Waiting

That's what we did today...wait.  We got Sofia's birth certificate which is necessary for her passport.  It took literally ALL DAY.  That's okay though, done!  While waiting at the notary we met a great couple from Michigan that are on their second adoption from Russia.  We've met so many great people through this process, and you immediately have one big thing in common!  Tomorrow we will be picked up around 9:30 to go and pick up S.  Yay!  Later in the day Mark will go to the passport office and I can stay back with S.  Off to do some exploring on our last night alone!  

Small Change in Plans

We got to St. Pete and spoke to our translator.  She said we have a lot of paperwork to do tomorrow and we will need to finish up on Thursday morning.  So, it is better that we get S on Thursday so we are free and clear!  It's a bummer, but better in the long run.  No fun doing boring paperwork with a 2 year old if you don't have to.  In our room tonight is her crib!  So exciting!  She even gets "turn down" service and a special little bath set.  Can't wait to roll over and see her there!

Home Sweet Amsterdam

We arrived at the Amsterdam airport for the 3rd time in as many months.  I can say I would not be good at one of those jobs that travels all the time.  All the on, off, passports, tickets, luggage, delays, and annyong people wear on my patience.  Of all the airports we've visited though, this is my favorite.  I find it the most comfortable and polite.  Right now I'm sitting at Starbucks with a caffeine fix and wireless connection!  That's home to me!  Nevermind that it's currently 4am according to my body's time!  Mark is not amused by this fact.  He talked at great length about the fact that he was not going to drink alcohol on the flight because it left him with a headache last time.  Of course, we got on and he ordered a drink.  Not one drink, 4.  As the flight attendant was coming around offering tea or coffee, He got to us and said to Mark, "I know you don't want any!".  Now that worked nicely in the short term because he was able to sleep(which is difficult at his height in coach class).  Getting off the plane at 3am is a real buzz kill though:)  Poor Mark, caught between a buzz and a hard place.  We have a 6 hour layover, then off to St. Pete!  It will be nighttime there when we arrive, so we will check into the hotel, go to bed, and wake up on the day we get our daughter for good!  So...technically this is our night before Gotcha Day.  Even Mark can smile at that:)      

Things are about to change...

Last night was a typical weekend night at the Culley's.  Had a few people over and ordered pizza.  It was typical in that we often get together on a weekend night with friends and family, order take out, hang out, and let the kids run wild.  It was different though because all the talk centered around changes to come.  The ladies went up in S's room and looked at all her clothes set out be packed, we talked about my sister's baby coming, and exchanged a lot of OMG I can't believe this is all really happening!  We celebrated Lexi's birthday because it will be while Mark and I are gone, and I wanted to see her blow out her candles!  Nine years old!  Where did that time go??  I split her gifts up so she could open the "fun" ones while we're gone, and let her open clothes and some books last night.  It was fun to see her excited about her clothes!  I thought she'd be disappointed.  I guess she really is a big girl now:(    

These three were formerly know as the "little kids"...not anymore!

Lexi sporting her new Northface and book I knew she'd love!

Anne waiting ever so patiently to feel a little kick or something!

Happy 9th Birthday Baby!

As the night went on Kaitlyn fell asleep and Livy and Lexi asked if they could have a sleep over.  They went and found pajamas and thought they were pretty funny mixing them up!  Kaitlyn and Scratches were just too cute!

Doesn't get much sweeter than this!

I should share some of my feelings from this week, because I think it's important to be honest about all the emotions that adoptions brings.  Certainly some of these feelings came about when I had my babies, but I think you are more aware of it with adoption.  When I was pregnant I couldn't wait to get that baby out of me!  Not so much because I wanted to start night feedings, but because I was uncomfortable and so done being pregnant!  With adoption, I'm not uncomfortable.  In fact, I'm exactly the opposite!  I was keenly aware all week that I like my routine, I like my freedom, I like my big independent girls.  What was I thinking??  Everyone is very excited and so generous and loving towards us.  The conclusion I've come to is that this is a lot more exciting if you're not me:)  The reality of it is the hard part is about to come.  Our lives are busy and full, and we now have to find a way to include a two year old in all that.  A child that will probably want to be with me all the time, will be overstimulated easily, does not know how to be part of a family, live in a house, play in her room, cannot communicate her feelings to us, and doesn't trust us to take care of all her needs.  So, there is mommy guilt about what my big girls will be sacrificing in this transition time.  Earlier this week I thought to myself, "We should do something Sunday, just the four us.  The LAST time it will be the FOUR of us".  So, I mentioned going out to dinner and the girls both had the same reaction.  We can celebrate S coming!  I'm a jerk.  I'm raising amazing girls(obviously better than me!), and I should have more faith in them.  Twelve days is a long time to be gone, I'm missing my sweet Lexi's 9th birthday, Adrienne has a dance event I'm missing, and my sister could possibly give birth to my new niece.  That's big stuff...but I know in 2 weeks it will all just be part of our life story, and we'll be so blessed to be in our new normal.  The first thing the judge said to me in court was, "I see a mom, dad, and two girls.  Looks complete.  Why are you doing this?".  My answer was, "Yes, it looks complete, but it never felt complete to me."  In just a few days it will be complete, and I will be the luckiest mom in the world to be blessed with whatever challenges come our way.  If you want to feel really blessed, just log onto "Two Kids a Minivan and a Mortgage" listed under the blogs I follow.  Lord, give me anything to overcome but that.  Talk about appreciating the little things...if you and yours are healthy, you can do anything!            

  

Quick Update!

Sunday we went to a one year old birthday party, and wouldn't you know it he had a beautiful mega cupcake to dig into!  Don't compare this professional one with my pathetic amateur one!

Happy 1st Birthday Alexander!  We love you!

Steph and I with our big girls...weren't we just their age???

The rest of the week was all about preparation.  Put some finishing touches on S's bedroom(if you look close you can see what S stands for!)...

This weekend we will do some social stuff to enjoy the last of our freedom before this 2 year old rocks our world!

Home, A Shower, A Birthday, and More!

We've been home for 3 full days and it was right back in the fire!  No major issues on the flights home, although if at all possible I will NEVER fly through Paris again.  That airport is a pain in the bleeeeep.  My sister picked us up and dropped us at home, and then we had to collect our kids.  Alexa was with Anne and Rick so I got her first.  They had a Barbie bike waiting for S(complete with helmet!) and dinner for me to take home.  How sweet is that???  Then Adrienne had to be picked up at dance.  It was a sweet night with the four of us reunited.  We caught up, ate, and played with nesting dolls all at 9:00 at night.  I love that my girls always ask about S first.  They want to know every detail of our visit with her!  The trips are wearing on them though.  It's hard to have Mom and Dad gone and the next trip will be even more difficult.  It's a longer trip and we will be missing Alexa's birthday and a some big stuff for Adrienne's dance.  Grandma does a good job, but it's never the same!  I keep telling them one more time and we'll all be together forever!  I went back to work the next morning and got love and hugs from all my students.  I will really miss my job when I'm home with S!  I like my routine, I like my students, and I like seeing my co-workers!  Which brings me to Friday!  My co-workers had planned a baby shower for me.  We ended up having an ice day off of school, but still had a great turn out.  I work with the most thoughtful and generous staff(seriously, I totally can't keep up with these people!).  Let me give you an analogy...when having a luncheon in the workplace there's always those 1 or 2 people that make some great homemade dish and drag in their crock pot and all the fixings to go with it.  Then most people grab something at Costco or fight over who gets to bring the paper products.  At my work 99% of the staff is the first kinda person...I'm the 1% Costco gal(and that's if I remember it is a luncheon day).  I'm going to take a picture next time so you'll believe me!  Anyway, we went to a local restaurant and had great food, fun, and company.  I was showered with clothes, toys, kitchen stuff, and bath stuff.  It's been 12 years since I did the whole baby shower thing and I forgot how fun it is to come home and set everything up!  Beth brought her famous crack brownies which got their name because they are so good they should be illegal, and you can't ever eat just one!  Pretzel bottom, brownie, chocolate glaze over the top....focus Jen.  Can't thank everyone enough, you guys are the best!

It says "Pick Me!"

Fun stuff!

After the shower was over we headed over to Anne and Rick's for some Friday night fun, food, and to celebrate my niece Olivia's 6th birthday.  I was dying to try my mega cupcake cake pan, and it turned out like a first try:)  Not quite my vision, but learned what to do different next time!

Happy Birthday Love!

I love buying her clothes!

On a random note, I came home the other morning from an errand and the girls had all their nesting dolls out.  Have I mentioned I'm obsessed with them!  They're just the cutest things ever!  I love that they love them too!

We booked our flights for our next trip...14th-25th.  Yep, we leave a week from tomorrow!  So ready to do this!  We will have S in our arms forever on the 16th!  Lot's to do before then...  

3=1+11

March 1, 2011 is the day we added 1 to our 2 to make 3:)  Our court was about 40 minutes, with a very nice judge.  She was serious about the questions she asked, but also made a few jokes.  She first questioned me about how we would feel about our adopted child versus our biological children.  Then she asked about discipline, did I know her medical diagnosis, was I confident in my ability to deal with issues, and did I know about her family background.  Then it was Mark's turn.  She started by asking very seriously, "You already have 3 women in your house, are you prepared for 4?".  He said, "As prepared as a man can be for that!".  We got a little laugh out of that.  Then she asked him about his feelings about the adoption(listening to him made me cry), religion(listening to him made me sweat), and his ability to provide financially(listening to him made me daydream about shopping).  After the judge questioned both of us the head doctor from the baby home gave her recommendations and then the social worker gave hers.  They said nice things about us and reviewed S's health and family background.  Then a representative from the Ministry of Education and the prosecutor have to give their blessings.  After all that the judge goes back to her chambers to make her decision and then returns.  Finally she awards us guardianship of S and says we can pick her up on March 14!  Yeah!  As we left the courtroom our translator said, "You should feel good!  The judge just told the head doctor nice match, nice girl, nice couple!"  We think so too!

After court!  Happy Mommy and Poppy!

We had enough time to go back to the hotel and change, and then we went to the baby home for a visit.  With our main translator out sick it's been a little crazy.  So, we had a non-English speaking driver who took us and dropped us at the baby home.  It's not like going into a school and checking in the main office, there's a lot of steps to it.  So, we went into the first security house you pass through and tried to explain that we were there to see our daughter.  That was difficult.  The security guard came out and escorted us to the door, and said something to the coat checker.  She thankfully recognized us and scolded us in Russian for not being fast enough getting our coats off and shoe covers on.  She's a trip!  Then she walked us in the building and took us to a doctor who did not recognize us.  We motioned upstairs toward the head doctor who new us and just hugged us at court!  So, we followed her up there and thankfully the head doctor was in her office!  It gave us a taste of what Sofia's world will be like trying to communicate your needs to people don't understand!  They brought her to us and big surprise...she cried!  At least we can say she's consistent!  This time we were armed with the snacks she liked so we were able to warm her up much quicker than previously!  Interesting note on the eating...She loves little finger snacks and will shove as many in her mouth as you will let her.  But...if you put the bag away and she thinks there's no more, she will clasp the last one.  She will not let you take it and she will not eat it.  She's saving it because she thinks it is the last one:(  When you pull the bag out again she immediately pops it in her mouth and goes for more.  We did the usual playing with puzzles, stacking cups, balls, her purse, etc.  I was feeling quite bold(after all she is mine) so I changed her diaper and took her tights off.  She was very good for me changing her!  I wanted to see her little naked body.  Her skin is beautiful(something Mark nor I could give her genetically!).  Her feet are too cute and I only saw a couple little scars on her arms that indicate she had chicken pox.



I also tried on my 18-24 mos. shirt which fit perfectly.  I wasn't as off on the size as I thought!  She loves clothes and shoes!  She gets all excited when you change her!  We played with the shoes again for a long time.  She would put them on, take them off, do the buckle, undo the buckle, and so on.  LOVE this girl!  Finally it was time to say good bye.  When the caregiver came she was very excited again.  The caregiver had to walk us out because we were on our own, so we followed her and S down the stairs.  S kept looking back at us and waving so proud of stair skills!  She was so happy!  We feel good about the care at the baby home.  S is always happy to see her caregivers and seems well groomed and fed.  With that we left the door for the last time without S.  Next time she will be coming with us!  We couldn't resist taking pictures of the snow.  It's ridiculous!  What's even more crazy is the fact that it is all hand shoveled(and there is a VERY long walkway and driveway)!  When they need to get some snow out of the way they use wheelbarrows.  What a defeating job.  It's like laundry, even when you think you've caught up it starts piling up again!

Mark is 6 feet tall!

I may use this idea as a punishment at home!

Next post will be from home where we will be frantically preparing to leave again!