Aleksandra Elise: (13) American Tourists!

It's those little moments in life that make all the difference.

Pocketed in the urgent nature of our travels, we found moments to pause and take advantage of the uniqueness of this point of life. Flying to Moscow our connection at LaGuardia involved a 6 hour layover that gave us a nice cushion for shopping in the airport and a nice dinner.  When flying back home, we found ourselves with an evening and an overnight stay.

Our final full day in Moscow during trip #1, we had some time to squeeze in a guided van tour by Ludmila, Anastasia, and of course Vladimir 1. We saw the 250 year-old Moscow University, Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior (what an amazing history), the massive sculpture of Peter the Great (again, it has a crazy story), and did drive-bys of Olympic Stadium, Red Square, the Kremlin, and the new Russian Federation government seat--called the White House. We ended the day with shopping at the GUM Department store, and a stop at the Arbat Street Market for souveniers! We have a beautiful hand painted panorama of Moscow that hangs in our kitchen today.

Our initial flight home gave us the chance for a bit of an adventure since it was just the two of us.

We followed William Shatner's endorsement and tried Priceline. We stayed in a HUGE apartment in Mid-town for 80 bucks! We opened the door and were shocked when we moved our eyes across the full sized kitchen, living room, and bedroom with a king-sized bed! If you've ever stayed in the big apple, you know that space hard to find, and even harder to afford. It was perfect after an action packed week and a long flight. Decompression is vital.

After tossing our bags in our temporary home, we took a cross-town walk to the Empire State Building. We talked our way into the final elevator going up, and stepped out onto a near empty observation deck. The night was pure magic, the view was clear, and we were at the top of the world.

The next morning we had breakfast at a corner coffee shop and made our way to H&M. We are faithful watchers of TLC's What Not To Wear, and we were hoping to catch a glimpse of Stacy & Clinton! Although we didn't find them, we did find a couple of bags of fashion at discount pricing.

We went home rested, happy, and excited for our return.

Our second flight home and subsequent stay in New York was not as relaxing, but was certainly just as action packed. It was chronicled in Aleksandra Elise: (11).

We always try to find time to stop and experience the landscape wherever we find ourselves, whether in Moscow, New York, or even good old Cincinnati. There is beauty and fun times to be discovered wherever you are. And of course, food to try and clothes to buy!

Cathedral Of
Christ the Savior

Statue of
Peter the Great

Moscow
Univeristy

Olympic Stadium

Full Sized Kitchen!
(that we did not use)

Walking in the NYC Apartment

Living Room of Apt.

Empire State Building!

Massive Bedroom!

View from the Top!

I think that about wraps up Russia.

до свидания

Aleksandra Elise: (12) Russian Top Ten Travel Tips

Russian Top Ten Travel Tips

See Reference Below!

#10  Every Van Driver is not named Vladimir.

The man who drove our van in our first trip to Russia was called Vladimir. We returned on our second trip to find another man driving our van who was also called Vladimir.  I incorrectly thought that maybe this was just a word that meant Van Driver, and I asked the question. 

#9     If the menu specifies an item as "Meat," don't ask any further questions.

#8     If you're a female, in a Cathedral... take off your gloves!

We learned this the hard way as a very animated and offended Babushka rushed over to Kellie in a panic!

#7     Be sure to pee before you take a Russian Road Trip (and bring your own T.P.).

We all learned this one at the expense of Kellie. It involved a stop alongside a village tavern, a run across a dangerous multi-lane road, locals who did not want Americans around, payment to use the facility, and... an absence of toilet paper.

#6     If you look too much like a Russian, people will think you are Russian.

I found this one out first-hand. It was my goal to simply not look like an American, and so I buzzed my hair, wore dark clothes and clunky shoes.  Apparently I was far too convincing. 

#5     Beware of the couple on the plane that shoots Vodka and then hides under the blanket.

No, this was not us... and I can't tell you what they were doing (this is a non-adult content site).

#4     It is advisable to simply throw your underwear away.

This lesson was courtesy of me. The airport security agent found it necessary to open my suitcase in the middle of a thousand people and sort through my dirty underwear one pair at a time. Very thoroughly.

#3     When shooting Vodka in a gift shop--have a buddy.

This one was me. I figured, "why not?" and then stumbled into a wall to the delight of many onlookers.

#2     When in a ceiling to floor bathroom stall in a Russian government building--know how to operate the door.

I wanted to tell this story in one of my early posts, but decided it wasn't pertinent to the story (Kellie was glad I thought so). We were on our way to get our referral information and Kellie went missing. Our guide found her several minutes later, locked in a wooden and concrete bathroom stall, crying out "Anastasia... help me please." 

#1     If you can't get your reservation--have your baby poop on you and threaten to change the diaper on the counter!

Aleksandra Elise: (11) Are We There Yet?

The New York Skyline was incredible. We unfolded and pried ourselves out of the airplane and made our way up the ramp into the terminal. I knew it was a ridiculous thought, but I already felt like I was home. We had been traveling over 14 hours, and had not slept the night before. We were completely punch-drunk. I was smiling like a fool for the simple reason that we could read the advertisements and understand the voices over the airport intercom.

We made our way through customs, and then awaited our turn at immigration. This was our final step of the process until we started moving toward home. The final hurdle to gain the government's permission to complete our family. We completed the forms, answered the obligatory questions, and received the necessary stamps and signatures. I remember the smile on the official's face when he said, "Welcome back, and congratulations."

It was now early evening and we had collected our bags, Aleksandra was safely back in her Baby Bjorn and we had located the shuttle to our hotel. Our flight to Indianapolis was the following morning, so we had another night in a hotel. We had booked the room weeks in advance, selecting the hotel for its proximity to the airport and its accommodations. I had been looking forward to the pool and the spa all week.

We arrived at the hotel to find that our room was unavailable. They had double-booked the room. The room that I specifically secured weeks in advance. The room that included a King-sized bed and a baby bed. The room that we had been longing for all the way across the Atlantic while our daughter screamed and we lost our collective minds.

I was beyond reason. I was tired. I was sick. So was my wife. My daughter was screaming, a line was forming behind us, the clerk was telling me that there was "nothing he could do," when suddenly it happened.

The orphanage had warned us about adverse reactions to new foods. And oh my goodness... their warnings were quite valid.  Suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, not a grunt, not a smile, not a peep... my sweet little daughter dressed in pink... unleashed a torrid, an absolute tsunami from her previously sweet little bottom.

This was a diaper buster. She had a onesie on, and she was in the Baby Bjorn. All this offered no protection for me. In a blink of an eye, everything she had eaten, now in a fetid liquid form had shot from between her shoulders, out the bottoms of each pant leg, and through the fabric directly to my chest and stomach. It was, with no exaggeration, a complete explosion.

The clerk saw it happen. I watched his eyes and his expression. I lost all composure as the emotional impact of the entire trip hit me as a wall of poop.

I unhooked the harness, held my beautiful, pink-dressed, poo-dripping daughter over the expensive marble counter of the hotel, looked the clerk in the eye, and shouted, "you can either put us in our room right now, or I will change this mess right here."

There were audible gasps behind us as the crowd suddenly gave us room, and I plopped her bottom on the counter and started flinging poo from my fingertips like a monkey at the zoo.

The concierge suddenly turned to his computer, began typing like a mad-man, and miraculously proclaimed with gusto, "I have you a room available immediately." Finally, we can go relax (and get cleaned up).

We drag our bodies, our stinking entourage including all our luggage  down the hall, up the elevator and find our door. Kellie slides the key in the lock--flashing red light. She tries again--flashing red light. I take the card in my nasty hands and slide the lock--flashing red light. I leaned back against the wall and slid into a seated position. I simply sat there. I wouldn't even speak. I think I was near catatonic.

Seeing my near homicidal state, Kel rushed to the nearest phone and called the desk. I must say that I am still shocked by the speed at which the bellman reached our door and corrected the situation. He exchanged our keys, opened the door, helped us with our bags, and rapidly made his exit. For the first time in this entire excursion, we had been assisted without the expectation of a tip!

We cleaned ourselves up and collapsed for an hour. Then we realized that there was a restaurant in the lobby, and we were desperate for American Food.  We ordered nachos, chicken wings, artichoke dip, and entrees. We also ate dessert. It was wonderful. It seemed as if it were the best food in the world. Even Aleksandra (now pink and sweet and good smelling-whew!) seemed thrilled.

We went back upstairs and Kel and Aleksandra laid down in front of the T.V., and I dragged myself up to the pool. I had been looking forward to it, and I was going to swim even if it drowned me to do so!

I didn't swim long! Soon I was nearly crawling up to the room where we watched Head of State with Bernie Mac. We laughed until we cried... it was a much needed release. Soon enough, it was time to lay down. Our sleep was uneasy, and never very deep. We tossed and turned and worried about the condition of our daughter, and catching our flight.

The morning came, and we made our way to the airport, again checking our bags and going through the security protocols. We jetted off, taking another step closer to home. In a few hours we arrived at Indianapolis Airport. We were now about a hundred miles from home.

We collected for the final time our plunder and made like nomads through trams and buses that eventually delivered us to our car, strapped our daughter in the new car-seat that we had installed a week prior, paid the man, and set out south-eastward to Cincinnati. It was 11:20 PM.

It became quickly apparent that our daughter had (1) never been in a car-seat, and (2) disliked it with extreme prejudice. I make no exaggeration when I tell you that she screamed, and shook, and maintained a bright-red color for the 2.5 hour journey.

It was late. We were beyond exhaustion, and we were also now half deaf and traumatized from all the screaming.

At 2 AM, after traveling 38 hours with very little sleep, having suffered a poo-explosion, and a harrowing, inconsolable scream-fest as I tried to stay awake and remain between the lines, we made the final turn to our house and I suddenly slammed on the brakes.

To my horror (my apologies to my family, you know I love you)... I say again, to my absolute horror, our driveway and the street outside our home was filled with cars. Every light was on in our home, and we were about to suffer an ambush!

The Grandmas!

I slammed on the brakes because I immediately turned to Kellie and said, "no way I am going in there, we're going to a hotel." I don't remember what she said, but it must have been very convincing. She must have threatened bodily harm? I remember though that I conceded   that our family loves us, and we could get through this on last crazed     moment.

Our van bounced up the driveway (I drive fast) and before I could put the engine in park, out the door came a cluster of fighting grandmas. This was a priceless moment. It still makes me laugh, and all the grandmas still fuss about it. Bottom line from my perspective--it looked like the scramble after an onside kick in an NFL play-off game. I won't tell you who won, in an effort to protect the innocent (and myself).

Love at First Sight!

As great as this was, it does not receive the honor as my best memory of the night. When Caleb and Aleksandra met for the first time... I think every eye in the room (and there were many) grew damp. They both smiled, laughed, and embraced each other. I am still completely in awe from that moment.

All I can tell you, those of you who have been so patient to read my ramblings... is that I know deep in my heart that this moment was always meant to be. I make no claim to know the future, and I can't tell you how to live your own life, but I can tell you that I experienced a perfect moment, and it forever changed how I see the world.

My Mom & Dad meet
Alesksandra.

Nearly 7 years ago, and we still sit and stare at our children in wonder. It is easy to lose sight in life and forget the beauty that surrounds us. But I have to tell you, when you are willing to embrace it, when you are open to see it, the beauty in life is everything. It is all-encompassing and it is unparalleled.

I started out to make a single post about our Russian Adoption, and    now 11 posts and nearly two-weeks later I see our story and I am happy.

Auntie & Uncle!

I am overwhelmed.

We still had things to complete. We re-adopted Aleksandra in an Ohio State Court, and we had years of follow-up home-studies and reports back to the court in Moscow. All of that is behind us now and we are left with the memories of those wonderfully crazy days. How I feel about it all now is summed up in a journal entry from May 18, 2004, a couple of weeks after our arrival home

Our home is filled with joy. Two children fill our lives. Two sweet faces sleeping in the glow of nightlights. Shadows intersect in the hallway between their rooms--embracing in the echo of the shared smiles and sparkely eyes given and received by a 3 year old and a 7 month old. I reach out to this feeling of rightness. I drink deeply of this life. I am already obsessed with this desire to adopt again. We are not finished. I know we are to have another child, another story. I pray that God holds us tightly as we find this new intersect. For now though, we bask in this absolute awe.

We are now 5 years into the process of our second adoption, and our hearts again begin to quicken.

1st Family Portrait!

Aleksandra 2011

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Aleksandra Elise: (12) Russian Top Ten Travel Tips

Aleksandra Elise: (10) The Kinship of a Bunny

The white Russian Birch trees seemed silently to stand in rows watching as we made our final circle to Orekhovo-Zuevo. We passed through the checkpoints without incident and made the now familiar turn into the complex. I knew this would be my final time here and I wanted to remember every detail so that I could someday tell my daughter about this incredible story that we all were able to live.

The Doctor and wonderful ladies
of the orphanage.

The entire staff came out to greet us as we entered the common room. All the caregivers that we had seen over our combined 12 days at the orphanage, the nurse, the doctor, and the director. Our guide Anastasia was there. She had been with us every step of the way. We had trusted her with our lives and our fortune and she had met every demand, and fulfilled every promise.

The appropriate papers were handed to the director, and Aleksandra was placed in the arms of my wife. As I looked at the faces of the Russian women who had been everything to my daughter, I was overwhelmed with the tears and love that they could not hold back as they said goodbye to Sasha. Through Anastasia's translation, we were told that Sasha had been their зайка, their Zayka, or  little bunny. My heart ached for them as we watched them say their goodbyes.

Time to go home.

Shepherds, Lifords, & Pribyls

We passed through that heavy wooden door one final time, along with the Lifords and the Pribyls, two other adopting families that we had come to know over the past week. We all seemed to pause together and look back at that building that we had first seen nearly 6 weeks before. What had seemed so cold and foreign, now filled our hearts with wonder. So much love, hope, trust, and responsibility has been handed to us. We could never repay them for their sacrifice. What an incredible group of people who dedicate their lives by providing hope to the hopeless, and giving treasure to the barren.

Aleksandra, Hayden, & Samuel
They boys kept staring at
Aleksandra!

These moments were magical. The sunlight absolutely sparked down from the sky and the crisp air crackled through the branches of the trees. Aleksandra was wearing the little perfect pink dress that we had brought from home, given to us by my Uncle Stephen and Auntie Michele. Aleksandra had a pink hat that made her smile every time we put it on her head. To this day, that girl still picks out hats in every clothing store we enter! Her room is full of them.

First Automobile Ride!

U.S. Embassy

We made our way to the U.S. Embassy. As we passed through the gate and under the American Flag, we were greeted by U.S. Marines who declared to us that we stood on American Soil. At that moment, our daughter became a U.S. Citizen. We made our way into the building and through the corridors and found the Immigrations Officer who made it  official. We were ecstatic. She now was our legal daughter, and she had the full protection and guarantees of a United States Citizen.

First Bath!

Back at the hotel we had arranged a Pediatrician to meet us in our room, and a thorough exam was given to our daughter. Her findings were forwarded to Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio where we had made arrangements for a full battery of immunizations and examinations our first week home.

First Gerber!

We also shared our first meal out with Aleksandra, and we were joined by our new life-long friends, the Pribyls & the Lifords. We were amazed at how strongly our daughter reacted to real food! Soon though, the reality of exhaustion found us all. We were dealing with real issues of physical and mental fatigue. Aleksandra had also hit her limit on stimulation. We left the restaurant in a rush with a lot of stares as we hastily made our way out the door with Aleksandra shrieking a full blown square-mouth scream.

As soon as we stepped out the doors, we all fell silent. We had walked to this T.G.I. Friday's in Moscow and it was no short trip. On our way there, the sky was bright and the wind was warm. In the short time we dined, the wind changed and blew a snow-storm down from Siberia... and now we found ourselves in the thick of it! Aleksandra was in her Baby Bjorn, inside of my shirt. She was deeply layered, but Kel and I were not! The wind whipped down the canyon of steel and concrete and blasted us with snow. Never again would we laugh at the layers the Moscovites packed on.

Our Suite

We finally collapsed into our beds after an impossibly long day, and found we could not sleep due to sore throats, stuffy noses, and a restless little baby girl. We were still euphoric, and we could not sleep. We had intended to take a 6 AM walk about 7 blocks away to get pictures in front of St. Basil's. We dragged ourselves out of bed and dressed, and then collapsed back on to the bed. We had promised to each other that we would stand on Red Square with our daughter... but we were far too spent.

We gathered our now lightened bags and made our way with a final van ride to our Adoption Agencies office for more endless tear-filled hugs and goodbyes, and then we were dropped off back at Sheremetyevo Airport. We purchased some final souvenirs, stood in the long line with the Russians (while in Rome...), and finally boarded the plane to New York. As the wheels chocked into their bays and the nose pulled up, we breathed easy, knowing that we would soon be home. Smooth sailing from here on out.

We were exhausted, slightly ill, and emotionally high. We had smiles on our faces that would not go away, and we were slap-happy. We took turns holding our beautiful daughter, watched Disney's Freaky Friday for the 4th time, tried to force down yet another meal of smoked salmon, and prayed please God let these wheels touch the ground!

Through hindsight I can tell you, it is good that we did not know what the next 36 hours had in store.

Orekhovo-Zuevo
Baby Orphanage
(Currently listing 120 babies)

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Aleksandra Elise: (11) Are We There Yet?

Aleksandra Elise: (9) The Weight of the Air

Journal Entry: April 29, 2004   1:09 AM

He loved me before I knew him

and he gave his son for me.

His love holds me close

and nothing is stronger.

I am so weak

and tomorrow is not in my power.

His wings beat over my head

and displace the heavy air.

His shadow cools my mind

and I am lifted up in his grip.

In my weakened state I soar above the clouds.

Journal Entry:  May 1, 2004  12:04 AM

Sasha--I feel so bound to you. Within a week I will be traveling towards you, skimming the clouds covered in darkness and held in an almighty hand. He has brought us together to bind us as family. I think of your mother that birthed you and pray that God's blessings find her tonight. Her sacrifice for reasons unknown to us has given us a great hope. I pray that the smile you gave to us is an indication that what we now do is just and right for you. I number the hours moment by moment until I breath you into my lungs again.

Journal Entry:  May 6, 2004 6:25 PM

It is the day before we leave to get Aleksandra. Caleb is on his way to Grandmother's. I hugged him and held him tight and long. Kellie lifted him into the car seat. My throat feels tight and my eyes are wet. I go in the house, looking back to see my wife reflect my emotion as she looks back to me. They pull away before I go inside and I stand there waving bye--feeling small and vulnerable.

I go inside and fall on my face. I surprised myself as my body shook. This was my moment, by myself as I allowed fear to seize me. I felt it take the deepest part of me.

And then I felt a strength, a peace, and a knowing.  I know who I am. I know whose right hand guides me. As I tremble, he makes me mighty with love.

The next 7 days were spent in Moscow, and our time there was an absolute whirlwind. We dealt with lost luggage, miles and hours spent in yet another cold van, endless visits to officials while my cash dwindled faster than I could count it. The lost bag was Kel's and she had to hand wash her clothes every night. We were required to wear semi-formal attire for the scheduled court appearance at the end of the week, and we could not afford to pay the prices of clothing in Moscow.

In the evenings we were on our own, which involved walking through the streets of Moscow to find dinner. We sought out the young Moscovites who were taught English in school. With lots of hand-motions and laughter, we ordered our food and on occasion received what we expected.

Kellie's suitcase arrived less than an hour before we had to leave for the court appointment. It had travelled around the world without us, and was fully intact. She was thrilled to have a change of clothes! As the week went by, we began to be medically exhausted. Every day we made our way through the birch forests, taking the 100 mile drive to and from the orphanage.

Every day since we said goodbye 5 months earlier, we had lived with the underlying fear that something would go wrong. A document in error, or omitted, or what if she fell ill, or what if she disappeared, or what if she had been switched? What if any unknown variable shattered our dreams?

That first day back when we again walked through those doors and were handed our daughter, it was as if we had never left. All of the worry and all of the time that had moved so slowly... simply vanished. Her smile and her warmth met us and her eyes seemed to tell us that everything was ok.

Those days are a blur in my memory. I just remember the warmth. The warmth of the sun, and the warmth of our time together. I was so immersed in the moment that I journaled only a single time that entire second trip. The day we spent outside with Aleksandra was a magical day. The weather had cleared and the sun shone down on a perfect 70 degree day.  We asked if we could take her outside for a walk.

They insisted on dressing her for the excursion and came back with her in heavy clothes, a snowsuit, a coat, gloves, and two hats. If you live in Moscow, you learn to respect the weather! We spent a wonderful hour outside, just being together in the sunlight.

That day finally drew to a close and I found myself back in the hotel room where I made my final entry of the trip.

Ludmila

Final Signatures

Here we are. Less than 24 hours from our court appointment. We'll face a Russian judge and hopefully walk away with a daughter. We make choices now that truly change our lives course. I cannot know the long-term waves, but I do know that by choice and God we have changed our own destiny. The story that was once written for me, my wife, my son, and my new-found daughter has been erased. We have from this day forward to write a new story.

Anastasia & Sofia

We were given the original
referral picture.

The sky is large here, and the days seem unnaturally long. I did not know God could send me this way--and yet I would be blind to not see that my life to this point has been preparation for the change taking place in        my soul through this miracle process. I expect to keep walking and do not regret these steps.

The night passed as we watched the shadows lengthen and then disappear as the son rose. We had breakfast, stashed an extra Coke and muffin for lunch, and put on our best clothes and made our way to the court room.  This was the crucial moment. We entered into the presence of the judge along with our interpreter, our legal representative, and our 20 pound dossier. Our documents were scrutinized, and we answered a seemingly endless series of questions. We held our breath as the judge finally placed her hand on the seal, and changed our lives with a stamp and a signature.

Next stop, Orekhovo-Zuevo to pick up our daughter... for keeps.

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Aleksandra Elise:(10) The Kinship of a Bunny