In Moscow safe and sound

Okay.  So we are in Moscow.. Just saw the Red Square and took some photos. Exhausted..We are at a "flat" of a friends of Tatiana's for a few hours.  We are going to get some rest before heading to the train station to head on our 9 hour overnight train rides.  Train leaves at 10 P.M. Moscow time.  Whew.. what a day.. That was a heck of a long plane ride.

the impatient mother and father to be
Tamra and Stephen

In NY

Well we made it to NY with plenty of time to spare.  Steve has not been patted down again so maybe our luck is changing.  Just waiting for the 5:00 departure time... then we are in for a 10 hour flight!  OMG - we are not looking forward to this long flight. 
Wish us luck.
The impatient mother and father to be to Olesya!
Love you all
Tamra & Stephen

Columbus Terminal

Well we made it through check in - Steve got patted down..LOL... he forgot there was change in his pocket.. I wondered where he went... there I stand with all out luggage!  oh well...Maybe the next airport at New York will be better...(although I highly doubt it!)... Fun Fun!
So now we sit here waiting... I bought us some ear plugs and they are wrapped so tight in hard plastic that Steve took 20 minutes to get them out of it!  where is a pocket knife when you need it?  Steve says when he was in the Navy - he never would have made it through check in...
Well it is 10:52 and we board at 12:06... whoo hoo!  off on our grand adventure to see our little girl.  We will try and update often. 
fyi - Teresa - headache is almost gone and stomach feels much better. (for now)  thanks for letting us stay with you for the night - love you sis!  You are the best!
Stay tuned - more excitement to come.
The impatient mother and father to be..
Tamra and Stephen

Passports and Visa here.. whew!

Okay, so the last thing we needed arrived Fed-ex this morning (WHOO HOO!).  I was worried for a little bit... but we got it all figured out.. Passport/Visa's are here and they look right.   Steve is out getting gifts today for the orphange director, the woman at the Ministry of Education (who will give us the referral) and our interpreter.

Now to get through the weekend without any mishaps...

Come on - we are ready to go now.  Travel plans are all scheduled... Can you believe it?  I can't.  It was a bunch of phone calls and e-mails... but I think we got everything scheduled.

Anticipation - I am ready to meet my little girl, Olesya.  I pray that she is healthy and will have no major medical problems.

She has such a pretty name.  No way am  I going to change it.  But, I might give her a middle name - such as:  Suzanne (my middle name)...I want to give her a family name.. but can't seem to find one that fits with her first name and our last name..  Work in Process I guess.

Now, back to waiting.....- something I am not good at even after all these months.

Impatient mother to be to Olesya
Tamra

no internet! what?

So, evidently it is really hard to find internet service in Tambov.. GREAT! now what.. I guess I will just write lots in my journal and then blog when I get back. I'll probably take the laptop just in case. No facebook... on my - what am I going to do? I will be disconnected... literally!

So what do you take to your daughter when you meet her for the first time? I bought a dress today and and shirt and some shorts.. they are really cute. I decided to go with size 18 months... since she is small. I would really like to leave her with a keepsake - until I come back for her in a month or so.. wonder what I should get her.. she's only 2.. any ideas anyone? maybe a blankee.. or a dolly...

Okay... well the doctor is "back on" in Russia... we had thought about just using our American doctor back here..because she is an expert.. but I was told today that internet is not always available and I really did need a Russian/English speaking doctor to look her over... this is the biggest decision during this whole process.... why chance it?

Well another hectic day, but it will all be worth it! I can't wait to hug her!

The impatient mother to be to Olesya

RUSH RUSH RUSH!

OMG - After waiting for almost 2 years for news.. everything is hurry up and rush to get it mailed, scheduled or bought. I went and bought a laptop today among other things. I finally convinced Steve I needed one to be able to update my blog. Although, I'm not sure he even knows what I am talking about. But we do need to be able to e-mail the doctor while in Russia. We sent our referral to the orphandoctor, Dr. Aronson. There is just so little information that we feel like we have to see her. Maybe that is why it is so vague.

Victoria Travel - Mark is handling our plane tickets - there is a problem with them now, but I have faith that he will be able to work them out. This last minute crap is for the birds!

My nerves are getting the best of me today. It's crazy today with phone calls, travel reservations, worrying about Olesya, and my left hand is itching like crazy - mom says that is because of all the money flying out of it... which is true.. but will be worth it in the end.

I just can't wait to see her and play with her. I hope she likes me... and Steve - of course. Let's not forget about him. He's been my rock through all this. He just says to just keep moving and we'll get there eventually.

I have the feeling it is going to be a fast crazy week - next week... well the travel won't be fast, but the time we get to spend with Olesya will probably fly by. I still can't believe I can't bring her back with me. Whoever thought of this 2 trip process was crazy! It just feels like they say "here you go, the little girl/boy you've always wanted.... but not yet!" ARRGGHH!

Well back to work... I plan on taking lots of pictures and post as often as I can... but from the sounds of our trip we will be traveling the majority of the time (and hopefully sleeping).

the impatient mother to be to Olesya!
Tamra

RUSSIA BOUND

Okay everyone... so after getting the referral information (very little information) and having that looked over here in the US by a doctor.. we have decided that we cannot say "NO" without seeing her... so we are leaving next week for Russia to see our LITTLE OLEYSA!

Keep her in your prayers and thought. We hope she is as healthy as she can be (after being in an orphanage since birth)...

Steve and I are hopeful for a good trip.

Be back soon!