Together At Last!

It’s a little after 11 PM at night, we’re back at the hotel room and we’re doing great!  Only problem is, Max is wide awake.  He’s lying in his crib watching everything I’m doing.  If I go into the bathroom, he sits up and waits for me to come out, he’s keeping a constant watch on me.  So I decided to sit right next to the crib while writing this, hoping that since I am so close maybe he’ll fall asleep, it’s not working. 

So how did we get here today, I had another successful flight (see my earlier post about what makes for a successful flight and you’ll understand, right Julian!), however it was delayed for three hours but when it took off all went well.  Then it was a 3 ½ hour ride to the orphanage, we got there at 7:10 PM, much later than planned. 

They were waiting for us so we could do the required paperwork and signatures.  They said that they told Max this morning that I was coming to get him; they said he got his clothes right away and he kept looking for me at the door all day.  They said he was anxious all day.  They also told me he had a high fever this morning and gave me some medicine for him, but he doesn’t have a fever now.

I asked if I could see where Max sleeps.  They took me upstairs to his groups’ bedroom and he was sitting there in the clothes I had given them for him.  He looked at me with his little smile and said Mama!  Yes, he does remember me!   They showed me the crib he sleeps in and his playroom and let me take a couple of pictures.  Then it was time to start the journey to Max’ new home. 

I thanked them for taking such good care of him.  They wished us a happy and healthy life together and told me I need to bring him back to visit. 

Max made sure I was initiated as his new Mama quickly, about thirty minutes into the car ride he started throwing up and continued for about an hour.  I’m pretty sure he’s fine now; he’s a smiling happy boy in his crib!   Right now he’s playing peek-a-boo with his blanket. 

This is finally the start of our new life together!

Posted at 11:25 PM Moscow time.

Last Day in Orekhovo-Zuyevo

I had two visits with the little man today, this morning he was very interested in the other children who were in the area where we visit.  He was especially interested in a little baby and not at all happy when she was crying.  He kept going over to her to look at her, he didn't seem to understand why she was making so much noise. 

This afternoon I went upstairs to get him again.  He wasn't quite sure he wanted to give up his afternoon snack to go with me but he put it down and came over to me.  They gave it to him to take downstairs but he didn't eat it, he ate his Cheerios instead.  Today the doctor gave him some candy, this is the second time she has given it to him while I have been visiting.  Today I saw the results of sugar on a very little man, we did a lot of running!

They have a bird cage in the area where we visit, the little man loves to stare at the bird and tap on his cage, move his cage, bang the table with the cage on it, you get the picture.  Two more words appeared today, one is bird, probably because I tell him to be nice to the bird, don't do that to the bird, etc. repeatedly.  The other is Mama, he called me Mama once this morning and once this afternoon.  I guess he's listening to his caretakers, they call me Mama all the time. 

I will see the little man in the morning tomorrow then head back to Moscow to prepare for court. 

It was snowing lightly all day today but I decided to take a walk anyway.  Here's a few more pictures.

A street in the middle of town.

A large pigeon coupe! 

An offical looking building, it had a very large courtyard in front of it.

This statue was in front of the official building above. 

 A Music Man.

Again, for those who can read Russian, the plaque in front of the Music Man.

Posted at 10:14 PM, Moscow time.