Well, we returned from our first trip to Russia less than 2 hrs
ago!! Over all, we had an Ok time, but hit a few speedbumps along
the way. Marina is much smaller than we thought! At almost 3 yrs
old, her size 18 month clothes are too big for her! Her shoe size is
infant size 4! Since the video was taped, she has lost her pudgy
cheeks, loosing her baby look, and has started to develop onto quite
the little girl. Alla, the orphanage director is a peach! The kids
call her "Mama", and I can tell that Marina really loves her! One of
the nannies told us that Marina is one of "mama's favorites". She
described Marina in Russian, than said in English "you say Woman of
Character". What was translated as "a real character girl". We also
found out that Marina has Asthma, which was not on her medical report.
She is already a real Daddy's girl, and prefers Papa to Mama. On our
last visit with her on Wed, she was waving "bye-bye" to us, while
saying "Papa Papa"
We decided to bring our own toilet paper from home. What they have reminds me of the brown paper lunch bags my mother used to pack my lunch in. I did bring some from home, and Kevin thought I was nuts....but while we were
there, he sure was glad I brought it. I don't know what the hotel
housekeepers thought because we left their roll unopened.
4/9/02>
OK, I am officially a basket case!! We have a court date for April 22. But there is a problem. It appears that something in our paperwork was translated incorrectly, so they are trying to get that straightened out BEFORE I can purchase our tickets. (we are supposed to leave on April 19th)
We decided that this time, instead of taking the bus to New York, we will take a Limo to Boston, and fly to New York. We feel this will be easier on Marina than a 6 hr bus ride to Vermont.
We have also started to child proof our home. We will be putting locks on the cabinets and blocks on the sockets this weekend.
So as of right now...10 days to take-off...and counting!!
4/11/02
Boy, what a day!! I got out of work today at about 3:20. I left the parking lot at 3:30, and just as I drive past the chopper pad, my phone rings. It's Kevin W. He HAD to tell me to pull over before I have an accident when I get too excited! So, I go to the parking lot of the day care (where Marina will attend) and he told me that my court date is CONFIRMED! We have a court appt on April 22! and the translation problem is either fixed or will be fixed before we get there. Praise God!!!
So, I get home, call the travel agent (tickets will be paid for by tomorrow) and then I call Debbie at AWAA......I have to go to the internet, download the visa application, and send it to them (can't fax it) (I thought I was finished supporting UPS).
So, it is now 5:30pm, and I am off to Mail Boxes Ect... I get there at 5:45, and am told "the truck left at 5:30, it will be sent out tomorrow" I don't think so......Off to UPS.... they close in 15 min. When I got to UPS, the trucks were already lined up to be loaded!! (I'm getting way too old for this type of stress) But I made it, and our Visa Apps are on the way to the Russian Embassy!! Praise God!!!! (I am saying that a lot today).
This weekend, we will be going shopping one last time before our trip to get some clothes for Marina to wear until we get home. Then I will be home with her for a few weeks, and then the FUN begins...Taking her shopping!!
4/13/03
Well, this is our last weekend home before we head back to Russia to bring Marina home! We spent the day finishing her room, we bought and setup her dresser, hung up all her new clothes that family had given us, and started packing her things for her trip to the States. (I hope Russians don't mind seeing little girls dressed in Blue Jeans)
Yes, we even bought snacks for her for the long plane ride back to New York, and the stay in the hotel before flying back to Boston. (I'm sure Papa would love to show her how to eat American snacks...I had to buy extras) I have a 36 inch suitcase full of just orphanage donations and gifts, plus getting more toys being donated by McDonalds.
I have moments of anxiety, but for the most part staying pretty calm. At work, they wanted me to work Wed, since I have to have Friday off, and they were not happy because I still have to get my court application appostiled.
Our dog is going bonkers, trying to figure everything out. I think she senses something going on, but not sure. She has been very klingy to us the past few days. She is wanting to sleep on Marina's bed, and cuddle with her stuffed animals.
Well, here it is: 6 days and counting!
4/16/02
WOW!!! This last week is really bad.... borderline anxiety attacks almost daily, especially today! One of my co-workers told me I better go take Xanax. Well, Kevin w. called and eased some of the load (my court application was on the way! Thanks Kevin!) Now I just have to pray that our Visa's arrive on time.... boy, that sounds familiar! I have to go tomorrow to get my last minute documents appostiled, and will hand carry them to Russia. I am very anxious to meet Dima's people in Moscow
(LOL I have to laugh...while I am here stressing out over this trip...my son is bench pressing my dog...all 18 pounds if her)
On top of all the stress, today is the hottest day so far this year...it hit 85 degrees... a week ago, we saw snow flurries!
Everyone at work has been great. When I got there today, I was met by an 18" stuffed long haired white bear that a co-worker bought for Marina.
4/18/02
Well, we leave tomorrow for Russia..Again! I can't wait till I don't have to say that anymore.
We had a few hairy moments...again...our visa's were not ready. Kevin W. told me this afternoon that I would be picking them up in Boston, then about an hour later, he called and said they attempted a delivery to my house, and I wasn't there, so they got sent back to fed-ex. So, I had to drive to fed-ex and pick them up....but Praise God...I have them!!!
