Trip 2 - Day 4-10 hr flight+JFK=Nightmare

I booked Delta/Aeroflot to Moscow (SVO) this trip (same as my first trip).  I left Detroit with a 5 hour layover in JFK.  No problem, I hung out with the other family that was traveling with my agency.  We had an awesome chat and I left them as they were on the Delta flight.  i would have gone Delta but with the last minute ticket purchase the fare went much higher than their Aeroflot partner.  So I left to Terminal 1 by foot... yes folks it is faster to go from Terminal 2 to terminal 1 and vice versa BY FOOT.  Remember this... it is important later.

So I arrived to Aeroflot's complete disorganized mess of a check in process (they have to reprint your boarding pass)... went thru security and sat at the gate for a good long time... the flight was great... the guy who was sitting next to me... his in-seat entertainment unit didn't work so he asked to move.... wa-la, SPACE!  Mind you the Russian airplane does not have the same amount of room that American plans do... they cram more people in theirs. Once over the ocean I took a good long power nap, after my 2 hours of sleep that night, it was a great flight and we arrived without a hitch.  After grabbing my luggage, I met the driver and I was off to see my sweet boy.

Now on the return it goes a little differently.  On the way back to the airport... it was again rainy and dreary.  But it mirrored how I was feeling...  I sat in my seat next to a nice guy who actually spoke English, I proceeded to doze for about 45 minutes or so even though I slept only 2 hours that night too.... but that was my fault because I took a nap in the afternoon.  We arrived to JFK right on time... yay for connection time.  I would have time to walk around and get my blood flowing again.  We taxied for 15 minutes; I joked and said I feel like we are driving here from Moscow.  Russian announcement and BAM, you will be sitting on the ramp for about 15 minutes.  Darn it!  I so want to get up...  I have been sitting for 10 hours in a very small space where my knees touch the back of the seat in front of me.  15 minutes passed and a second announcement... we are going to move; however, we will be moving to a holding position to wait an additional 30 minutes...  then another 15 minutes... our wheels hit pavement at 4:35 PM and it was now 6:00 pm.  We moved and pulled to the gate....  I moved like a girl on fire...  I just wanted to be able to hug and kiss my sweet Elina and Connor.  I jogged to Immigration, hit the restroom (because I knew bags would take a minute to roll in)... grabbed my bag and cleared Customs... next baggage re-check for Aeroflot.  It is 6:18 pm, my flight is at 7:05 pm from Terminal 2 and I am in Terminal 1.  The young guy behind the counter denies me my connection, says I won't make it...  I tell him I am familiar with the airport and that I will make it... he tells me to proceed to the Aeroflot ticket counter to be rebooked...  it is the last Delta flight of the evening to Detroit...  I do not want to be stuck in JFK.  I turn to him and say, "Fine don't check my bag...  I will take it with me and re-check it at Delta.”  I proceed out of Terminal 1 walk as fast as possible to Terminal 2 with a checked bag, carry-on bag, purse and backpack... walk in the door and only see stairs and not the elevator and escalator (I don't feel I had time to find it)...  I grab my bags and trudge up the stairs...  I am now a sweaty mess!  I see a Delta red Coat and ask him to connect my bag... he told me to go quickly thru the TSA Checkpoint...  I divest while the Officer checks my passport shoes off, lap top out, pockets empty and bam toss things into trays and I am thru and i am still in "moving mode"... I see the door open for the jetbridge and I am there breathless but standing there... melting... and I say can I still make my flight?  The gate supervisor looks at me and says, "Ma'am, we haven't even begun boarding yet.”  I wanted to fall the floor and laugh hysterically... like a lunatic.  Nice job Aeroflot!  JFK is such a mess, thank God Immigration and Customs was empty and that I had made that connection before so I knew where I needed to go!

Trip 2-Day 3-It's Official... It's a BOY!!

I am still jet lagged, though I managed a trip to the Shrine Circus with Mac and my kids last night.  How great to ride bumper cars, run thru the fun house and then go on the space ship ride... remind me not to do that again...  I got the centripetal force of that ride and the swirling of your head when the board crashes you back to Earth!  Yikes!  But what a great time for the kids… seeing the tigers, the elephant, the roller skating act, the Russian swing and the motorcycle acts… though Elina said her favorite was the dog and pony act.

So let me tell you about court...  The night before court I slept from about 1:30 am-5:00 am between nerves and jet lag it was hopeless.  "M" picked me up for court at 8:30am and we had a wonderful chat on the way to the courthouse.  We arrived just before the courthouse opened and went to sit the in the chairs outside the court.  I felt like crawling the walls which turned into pacing the floor a few times.  I am not usually a nervous Nelly but I was afraid things would get lost in translation.  That the judge wouldn't think that I was the right family for Owen.  A British family was scheduled before me and after about 30 minutes, they came out beaming from ear to ear…  They have a beautiful daughter.

I stood at the podium with my translator "S" and answered the judge’s questions.  One after another... odd that it was just a couple days ago and I don't remember all of the questions... It was then the Orphanage Director's turn and as she walked back to her bench she winked at me and I finally felt myself exhale for the first time that morning...  The municipality stated they also agreed with the adoption...  the Prosecutor elected to not challenge the adoption and was satisfied with my answers and the support of the Orphanage director and Municipality... and instead turned to me and smiled.  The judge left to deliberate in his chambers and return with a final decision...  I felt the whoosh of the blood in my veins, I could hear the beat of my heart, and it was as if it was all in slow motion.  He walked back in and read about a page in Russian... my heart leapt out of my chest when "S" turned to me and said, "He is your son, now just the 30 days for appeals.”  I was in awe…  I still am…  I have a beautiful baby with dimpled cheeks and a grin from ear to ear. 

I left the courthouse and took a short drive in Moscow traffic (an hour… ugh) to go to the baby home to see Owen.  As I walked into his group’s room, he beamed from ear to ear with recognition… I am so glad that I focused on him this trip and spent as much time as possible with him.  I know it cost a bit extra for the fees of the translator/driver, but if I can just get even a sliver of recognition when I pick him it will help so much with his transition.  I cannot wait to show you pictures but with the 30 day appeal process it cannot be until my pick up trip.

Trip 2-Day 2

Ok folks, so I went thru the 8 Doctor medical today... all together pretty easy, though I say you should dress in clothes that are easier to put on and off... UGH!!  Off-on-off-on... so many times!   It is very similar to the medical that Elina went thru in Bulgaria before she was cleared to leave the country.... visiting all of the specialist... not sure I can even go thru the entire list... Oncologist, Dermatologist, Neurologist, general doctor, Infectious Disease, Psychiatrist, each one in a different room... TB xray and blood work... so not too bad.  The coolest thing about the medical is that it was at the "Kremlin Hospital"... it was a beautiful building inside.

After the medical we grabbed a quick bite to eat at a little cafeteria and then off with "S" and we took the Metro to the baby home... just a 30 minute walk from the Metro... perfect today after a stressful morning!  Visiting Owen was great... he is very shy of men and each driver/translator that goes with me who is male... Owen gets upset or shy.  Today he reached for me and hid his face on my shoulder...  before that he tried to hide his face in the carpet... as if he couldn't see "S" then maybe just maybe he didn't exist.  LOL!  He is full of giggle and laughter...  and he is a total teaser! Love it!

After we left the baby home and were on our way back...  I walked past a bread shop... I requested to stop and see what they had fresh since I KNEW I wouldn't get back in time to meet the other family for dinner as it was already getting late... maybe 7pm or so... so I bought a spinach and cheese pastry and a meat pastry... yum... both were great!  We also were walking past this open air market...  I was intriged and asked if we might walk thru it to the other side near the metro... well "S" was happy too because he said there is not one near his home and this is much cheaper and more fresh than the grocery store... I also saw dried fruits and nuts, every type of specialty shop... butchers, fish, hair coloring and supplies, clothing, etc...

Court is tomorrow morning at 10 am...  I leave the apartment at 830 am.  I am so ready to get thru this... home for 30 days and then get back here to pick up my sweet boy and get on with family life! :)

Trip 2-Day 1

Well, it was a bit busy...  I arrived just before  1 pm, then waited forever for my piece of checked luggage.  Then it was meeting my driver ad off to see Owen.  Owen was wonderful, he was required to take a nap... so I promised him if he could just fall asleep by 2:45 then he could stay with me... if not the caregiver would take him to sleep in his bed... well, Owen was a rockstar and 15 minutes later went lights out for an hour and ten minutes.   mom snapped a few pics and relaxed, enjoyed my snuggle time... baby whisperer stikes again! :)

So then I headed into the city and my apartment...  see... pretty nice...

Going Back to R*ssia!!

Mama's coming Owen! Owen's court date is next week!   I can't wait wait to see my little guy again!  I wish I could push a pause button while all the legalities are being accomplished...  Court, 30 day wait...  I wish he would stay a baby and not get any more teeth, or take his first steps...  don't get me wrong I want him to grow and be healthy...  but I just don't want to miss any more milestones or moments... I want to be the one to cheer on his first wobbly diaper steps, I want to be the one who catches him before he plops on his diaper-butt.  I wish that the next 5 weeks pass quickly and I can whisk him up and away and into a family forever.   I also hope his transition from baby home into our family is easy for him because he is so young. 

Please keep us in your prayers!

Little Bit of the Visit One While I Wait for Court...

Gum

Zero Kilometer

This is right in front of Red Square entrance... it is the point from which distances are measured.  For good luck you are supposed to stand in the middle and toss coins over your shoulder... funny thing is... the people work in shifts picking up the coins.  I probably wouldn't  care if they were not drunk. 

St. Basil's Cathedral

Street Musicians

My Digs

My apartment is green. 

My view at 330 am

My view at 530am

Red Square

These guys were chatting it up at the entrance to Red Square. 

Red Square- Local Police Training

Lenin's Tomb

Many red stars are left in the architecture... this was taken at 10:15 pm.  

The entrance to the Kremlin. 

Outside of the Kremlin & Red Square- so surreal to be in this place. 

One of the kremlin towers.... each of them have their own names. 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

I am so glad that I was able to go to Arlington National Cemetery and stand in awe of the United Stated Tomb of the Unknown soldier.  The tomb in Russia is just outside of the Kremlin.  They too sand watch 24 hours a day 7 days a week in honor.  

Alexander's Garden

Alexander's Garden was made for the children of Alexander the Great

Mounted patrols in Alexander's Garden

Fountain in front of Alexander's Gardens

Beautiful fountain near the Alexander Garden

Ivan the Great Bell Tower

 Pushkin Museum

Christ the Savior Church