The people that got us through

This is technically a weekly update since we were able to participate in weekly chat this week, but since nothing really happened at chat and you all are much more interested in Pickle we will stick with what is important! (wow that was one long run on sentence)

We were picked up a little before 9:00 this morning for our appointment with the notary. There was, of course, a line when we got there, but we had an appointment. So we were allowed to cut. D and I went first with the paper signing. This piece of paper is the intent to adopt with the request for the release letter. The little notary lady had to laugh when Suzanne asked if she could take our photo while we signed. She thought that a little odd, but we are grateful Suzanne had the knowledge to take such a momentous photo. Thanks!! After the notary we dashed out as to not get beaten up by the throngs of people waiting.

Our facillitator, Irina, was busy with paperwork duties today and were unable to accompany J & S to the Detski dom so our translator Lena had to go with them. (older kids need a translator) So that meant we had to go it alone at the orphanage. Andrei dropped us off and asked the security guy to call the SW for us. A few minutes later she arrived and of course I was nervous without Lena so I did what I always do when I am nervous. I had to go to the bathroom. I tried in my best bad Russian to ask for the toilet. She was so kind and directed me to the correct door. Thank heavens!!

After that we dropped our things off in the visiting room and wandered upstairs to Pickle's group room. He wasn't quite ready yet. We waited patiently as the caregivers diapered and dressed him. They do not usually diaper the children on a daily basis. Ask me later why. He was dressed in a little tank top, some knit tights, a t-shirt that seemed 3 sizes too big and a pair of over-alls that were 5 sizes too big and a cute pair of little girl shoes. Good thing Mama & Papa brought proper clothes for the boy.

We went back to our visiting room and made a mess with some banana puffs. We got him to do one "drawing" with the new crayons and paper we brought and then he started demanding the walks. Pulling at our fingers. We took one walk. Up and down the stairs. Up and down the hall. We finally got him back in the visiting room and fed him goldfish crackers. He was more interested in feeding them to Papa. Our boy just wasn't that animated today. He has a cold and we could hear the crud in his lungs starting to break up. Very rattley.

He did one more drawing for us in between walks and then when Mama tried to tell him no on another walk he started the lip quiver. He snuggled with Papa and of course Papa gave in. They got up and down the hall a few times before a caregiver told us it was lunch time.

We asked Tatiana to take one last family photo of us and then it was time to take him back to his group. We gave Tatiana the disposable camera we brought, the little stuffed monkey and his photo book. She was so interested to look thought it and hear who all the people were. She said Babushka Renee was much too young to be a grandma!

As we got ready to leave we looked over at our little man shovelling food into his face and we waved bye-bye. And amazing enough... he waved back. Spoon in hand, but he waved back.

We went down stairs with Tatiana to get our things and asked if we could get a photo of her. So We have a beautiful photo of me and her. I was trying so hard not to cry. She kept saying don't cry, you will be back soon. I thanked her very much and told her all the children we so beautiful. She said, "no, thank you so much for giving this little boy a family to love him." (at least this is what I thought she said. We said our good byes and piled back into the van.

It was a sad day, but a good day. We hope that recent russian adoption issues don't cause anymore delays in this process. I am ready for all of this to be finished and to bring our baby home.

Thank you all for all of your wonderful comments. Please keep them coming. We leave here tomorrow, but have 26 hour layover in Korea. We should be home Sunday evening or night.

Ps. Dad, thanks for the hockey report. computer too slow here to check it. Glad to see Ottowa is up over Detroit and D was pleased to see Colorado up too. At least we are only missing the first round.