We are a family of 4 now!!!!! :)

YAY! We had court this morning and everything went well! Dan did most of the speaking. He did a great job! I was only asked a few things, which I was glad of. It only took maybe 20 minutes.

Court House in Moscow

After Court! :)

After court, we got to take Cassiana out in her very first car ride. She was taken to the orphanage in an ambulance (only because she came straight from the hospital) when she was born. She did very well! She was way bundled up for the 5 minute car trip in 40 degree weather. She could hardly move because she had on a shirt w/ overall type thing, then a jacket, then a snowsuit w/ boots that were much too large and then a hat tighted way too tight around her neck, then a hood. The poor thing was not able to bend her arms or legs for all of the material! She cried during the passport picture, but through the magic of photography, they were able to clean up the pictures so that you couldn't tell that she had tears coming down her cheeks and a runny nose.

After the pictures, we got to play for about an hour. I dressed her in an outfit so I could see what size she is (9 months, but will soon be into 12 months because it just fit). She is getting a top front tooth, in addition to the 2 on the front bottom! Also, not walking yet, but is taking steps when you hold her hands and she wasn't doing that on her own last time. She smiled and smiled toward the end of the visit a lot and was really babbling up a storm and mimicing us babbling to her. She warmed up to us much quicker this time, so I think she remembered us.

Cassiana Kay, all smiles in her new, soft outfit!

This is a video. Click on the big arrow to play it. There is sound, too.



We gave the orphanage workers and the director their gifts, we well as our driver and interpreter. We also gave them the new and gently used clothes---a huge bag and a half. I left some notecards and asked if the caregivers would write Cassiana note of well wishes and will ask the interpreter to translate. Also, next visit we will pick up the disposable camera we left to see what kinds of shots they got.

Dan and I leave tomorrow morning for home. Next Tuesday, Mom and I leave to come back here. Thursday we will probably sight see and then Friday get the baby. We leave to come home the following Sat. the 29th. Can't wait for Cassiana to meet her new crazy brother, shampoo horns and all! :)

We are sooooo excited and thrilled to be finished with court and to be so close to bringing her home!!!!!