We took the girls for their first retail experience yesterday. Matt took the day off from work because I was losing my voice, so once we all started to go stir crazy we decided to take the girls to Walmart and then maybe McDonald's for lunch if all went well...
Wrestling Natasha into the cart was an experience in itself as she didn't quite have the hang of what she was supposed to do and tried to tuck her legs underneath herself. After some assistance from Matt, we got her in and then she really enjoyed being run around the entire store by Daddy.
What was really nice for evil Mama Lisa was the fact that now it was ME getting in the way of everyone with my kids and cart!!! hhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhaaaaaaaa (evil Mama laugh) revenge is GOOD!! because we were in the store at a time while most kids are in school, so now I got to just sit still in the middle of an aisle while the girls looked at and touched everything acting completely oblivious to all around me trying to get through.
I know, it's shallow, it's petty, it's immature- it was GREAT!!!!!!!
We got a few more things for Vica for school and then it was off to McDonald's. I refused to take them while we were still in Ukraine because I was just so anti- the entire place that I decided their first experience with American fast food really should be done in America.
The girls had their first Happy Meal (chicken McNuggets) and they really liked them- imagine that! I'm never gonna be able to get them to eat chicken and french fries at home ever again.
Oh, I almost forgot- yesterday morning, the girls were playing in their room and clear as day, Natasha yells "Papa! can you come here??" Matt and I just looked at each other- in ways her English is coming together faster than Vica's- probably because her Russian vocabulary isn't as extensive. Speaking of which, we meet with the principal of Vica's new school today and hopefully in another week we'll have the immunizations up to speed and off she goes. She asks every single day about going to school, I think the poor kid is bored off her rocker!
Other than that, this should be a quite week, we're getting together at my Aunt's house this Sunday so all of my Aunt's and Uncles can meet the girls- that (hopefully) should be the last large wave of loot to haul home and then I can start getting organized.
I've heard some rumors that some people who submitted dossiers in December have received March appointments, but that there is still some uncertainty regarding dossiers for people still waiting since September (and in some cases, even earlier) I hope all this means is that they are getting it together at the SDA and everyone waiting so long finally has the chance to go an get their kids.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Meet the Sicilians
The girls met their new Aunts, Uncles and Cousins this weekend, and I think it went great.
Vica and Natasha were shy for approximately 6 seconds and then I didn't see them for most of the night as they were thoroughly enjoying being the center of attention (are these my girls, or WHAT?)
Naturally, they were unloaded upon by said family members to the point where it will take another trip back to Uncle Mike and Aunt Donna's house to bring the remaining loot home.
One of the most memorable scenes stuck in my mind is watching my two very girly girls being taught how to hit a ball with a bat by their two cousins, Anthony and Joey, who showed infinite patience and interest in these two little creatures. Anthony and Joey even took it upon themselves to learn some Russian via the Internet and asked me to teach them a few words. How cool is that? I get choked up every time I think about it....
What will also stay with me forever was the phenomenal outpouring of love these girls receive every where I take them. What more could I ask for than to watch them just soak up every last bit of it. If an abundance of love can make up for the hardships they've already experienced in their short lives, I'd say they've already reached, then surpassed that point- if only it worked that way. But, what's important now is that they are surrounded by people who love them and want to see them thrive.
I'd also like to point out that the girl's behavior really is not the norm for kids just home from Ukraine. I don't want to paint an unrealistic picture of what those waiting to adopt can expect. All of the books you will read will tell you to sequester the kids for at least a month, to keep the stimulus to a minimum and expect frequent melt downs and temper tantrums, and in the majority of situations, this is exactly what should and does happen. On the other hand, some children, like Vica and Natasha do well being right in the middle of it all, but that's due to a combination of things. Most importantly their individual personalities allow for it, but we also did much more bonding while in Ukraine than most parents get to do. Once we had Vica back in Yalta we took her to restaurants and out walking around, she was able to get used to being around groups of people on her own terms- and we also had the benefit of having our translator right there to explain things to her. This went a long way with establishing trust in us for her. The great thing about Natasha being so much younger than Vica is that she takes many of her cues from her older sister- the only time this backfires is when Vica decides that she doesn't want to eat what I've made for dinner- THEN Natasha will also decide she doesn't want it too- even though she just spent the last 5 minutes shoveling it all in shouting "Koosna, Mama!" (kinda like, Yum! Mama!) :) :) :)
I think the important thing is that your kids have to understand that YOU are their Mama and Papa- no one else. In some cases the kids grasp onto this quickly, and in others it takes more time, but once they have that down, they are good to go. You will know what your child can and can not handle very, very quickly- believe me, as this comes from a woman with absolutely NO parenting experience- heck, I barely even babysat as a teenager so this Mama thing is really coming to me as I go. I though for SURE I'd never be able to interpret anything regarding their needs, etc. and I'm continually amazed at how this "Mother's Intuition" thing REALLY kicks in! With my kids, I try to make sure they get enough sleep, limit the sugar and I certainly don't let them have access to the overwhelming abundance of "Stuff" they have collected in being home one short week. I let them play with some of the things, but then it will magically go into our spare room to be brought out another day :) The girls are very loving, they are generous with hugging and kissing, but when it's time for comfort, it's all Mama, Mama, Mama and even Papa sometimes. By no means am I saying that the bonding process in complete- nowhere near it, we are baby stepping this the entire way and I'm oversimplifying this just so you stay awake while reading!
But, the new Motherhood hysteria is material for another blog all in it's own.
oh, btw- poop patrol is almost complete, 4 down, 2 to go.......
Vica and Natasha were shy for approximately 6 seconds and then I didn't see them for most of the night as they were thoroughly enjoying being the center of attention (are these my girls, or WHAT?)
Naturally, they were unloaded upon by said family members to the point where it will take another trip back to Uncle Mike and Aunt Donna's house to bring the remaining loot home.
One of the most memorable scenes stuck in my mind is watching my two very girly girls being taught how to hit a ball with a bat by their two cousins, Anthony and Joey, who showed infinite patience and interest in these two little creatures. Anthony and Joey even took it upon themselves to learn some Russian via the Internet and asked me to teach them a few words. How cool is that? I get choked up every time I think about it....
What will also stay with me forever was the phenomenal outpouring of love these girls receive every where I take them. What more could I ask for than to watch them just soak up every last bit of it. If an abundance of love can make up for the hardships they've already experienced in their short lives, I'd say they've already reached, then surpassed that point- if only it worked that way. But, what's important now is that they are surrounded by people who love them and want to see them thrive.
I'd also like to point out that the girl's behavior really is not the norm for kids just home from Ukraine. I don't want to paint an unrealistic picture of what those waiting to adopt can expect. All of the books you will read will tell you to sequester the kids for at least a month, to keep the stimulus to a minimum and expect frequent melt downs and temper tantrums, and in the majority of situations, this is exactly what should and does happen. On the other hand, some children, like Vica and Natasha do well being right in the middle of it all, but that's due to a combination of things. Most importantly their individual personalities allow for it, but we also did much more bonding while in Ukraine than most parents get to do. Once we had Vica back in Yalta we took her to restaurants and out walking around, she was able to get used to being around groups of people on her own terms- and we also had the benefit of having our translator right there to explain things to her. This went a long way with establishing trust in us for her. The great thing about Natasha being so much younger than Vica is that she takes many of her cues from her older sister- the only time this backfires is when Vica decides that she doesn't want to eat what I've made for dinner- THEN Natasha will also decide she doesn't want it too- even though she just spent the last 5 minutes shoveling it all in shouting "Koosna, Mama!" (kinda like, Yum! Mama!) :) :) :)
I think the important thing is that your kids have to understand that YOU are their Mama and Papa- no one else. In some cases the kids grasp onto this quickly, and in others it takes more time, but once they have that down, they are good to go. You will know what your child can and can not handle very, very quickly- believe me, as this comes from a woman with absolutely NO parenting experience- heck, I barely even babysat as a teenager so this Mama thing is really coming to me as I go. I though for SURE I'd never be able to interpret anything regarding their needs, etc. and I'm continually amazed at how this "Mother's Intuition" thing REALLY kicks in! With my kids, I try to make sure they get enough sleep, limit the sugar and I certainly don't let them have access to the overwhelming abundance of "Stuff" they have collected in being home one short week. I let them play with some of the things, but then it will magically go into our spare room to be brought out another day :) The girls are very loving, they are generous with hugging and kissing, but when it's time for comfort, it's all Mama, Mama, Mama and even Papa sometimes. By no means am I saying that the bonding process in complete- nowhere near it, we are baby stepping this the entire way and I'm oversimplifying this just so you stay awake while reading!
But, the new Motherhood hysteria is material for another blog all in it's own.
oh, btw- poop patrol is almost complete, 4 down, 2 to go.......
Saturday, January 27, 2007
"Poop" Happens
Okay, I promise, this will be the last time I post regarding this completely gross topic.
Shelly and Jane, yes- I remember you posting about having to collect these little specimens, what you failed to mention was just how downright DISGUSTING it would be. Yes, I realize that the disgust factor was implied- but come on, you could have warned me a little about what a laborious process it would be. LOL
Yeah, yeah, yeah, to the rest of you, I know- Welcome to Motherhood.
Now, for those of you waiting to travel, you will probably go through this at least once when you get home- here's my advice, so you can't say you didn't get any from me. Feel free to e-mail me privately, and I'll be more than happy to give you a complete tutorial via the telephone- free of charge!!
1. Buy yourself a box of latex gloves.
2. Have a pen handy IN THE BATHROOM, and label everything before you get, um, started.
3. Heavy duty aluminum foil- the BIG roll- 'nuff said......
4. As with everything else in this entire journey, keep your sense of humor intact. Surround yourself with those who will laugh right along with you, and count on me as one of them!
Okay, we're closing the chapter on this- unless, of course the girls test positive because I DO remember from Shelly's blog what a pleasant treatment regimen that turned out to be.
Good thing I've got hard wood floors throughout the house.
Today, the girls will be meeting their Aunts, Uncles and Cousins- we're all VERY excited for this to happen. Hopefully today will not be the day the girls decide to melt down on me publicly- but if they do, it will make for a much more entertaining post tomorrow!
Yesterday, My Mom brought my Grandmother here for lunch so she could meet her two new Great-Granddaughters. That was absolutely the BEST. The girls were shy at first, but very loving to her quickly, and she really enjoyed them too. Matt took a really nice picture of Me, Mom, Grandma, Vica and Natasha- Sophia tried to get in too- that picture is priceless to me. How lucky I am that I've got a Grandmother alive to witness all of these milestones in my life. When she was leaving, she gave me a great big hug and said I was still her "baby". That was pretty funny since I've got about a foot on her :)
I could not, in a million years have guessed how much my life would be changed- it's still a big shock to me sometimes, or just how tired I could be at 7:30 at night. But I would never, ever, ever for any amount of money want my old life back, not even for a second.
It's almost 7 a.m. and I hear noise upstairs- do I pretend I don't hear them and let them wake Matt up- or be nice and give him an extra 15 minutes of sleep?
Hmmm, wonder if there's anything on sale at Old Navy for Vica to wear to school- maybe I should check it out while I'm online!!!!!!
Shelly and Jane, yes- I remember you posting about having to collect these little specimens, what you failed to mention was just how downright DISGUSTING it would be. Yes, I realize that the disgust factor was implied- but come on, you could have warned me a little about what a laborious process it would be. LOL
Yeah, yeah, yeah, to the rest of you, I know- Welcome to Motherhood.
Now, for those of you waiting to travel, you will probably go through this at least once when you get home- here's my advice, so you can't say you didn't get any from me. Feel free to e-mail me privately, and I'll be more than happy to give you a complete tutorial via the telephone- free of charge!!
1. Buy yourself a box of latex gloves.
2. Have a pen handy IN THE BATHROOM, and label everything before you get, um, started.
3. Heavy duty aluminum foil- the BIG roll- 'nuff said......
4. As with everything else in this entire journey, keep your sense of humor intact. Surround yourself with those who will laugh right along with you, and count on me as one of them!
Okay, we're closing the chapter on this- unless, of course the girls test positive because I DO remember from Shelly's blog what a pleasant treatment regimen that turned out to be.
Good thing I've got hard wood floors throughout the house.
Today, the girls will be meeting their Aunts, Uncles and Cousins- we're all VERY excited for this to happen. Hopefully today will not be the day the girls decide to melt down on me publicly- but if they do, it will make for a much more entertaining post tomorrow!
Yesterday, My Mom brought my Grandmother here for lunch so she could meet her two new Great-Granddaughters. That was absolutely the BEST. The girls were shy at first, but very loving to her quickly, and she really enjoyed them too. Matt took a really nice picture of Me, Mom, Grandma, Vica and Natasha- Sophia tried to get in too- that picture is priceless to me. How lucky I am that I've got a Grandmother alive to witness all of these milestones in my life. When she was leaving, she gave me a great big hug and said I was still her "baby". That was pretty funny since I've got about a foot on her :)
I could not, in a million years have guessed how much my life would be changed- it's still a big shock to me sometimes, or just how tired I could be at 7:30 at night. But I would never, ever, ever for any amount of money want my old life back, not even for a second.
It's almost 7 a.m. and I hear noise upstairs- do I pretend I don't hear them and let them wake Matt up- or be nice and give him an extra 15 minutes of sleep?
Hmmm, wonder if there's anything on sale at Old Navy for Vica to wear to school- maybe I should check it out while I'm online!!!!!!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
WAIT A SECOND, NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!
Okay, for all of you who brought kids home from Ukraine and failed to fill me in on this little bit of fun, SHAME on you- you, too, Shelly!
Warning, the content of the following is not at all "nice-nice" blog chat, so if you're easily offended or made queasy, please check in another day.
Took the kiddos to the pediatrician yesterday. They did GREAT! Vica is right on target for height and weight for her age, and Natasha is in the 50% for weight and 75% for height. They behaved themselves beautifully and generally worked the charm completely on the entire staff. Matt and I are also extremely pleased with our choice of Dr, and naturally, as it turns out he grew up in the Bronx. He also did work with orphans early in his career and was just the sweetest, nicest man- so we were quite happy. The girls didn't even make a peep when they did the TB test. We'll see how sweet they are when I bring them for bloodwork tomorrow. Yipeee.
Soooooooooo, we're sitting in the exam room and the very nice nurse is taking their vital statistics and then proceeds to hand me a cup with Vica's name written on it. Oooops, yeah, kinda forgot about that whole thing, but hey, I'm a MOM now- I can do anything! So, off we went to the bathroom. After only a minor "mishap" I successfully collected the required specimen. Natasha did even better- Mama does much patting herself on the back, but does inform Matt how lucky his is that he's got two girls at this point.
We finish up and the doctor hands me the orders for the blood work and stool samples for intestinal parasites.
WHAT?????? I've got to go and pick up THREE containers for these specimens????? OY..........
So, off Mama goes to Quest Diagnostics fully expecting to be handed three little "somethings" for each girl.
WRONG!!! Try two separate vials for THREE different, um, experiments for EACH girl. I'm going to spare you some of the more gory details about WHAT I've got to do, but this is out of control! I don't remember reading this in my contract- somebody get my Union Rep on the phone, will ya.
So, now you all know what I will be doing over the next day or so. All I've got to say is that it better be one heck of a Mother's Day present this May.
Other than that, the girls are doing very well. I'm waiting to see how long it takes Vica before she asks for something she sees on TV. They both recite the ABC's and are starting to count in English. Vica understands more and more of what I'm saying to her every day.
Oh, that reminds me- whoever gave us the Cinderella DVD- may you be blessed by good fortune the rest of your days and know that you may have saved more than one life in this house. The girls can watch it twenty thousand times (and just about have already) and it's provided a useful tool when the "Ni Hoht-choos" (I don't WANT to!) start up around dinner time. I've come to the conclusion that I am the quintessential slacker mom and am completely not above bribery or threats.
Guess I won't be getting the June Cleaver Achievement in Motherhood award this year, oh well.....
We're looking forward to introducing the girls to Matt's brothers and sisters and friends this weekend. We can't wait for the girls to meet all of their cousins!
Warning, the content of the following is not at all "nice-nice" blog chat, so if you're easily offended or made queasy, please check in another day.
Took the kiddos to the pediatrician yesterday. They did GREAT! Vica is right on target for height and weight for her age, and Natasha is in the 50% for weight and 75% for height. They behaved themselves beautifully and generally worked the charm completely on the entire staff. Matt and I are also extremely pleased with our choice of Dr, and naturally, as it turns out he grew up in the Bronx. He also did work with orphans early in his career and was just the sweetest, nicest man- so we were quite happy. The girls didn't even make a peep when they did the TB test. We'll see how sweet they are when I bring them for bloodwork tomorrow. Yipeee.
Soooooooooo, we're sitting in the exam room and the very nice nurse is taking their vital statistics and then proceeds to hand me a cup with Vica's name written on it. Oooops, yeah, kinda forgot about that whole thing, but hey, I'm a MOM now- I can do anything! So, off we went to the bathroom. After only a minor "mishap" I successfully collected the required specimen. Natasha did even better- Mama does much patting herself on the back, but does inform Matt how lucky his is that he's got two girls at this point.
We finish up and the doctor hands me the orders for the blood work and stool samples for intestinal parasites.
WHAT?????? I've got to go and pick up THREE containers for these specimens????? OY..........
So, off Mama goes to Quest Diagnostics fully expecting to be handed three little "somethings" for each girl.
WRONG!!! Try two separate vials for THREE different, um, experiments for EACH girl. I'm going to spare you some of the more gory details about WHAT I've got to do, but this is out of control! I don't remember reading this in my contract- somebody get my Union Rep on the phone, will ya.
So, now you all know what I will be doing over the next day or so. All I've got to say is that it better be one heck of a Mother's Day present this May.
Other than that, the girls are doing very well. I'm waiting to see how long it takes Vica before she asks for something she sees on TV. They both recite the ABC's and are starting to count in English. Vica understands more and more of what I'm saying to her every day.
Oh, that reminds me- whoever gave us the Cinderella DVD- may you be blessed by good fortune the rest of your days and know that you may have saved more than one life in this house. The girls can watch it twenty thousand times (and just about have already) and it's provided a useful tool when the "Ni Hoht-choos" (I don't WANT to!) start up around dinner time. I've come to the conclusion that I am the quintessential slacker mom and am completely not above bribery or threats.
Guess I won't be getting the June Cleaver Achievement in Motherhood award this year, oh well.....
We're looking forward to introducing the girls to Matt's brothers and sisters and friends this weekend. We can't wait for the girls to meet all of their cousins!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Who ARE these kids and why are they calling me MOM????
Well, we are FINALLY home. When we finally got through customs at JFK and I saw our family waiting for us, I just burst into tears.
Matt literally got down on his knees and kissed the ground. He said the floor at JFK was far cleaner than anything he walked on in Ukraine.
The kids did just great and FINALLY fell asleep on the car ride home, which only served to give them plenty of energy when we got to the house. Our dear friends had the place all decorated with a big welcome home sign and balloons. It was overwhelming for all of us and very emotional. Since my internal clock is still set to UA time, I found myself wide awake in the middle of the night. I thought this would be a good opportunity to go through the six tons of mail that came in and open our Christmas cards. I also wound up walking around the house just crying my eyes out. I've been so tense during this trip that I haven't allowed myself too much emotion because I've just been trying to endure each day and focus on getting my girls home. Well, it all hit me like a ton of bricks but I needed to just get it all out and have been trying to get some sleep. NOT any easy thing to do when you hear MAMA as soon as you are out of sight for more than 5 seconds :) When I woke up this morning, I just couldn't believe that our girls are home, sleeping in the beds I prepared for them so very long ago. The whole thing still seems like a dream.
Vica and Natasha are doing great and adjusting very well. We've got the usual meal and bed time battles, but it doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary for any 6 and 3 year old, let alone two kids who have been through everything they have in such a short time. We'll be getting them to the pediatrician next week and working on enrolling Vica in school. I think she's going to do just great. I also want to get Natasha enrolled in nursery school for two mornings a week because I think she misses having other kids to play with. Both girls had a lot of structure in the orphanage and I want to keep that going for them at home, plus there is the very important language issue. I'm running out of Russian phrases to use already!!! But the girls are learning more every day, I heard them singing their ABC's last night. Thank God for Leap Frog!!
We'll try to post periodically, I know how much these blogs helped me when we were waiting forever to travel, and how reading them is helping me now that our kids are home. You are so overwhelmed when you get home and if this is your first experience being a parent, well that just adds to your anxiety. So at least I knew some of the things to expect during this adjustment phase and it's helped me tremendously. Shelly Fisher, if you're reading this, your blog should be required reading for anyone even thinking about doing this! The girls will do something and before I can get myself worked up, I instantly remember reading about your first days home and realize it's all normal, and how it really will start to fall into place!!
Like I've said before, I'd do it all again in a minute.........
Matt literally got down on his knees and kissed the ground. He said the floor at JFK was far cleaner than anything he walked on in Ukraine.
The kids did just great and FINALLY fell asleep on the car ride home, which only served to give them plenty of energy when we got to the house. Our dear friends had the place all decorated with a big welcome home sign and balloons. It was overwhelming for all of us and very emotional. Since my internal clock is still set to UA time, I found myself wide awake in the middle of the night. I thought this would be a good opportunity to go through the six tons of mail that came in and open our Christmas cards. I also wound up walking around the house just crying my eyes out. I've been so tense during this trip that I haven't allowed myself too much emotion because I've just been trying to endure each day and focus on getting my girls home. Well, it all hit me like a ton of bricks but I needed to just get it all out and have been trying to get some sleep. NOT any easy thing to do when you hear MAMA as soon as you are out of sight for more than 5 seconds :) When I woke up this morning, I just couldn't believe that our girls are home, sleeping in the beds I prepared for them so very long ago. The whole thing still seems like a dream.
Vica and Natasha are doing great and adjusting very well. We've got the usual meal and bed time battles, but it doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary for any 6 and 3 year old, let alone two kids who have been through everything they have in such a short time. We'll be getting them to the pediatrician next week and working on enrolling Vica in school. I think she's going to do just great. I also want to get Natasha enrolled in nursery school for two mornings a week because I think she misses having other kids to play with. Both girls had a lot of structure in the orphanage and I want to keep that going for them at home, plus there is the very important language issue. I'm running out of Russian phrases to use already!!! But the girls are learning more every day, I heard them singing their ABC's last night. Thank God for Leap Frog!!
We'll try to post periodically, I know how much these blogs helped me when we were waiting forever to travel, and how reading them is helping me now that our kids are home. You are so overwhelmed when you get home and if this is your first experience being a parent, well that just adds to your anxiety. So at least I knew some of the things to expect during this adjustment phase and it's helped me tremendously. Shelly Fisher, if you're reading this, your blog should be required reading for anyone even thinking about doing this! The girls will do something and before I can get myself worked up, I instantly remember reading about your first days home and realize it's all normal, and how it really will start to fall into place!!
Like I've said before, I'd do it all again in a minute.........
Thursday, January 18, 2007
"Let My People Go Go" -Moses-
Moses spent his time wandering the deserts looking for theland of milk and honey...Lisa and I have drifted through Ukraine and the outskirts of Russia for nearly 47 days. I hope to God that this is the last post I make before heading home tomorrow. I wanted a nice quiet farewell, but no......what do I get? I get a vagrant drifter, more than a few sheets to the wind, sleeping outside of our apartment yesterday afternoon. What to do?
Ask him what he wants, throw him down the stairs, call a cop or militzia? Go next door to the US Embassy and ask for the goverment pamphlet on how to handle this, or get an official Ukrainian document of permision to toss him, complete with the required triplicate raised seal blue @#$%& stamps!!!! None of the above....I wait him out. A test of wills I say!
I have battled beauracracy, "negotiations", cars parked on sidewalks, cars driven on sidewalks,nobody accpeting large bills because it would require thought to make change, men spitting on sidewalks, men blowing snot rockets into the street,being publicly scolded for whistling (in complete pitch and tune I might add), half naked women on tv variety shows all day and night (ok this was somewhat tolerable), biatholon skiing, soccer, Everybody Loves Raymond dubbed in Russian, customer service where I am always wrong, 4 hour bump fest rides to a city that makes Syracuse NY look like Oz, Alla our translator, the Scooby Doo hallways of Ukraine's Municipal offices--remember the hallway where doors open and close, people move from one door to another, in and out of offices?--
the lack of local hygiene, the land where bathing regularly is a bimonthly event,squat toilets (just a hole in the floor--you get the picture?). statues of Poppa Lenin in every town square in every city, spending 47 straight days with my wife and my mother-in-law, 24/7 (actually it was a nice bonding experience), the locals bundling up for the Arctic despite 55 degree weather only because the calendar says it is winter, strangers chastising me for not making my kid wear a hat on aforementioned 55 degree day,and, finally toilet paper with a sandpaper grit of 50.....and I'm going to let one misguided miscreant stand in my way? NYET!!!
I finally have enough, wake him up and tell him to "behome" which means hurry up and leave or I will call militzia, the police. His response? "What time is it"? (he pointed at my watch) I show him its 3 o'clock. He bolts upright, and begins to gather his things quickly like he actually has to @#$%& be somewhere and he's late! Where could this guy possibly have to be that he actually looks panicked because he might have missed something important? Does that sum things up for you? It does for me.
And, on the other hand, I have experienced a lifetime of memories from my travels abroad. I have met some people, Ivan our driver, the cookie lady in Yalta, the gold toothed produce lady in the markets, the Internet boys in Yalta, Vasilly, the golf club owner, all of which added color to what at times was a drab existence.
And...I got my girls....just the way it was always supposed to be. I am a man among women now....Lisa, the girls and Sophia..no where to run, no where to hide. I can't wait to get home and see where this all takes me next.
I thank you for following our trip abroad and allowing me to regale you with our stories and anectdotes. And I swear, there has been no embellishing of the facts here.
I bid "pakah" to all of you from Ukraine.
Ask him what he wants, throw him down the stairs, call a cop or militzia? Go next door to the US Embassy and ask for the goverment pamphlet on how to handle this, or get an official Ukrainian document of permision to toss him, complete with the required triplicate raised seal blue @#$%& stamps!!!! None of the above....I wait him out. A test of wills I say!
I have battled beauracracy, "negotiations", cars parked on sidewalks, cars driven on sidewalks,nobody accpeting large bills because it would require thought to make change, men spitting on sidewalks, men blowing snot rockets into the street,being publicly scolded for whistling (in complete pitch and tune I might add), half naked women on tv variety shows all day and night (ok this was somewhat tolerable), biatholon skiing, soccer, Everybody Loves Raymond dubbed in Russian, customer service where I am always wrong, 4 hour bump fest rides to a city that makes Syracuse NY look like Oz, Alla our translator, the Scooby Doo hallways of Ukraine's Municipal offices--remember the hallway where doors open and close, people move from one door to another, in and out of offices?--
the lack of local hygiene, the land where bathing regularly is a bimonthly event,squat toilets (just a hole in the floor--you get the picture?). statues of Poppa Lenin in every town square in every city, spending 47 straight days with my wife and my mother-in-law, 24/7 (actually it was a nice bonding experience), the locals bundling up for the Arctic despite 55 degree weather only because the calendar says it is winter, strangers chastising me for not making my kid wear a hat on aforementioned 55 degree day,and, finally toilet paper with a sandpaper grit of 50.....and I'm going to let one misguided miscreant stand in my way? NYET!!!
I finally have enough, wake him up and tell him to "behome" which means hurry up and leave or I will call militzia, the police. His response? "What time is it"? (he pointed at my watch) I show him its 3 o'clock. He bolts upright, and begins to gather his things quickly like he actually has to @#$%& be somewhere and he's late! Where could this guy possibly have to be that he actually looks panicked because he might have missed something important? Does that sum things up for you? It does for me.
And, on the other hand, I have experienced a lifetime of memories from my travels abroad. I have met some people, Ivan our driver, the cookie lady in Yalta, the gold toothed produce lady in the markets, the Internet boys in Yalta, Vasilly, the golf club owner, all of which added color to what at times was a drab existence.
And...I got my girls....just the way it was always supposed to be. I am a man among women now....Lisa, the girls and Sophia..no where to run, no where to hide. I can't wait to get home and see where this all takes me next.
I thank you for following our trip abroad and allowing me to regale you with our stories and anectdotes. And I swear, there has been no embellishing of the facts here.
I bid "pakah" to all of you from Ukraine.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
If you're going to spew, spew in this!
Ah, I get to use a line from Wayne's World. As Lisa mentioned, Natasha had a little difficulty witht eh car ride from Yalta to Simperofol. For you home remodelers and pundits of the plumbing world...this kid spewed with a psi of momumental proportions.
Can you say Exorcist, kids on bus in Old School, Stand by Me? Our translator, who has felt the need to orchestrate every one of our movements (bowel included) had just moved out of the line of fire before natasha unleashed a torrent of cabbage, mixed mystery meat and soup. One split second longer and she would have had full facial coverage. Quick clean a few guffaws and all was back to normal. The kid was knocking back a salami sandwich within minutes. Lisa did bring everyone up to speed on the trip from Yalta to Kiev. I'm killing time atthe Internet until the visas are ready at 4 PM today. Good ole US Embassy...a bastion of efficiency. The "interviewer" even had roots in the Bronx. His family was a 2 generation owner of a wholesale flower business. All went well. Now, just to get out on Friday.
We're hoping to take the girls to either the circus or the zoo one day before we head out.
It would be nice to have some fun outside of the apartment. They travel very well. Lisa doesn't know this, but I was trying to get the girls to go around and knock on sleeper compartment doors in the middle of the night. They crashed at about 8 PM on the train, but were back up at midnite....we watched a little Ali G on dvd, knocked back a few bottles of water and flushed stuff down the train toilet for kicks.
Right now it'sa feeling out process. I made Natasha cry last night. She snuck off by herself into the bedroom and was trying to switch on a light by the bed that was made of these glass rods that hung loosely. She was pulling on the rods for balance while trying to flip the switch. I startled her with a booming "Natasha, nyet"! After i peeled her off the ceiling, she just started to mew like a little kitten. It's the cutest and saddest thing. But, hey...don't play with glass rods and electricity..they are not your friends, especially at 220v. I made a few fart noises and she recovered quickly enough to give me kisses good night. They are not used to the sound of a man's voice yet. And if I have my way, they won't until they're 35.
I will post one more time before we leave and try to sum up this trip while still in country. I think once we return home, the blog will only serve to update the other adoptive families in our group as a "share" for each other. But then again, it may not.
i have journalled and chronicled the trip with video and text, so we'll see what comes of that.
Matt
Can you say Exorcist, kids on bus in Old School, Stand by Me? Our translator, who has felt the need to orchestrate every one of our movements (bowel included) had just moved out of the line of fire before natasha unleashed a torrent of cabbage, mixed mystery meat and soup. One split second longer and she would have had full facial coverage. Quick clean a few guffaws and all was back to normal. The kid was knocking back a salami sandwich within minutes. Lisa did bring everyone up to speed on the trip from Yalta to Kiev. I'm killing time atthe Internet until the visas are ready at 4 PM today. Good ole US Embassy...a bastion of efficiency. The "interviewer" even had roots in the Bronx. His family was a 2 generation owner of a wholesale flower business. All went well. Now, just to get out on Friday.
We're hoping to take the girls to either the circus or the zoo one day before we head out.
It would be nice to have some fun outside of the apartment. They travel very well. Lisa doesn't know this, but I was trying to get the girls to go around and knock on sleeper compartment doors in the middle of the night. They crashed at about 8 PM on the train, but were back up at midnite....we watched a little Ali G on dvd, knocked back a few bottles of water and flushed stuff down the train toilet for kicks.
Right now it'sa feeling out process. I made Natasha cry last night. She snuck off by herself into the bedroom and was trying to switch on a light by the bed that was made of these glass rods that hung loosely. She was pulling on the rods for balance while trying to flip the switch. I startled her with a booming "Natasha, nyet"! After i peeled her off the ceiling, she just started to mew like a little kitten. It's the cutest and saddest thing. But, hey...don't play with glass rods and electricity..they are not your friends, especially at 220v. I made a few fart noises and she recovered quickly enough to give me kisses good night. They are not used to the sound of a man's voice yet. And if I have my way, they won't until they're 35.
I will post one more time before we leave and try to sum up this trip while still in country. I think once we return home, the blog will only serve to update the other adoptive families in our group as a "share" for each other. But then again, it may not.
i have journalled and chronicled the trip with video and text, so we'll see what comes of that.
Matt
Monday, January 15, 2007
Back in Kyiv- almost HOME!!!!!!
Hello Again!
Well, we're back in Kyiv- the capital city of Ukraine and of course, this is where we have got the WORST internet connection of all- so let me just say that to everyone who sent me e-mails privately, THANK YOU, but I can not respond because every time I try, it kicks me off the internet. I promise to try again after posting this entry.
I'll just take a few moments to cover what's happened up until now. Matt will follow with more colorful commentary for all of you blog junkies.
We left Yalta on January 8th for Kerch. The "plan" (always a dangerous thing to make here in Ukraine) was to get the girls' birth certificates filed on the 9th when everyone returned from the long holiday break- go get Vica from the orphanage and then get outta there.
WRONG!!! Apparently, the only thing you could do at the open of business was file death certificates- no matter what our translator tried, nothing could be done until the next day. It was so depressing to go and tell Vica she would have to wait one more day to leave the orphanage forever. We got some things done, then hit the ground running the next day. By one o'clock we were on the road with Vica. We drove the 3 1/2 hours from Kerch to Simferopol, Alla did some business to get the ball rolling for the passports, then we returned "home" to Yalta which was another hour plus long ride. Vica didn't complain ONCE!! She was in awe of everything going on around her and was just sweet as could be. The next day we returned to Simferopol to do more paperwork and collect more blue stamps while Vica spent some quality time with her "Babushka" Mom said she was into everything and VERY VERY funny. She said Vica is like a little old lady, just chattering away about everything, extremely inquisitive and just a joy to be around.
Dana if you're reading this, Mom said Vica reminds her exactly of you when you were that age ! :) :) :) :)
To make a looooooooooong story short, we got the passports, got Natasha out of the orphanage on Saturday and then hit the road to catch the train in Simferopol. Natasha was great until we got to the train station. She just kind of looked around with this really sweet smile on her face and completely without any warning whatsoever proceeded to vomit about a gallon of cabbage soup all over the place. My girl managed not to get any on her brand new clothes, or her Papa which is pretty good considering. After Matt and I stopped laughing, we got everything cleaned up and she was good to go. These girls spent 16 hours in a train and they were PERFECT. Matt actually stayed with them in one compartment and I got to hang out with my Mom- how great is that! The three kids had a blast together, and get this, Matt even took them to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I know this may just be the honeymoon phase of everything, but I can not tell you all how thankful I am that the train ride was nothing like the nightmare I pictured- it gave me hope that I won't have to medicate myself or anyone else on the plane ride coming home.
Today we took the girls for the medical exam and we have our appointment for visas at the Embassy tomorrow morning. Then it's just killin' time until we get on the plane Friday.
Oh, have I mentioned anywhere or at any time that I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET HOME!!!!!!!!
This adoption has been easy compared what some other parents have had to endure, and it has been a nightmare compared with some others- but regardless of anything that has come to pass, it was worth every single stinkin' second of it to bring these two girls home and I'd do it again in a second and put up with far far more to be called Mama by my Vica and Natasha.
Oh, also some of you have contacted me regarding meeting at the airport. If you would like to, we would love it if you were there. The girls are real troopers, they are pretty good around other people, although they take a while to warm up. I can't promise ANYTHING though!! But, please, please, please keep this in mind. We are landing at 3:30 on Friday the 19th, this will put us on the road from JFK right at rush hour. For those of you who want so badly to make the girls arrival as the United States newest litle citizens, nothing would make me happier, but I don't want anyone to go to too much trouble.
I probably will not post again before we leave for home. The girls keep me pretty busy already :) I can't wait to see you all at home and for you all to meet them!
Love to you all, Lisa
Well, we're back in Kyiv- the capital city of Ukraine and of course, this is where we have got the WORST internet connection of all- so let me just say that to everyone who sent me e-mails privately, THANK YOU, but I can not respond because every time I try, it kicks me off the internet. I promise to try again after posting this entry.
I'll just take a few moments to cover what's happened up until now. Matt will follow with more colorful commentary for all of you blog junkies.
We left Yalta on January 8th for Kerch. The "plan" (always a dangerous thing to make here in Ukraine) was to get the girls' birth certificates filed on the 9th when everyone returned from the long holiday break- go get Vica from the orphanage and then get outta there.
WRONG!!! Apparently, the only thing you could do at the open of business was file death certificates- no matter what our translator tried, nothing could be done until the next day. It was so depressing to go and tell Vica she would have to wait one more day to leave the orphanage forever. We got some things done, then hit the ground running the next day. By one o'clock we were on the road with Vica. We drove the 3 1/2 hours from Kerch to Simferopol, Alla did some business to get the ball rolling for the passports, then we returned "home" to Yalta which was another hour plus long ride. Vica didn't complain ONCE!! She was in awe of everything going on around her and was just sweet as could be. The next day we returned to Simferopol to do more paperwork and collect more blue stamps while Vica spent some quality time with her "Babushka" Mom said she was into everything and VERY VERY funny. She said Vica is like a little old lady, just chattering away about everything, extremely inquisitive and just a joy to be around.
Dana if you're reading this, Mom said Vica reminds her exactly of you when you were that age ! :) :) :) :)
To make a looooooooooong story short, we got the passports, got Natasha out of the orphanage on Saturday and then hit the road to catch the train in Simferopol. Natasha was great until we got to the train station. She just kind of looked around with this really sweet smile on her face and completely without any warning whatsoever proceeded to vomit about a gallon of cabbage soup all over the place. My girl managed not to get any on her brand new clothes, or her Papa which is pretty good considering. After Matt and I stopped laughing, we got everything cleaned up and she was good to go. These girls spent 16 hours in a train and they were PERFECT. Matt actually stayed with them in one compartment and I got to hang out with my Mom- how great is that! The three kids had a blast together, and get this, Matt even took them to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I know this may just be the honeymoon phase of everything, but I can not tell you all how thankful I am that the train ride was nothing like the nightmare I pictured- it gave me hope that I won't have to medicate myself or anyone else on the plane ride coming home.
Today we took the girls for the medical exam and we have our appointment for visas at the Embassy tomorrow morning. Then it's just killin' time until we get on the plane Friday.
Oh, have I mentioned anywhere or at any time that I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET HOME!!!!!!!!
This adoption has been easy compared what some other parents have had to endure, and it has been a nightmare compared with some others- but regardless of anything that has come to pass, it was worth every single stinkin' second of it to bring these two girls home and I'd do it again in a second and put up with far far more to be called Mama by my Vica and Natasha.
Oh, also some of you have contacted me regarding meeting at the airport. If you would like to, we would love it if you were there. The girls are real troopers, they are pretty good around other people, although they take a while to warm up. I can't promise ANYTHING though!! But, please, please, please keep this in mind. We are landing at 3:30 on Friday the 19th, this will put us on the road from JFK right at rush hour. For those of you who want so badly to make the girls arrival as the United States newest litle citizens, nothing would make me happier, but I don't want anyone to go to too much trouble.
I probably will not post again before we leave for home. The girls keep me pretty busy already :) I can't wait to see you all at home and for you all to meet them!
Love to you all, Lisa
Friday, January 12, 2007
I'm in a really bad Abbott and Costello Meet the ?????movie
Matt logging here....Just when I thought this place was in another time warp, we had to go to Kerch. You all know about Kerch right now. I do take back a few things though. Due to some down time waiting for the manual typewriters to type documents and then have them copied by a Tibetan scribe..by hand...Rememebr the original Xerox commercials with Brother Dominick making all the copies for the chief monk, and he secretly snuck off and used a copier? Well that would have been faster than this. Anyway, with time to kill and a monumental urge to use a squat lavatory, we discovered the main drag in Kerch. Quite a nice cobble stone-like walkway with shops and cafes and stuff.
Well.....after a 10 1/2 day work stoppage in the entire country, we arrive at the Birth Certificate Offices to get copies of the girls Certs. It's Tuesday morning at 9 AM, third in line, great sign, except I notice that the people in line are a bit too old for young children. Here my hunches are confirmed...they are only issuing death certificates that day, no birth certificates. And they are only open for half a day. 10 days off, no business, and they open for half a day and only give out paperwork for dead people. Actually, I think you're supposed to go there when you are alive, so that by the time you actually get the death certificate, you have already dies a slow painful one.
So.....we can't spring Vika for another day, which will delay the passport shenanigans, which could delay returning to Kiev, which could delay our medical exams, which could delay the Visas at the US Embassy (who by the way will be closed on 1/15/07 for the observance of MLK) The US Embassy observes all local and USA holidays regardless of how far away they are located form my sacred home. So, all these dead Ukrainians could keep me here longer.
But, alas....we get birth certificates the next day, scoop up Vika, and bolt. We hit Simperofol, the capital of The Crimea, and the Passport Office. Now, we have to worry if the head honcho will see our documents, allow us to "negotiate" and give us a timely return on the passports. She had already turned away 2 translators.."No Negotiating with me..you must wait the 10 full days!"
But..we negotiate, drive back to Yalta, and go back the next day (which is today) to pick them up.
A great victory!!!!! But....we get inside the hallowed tripled locked front door, which is protected by a 10 foot high brick facade and await our turn. The assistant svina brings out the paper work, and that's right...you guessed it....they spelled our last name wrong on the passports. Not to worry...it was their mistake. They actually pulled pout all of the documents that were submitted in hopes of finding an error on our part, which they could use against us and make us come back another day, which would.......you know the rest. But they succumbed to the fact it was their error. And you know what they did? They made 2 new passports right there in the back room in less than 10 minutes, So you tell me.....they can work when motivated and "negotiated with well".
So..passports in hand, train tickets to Kiev reserved, last night in Yalta, we spring Natasha tomorrow and head to Kiev. Will arrive Sunday morning. Monday..medicals for the girls, Tuesday to the Embassy for Visas and Friday fly home.
In the meantime, Babushka (grandma) Daria has been vika sitting while we do business. I'm in huge trouble...this kid gets up the first morning with us, goes to the bathroom, washes her hands and then makes her bed. I don't even make my bed. She knows please, thank you, you're welcome, cookie monster, and the refrain from Johnny Lee Hooker's blues tune "Boom boom boom". We ran out of things to do on the 7 hour car ride from Kerch, so we resorted to my Ipod and playing with a flashlight. She dug Joe Cocker and the LED blue light. Should I be worried?
Natasha likes to draw suns with black crayons....I should be worried, yes?
Vika called grandma Phyllis last night to say hello. She told grandma in English.." I love you babuskha Feelis (thats how she says Phyllis). Cute stuff. She had her first pizza last nite at Mama Mia's Pizzeria in Yalta.
AND....today Vika and Natasha were reunited after 2 years. Natasha hadn't seen us since last Sunday, so she was quiet and shy. Vika kinda just clung to mama along with natasha, then things warmed up. Natasha fed all of us her banana and then the two of them kinda gravitated toward each other. By the end of our short visit, Vika and Natasha were walking hand in hand from the orphanage playground. Cool stuff if you ask me. Wait until we throw them together for 10 hour train ride and a 10 hour plane ride. Yes.....I am in trouble here folks. I realized yesterday all of you dads...we're only good for one thing on a trip....listening to everyone else, buying dinner and carrying the luggage. If there are any other rules I should get acquainted with, please feel free to pass them along.
Lisa apologizes for not getting back on emails...it's been crazy here since Tuesday and we just kinda got settled today. She will catch up with everyone in Kiev. And so will I. Keep the good vibes coming so we can get on the next leg of our journey safely and quickly. Hard to believe its all winding down soon.
Love to all.
Matt and Lisa
Well.....after a 10 1/2 day work stoppage in the entire country, we arrive at the Birth Certificate Offices to get copies of the girls Certs. It's Tuesday morning at 9 AM, third in line, great sign, except I notice that the people in line are a bit too old for young children. Here my hunches are confirmed...they are only issuing death certificates that day, no birth certificates. And they are only open for half a day. 10 days off, no business, and they open for half a day and only give out paperwork for dead people. Actually, I think you're supposed to go there when you are alive, so that by the time you actually get the death certificate, you have already dies a slow painful one.
So.....we can't spring Vika for another day, which will delay the passport shenanigans, which could delay returning to Kiev, which could delay our medical exams, which could delay the Visas at the US Embassy (who by the way will be closed on 1/15/07 for the observance of MLK) The US Embassy observes all local and USA holidays regardless of how far away they are located form my sacred home. So, all these dead Ukrainians could keep me here longer.
But, alas....we get birth certificates the next day, scoop up Vika, and bolt. We hit Simperofol, the capital of The Crimea, and the Passport Office. Now, we have to worry if the head honcho will see our documents, allow us to "negotiate" and give us a timely return on the passports. She had already turned away 2 translators.."No Negotiating with me..you must wait the 10 full days!"
But..we negotiate, drive back to Yalta, and go back the next day (which is today) to pick them up.
A great victory!!!!! But....we get inside the hallowed tripled locked front door, which is protected by a 10 foot high brick facade and await our turn. The assistant svina brings out the paper work, and that's right...you guessed it....they spelled our last name wrong on the passports. Not to worry...it was their mistake. They actually pulled pout all of the documents that were submitted in hopes of finding an error on our part, which they could use against us and make us come back another day, which would.......you know the rest. But they succumbed to the fact it was their error. And you know what they did? They made 2 new passports right there in the back room in less than 10 minutes, So you tell me.....they can work when motivated and "negotiated with well".
So..passports in hand, train tickets to Kiev reserved, last night in Yalta, we spring Natasha tomorrow and head to Kiev. Will arrive Sunday morning. Monday..medicals for the girls, Tuesday to the Embassy for Visas and Friday fly home.
In the meantime, Babushka (grandma) Daria has been vika sitting while we do business. I'm in huge trouble...this kid gets up the first morning with us, goes to the bathroom, washes her hands and then makes her bed. I don't even make my bed. She knows please, thank you, you're welcome, cookie monster, and the refrain from Johnny Lee Hooker's blues tune "Boom boom boom". We ran out of things to do on the 7 hour car ride from Kerch, so we resorted to my Ipod and playing with a flashlight. She dug Joe Cocker and the LED blue light. Should I be worried?
Natasha likes to draw suns with black crayons....I should be worried, yes?
Vika called grandma Phyllis last night to say hello. She told grandma in English.." I love you babuskha Feelis (thats how she says Phyllis). Cute stuff. She had her first pizza last nite at Mama Mia's Pizzeria in Yalta.
AND....today Vika and Natasha were reunited after 2 years. Natasha hadn't seen us since last Sunday, so she was quiet and shy. Vika kinda just clung to mama along with natasha, then things warmed up. Natasha fed all of us her banana and then the two of them kinda gravitated toward each other. By the end of our short visit, Vika and Natasha were walking hand in hand from the orphanage playground. Cool stuff if you ask me. Wait until we throw them together for 10 hour train ride and a 10 hour plane ride. Yes.....I am in trouble here folks. I realized yesterday all of you dads...we're only good for one thing on a trip....listening to everyone else, buying dinner and carrying the luggage. If there are any other rules I should get acquainted with, please feel free to pass them along.
Lisa apologizes for not getting back on emails...it's been crazy here since Tuesday and we just kinda got settled today. She will catch up with everyone in Kiev. And so will I. Keep the good vibes coming so we can get on the next leg of our journey safely and quickly. Hard to believe its all winding down soon.
Love to all.
Matt and Lisa
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Stinky the Magician......
Well, if the surreal doesn't get any worse, here's today's trip into the twilight zone that Yalta has become. Lisa and I perform the daily ritual of seeing Natasha in the morning. Promptly at 10:30 we head upstairs to collect the pie-eyed psycho. Quick digression here...Lisa and I always talked about which kind of kid we thought we should look for at the orphanage (not that we actually had a choice). But we always joked that we should wind up with the most pie=eyed nut they had to offer. Note how I say joked about it. Well, the joke is on us. Natasha is a piece of work. She makes the most insane faces, gets pissed off when we don't understand what she is saying and makes no bones about it. Actually, we do know what she is saying but we play dumb until she gets so exasperated that she puts her face right in ours and chastises us in Russian. Most of the time I just nod my head and speak calmly to her like we both know what each other is saying. Surprisingly, she gets it. I'm learning more Russian phrases from her than she is learning English. We're getting her to connect the idea of please, thank you and you're welcome.
Back to today's visit....we show up and they have a magic show taking place. Little tots 2 and under on one side of the room and older kids on opposite side. Chuck Barris would have not only gonged this guy, he, the unknown comic and jamie farr would have beaten him into a pulp. He was performing "tricks" that no adult would want to see, nevermind 22 raging toddlers. The little guys were so bored they were actually pounding each other and throwing each other onto the floor...It was outrageous. Natasha saw us and was trying to bolt from her seat, the magician was performing card tricks and the steel rings thing, he went as far as to have one of the orphanage women pull an item from his magic bag that for all intents and purposes, was empty.
What does she pull out? rubber chicken...NO a rabbit...NO a dove....NO......she pulls out a dirty, dingy bra. This is what Presto the magician had in his magic bag. By the time he got to his juggling act, they told him to cut the show...the kids were raging. Except for the "hedgehog".
The hedgehog is one of the newest arrivals..been there only 2 1/2 weeks. He's not even 2 yet.
He arrived right before the big Christmas show and they dressed him as a hedgehog for the show...hence, he is now known as the hedgehog. I will be starting a cult trend when I get home with T-shirts that will read "Free the Hedgehog." Hedgehog was just chilling in his chair watching the mayhem.
Today was actually a big day...the next visit to Natasha's orphanage will be next week, when we take her out for good. Today was our last "visit". Hopefully by next Wednesday, barring any paperwork delays, we will take her with us for good. We're heading to Kerch tomorrow, Monday,
to see Vika, and by Tuesday afternoon she will be ours for good. It's going to be sad for the girls;they'll be leaving everything they have know for the past 2 years...friends, caretakers, familiar surroundings, and find a whole new life. For the better, yes, but still so strange for them.
The biggest day will be when Vika and Natasha are reunited as sisters. I'll be able to capture it on video with my camera...should make for quite a memory one day.
This will be the last post for a few days. No Internet access in Kerch. Besides, the next few days are "business" days. When this round of dust settles, we'll be back in Yalta to update. Hopefully by Wednesday afternoon or evening. Pray for us and this round of paperwork!!!
Talk to everyone soon!!!!
Go Giants...Go Jets.....poor Romo and Dallas. Scott Norwood gets a break now?
Back to today's visit....we show up and they have a magic show taking place. Little tots 2 and under on one side of the room and older kids on opposite side. Chuck Barris would have not only gonged this guy, he, the unknown comic and jamie farr would have beaten him into a pulp. He was performing "tricks" that no adult would want to see, nevermind 22 raging toddlers. The little guys were so bored they were actually pounding each other and throwing each other onto the floor...It was outrageous. Natasha saw us and was trying to bolt from her seat, the magician was performing card tricks and the steel rings thing, he went as far as to have one of the orphanage women pull an item from his magic bag that for all intents and purposes, was empty.
What does she pull out? rubber chicken...NO a rabbit...NO a dove....NO......she pulls out a dirty, dingy bra. This is what Presto the magician had in his magic bag. By the time he got to his juggling act, they told him to cut the show...the kids were raging. Except for the "hedgehog".
The hedgehog is one of the newest arrivals..been there only 2 1/2 weeks. He's not even 2 yet.
He arrived right before the big Christmas show and they dressed him as a hedgehog for the show...hence, he is now known as the hedgehog. I will be starting a cult trend when I get home with T-shirts that will read "Free the Hedgehog." Hedgehog was just chilling in his chair watching the mayhem.
Today was actually a big day...the next visit to Natasha's orphanage will be next week, when we take her out for good. Today was our last "visit". Hopefully by next Wednesday, barring any paperwork delays, we will take her with us for good. We're heading to Kerch tomorrow, Monday,
to see Vika, and by Tuesday afternoon she will be ours for good. It's going to be sad for the girls;they'll be leaving everything they have know for the past 2 years...friends, caretakers, familiar surroundings, and find a whole new life. For the better, yes, but still so strange for them.
The biggest day will be when Vika and Natasha are reunited as sisters. I'll be able to capture it on video with my camera...should make for quite a memory one day.
This will be the last post for a few days. No Internet access in Kerch. Besides, the next few days are "business" days. When this round of dust settles, we'll be back in Yalta to update. Hopefully by Wednesday afternoon or evening. Pray for us and this round of paperwork!!!
Talk to everyone soon!!!!
Go Giants...Go Jets.....poor Romo and Dallas. Scott Norwood gets a break now?
Friday, January 05, 2007
No Brainer on the Yankee jerseys....
Matt here weighing in here on the Yankee thing......Lisa is angling for A-Rod jerseys. No way until he helps win a world series. For now the girls will wear Jeter jerseys. Vote all you want.
Clothing sizes for Victoria and Natasha
First, let me say a huge thank you for the dozens of e-mails we've gotten asking what the girls sizes are etc. Just to let you know, currently the girls are wearing a 3T for Natasha and a 6 or 6x for Vica. I'm sure they will have a rapid growth spurt once they get home, so any range of sizes is more than welcome. The second thing I'd like to stress is that when I'm talking about what we can use, I'm talking more about all you Moms out there who have clothing from your own kids you're looking to recycle. Please, I know so many of you are just itching to go out and ignite the local economy, but you all know how quick kids grow!!! Vica and Natasha will be thrilled beyond belief to have nice clothes, I wish you could see some of the get ups they've had the girls in here. While they are always clean, they tend to run either too big, or in Vica's case, too small- crazy patterns and just generally crummy stuff. They have no idea what's waiting for them at home.
Which brings me to a funny story, that I may or may not have mentioned- if I did, hey cut me some slack, my brain doesn't seem to work in this place too well... Anyway, the last time we were in Kerch they asked me to pick up a frilly white dress for Vica to wear in the Winter pageant they have every year- so off Mama went to the open market. I wish you could have seen this thing. It had more ruffles, bows, lace, doo-dads, etc on it than you could believe. It was also sewn from the thinnest, cheapest fabric I've ever seen. This stuff was two steps up from tissue paper. As if it weren't tricked out enough, the ladies at the orphanage proceeded to sew tree TINSEL all over this thing. For my family reading this, it looked like I bought it on Market Street- for Matt's family, think more Fordham Road on this one. In short, it's a looooooooong way off from Lord and Taylor but Vica thought she was "it" in this thing, I wish you could have seen the HUGE smile on her face and the way she twirled around and around in it. Again, she's got no idea what she's in for once her Grandmas are let loose!
You might remember a recent post where Matt and I had to flee the orphange before Viktor Yanukovitch showed up- I mentioned that he had donated a TV and home theater system for the kids. Last night while we were watching the local news, I noticed the director on TV and all of the sudden there was Natasha! They were showing what was donated and the kids just running around like little nuts all over the place- no sign of the PM though. Gee, I should have hung around to get his autograph after all.
Oh, there is also some debate amongst the male friends out there about the girls getting Yankee jerseys and who's numbers they should be.
I kinda like 13, but Matt won't have it- please feel free to vote!!! LOL
Which brings me to a funny story, that I may or may not have mentioned- if I did, hey cut me some slack, my brain doesn't seem to work in this place too well... Anyway, the last time we were in Kerch they asked me to pick up a frilly white dress for Vica to wear in the Winter pageant they have every year- so off Mama went to the open market. I wish you could have seen this thing. It had more ruffles, bows, lace, doo-dads, etc on it than you could believe. It was also sewn from the thinnest, cheapest fabric I've ever seen. This stuff was two steps up from tissue paper. As if it weren't tricked out enough, the ladies at the orphanage proceeded to sew tree TINSEL all over this thing. For my family reading this, it looked like I bought it on Market Street- for Matt's family, think more Fordham Road on this one. In short, it's a looooooooong way off from Lord and Taylor but Vica thought she was "it" in this thing, I wish you could have seen the HUGE smile on her face and the way she twirled around and around in it. Again, she's got no idea what she's in for once her Grandmas are let loose!
You might remember a recent post where Matt and I had to flee the orphange before Viktor Yanukovitch showed up- I mentioned that he had donated a TV and home theater system for the kids. Last night while we were watching the local news, I noticed the director on TV and all of the sudden there was Natasha! They were showing what was donated and the kids just running around like little nuts all over the place- no sign of the PM though. Gee, I should have hung around to get his autograph after all.
Oh, there is also some debate amongst the male friends out there about the girls getting Yankee jerseys and who's numbers they should be.
I kinda like 13, but Matt won't have it- please feel free to vote!!! LOL
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Marking time in the Crimea
Not too much interesting going on here- but since I've got so much time to kill, just thought I'd give those that check the blog twelve times a day "something" to read.
Went to visit Natasha again today and she's really parroting the English phrases- BUT the accent is just too funny and cute. Hard to keep her entertained outside because all of the playground equipment was wet, but we managed. Her new thing is to share whatever we bring her to eat with us. She loves feeding Matt spoon fulls of her yogurt or pieces of banana because he really carries on in a silly way about how good it is. It's so cute to watch- she's got quite a personality. When you first meet her, she'll probably sit there with her eyes on the floor not making a peep- do not let this fool you :)
Did some more shopping in the open market for clothes for the girls. I'm trying to find a stroller because there is no way Natasha will be able to walk through the airport on her own for very long. Luckily, I've got a few days to work this out. Can't tell you how much I'm missin' Walmart about now.
I got an e-mail from a friend who had her appointment at the SDA a day before us, she got home on Saturday and I just about cried. We really got hung up but we did have to do paperwork in two regions so that got everything slowed down by a few days and put us right in the worst possible spot time wise. That being said, it could be worse (it ALWAYS can) we could be stuck here in a horrible blizzard having problems with our paperwork as plenty of people who traveled before us did. I know people who spent three months (or more) completing their adoptions so there are worse things than walking down by the Black Sea every day on our way to the orphanage and deciding where and what we're going to eat for dinner.
Dad made it back to the US safe and sound. His plane was late taking off from Kyiv so he didn't get through customs at JFK until it was close to midnight Ukraine time and he left our apartment at 4:30 a.m. He still had to go to our house and pick up his car and then drive another 30 minutes home. I'm sure he was exhausted, but GLAD to be home sleeping in his own bed.
Sorry for the complete lack of anything interesting to say, but it will probably be that way until next week and then I won't be able to post while we are in Kerch-
Went to visit Natasha again today and she's really parroting the English phrases- BUT the accent is just too funny and cute. Hard to keep her entertained outside because all of the playground equipment was wet, but we managed. Her new thing is to share whatever we bring her to eat with us. She loves feeding Matt spoon fulls of her yogurt or pieces of banana because he really carries on in a silly way about how good it is. It's so cute to watch- she's got quite a personality. When you first meet her, she'll probably sit there with her eyes on the floor not making a peep- do not let this fool you :)
Did some more shopping in the open market for clothes for the girls. I'm trying to find a stroller because there is no way Natasha will be able to walk through the airport on her own for very long. Luckily, I've got a few days to work this out. Can't tell you how much I'm missin' Walmart about now.
I got an e-mail from a friend who had her appointment at the SDA a day before us, she got home on Saturday and I just about cried. We really got hung up but we did have to do paperwork in two regions so that got everything slowed down by a few days and put us right in the worst possible spot time wise. That being said, it could be worse (it ALWAYS can) we could be stuck here in a horrible blizzard having problems with our paperwork as plenty of people who traveled before us did. I know people who spent three months (or more) completing their adoptions so there are worse things than walking down by the Black Sea every day on our way to the orphanage and deciding where and what we're going to eat for dinner.
Dad made it back to the US safe and sound. His plane was late taking off from Kyiv so he didn't get through customs at JFK until it was close to midnight Ukraine time and he left our apartment at 4:30 a.m. He still had to go to our house and pick up his car and then drive another 30 minutes home. I'm sure he was exhausted, but GLAD to be home sleeping in his own bed.
Sorry for the complete lack of anything interesting to say, but it will probably be that way until next week and then I won't be able to post while we are in Kerch-
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
Matt and I wish you all a very Happy 2007.
I'm excited because I'm finally in the month we'll be coming home. Just 18 more days.
Thanks to everyone for all of the great comments and e-mails. Your support is really keeping us going. We just can't wait to get the girls OUT of the orphanages and HOME!!!!
We all went out to dinner last night, which was not an easy thing to do. As I mentioned, the New Year's festivities are HUGE here. It's kind of like 4th of July, Christmas, New Year and Halloween all wrapped into one. What happens is that almost all of the restaurants close at 6 pm, reopen at midnight and stay open until 6 am. We were lucky enough to find one still open after 6 and had a really delicious dinner. I fell asleep well before midnight, but then as soon as the clock struck twelve there were fireworks going off everywhere. They seemed like they were right in our backyard. It was actually very nice to watch from the apartment window. After that, I fell back to sleep and woke up just a little before 7 am our time- just in time to see the ball come down in Times Square on the BBC. I almost started to cry !!
Today, we visited with Natasha who was really into repeating words and phrases in English for us. She runs hot and cold with that. We were trying to teach her the concept of saying Please and Thank You. When Matt would feed her a piece of tangerine, she'd repeat after him, Thank You, Papa- but every so often she'd go beyond that and say, Thank You Papa, Mama and then she'd look at my Dad and call him Babushka (Grandma) which would set HIM off tickling her. She completely knew what she was up to.
Sounds like Papa isn't the only man wrapped around our Natasha's little finger.
Also, to the entire Sicilian Family- thank you so much for that wonderful e-mail that you sent during the party. We were so sad to be missing it- and missing all of you, we were both crying when Matt opened it up- xxxooo
So, that's about it. I'll post over the next few days, but it's really going to be pretty dull stuff until the 8th- that's when we'll be heading out of Yalta again. We'll be in Kerch a day or two to get Victoria and then will be returning to Yalta to spring Natasha. Please keep your fingers crossed that all continues to go well and that we don't run into too many problems getting the passports...
Love to you all,
Lisa and Matt
I'm excited because I'm finally in the month we'll be coming home. Just 18 more days.
Thanks to everyone for all of the great comments and e-mails. Your support is really keeping us going. We just can't wait to get the girls OUT of the orphanages and HOME!!!!
We all went out to dinner last night, which was not an easy thing to do. As I mentioned, the New Year's festivities are HUGE here. It's kind of like 4th of July, Christmas, New Year and Halloween all wrapped into one. What happens is that almost all of the restaurants close at 6 pm, reopen at midnight and stay open until 6 am. We were lucky enough to find one still open after 6 and had a really delicious dinner. I fell asleep well before midnight, but then as soon as the clock struck twelve there were fireworks going off everywhere. They seemed like they were right in our backyard. It was actually very nice to watch from the apartment window. After that, I fell back to sleep and woke up just a little before 7 am our time- just in time to see the ball come down in Times Square on the BBC. I almost started to cry !!
Today, we visited with Natasha who was really into repeating words and phrases in English for us. She runs hot and cold with that. We were trying to teach her the concept of saying Please and Thank You. When Matt would feed her a piece of tangerine, she'd repeat after him, Thank You, Papa- but every so often she'd go beyond that and say, Thank You Papa, Mama and then she'd look at my Dad and call him Babushka (Grandma) which would set HIM off tickling her. She completely knew what she was up to.
Sounds like Papa isn't the only man wrapped around our Natasha's little finger.
Also, to the entire Sicilian Family- thank you so much for that wonderful e-mail that you sent during the party. We were so sad to be missing it- and missing all of you, we were both crying when Matt opened it up- xxxooo
So, that's about it. I'll post over the next few days, but it's really going to be pretty dull stuff until the 8th- that's when we'll be heading out of Yalta again. We'll be in Kerch a day or two to get Victoria and then will be returning to Yalta to spring Natasha. Please keep your fingers crossed that all continues to go well and that we don't run into too many problems getting the passports...
Love to you all,
Lisa and Matt
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