Why?

We have gotten the question why have we not posted since we got home. We spent 10 hours on a plane with a 2 year old who does not understand English. She slept less than 2 hours on the plane! Karina is also getting up at 4 am! Sorry we will post when we are less sleep deprived! Thanks again for all your love and support.

Lunch with Karina

Day 4 & 5: Bonding Days

Sorry to have not posted anything the other day, but there wasn't really much going on. We didn't do any adoption stuff yesterday we kind of just hung out at the apartment because the weather wasn't very nice. It has been very cold the past couple of days. We really missed being on Arbat Street. Our friends Emily, Dave and Zach have been telling us that there are few other couples that are adopting staying an Arbat street. It would have been nice to meet them too, but because of the distance and weather it has made it difficult. Maureen is feeling better, but being pregnant she still gets tired very quickly. We got Karina's passport today and we go to the American Embassy tomorrow for Karina's immigration interview. We plan on stopping by Red Square one more time. We are just dying to get home now.

Day 3 Trip 3: She Is One Tough Little Girl

Today didn't start off very well. Maureen wasn't feeling too well before bedtime and it only got worse by morning. We had to bring Karina to get a physical before she enters the U.S. and Maureen having a really bad stomach ache it was tough getting ready for her physical. We got to the doctors and Karina was great. It was good that we had to go to the doctor's office because then he could recommend something for Maureen's tummy. With her being pregnant we didn't want to take a chance on take any of the Russia medicines. After the Doctor's we got medicine for Maureen. We stopped home so Mommy could take her medicine and get some rest, so it was Daddy and Karina spending some good old fashion father daughter time together. Let me tell you we had a great time. We went to pick our Visa registration and it rained pretty bad. When it rains in Moscow that means there is going to be a lot of traffic. So Karina and I were enjoying time look at some of the sites of Moscow as Igor (or the human GPS as Maureen and I like to call him) drove us around to avoid the traffic. We got to the apartment and our little lady turned into a princess today. She went from eating anything I put in front of her to turning head away at anything that didn't her proper taste standards. A little bit of play time then nap time. After nap time was over our good friends Emily, Dave and their new son Zach gave us a call and invited us to go with them to the Moscow Zoo. Mommy's tummy was still hurting her, but I really want to take her to the Zoo, so yeah it was more Farther Daughter time. It was a little too much for her. It was about a 15 minute walk to the zoo along a busy road. She had the look of fear on her face but she didn't once cry. Even when a really loud ambulance drove by. We made it to the zoo and met Emily, Dave and Zach. Zach I think as a little crush on Karina. I told him become a lawyer or a doctor first and then we'll talk. We made our way into the Zoo and about 15 minutes into the zoo and I started to smell something nasty and it wasn't the animals. We spent a good 10 minutes looking for a bathroom and lets just say Moscow hasn't broadened their minds for Daddies needing to change diapers. The bathroom was nasty anyways. By then it was getting cold and late so we decided to leave and find a place to eat and a restroom to change Karina. Not a place was to be found. We decide that we would come back on Thursday and plan better. I raced Karina home and when I got home there was a mother load in her diaper. The funny thing is I had spoke to our translater earlier in the day that I was worried that Karina hasn't pooped. The ambulance must of really scared the crap out her. The amazing thing is that even though she was terrified and sitting in her own poop for about an hour and half she didn't cry once. By the end of the day Mommy's tummy was starting to feel better so tomorrow we have the whole day to do what ever we want.

First Day As A Family

Day 2 of Trip 3: Welcome to Parenthood

Today went very quickly. We went to register our Visas and file for Karina's passport. We stop to pickup food for dinner, a cake for the care givers and some flowers. By 12:30 we were at the baby house and they changed Karina and took a picture with her caregiver and off we were. She was awesome in the car ride "home". We got home and we were starving. We had some graduates chicken and rice, but she wasn't too crazy about it. So lunch ended up to being yogurt and bread with butter. In the middle of lunch the phone rang and it was the apartment office saying that someone was coming to work on the apartment and bring us our crib. When the guy came to work on the apartment making a crap load of noise, but no crib. After the worker left it was time for Karina's nap, but still no crib and she wasn't going down without a fight. I guess she never been on a real bed before and thought it was a trampoline. It took us all a while to stop laughing and settle down for a nap. I really didn't want to nap but I guess I had no choice. I woke up before Karina and Maureen did and the crib was still not here so I called the office. A half an hour after that the crib was here.

After nap time we decide to take a little walk and have playtime before dinner. Dinner was easier than lunch she finished off a whole bowl of Graduates spaghetti and meatballs. After we finished dinner we had some playtime then bath time. The poor little girl didn't stop shaking, so I think we set a world record for bath times. Bedtime wasn't that easy either I think it took us about an hour and a half for her to fall asleep. I know what you are all saying "Welcome to parenthood." Well, thank you...we're glad for parenthood to finally be here.

We're Here! Day 1 Trip 3

We arrived in Moscow at 10:30am Moscow Time (2:30am NY Time) and we were tired. The first two trips we flew Aeroflot (Russian Airline), but this time we traveled with Delta. We really missed flying with Aeroflot. To keep it short we are on very little sleep. To make things worse I had anticipated traffic and flight delays so I didn't ask to make our check-in time for the apartment any earlier than their regular check-in time of 2:00. So, we ended up getting to the apartment at 12:00 and they couldn't get anyone to drop the key off until 2:00. Lucky we have the kindest driver and drove us to McDonalds which I know Maureen as been wanting to see if it tasted any different. NOPE. Same old heat lamp burgers. We eat lunch then headed back the apartment to wait out front with our driver in the car. Maureen had a nice nap and when we finally got back up stairs I then passed out for an hour. After I had a nice nap and Maureen still passed out. I decided to venture out. We still need to get stuff for when bring Karina "home" to the apartment tomorrow. I'll be honest since we are staying in a different part of Moscow then our last 2 trips I was a little scared of getting lost. I was able to find where things were and not get lost. Yeah, you might want to read that sentence again. Thats right, I said it I didn't get lost. Got back to the apartment and we made some dinner watch tv. I'm happy this apartment nice selction of english speaking channels. Well, we have to go it ready for our big day tomorrow.

Getting Ready

Well we leave in just three days and it does not seem real. On Monday we become parents!!! Brad has been working very hard since I am still at a very sleepy time in my pregnancy. We are looking foward to sharing our first days with you soon.

Its Official!!!!

We are now the proud legal parents of Karina Ann Martin. We will be gaining full custody May 12th and taking her home May 17th. The court day went very well thanks to the help of our translator and our new friends who had a court hearing yesterday. We are very happy and are looking forward to seeing our daughter tomorrow.

Hello From Moscow Day One

You maybe wondering why we have not posted since we got here, we are just super tired. Even the energizer bunny( that is what my parents call Brad) is worn out. Our flight was late so we were not able to go to the terminal in Moscow. We exited the plane via stairs in the rain and than got onto a bus. All I have to say is standing room only and hold you nose. On our way to Moscow we hit super traffic, dead stand still. Igor our driver or the human GPS as we like to call him was able to find another way.

That night we met up with a wonderful couple, Emily and Dave, and ate at the Hard Rock.
On the way back to our apartment we were stopped by police to check our passports. Brad tells the story best so you will have ask him all about. The two things that got us out of that mess were Brad's love of hockey and having a wife who can cry at a moments notice!!

Karina's Room

Court Date

We have a court date April 22. Will post more details soon!!!!!

Thank You

We are overwhelmed by your kind words and expressions of joy. Thank you for sharing our journey. Our next project is painting her bedroom and will post pictures once it is complete.
Our next step is to wait for a court date, Alla our coordinator is Russia promises that once it is set it will not change!!!
Please keep our dear Karina in your prayers.

Leaving Moscow

It is very hard to leave today knowing we are leaving our little one behind. Her caretakers are wonderful and they have a nurse with them at all times. We have decided to name her Karina Ann Martin. Our court date should be in 5 to 6 weeks,if all goes well.

An Amazing Day!!!

The Big Day

Let the Mystery Continue

Today was a very long day. We woke up at 7:30 very excited for our 10:00 appointment at the Department of Family Services. As we we're getting ready we looked out the window and it was like a blizzard. For the about 10 minutes we thought we weren't going to make it to our appointment with such bad weather, but it only lasted for 10 minutes and then the sun came out. We got to our appointment on time but with 4 other families waiting they were running late. Oh did I mention they were French. We didn't get out of the Department of Family Services until 11:30 and with visiting hours ending at 12:00 there was little time. After a 25 minute ride to the Baby Home we had to wait for her to finish eating lunch. While she was eating lunch we met with the director of the Baby Home. After she oops I mean Iraina finished lunch she met us in the director's office. I wish you could have seen her. Iraina came walking in with a smile that lit up the room. She was very friendly and had no problems sitting on Maureen's lap. With little time to see her we quickly went to the play room. Sorry but because of the lack of time we got few pictures and not very good ones. Because we were cutting in to her nap time Iraina became quickly cranky and had to go to bed. Sorry to disappoint you with the lack of pictures. We promise we'll make it up to you tomorrow.

Day 2 Russia

First Day

Hello Everyone,

At about 8:45 pm we boarded our flight to Moscow on February 23rd and arrived about 1:30pm Moscow time on February 24th. The Flight went well and the food on the plane was pretty good (thats pretty good by Airline food standards). As soon as we arrived our driver was waiting. He didn't know much English but he was very nice. He took us to our apartment which is very dated but in good condition. Everything is from Ikea!

As soon as we settled in to our apartment we know we had to stay awake a little bit longer to avoid jet lag. So we decide to venture out. On the way down in the elevator we met another a couple and their 2 beautiful children that they just adopted. They were very friendly and wanted to met up tomorrow to explore the city or maybe dinner.

As usual for us we got a bit lost on our search for some food and then could not figure out how to get across the busy Moscow streets, traffic lights are very rare. We walked into a honey exhibit, don't ask we were just very hungry and very confused! Al last we found someplace to eat and everything was in Russian, we pointed and got food. We only got yelled at once from the cashier, not bad for our first day.

All Ready

Our bags are packed!! We will be leaving this evening. Those of you who know us well already know I am a bundle of nerves while Brad is busy organizing, reorganizing and did I mention organizing everything. Talk to next time from Sunny and Warm Moscow!!!

Going to Moscow

We are getting ready to go and the dining room table is fulled with the wonderful donations from our church. We leave Saturday and arrive Sunday. Monday we have the day to sightsee. Tuesday we have an appointment with the Ministry of Education to accept our referral and we get to see her Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday we fly home. I was a little disappointed that we only spend two days with her, but it also gives us a full day to see Moscow.

comments

A few friends have said they were not able to leave a comment because they don't have a google account. You can click on our profile and it will say email. Just click and you can send us an email.
Thanks.

toddlers

We need advice on how to prepare our lives for a 2 year old. Write down any ideas or advice you may have!!!! What are the terrible twos really all about?