2 weeks together

     WOW I can not believe it Jake has been with me for only 2 weeks and with Mattie for a week and a half it seems like he has been with us forever!!  Both boys are adjusting so much better then I could have ever imagined.  Mattie is a loving, proud, and very helpful big brother.  He only cries when his brother has to nap and he can not play with him.  I told Mattie to nap also he chooses to watch Sponge Bob instead of napping.  Jake is doing fantastic!!  The amount of things he understands is incredible when I tell him or ask him to do something.  After my 3 visits to Russia  could not understand any thing in Russian and here is a 2 year old understanding English after 2 weeks.

     Ok what does Jake like to do??  He LOVES music, food (especially the snack draw), water,giving kisses and of course his big brother.  OK he is potty trained and goes to the bathroom does what he needs to do then lets me know when he is done.  I think he goes to the bathroom so much because he LOVES to wash his hands!! Has become attached to his coat and sneakers so I do not know what I am going to do when it warms up this weekend not to have him wear his winter coat.  He gets very excited when Auntie Sue comes over and when Grandpa comes to visit.  And due to my basement flooding again Grandpa has been over alot!!

     He started trying to  climb out of the port a crib so he is sleeping in a big boy bed with a side rail of course.  Now if Mattie would stay in his bed then I will have my own room.  

     Unfortunately I need to go back to work on Monday so Jake will be going to Day Care next door on Monday.  He is going to go over tomorrow for a short trial period.  Lucky for me  April school vacation is in two weeks so I will have a week off then.  And if Jake is not adjusting well to day care well then I will take more time off.  

     Happy Easter to all my blogger friends!!

     

Brothers First meeting!!!!!

     Well we are home and things are going great!!  I thought I would post some pictures of the brothers meeting for the first time.  It was definately LOVE at first sight.  After a day of traveling we were not looking pretty but Jake was a trooper and did great on the 10 hour plane ride, then running across JFK airport to get on our connector to Boston.  We called Mattie from New York and he said to me am I going to be introduced to my brother tonight!!  Yes you are we are on our way home.  It was so sweet seeing Mattie come running to me and Jake he was SOOOOOO excited.  Jake was tired but he did great.  

     SInce we have been home they have been getting along great Mattie takes being a big brother very seriously and does not let his brother out of his sight.  WHen Jake needs to nap Mattie cries and just wants Jake to stay up and play.  WHile Jake is napping Mattie will lie in my bed and watch tv till his brother wakes up.  Yesterday when we took Mattie to school Jake took his coat off and put it in Mattie's locker it was so cute.  Mattie did fine going to school knowing Jake would be home with me. 

     Enjoy the pictures and I will post pictures of our last snowy day in Moscow when I get another free moment.  

Will we be home Saturday???

     Little bit of a scare today found out my CSI fingerprints expired on January 14th and well WHFC told me they expired in April so there was a problem at the Embassy for me.  So Mike picked us up and we were off so I could get finger printed here in Russia now I have done it all when it comes to fingerprints.  So a little nerve racking when I am told we might not be going home till maybe tuesday or Wednesday.  How would I explain this one to Mattie.  Well after a couple of nervous hours waiting the American embassy in Russia calls me at my hotel to tell me they could use the expired ones so we should be all set with getting Jakes VISA tomorrow.  

     So to celebrate after Jake s3 hour nap we headed off in a taxi with the new carriage since he likes to RUN and we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Moscow.  He loved it dancing to the music eating french fries it does not get much better then that.  We did a little shopping and then tried to get back to the hotel by taking the Metro which was an experience with a 2 year old and a carriage but people were helpful. Well we got so far and I got a little confused and it was getting late so we took a cab the rest of the way.  What an adventure Moscow is MUCH bigger then Ekat and less muddy!

     So after our busy day Jake is sleeping and I should be to.  So off to the embassy at 1 tomorrow then to Red square for pictures and a little more shopping.  Hope things go smooth at the embassy I can not take any more surprises.  How could WHFC be so OFF with my finger prints???????  

     Pcture of us leaving the baby house #5 and Jake waiting for his first plane ride!!  Enjoy

Moscow here we come!

    Well we made it to Moscow last night.  Jake is doing great, he is so happy and loving the outside world.  He finds everything funny and loves to RUN and sing all the time.  I picked him up at 6 pm Wed night and got him dressed in this St Patty day shirt.  Ok I left a bag of clothes in the directors office last week because she said it would be fine??  Well where did the 3 or 4 outfits go WHO Knows??  Lucky for us they found the coat I left and I had shirts for him but no pants why would I bring some in I just left 4 pairs last week.  Well they could not be found and said the kids were probably wearing them whick I hope is true but I mostly see tights and shorts on them??  So I had to use a pair of pants from the baby home which was fine because enow he has something from his baby home like Mattie.  And I must confess before I knew the pants were missing I put the tank top he had on in my bag I can not have baby home cloths for one son and not the other.

     So off to the airport.  He was great in the car.  Some how Svtlana got lost but we made it on time , just part of the adventure.  When we were waiting I went to get a diet coke and before I could stop him he had opened a bag of MM's that is my independent boy.

     Still everything was going smooth and fun then it was take off time and he looked at me and then you guessed threw up and laughing about it.  So I cleaned up the banana and apple juice that did not sit well and on to outfit number 2 which were his PJs.  He was happy the whole flight eating yes eating bread and cheese and the stewardess loved him so she kept coming to visit him.  Then he was running up and down the aisle and oh yes just screaming "um pa" as loud as he could and laughing.  SO there was no sleeping on our 10 pm flight!!  And if anyone knows what Um Pa means in Russian can you let me know.  TO me he sounds a little Greek??  

     SO the driver Mike picked us up with all our bags and Jake in his PJS and off to the Raddison.  A brand new hotel with WHITE comforters I do not think they will be inviting adoptive parents back after we leave.  He finally fell a sleep around 2AM in the bed with me because he wanted NO part of the crib!!!!!!

Surprise visit

     Well we started the day finishing the last part of the paper work chase.  Svtlana picked me up at 10 and the race was started, she really should drive for Nascar!!  Any ways we are all set to get the passport tomorrow.  We went by the baby home to do the last part of the paperwork and the girl from the baby home went to "sign him out of Russia."  So we should be all set to leave for Moscow tomorrow night.  

     While at the baby home we got to talk with the new head doctor who is very sweat!!!  I got 2 pictures of Jake one when he is 2 months old so cute and one more recent.  Also I was surprised to find out he was baptized at the baby home so I got that certificate and a cross that was given to him which I will keep for him.  And then I was asked if I wanted to wait till 4 to see Jake after his nap well of course I did.  So Svtlana went to finish some things and I waited in the play room for about an hour.  I think I snoozed for a bit myself while waiting.

     At about 4 he came running in looking like on of Santa's elf and came right over to me and gave me a big hug.  He had 2 cookies and shared with me actually feeding them to me so cute.  I could tell he was looking for my toy bag and I had none since I did not know I would see him.  But I had a pen, my camera and some hand cream so that entertained him for a short while.  

     Well the playroom got very busy 3 French families and one single mom from New York adopting 2 so there were lots of kids, toys and fu to be had.  Jake found some tools one of the boys had so he was having fun with the hammer and saw and I told him he has lots of tools and a work bench waiting for him at home along with a big brother.  

     One of the little boys were opening the tv stand and is mom would say No but he did not listen till he was told something in Russian then he walked away.  Well then Jake went over to him I think telling him No and pointing his finger at him so I think I have another Bossy boy in the house!!  

     we played till 6:30 then I had to go Svtlana came to pick me up.  When I brought him to his unit he gave me a kiss and a wave good bye and then one of the little boys points to me and says Gena"s (Jakes russian name) Mama it was so cute.  I wonder if Jake reliezes this is his last sleep at Baby House #5 and that tomorrow starts a whole new adventure???  I hope he is ready!!

I am HERE

     Ok just in case anyone was looking for me I finally made it to Ekat Monday night at 10pm!!  Another travel adventure for me thru New York.  I got to New York Sat morning at 10 am and had a flight to Moscow at 4:30 that day.  While waiting I met a couple Paige and Scott who were also going to Moscow to pick up there little girl so now I had some one to chat with .  Little did I know then I would be sleeping next to them on the floor in the airport!!   

     So it was raining and windy in New York and flights were being canceled but mine was not.  We got on the plane at 4 then sat for about 1 hour then due to the wind they had us get off since it was now delayed, then it was cancelled and they sent us to a section to rebook then it was on again then no cancelled again and so on.  So I think to keep the peace Delta kept sending people to different places I think they thought if people were moving they would not be upset.  So I stayed with my new friends and got in line to re book.  Oh and Delta was handing out drinks, cookies and peanuts again to try to keep people happy.  Well we were in line for HOURS!!  Finally it is my turn and I am told I can not get to Moscow till Tuesday night!!  What oh this is not good.  SO of course the tears start and I just want to get out of New York and pick up my little guy.

     So now it is about 11pm and my friends try to get us a hotel room well of course none available due to the storm so we grabbed some delta pillows, blankets and found a corner to call home. Mind you there are people sleeping every where it is not pretty at JFK.  I think I actually slept some.

    So now it is SUnday I am still in the same clothes but have brushed my teeth.  After a few diet Pepsi's I get on the computer and the phone to try to get to Moscow Sunday.  I am on the stand by list for the flight tonight but it was not looking good.  I finally got thru on the phone to a delta rep. and some how she was able to confirm me on the flight Sunday night, YAH for me.  Unfortunately my friends were on stand by but did have a confirmed flight with 2 lay overs and would not get into Moscow till 2 am Tuesday.   So after a long day in the airport and yes I did have a change of clothes I finally got a seat on the plane 40 G and my friends got on also so all is good with the world right now!

       So after a 9 hour flight I get to Moscow, meet up with Lala and go to get my next flight which now that I am late I do not have a ticket even though my travel agent said they re booked me so after paying for another flight I finally get to Ekat.  Svtlana and her son picked me up and off to the new hotel. I am staying at  Novetel in Ekat it is brand new and so far so good.  

     Today I will be running around with Svtlana to finish Jakes paper work for his passport and tomorrow night I pick him up and off to Moscow.  

     So that is my story I know I should of taken pictures of the maddness at JFK but  think I was to tired and worried to pul out my camera.  So stay tuned to the Gotcha day news on March 17th St Patrick's Day!!!!!!!!

And I am off AGAIN

     Ok so I had a crazy busy week home.  Mattie was very happy to see his mom, he did not get out of his PJ"S on Sunday just so we could "Just Stay Home" his favorite thing to do.  He loved the new shoes I bought him in Russia and of course I bought a pair for his brother Jake, I have to get use to buying things in pairs to keep my boys happy.  He had a GREAT time in FLA with Auntie and Grandpa, and he let everyone know he is the boss.

     I went back to work Monday morning still tired from the Jet lag/time change.  That actually lasted till about Thursday.  Any way the kids were glad to see me and they did great while I was away.  It was awsome seeing pictures of Jake everywhere at school.  I have the best aides in my class so of course everything went smoothly with lots of crafting and I went to the Craft store again so they will be busy easter crafting while I am away.  

     On a sadder note my Dads dog Oliver who is almost 16 with bad arthritis unfortunately had a rough time so the we made the decision and poor sister Sue had to take him on Wednesday and he is now in Doggy heaven.  We have not told Mattie yet he knows Oliver was sick and if he asks where he is we will tell him rehab. until I get home.  I think Mattie might sense something since he has become very attached again to his Oliver Stuff dog.  And well not a good week for the Hurley animals one of Matties frog either couch or chair went to frog heaven on Thursday so hopefully this week will be better.

     SO last night I repacked for my last trip to Russia to pick up m boy on St Patrick's Day!!!  I had to pack clothes for him and some toys.  Svtlana my rep. in Russia had some things deliered to my house so they went in the bag to.  Also a teacher at school gave me 3 boxes of hand made dolls and baby blankets to give to the baby house I think they will love them.  Of course Mattie got sight of them so I think I have one blanket and maybe 4 dolls at home!!

     Ok so now I am in New York the flight was on time this time so no problem about missing my connector to Moscow which leaves here at 4pm.  It is rainy and very cloudy so hopefully everything leaves on time.  So my LONG journey of adopting little Jake is finally done and he will be home with me and his older brother this Saturday YAH!!!  Then the real fun begins with the Brothers.  

     For my Ekat friends I am staying at a new Hotel the Novel, Svtlana took me there durng my last visit and it just opened so I decided to try it out.  It is brand new, not to far from the Park Inn now lets just hope the Breakfast buffet is as good.   

The Judge said YES!!!!!!

     Well court went great and the judge said yes I can officialy be John Henry Hurley's Mommy!!  SO Mattie is finally a Older brother because we do not know how long Mattie will be bigger then Jake.  As Russian adoption famlies know court day is nerve racking, especially in Ekat.  We had lunch in the court cafe while we were wating and who walks in but "The Male Judge" so now I can put a face to the person who was in charge of ALL my paper work  and the REDUE list , really my birth certificate expired??  But as you all know I bit my tongue and re did what ever he wanted.

     So court starts with me telling my story, luckely I had it all typed up, and as  am talking I see the judge looking thru my paper work I can see those shinney gold Apostile seels and it was kind of weird seeing him look at pictures of my house. So after that the questions started most where about how i was going to treat my two boys equally.  Then he wanted to know aout discipline so being the positive person that I am I said I would talk to them about what they did wrong and what they should do and he said I thought Americans do TIme  Out, I said oh no at my house we call it gong into the room to think about it.  I got the judge to laught as well as everyone else in the room he asked who would help care for the boys I said my sister, dad, my dad's girl friend then the laughter started I guess grandpa's in Russia do not have girl friends!!

     When the person from  the baby home talked she said how much Jake likes to perform I thought perfect now he can be on America Has Talent with Mattie.  Oh and Jake's social worker said when she saw my age she was surprised I was adopting she said most women my age are expecting grand chIldren,  YIKES I am not that old.   But she said we were a great match. 

     So now the 10 day wait.  I will come home this Saturday and come back next SUnday and pick up Jake on March 17th!!  I will have to get him a nice Irish knit to wear to Moscow.

     So now that court is over I do not know what I am going to do with all my free time no more documents to collect and notarize and Apostile.    

getting ready for the JUDGE

Hello  Had another great visit with Jake today.  Do not tell Mattie but he had tights on again with shorts YIKES, but he did have his camo sneakers on that I gave him!!  I brought a coat for him to try on he did not want to so I put it on.  His social worker came today to observe me with him and I think I passed.  Well court tomorrow at 2pm so I have been busy working on my speech.  I think I am finally done with it , I feel like I am back at college doing a term paper but the topic is Jake, Mattie and me, I hope the judge gives me an A!!!  

One of the families got to take their son Thomas out of the baby home and they are heading to Moscow.  He looked so cute and so scared being out in the big old world but he is almost home.

When I was at the baby home the other couple I met Sandy and John were there visiting their twin boys, they are adorable.  I can not wait till we can all get together with our boys!!

Well i am going to try to sleep now and be ready for my big day tomorrow so tune in tomorow night to see how I made out at court!!

Another great visit with Jake

     OK his face should say it all who knew balloons were so funny! Had another fun visit with Jake even though he is still called Gena he will catch on to his new name once he meets his brother and will say Jake non stop.  We played with water, books, a balloon, and oh yes there was a miny trampaleen so he was JUMPING.  And his first english word was JUMP, so cute.  And again no tights he has pants on.  I brought some shoes and he picked the camo sneakers and they fit perfectly!!  

     Since I did not visit until 4 I took a walk and found an outside carnival yes outside with kiddie rides and all, Mattie would have loved it and they had beautiful ice scuptures of course I forgot my camera so I am going to go back to take pictures.  Can you believe a otside carnival in -11 degrees but the kids were having a blast.

     When I went down to dine alone with my book I met 2 couples adopting.  One I knew was going to be here I have been emailing her and she brought a package to Jake for me this summer they are actually here to bring there son home.  They other couple is here for the first time to get their referral and all our children are at the same baby house which is pretty cool. The 2nd couple is from New Jersey so we might have to make a road trip to visit my new friends.  So it was great to talk and hear about the couples court date since mine will be one Wed so I better get ready for my big day.