[I've obviously lost track of the days...it was Friday yesterday, now it's Saturday evening in Moscow...we are now just 9 hours ahead of KC time.] We woke up at 5, Gavin was up by 6, and we were picked up by Alya and Oleg by 7:15 to go to the Abakan airport. Our flight was delayed by an hour, so we didn't leave until 10:00 or so. Alya and Oleg helped us get checked in, pay our overweight luggage fee, and hung out with us until it was time to go through security, then we had our goodbyes...we have grown to like Oleg, Alya and Abakan very much. 
Oleg had tears in his eyes as we started through security. We can only imagine all the time and effort he has put into this entire process behind the scenes. Gavin did great on the plane. He started out whimpering, restless, and even crying a little for the first hour of the flight. But then lunch was served, he had some rice, bread and a banana. After that, he fell asleep for 2 & 1/2 hours across our laps. The only problem was we couldn't move during that time for fear of waking him. Shannon gave him a sucker on takeoff and landing so he had no problem with the ears popping. When we landed, he looked out the window at all the other planes on the jetway, pointing and babbling. Luda was there to greet us and had a huge smile on her face when she saw Gavin, she immediately asked to hold him. She talked to him in Russian and he was definitely paying attention. We got checked in and have a crib in our room. 
Even though the Abakan hotel was fine, it is so nice to be back in our luxury American hotel...the beds are great too. We made some porridge (Kasha in Russian) and took it down to the hotel restaurant to eat. We had chicken fingers and chili nachos and a beer (for me) as we were craving American food. While Shannon was feeding him porridge, she was able to teach him "more" in sign language, he started using it immediately...we were amazed how quickly he learned it. We came back upstairs and played in the room for an hour or so. But, because we were up at 5am, and today is 4 hours longer because of the timezone change, we were barley able to keep our eyes open. 
We knew that we should force ourselves to stay up, but it was over and we all 3 slept for 4 hours...waking up at 9pm. Not good, we had to wake Gavin up in order to try and get back on some sort of schedule. So, for the last few hours we have been trying to feed, bathe, play, and put Gavin back to bed. Gavin did not like the bath, he may not have had one in a tub before. Shannon also took him for a stroller ride down the hotel hallways and is trying to put Gavin down again now (almost midnight). Tomorrow, a Dr will come to our hotel room in the morning to look at Gavin. Luda says he speaks English very well and he has studied in the US. I don't think it's a full checkup, but just to fulfill some requirement for the US Embassy stuff. He will only be here 15-20 minutes, but we will ask him as many questions as we can. Then, Luda will come over at 2pm to help us prepare more papers for the US Embassy visit on Mon & Tues. 
Not sure what else we will do tomorrow, maybe walk to the local grocery store to get some food for the room, milk & water. He has been such a trooper through most everything...from traffic on the streets, to new people, to plane rides. On the hour drive from the airport today he sat quietly, smiling when spoken to, looking out the window...the driver that Luda uses commented to her in Russian that he was surprised he didn't hear the baby. He is just so good natured (even though he is crying right now before going to bed!). We have so many good pictures that we will wait to post videos tomorrow. Just as you are reading and re-reading the posts, we read and re-read all your comments! As soon as we connect to the internet, your comments are the first thing we check...and we laugh and talk about them. Thanks again for everyone's support.
Here are some more pics from today:
Oleg had tears in his eyes as we started through security. We can only imagine all the time and effort he has put into this entire process behind the scenes. Gavin did great on the plane. He started out whimpering, restless, and even crying a little for the first hour of the flight. But then lunch was served, he had some rice, bread and a banana. After that, he fell asleep for 2 & 1/2 hours across our laps. The only problem was we couldn't move during that time for fear of waking him. Shannon gave him a sucker on takeoff and landing so he had no problem with the ears popping. When we landed, he looked out the window at all the other planes on the jetway, pointing and babbling. Luda was there to greet us and had a huge smile on her face when she saw Gavin, she immediately asked to hold him. She talked to him in Russian and he was definitely paying attention. We got checked in and have a crib in our room. 
Even though the Abakan hotel was fine, it is so nice to be back in our luxury American hotel...the beds are great too. We made some porridge (Kasha in Russian) and took it down to the hotel restaurant to eat. We had chicken fingers and chili nachos and a beer (for me) as we were craving American food. While Shannon was feeding him porridge, she was able to teach him "more" in sign language, he started using it immediately...we were amazed how quickly he learned it. We came back upstairs and played in the room for an hour or so. But, because we were up at 5am, and today is 4 hours longer because of the timezone change, we were barley able to keep our eyes open. 
We knew that we should force ourselves to stay up, but it was over and we all 3 slept for 4 hours...waking up at 9pm. Not good, we had to wake Gavin up in order to try and get back on some sort of schedule. So, for the last few hours we have been trying to feed, bathe, play, and put Gavin back to bed. Gavin did not like the bath, he may not have had one in a tub before. Shannon also took him for a stroller ride down the hotel hallways and is trying to put Gavin down again now (almost midnight). Tomorrow, a Dr will come to our hotel room in the morning to look at Gavin. Luda says he speaks English very well and he has studied in the US. I don't think it's a full checkup, but just to fulfill some requirement for the US Embassy stuff. He will only be here 15-20 minutes, but we will ask him as many questions as we can. Then, Luda will come over at 2pm to help us prepare more papers for the US Embassy visit on Mon & Tues. 
Not sure what else we will do tomorrow, maybe walk to the local grocery store to get some food for the room, milk & water. He has been such a trooper through most everything...from traffic on the streets, to new people, to plane rides. On the hour drive from the airport today he sat quietly, smiling when spoken to, looking out the window...the driver that Luda uses commented to her in Russian that he was surprised he didn't hear the baby. He is just so good natured (even though he is crying right now before going to bed!). We have so many good pictures that we will wait to post videos tomorrow. Just as you are reading and re-reading the posts, we read and re-read all your comments! As soon as we connect to the internet, your comments are the first thing we check...and we laugh and talk about them. Thanks again for everyone's support.Here are some more pics from today:
11 comments:
Shannon, was so great to hear your voice and knowing you're content. Can't wait to see you ALL! Mom & Dad, "Gma/Gpa"
I have been checking all day for updates so am pleased to see it finally. It is so reasuring to see all of you happy and to read the blog. Aaron, you are doing a great job of communicating the essential fact, capturing the intersting events, and letting the emotion show through. We can't wait for all of you to get home but know how important and speciall each of these days are for you. It sounds like you are making each moment count. I can't wait to hold Gavin again.
The bathtub picture and the picture of you two on the bed foot-to-foot (from the other day) are my favorites! Gavin is a handsome dude! I am so happy things are going smoothly! Take Care. Heather
P.S. Brooke and I spotted your Zag Bag in the video!! LOVE IT!
First, Mike and I say congratulations and we are
overjoyed at your addition of Gavin and your new arrival to your family. There is not a more deserving couple than you.
Second, Connor's comments are as follows. I bet you will never guess what he wants to give Gavin as his first Christmas with us (a Thomas the Train starter set, surprise, surprise bet you never saw that one coming). Connor said he will make sure that the trains are safe and even though he doesn't play with his anymore and he can't bear to part with the trains and tracks, he said that he might be willing to share his tracks with Gavin. He also wants to know how soon he can meet him when you get back in the states because he says he says he is extra good with young kids and can't wait to meet and play with him.
Connor has been jumping and down for joy about all the second cousins he will be getting over the next few months. Have a safe trip home and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
I had a "mom" moment this afternoon worrying about not finding a post at (or near) the "regularly scheduled time." I logically explained to myself that you were in a new time zone, busy and tired:):):) I am sure I got through it easier and faster than mom did, though:)
I swear I can't hardly stand it how happy I am for you guys. I keep tearing up and crying with joy. It is so wonderful to see the pictures of your family. My favorite pictures are the feet-to-feet one and the diaper one with the gold fish bag in one hand. I also love the face-to-face through the glass door....and the sleeping shot on the airplane ....and ....and...I guess I love them all:)
I think it is going to be a LONG week for all of us here in the states waiting for you to come home. Keep the posts coming so we can survive:)
Enjoy your "alone" time with Gavin in his native country and try to take it all in and "record" as much as you can...which I am sure you are Aaron! Lots of love and prayers!
Gavin is so cute I can hardly stand it. I am currently spending my Saturday evening cranking out documents for our dossier, because following your journey this past week only makes us want to get back to Russia all the quicker! :) ENJOY this precious time! We're really happy for you guys!
Oh, I forgot to mention a co-worker of mine brought in some sign-language DVD's if you wanted to borrow, but it sounds like Shannon already knows what she is doing:) I will keep ahold of them until you return just in case. She said it really helped with communication before speech development. Sounds like it is already working...he is soooo smart:)
Hello to the All Family,
Bruce and I were gone today but I had to come down and check in for an update as soon as we got back home. I loved all the pictures, especially the bathtub one. I think we all have a picture of each our children with their first tub expierence:) I'm sure that Gavin will hate this picture years down the road and beg you to tear them up, but we all know that will never happen. Thanks again for sharing this new chapter in your lives with each of us.
Love, Bruce & Theresa
So glad you are settled back in Moscow. I was worried today also when there was no post by my "expected" time. I am so glad the plane flight went well. Nothing is better than a sleeping baby on the plane!! Love the pic!! Gavin is so cute and does look so happy in all the pictures. You both look like such naturals in all the pictures. It is like he has been yours all along. Jack is sitting here and wants you to tell Gavin he loves him and he can't wait for Gavin to ride his John Deere with him. He says, "I promise to go slow since he is a baby".
Hope you are getting a good nights sleep. I am sure these time changes are challenging for all of you! Can't wait to see video. Have a great day tomorrow!
I am in so much trouble. We were supposed to go to a cookout tonight and just as we were leaving I had to check the blog. Sure enough, you had just updated it. Rick kept yelling at me to come on and I told him to wait. I had to read what was going on. I too was worried when we didn't hear anything all day. Isn'
t it something how we are all addicted to this blog. I told everyone tonight at the cookout about this experience. Now I have them all hooked too. I'm glad everyone is doing good and that Galvin is handling all of this as good as he is. When you stop and think about it he has got to be overwhelmed. Bless his heart. I can't wait to see the videos. Even Brian is into this.
We were gone last night, just read the blog. I too am glad you are back in Moscow. Even Randy has gotten into reading your posts. We are so excited for all three of you. I am so glad that Gavin is doing so well for you.
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