Medical exam and last visit with Hughes

The medical screening can be done in the United States or here in Russia. You have to be seen by 8 physicians: Psychologist, narcologist, infectious disease/tuberculosis, cardiologist, oncologist, dermatologist, neurologist, and general doctor. I decided to get it done here because they set it up for you to be complete in 1 day. I went to the Academy of Science here in St. Petersburg, Russia. I had to get a chest xray, EKG, neuro exam, breast exam, skin check, and about 6 vials of blood taken. They blood test are liver function, bilirubin, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and the normal tests (CBC, BMP, etc). I had to fast for 12 hours before the blood is drawn which is completed first. Then they take you into this office and have coffee, tea, cakes, and cookies for you to eat. The rest of the time is seeing all of the doctors and answering thier questions about your general health and you family history. At the end, they told me I have all signatures required and that document will go to court with me. You then pay for the services and are free to leave. That is much quicker than trying to make appts. with 8 physicians at home and it was less expensive. Glad it is over.

We then drove to meet the coodinator at the office of the Notary. I signed three documents for court and getting Hughes paperwork started for becoming an American and living in the United States with my address. One of the documents is called a Letter of Obligation. These documents have his given name and his new name- Crumbley, Hughes William. I cannot read the documents because the Russians have a totally different alphabet.

After that we went to a very nice cafe for coffee and ice cream. My driver (Sasha) wouldn't normally go with the translator and I, but I made him go today. I think he is shy. I told him the only way I would go is if he would join us. The coffee is much smaller than what I am used to at home. I go into Bread Co or Starbucks and get a 16 ounce, here it is about 6 ounces. I would like to return to that cafe someday.

We went to the orphanage at 4:30 for my last visit with Hughes before I return home. It went very well. I swear he is trying to run. Tomorrow he will be 13 months. The Chief doctor came out and said that I will not return until late September or early October because the judge will be on holiday (vacation). She was very nice and wished me well. I think she is OK with me adopting Hughes. Hughes and I finished our visit. I thought I was really doing well until those last few moments. It was hard to leave him, what a surprise!

Day three with Hughes

I have met with Hughes twice again today. His caregivers stated that he is acting like the others that have been adopted. Apparently they start to feel "important". I guess because they get some special attention for these days that the new parents are there to visit. That undivided attention must make them feel good.

He is walking so well, I think I have seen improvement this week alone. We walk outside a lot on my visits. I did capture him walking on video to share. I am quite sure that I will be chasing him in a couple of months.

When the caregivers bring him to me, he smiles and will reach for me, but when they come to take him back he gets really excited to see them as well. I am glad that he is attached to them because that means he will attach again.

Before I left the orphanage this morning, I had to provide them with his new name. "Hughes William Crumbley" He knows Misha, so it is really hard to call him Hughes. I have been calling him Misha Hughes for transition. They will continue to call him Misha for now, so I don't think these few days are going to help.

I have been taking tons of pictures and I can't wait to show all of them to you.
Have great evening!!!!!!!

Answers to some of your questions

Some of you had a few questions and I thought this would be a good way to answer them and others could also read it.

I will be able to meet with Hughes two times on Thursday and once on Friday because I have to do my medical exam on Friday morning. This exam is required for the adoption and I will see 8 physicians, have blood drawn, and get a chest xray in about 4-5 hours. My flight out is Saturday morning at 6:15 and I will be ready to come home.

In between visits, I have tried to find high speed internet and another day went to a chinese restaraunt for lunch. I also made it back to the hotel yesterday to elevate my leg so I wouldn't feel like someone was sticking fine needles in my toes. I have had a fair amount of swelling and a large hematoma on the top of my foot. It is improving each day.

Hughes has not really reacted to the cast, but my pant leg fits over it, so he probably hasn't seen it. I can hold him standing, but I won't try to walk with him. The translator and I each hold one of his hands and we walk with him around the playground and he does so well I think he will be runny when I get him home. It is probably good that I a not taking him home on this visit because I don't know how I would chase him.

Even though I don't want to leave him, the orphanage takes really good care of the kids and it is very clean. They are very schedule oriented and work with the kids, take them outside, and play with them. I know he is being taken good care of. They also look like they eat well. He is 9kg (20 lbs) and looks well nourished.

I am curious what Izzy will think of him. This little man running around the house. I think Mikayla and Julia (next door) will really enjoy him because he is so giggly. They are awaiting his arrival, as everyone else.

I can't wait to talk to all of you and share the pictures. Thank you for writing your posts and sharing your thoughts. I have really enjoyed it. Thank you Kerstin for making me an ortho appt. for next Friday, that was a huge relief.

Day two with Hughes

I went to the orphanage twice again today and spent about an hour each time with Hughes. In between those visits, we tried to find an internet cafe or somewhere with high speed internet and were unsuccessful. I will have to post the pictures when I return on the 5th.

We played outside today for both visits and I taught Hughes to "gimmie 5". He learns things so quick. I pushed a toy car (for the race fans it was a funny car) and he would pic it up, look at it, then set it down and move it forward on its wheels. It seems he is trying to figure it all out.

He is getting more acquainted with me every time we meet. When I hold out my hands, he reaches for me. He nuzzles in my shoulder and chest for the occasional quite moment. The caregiver said he didn't sleep well at naptime, which is sometimes what they do when they have been spending time with new parents. I don't understand why. When I was leaving after the 1st visit today, one caregiver said "spasibo" which means thank you. She was thanking me for wanting to be his mother.

During that visit I signed the "letter of intention" for lack of a better term. The orphanage chief MD also signed it and stamped it. I guess it is official.

Meeting Misha/Hughes

Today was interesting, first to the adoption center and given an invitation to meet Misha at orphanage 8. We drove there at 12:30 and met with the Chief Doctor of the orphange. She explained some medical information such as his birth, and that his mother is from Tajikstan, the father is not known. A worker then brought him in without me knowing when it was going to happen so I was unable to capture that moment on film. He was a litle afraid at first, but quickly trusted us.
His hair is dark brown but his skin is fair and he has the most beautiful blue eyes that are big and have the longest eyelashes. He is very healthy and seems to be on target developmentally. He is also walking, but wobbly.