Nothing Much To Update About

by bill - 2007-12-18 11:15:07 ( in family, adoption, holmes, travel) [php version] rebuild (158)

She's just driving us crazy. Luckily, Tara is taking the brunt of it. I had to get out and walk around town in the freezing cold, just for the sake of getting out. I was at least useful, coming back with some groceries.

Elizabeth's sweet as can be and very playful most of the time, but she turns on a dime. The main problem is just keeping her entertained/distracted ... constantly.

After her most recent crying fit, she "apologized" by breaking out the photo album and pointing to a picture of the three of us. She pointed at me and said, "You are my papa." She pointed over at Tara and said, "She is my mama." I said, "Yes, very good. And you are my daughter." She really liked that. This was all in Russian, of course. That was the first time I'd trying saying that sentence to her. I was never sure how well it would go over. She calls me "mama" or "uncle" half the time. I don't really care what she calls me, just so long as we get along.

Comments (We enjoy free speech. Try not to offend, but feel free to be offended.)

I had some Russian customers and told them you were there. They said the only cars to have over there were SUVs because the roads were so bad. I know you can't wait to be back home with your little darlin' and I think she will like your dogs. I hope she won't be too rough on them. Put up a jungle gym if you can so she can get out some of that extra energy! - Jeannie, 2007-12-14 02:33:19

Yes, an SUV would make the most sense, but there aren't many. They probably cost too much. Thanks for the advice on the jungle gym. I'm not sure exactly what type you're referring to, but I guess anything is better than nothing. Of course, once/if winter hits in Nashville, it won't be a good time for anything outside. Luckily, our winters are only two months or so, but that's longer than your California 1/2 month of winter. :) - bill, 2007-12-14 05:16:05

Man, that brings back fond memories. We only had Ben for 2 days over there before coming back. It was very, very rough. The plane ride was a nightmare, but once we got back to our own things, in our own place, and had access to all that was familiar, it made everything much easier on us and on Ben (because we were doing so much better maybe). I can't imagine having had him in a hotel over there for a week or more, we only had to deal with about 3 days of no sleep... Hang in there, it will get better (it can't really get much worse can it?). - Dan, 2007-12-14 07:07:19

Hang in there!! I can't wait to see you guys! Oh Tara the joys we will have in the future swaping horror stories of what our little rugrats are doing! At first I was scared about getting the two of them together because I was scared that Thomas would teach her all these bad habits.. it looks like they'll have something in common (ways to drive their parents CRAZY!!) And the bad thing is, you know that children can communicate without using words, so we'll find them in either Thomas' room, or Elizabeths' and they'll be using hand gestures trading ways to make us go mad... it'll be funny at first - we'll have to watch out!!! I'm counting down the days (you guys are probably counting the hours) until you're back home. Again... HANG IN THERE!! And as a friend of ours once told us after a VERY trying day with Thomas "Just remember, the two of you out number him" (this was pre-Maggie) It made me feel good for about an hour! See you soon! - Leslie, 2007-12-14 17:03:43

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Here is the complete blog of the adoption experience in paperback form, Russian Adoption: From Nashville to Astrakhan and Back (PDF). And here is the fictionalized, future "homeland tour" (action adventure) version in various forms: on Kindle, various electronic formats, and in paperback.

This time next week.... — Preparation — The day before — Travel day — In the air — We're in Moscow — Moscow — Check out time — We're in Astrakhan — It's only Monday? — What a day... — Tuesday (2007-10-02) — It's a girl! It's a girl! — Wednesday — Thursday — Great visit — Sights of Astrakhan — Another great visit — Last visit for a while — Atlanta! — We're home! (10/06) — Round two — Skora mweh tam boojum — Internet access — Elizabeth's room — Mweh yeddum v aeroport eta ootra — In the air again — Back in Moscow (11/26) — Tuesday (2007-11-26) — Back in Astrakhan — Russian adoption consultant — Comments welcome — Showtime! — And the judge says...... — Success! — The day after — Saturday morning — Much better visit today — Beet salad — Went for a walk ... — Its going to be a good week — She's warming up to us — Light at the end of the tunnel — Picture of us before court — More pictures — She's ours! — The first hours of parenthood — Bowel movement — Sleep, what a concept — Update — Nothing much to update about — 51-1/2 hours — Just another week to go — Pictures of our life in Astrakhan — Back in Moscow (12/18) — Moscow update continued — Update to the update's update — To the embassy — Can't leave early — Still in Moscow — Riding the Metro — Riding the Metro, part deux — We're home! (12/23) — A few pictures — Airport arrival — Stay tuned — More pics — Summary — Doctors say she's normal — Adoption video — Holmes Russian adoption videos — Adoption videos updated — Our Russian adoption story

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