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Wednesday, April 26, 2006
No Mama! I want to go here
Our day started with a quick breakfast in the hotel restaurant. They have good food, but not as good as other places we have eaten. Andrei arrived at 9:30 to take us to the orphanage.

Today we brought all of our donations and gave them to the social worker. What a wonderful lady! This orphanage has a director but it is the SW that has all the knowledge. Then it was up to the group room. We found our boy in the little office area with a few other children. They were all tearing a newspaper to shreds. One little one tried to make a break for it. Man they see an open door and sprint for it. Papa picked up Pickle and it was off to our visiting closet. We have heard about a therapy room at this orphanage that is large with lots of toys, but have yet to see it.

We sat down and pulled out the photo book. He flipped through it again and I said all the names. Then he played with his little bus that we brought. Papa pulled out an empty Gladware cup for him to play with. The social worker was supposed to come so we didn't want him flinging food everywhere before she arrived. So when he saw the empty cup he was a little irritated. He was aware that there was supposed to be food in this cup and there obviously was not.

We have determined that our boy is going to be a lacrosse player. We would put a Little People panda bear in the cup and he would fling it across the room while still holding the cup. Hey as long as it isn't soccer I am happy. Besides... cross-checking is legal in lacrosse.

He was not amused about being cooped up in that little room. He kept grabbing my finger and trying to pull me to the door. I kept telling him no, but that just would not do. He would pull my finger (that sounds bad) and then when I wouldn't come he would trot over and sit in my lap. Finally we couldn't contain him anymore and we gave in to his demands. He walked up and down the plant hall with Papa and was quite content. Up the stairs, down the stairs. Back and forth. Then he did the same with Mama. He has a bit of a cold so this exercise was a bit tiring. Eventually he got so exhausted he just sat down at the top of the stairs. I picked him up and we cuddled a little. Pickle was quite content about that.

We met with the doctor and the social worker. He is healthy with the exception of a hernia, which we knew about. He will have surgery for that next month. He is small for his age, but very proportionate. He seems to have big feet, a little wide.

Pickle is a pretty laid back little boy, but seems to get frustrated easily. He is not overly verbal, but understands anything he is told (in Russian of course.) The was evident when we had to go back to the visiting room to talk with the doctor. He cried big crocodile tears. He came to sit with Mama and we finally asked if we could give him some of the snacks we brought. We were told yes and this made him happy.

He likes to play with paper so we gave him a piece and then the pen. He could hold it in his hand and draw on the paper a little. Mama showed him how and he got better. We now have our first piece of Pickle Art. I think I might just frame it when we get home.

Bye Bye was ok today too. We did sign the intent to adopt. I was very adamant about asking if he had been seen by the required number of Russian families and asked if all his paperwork was in order. They assured me that all was good and when we signed the intent to adopt they would no longer show him to anyone. This boy is all ours!!!!!

Tomorrow we go to the notary public at 9:00 to sign the release letter request and then off for our last visit.

We spent the rest of the afternoon with lunch at the cafe. We went back to the blue church and bought some great souviners. We walked back toward the hotel and stopped in the new family center. This place is amazing. Full of games and all kinds of activities. One part of the building is all shops. We found a great toy store and a children's furnishings store that sold none other than IKEA furniture. I am not kidding here. They apparently buy IKEA stuff, put it together and sell it. We did buy diapers for the orphanage at one of the shops. Diapers are just as expensive in Russia as they are in the US. Yikes!

Tonight we are planning a nice dinner together at the Restaurant Russki. Can't wait!
13 Comments:
Blogger Rhonda said...
Congratulations! He sounds wonderful. I am glad that he's all yours!!!

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Can you hear us shouting for joy from WA to Khabarovsk??? Right now the most beautiful word in the whole world is "OURS"!!!! You both have been so brave and we love you so much. So here's to Daddy,Mommy and Pickle and a quick court date! M and D

Blogger Carrie said...
Joyful, joyful news!

Blogger Maggie said...
I've got tears in my eyes I'm so happy for you. He sounds like such a great kid and I'm so happy to hear that he's off the block so to speak -- he's your baby.

I hate to think of him having surgery though. Poor little kiddo.

Blogger 6blessings said...
Sounds like all is going well. I'm so glad that they assured you that he's completely yours!! How exciting!! I hope you enjoy the remainder of your time there. Hopefully, the court date will come super quickly.

Blogger A Room to Grow said...
sounds like you are really enjoying your time there. pickle sounds like a great little boy. i can't wait to see pics! i can't believe only one more visit, but i guess that means you'll become a family that much sooner.

Blogger Yeah So said...
What a great day! So happy for you. Thanks for the info on the feet...gotta go firing up the knitting needles!

Blogger Jennefer said...
I am so happy to hear of your meeting with Pickle and that all went well. I could feel your anxiety and tension melt away and be replaced by feelings of love. I can't believe after all of your waiting that you finally will have your son. You guys deserve it. Just in time for Mother's Day. Only a little bit longer, and a few more technicalities (such as court) and he will be home with you.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
CONGRATULATIONS! How wonderful to read those five little words, "This boy is all ours!" We are looking forward to pictures and praying for a quick court date so that you can bring P home very soon. Love you all. Aunt Jan & Uncle Tom

Anonymous Anonymous said...
WooHoo! The most beautiful word -"OURS"!!!!! Can't tell you how thrilled we are for you three! Have a wonderful day with P. LOTS of pics, OK? Can't wait to talk to you!
All our love,
Lee, Wayne, and B

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Well here goes my third attempt at getting a message to you.I am so glad that all is going well with you and P. I want you to know how proud we are of how you have handled all the stress on the last 11 months. I knew that P would fell the love you have for him and how each time you see him how much more theat love grows! I'm sure you are very releived to know that you now have a son that is truly yours. Way to go.
Now for some sports news; the latest in the NHL playoffs, Ottawa leads Tampa Bay 2-1, Calgary leads Anaheim 2-1, San Jose leads Nashville 2-1, Edmonton leads Detroit 2-1, New Jersey leads the Rangers 3-0, Philly leads Buffalo 2-1, Carolina leads Montreal 2-1, and Colorado leads Dalls 3-0. Of course you could probably check that out yourselves!!
Hope you have had another of many good days to come with P. Give him a hug for us.DAD

Blogger Sig said...
Happy Happy day!!!!!!!! How wonderful!!!!!

Blogger kirsten said...
what a perfect day! and how exciting to hear he is all your's! i can't wait to read more and to see him once you're able to post some pictures. this is such a fabulous time!! sharing the excitement with you!

kirsten

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