With gratitude and joy I can finally say I had a successful day in court! The little man has a new name! It is now Maxim Christopher Engeleit.
After the ten day waiting period I'll be returning to Orekhovo-Zuyevo on April 26th. to bring Max home so we can begin our new life together.
Thanks to all of you for your continued support and encouragement.
Posted at 7:55 PM Moscow time.
Showing posts with label little man. Show all posts
Showing posts with label little man. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Outdoor Markets, Helicopters and the Klyazma River
I was able to see the little man twice again today. Whenever I go to get him from his play room, the nurses always tell him his Mama is here. Today he was on the far side of the room and when he heard them he started saying Mama, Mama and he came running over to me, then he pointed dowstairs because he wanted out of the playroom. That was sweet but he still has not called me Mama directly. Today during a conversation he was having with himself I heard the word Mama but it was not directed at me. Though he did use his other new words today, cup and no.
Today was the first day it was not raining or snowing here. This afternoon they asked me if I wanted to take him outside. Yes, of course, so I bundled him up and we went outside for a little over an hour. We climbed on the houses and played with the snow. He saw a cat at one point and went running through the play ground following him. Made me feel a little sorry for Torre (my dog). We went down a slide for the first time, he liked it and decided that maybe next time he would just stand at the top, lean forward and see what happens. Luckily I was close by and anticipated his daredevil stunt in the making. We went back inside and he did a lot of running and talking today.
Since it was not raining or snowing today, I took a walk and found what I think might be the center of the town. I took a few pictures.
Today was the first day it was not raining or snowing here. This afternoon they asked me if I wanted to take him outside. Yes, of course, so I bundled him up and we went outside for a little over an hour. We climbed on the houses and played with the snow. He saw a cat at one point and went running through the play ground following him. Made me feel a little sorry for Torre (my dog). We went down a slide for the first time, he liked it and decided that maybe next time he would just stand at the top, lean forward and see what happens. Luckily I was close by and anticipated his daredevil stunt in the making. We went back inside and he did a lot of running and talking today.
Since it was not raining or snowing today, I took a walk and found what I think might be the center of the town. I took a few pictures.
A River that runs through the center of town, I think it's the Klyazma River.
A place for the kids.
An outdoor market, check out the models!
Still the outdoor market, these are fake flowers, I've seen them sold in a few places,
I guess it's still to cold to sell real flowers.
A war memorial.
Since this is an industrial town, I think they may build helicopters here.
Posted at 9:37 PM, Moscow time.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Words
Today I had two visits with the little man. He was happy to see me each time, the first time he ran across the playroom to me and the second time he gave up his snack. I must be doing something right if he's willing to give up his afternoon cookie....
With each visit it seems that more of his personality is showing. He's laughing and smiling a lot. I have a little toy that plays nursery rhymes; he sang his version of Ring Around the Rosie every time it played accompanied by his own unique dance moves.
Today the little man said two words in English that I could clearly understand. I bring him a treat each visit; it's some Cheerios in a small glad container. It looks like a small cup and I guess I called it a cup because he said 'cup' about fifty times today while playing with it. I also told him the stacking cups were cups so he had lots of cups to talk about. But alas that was not his first word, his first word was the 'N' word, that's right he said NO! He said it at the appropriate time, he used it the right way and he used it a few times. As I said, more of his personality is coming out along with his independence, just ask him about it and I'm sure he'll say no!
I tried taking a walk today in-between visits. There was a cold ice/rain falling, not good weather for walking or taking pictures, hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Posted at 9:27 PM Moscow time.
With each visit it seems that more of his personality is showing. He's laughing and smiling a lot. I have a little toy that plays nursery rhymes; he sang his version of Ring Around the Rosie every time it played accompanied by his own unique dance moves.
Today the little man said two words in English that I could clearly understand. I bring him a treat each visit; it's some Cheerios in a small glad container. It looks like a small cup and I guess I called it a cup because he said 'cup' about fifty times today while playing with it. I also told him the stacking cups were cups so he had lots of cups to talk about. But alas that was not his first word, his first word was the 'N' word, that's right he said NO! He said it at the appropriate time, he used it the right way and he used it a few times. As I said, more of his personality is coming out along with his independence, just ask him about it and I'm sure he'll say no!
I tried taking a walk today in-between visits. There was a cold ice/rain falling, not good weather for walking or taking pictures, hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Posted at 9:27 PM Moscow time.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Weekend Orphanage Visits
I spent my first night in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. This hotel allows me to go back and forth to the orphanage very quickly, it's only a five minute cab ride away and the hotel and orphanage call the cab for me. Today I was able to see the little man twice. This morning he was playful and he seems to be adjusting to the attention he is receiving; I think he's actually starting to like it.
Orekhovo-Zuyevo is not like Moscow in that there are very few English speaking people here. All of the conversations I have usually end up with me and my Russian counterpart saying I don't understand. Today in-between my visits to the orphanage, I had to exchange money to pay my hotel bill. I tried to talk to the woman at the front desk without success. I have a thing called a Russian Language Map, it is a laminated document with common words and phrases in English and in Russian. Today it came in very handy, what I wanted was for someone to actually take me to the exchange and that's exactly what I got. I pointed to the phrase on my map asking where is the money exchange and asked for directions. When she couldn't tell me she got her counterpart to walk me over. I then made him come inside with me in case someone tried to speak to me. Success!
This afternoon I went back to the orphanage. Normally when I arrive, the orphanage doctor tells the little mans care takers that I am there and then they get him ready and bring him out. This afternoon when I got to the orphanage, the orphanage doctor wanted to make sure I would be able to see him when she is not there so she took me by the hand and led me upstairs to the playroom for his group. I understood what she was doing even though I couldn't understand what she was saying to me. She told the caretakers that I would be coming up to get him when she was not there. As I approached the playroom I could see the kids sitting around tables finishing their snacks. The little man saw the director then leaned over and saw me, when he saw me he put a big smile on his face, it was a real indication that he starting to bond with me and it made me feel great! The director even commented on his smile. Then I went back downstairs to wait for him. Lost in all of this communication to the care takers was the fact that I was waiting for him downstairs. After a while I went back upstairs and they were very surprised to see me, they took the little man to get him changed and indicated that I should sit down in the playroom to wait for him. This is unprecedented access, you usually see the place where you spend time with your child and no where else in the orphanage. I would love to get a picture of the playroom but I don't think I'll be able to. I sat on the couch and all of the other children in his group came over, they were told that I was the little man's Mama. Several of them started calling me Mama. When the little man came in and sat on my lap he was not happy at all with the other children being near me and the Mama talk, his reaction was surprising to me.
We went downstairs and spent a couple of hours together this afternoon. He was very quiet when we met in March, now he is becoming much more verbal with each visit. He talks to others as they walk by and he says things to me which I don't understand. Another way I got him to talk, unintentionally, was to take something away from him, he was not happy and he let me know it.
This morning when I got up it was snowing. After the snow stopped, it rained off and on all day. I walked around outside between visits and the rain.
Here's some pictures from my brief walk today.
Posted at 10:42 PM Moscow time.
Orekhovo-Zuyevo is not like Moscow in that there are very few English speaking people here. All of the conversations I have usually end up with me and my Russian counterpart saying I don't understand. Today in-between my visits to the orphanage, I had to exchange money to pay my hotel bill. I tried to talk to the woman at the front desk without success. I have a thing called a Russian Language Map, it is a laminated document with common words and phrases in English and in Russian. Today it came in very handy, what I wanted was for someone to actually take me to the exchange and that's exactly what I got. I pointed to the phrase on my map asking where is the money exchange and asked for directions. When she couldn't tell me she got her counterpart to walk me over. I then made him come inside with me in case someone tried to speak to me. Success!
This afternoon I went back to the orphanage. Normally when I arrive, the orphanage doctor tells the little mans care takers that I am there and then they get him ready and bring him out. This afternoon when I got to the orphanage, the orphanage doctor wanted to make sure I would be able to see him when she is not there so she took me by the hand and led me upstairs to the playroom for his group. I understood what she was doing even though I couldn't understand what she was saying to me. She told the caretakers that I would be coming up to get him when she was not there. As I approached the playroom I could see the kids sitting around tables finishing their snacks. The little man saw the director then leaned over and saw me, when he saw me he put a big smile on his face, it was a real indication that he starting to bond with me and it made me feel great! The director even commented on his smile. Then I went back downstairs to wait for him. Lost in all of this communication to the care takers was the fact that I was waiting for him downstairs. After a while I went back upstairs and they were very surprised to see me, they took the little man to get him changed and indicated that I should sit down in the playroom to wait for him. This is unprecedented access, you usually see the place where you spend time with your child and no where else in the orphanage. I would love to get a picture of the playroom but I don't think I'll be able to. I sat on the couch and all of the other children in his group came over, they were told that I was the little man's Mama. Several of them started calling me Mama. When the little man came in and sat on my lap he was not happy at all with the other children being near me and the Mama talk, his reaction was surprising to me.
We went downstairs and spent a couple of hours together this afternoon. He was very quiet when we met in March, now he is becoming much more verbal with each visit. He talks to others as they walk by and he says things to me which I don't understand. Another way I got him to talk, unintentionally, was to take something away from him, he was not happy and he let me know it.
This morning when I got up it was snowing. After the snow stopped, it rained off and on all day. I walked around outside between visits and the rain.
Here's some pictures from my brief walk today.
This is my hotel.
This is a catherdal that I went into.
The name of the cathederal for those of you who can read Russian.
Homes across the street from the hotel.
Posted at 10:42 PM Moscow time.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Medical & the Little Man
Today was a very long day. It started with an hour plus ride to the medical exam which took about an hour and a half to complete. There were three families in the room getting examined. We spent most of the time waiting for the various doctors to come in and ask questions, some to me and some to the other families. When it was over, we all passed!
Then it was off to the orphanage, this is normally a two hour ride from Moscow, it should have taken less time because the medical exam was on the way, but it didn't. The traffic was awful today, it took us just over four hours to get to the orphanage, boy was I glad that I had my iPod with me! When we got to the orphanage the little man was having supper so we had to wait a little while for him. He came out looking a little confused at first but after a few minutes and a new toy, he seemed to remember me. He went right for the toy bag to see what other toys I had; this is something we did when we visited in March.
For the next few days I am staying at a hotel which is a five minute cab ride from the orphanage. We made all of the arrangements for the cab and I'll get to see the little man twice a day! I'm looking forward to my visits.
There is a wedding downstairs in the hotel, I can hear the band playing in my room. They seem to be having a great time. If it doesn't end soon, I may have to crash it!
Posted at 10:15 PM, Moscow time.
Then it was off to the orphanage, this is normally a two hour ride from Moscow, it should have taken less time because the medical exam was on the way, but it didn't. The traffic was awful today, it took us just over four hours to get to the orphanage, boy was I glad that I had my iPod with me! When we got to the orphanage the little man was having supper so we had to wait a little while for him. He came out looking a little confused at first but after a few minutes and a new toy, he seemed to remember me. He went right for the toy bag to see what other toys I had; this is something we did when we visited in March.
For the next few days I am staying at a hotel which is a five minute cab ride from the orphanage. We made all of the arrangements for the cab and I'll get to see the little man twice a day! I'm looking forward to my visits.
There is a wedding downstairs in the hotel, I can hear the band playing in my room. They seem to be having a great time. If it doesn't end soon, I may have to crash it!
Posted at 10:15 PM, Moscow time.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Moscow.... Again
I arrived in Moscow about 12:30 this afternoon, local time. To me, any flight that takes off and lands as it should is a good flight. It's what happens in-between that makes each flight unique and provides a story. We boarded the plane on time, taxied out to the run way, sat for a little while, then literaly backed up to the gate. That's right, the pilot put the plane in reverse and we went back to the gate. I don't know why we backed up; but about and hour and twenty minutes later we took off. The flight was a bit bumpy through out the night. In the middle of the night, a new passenger made himself known on the plane. The new passenger was a little yappy dog that got out of his carrier. He was running up and down the isle barking away, it seems that he woke up and wanted to let everyone know about it! I thought it was pretty funny even though he woke me and the people around me up. It also seemed like his owner must be used to the barking because it took quite awhile for him to wake up then run down the aisle and get the dog. Very funny to watch.
Just got to the hotel a little while ago, lots of traffic. Tomorrow morning I go for my medical exam then out to the orphanage to see the little man, I'm looking forward to that.
Posted at 3:45 PM, Moscow time.
Just got to the hotel a little while ago, lots of traffic. Tomorrow morning I go for my medical exam then out to the orphanage to see the little man, I'm looking forward to that.
Posted at 3:45 PM, Moscow time.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ready To Go
I'm all packed and ready to go. It's sunny and clear today so it seems like a good day to fly. I'm looking forward to spending the next few days visiting the little man as I prepare for court. I'll post again soon from Moscow.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Lots To Do
I leave one week from today. Still lots to do. A friend gave me a lot of stuff for the little man. I greatly appreciate her generosity, now I have to find a place to put it all! That, with packing, getting his bedroom and playroom ready, child proofing, etc. I'm busy, but it's all good.
Going to the Yankees Opening Day tomorrow, should be fun but cold and damp as a winter storm approaches tomorrow night. It will be a good way to get me in shape for the cold weather in Russia. Happy Spring!!!
Going to the Yankees Opening Day tomorrow, should be fun but cold and damp as a winter storm approaches tomorrow night. It will be a good way to get me in shape for the cold weather in Russia. Happy Spring!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Court Date
Today CHI called. My court date is April 14th. I will be going to Moscow on April 6th. so I can visit the little man several more times before court. Lots to do before I go, I'll post again soon.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Things went well today, I went to the Ministry of Education for information about the little man and then to Orekhovo-Zuyevo. Orekhovo-Zuyevo is the region where the little man lives, it is an industrial city in the Moscow Oblast located about 60 miles or so outside of Moscow. With traffic, and there is a lot of it all the time, it took us almost 3 hours to get there today. I was able to meet with the orphanage doctor and then spend a couple of hours with the little man. He was happy and playful and seemed to enjoy our time together. Right now I am waiting for some more information which I hope to get tonight.
Tomorrow's plan is an early day at the orphanage, I'm being picked up at 8 AM to go visit him. I expect it to be another busy day.
If yor're interested in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orekhovo-Zuyevo.
Posted at 10:26 PM.
Tomorrow's plan is an early day at the orphanage, I'm being picked up at 8 AM to go visit him. I expect it to be another busy day.
If yor're interested in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orekhovo-Zuyevo.
Posted at 10:26 PM.
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