She is beautiful!

So we met "baby sister" today and she is just beautiful. Of course she had the exact opposite reaction to us as Oscar. Oscar cried for over an hour and was very unsure of us. She is the happiest and most giggly baby ever. Super chubby cheeks too. She loved to sit with Joe and get tickled. Our coordinator was even crying when Joe was holding her and tickling her. The video is the cutest thing ever. I can't wait until we can share it with everyone.
We went to the ministry of education this morning at 8:15 and then stayed at the orphanage until 1:15. We just finished lunch and we are headed back to the orphanage tonight at 5. We will also have the day tomorrow to play with her.

We have arrived!

So turns out last night after I posted we were able to shower and get to know our coordinator and translator for a few hours. We did not have to head to the train until 9. Not really sure how that happened, but we just don't ask questions. :) You really have to be ready to just go with the flow. (of course, easier said than done for me)
We are now in our hotel in Vologda and getting ready to go eat breakfast. After breakfast we will be going to the ministry of education to officially receive our referral and then head to the orphanage to meet baby sister.
We are traveling with another couple who will be meeting their son. They are really nice and it is great to share this experience with another couple.
After the plane for one night of sleep and the train for the next night of sleep it is an understatement to say we are tired! Hopefully we will get a better night of sleep tonight.
We should be able to post about our first visit tonight!
Lisa

Almost there!

Just a quick note to say we landed in Moscow. We had 30 minutes or so in a hotel to freshen up and now we are off to the train station for the over night train.

Russia Here We Come!

We are all packed and ready to go. One last check of the luggage and we will be packing up the car. Flight leaves this evening and we will be in Moscow tomorrow evening. We will be on an over night train tomorrow night and meeting baby sister on Monday morning. We won't be able to post anything until at least Monday night.
Thanks for all the well wishes!
Lisa

Got the call!

Looks like we are headed to Russia this coming Saturday! Please wish us luck and safe travels!
Lisa

Still hoping and waiting

Well we are still hoping and waiting. Our referral comes off the registry on Friday and I wish I had a flight there on Friday! I talked to our agency today and they are hoping we will travel within 2 weeks but there is no official word yet. I just really hope this one works out and that we get a call this week to plan our travel. I will admit that I am definitely a planner and I hate not knowing things. However, as a teacher I have a ton of planning to do once I know when I will be gone. I want to go right away, but a little notice would really help my sanity. At least I still have the packing list all ready, paperwork is done, and baby stuff is bought. I really would just have a ton to do at school. Well now that I typed this out I do feel a little better. Thanks to those that listened! :) Here is to hoping we get a call soon and are on a plane soon!!!

Funny Story

So we were shopping at Target on Sunday. I decided to look at baby toys for baby sister with Oscar. I told him we were shopping for babysitter and here is the conversation we had:

Me: We're shopping for your baby sister Oscar.
Oscar: Mom, can I cook her?
Me: WHAT?
Oscar: Can I cook baby sister, with noodles?
Me: No, Oscar! You can't cook her with noodles!

He then smiled and giggled.

So what is that about? Cook her with noodles? Where did he come up with that and what does that me? Any thoughts?

Woody Buzz and Jesse

Does it get any better than this for a 3 year old? Even though the lines were insane, seeing Oscar when he met Woody, Buzz, and Jesse was completely worth it! The kid was in heaven!