Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Almost Ready!
. :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Better!
Okay, so I think we have a solution! I know this is a strange thing to post. :) We might actually get all of this into our suitcase. We'll still be over on weight (40 lbs. each Aeroflot) BUT we can get it all in the one bag we are allowed. I passed by these travel bag things that squish the air out at Linens N Things today and decided to give them a try. They work pretty good! I know - it doesn't take much to impress me, but seriously - these bags just made my life a whole lot less stressful. Think Erik would kill me if I put his court suit in one? :) I still have to write his speech and send it to the consultant today. Apparently in court he gives a 5-10 minute speech and when he's finished, all I'm allowed to say is "I agree with everything my husband has said." Little does the judge know - his wife wrote it! ;) Jen
Monday, May 28, 2007
Last Monday Night at Home with No Baby
We are very excited and overwhelmed. We're trying to finish the new house, leave our current house ready for showings, and pack at the same time. The hardest part is packing for Jack. He's not allowed a suitcase until he's actually on the plane and he's taking up most of ours before we get to him!! We thought about washing clothes in the sink, but that still doesn't cut down too much on the amount of clothes to bring. It's a high of 50 degrees/low of high 30s in Arkhangel'sk and it's about 90 degrees in Moscow! On Aeroflot we are each allowed one suitcase and we need to bring food, diapers, all that stuff! We have to be prepared if they hand us Jack and tell us he's hungry. I guess it's common for the caregiver to get the day off before court so we may not have time to go and buy food and diapers before court.
70 hours and counting....
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Adult Movies?
My, He's REALLY Grown!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Dusseldorf! - Archie Wants to Come Too!
Well, it's official - we've got a plane ticket! We'll be leaving May 31st and then spending two nights in Dusseldorf, Germany to start to get acclimated to the time zones of Europe. Then we'll arrive in Moscow on June 3rd where we'll meet Dimitry and one other family from North Carolina. We'll all fly to Arkhangel'sk together. Alexander (Jack) will fly with a caregiver from Kotlas and meet us in Ark. On Monday, June 4th, we'll finally get to spend more time with him. :)
Our consultant told us that he's not supposed to stay with us until after court, June 5th and so we can buy supplies there. However other families have told us that they've been handed the baby the day before court and then expected to take care of him/her from then on. The caregivers don't always want to continue to care for the children. They've told me that when they weren't prepared and didn't have food, diapers, or medicine - the social worker gets angry. They say it's best to bring a couple days of supplies such as food and diapers because often there's no time to shop in between the all of the appointments. It will be fun trying to pack everything! On Russian planes we are only allowed 40 lbs. a piece so we are not even going to bring an infant carrier on the plane. We've decided to take turns holding him so that we can save $1000 and take more luggage. The people that I work with have been awesome. Teachers and kids have donated toys and clothes for us to donate to the orphanage and I want to take as much as possible!
On Tuesday the fifth we'll go to court. Dimitry will work on getting his passport the next couple of days and then we'll all fly back to Moscow on Thursday. If we can get into the embassy on Friday and get everything finalized and get Jack a visa, we'll be able to come home June 9th. (Happy Birthday, Mom!) But if not, we have to be there through the weekend, go to the embassy on Monday and leave to return home on Tuesday, June 12th.
I find it really amazing that we'll be back just in time for Father's Day. Last Father's Day was heartbreaking for Erik. I know Erik has been dreading this Father's Day, but coming home at this time will make it a day to celebrate. Can't help but think someone is watching over us! :)