

We went to the orphanage to pick up Marina and left with her at 3:30pm and headed for the airport. All the kids and care givers said goodbye to Marina, and we were allowed to take pictures. The care giverhad to dress her as as she would not let me do anything for her, but she loved her new clothes and shoes. She looked down at herself in her new pink Blues Clues outfit, looked up at the care giver and smiled as wide as she could. As we were leaving the orphanage, the director approached and wanted to give Marina a goodbye hug, but Marina would not go to her. It was like she knew she was leaving, and if she went to the director, she might have to stay.

Marina did not do so well in the car. She was rubbing her ears, very quiet, and then got car sick...this kid gets dramamine before getting on the plane. Well, once we arrived at the airport, we gaveher a dramamine. After sitting there for a few minutes, we were told there was a problem. They only had 3 tickets, but we needed 4. We were told that Inna, Marina and I would fly to moscow, Kevin would stay in Moscow, and take the train to Moscow. The other option was to drive, which Kevin insisted on doing. The driver did not want to drive to Moscow as it was a 5 hour drive. The driver left, then returned with another option. The pilot was a friend ofhis, and called on a favor from him. Kevin, Marina and I will fly to Moscow, and Inna will sit in the cockpit. We were then told that there were only 2 tickets and marina would have to sit on my lap. Who cares...lets go to Moscow!

Marina handled the flight like a pro. But the car ride to the hotel was another issue. She was hungry, tired, and not feeling well, but suprizingly, she was not cranky. It was amazing watching her look around at her new surroundings. She was fascenated with all the buildings and lights.

We arrived at the hotel and checked in. When we endered the room we saw 2 single beds for the 3 of us. I think that the Russian single bed is smaller than the American twins beds.We settled into our room and gave Marina some cheerios. She loved them. Kevin ate a roll,a nd I shared a cherry pie with Marina. At 9:15pm, Katia came by to take us to McDonalds. Marina had her first Happy Meal and ate 2 Chicken Nuggets.

When we arrived back to the hotel, I called Mom to let her know Marina was with is in Moscow. I then called Kevin. We gave Marina a bath. I filled the tub with about an inch of warm water. We put her in the tub, and she stood in this one inch of water and screamed at the top of her lungs. We washed her and took her out as fast as we could. As we dried her off, she offered us her body parts, one at a time to dry, and then to dress. At about 11pm, we tried to put her to bed. She suddenly realized that she was not where she was supposed to be and cried for about 15 minutes. She did stop crying, bbbbut we watched her little body heaving. SHe finally fell assleep at 12:15. Now...it's my turn.

4/16/02

Marina woke at about 6am. The Doctor from the embassy was due to arrive at 6:30. She examined her and said she was healthy, but very small. He also said she had a slight fever. He said she had what they call "failure to thrive" which is what Dr. McGonagle told me when she saw the referral information. I asked about an ear infection as she had been pulling on her ears the night before. He said no ear infection, but will need to see a doctor upon our arrival to the U.S. and that she would need to be on an antibiotic. I have been giving her childrens advil, which Thank God, she likes the taste of. He also said her muscles were weak and feels she will need physical therapy.

The doctor left, and we went to breakfast. Marina had told the doctor thatshe was hungry. That statement made me want to cry. (he said that she was very small: too thin and needs to be fattened up. For breakfast, she was given egg (which she didnot care for...suprise...she now loves eggs), a roll with sweet butter, a pancake, fried potato and yogurt and she ate most of it.