Our Journey Home ~ For Good!

I have attempted to document our journey from Moscow to home on several occassions but hmmm....I wonder who keeps monopolizing my time!?! Kristina!

Yes, being a mom now means all my awake time revolves around her. I'm still trying to get my bearings on this new role of motherhood and working out the kinks of learning her likes and dislikes and deciphering what the heck is wrong when she cries at that almighty high pitch (which isn't often ~ yet).

Saturday morning was a whirlwind. Our driver was picking us up at 11:30am to take us to the airport so we finished packing our 4 large suitcases and 2 carry-ons full of kid ammunition: wipes/pull-ups/snacks/music/wipes/books/snacks/puzzles/crayons/wipes/snacks/etc. We made it to SVO airport in Moscow at 12:45pm and our flight was departing at 2:40pm. After going through about 3 rounds of security*, we finally found ourselves wandering the Duty Free Shops and halls trying to wear out our daughter so she'd sleep on the plane.

*Note to adoptive parents in Russia: When you have a child with you age 5 or less, it is Russian custom that your proceed directly to the front of any line and cut in front of everyone. We hung back initially fearing the Americans in our line would give us the evil-eye or some harsh words that may traumatize our little girl for life. But after standing in the first line, I followed another couple with a child and sure enough --- we left everyone else in the dust and sailed through the rest of Security!

When we boarded the Aeroflot plane, we didn't have the bulkhead seats ~ we had 3 seats in the middle of the plane (rows were 2 - 3 -2 so we didn't have anyone else directly in our row except the people sitting on the sides at the windows). As the plane took off, I looked out the window and saw the plane lift from Russian land. I had tears streaming down my face knowing that our daughter was leaving her homeland and overcome with joy that we were finally taking our daughter home. I looked over at JD, and he, too, had tears in his eyes which made me tear up even more! Over a year of doing paperwork (and lots of it), seeing so many medical specialists, writing so many checks, and praying for Kristina's well-being, this was the moment we looked forward to...heading home with our daughter.

Leaving Moscow with Ekaterinburg on the map...dosvidanya, Russia!

During the flight, Kristina did so well. I was so proud of her ~ you'd think she was a seasoned traveler! She kept herself busy for 1/2 an hour destroying an Airline magazine carefully ripping sheet after sheet and placing each shred of paper in a baggie (she's already a neat-freak). After a few more hours of eating and playing, she fell asleep --- for 6 1/2 hours. Truly wonderful. Did we sleep? Jon got a few naps in but I watched all 3 movies and watched her sleep. Although exhausted, we couldn't sleep because Kristina is a wiggle-worm when she sleeps and has already fallen out of bed a few times. We didn't want to risk her falling onto the floor of the plane for fear the Russians would turn the plane back for being negligent parents!)

Tearing-up magazines is a great time -consuming task. Great gross and fine motor skills!

Kristina really told us what she thought of airline food...

Angel sleeping.

Touching down in Los Angeles as a family!

It was a long 13 1/2 hours of flying but at 4:45pm, the plane touched down at Los Angeles Airport and Kristina was an American citizen. Her feet touched American soil at 5:21pm as we stood in line for Passport Control. We then headed over to the Immigration area and waited again. Fifteen minutes later, one of the Immigration Officers yelled out our name and said he couldn't accept the VISA photos provided of Kristina because they didn't have a white background. He asked us for other pictures. What???? I looked at him in shock with Kristina on my hip saying "Those are the pictures accepted by the US Embassy in Moscow. That's all we have!" Fear gripped me that we'd be stuck in Immigration only because the the photo place we drove all around Ekaterinburg looking for that would take VISA pictures on Wednesday did them incorrectly.

The officer took Kristina and me to a back room and took her picture -- an even cuter one than the Ekat pictures. After she winked and giggled and made friends with numerous officers, we were on our way. Next stop: the welcoming arms of family and friends awaiting our arrival.

Taking quick pictures before Security in Customs catches us!

I wish I could bottle or convey the feeling of excitement of walking through the customs line and finally seeing balloons, cameras flashing, and smiling faces (understatement) of our loved ones. In attendance were Grammy and Poppy from FL (my folks), Nana and Grandpa (JD's folks), Uncle Bryce (JD's Brother), Kristina's cousin, Alex, and my dear friend of 28 years, Laura. I'm sure it was overwhelming for Kristina as she was wide-eyed the entire time but a good sport holding onto me tightly the entire time.

Quick picture as Security yells at us "keep moving ~ no stopping allowed!"

Kristina in awe with the paparazzi.

Wonderful family: (L-->R) Poppy, Grammy, Laura, Kristina, JD, Alex, Nana, Grandpa, Uncle Bryce.

Kristina meeting her Aunt Laura and loving the Bunny Rabbit Aunt Laura gave her.

After figuring out the car seat (thank you, Grandpa), we were on our way home. It was over an hour drive (d'oh -- traffic just like in Ekat!!) and we slept most of the way. At our house, there were more balloons and lawn signs and door signs welcoming Kristina. Nana had put together an entire luncheon spread and how terrific it was to have familiar food again...and drinks with ice! (Drinks are not served with ice in Russia except at McDonald's and good luck getting a cold bottle of soda or water.) Neighbors and friends, Marc and Rose, stopped in as they took care of our mail, tortouise and house while we were gone for almost 5 weeks. It was an enjoyable evening and so nice to be home.

Welcome Home, Kristina DeAnn!

First family picture at home.

Marc and Rose welcoming Kristina to the "hood"

Kristina running to her room. Her shirt says "Peace, Love, Celebrate" -- and we were!

Kristina finally went to bed around 11pm and we decided we better clean up before collapsing. Ahhhhh, but then I noticed it --- water on the floor on 3 sides of the fridge. JD checked it out and sure enough -- our waterline to the fridge was leaking and pooled on the floor about 10 feet along the wall -- warping our cabinetry. We were up until 1:30am cleaning up the mess and writing up a "Lowes Need List". Yes - no matter what, there's no place home!

Back on October 18, 2008, I posted an entry with this door hanger and said we couldn't wait to turn it around. Finally ~ The Princess Is In!!!!