It seems as if I am having trouble keeping everything straight at this point. Time and day are mixing together so bear with me as I update you on day whatever we are at. We were up early after falling asleep by 9 pm. We started out with the intent of watching a movie but could not hang on. So given we were both wide awake at 5 am we decided to watch Casino Royale.
By the time we were picked up to go to the Baby home it had started to snow. We arrived about 10 am and shortly after Yulia joined us. Yes it was real and yes it was her that we played with yesterday. As soon as she saw Amanda she had a big smile. Whether or not she does that to everyone really doesn't matter it was wonderful to see and it warmed my heart. We had another couple of hours of playing taking video and countless pictures. We continued to check on things that were developmental in nature. Example, we placed her on her back and bang she flipped over to her tummy. TICK. We took out toys that she would have to pick up...tick just ;like yesterday. We had a great morning with her and KK guess what? I got her laughing so hard that she got the hiccups! Amanda and I giggled about how KK really doesn't like it when I do that to her.
Yulia seemed to have a great time. She continued to be the happy and busy little girl that we met the day before and full of energy. Just like yesterday she fell asleep just before it was time for her to eat and have a nap. The caregiver woke her just after she dozed off. So guess what happened.....she woke up and opened her eyes, looked around and broke out into a huge smile...OH MY GOSH no tears no upset a smile!
We left and decided that we would have lunch in our room rather than go out. We had cheese and bread that we needed to eat and it was more restful. We were to meet with Dr. Bykov in the afternoon and while we had spoken to him previously, I think we were both a bit anxious about what we could potentially hear.
Natasha picked us up and we headed off to the Baby Home for our visit and meeting. When we arrived Yulia was brought down to us. We were playing when we were asked by Natasha if we thought things were going well and if we thought that we would be going ahead with the adoption. Ever the hedger we replied that yes we would unless Dr. Bykov had some news that would change our minds. Just as she asked Dr. Bykov walked over and introduced himself.
He did not disappoint. He reviewed her medical with us and then reexamined her while he was there. He spoke in great detail and would make sure that we were following along. He told us that he had a 10 year old adopted son and just as he did, we needed to take a leap of faith with Yulia as there is much that we do not know and then he said "hang on a minute, I will be right back". When he returned 10 minutes later he had pictures of his son and daughter, he went out to his car to get them. He explained that his son was bright and healthy but has had some surprises and this was the sort of thing that we needed to be prepared to deal with, the unknowns..he was not suggesting that there are any issues rather this was the leap. Yulia has one kidney that needs some attention and other than that he is really happy with how she has developed, even since he last saw her in December.
He then mentioned that one thing he had done for his son was enrol him in martial arts to help with attention and self discipline. I was intrigued and asked which Martial Art? Tae Kwon Do was his reply! I told him about Kaelan and I taking Tae Kwon Do and he was blown away by the coincidence. I promised to send him the link to our Dojang and told him how KJN had been at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersberg.
After he left we confirmed that indeed we would sign whatever was required to adopt this wonderful little girl.
Before we left, a fellow Canadian arrived with her new daughter. Nicola was just finishing out her last day of the 10 day waiting period and was dropping her off for what will be her final night at the Baby Home. Amanda and she along with the two girls sat on the carpet, playing and talking about her experience. Before long it was time for us to leave. Harder to do today than yesterday. We left and headed out to have dinner with Nicola and John and Ann, the other couple here in the final throngs of their 10 days.
Natasha dropped us off at the restaurant and asked the waiter to call us a taxi once dinner as over. She wrote the hotel name on a piece of paper and said to give it to the driver.
Natasha has been great. She is in her mid 20's, very cute and very kind. She is very attentive and yesterday also took us on a tour of Birobidjan. We saw two lovely churches a friendship square (China/Russia friendship) and Victory square. The others seem to not get the same attention on this as we have had.
We had a great dinner talking about experiences and getting tips on our court date in trip #2. All in all a really nice evening. We all exchanged emails to give us the opportunity to stay in touch. Ann and John are from Toronto and Nicola and her husband are from Arnprior. Her husband had to return home as he had just changed jobs.
It had snowed all day and we took our cab $3 and headed pretty much straight to bed. It took us a while to fall asleep and we chatted about how lucky we are.
Tomorrow is our last day and last time we will see Yulia for a while. Neither of us are looking forward to this.
Yes we have named her. We will share but have sent Kaelan an email with our decision. Once we know she knows we will let you know.
By the time we were picked up to go to the Baby home it had started to snow. We arrived about 10 am and shortly after Yulia joined us. Yes it was real and yes it was her that we played with yesterday. As soon as she saw Amanda she had a big smile. Whether or not she does that to everyone really doesn't matter it was wonderful to see and it warmed my heart. We had another couple of hours of playing taking video and countless pictures. We continued to check on things that were developmental in nature. Example, we placed her on her back and bang she flipped over to her tummy. TICK. We took out toys that she would have to pick up...tick just ;like yesterday. We had a great morning with her and KK guess what? I got her laughing so hard that she got the hiccups! Amanda and I giggled about how KK really doesn't like it when I do that to her.
Yulia seemed to have a great time. She continued to be the happy and busy little girl that we met the day before and full of energy. Just like yesterday she fell asleep just before it was time for her to eat and have a nap. The caregiver woke her just after she dozed off. So guess what happened.....she woke up and opened her eyes, looked around and broke out into a huge smile...OH MY GOSH no tears no upset a smile!
We left and decided that we would have lunch in our room rather than go out. We had cheese and bread that we needed to eat and it was more restful. We were to meet with Dr. Bykov in the afternoon and while we had spoken to him previously, I think we were both a bit anxious about what we could potentially hear.
Natasha picked us up and we headed off to the Baby Home for our visit and meeting. When we arrived Yulia was brought down to us. We were playing when we were asked by Natasha if we thought things were going well and if we thought that we would be going ahead with the adoption. Ever the hedger we replied that yes we would unless Dr. Bykov had some news that would change our minds. Just as she asked Dr. Bykov walked over and introduced himself.
He did not disappoint. He reviewed her medical with us and then reexamined her while he was there. He spoke in great detail and would make sure that we were following along. He told us that he had a 10 year old adopted son and just as he did, we needed to take a leap of faith with Yulia as there is much that we do not know and then he said "hang on a minute, I will be right back". When he returned 10 minutes later he had pictures of his son and daughter, he went out to his car to get them. He explained that his son was bright and healthy but has had some surprises and this was the sort of thing that we needed to be prepared to deal with, the unknowns..he was not suggesting that there are any issues rather this was the leap. Yulia has one kidney that needs some attention and other than that he is really happy with how she has developed, even since he last saw her in December.
He then mentioned that one thing he had done for his son was enrol him in martial arts to help with attention and self discipline. I was intrigued and asked which Martial Art? Tae Kwon Do was his reply! I told him about Kaelan and I taking Tae Kwon Do and he was blown away by the coincidence. I promised to send him the link to our Dojang and told him how KJN had been at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersberg.
After he left we confirmed that indeed we would sign whatever was required to adopt this wonderful little girl.
Before we left, a fellow Canadian arrived with her new daughter. Nicola was just finishing out her last day of the 10 day waiting period and was dropping her off for what will be her final night at the Baby Home. Amanda and she along with the two girls sat on the carpet, playing and talking about her experience. Before long it was time for us to leave. Harder to do today than yesterday. We left and headed out to have dinner with Nicola and John and Ann, the other couple here in the final throngs of their 10 days.
Natasha dropped us off at the restaurant and asked the waiter to call us a taxi once dinner as over. She wrote the hotel name on a piece of paper and said to give it to the driver.
Natasha has been great. She is in her mid 20's, very cute and very kind. She is very attentive and yesterday also took us on a tour of Birobidjan. We saw two lovely churches a friendship square (China/Russia friendship) and Victory square. The others seem to not get the same attention on this as we have had.
We had a great dinner talking about experiences and getting tips on our court date in trip #2. All in all a really nice evening. We all exchanged emails to give us the opportunity to stay in touch. Ann and John are from Toronto and Nicola and her husband are from Arnprior. Her husband had to return home as he had just changed jobs.
It had snowed all day and we took our cab $3 and headed pretty much straight to bed. It took us a while to fall asleep and we chatted about how lucky we are.
Tomorrow is our last day and last time we will see Yulia for a while. Neither of us are looking forward to this.
Yes we have named her. We will share but have sent Kaelan an email with our decision. Once we know she knows we will let you know.
I can't wait for you guys to come back and tell me everything. I'm thrilled that everything has been going so well and she sounds like such a little sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteWe will pray for your trip home and for Jesus to watch over Yulia until you come back for her and bring her home with you, and of course for Him to be with her all the days of her life. You are soooo blessed and so is she!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen do we get her Horn name???!!!!
Lots of love
Karen, Rob & Johnny xoxoxo