Life's a Journey.... here's a glimpse of ours.

Nice to be Home

It is so nice to be home. Jason and I returned home on Sunday morning after a week in our babies country. Over all the week was good. The first few days were somewhat stressful try to get used to being in a country where we had no idea what anyone was saying around us. We had a fabulous facilitating team that took very good care of us. We didn't spend much time touring the area most of our time was spent doing business and visiting the babies. I can not even begin to explain the joy we had to finally be able to see them in the flesh. To finally hold them and tell them we love them was priceless, OK maybe not quite priceless but it was for sure worth every minute, tear and penny it took us to get to this point. The business end was pretty easy. We had a handful of appointments that were wrapped up on Thursday. From what we could tell there were not a lot who were thrilled we were there but for those of them who were made up for those who weren't. So a few details that I can share on this blog: we will not receive our court date until after September 29 (our judge is on holiday until Sept. 5), we officially named both of the kids but we will share that later, and we hope they will be home sometime in October or beginning of November. Here are a few photos we can share and hopefully you are part of our private blog so you can see our sweet babies. All of these photos were taken at Red Square. It was beautiful and I wish we would of had more time to look through all of these buildings but we were only in Moscow for a couple of hours on the first day.

Posted in: on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at at 9:31 AM 0 comments

Not created to be orphanans

Matvey was born on cold day December 15, 2008. He came into this world weighing 8.4 lbs, he was 20.9 inches long. He was healthy and strong. His mommy and daddy planned his birth. They wanted him and loved him much and anticipated bringing another child in her family. His parents already had a daughter who was 14. They found out while they were pregnant with Matvey that he had Down Syndrome, they chose to continue the pregnancy and make a decision once he was born. After 6 weeks of having him home Matvey was taken to the orphanage. His parents ask if they would keep him and not let anyone adopt him while they thought of what to do. Matvey's father returned two times,his mother never returned to visit him. He was now abandon by the very people who were suppose to protect him and love him unconditionally. I can barely imagine the pain they must of went through. It was not until June 30, 2011 that they both signed off the final time for him to be adopted along with both of his grandparents. Boy are they missing out on a big blessing. Matthew was born with a whole in his heart but by February 2009 no heart condition was detected. The doctor has given Matvey a “short name” (nick name) it is pronounced Moita. He is very interactive with us. He watches everything we do and smiles when I sing to him. After 2.5 years in the orphanage with little attention and stimulation Matvey has not grown much. He only weighs 17.3 lbs. and is 29.5 inches long. He does sit independently, starts to crawl, and stand with support. We can not wait to get him home and watch him blossom to his potential.

As for our little little Varvara or Varya (her short name). Var rhymes with car so you say VAR VAR U to pronounce it. Unlike Matvey she was refused at birth. She was born on September 24, 2007 to a single mother who refused her and no sign of the father. Her mother was positive for Hep C but Varya was negative when check at one year of age. She was transferred to the hospital one month after she was born. It was her mothers 5^th pregnancy, she had 2 abortions, one death of a baby and lost parental rights to Vara's older brother a year before she was born. Varya was born 38 weeks gestation weighing 6.7 lbs. and was 20.1 inches long. She also has an open oval in her heart (a hole) but no confirmation as of now. We will get that checked when she comes home. The orphanage here is very nice and take very good care of the children. They also shared her mile stones. 9 mths rolled back to side, 11 mths rolled front to back, 12 months crawled, 15 months she could sit on her own and at the grand age of 2.5 she was walking on her own. And now at almost 4 years of age she got to see her mommy and daddy for the fist time. She was held with and unconditional love, kissed, and hugged many many times.
We are blessed and can not wait to return to take them home forever to watch them grow and be whom God created them to be.

Posted in: on Monday, August 1, 2011 at at 11:41 AM 1 comments

Kashin~ day two

I worked on some of these post when we had no internet then just copy and pasted them. This is the second day in Kashin with Varya.

Today we discover just how loving Varya's orphanage is. They spend most of the day outside with all of the children, there seems to be at least 20-25 children ranging from infant to preschool. As soon as one of the nannies sees us enter the gate then rush to get Varya. They always put her down to come see us and she runs to get a big squeeze from me. She is super snuggly and loves hugs and kisses. Today she gave me a kiss on her own. She is absolutely adorable and soooo sweet. She likes to mimic everything we do. Jason was playing drums on the outhouse and each time she would look to see where he tapped and made sure she did on the same board. She also would look and see if he used his fist or flat hand. They describe her as quit and I can see what they mean; she is very laid back and content with what ever you give her. This morning we came into the gate and the nanny (Irena) gave us a stroller and showed us where we could push it. They let us take her where ever we want. They said “Paka” (see you later) and wrote on the magnadoddle 11:30. So off we went for two and half hours walking around. Kashin is a quiet small town. There is a great pizza place where we have picked up pizza twice, mainly because we know what to order and they know we are American so they are patient and kind. On our afternoon visit I went ahead and look up the word for diaper and size so we could buy some for Varvara. To our surprise Irena said “Salva, Salva” when I didn't realize what she was saying she looked in our little Russian book and pointed to “vzyat” which ment take. She wanted us to take her to the Pharmacy to get the diapers. So we did. We went up town with our note paper and walked into the pharmacy and bought diapers. Funny thing, here they buy part of the pack of diaphers not the whole pack. We bought the whole pack and wipes for Varia. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the playground of the ophanage.

Posted in: on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at at 7:29 PM 2 comments

Let's Celebrate!!

We made it home. I figured we should celebrate with some photos :)

Posted in: on at at 2:43 PM 1 comments

From the little Village

I KNOW PHOTOS FIRST AND WRITING SECOND. HERE YOU GO, SHE WILL MELT YOUR HEART!!!

15 MINUTES AFTER WE MET

Varia is so sweet!

and super silly!

The orphanage lets us take her anywhere in the village. We took her
to the toy store. Just like her big sister Isabella she loves babies.
She fussed over this doll for two hours. Strapping it in the stroller and
making sure she got some grapes just like her. ;)

Varia loves being carried, she laughs and hugs you the whole time.

After a two hour drive we arrived in Kashin with Boris, Irena and Maria. Boris has taken excellent care of Jason and I. He makes us call him when we leave and when check in with him when we return. He always is asking if we need anything and even said today as he left us for two days that we can call him at anytime 24 hours a day. He said he would drive the two hours to Kashin to help us if we need him to. Very happy with our facilitating team, they ROCK!!!

Our meeting with Varvara went great! She is a very smart little girl. Like Matvey she is very tiny and so super cute. She will melt your heart in a minute. It is so hard to put into words how I feel being here. At times it seems as though we are on the outside looking in. It is hard to believe she is real after staring at just a few photos for the past year and half. She was sleeping when we arrived so we learned about her history( family and medical) that is for the next post. They showed us a video of her at therapy and they brought out a photo book with pictures of her. It was her very own book with her name on it. When she woke up they brought her in. She seemed a little over whelmed at first and I kid you not she looked at me and walked up to me and put her arms around my neck and hugged me for the longest time. I do have to admit she has daddy wrapped around her finger already. She is very happy sitting with him and if he is not around she looks for him. We get to visit her two times a day once 9-11:30 and once 4:30-7. Today we stayed from 2:00-6:30. Varvara is very much loved. They speak to her so kindly and brag about all the things she can do. Her doctor at the orphanage beams! Our little one has been loved. We asked what we could bring to the orphanage and the doctor said do not bring anything. They believe what we are doing is so good that they expect nothing more. We did get some bananas and cookies for the kids. This orphanage is so different from Matvey's. They are very happy we are here and smile at us while we are with Varvara.

There are so, so many children :( We played with Varvara outside only, they said there was no place inside where we could play. She is a very content little one, we played with the toys we brought and she was quite happy. She loved bubbles blown in her face. Also she loves the magna doodle and coloring.

She will be four on September 24^th and she is about the size of an eighteen month old. I can not believe how tiny these children are.

Posted in: on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at at 3:48 PM 9 comments

From Here to There!!!

Ok I will post the photos first since I know that is the only reason why you are here :)

Always in deep thought. Wondering why the Babushka's
say NO SUN!! more later about that :)

Jason showed Matvey on the morning visit how
to bang these together to make noise. He even copied
rythms. Vary smart boy!

Babushka's say "hat", Matvey says "No"

Attemps at a timed photo.

I know it is early to say but this is my absolute
Favorite!!

So here are some photos I took to show you how small Matvey is. He is now 2 years 7 months.

These are infant shoes and he still has room for growth.
Also Jason wheres a mens size 8

tiny hands :)

So here are the gorey details :)
Sunday we spent the day in Moscow. We people watched mainly. Boris, our facilitator, insisted on us taking tours of the Kremlin wall but we were way too ober whelmed to attempt to buy tickets. We walked around then went back to the hotel for a bit them headed out to dinner. Again it was a bit over whelming. We looked and looked for TGIF but had no luck but them we spotted something familular.

Yep thats Chilies. Let me tell you is was awesome!!! And our waiter spoke great english!

So early Monday morning Boris and Irena picked us up to head out to the kiddos region. We drove about 2.25 hours. We hit the ground running.......

Appointment after appointment. But we were interviewed by the head Lady of Social Services in the car on the way to the orphanage. It was nice because I didn't expect it so I didnt' sit around and anticipate. She asked us over and over "why we choose a child with Downs Sydrome" I gave her our reasons and then some adn she still continued to ask. We arrived to the orpahange in about 10 min and boy was I relieved. After she saw us with Matvey she no longer asked. It was a bit of chaos. After about two minutes of being there they brought him out and handed him to me. Since we landed her I kept thinking to myself "Why am I doing this? This is crazy" but at that moment when they placed him in my arms I knew the reason. I had no doubts why I was here. He is just the sweetest thing. The head Social worker said "Matvey afraid of strangers. He cries with strangers" Matvey did not cry once with us. As soon as he was handed to me he layed on my shoulder. Social Worker said "He know where he belong" and I said HELL YES HE DOES!!!!.. not really but I thought it. LOL!

During our visit right at the same time the doctor came and read all of his medical info to us. I have got to say she loves our little guy. She talked about him with smiles and made eye contact with me and up to this point no official even look at us not even acknowledged us. The first office we walked into the women didn't even turn her head from the computer. NOT ONCE, talk about intimidating. Those who know me know that I am not imtimidated too easy, I have been sence I stepped off of the plain. Just when we get comfortable we move on. Yesturday we were in Moscow, today in Tver and then after our am visit tomorrow with Matvey we will head to Kashin to see Varvara; we will stay there until Thursday afternoon. Then head back to Tver until Saturday morning when we head back to Moscow to fly home.

Second visit with Matvey:

We arrived about 20 min late UGH!!! We have permission to see him from 9:30-12:30 and then 3:30-6:00 The nanny brought him out to us to walk around outside OUT OF THE SUN!! Just imagine; It was late afternoon and like at home it does not get dark until 9:30ish so there was barely shade and we had to share it with another couple visiting there little baby. The orphanage sat on less then an 1/4 acrea. Matvey would not keep his hat on adn we sat on the cement parking lot for awhile (it was the only shade)

I will continue the rest in a bit I know a few people who are waiting for photos and they have to work ;) for you taryn)

There alot of details so I can remember for myself. This blog is a place to hold my memories

Let's resume. I did notice some typing errors but you will just have to forgive me. I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Also today we were goin on little food. Boris took us to the market it was just like Sams Club. I was so relieved because we are heading out tomorrow to Kashin and not sure they will have much plus we will be alone. Boris will take us to the first appointment and then off to meet Varvara then on our own for two days. Yikes!! A little freeky. I have got to say for all of you who are coming to this area adn working with Boris's team you will love him. He is funny, goofy, impatient, a scatter brain and talks alot. He is quite entertaining. I can be sacastic and joke with him and he laughs. When I post a photo of him you will see he has alot of marks on his face.... looks like acne but it was an alergic reaction. While in "Sams Club" he walked around and just ate stuff, just about anything. He was eating what I think was arugla, yes green plant, He wanted us to buy some. HE said "It good, He love" then said "but I be carful, alergic" I said you should get more then LOL!!! Then I said "Boris! that is silly put it back!" He looked at me with a huge smile and said "Thant You, I need you tell me that". Then he tried talking us into a healthy bread "NOt make belly fat" I said "No I want the kind that makes you fat. LOL!!" Then he turned around two seconds later "you want to buy ice cream? How about candy?" I busted out laughing at him and told him "your a fool!" I enjoy being around him he is so funny. And he opens food right in the store "to try them and see if He like" (a bag of chips after he bought his "healthy" bread)

So all you region 14 families don't worry you will love Boris and Irena. Also they take very good care of you. Always making sure you have what you need and if you don't ASK!!!! They will get anything and they will work at it until you get it.

And I have not seen any Reece's Rainbow babies yet. :( sorry. Maybe in the morning or Thursday when we return to Tver.

Ok I have to go my eyes are shutting as i type.

Updates may not come until Thursday night when we return from Kashin

Strange to type those words.... we are in Russia. Very bizzar :)

Posted in: on Monday, July 25, 2011 at at 12:52 PM 9 comments

WE are HEre

We made it!!! Safe and sound!

Posted in: on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at at 6:22 AM 0 comments

And let the fun begin

It's early afternoon and we have made it here safe and sound. The flight was uneventful and not too long, 10 hours from NY. The airport was so quite when we arrived you could of heard a pin drop, barely anyone in sight just the people from our flight. We hit the gound running, as Jason says. We met with Boris and Irina part of our facilitating team, and they were very nice. We will be heading out to Tver for Monday and Tuesaday to meet with Matthew. Tuesday we will head out to Kashin; a two and half hour drive. We will stay in Kashin two nights then head back to Tver for the last two nights. We will get to see the kids 5 times each this trip.
I myself am very excited to be here, feeling a little culture shock but Jason on the other hand is in complete culture shock. I am sure it is from lack of sleep. I am hoping we head out in a couple of hours to go see the Red Square, we are only a block away. We may just stay in since we have to get up at 5am to head out and start the fun! I will not post much after today since Tver has week internet and I am not even sure what Kashin is like. So for now we will say "Paka"

Posted in: on at at 5:45 AM 3 comments