US Embassy

Today we went to the US Embassy for our exit interview.  There were seven other families there with us.  Most of the kids were around the same age as Maxim.  The people at the Embassy have done this before; they gave us a big bag of toys to play with while we waited.  As soon as the toys came out the kids got social and played with the toys and each other. 

The entire process took about an hour and a half and when it was done Max had a passport, a visa, and all of the official paperwork he needs to come home. 

After lunch and Max’ nap, we went for a stroll and sat in the park for a little while.  I just gave Max his dinner and bath.  Once he falls asleep I’ll pack everything up so we can come home tomorrow.  I hope he is as ready to come home as I am! 

One Day Down, One Day To Go

In preparation for our meeting at the US Embassy tomorrow, Max had his US medical exam very early this morning.  He did very well.  The doctor said the reason for the high fever and vomiting yesterday is because his molars are coming in.  The doctor also said he's skinny but that's OK because people spend millions of dollars to get skinny! 

After the medical exam, we went and took pictures for Max' Visa and completed a lot of documents in preparation for our meeting tomorrow.  Once all of this was done, my documents were submitted to the Embassy and our appointment was scheduled for 11:30 AM tomorrow morning.  

Then it was back to the hotel for a much needed nap, for both of us!  Max slept for four hours, right through his lunch.  We had a snack and went for a stroll in Solokniki Park.  He liked the stroller and enjoyed his roll through the park until it started to rain. 

We played for awhile in the hotel room and he explored it completely and repeatedly until dinner time.  Instead of eating his dinner tonight, he kept trying to figure out how to spill water out of his sippy cup.  The sippy cup is new to him; no sippy cups in the orphanage, the kids there take their drinks straight up!  At first he didn't know how to drink out of it, but some silly expressions on my part that he copied produced results. 

Then it was bath time, let's just say it wasn't the highlight of his day.  Max screamed and cried through the entire bath.  After the bath, he liked the hair brush and brushing his hair.   I guess he would rather look good than smell good.  

He's sound asleep now. I think our late night last night and our early morning really wore him out today.  I'm glad that he's going to get a good night's sleep and that we don't have such an early start tomorrow morning. 

Posted at 8:23 PM Moscow time.

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.

On My Way to Orekhovo-Zuyevo

Today is the start of a few very busy days.  I leave tonight to arrive in Moscow tomorrow afternoon.  From the airport we go to the orphanage in Orekhovo-Zuyevo to get Max.  After a few busy days of official appointments and meetings, we come home as a family.   

Home Again

Today was the first sunny day in Moscow on this trip.  The nice weather made for a smooth flight.  It's a long flight but I'm looking forward to doing it again soon, twice! 

Now I have to get a few more things ready here so I can go and bring Max back to his new home.

I'll post again before I go.  

Joyful News!

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.

Bird Is The Word!

Today light snow is falling in Orekhovo-Zuyevo.  I saw the little man this morning.  The first thing we did when we got to the orphanage was take him out to get his passport picture taken.  He was very quiet going to the car and he would not let go of my fingers the entire time we were in the car.  The photographer had a toy that helped to relax him a bit.  He started talking on the way back but still would not let go of my fingers.

To my surprise I was able to spend the rest of the morning visiting hours with the little man when we got back to the orphanage.  Here’s how smart he is, I have a small See ‘N Say with me, it has animals on it and makes animal sounds.  He pulls the arm, it makes the sound and I make the sounds and I ask him where the animal’s picture is on the See ‘N Say.  We went through a few animals and when we got to the bird, I asked him to show me where the bird was.  Instead of showing me where the bird is on the See ‘N say, he puts his arm up, looks down the hall and points to the bird in the bird cage.  With great surprise, my driver said ‘you taught him something’!  Ah yes, repetition pays off!

This evening I met with my translator to prepare for court tomorrow.  She told me who will be in the court room, the procedural things they will do, what is expected of me, etc.  I guess we are all ready now.    

Posted at 7:52 PM, Moscow time.