So Pretty, Yet So Annoying

More snow! It's so pretty to look at when you have no where to go. There is a good chance of school being cancelled tomorrow because this is just the beginning. These kids are going to be going to school until August!!!!

Plain and Fancy Day

Today was Plain and Fancy Day in Nate's 4th grade class. They are learning about Pennsylvania and part of their unit is on the Amish. Their teacher did a great job with 6 neat stations for the kids to rotate around to. There was quilting, Jacks, apple pie making, calligraphy, sewing Jacks sacks and creating lifebooks. The kids all wore simple black and white clothing with aprons, bonnets and straw hats. They all looked so cute! I went in to volunteer and ran the Jacks station and enjoyed it a lot. I was very good at Jacks back in the day! I couldn't get over how all these 9 and 10 year old girls and boys have never played Jacks. Times sure have changed!

My little Amish boy :)

Playing Jacks.

Doing calligraphy

Tyler playing Jacks.

Nate quilting.

FBI Prints!!!!!

They came!!! They really came!!!! FBI prints are in our hands, finally!!!! I hope I never have to get fingerprints again! And if I do it is probably for murdering someone who makes me get fingerprinted AGAIN!

Awwww

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know,
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
Author: Unknown

Found this poem and it is so true. I have had so many people tell me, "it is so great you are doing this" or "it is so nice of you" or "It's wonderful you are saving an orphan". Where this may be true to some extent, it is not why we are adopting. We never set out on this journey to save anyone. It was purely for selfish reasons. We wanted a daughter to love. Our baby girl is "saving" us. She is completing us and giving US the greatest gift: a daughter!

Painting

I saw this painting in one of the stores on Old Arbat Street. I was immediately drawn to it since it looks very "girly". I decided to buy it for the baby's room. I thought it would be nice to have a little touch of Russian in her room. It wasn't too expensive, $30. Although, it was a pain to get home unwrinkled! If any of you are traveling and thought you might like to buy something like this, stick a couple pieces of cardboard in your suitcase! Her room has several walls with nothing on them yet, so this will be perfect!

Time to Wait Some More

It so nice to be home! We are expecting a blizzard tonight into tomorrow, so we will be home for the weekend. I'm looking forward to being snowed in with no where to go. Our flight was uneventful and got in over an hour early! Unfortunately, the flights left me with vertigo again! I hope this time it doesn't last for 3 weeks!! I worry that when we finally go for our pick up trip to Russia that it will happen again. It will not be fun trying to take care of a baby and bond when the room is spinning. If anyone has any advice, please send my way!!!

I really wish we were done with the whole adoption process and we had the baby home. I keep looking at her pictures and can't wait for the boys and the rest of the family to meet her. Everyone is so excited and she has no idea how loved she is going to be (already is). I have a lot to keep me busy the next couple months. I have things to do to her room that I put off, because I was afraid of tempting fate and lots of shopping to do!!!! May will be a beautiful month here to bring her home :)

My dad has always wanted a big fur hat! Well, we got him one and here are Brad, my dad and the boys sporting their ushankas! Looking good, guys!

And We Have a Thumb Sucker!!!

We went to the DOE today and it was totally painless! I guess because they met us before there were no questions. Just showing us the referral picture and telling us a little bit about her. We then went to the baby home and had the BEST visit! When the caregiver brought her in to us, we could tell she had just gotten up from her nap. She has grown so much over the past month. Her hair looks like she may get some curls and she has 6 teeth. When I reached for her she pulled a way a little with a sad face. That actually made me happy. We should be strangers to her and she should be uneasy. I then took her anyway :) There were no tears, but she was nervous and cautious with us. She sucks her thumb and looks simply adorable doing so. I'm sure we won't think it is cute when she is 8 and still doing it :) We didn't pull out any toys right away. Just cuddled and made lots of eye contact. So happy about that!!!! Last time we saw her, she wouldn't hold eye contact for long. Our visit was a little over 2 hours and we got lots of giggles, smiles, babbles and singing. She was so much more vocal this visit and we got it all on video! She loves peek a boo and "soooo big". After a while, we pulled out a couple toys. She LOVES the stacking cups. They apparently are delicious AND fun to bang! She is just the sweetest little thing! I can't believe we won't see her again until April. I feel so sad that it is very likely we will be strangers all over again to her. Masha is going to try and get us a court date the monday after she turns one year old, which means we could have her home in time for Mother's Day!!! It looks very hopeful as of right now.

We are heading home tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to sitting on a plane again so quickly, but can't wait to see my boys! I'll tease you with some pictures from today....

Chubby little hand :)

Cutest foot ever!!!

Baby Home #3

How Much Is That in U.S. Dollars???

Before I get on to what we did today, I forgot to share with you that Russia has biker dudes! I had no idea!!! There were 3 of them that sat in front of us on the plane yesterday complete with toughness, leather vests and large egos. They must of been part of some biker fest in the U.S. because they all had Harley Davidson wear that read "Russia Club". I never saw a bad$@# looking Russian man before! Anyway...

Today we ventured out of bed around 11am. Yes, you heard me. Breaking news! Jeanette actually slept past 7am!!! And I went to bed at 7pm!!! Didn't have the best night sleep, but got some none the less. We headed down to Old Arbat Street for shopping. It is 30 degrees here today and was very comfortable walking for the most part. For all of you who will be coming to Moscow, the salespeople bargain here too (not just at the carts by Red Square) if you look like it costs too much. They would give me a price and I would say, "thank you", put it back, continue looking and asking Brad how much it was in US dollars. Then they come to you and tell you about "the sale price". We got a lot accomplished and 5 bags later, were on our way to lunch at TGI Fridays on New Arbat Street! (Thanks for the heads up, Pam!) We had a great meal!

We made it back to skype the boys before school and will probably go to bed early for our big day tomorrow. Can't wait!!!!!

Being greeting on Old Arbat Street.


Brad before shopping at Old Arbat Street.


Brad after shopping with his new purchase! It was hysterical. He had the hat on for 10 minutes and was asked directions :)


A church we saw right in the middle of tall modern buildings.


Me in front TGI Fridays.

Brad loves how they park on the sidewalks! This is on New Arbat Street.