1st haircut

Hughes got his 1st haircut today. He tolerated very well.

Saturday, November 22nd

We traveled home today. We got up at 3am to be at the airport by 5am. Hughes did very well for the approximately 24 hours of travel. Thes are pictures of him during the travel and arriving to St. Louis. A few family members and close friends were at the house to welcome us home.

Friday, November 21st

Our first night for bathing did not go well. This is the second bath night which was a success.

Last evening we decided to go to TGIFriday's for dinner which was in walking distance. We had to go to the underground and under the street and come up on the other side. It was busy and had a wait at TGIFs so we walked around with Hughes in the stroller for a while to get some fresh air. He has a cough and runny nose, so we thought the humidity might help.
We then went to a Scandinavian restaraunt behind the apartment which was a little nicer than we thought. Not somewhere to take a toddler in a stroller, but we had already walked in the door so we stayed. Hughes did really well and there were no meltdowns.
Hughes went to bed last night at 10pm and woke up at 8am which I think is great. He did have a coughing episode in the night, but went back to sleep. I'm not sure if I slept at all. I listen to him all night, so getting home and not being in the same room while sleeping is probably a good idea.
We got up today and went to Red Square to see the Kremlin and sorrounding touristy stuff. We stopped at Mcdonald's for those who wanted to grab lunch and fed Hughes. He loves hamburgers, Kerstin shared hers with him. I only had coffee so I could make it through the American Embassy appt.
At 2pm we went to the American Embassy to receive Hughes's passport with visa inside, originals and copies of all court documents so he can leave the country, and an Immigration packet to get in the United States. That was interesting...Ilya could not go in with us, we went through 3 security checks, and had specific instruction such as: go to machine press H, walk to window 6, then 4A, then get called to one of 3 windows on another wall. Finally we were free, paperwork in hand.
We fly out in the morning at 7am, so we have to leave the apartment by 4am. Ilya says they are very strict about boarding and check-in times, so we cannot be late.
See all of you soon!!!

Thursday, November 20th

I slept about 4 hours last night and got up and in the shower before Hughes got up. I ate some oatmeal and he awakened just in time. Whew!! He ate well this morning and we are feeding him normal foods, no more canned baby food. We learned from Ilya (the driver/translator) they like their milk warmed. He enjoyed that much more than the cold milk yesterday.
He and I went to the medical exam at 7:45 am today which was very organized and smooth. Ilya has everything done before you arrive. For example, he stayed at the apt. for an hour last night filling out the paperwork for today, so everything is very smooth. Hughes was upset with the car seat when we left to go to the medical and again returning from the medical. It seems like he is upset for a shorter amount of time and he doesn't have tears anymore, just whimpers a little. He was starting to fall asleep on the way back, so I changed him into his jammies, gave him warm milk, and he went down for his nap. He is napping now.
Ilya is taking all of the paperwork to the American embassy, and we will go there tomorrow at 2pm to pick it up. We fly out the next morning. Yeah! I can't wait to see everyone and be home.

Wednesday, November 19th

"Gotcha day"
We went to the police station to get Hughes's passport then to the store to buy pastries for the orphanage workers and food for Hughes. We then drove to the orphanage and handed over his clothes so they could "prepare him". He was brought to me in a red old navy outfit that I had taken and seemed pleased to see me but seemed to know that something was happening. When we left and I opened the car door, he saw the car seat and started crying and dropped to the ground. That was fun! This is a picture of him in the car seat crying and bundled up like kid from "The Christmas Story". We spent the remainder of the day trying to feed him some canned baby food which he despised and spit out with gagging. He hated the milk I bought and the milk from the hotel, but he drank the apple juice. He also did not care for water. He pushes it away and turns his head, when he does not like it.
Slava drove us to the airport in horrible traffic and we arrived about 1 hour before out flight to Moscow, which was great because I don't think I could have stayed in that airport much longer. It snowed yesterday and we had to walk to the airplane on the tarmac which was not plowed. Kerstin carried almost everything and I carried Hughes in his bundled self. Kerstin has been a huge help and would probably be even better, if I would listen to her.
He did really well on the plane, but I think we may have tried too many foods and he vomited while on the plane. I caught most of it in my hand, nice. I'm getting broken in really quick.
Hughes fell asleep as soon as we got in the driver's car (after he fussed over the car seat again). We stopped by a 24 hour grocery store on the way to the Moscow apartment and put Hughes to bed as soon we arrived at the apt. He slept pretty good and only woke up once early this morning and went immediately back to sleep. Busy day tomorrow.

I need to explain the 2st picture on this day. This is Kerstin in the blue shoe covers that are required when you enter the orphanage. We wear these until we leave the orphanage each day. On the days that we went to a playroom, the shoes and shoecovers are removed from your feet, and you only wear your socks.

Tuesday, November 18th

Kerstin and I arrived in Russia yesterday. My luggage did not arrive on the plane (Kerstin's did), but it did arrive on the next plane hours later so they delivered it to the hotel. Katia picked us up from the airport and took us to get a meal then we were able to visit Hughes at the orphanage for an hour. This are pictures from this visit and Kerstin meeting Hughes for the first time.
Today, we went to apply for Hughes Russian passport, visited the Hermitage (huge museum), then to an open market. Tomorrow we will receive the passport, go to buy pastries for the caregivers at the orphanage, then pick up Hughes at 1pm. We will fly to Moscow tomorrow at 8:40 pm.
All is well, can't wait to be home on Saturday.

Sunday, November 9th

I have been home for a couple of days and am counting down the days until I return to Russia to bring Hughes home. Kerstin and I will fly out 1 week from today and return home with Hughes 6 days later. It is beginning to feel very real.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Hughes and I.

Wednesday, November 5th

Today was a very exciting day!!! Myself and the two other couples went to court today for custody of our little boys. All of us were granted custody, Yeah!!
Court was very intense as we all went into court separate (the couples were together). Our translator was amazing, the judge and the prosecuting attorney were very serious. Many questions were asked to me such as who would care for the child, financial status, and will I be able to provide the attention needed to care for the child. The orphanage representative spoke on the behalf of me and Hughes. They told the court officials that they felt it would be in the best interest of the child if the court was to approve the adoption and Hughes become an American citizen under the care of "Crumbley, Sharon Rose". At the end I had to thank her for hearing this case and request that she approve the adoption. It was a very formal proceeding. The judge went to her chambers to decide and announced that she would return with her decision, very intense. She returned with her approval based on the information provided, that it would be in the best interest of the child. It was then announced that he would become "Crumbley, Hughes William". I thanked the judge and left the courtroom with the translator.
I was the first of the three of us, and was glad it was over.
I will travel home tomorrow and return on the 17th of November to bring Hughes home.

Tuesday, November 4th

Election day....
Another great visit today. 2 weeks until Hughes leaves the orphanage to embark on a new life. He was very happy and playful today, as usual. I don't think we have experienced a bad day yet. One of the other mom's got sick today at the orphanage and I went out of the room to help her and left Hughes with those remaining in the playroom. Lucas's dad said that Hughes kept looking at the door, waiting for my return. I'm glad to know that he is feeling that secure with me and wanting me to be with him. Currently, he knows me as the lady with the toys that plays with him.
Court is tomorrow and we may not get an opportunity to visit the orphanage.

Monday, November 3rd

Another great visit with Hughes. He is starting to babble some words. Today he pointed to a Lion King book and said da-da. He is still saying "ba" which he was saying last time I was here. Today all three boys had hats on when they were brought to us in the playroom. Hughes's hat was like a tam hat that was blue with a golden yellow butterfly on it. I can't wait to post those pictures when I return home.
Slava from the adoption agency arrived here in St. Petersburg today and treated us to a wonderful dinner at an Uzbekistan/Georgian (Countries South of Russia) restaurant. He knows the food there well so he took care of all of the ordering and the food was great. 2 days until court.

Sunday, November 2nd

We went back to visit the boys today and got to see them for about an hour and a half. He was in a boy outfit today, Yeah! We tease each other to guess who's son will be wearing pink that day. Yesterday it was Hughes. We had a fun day playing today, but he fell off a riding toy right onto his forehead. He seemed like his feeling were hurt, but he did not cry. He is either very serious or laughing out loud. When he laughs really big, I can see that he is cutting his 1st yr. molars, that explains the chewing and drooling at times. He also has a hoarse sounding voice which I noticed last time. At that time I thought it was temporary, but now I think he may just have a raspy voice, it is kinda cute. When the boys were playing, Hughes went over to Lucas and handed him a toy to share. We got a big kick out of that.
When the caregiver came back to get the boys she sat and told us a little about each of them through our translator. She said Hughes is the only one that uses a spoon to eat, but that he gets "tired". I not sure if that means he will do it for a while then use his fingers or if he just stops and lets them feed him. She said he likes them to read to him and is more the "theater" type. I'm also not sure of this translation, interpreting some words are more difficult. An example of this is the white caps on water, is translated as "sheep" (white and fluffy). I also noticed a callous and redness to Hughes's left thumb and asked his caregiver if he sucks that thumb and she said he does as well as one of the other boys.
I brought size 5 shoes and they are a little to big, so I will have to bring back some size 4 shoes when I return on the 17th. I was also told by the interpreter that I have to buy him boots with fur lining, because other shoes would be too cold. The temperatures have been in the 40's.

Return to Russia

I arrived last night in Russia, all is well. I spent about 3 hours with Hughes today at the orphanage. He seemed very leery of me for about the first 20 minutes then he seemed to remember who I was. By the time I left there this evening he would run to me and wrap his arms around my legs and want me to pick him up and hold him. We spent a lot of time playing with the orphanage toys and the toys that I brought back with me, which are the same toys that I had brought the first trip 4 MONTHS AGO. He weighs about 24 pounds and has gotten taller than when I was here (7cm taller). The orphanage director says that eating is a priority for him. I will get to visit and play with him about an hour each day for the next 3 days, then court on the 4th day. I hope to write more each day, but I am having computer issues at this hotel with my laptop. Good ole Windows Vista is not cooperating with the Russian internet.