In our hot little hands

After just a handful of days at home, we returned to Russia this past Saturday and arrived in Stavropol Sunday night. When you travel back and forth to Russia a couple of times the frequent flyer miles add up, so we were able to upgrade our last flight to Russia to business class. That was a treat that I am so thankful for, because it meant that we could get some decent sleep on the flight over and we arrived much more rested. All the other amenities were appreciated too!

We received our court decree on the afternoon of the ninth day (Monday). By getting it early, it meant that we had enough time today to run around Stavropol for all of M's documents: her birth certificate, adoption certificate, passport, and other embassy paperwork. But the day was full and we didn't arrive at the orphanage until just after 6pm.

They always keep the door locked, and when our translator knocked at the door the security guard came, but he wouldn't let us in because no visitors are allowed after 6pm. I was wondering how this was going to work out when our translator made a magical call to the orphanage director who gave the okay for us to be let in. Our agency has been taking such good care of us!

We went straight to the baby room where M lives and the caregiver quickly fed her a dinner of rice cereal with pieces of bread. Then she took the clothes we brought, washed M and dressed her, and even combed her hair. Then she handed her to us. It was all a bit overwhelming, but it felt very right. We all said our goodbyes, and the caregiver wished M well and gave her several kisses on the cheek. I was misty-eyed, but also anxious to go.

Here we are outside the orphanage.

Now during almost every car ride we have had here in Stavropol I have had to catch my breath and brace myself for impending doom at least once during the trip. Our trip to the orphanage from the passport office was particularly nerve-wracking because our translator told the driver to hurry. How she sits in the front seat without a seatbelt, so relaxed... and pregnant, is beyond my understanding. As we were leaving the orphanage I could just imagine rice porridge all over my lap, so I asked our translator to ask the driver if he could slow down for the baby so she wouldn't be ill. It was the most relaxing ride through Stavropol I have ever had.

(A cultural note: Stavropol drivers tend to slow down for only a few things: stopped traffic, potholes and speed bumps. They do not slow down for pedestrians, animals, or slower cars. They simply drive around them in spaces that you swear are not large enough. As pedestrians in this city we have been overly cautious to not step out in front of any cars.)


M was good for the car ride. She sucked on her bunny through most of the trip, occasionally gazing out the window or at the driver. It turns out this has not been her first car ride. She has been out of the orphanage for her passport pictures and a medical examination.

Once at the hotel, Kevin and I looked at each other and said, "Now what? We have a baby!" So we spent about 30 minutes trying to entertain her, but she was a bit freaked out by the change of venue and people. She didn't cry, but almost did. I gave her a bottle of water and she grabbed on and drank it happily. I am glad she still drinks from the bottle, and water too.


Then I introduced her to Cheerios. She can't grab them with her fingers yet, so I gently placed one in her mouth. After making a very odd face, she moved it around in her mouth and crunched it up. Good, the Cheerios are a go. But then came the point where it was all just a little too overwhelming so she stuck her thumb deep in her mouth and squirmed in my arms. I laid her on the bed and she was out in a minute. That was an hour or two ago and she is still sleeping comfortably.


We are two happy parents today. Tomorrow morning we leave the hotel at 6:30am to make our flight back to Moscow. She'll be sitting on our laps on a crowded Russian airplane, where we'll be served smoked fish for breakfast. We have a medical examination tomorrow afternoon for the embassy and then we can take it easy. We are staying at the Marriott Grand.