Long time... no posts...

I know it's been a while since our last post, finding time to even check my email these days is a little challenging! Slava had his second Dr appt yesterday and he is doing really well. He gained 1 lb and 6 ounces... now weighs in at a whopping 20.8 lbs and he is still 29 inches tall. He looks like he's gained much more than a pound... his cheeks are chubbier, thighs are fuller and even his hair is thicker! He is getting into everything - his favorites are the dog bowls, plants and toilets.

So... I think the time has come to get a facebook page and retire the blog. I have resisted for a long time but I think it will be the easiest way to post updates and pics. I am working on it this week and will let you all know when it is up and running!

can you believe tomorrow is February???

Well, Marc, Slava and I are officially flying solo. Marc's mom left to go back to New Zealand on Saturday. It was sad to see her leave but it's time to start figuring this out on our own. We had a great weekend... didn't really do much. We are trying to take Slava for a ride in the car each day to try to get him used to it. Currently, it is probably his least favorite thing to do - he cries and throws up. Marc is traveling next week so I am thinking of heading to my sister's house - it's 2 hours away so it is my mission this week to get him to LOVE the car (honestly, I would just settle for no vomit).
February is going to be a busy month with lots of visitors and we can't wait for Slava to meet everyone!

Settling in...

It took about 5 days but we are all finally getting used to the time change. Slava is doing great! He is taking regular naps and getting about 10 hours of sleep at night - going to be bed around 9pm. It really is amazing how quickly he seems to have settled into his new life... it's like he was always here.
He had his first Dr appt this week and it went well. He is in the 5th percentile for height and not yet on the charts for weight. So, we have some catching up to do but it is all normal for adopted children. I swear he has gained about 5 lbs since he's been home. The Dr was impressed with his level of emotional development - which made Marc and I feel great. He is a loving, happy baby with lots of personality!
We are loving being home... our house, our bed, great food and of course, our family. Life is good.

Made it Home!

We're home!!! The flight was rough but it's over! Slava is doing great - he absolutely adores his cousins and is taking quite nicely to Gracie, Charlie, Pugg and Stella. Charlie is obsessed with him and follows him around wherever he goes. He took a quick nap yesterday afternoon then stayed up until 1:30am. Needless to say, we are all a little tired and jet lagged but life is good. So happy to be home with our baby boy.

Last full day here!

I started packing yesterday and it felt wonderful!!! Marc is headed downtown today to do a little shopping and I am going to hang out here with Slava. He still has a pretty bad cold so we don't want him outside. All the families are getting together tonight for a farewell party - I even think our coordinator and translator are going to come. I can't believe this journey is almost over. I have dreamed of the day we bring our baby home for over two years now. I can not wait to start the next chapter together as a family... at last. Thank you, God (and Mom).

Only 3 more days!

Only 3 days until we leave! We've reached our limit here. Love Russia, but ready to go home with our baby.

Sunday January 17

Since we didnt post anything yesterday, here are 2 videos. First one is Slava singing and dancing to Marc playing the 3 string guitar. The second is from breakfast this morning-Slava is learning to feed himself.

We've made progress in the sleep department. He went to bed at 9 pm the past 2 nights, and woke up between 630 and 7. Hes also taking a 2 hr nap around 2 pm. Life is good- 5 more days to go!

Update from the Vlad INN

Today was a great day! We played with our friends Chase and Lauren today. Irina stopped by and said our paperwork was delivered to the US Embassy in Moscow on schedule. All looks well for our departure next Friday.

Marc went to the baby store today and picked up some shoes and a sippy cup. He had peaches for the first time today and loved them. Slava thoroughly enjoyed his bath tonight- as you can see in the picture.



Tomorrow night we are getting together with the other families for play time and drinks- looking forward to that!

A few pictures of Slava in his stylish clothes.






P.S. we have learned that our smiling boy can scream with the best of them! He is not fond of bed time.

Joys of parenthood...

Sorry I haven't posted... our days are suddenly flying by! We are having a blast with Slava. He wakes up smiling and doesn't stop all day. Sleep, on the other hand, is not one of his favorites. Marc and I are a little tired but enjoying every second of being here with him. He is learning new things every day... Marc taught him to say "baby" and now he says it about 3000 times a day. He LOVES to eat and he will eat just about anything. We introduced him to ice cream today and he loved it - he was a little freaked out by the cold but quickly got over it.
All in all, we are going great. We leave in ONE WEEK from tomorrow!!!!!!
Below is a video of another one of Slava's loves... DANCING!!! Check him out rocking out to Dave Matthews!

We've got him!

We've got him! Of course it took until 750 pm today, but we are finally parents!

Kyra's at the doctors now (crazy day!) but all is well.

More to come tomorrow. Whooohooo!

Tuesday

Just found out we can't get Slava until Tuesday. Our orphanage requires a court decree and because of the Holidays, it will not be available until Tues. The wait continues...
Good news, however, Slava is in good health!

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

So... last night turned out to be craziness! Our evening began upstairs in the rec room (it has a pool table and it's where all the families hang out) with some caviar, salmon, pickles, beer and of course, vodka. After an hour or so, 3 young Russian couples came into the room to play some pool. Kevin and I, being the ambassadors that we are, decided to go over and do a shot with one of them. Initially, he looked at us like we were crazy but then obliged and we did the shot. Fast forward about 15 minutes and ALL of the Russians were at our table eating and drinking. They spoke very, very little English and I took this as an opportunity to use EVERY SINGLE Russian word i know. (Ton, I literally brought up the notecards you made me - it was awesome. They were going through all the cards and laughing.) We all introduced ourselves and one of the guy's names is Slava! Then the guitar came out... there is a busted, old, 3-stringed guitar up in the room that the kids play with. Sasha picked it up and all the Russiasn started singing... it was straight out of a movie! Marc recorded it on video with our camera but we are having trouble downloading it... as soon as we figure it out we will post it.
The night ended with all of us drinking Cognac. Needless to say, this was a rough morning for all. Marc and Kevin went downtown this afternoon but I stayed here. Still fighting a cold and I don't want to be sick tomorrow when we get Slava!

Turcos Reunited!

Marc and Kevin have arrived safely! We just finished a nice meal at the Inn and now some drinks!

Picture from Seoul

Uncle Kevin at a palace in Seoul. A couple more hours and they will be here!!!

2 weeks to go!

Two weeks from today we will be headed home!!! Just the thought of it makes me smile!
Irina took a couple of us to the "baby store" today which has everything you could possibly need for a little one. Irina picked out lots of baby food for Slava - he is going to eat like a King! I also picked up some toys and a couple gifts for the orphanage. She also took us to a grocery store - a REAL grocery store - and it was great. I stocked up on some necessities but want to go back with marc. We are supposed to get upgraded to a suite on Sunday that has a kitchen - it will be great to be able to make simple things like pasta and grilled cheese!
Marc and Kevin get in tomorrow around 2pm - I can not wait! We are still set to pick Slava up on Monday - not sure what time just yet. Just 3 more days and he is all ours!!!

One more video

Today is a GREAT day!

Today I was able to spend well over an hour with Slava and he is feeling and looking sooo much better! His eyes are bright and he was smiling all day - except for when I was taking his picture, of course! He had a ton of energy and was laughing and giggling the whole time. We were in a room with one of the other families - they are adopting Chase (you can see him in one of the videos). Slava looked so tiny next to him but Chase is 10 months older. I heard Slava speak his first words and it broke my heart that Marc wasn't there to hear it himself - Slava said "Dada". Grant it, he was talking to Chase but it still came out loud and clear. He has the sweetest, softest little voice and he gives the best kisses. When we were getting ready to leave, he lifted up his hands so I would pick him up and then he just laid his head on my shoulder. I gave him a kiss and promised him that this would be the last time I would ever leave the orphanage without him. 4 days until he is with us forever...

Looks like his Daddy...

Feeling better - part 2

Feeling better!

Off to see our son...

I just talked to Irina and I am going to see Slava today at 2pm!!! I will take lots of pictures and post them when I return (hopefully I can figure out how to do it without Marc)!

My sister... my savior

My amazing sister has somehow managed to FEED ME while in Russia! Today I received a bag full of fresh vegetables, fruit and coffee! I literally cried while eating a cucumber! You are my angel, Tonya, and I don't know what I would do without you! I LOVE YOU!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

No Slava today...

Irina called late last night and told us we would not be able to visit Slava today. He is still running a temperature and the head Dr does not want him exposed to outside people. I know... he is living in an orphanage with 100 other children but we aren't allowed to see him. We are worried about our little boy and are praying he feels better soon. Irina thinks we can see him on Wed - will keep you posted.

21 days and counting...

We ventured into downtown Vladivostok with 2 other families today. We took the train there… had to stand outside in 3 degree weather (-20 windchill ) for about 45 minutes – ouch! We did some shopping and had a great lunch. We couldn’t figure out how to catch the train home so we took a cab.
Marc leaves on Monday for China and returns the following Sat. We are hoping to go to the orphanage in the morning. It’s going to be a LONG week without him here… I am really not looking forward to it. I am praying we get Slava early in the week… finger crossed!
Hope you all had a wonderful new year. We spent a couple hours with the other families here… drank some vodka and had a good time.
The video below was taken today in downtown. You’ll see a bunch of Russian children flying down a slide made completely of ice… it was absolutely crazy!!!

p.s. check out Marc's new hat....solid