Having Some Fun

Well, we have been home now for a couple days. We are slowly getting into a routine although both Mike and I ended up getting sick with pretty bad colds. I was up all night last night coughing and Mike could barely talk yesterday. I think we are getting better. The little man is still coughing too but we think it is from teething. He has a few teeth coming in that weren't there when we left Kamensk on the 17th.

We went to the doctor yesterday and he thinks Colby looks great. He said not to worry about Colby's eyesight yet. There is a question of him being nearsighted, that was one of his diagnoses from the doctors in Russia. We can check it later. The doctor did refer us to an adoption clinic at UCONN Health Center. I think it will be a good idea to have them check him out just to make sure we are on track. I will have to call them this week.

Other than that we have enjoyed getting used to the house and the dog. Both Colby and Misha show some jealousy so we have to make sure to give both plenty of attention. Overall, they are doing well together. I was a little worried considering Misha is 80 pounds of pure Black Lab muscle. But so far, so good.

I know everyone wants to see more photos. Here are a couple. I love the one of Colby in his toolbelt. His cousin Corbin gave it to him. Now Colby carries around a screwdriver everywhere. Maybe he will take after Daddy and become a carpenter. I've tried getting a photo of him as he dances to CMT, country music videos but he keeps stopping to smile at the camera. I'll be sure to add more soon.

We're Home!!!!!

We did it! We are home. I never knew just how comfortable our own bed felt. Boy did we sleep well last night.

We arrived in NYC around 7:30PM and made it through customs fairly well. Everyone was tired and ready to see all grandmas and grandpas. However, we did have to wait a little while getting Colby through customs. The guy who stamped our passports brought us and all of Colby's paperwork into a separate waiting room is order to pass immigration. There were at least 2 dozen people in there waiting to get through. We just had to wait. Luckily, it was a little confusing in there and a new person came in to help out. She picked up one set of papers and put them down only to pick up Colby's. Maybe she noticed it was for an adoption of a baby. Perhaps that is easier to deal with or she just felt sorry for us but she picked his up and we were out of there within 10-15 minutes. Both Mike and I were ready to run out of there. Then we had to pick up our luggage, 3 big bags and the 2 carry-ons plus a tired, squirmy, little one is not easy to carry. I had Colby in my arms and Mike was stuck dragging the 3 suitcases. The line through security was a little long but we got through. We had called my mom to make sure everyone was waiting for us. They were!

As we rounded the corner there they were. After such a long trip, seeing my mom's face was the most beautiful sight ever. I went around the barrier and just burried my face in her arms hugging both her and Colby. We were both crying. The journey was finally over. What a relief!!! We hugged and cried and laughed and all grandparents were beaming. They were so happy to see their grandson.

As we walked out of the airport I stopped and said, "This is it kid. You belong here," and I put him down placing his feet on the sidewalk outside the airport. Colby was, then and there, a U.S. Citizen. We did it! My mom was laughing. Colby did really well with meeting his grandparents. He let my mom hold him for a little while and was eventually smiling at everyone. Then he fell asleep on the car ride home.

When we got home, everyone helped us bring our bags inside and then watched as Colby explored his home and especially his room. He played with a few toys and then everyone left. I was worried that he wouldn't sleep last night since his routine was goofed up and the time change was so drastic, 10 hours ahead in Ekat, 8 hours ahead in Moscow. However, after a little fussing he snuggled in my arms as I rocked him to sleep. He was in bed and so were we by midnight. We all slept soundly until 6:00AM this morning.

I must say, that through all the changes and upheaval that we have put him through, Colby is doing very well. He seems to really like Mike and I. He falls asleep snuggling with me and looks for me in the morning when he wakes up. He loves playing with Mike and has a great big belly laugh. We trully are very lucky to have this little guy home, safe and sound. He even likes his dog, Misha. We picked her up from Mike's parents today after going grocery shopping. There was a little crying since Misha does get overly excited but now they seem to be friends. Misha has quickly learned that a high chair = food dropped for her. I took a really cute photo of them which I'll have to post soon.

Well, great-grandma, Mamie, is coming over for a visit. Naptime is almost over. Mommy needs to check the laundry. Too much to do. When is Mommy's naptime?

The Song "Home"

Thanks to a little help from Kim, I was able to add in the playlist to my blog. The first song I added is "Home" sung by Blake Shelton. Some might have heard it sung by Josh Groban I believe. The song doesn't completely "fit" in this whole adoption voyage but it does have a special meaning to me.

After many hours on 2 different planes, seeing 3 different countries and continents, and after I think about 22 hours, Mike and I finally landed at JFK airport in New York. We were exhuasted but we still had a 2 to 2 1/2 hour car ride to get back home. Once we got settled and were waiting in traffic (oh joy, welcome in NYC!) this song is the first one that I heard on the radio. It almost sent me into tears. Here I was going home, after an airplane ride, yet I did feel alone. I began to question where my home now was. Home hasn't seemed like home since that day. Am I home or is my home in Russia? I feel torn apart. This song will always be close to my heart. I have bought the CD and when I feel sad, or just need a moment, I like to listen to it and I feel a little better. It helps me to connect with Colby while he is so far away. A little sappy, huh? I'm not sure if you all can relate, or can understand, but even still, the song is just beautiful so listen to it and enjoy!

The Return Home

June 27th. That was the day I left a piece of myself behind in Russia. It was the hardest moment thus far in my life. We had a 5AM flight to Frankfurt, Germany so we had to get up very early. I am not the best morning person so luckily my brain wasn't going crazy too early. I don't think it hit me until we took off in the airplane that we had to leave Colby behind as we went home. As we took off, my heart sank. How could I leave such a sweet baby boy in Russia while I go home? To do what? Paperwork? Just ducky...

We only had about a 4 hour layover in Frankfurt before we would take off for NYC, then our 2 hour drive home. As we waited in Frankfurt, I spent the time looking at the pictures of us with Colby as well as the video we had taken. Boy are we terrible at taking videos. But it certainly made us laugh. It will be great to watch as we wait to return. I remember a feeling of uncertainty yet amazement as we left for Russia, now I also had a feeling of uncertainty, but for different reasons. I wasn't sure when we would see Colby again. How would I be able to wait to go back? How would we get through the whole medical paperwork nightmare? How will my patience survive, since it was already getting stretched thin? So much unknown. The one thing I did know- Mike and I love Colby and we will survive and bring him home. I just hope it will be before Christmas, what a great Christmas that will be....