Last day with the little guy

Hello,  And yes it was my last visit with the little guy today.  The nanny's said he knew his mommy was coming ok now I need to get the paper work so I can get back here.  We had a great visit!!  We went outside and of course he was all bundled up.

     They let us take him to the grocery store today so we could buy cookies for the kids.  I think it was his first trip to a store but it won't be his last.  Wait till he gets home Mattie will show him around the mall and tell him Mommy's favorite word in on sale.  

     The nanny's said they loved the lotion I brought them so back to Target to get some more.  And thank you Auntie Carolyn the perfumes were a huge hit.  I bet these Nanny's would be regulars at our school store.  SO I took lots of pictures and video so Mattie can see his new baby brother.  I just talked to Mattie and he was very excited to hear only one more sleep till Mommy comes home and he can not wait to get the cars I bought him.  Wait till he has to start sharing his toys with baby brother YIKES we better  start working on that.

     Well for my last afternoon here I walked around the city and got caught in a rain storm so yes I was soaked and muddy.  That should be fun packing muddy clothes maybe I should just leave them here??  I hope you like the pictures from today and I will be home word bound at 3AM Russia time Friday morning.  Why bother going to bed.

Day 3

Hi,, Got to visit my little guy this morning.  It was drizzling out so we visited inside.  He seems happy to see me I get smiles and no tears.  He plays with the stacking cups, likes the photo album of me Mattie and the family which I am going to leave him.  Today he had fun taking everything in and out of my bag.  He giggles and babbled some words today.  

    The hardest part of visiting the baby home s when all the little kids look at me and some say MAMA I told Sylanta they are so sweet and I wish I could take them all home!!!!!!  She said all are not available for adoption some parents are still involved and some parents are in jail and having their kids in the baby home may be there ticket out . How sad.  Lucky for me Gennadly's parents did not sign his birth cert. so no one will be coming back so it will make court easier for me.

     Today I had my first real russian meal.  Sylanta took me out to lunch.  I had salad, cabbage soup and some kind of chicken/rice dish not so bad and herbal tea.  ANd yes a diet coke can not have a meal with out my favorite.  Sylanta has been great and works very hard for us and the children so as soon as I get home I will work on my paper work so I can get back here quickly to bring home Mattie's brother.

     I talked to Mattie on the phone today.  He seems to be doing great I told him 2 more sleeps and mom will be home.  I found him cookies and cars so he will be happy because that is what he told me he wanted from Russia.

     Thanks everyone for all your messages and emails I love to read them!!!!!!!  OK I will post a new picture then to sleep for me it is 11pm here.

Beth

Out side visit

I am back in my room.  Here is a picture from today visit.  We went out today, it was not that cold but they sure bundled him up.  He was giggling today it was so cute.  2 more days to visit then home to do more paper work.

     

Out to eat

Ok I brought my computer to dinner so I can maybe ICHAT with my classroom.  I am at the hotel resteraunt which is pretty good.  I am just getting a burger I am not that daring when in other countries by myself.  Do not want to get sick so a old fashion burger and a diet coke.  For my weight watcher friends I am not sure how many points it will be, but I did lots of walking today.

     OK I think there is some kind of party /function going on.  Picture this, me and my computer in the corner and long tables of people laughing, talking drinking and now a man is talking on a microphone.  DO not know what he is saying hopefully he is not talking about the girl in the corner on her computer they are laughing now and now there is music.  I feel like I am the uninvited guest to some kind of party???

     Oh well a girl has to eat.  At least some of the music is in english, do not worry I will not be dancing.

Beth

No More Waiting

Great Report

Hello,  This morning I received a email back from the Dr. in RI.  I had sent him all the medical information I received on the little guy along with the photos that were taken of him and he said HE LOOKS FINE.  That made my day, I know he looked great and the medical information did not sound to scarey but it was nice to hear from the Dr.  

     So right now I am waiting to go spend the morning with him.  I have my bag full of toys and some animal cookies so I am ready to go.  And yes I have my camera and video camera so I will be taking lots of pictures.

Beth

OK, OK, THE NEWS YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!

Hello,  Well here I am in Russia.  The trip to get here not so bad.  MyWHFC rep. Svetlana picked me up at 9:45 am and off we went.  Yes it is cold here so the winter coat was on!!  NO flip flops n Russia

     We had to notorize a paper then off to the Ministry to find out my referral.  Now I have been trying to get in touch with Mattie other wise known as the BOSS to tell him first but he is not at day care yet and no one is answering my home phone so I am not quiet sure where my 3 year old is.  Maybe out for coffee with grandpa.  Now do not worry I know he is fine with either Aunt Lizzy or Grandpa, and I will call day care again to make sure he is not skipping and at the beach or working with Grandpa.

     So are you ready to hear brother or sister for Mattie?   I wish I could have Malcolm (my student) do a DRUM roll for you.  So with out any more delays or me babbling on I would like to announce that Mattie is a BIG BROTHER to a baby BOY!!!  I know we were thinking pink but who knows what Mattie would have done with all those poor barbies and dolls in the house. He would have been stuffing them in his trucks using them as base balls etc., etc..

     HE is adorable and his birth date is Sept 22 2007.  He is in baby home #5 for all you Ekat families reading this.  His birth name is Gennadily (old Russian name),  so I think we might be changing it, I will have to consult with THE BOSS.  From what was told to me he seems very healthy and I have sent the info. to Dr. in RI so I am waiting to hear back from him.

     Unfortunately we got to the baby home at nap time so  was able to see him for a short time (5 minutes).  He smiled at me, walked over to me. let me pick him up and again he is adorable brown hair and eyes and small so he will have to start eating out of the snack draw with his big brother when he gets home to fatten him up.  Svetlana took a few pictures on her phone camera so if she emails me them I will post them, if not I will take LOTS tomorrow to show him off!!

     OK I am going to get dinner now then get some rest for my big play date tomorrow with my son.  And I hope my students in room 5 add checking my blog to their morning meeting.

Happy Mother of now 2 boys!!  Beth

Germany

Hi Everyone,  I am half way there.  I am in the Sheraton in Frankfort Germany.  My flight was no problem.  I had 2 very large diet pepsi's before I got on the plane and a slice of pizza, not sure what I will be eating the rest of the week??  The plane was huge I sat between 2 very nice people and watched the airline movie ink heart(strange movie).  Landed in germany 6am germany time and checked into my hotel.  I know this is a boring post but just want to keep yo all updated of my adventure.

     I slept for about 8 hours off and on and now I am ready to go.  Mattie still thinks I am bringing him home both a brother and sister so I hope he is not to disappointed when there is only one.  I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather at home I have my winter coat and boots and am ready for Russia and to meet my little one.

     So tomorrow (Monday) is the BIG day. I will get picked up at 9:30 do some paper work then off to the Minestry to find out if it is a girl or boy???  I am getting very excited and can not wait to meet him or her.  I should be able to meet the child on Monday so stay tuned for information and PICTURES!!

     Well I am off to find a diet pepsi and some breakfast or lunch, I think lunch here in Germany and then get my plane at 7:30.  I do not think I will venture to far today maybe next time since I will be taking this route 2 more times.  Does anyone know can you get frequent flier miles on Luftansa???

      Until tomorrow keeping wondering boy or girl or as Mattie would say Baby Lyla or Jake.

Beth

My bags are packed almost.

Hello,  Well it is 12:30 and Mattie finally fell asleep at about 11:30pm so now I can finish packing.  I think I have everything I need, warm clothes, gifts, camera, video camera, toys, movies and my paper work.  SO my LONG journey begins tomorrow.  Mattie keeps asking to go with me but I tell him he needs to stay home to take care of grandpa and auntie.  He is excited about being a big brother and I can not believe I am 3 days away from meeting the newest member to the Hurley family!  Mattie wants a brother and a sister so if he had his way I would be getting twins!!  I think one more will be fine for me and Mattie.  

     The next time I update I will either be in Germany or Ekat Russia so stay tuned and follow along as the journey to Matties brother or sister continues.  Well I should probably get some sleep since I have some traveling to do.         Beth

On your mark get set go

     Here is the update you have all been waiting for.  This week for me was like running a race a couple times.  I had to hurry and sign papers, get them noterized then apostilied, then scan and email them to WHFC not once but had to do this twice this week.  Well I finally got confirmed travel information on Friday the 17th. 

     So here are my travel plans, I leave Logan at 4;30 pm on Saturday April 25th, arrive in Frankfort Germany at 5:20 am and leave Frankfort at 7:30 pm and land in Ekat Russia at 4:30 am Monday April 27th.  Yes what a travel agenda.  I am actually on planes for 7 hours then it is 4 hours to Russia.  It is all the time differences and yes you read it right the 14 hour layover in Germany.  So when in Germany I might get a hotel room at the airport sleep for a couple hours and then if possible maybe do some sightseeing??  I will have to talk to the travel agency about my time in Germany I do not want to get stuck there.

     So fast forward to Monday morning 4/27/09 I land in Russia 4:30 am, get a ride to my hotel and get picked up at about 9:00 to go get my referral and see a picture of the newest addition of our family.  We still do not know if it is a girl or a boy and I am in big trouble because Mattie is now convinced he is getting a brother AND sister so we will see how this goes.  After I get the referral it is off to the baby house to hear all the information on the child then the 1st meeting so Monday will be one EXCITING day.

     Of course this week is my school vacation I guess my timing is not good but you have to go when Russia wants you so here I go.  So this week I will do school plans, MCAS alts and any other school stuff that needs to be done at the beginning of the week.  Thursday and Friday will be spent packing ( I think it will be cold there so now spring clothes), get things organized for Mattie and Landscaping and just having fun with Mattie maybe a visit to the zoo or to the circus if we can ft it in.     Beth

     So get ready to follow my next adventure and I am one week away from completing my family and meeting my little girl or boy.

     

Fed EX pick up

Hi,  OK yesterday I got everything ready to send for my VISA.  I called Fed Ex and he said "leave the envelope outside the door and it will be picked up at 9AM".  So Mattie and I left it in the door and off to work/daycare we go.  Me thinking at 9 am the envelope is being picked up and is off to New York for my VISA.  We get home at 5 and the Fed Ex envelope is STILL in the door.  I get a little panicky and MAD so I call FED EX and the nice lady tells me he ment any time after 9AM and the truck should be there soon.  At about 6PM Mattie sees the FED EX truck pull up.  He is very excited and hands the envelope over to the man, then the questions start.  Can I go in the truck, the man answers you do not want to do that it is really dirty!!  Mattie of course being Mr. I will clean it says well why doesn't he clean it!!  I said first mommies stuff needs to be delivered so she can get to Russia then he can clean it.  One more step closer to seeing my little cuttie waiting for me in Russia!!!  Beth and Mattie

Happy Birthday Grandpa 4/3/2009

Hello,  I got "The Call" on my dads birthday, 4/3/09 at 2:19 while I was at work.  My cell phone rang and I did not recognize the number but had a feeling I should answer it and it was Vica from WHFC!!  I was so excited jumping around and screaming not proper behavior for school but my students did not seem to care they were so excited for me, I could see it in all their faces.  So yes I have a referral but do not know if it is a girl or boy??  Vica mentioned traveling maybe the week of April 20th which caused me to yell right in her ear (sorry) because that is my April vacation so that would work out perfect where work is concerned.   But believe me when they tell me to travel I am going!!                                                                                                                                                  I told Mattie he is offically a big brother and his brother or sister are waiting in Russia for me.  So what does he say "I am a big brother and you are a big mamma."  All I could do is laugh and tell him he does not need to use the BIG word for mamma.  So I made some calls and printed out more paper work to be filled out and notorized before I can travel.

     So my next step is to get my Visa.  Then the packing begins and luckly the weather seems to be warming up a bit there but I think I can leave my flip flops home.    Beth