It's 10:40pm here, and we've had another full day. After breakfast Alya picked us up and we walked from our hotel to do some window shopping. Alya had to go teach a class, so an hour later Oleg came to pick us up to go to lunch where Alya met us there. Aaron had a Russian soup called bortch (beets and beef) and beef stuffed in a pastry. Shannon had meatball soup (like beef ravioli in chicken broth) and an omelet. We then went shopping again and bought a stroller, a toy car, and a winter coat for Gavin (b/c Moscow is so cold right now).
On our way to the orphanage we stopped by the Abakan ministry of education to pick up a lady who was to watch our interaction with Gavin so that she could speak to it in court tomorrow. Gavin was great again. We took him out on the playground, put him on a swing, let him walk around, and held him a lot too. He still hasn't cried in front of us yet (yet) and is always smiling. The director said that "he is such a tender, loving child"...we have definitely seen that from him. Speaking of the director, we went to her office to present gifts to the caregivers (makeup bags & bracelets for each). Alya, interpreted a thank you note we wrote accompanying the gifts...the director seemed very appreciative and said some kind words in return.
We left some stationary for the caregivers to write wishes or memories of Gavin for a keepsake...the director said she would have them for us tomorrow. We were disappointed to find out that the speech therapist was on leave...this is the woman who seemed to care for Gavin so much during our first visit. The director also said they would enjoy receiving updates on Gavin and would provide contact information for us. We returned to the hotel around 5pm, took a 1 hour nap, then they picked us up for dinner at 7pm.
We ate at a nice restaurant that we had eaten at during our first trip as well. We had Siberian shish-kabobs with grilled potatoes and tomatoes. Over dinner we rehearsed for court, talking about possible questions that may be asked, the best way to respond, what not to say, etc. Oleg gave us a gift, a book on the Republic of Kakkasia...which Abakan is the capital of. It has Russian and English translations in it, pictures, history, culture, etc. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a grocery store to buy some food & diapers for Gavin to cover the next several days. Our court date is at 2pm tomorrow, Oleg expects it to take 1 hour for the session, but another hour for the official decision to be made & paperwork to be completed. Then we will be able to go straight to the orphanage to "receive 1 naked baby"...as Sveta put it during our first trip (it's funnier if you say it with a Russian accent!).
Really, they hand him over with nothing. We will have clothes for him to wear and will take him to get his Russian passport picture taken in preparation for Moscow. All for now, we are headed to bed for our first full nights sleep, we hope.
On our way to the orphanage we stopped by the Abakan ministry of education to pick up a lady who was to watch our interaction with Gavin so that she could speak to it in court tomorrow. Gavin was great again. We took him out on the playground, put him on a swing, let him walk around, and held him a lot too. He still hasn't cried in front of us yet (yet) and is always smiling. The director said that "he is such a tender, loving child"...we have definitely seen that from him. Speaking of the director, we went to her office to present gifts to the caregivers (makeup bags & bracelets for each). Alya, interpreted a thank you note we wrote accompanying the gifts...the director seemed very appreciative and said some kind words in return. 
We left some stationary for the caregivers to write wishes or memories of Gavin for a keepsake...the director said she would have them for us tomorrow. We were disappointed to find out that the speech therapist was on leave...this is the woman who seemed to care for Gavin so much during our first visit. The director also said they would enjoy receiving updates on Gavin and would provide contact information for us. We returned to the hotel around 5pm, took a 1 hour nap, then they picked us up for dinner at 7pm. 
We ate at a nice restaurant that we had eaten at during our first trip as well. We had Siberian shish-kabobs with grilled potatoes and tomatoes. Over dinner we rehearsed for court, talking about possible questions that may be asked, the best way to respond, what not to say, etc. Oleg gave us a gift, a book on the Republic of Kakkasia...which Abakan is the capital of. It has Russian and English translations in it, pictures, history, culture, etc. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a grocery store to buy some food & diapers for Gavin to cover the next several days. Our court date is at 2pm tomorrow, Oleg expects it to take 1 hour for the session, but another hour for the official decision to be made & paperwork to be completed. Then we will be able to go straight to the orphanage to "receive 1 naked baby"...as Sveta put it during our first trip (it's funnier if you say it with a Russian accent!). 
Really, they hand him over with nothing. We will have clothes for him to wear and will take him to get his Russian passport picture taken in preparation for Moscow. All for now, we are headed to bed for our first full nights sleep, we hope.
12 comments:
I've been checking the blog every hour this morning. Galvin is sooo adorable and looks so happy. I just can't believe what a special gift he is. I was confused on the time difference and was hoping you were done with the court process. Another day. Ugh. Get some sleep tonight. It might be hard to sleep tomorrow night with your little treasure.
Hopefully you are both getting your well deserved sleep right now! Love reading about your adventures every day! Thanks for taking the time to update all of us...it is so interesting! A big WOW! goes to prego Shannon...some of that food...Wow! Good for you! Sure court will go smoothly, and you will have your naked baby shortly! I love it! So exciting! So...are you calling him Gavin yet? Can't wait to meet him at Thanksgiving! Safe journeys!
Aaron and Shannon - I could not be happier for both of you. Thanks for the updates - the blog is very cool! Gavin looks like a great guy - you have a lot to look forward to! Congratulations!!Dasvidanya tovaresh!
It IS hard to comprehend the time difference....but I think I am getting it now. It makes it much easier to comprehend your "days and times" when you type it in! Thanks! I am glad you are getting a full nights sleep right now. Once you get your sleep patterns back it will be time to come home and get all screwed up again:) At least you will be home. I can tell Gavin is a happy camper! He is just the most precious thing! I can't wait to see him with you in your hotel room:) And, then of course here at home! I will show Whitney again tonight and have her write again. Love you all and good luck in court!!! I am sure it will go smoothly.
Gavin does always look so happy in the pictures! We are praying for you and your court date. I am sure all will go great. They will see what WONDERFUL parents Gavin gets to go home with! Can't wait to see pics of your new son tomorrow!! I love the pic of all Gavin's food!
Thanks for posting on the blog before you went to bed. It was great to hear about day 2. Hope you are able to sleep before your most exciting day tomorrow. Were you able to get a crib for Gavin at motel? He is so full of smiles. I hope you are able to find out what Russian words he knows. One more day.
Love, Mom and Dad
You are getting so close now! Good luck in court. I can't get over the different concotions of food you are eating over there! I had to laugh over "receive 1 naked baby"--definatly a phrase for his keepsake book!
Love the photos of Gavin so happy and comfortable hanging out with Mama and Papa! Saying lots of prayers for you in court tomorrow...you are almost there...
HEY, that's how U 2 came into the world too; NAKED, I was there Shannon. It's cool they give you the true experience. I'll ask you in four months which experience was easier but I already know the answer as well. You wouldn't trade either one of them, both being rewarding. I hope after court that boy has a Wildcat or Chiefs hat on! Dad
I'm loving the fact that little Gavin looks so good in blue - That's a future Jayhawk if I ever saw one!!
Good luck in court - you are in our thoughts and prayers today.
I am at Grandma Sigle's again. I had a meeting in Topeka today so am staying the night with her. She is watching me type this as we both read the blog and saw Gavin's pictures with you. All three of you seem so happy. I can't wait until you update all of us after you go to court today. I will be praying for you. Love, Mom and Grandma Sigle
Whitney says: I hope you have a good sleep tonight. I can't wait for Gavin to come home. I miss you guys a lot and really really really want you to come back with Gavin, like right now. I love you! Bye.
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