3rd Day in Kemerovo

Day three with Maksim. We drove out to the orphanage on Sunday morning to spend time with Maksim. They usually don't let us go on Sunday, but they new we wanted to see him and wanted us to spend as much time with him as possible. He was so funny today. David and mom were making him laugh. David fed him today...it was fun to watch. He did a great job!!! He is sooo good with him.

Happy Grandparents Day!!

Happy Grandparents Day!
Gramie Bunny, Papa John, Grandma Celeste, Grandpa Dave, Nana Tammy and Grandpa Bill.
See you soon!
Love,
Maksim
p.s. Please don't judge me from the lighting or this outfit..I am much cuter in person :)

2nd Day in Kemerovo

It is Saturday here in Kemerovo. It is cool and a bit overcast. We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. We definitely had an upgrade in our hotel since we were here last. There were several Brandi teams that were staying at our hotel as well. (Brandi is like hockey, played on ice, but with a ball and a shorter curved stick). Svetlana and Eugene picked us up at 9 am to go back out to the orphanage to visit with Maksim for a couple of hours. We had a great day with him! He was very alert and we all had fun playing together. He is just as sweet as ever!! We can't believe how he has grown just a little bit taller since last saw him. He has 8 teeth...4 on top and and 4 on bottom. The doctor said he is starting to get his molars too. So a little bit of teething! Today I was able to feed him. We couldn't believe the tray they brought in with all the food for him. He is definitely well fed here. He is so inquisitive, every time David does something Maksim copies him. He is a quick study. We also took him him for a little walk outside. Although you can't tell from the photos, he is walking all by himself. Here are a few photos of our day with Mr. Maksim.

First Day in Kemerovo

We arrived in Kemerovo early in the morning after a long flight from Moscow. It was still dark out! Although we were met by familiar faces at the airport... Svetlana and Eugene from the agency. They took us to our hotel in downtown Kemerovo. We had a quick nap and shower and then it was off to the orphanage to see Maksim. We had the usual drive of about 2 hours each way through the country side of Siberia. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining. Although, I don't think any of us payed any attention that morning to the view. We were focused on seeing our little boy. We arrived at the orphanage and met with the Director/Dr.Naolezhola, it was great to see her again. Within a few minutes they brought Maksim in to see us. I'm sure we remembered him more than he remembered us. After a few tears it wasn't long before he became comfortable with us. The next few hours were spent getting reacquainted. Then it was nap time and time to say goodbye. Until tomorrow.




Our Interpreter Svetlana.


Outside the baby house orphanage.

Day 2 in Moscow

We had a fun day in Moscow today. My mom, David and I went walking around Red Square during the day. Met with President Putin and had lunch outside at GUMS. Later that evening we boarded our flight to Kemerovo. We left about 10 pm and got in around 6 am.

An Evening in Moscow

We arrived in Moscow around 5 p.m.. We got our bags, went through customs and were met by our driver, Daniel. He is very nice and has a great knowledge of the city. It took us awhile to get to our hotel in downtown Moscow, last time it was about a 1/2 hour from the airport. But that was in June when everyone was on holiday. Now that we are here in September the traffic is pretty heavy. Moscow is similar to New York City, a beautiful city...constant hustle and bustle...lots to do and see...very expensive!!! They say it is the most expensive in the world.

Well, even though we were all exhausted, we decided a nice meal would be needed before we went to bed. David suggested dinner at the Metropol. A beautiful old hotel and restaurant that is across from the Bolshoy theatre and about a 3 minute walk to the Red Square. It was built in 1901, it's decor and architecture were designed in Art Nouveau style, with beautiful sculptures, paintings and fixtures. Since opening the Metropol Hotel it has been recognized as the most renowned Russian grand hotel and a favorite with the cosmopolitan society - from royalty and the aristocracy to luminaries in the arts and international affairs and of course us!

It was a beautiful evening, so after dinner we took a walk through the Red Square. It was about 10 p.m. and the city was a glow, with all the buildings lit up and people out and about. * I do miss living in NYC :(
We walked towards the Kremlin and Gum's and St. Basil's Cathedral, everything looked beautiful at night. Completely different than when David and I had seen it during the day. Below are a few pictures from our night out on the town.
Good Night or Good Morning! Where ever you are while reading this.

We have arrived in Amsterdam

Het goodmorning mede bloggers...Goodmorning fellow bloggers!
We have arrived in Amsterdam. It is now 2 am eastern standard time and 8 am here. We have another hour till we board our flight to Moscow. We had a great flight to the Netherlands...one more flight to go for today. About a 3.5 hour flight to Moscow and a few time zones. Below is our itinerary while we are in Russia for the next couple of weeks.

A few photos of from the plane, Barbara, David and Mom a.k.a. Gramie Bunny.




09/04/2007 Depart from the US for Moscow
09/05/2007 arrive in Moscow
09/06/2007 Depart for Kemerovo around 10 pm.
09/07/2007 Arrive in region around 6-7 am. Visit Maksim at the orphanage today.
09/08-09/09 Down time for weekend - Hopefully, we can also visit Maksim during this time.
09/10/2007 Court date
09/11/2007 – 09/12/2007 Spend time in Kemerovo while Maksim's paperwork is being finished
09/13/07 Return to Moscow (if we get the 10 day waiting period we wouldn’t return to Moscow until approx 09/25)
09/14/2007 - Have the Embassy doctor examine the child and submit documents to the US Embassy.
09/15/2007-09/16/2007 Down time for weekend
09/17/2007 – US Embassy interview
09/18/2007 – Submit documentation to Register with the Russian Consulate
09/19/2007 - Pickup registration at the Russian consulate
09/19/2007 - Return home with our son! (Or October 2 if we get the 10 day waiting period in Kemerovo.)

Hopefully, all goes well with the judge in court and we can forgo the ten day waiting period.

Some days it will be difficult to have internet access, but we will do our best to post things as they happen. Thanks Grace, Sue, and Sherry for looking after our other 2 babies and Thank you Scott and Jenny for helping out with the house! **Happy Birthday Kathy! Have a wonderful day everyone!