Gavin went back down to bed at midnight, and Shannon and I around 2am this morning. We slept until 5am. We feel pretty good considering though...probably due to 4 hour nap late last evening plus the 3 hours of sleep. It's probably the most sleep (in a short timeframe) that we've had in 9 days. Shannon's Dad donated nearly all of his Marriott points to pay for the hotel stay while in Moscow...we are so thankful(this probably cost them a trip or 2 to Hawaii). 
One of benefits of the hotel package is the breakfast that is included with the stay...this isn't an ordinary continental breakfast though. It includes tons of pastries, made to order omelette's, pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, meats, cheeses, pickled herring, salmon, sausage, bacon, hashbrowns...on and on and on. It's better than any American breakfast we've had and it's called the "American Buffet". The buffet is normally 840 rubles ($33) per person, we will look forward to this every day this week. By the way, we haven't mentioned Gavin's appetite...the boy can eat! The few times when he's not in a good mood is when he is waiting on food. 
We spent the morning playing in the hotel room, running around the hallways, etc. The Dr came at 9am for the US Embassy examination. He said the purpose of the visit was for immigration purposes...to ensure he doesn't bring any disease into the country. The Dr did his post graduate work in the states at Harvard, USC, & UAB. He is a professor for his full time job here. He said Gavin appears generally healthy, he told us a few things to have our American Dr to look at, but no major concerns. He's just undersized but we think he will catch up. The Dr, like others, commented how calm and happy he seems. We took a walk to the grocery store and bought the foods Oleg recommended to buy. 
Speaking of...since Abakan we've been feeding Gavin some canned meat that Oleg recommended. Gavin seems to like it ok. It had a picture of animal on the can and we didn't think anything of it, but when Shannon bought some more today she saw differnt animals on the can (same brand). Now look at the picture of the cans starting from the top...Turkey, Cow, Chicken...we have been feeding him the one on the bottom! A quick related story...when Alya was translating what foods the orphanage had been feeding him, she mentioned heart of Goat,and heart of Cow! Good protein I guess. An un-related story...we only packed for one week's worth of clothes...so now Shannon is doing laundry the old fashioned way...in the tub and using the clothesline in the shower (I used to think, "who would use a clothesline in a hotel"? Us I guess.). Gavin is napping now and we are going to also. Luda comes at 2pm to prepare paperwork for the US Embassy tomorrow. We have picked out 7 videos to post, but will have to wait to work on them this evening ( I promise!).
One of benefits of the hotel package is the breakfast that is included with the stay...this isn't an ordinary continental breakfast though. It includes tons of pastries, made to order omelette's, pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, meats, cheeses, pickled herring, salmon, sausage, bacon, hashbrowns...on and on and on. It's better than any American breakfast we've had and it's called the "American Buffet". The buffet is normally 840 rubles ($33) per person, we will look forward to this every day this week. By the way, we haven't mentioned Gavin's appetite...the boy can eat! The few times when he's not in a good mood is when he is waiting on food. 
We spent the morning playing in the hotel room, running around the hallways, etc. The Dr came at 9am for the US Embassy examination. He said the purpose of the visit was for immigration purposes...to ensure he doesn't bring any disease into the country. The Dr did his post graduate work in the states at Harvard, USC, & UAB. He is a professor for his full time job here. He said Gavin appears generally healthy, he told us a few things to have our American Dr to look at, but no major concerns. He's just undersized but we think he will catch up. The Dr, like others, commented how calm and happy he seems. We took a walk to the grocery store and bought the foods Oleg recommended to buy. 
Speaking of...since Abakan we've been feeding Gavin some canned meat that Oleg recommended. Gavin seems to like it ok. It had a picture of animal on the can and we didn't think anything of it, but when Shannon bought some more today she saw differnt animals on the can (same brand). Now look at the picture of the cans starting from the top...Turkey, Cow, Chicken...we have been feeding him the one on the bottom! A quick related story...when Alya was translating what foods the orphanage had been feeding him, she mentioned heart of Goat,and heart of Cow! Good protein I guess. An un-related story...we only packed for one week's worth of clothes...so now Shannon is doing laundry the old fashioned way...in the tub and using the clothesline in the shower (I used to think, "who would use a clothesline in a hotel"? Us I guess.). Gavin is napping now and we are going to also. Luda comes at 2pm to prepare paperwork for the US Embassy tomorrow. We have picked out 7 videos to post, but will have to wait to work on them this evening ( I promise!). 
10 comments:
Glad to hear Gavin did pretty well on the airplane, what a cute picture of him on your laps. That is awesome that you are trying to get Gavin on a schedule, that was a must, and still is, with Graysen and Graham, kids thrive on schedules. Thanks so much for keeping everyone updated,what would we do without technology!
Okay, I have to say "disgusting" on the canned heart of whatever. Uggh! I guess we all have different tastes...but, yuck!
Can't wait for some video, when you get to it...I know you all are just beat.
Gavin looks so happy and right at home with his mom and dad:)
Well, we will soon be off to our 3rd soccer game this weekend. Whitney scored 3 goals last weekend, 2 goals in the first game yesterday and did a meridonna move in the 2nd game yesterday. She says she is going to score 3 more goals today. It has been fun to watch her. Whitney hopes you will bring Gavin to one of her games before her season is over in October.
Looks like Gavin might enjoy sports, too from the picture with the ball:)
Love Ya!
I too was very happy to hear how well Gavin did on your plane ride! He sure takes some cute pictures! From your descriptions, he really does seem to be very easy-going.
I busted out laughing about your canned meat issues, b/c I had been saying to people at work how brave I thought you were, buying all of that Russian baby food for Gavin while you were in Abakan. Then I decided that it probably wasn't all that big of a deal b/c you had a translator with you that would tell you what things were. Ha! Rabbit! Nice. Maybe he will like the cow or turkey better. :)
Hurry back! We are excited to see you all!
I just finished reading both posts from yesterday. It must have been difficult to say good bye to
Oleg and Alya. They've helped you in so many ways.
I know a couple who adopted a brother and sister from Russia. The little boy had rickets when they got him and he was not able to walk. Within six months he didn't look like the same child. He was chubby and walking all over the place. Sounds like Gavin is already ahead of that little guy. Gavin can walk. And I know Grandma Ellen can cook. So he'll probably gain weight and grow quickly.
Every time I look at the pictures they make me smile. It's so neat to be able to experience Gavin's "firsts" thru your pictures.
I have to agree with Angela. Rabbit sounds disgusting.
Looking forward to the videos whenever you're able to post them.
Glad to hear you are back in Moscow. I'm back in Phoenix for 2 weeks. We have lots of rabbits in our yard and I think you just gave me an idea for a new business. Your washing in the room reminds me of when we used to go to Moscow. One of our guys who was the flight test pilot, spent time in Vietnam, and only took one small travel bag for two weeks and wore a suit on the plane. I asked him about it, and he only took 3 pair of socks and underwear and a couple spare shirts and I guess some jeans. He washed every night because sometimes it took two days for the clothes to dry. I tried a modified version with a bit more clothes and did the wash thing, and it saves a lot on packing and dragging. It worked well. We stayed usually at the Aerostar Hotel, west about 3-4 subway stops from the Kremlin. There is a Pizza Hut about 1 mile west, and 1 stop from the Kremlin on the same route. Have them show you where the Aerostar is on the map, and don't forget to see if you can shop at the Embassy. Neat stuff and prices. Also, get Gavin the Russian fur hat if you can find it in his size, for the KC Winter. - Roman
Hunting season is starting so I guess I will have to have Rick get you some bunnies. We'll freeze them for you to have. Ugh. I can't wait for the videos. They make me feel like I am right there with you. It was good to hear you are finally getting some much needed rest. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. I'm sure you will be SOOO glad when you are done with all of that.
Did Gavin have to have any shots from the doctor before leaving over there? I didn't know if that was required or not.
Take care and send those videos as soon as you can. Can't wait to see them.
You might be lucky parents in that Gavin may not a picky eater. Have you weighed him? It would be interesting to see his weight from the day you took him from the orphanage. Although the canned rabbit would not be my first choice, I do remember the food in Russia as being good. You have to like beets too though. I am proud that the two parents were adventuous in eating as well. Don't forget the McDonalds on the way to Red Square. It might be fun to stop in and get a picture of Gavin there. I am thrilled that each step of this journey, the second time around, has gone as expected or exceeded expectations. Enjoy him, the country and each other. You have a small window of time here to focus on your new family. Once you get back to KC, you have all of the rest of us to deal with. Love, Mom
Walter and I laughed...Bunny rabbit! Walter did say, "Rabbit is pretty good!" Yuck! How funny! Looking forward to the videos! Funny, I thought the same about the clotheslines too!
Dad looks good behind the stroller. So glad you were able to get Gavin back to sleep again and you all got some z's. Grandma Bower fixed us rabbit, it tasted just like chicken, no heart though.(Gary says Pam & Deb are going to die laughing.) I agree with Pat, enjoy your time together and the sights that Gavin will enjoy seeing when he is older. Get Great Grandpa V. a hat with inside ear flops if you see one. Mon & Dad
Not only have your Mom and I eaten rabbit (that Mom B raised for the butcher shop) but we've eaten beef tongue and heart plus pork brains. These were special on butchering days. The Russian's don't have the market on such. (We could probably locate some with advance notice for your next visit to AZ.) Take care. Just talked to your Mom. She relayed your phone call. Your shopping list seems to be growing according to the comments, Good Luck!
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