Max, on the other hand, slept a tiny bit during the ride here to the apartment, but then wasn't having any of our getting-ready-for-bed routine. Between 8:00 and 9:00 pm (3 and 4 am Vladivostok time), he had one of his famous meltdowns as we tried to get him to sleep. That boy wailed loudly enough for the folks in the Kremlin to hear about 8 blocks away. Jose and I looked at each other sadly as we could only let him cry himself to sleep. When Max is in one of those states, if you even lay a finger on him, he cries harder and louder. It was so sad to listen to him wimpering like a little puppy. We just sat patiently next to him until he drifted off to sleep out of shear exhaustion. Wishing for better nights ahead.
This morning, we will venture out to find a cafe for breakfast. It will be interesting trying to order, since we are now completely on our own when it comes to language. Silly me forgot something very important when I was packing for this trip... my English-Russian dictionary and travel guide. Oh well. We may have to speak in charades... should be entertaining for the folks in the cafe. One of the other moms I met in Vlad (who is now home in Alabama with their cute little Riley) shared a story of when she flapped her folded arms, clucked out loud and squatted like a chicken laying an egg just to communicate to a storekeeper what she wanted to buy. At least they all were laughing, including her. I'm not sure if I'll be doing that... maybe I can convince Evan to do it for us. : )
Later, our Moscow coordinator, Philip, will be heading to the U.S. Embassy on our behalf with our fat folder full of documents needed to begin the process to acquire an entry visa for Maxim. As I understand it, on Monday, we'll need to return to the embassy with him for an appointment where we'll be asked questions about the adoption. If all goes as planned, we'll receive his visa on Monday. As of now, we depart for the U.S. on Wednesday. Jose is checking with our travel agency to see if we can leave a day earlier. If there isn't too much cost involved in changing our plans, we'll try to do that.
During our weekend, we're planning on trying to see one of the famous Moscow circuses and possibly visiting the zoo. That will hopefully tire out the kiddos and get them to bed (and keep them in bed) on a more normal schedule. Today, though, I definitely foresee a nap in Evan's schedule, whether he likes it or not. He may be the one screaming for the folks at the Kremlin today.
By the way, did I say "hip hip hooray for our internet connection!" ? It's a good one and it's included with our apartment. I should be able to post photos much more easily from here.
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| Max, Ivan & Evan before our departure for the airport. |
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| Just a glimpse of road conditions... |
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| Evan & Max waiting for Maxim's first flight ever. |
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| Our friends Bob & Connie from Illinois and their new son, Maxim... headed to Moscow on the same flight with us. |
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| Boarding Aeroflot Flight 720 Vlad-Moscow |
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| Aeroflot was just as modern, well-equipped, and comfortable as any flight we've ever taken in the U.S. (contrary to many reports we've received) |
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| The view from our 22nd floor apartment in Moscow. |
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| The view of the morning sky around 5:00 am today. |
So glad you made it to Moscow safe and sound! I loved all the photos. Praying for peace over you all, including Max, as you adjust to another time zone and new surroundings.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right -- the time changes are rough!!
ReplyDeleteTatiana was the SAME way in her first few weeks home. Essentially, EVERY night she had to cry herself to sleep. Night time has always been a "processing" time for her -- like she goes over her day in her head. I think that was the time when it all hit her each day that she was scared to death. If I tried to console her, it made it MUCH worse. It was almost as if she thought she was in trouble (I suspect if the caretakers had to come in to talk to you, etc after you were put in bed, you WERE in trouble) and it made her cry harder. It was so hard and so frustrating!! You don't want to see your child crying without comfort, yet there isn't much you can do. To make it worse you feel like you are bothering EVERYONE around you (or to the Kremlin haha!). In time, this passed for T. Now she SINGS herself to sleep. Hoping that in quick time Max will feel much more secure in his new, fabulous family!!
ENJOY Red Square. It's truly breath taking!! Check out the GUM mall... hahaha. Even though the prices are ridiculous -- there is a good souvenier shop there isn't too badly priced. Enterance on the side next to St Basils. Say hi to Lenin for me!!
There is an Il Patio (yummy) with an English speaking staff and a TGI Fridays on Tverskaya. We did both and loved them! Philip??? Is his wife's name Ana?? If so, he was our coordinator too. . .say hello from the Harrison's! Aidan is doing well. God bless and if I think of anything more, I'll let you know. Where are you staying??
ReplyDeleteStacy- I don't know what Philip's wife's name is but he has two sons, one is 7 and the other a one year old. He's tall, slim, dark hair and speaks excellent English. I'm guessing he's in his early 30's. We'll see him again on Monday when we go to the Embassy. We're staying at an apartment just inside the Garden Ring... right on Novo Arbat pretty near the Dunkin Donuts (but across the street).
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