Thirty Minutes...

until we leave to pick up Cassiana!!!! YAY!!!! The bag w/ her snowsuit and some clothes made it and so did the stroller, so we can go pick up her, well prepared. The driver will take us to buy babyfood etc. after we get her. The concierge says that the 3 lost bags will arrive on a flight Saturday morning (it is already Thursday, almost noon here). Apparently, they thought it would be a lovely time to go on to Singapore. I highly disagree! Mom loaned me some of her clothes and at least there is no humidity so my flat iron isn't missed too much. I don't care as long as we are getting the baby! That's the main thing! The bags will show up very soon. Cassi's whole wardrobe is in one of them. I mean, we needed to bring all 5 pairs of her shoes, right???? LOL!

I will update later w/ more pictures and details from our trip. I will tell you about the Somethin' Ain't Right Eggs that they served for breakfast, too! Also, the crib here had 5 slats that weren't connected to the top cross piece at all so you could move them any which way, so we were able to get them to change it out. More later!!!

We are here!!!

Good news is that Mom and I made it safely and that we get to pick up Cassiana tomorrow at noon instead of Friday!!! Bad news is that the airline has misplaced 3 of our checked bags. Mom gate checked hers and we have one w/ some baby stuff. I separated my clothes into 2 bags, figuring there'd be a better chance of stuff making it here. Oh, well! The main thing is we get Cassi tomorrow! Very tired, going to search for food and then hit the hay! :)

On the road again!!!

Mom and I leave tomorrow for Moscow! YAY! We get there Wednesday and get custody of Cassiana on Friday. We leave to come home on the 29th. I'm taking the computer, so keep checkin' the blog for updates!

Exclusive Never Before Seen Pictures and Video of Cassiana

Well...I tried for an hour to get the video that wouldn't load in Russia to load here and it still wouldn't load. Normally they take about a minute, so I don't know what's going on with it. These are some pictures from Trip 2. Something to tide you all over until we can take more pictures late next week and finally bring home the real thing on the 29th!

As you can see, Cassiana is quite mobile, so I am going to finish the baby proofing this weekend! :)



It's amazing how much Cassiana looks like Kai's baby picture at about the same age. They have the same nose, chin, cheeks and very similar eye shape. Cassiana has much darker eyes and hair. Paka! (Goodbye!)

Home again, home again...

We made it back home! We had a 5 hour layover in Houston to be sure we had time for customs this time. Then, our plan took off 2 hours late due to bad weather, so we spent quite a bit of time there! You just never know how much to plan for. We had a choice between an hour and a half layover (not enough time for customs, passport control, etc.) or 5 hours. Once we were finally airborne, it was quite scary seeing lightening storms down below on either side! Most of us on the plane just shut the window covers so we didn't have to see it. It was pretty bumping, but I've been in worse. We got home around midnight. Our son woke up so we got to give him a hug and kiss. He looked so cute in his new Sponge Bob p.j's. He and Mom had made some cut-out sugar cookies. They decorated one for Cassiana for when she comes home So sweet!

Well, time to apply for visas (double entry visas aren't allowed any more unless you want to go interview at the consulate in NY to get one!!!), get unpacked and get laundry going. Oh, and a shower would be nice! LOL! Mom and I leave on Tuesday for our pick up trip. We get there Wednesday and should have Thursday for sightseeing. It will probably be much colder next week and we are staying quite a ways from the sights, so we want to do this before we get Cassiana. We were told by several that Moscow usually has snow by now, so we were lucky to have the 40 degree heatwave while we were there. They are expecting snow next week.

Then, drum roll please, we get to pick Cassiana up from the orphanage on Friday the 21st!!! YAY! We will take her to St. Basil's for her traditional picture in front of it some time before we leave on the 29th. We have several things to do after we leave (go to US Embassy, etc.), so that's why we can't just get her and go home. Besides, it will give us more time to get to know each other before we hop on the plane for 12 hours. We are flying Singapore Air and they have bassinets that hook into the wall (suspended) in the bulkhead area, so it should be a comfortable flight home. Have I mentioned how much we love Singapore Air???? They sure spoil you when you are lucky to have a packet of peanuts and a glass of water w/ bacterial filled ice on most flights--LOL!

I will post another video we took of Cassiana while we were there in a few days. It was taking way too long to load for some reason.

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!!!!!

Made it here!

Checking it to let everyone know that we made it safely and easily! Very tired. By the way it is Sunday and the time is 5:30 pm, not 8:30 am as the time stamp shows. Went to the grocery store to get some provisions and ate at the restaruant downstairs in the hotel. Getting the donations and gifts for the orphanage workers, etc. who have taken care of Cassiana and/or helped us in this process over her. Going to court tomorrow at either 10:00 or 10:30 (another family is apparently here and will get the other time). Then, not sure what happens after that (celebration!!!). Will write as soon as we get back to the room tomorrow.

Trip 2 Starts Tomorrow!!!!

Flight path to Moscow

We are leaving tomorrow for our 2nd trip to Russia!!! We have court on Monday to finalize the adoption and then fly back home on Tuesday. We only have one connection this time each way with plenty of time at the connecting airport (Houston) so this trip will be much, much smoother than the last one. We are flying Continental to Houston and then Singapore Air from there to Moscow. Mom will be here to watch our son.

Then, the following Tuesday the 18th, Mom and I leave for Russia and arrive on the 19th. We get to pick up the baby on the 20th! We will stay until the 29th due to some holidays and closings in Moscow and to get all of the passport and visa for the baby and her final medical exam, etc. done. So, it will be a very thankful Thanksgiving in Russia! Pass the borsch and dressing, please! :)

Stay tuned to the blog for updates and more pictures!!!

Counting down!!!

We have court one week from today and have custody of Cassiana in 20 days!!!! YAYYYYY!!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Between the Halloween party at school (Because kindergarten is so stressful that you just have to get your party on every month or so!!! Those were the days!), trick-or-treating at the mall while waiting for it to get dark and then trick-or-treating for about an hour in our neighborhood, I would say we have all fulfilled our sugar quota for this year, next year and the next! It was perfect weather here this year. Usually it's at least blowing gale force winds.


Here are some shots of our son as a scary glow-in-the-dark skeleton. The costume was really too big, but the next size down was way too small. I have no idea how he could tolerate that mask as it was 80 degrees here! His hair was completely sweaty when he took it off. Now that's dedication...




Notice the Crocks! He at least had ventilated feet while his entire body was encased in polyester!

Happy Halloween!!!

COURT DATE!!!!!

YAY!!! We got our court date confirmation today!!! Monday, November 10th! Dan and I are leaving Saturday, Nov. 8th and will head back to the US the day after court. Then, there is a 10 day waiting period after the court date. Mom and I are heading over most likely November 19th and then bringing home Cassiana either on Saturday, November 29th (her 1st birthday!) or if we are finished with all of the paperwork, etc. earilier, we are leaving on Thursday, November 27th, Thanks Giving! We can not wait to see Cassiana again and to have her home for good! :)

Waiting...

Hang in there, everyone! We are waiting on a definitive court date, which could be very soon. In the mean time, we've been getting the house even more ready and making sure the baby has the necessities like 5 pairs of little shoes and multiple dollies in pink dresses! :)

We are home!

We made it back late yesterday evening. Our son had a great time while we were gone w/ my Mom, but we missed him so much and he missed us! We didn't have enough time to go thru passport control and customs in Houston yesterday, so we missed our connecting flight. They didn't have any other flights, so we just rented a car and drove 7 hours home! We were painfully tired, but were bound and determined to make it home. Turns out we got home quicker than if we'd made the flight (which was connecting in Denver and then flying here).

We flew from Moscow to Houston on Singapore Air (took 12 hours). They are wonderful if anyone ever gets the chance! It was similar to first class on our domestic flights, minus the larger seat. They fed us every time we turned around w/ good, hot food and gave out hot towels several times. Also, there were tv's in the seat that we could watch movies on (probably 50 choices) and tv as well as games, etc.

Time to prepare more for Cassiana's arrival in earnest now! We are putting up the crib this weekend and getting more clothes and shoes, etc. Finally we know what sizes to buy! Her room is pretty much ready as far as painting and decorating go.

Anyway, a quick update to let you all know we made it back and are eager to get back to see Cassiana again before court! :)

Russian Sweet Baby has a new name!!!

We signed the petition to adopt today and named our baby girl! Introducing:

Cassiana Kay Patterson

We are so thrilled, thankful and grateful to be moving along with the process to adopt Cassiana. She is such a sweetie! We got to see her again this morning for 2 hours. She was very laid back the first hour, probably because it was right after her nap and lunch time, so we took turns holding and hugging her, which she loved.

Next, she played with toys and crawled around a bit while we look another 20,000 pictures! Then, she just wanted to be held and snuggled with. So, it was marvelous to hold her and rock her! I'm sure this hasn't been an often experience for her, if ever, so it was bonding us together already. She held tight to my sweater as I rocked and sang to her. We also got several good smiles out of her. She seems to hold these back, perhaps because it's not part of her normal experience as well. That's alllllll about to change! She will be immersed in love and silliness from now on! :)

It was very hard to leave her today, but they really do a wonderful job of taking care of the kids at this baby home, so that helps tremendously.

Here are some photos and video from today.

Big girl, standing up! She seemed so proud of herself for pulling up and standing up. She should be! Her romper was so tight, that I'm not sure how she was able to fully extend her legs, but she did.

Smiling! She really looks like Dan in this one! :)

Dancing with Daddy!

Playground behind the baby home:

Snuggly baby!

Getting sleepy...

Smiling and playing airplane...

Pulling up and smiling...

Practicing walking...

Playing with tape measure...

Some sights we saw while driving to orphanage:

Bolshoi Ballet under renovation

The former KGB (now called something else) and that's all I'm going to say about them, no I'm not paranoid, are you paranoid, no not me! LOL!

Statue of the first Cosmonaut. He looks a little Buzz Light Yearish...

Christ the Savior Cathedral...

Where we ate after meeting the baby yesterday, Patio Pizza---yummy! The girl at the door had those earrings that make huge holes in your ears and thru those she had thread what looked like rabbits ears on chains dangling down!

A new meaning for "double parking"...I'm still amazed at the parking and driving skills needed to maneuver around here! At one point yesterday, there was a truck to our left and 3 rows of cars to our right, all shucking and jiving to get into one lane of traffic! It was crazy! Also, if you are in a single lane of traffic and it's all backed up, it's completely okay to zoom by everyone on the wrong side of the road to go around. Fortunately, our driver did not go to these lengths! :)

A road sign, this one kind enough to be in English as well for the "Nikitskiy"...

When we were waiting today to go into the playroom to see the baby again, an orphanage working kept coming and going from the room, closing the door behind her. Naturally, I thought, there must be some top secret orphanage business going on there that isn't for our eyes.

Finally, we were allowed in, so we removed our shoes and sat in the chairs. What we saw was hilarious! The working was in the corner sitting in a regular sized chair, grating carrots with a cheese grater like she was in the Carrot Grating Olympics with the carrots going into a bowl on a child sized table. I don't know if the kitchen was being mopped or what but she kept leaving to get more bowls, some what looked like black olives or raisins to cut up and then some pecans. She turned her back to us because, while we weren't staring, I guess she didn't want us to break her concentration in this very important event and who could blame her, right? I think she was probably hurrying because she had who knows how many babies/toddlers waiting on their lunch! :)

Here is the table and chair (I didn't think she would like it if I took her picture!):

And, this is our hotel lobby and room. Thought you might want to see they are the same (well, actually nicer) than the Courtyards in good old Amur-ica.

Lobby full of extra skinny folks. They walked with turned out feet, so possibly dancers. They were smoking lots, too.

We miss our son so much and can't wait to see him and for him to meet his new baby sister! We will all be together very soon! :)

P.S.

I just noticed that all of the pictures are dated a day off! That's because our camera is set up for US time and you all are a day behind us speedy Russian folks!

Holly