Day 6 of the 10 day wait...

Well, I don't have any good news about getting Vera early. We hadn't heard from M by the time we were going to leave to trek to the orphanage, so we gave her a call. The deputy director said that she is not going to take that risk. The good news is that we will probably only make our trek 3 more times now that we are done with today's. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I just can't wait to have Vera with us!! It is so hard not to just put her under my coat and take her with me when we visit her! LOL

Ryan had the best night of sleep he has had since we got here! Yea!! He still woke up several times, but was able to go back to sleep. Kiara is completely back to normal and I got to bed a little earlier at 1 AM.

When we got to the orphanage, we greeted the security guard like normal. We went inside, put our little booties on and waited in the hallway. We never heard the phone ring, so I don't think the guard called to tell them we were there. We were about ready to hunt someone down when V showed up with another family. So, he told us that from now on we can just go up to her Groupa everyday to get her. So, we will see how that goes tomorrow. That will be nice, though, because we will get to see her more in her natural environment. V took us and the other family to the music room for our visit. They brought Vera in first. They brought the other couple's son in shortly after, and they must be in the same groupa because the caregivers pointed over to Vera for the little boy when they brought him in.

Vera cried again today when they gave her to me. The caregiver didn't leave right away and was talking to her, so I think that kind of drew it out. But, always shortly after she is in my arms, she will give me a smile! It is nice to know that she likes her caregivers, it makes me feel like she is well taken care of. Vera always has to see what is going on when she hears a sound, so with the other couple in the same room it made it harder to have her attention. But, they were only there for about 30 minutes because they had to leave to take care of paperwork. Kiara really enjoyed seeing V again. She asks almost everyday if we are going to see V or M. V is good with kids and will pick Kiara up and swing her around, so she enjoyed that!

It was another good visit. She likes to grunt a lot and is making more and more sounds. We got her to clap again today, so she hasn't forgotten that! Kiara enjoyed having Vera play with her belly button. See the picture & video below.

At the end of the visit, Vera enjoyed playing with her shoe lace. Here is a video.

So, at the end of the visit, we made our trek back to our apartment. We had a meal of Ramen Noodles and bananas. Below is a picture of us at our kitchen table in our apartment. So, the rest of the evening will probably involve a little laundry, a bath for Kiara, and I need to work on my Body Step routine. Not too exciting around here! Tomorrow after our visit with Vera we are meeting another family who is here with our agency, so tomorrow should be a bit more exciting. We are going to find our way to the Courtyard Marriott to eat dinner with them.

Day 5 of the 10 day wait...

We are halfway through the wait!! As of tomorrow it will be 5 days until we have Vera with us forever!!

Today was good to be around the apartment, but I think the whole stress of the trip is getting to all of us. It probably doesn't help that we have been with each other 24/7 for a week now! We walked up to Old Arbat to eat, shop a little, and get some groceries. It can be stressful just to do that stuff since there is such a language barrier and the weather is a bit colder today. It still takes us 15 minutes each way to get to the Old Arbat area. We probably should have just stayed at the apartment and avoided any walking today.

Well, we didn't think we would be able to get ahold of M today to check on getting Vera early. The number we had for her wasn't working. So, we called V and he said that the deputy director had said that they would never let a family keep a child during the wait again, but he would ask when he was going to be at the orphanage today. Well, we didn't hear from V anymore today. We kept trying different combinations to get M's number to work. We felt like we were missing the first 3 numbers, I think they call it the city code. From the information we had, there was a certain 3 digit number for cell phones, but that wasn't working with the rest of the numbers I had. I tried using the Moscow city code earlier today, but I had gotten a voicemail. It was a woman, but it didn't sound like M. Well, Ryan tried it tonight when we got back from being out, and it worked!!! M said that she would call the deputy director in the morning and get back to us by 9:30 AM. She said that the deputy director had promised that we could have Vera early! So, it sounds good, but I am not counting on anything! Also, Vlad had mentioned that the court decree could come early, and then we could have her. Plus, I bet that would mean we could start our US Embassy work then, too. So, pray that all happens!!

So, today I slept until 11 AM and then spent some time on my new Body Step routine. Ryan fell asleep with Kiara last night, but couldn't sleep past 5 AM, so he didn't get more than 6 hours of sleep. So, pray that Ryan can get a good night of sleep, he really hasn't had one since we got here! Kiara slept until noon!! I really hate waking up a sleeping child/baby, so we turned off her noise maker and went about our business not being quiet. So, she was really out, but finally woke up around noon. This is how she spent a lot of the rest of her day.

She got a present from S & B for her birthday. It is a bunch of cards that you can use a dry erase marker on and have different activities for her to do, like word search, drawing, connect the dots, etc. She has spent so much time on these today! Thanks S & B!!

So, since I don't have any pictures except for the one above, I thought I would add a couple videos from our first visit with Vera when we got to Russia. I don't think I posted any videos from that day yet. Enjoy!

Day 4 of the 10 day wait...

***UPDATED WITH VIDEOS***

Last night I guess you could say we had a somewhat night of normal sleep. Kiara is doing really well. I couldn't fall asleep until 3 AM, but slept until 10 AM. Ryan had a better night of sleep. But, I am afraid by the time we get adjusted, it will be time to go home and start the whole adjustment process over!

So, today we got ready, threw in a load of laudry and started on our journey to the orphanage. All went well on our journey. There was a lot of activity when we got to the orphanage. It looked like an ambulance had just brought a baby and there was this black car backed up to the gate and they were unloading boxes. I think it was the dignitary from Cyprus that is adopting from our orphanage. I am assuming whatever was in the boxes was a donation to the orphanage. Probably much better than our used clothes and diapers donation!

So, when we got inside there was a flurry of activity and the other family was in the orange room. So, we stood in the hallway where they have a chair and the phone. I noticed the phone was off the hook, so I knew the security guard probably wasn't able to call and tell them we were coming. We tried to communicate to a couple people that we were there to see Vera. Then, we waited and waited. Then, they brought the baby to the other family, so I thought well it might be a little longer for Vera. We were getting to the point where we thought we might need to call V to try to translate what we needed. But, then one woman who seemed to be in charge started talking to us in Russian. She said something about Vera's group and I couldn't tell if she was telling us to go up there or what. So, she finally gave up and took off towards Vera's room. She came down and told us she was eating. Shortly after that, a woman brought her down to us, but she didn't know where we were suppose to sit with her so she went off to ask. They ended up taking us through the orange room, then through the staff lunch room, then there is a play/exercise room. It had a lot of different stuff in it that I would think we would typically use for PE type classes. It was nice because it had 2 big, CLEAN rugs in it that we could get down on the floor and play with Vera. Plus, it had a lot more stuff that interested Kiara. See our hula hoop champion below...

Vera cried just a bit again today when they gave her to me. But, it didn't take her long to start smiling at us. It was fun to be on the floor with her. We all got on the floor and rolled a ball to each other. Ryan taught Vera to clap and there is a video below. It was another good visit that was too short, of course. I didn't see M at the orphanage, so I will call her tomorrow morning to see if there is any chance of having Vera before the 10 day wait is over. The trek is getting exhausting, so it would be nice to do it a few less times.

Just hangin' out with the fam!
Kiara has turned a little orange from eating the food in Russia!

After the orphange and we got back to the area where our apartment is, we met a couple who is also with our agency for dinner. They adopted a little girl from the same group that Vera is in. She is adorable and she loved making faces at Kiara. They get to leave on Friday and we are soooo jealous!! We ate at TGIFs. I think we threw the people for a loop since we had more than 4 people. They didn't know where to sit us and the restaurant was not busy at all. They sat us in the smallest booth I have ever been in! It would have been tight if there were just 4 of us, we were sitting knee to knee! But, it was great to talk to some fellow Americans and adoptive parents. I am so glad that we got to meet up before they left Moscow. Before we left, a man came over and asked if we were here to adopt. They were just finishing up their adoption of a little boy. Their story reminds me to count my blessings because they had to travel outside of Moscow and they have been in the process of adopting for 4 years!! Yes, I said 4!! I can't even imagine, 2 has been way long enough. I am grateful that we are working with a great agency and a team in Moscow that knows how to get things done as quickly as possible.

Tomorrow, we are taking a break from our trek. We have done it 4 days in a row and just need a day to relax and hang out. We will miss seeing Vera, though. It is hard not to go to the orphanage, but I think it will be best for all of us. Kiara especially needs a break. So, we might do a little shopping tomorrow, but otherwise we will hang around the apartment.

And, I will end this post with a sweet picture of each of my girls!

Just in case anyone was wondering...they had Vera dressed in the purple Tinkerbell sweatshirt again today. We aren't using pictures from previous days! It does make it hard to remember which day is which, though.

Day 3 of the 10 day wait...

I am glad you all enjoy my daily recaps. I feel like I write a book, so I am glad that I am not boring you. I know I will be very happy that I have done this when I finally get around to scrapbooking this whole event!

Well, at least 2 of us got a normal night's sleep. Kiara slept from midnight until 10 AM and I slept from 2 AM until 9 AM. Well, at least pretty close to normal. It is consecutive sleep without waking up, which I think is the key. Unfortunately, Ryan wasn't so lucky. He maybe got 5 hours of sleep and it wasn't consecutive.

So, we did a little laundry and got ready for our trek to see Vera. Our trip on the Metro went well. There were definitely more people today versus the weekend, but not as many as I imagined. We feel like pros now. We tell the guard we are there to see Vera, go into the orphange, put on our shoe coverings, go into the orange room and wait for them to bring her to us. She did cry just a bit today when they brought her to us. The lady that brought her to us, I think, is one of her favorites. Vera always lights up when she sees her, it is so sweet to see. Here is a picture of Vera and the worker she really likes, taken by Kiara.

We had another good visit with Vera. During this time of day in the orange room there are people coming and going through our room, so it is harder to really get on the floor or anything and play with her. Plus, the rug is really dirty. I don't understand it because the rest of their floors are immaculate! It doesn't look like the rug has been cleaned since we were there on our first trip. We brought a phone toy to play with today. We had also brought this toy with us on our first trip and Vera showed NO interest in the toy at all! Today she loved it and would get upset if she didn't have it. It is great to see that she has really opened up and gotten more comfortable with us. Here is a video of her playing with the phone.

Here is what goes on when Vera and I have a little alone time!

Today the Baby Home Director came through during our visit. So, she must be back from vacation. I am dreaming that she calls M and tells her that we can take Vera before the 10 day wait it over! M might be at the orphanage tomorrow when we are there, so hopefully we can ask her then. If not, I will call her on Wednesday. Plus, my agency director is also going to see what she can find out.

This picture and video are so sweet!

We also tried a little walking today, but she isn't real interested. But, yesterday when she pulled herself up, I could tell she was pretty steady on her feet. Hopefully, she isn't walking too soon!
Our trip home on the Metro went pretty smoothly. We did go up one escalator that we shouldn't have, but realized it right away and just took it back down when we got to the top. On the way home, we stopped to eat at McDonald's. Kiara thought it was pretty neat she was eating at a Russian McD's. It is interesting to order there because there is no English on the menu at all. We did find out this time that they have this big card thing they can pull out with a pictures and a bunch of different translations. So, you can point to what you want. Ryan wanted a double cheesburger, but it wasn't on the picture menu. So, he said cheesburger and put up 2 fingers, so we thought for sure he would get 2 cheesburgers, but he actually ended up with 2 double cheesburgers. Kiara also tried a strawberry sundae and I tried a chocolate shake. It was all pretty good. The shake in America is a bit better, but I wasn't complaining! We also stopped at the grocery store on our way home.

On our walk home, the little side street that our apartment is off of was completely backed up with traffic because of an accident at the beginning of the street. The traffic usually flows pretty good, so it was crazy to see how one little fender bender can competely lock everything up! I should have taken a picture.

When we got home, Ryan needed to work for 4 hours, so Kiara and I did a craft. We made our Christmas tree for our apartment! You can't be competely without a Christmas tree on Christmas. Here is our hard work!

Then, Kiara had a bath and Ryan is now putting her to bed, but I have a feeling he will be there for awhile! Oops, guess I was wrong! I am hoping to catch the Survivor finale on my Slingbox that aired last night!

Day 2 of the 10 day wait...

So, we again didn't have a good night's sleep! I think Ryan and I would have ended up having a normal night of sleep because when Kiara came in our room at 2 AM, I think we were both deep asleep. But, the little one was wide awake at 2 AM. Ryan and her tried to lay down and go back to sleep, but they couldn't. So, they were up from 2 AM on and I got up at 4 AM. The nice thing was that we got to talk to my sister, Bobby, Kyndall and Megan on the webcam. We all went back to bed at 6 AM. Ryan had set the alarm for 9 AM, but either it didn't go off or it stopped beeping before we heard it. (Seriously, I don't know why you would make an alarm to stop beeping before someone stops it!) Anyway, we didn't wake up until 12:20 PM, basically when we were suppose to get to the orphanage to see Vera! Luckily, we called V and we were able to go later in the day. This jet lag stuff really stinks! I thought we would be adjusted by now. I wish I would have brought some Melatonin. So, I am sure Kiara won't be able to go to sleep much before midnight tonight and I am setting the alarm on my watch tonight, too!

We had all basically had breakfast when we were up before 6 AM, so when we got up we ate leftovers for lunch and got ready to take our first trip on the Metro without any help. It was nice because today is Sunday and there are a lot less people on the Metro. Ryan did great! We got there without any problems.

When you get to the orphanage you first have to talk to the security guard. He doesn't know ANY English and we know VERY little Russian. We basically said Vera's name and he knew who we were talking about. I could tell he was telling us to go around and go in and put the little blue booties on our shoes and then he was pointing like he would go back in his little shack. We had thought that he would escort us in. But, I think now he was saying that he would call and tell them we were coming in. We go in, put the booties on and stand in the hall until we see someone. She gives us an inquisitive look, Ryan says Vera and basically puts his hand to the height she is, the lady says oh, Vera (in the more Russian way) and leaves. We wait for a little bit and wonder if we had communicated what we thought, but eventually a caregiver brings her in. They must always put extra clothes on her or change her clothes before they bring her down because it always takes a bit.

We were in the beautiful orange room again, so my pictures and video will all have an orange glow! Vera just keeps getting more and more fun to be around. She is definitely comfortable with us and it doesn't take her any time to remember who we are. They had her in her Tinkerbell sweatshirt again, and Kiara wore her Tinkerbell shirt just in case. Kiara brought a board book about animals to read to her, which was adorable and there is a video below of it. Vera really liked the book. I think she liked the animals and she liked to gnaw on the book. Which, she started gnawing off the paper so Ryan tried to take it from her. Wow! She didn't like that! I wish we had a video of that. But, we distracted her and hid the book. I love this about this age that you can redirect them so easily.

She was very comfortable with all of us. She sat on all our laps and seemed quite content. She loves the stacking cups that we have always had with us. She is now banging them together and trying to put one inside the other. She was a bit more vocal tonight. Sometimes, she will try to repeat a sound you make.

We try to just let Vera go a little to see what she will do. Today we got to see her pull herself up. She can get around on her own, I just don't think she showed us a lot of that in the beginning. We have seen her crawl and cruise a lot more, too.

When we got back from the orphanage, we made some dinner and called the grandparents. I attempted my first load of laundry. I think it turned out okay except that I must have missed a kleenex in someone's pocket! You can't do over 4 pounds at a time, so I think I will be doing at least a load a day for awhile. Here is the glorious machine I get to use and my beautiful model!

Day 1 of the 10 day wait

First, I want to say thank you for all the comments and following along on our journey. It makes me feel closer to home than I really am!

Last night none of us got to sleep before midnight. Ryan was up first around 5:45 AM then Kiara at 7:45 AM and I slept in until 8:30 AM. Needless to say, Ryan is pretty tired right now! I think he will be checking in early tonight.

V met us outside our apartment today at 11:15 AM to take us to the orphanage for a visit with Vera. Ryan really didn't like all the walking we had done 2 days ago, so he figured out a route where we walk half as much. We do have to make 2 transfers, but V helped us figure out the system today and I think Ryan has it down. We will see tomorrow when we do it ourselves! Kiara loves riding the Metro, that is definitely a plus versus being driven to the orphanage. It isn't as boring for her.

When we got to the orphanage, the orange room was locked and it turns out there was a dignitary from Cyrus in there who is adopting a child from Vera's group. So, we were taken to the medical room, or V called it the therapy room, for our visit. Vera was still eating lunch, so we waited a bit to see her. A caretaker brought her in and she had a Tinkerbell sweatshirt on and looked adorable. Kiara thought it was pretty cool that she was wearing Tinkerbell! Early afternoon is definitely a good time of day for Vera. She was pretty smiley and she looked pretty comfy sitting her daddy's arms.

These 2 pictures are of the room we were in today.

It was probably our best visit with her. I think she enjoys the attention. She has started to make a few more sounds and show us more of her personality. When our visit was over, we got to take her back to her room. We even got to step right inside the door. She got really happy when she saw the caretaker who took her from me, so it is good to know that she has attached to at least one of them. There is a decent size open room where the kids play. There was a table where it looks like they feed 2 of the children at a time. One little boy was sitting in there and there were 2 kids in this soft fenced in area playing. There was at least one other child in there, too. To the left they said is where they sleep and I could kind of see cribs through the glass. I got the impression on the other side of the room there is a room where they bathe them.

It is harder and harder to leave Vera there everyday. I just want to take her with us. V talked about the plan for us picking her up a week from Tuesday, December 23rd, so I am not counting on getting her early. :( A week from Tuesday seems so long from now! Hopefully, it will go by quick.

The next 2 are videos. Click on the arrow to play.

Vera's dancing

Playing with Vera

When we got back to the area where our apartment is, we went to Sbarro for dinner. It was pretty good. Ryan thought it was the best meal he has had since we got here. Then, we went to the grocery store that we went to on our last trip so that Ryan could get some Mountain Dew. The grocery store that we have gone to that is closer to our apartment doesn't have it. So, now we are back at the apartment relaxing and getting ready for our next hike to the orphanage.

Some posing on our way home from the grocery store!

Day of Court...

We had some issues sleeping last night. Kiara was exhausted by all of the walking and we had her to bed before 8 PM! Ryan and I didn't go to bed until after 11 PM. Well, Kiara woke up at 3 AM and was wide awake, so Ryan and I took turns setting her up with shows to watch or something to do until 7 AM. We all then fell back asleep and the next thing I know, Ryan is waking me up and saying it is 1 PM! We were getting picked up at 2:30 PM, so we had an hour and a half to get ready. I never dreamed we would sleep that long. I was glad we did, though, because I didn't sleep much from 4 AM to 7 AM and I was worried about being exhausted for court. Hopefully, tonight goes better. We all put on our Sunday best for court. Kiara looked adorable in her dress.


M picked us up and we went to the orphanage to pick up the deputy orphanage director to take her to court with us. We then had a pretty short drive to the courthouse. The courthouse looks like a pretty modern building and is really nice. We left our camera with the security guard and checked our coats with the coat check and then went upstairs to wait for court to start. The deputy director is very nice. While we are waiting she looks at our pictures of Vera with Kiara and seems to really enjoy Kiara, even though she couldn't speak any English. We probably waited 45 minutes after court was suppose to start before we went in.


Kiara had told us that she wanted to stay in the hallway with M while we were in court, which was only suppose to take 15-20 minutes. Well, when it was time, she wanted us to stay with her and she didn't want to go into court! She had been an angel all day and the most important time I need her to behave she starts to have a meltdown! Well, she goes into court with us in tears. She does pretty well, but a couple of times she asks me if she can color!


The court room looks like a pretty typical American court room, or at least what I picture one to look like. I am not sure if I have ever been in one! It is a small court room with the judge's stand at the front of the room. To the judge's left sat a lady at a big desk that I think was her secretary. To the judge's right sat the prosocuter and she faced the middle of the room. The back of the room behind a railing is where we sat with our translater and on the other side of the aisle the deputy director and social worker sat.


The judge starts by telling us our rights. Ryan is elected to be the main speaker for us. She probably asked him 10 - 15 questions. What is your name, occupation, when were you married, describe your home, do you have children, have you met Vera, do you like her, have you seen her medical, does your family know and support your adoption, who will stay home with the child, why did you decide to adopt, etc. Ryan did a great job. Then, it was my turn. I think she just asked me my name, have I met Vera, do I like her, have I seen her medical and do I work. Then, the deputy director goes up and gives her report. Which, she mentions something about Vera having been diagnosed with a small throat, but it was later taken off her medical reports!? Never hear that before! But, she says that she supports the adoption. Then, the social worker gives a short report and says that she supports the adoption. Each time the prosecuter is given a chance to ask questions, but never has a question. Then, the prosecutor gives a short report and says that she supports the adoption. The judge then leaves the court room to make her decision. Less than 5 minutes later she returns and reads her report. It is amazing how our translator can keep up with her! I don't know in where she actually said what her decision was, but when she said that Vera is now offically Vera Marie Wolland, I assumed she decided in favor of the adoption! I wasn't real nervous for court, but it felt great to have it done!
Here we are in front of the courthouse after court. Guess we should have taken a picture before court! It gets dark here around 4 PM!

After court, M drove us to the orphange and by this time it took quite a bit longer to get to the orphanage. We had about 45 minutes with Vera today in the orange room. At least Vera matched the room today! When they gave her to me she gave me a little smile, so I think she recognizes us and must like me at least a little bit! She didn't take to Ryan as well as she did yesterday, but I am sure she was tired, too. Kiara and her played their knock the cups out of my hand game. Then, we had to give her back again! Kiara and I went to the restroom while M took Vera back to her room. Kiara was upset again about having to leave Vera there. It has to be so confusing to her as to why Vera is her sister but she doesn't come with us.



Then, M drove us back to the apartment which took about an hour. Ryan and Kiara each took a little nap on the way home. That might be part of why Kiara hasn't fallen asleep yet at midnight, that and sleeping until 1 PM! I hope tomorrow isn't a miserable day getting to and from the orphanage!