It’s Official! I’m a Mommy!

Just after 12:30 St. Petersburg time today, Thursday, December 09, 2010, a Russian judge formally approved our petition to be parents to Bennett Alim Trevor and Celia Rose Nargiza. With nine other people in the cramped, hot courtroom, Derek and I began a new chapter in our lives. One we have been waiting for for quite some time, and one that could only begin with the two children God preordained to be ours—our “B” an “C.”

Without further ado—and because it’s been a very long and very emotional day, and we have a flight to catch early tomorrow morning as long as the snow doesn’t get in the way—I’m going to cut this post short and introduce the world to our two little blessings.

Introducing the strong-willed and completely lovable Bennett Alim:

…and introducing the very popular and totally smooch-able Celia Rose:

PLEASE NOTE: I do not plan on posting photos of our babies on facebook until we are safely home.

As the judge was reading her verdict, I lost it and began to cry tears of joy immediately after I heard the judge say (via our translator), “I grant your petition…” I didn’t even pay attention to the rest! Good thing Derek kept his wits about him. He informed me as we left the courtroom that we are able to pick up our children as early as the 21st—Celia’s first birthday! Hooray! If all goes according to plan—which our agency representatives here in Russia believe that its should—we will be able to have all paperwork ready by the evening of the 21st, pick each of them up from their baby home on the 22nd (the day brother and sister will meet for the very first time!), and make it home by the evening of the 31st! We should begin the new year with our babies safely home!

Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes. I feel I’m getting greedy, but if you think of it, pray for our travels home. Currently St. Petersburg is getting a lot—and I mean A LOT—of snow, and flights at our first layover destination have been canceled and postponed for the last day or so… There is so much yet to do at home and I am anxiously hoping and praying to make it back to get things accomplished this weekend.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!!!

Snow, Sun and Smiles

We began the day at 9:15, when our translator came to pick us up. The sun had just began to rise and we were off to see B! At the suggestion of our translator, we saw B for a longer period of time this morning and planned on seeing C in the afternoon.

Usually, we see C for 45 minutes, drive to B’s baby home to see him for 45 minutes, get in an hour of site-seeing, eat lunch, visit with C for 45 minutes to an hour, drive once again to B’s home and play with him for a final 45 minutes to an hour. (Whew! Are you tired just reading that?!) However, today we thought it best to spend a larger block of time with B. At his age, it takes more time to break down the barriers and sometimes feel that just when we’re making a breakthrough, it’s time to go. So we spent a good hour and half, hour and forty-five minutes with him this morning. I would say it definitely paid off!

We started our play time outside, at the request of his caregivers, since they usually get a set amount of time each day to play outside. We were equipped with a red plastic shovel and a HUGE snow suit, green mittens and a pink hat for our little guy. Yes, a pink hat. All bundled up, we ventured off into the snow.

We took a walk around back where we stopped to play with his shovel. He wasn’t too interested. I took out his favorite toy—the stacking cups—to see if that created a better response. He loved watching Mama dig in the snow with the cups and make the snow fall as I was pouring it out. B wanted to get involved too, however the green mittens that were sewed onto his snowsuit were sewed on the wrong hands. The poor guy wasn’t able to really grasp anything. We took a look around, scoped out the play area to see who was around and took off his gloves (GASP!) so that he could play.

Side Note: Russians like to bundle up their children—and I mean bundle like you’ve never seen! They shouldn’t go anywhere outside without a hat, no matter the weather. And heaven forbid if you can see any piece of skin other than their cheeks while outside in the Russian winter! As I mentioned in my previous post, renovations were being done on the entrance we usually used to get to his group. The work created a draft in that section of the baby home, and because of that, every time B was taken out of his group’s main room and down that inside stairwell he was made to wear a winter hat despite the inside temperature being above 80 degrees.

It takes a real man to wear pink. Just ask my husband!

 
Back inside, we played more with his stacking cups and the toy truck which we had brought and left on our first trip. We also noticed that his outfits yesterday and today both included items that we had donated on our last trip. We thought that was sweet! His favorite thing to do today…? Get his belly tickled! He just absolutely LOVED that and laughed and laughed and laughed! There is nothing like the sound of your own child’s laugh, is there? Surprisingly enough, he also really liked getting his nose cleaned up. Unfortunately, because it is so hot and so dry in the baby home, he had a nose bleed from the dry air. We had to clean him up a few times and each time smiled and giggled as if we were playing a game! What two-year-old loves getting his nose cleaned?!


After visiting B we were off to meet with another representative from our agency who prepared us for court as we ate lunch. She went over the basics of what to expect and explained who would be present in the court room. It’s nerve-wracking when you think of it. I mean, how many mothers have to go before a judge before they can be parents? (Oh the exceptional lengths we as adoptive parents go to for our children!) I’m sure everything will be just fine, but still… Please say a prayer for us…

On the way to lunch, the sun came out! Believe me when I say that it is a rarity here in St. Petersburg this time of year. Our translator explained to us that the sun fully comes out from behind the clouds only three to five times in November and December. What a blessing we were in for! We stopped real quick to check out the palace square, where we saw the magnificence that is the Winter Palace! It’s breathtaking, really. Especially in the snow.

 

After lunch, some souvenir shopping and a quick walk around the square, we were on our way to C! Okay, I know I’m biased, but she truly is one of the most beautiful little girls I have ever seen. Scratch that, THE most beautiful. Hey, I’m her mama (almost!), so I can say that! Seriously though, practically everyone she comes in contact with is just smitten with her and so taken by her beauty. That’s our girl!

 

Today, C liked take the puffs that Papa and I would put between our lips and munch on them herself. It was a great bonding activity with very close interactions for all three of us. She loved playing peek-a-boo with the blow-up beach ball with Papa. Her smile is so precious! She got fussy once or twice and my motherly instinct told me that she just needed to be held. I scooped her up and was proven right. Her smiles came right back! She’s definitely a snuggler.

All the Hunters had on pink today!

C is not walking yet and is unsteady on her feet if left to stand by herself, but I’m sure with some more one-on-one attention, she’ll develop and grow like crazy! Just like her brother. B isn’t talking much. His caregivers did admit that he doesn’t too say many words yet, which does put him a little behind, but that’s okay! We’ll work on it. I’m sure in just those first few weeks we’ll see so much development among all four of us! One of his caregivers did jokingly say that he doesn’t speak in full Russian sentences yet because he’s saving up his verbal skills for learning English! She said, why waste time on Russian! Hee hee hee…

Derek and I won’t get out to see the kids tomorrow morning, as our court hearing begins at noon and we don’t want to risk being late. Friends, please say a prayer for us and for our children that court goes well. It is my heart’s desire—and I truly believe God’s will—that Derek and I become B and C’s parents and give them the personal love that they so fully deserve.

Less Than 24 Hours Until Court!

Quickly checking in before we head out for dinner...

Our court hearing tomorrow is at noon, or 3 a.m. central time. We have a wonderful woman who works for our agency representing us and translating for us. In addition to her, there will be the judge (female), a prosecutor, the two baby home directors and two social workers each representing one of our children. The social workers and baby home directors will be asked to testify regarding our petition to become B and C's mommy and daddy.

Please say a prayer that the hearing ends favorably and the judge agrees to God's plan of bringing our forever family together.

Blessed Reunions

It’s so good to be back with B and C! We’ve missed them so much over the last month and a half, so our reunions were nothing less than fabulous!

I woke up this morning not feeling well. Not well at all. Derek was worried I wasn’t going to make it to the baby homes, however it would have to take one heck of a bug to keep me away! We had the wonderful and FREE! breakfast buffet to give us the fuel for our face-paced day. (Since we are unlike most adoptive families in that we are adopting two at once—and not only that, but two in two different locations—our days are usually jam-packed.) Then we were on our way to see our babies!

I got so nervous on the way to see C. I was practicing my Russian—“NEE BOISS-ya” (don’t be afraid) “fsyoh ha-ra-SHOH” (everything is okay)—in preparation for what may have been to come. All bundled up, we walked in through the baby home’s gate and up the path to the main door. We noticed an evergreen decorated with ornaments and twinkle lights near the snow-covered playsets out front. As our driver manually entered the code allowing us to enter the baby home, I felt my heart begin to beat faster. We set down our bags, put on our flimsy blue plastic booties and took off our coats. Was I sweating because I was so anxious, or because it was 80 degrees inside? Probably both. We walked the three flights of stairs to her group’s playroom, where we waited for our C…

Once the caregivers saw us, their voices went up an octave and I could make out “Oh! N____!” (her current name) “Mama!” and “Papa!” as they were hurrying back to get our baby. And then they brought her. My first thought? There’s my beautiful baby girl! I’ve missed her so much! My second thought? She’s grown so much! Her face has matured in just the few weeks since we’ve last seen her. Her outfit was familiar to us. It was one she wore as a dress during our visit in October, which now looked more like a long sweater. It was so good to have her back in my arms. Indescribable, really. I’m not completely sure if she remembered us, but she warmed up to us so quickly that I think she might. One of her favorite “toys” is still the black camera lens cap. She put just about everything in her mouth—which has at least three more teeth since we last saw her!—except the teething toy we bought her. So much for good intentions! There was another couple in our room for several minutes with the boy they plan to adopt with the help of our AMAZING agency. I was chatting with them, getting to know them, when I felt something being moved about on my hand. C kept trying to hand me her stacking cups to get my attention so that I was focused 100% on her. What a princess! I was happy to oblige of course!

Then we were off to see B! A short 20 minute drive later and we were at his baby home. We couldn’t go in through the door we usually use, which takes us to practically directly to his group’s room due to renovations. Our driver took us in through the main door, so we stopped in to see the baby home director and pediatrician. She called to have B’s caregivers get him ready and bring him down to us. While we waited, she educated us a little on what the judge has been asking adoptive families in court. “What makes you qualified to be parents to two children?” (being a teacher would help me there, hopefully saying that I teach a weekly class to two-year-olds will be something…) “How have you interacted with them?” (I think the baby home directors will have good things to testify for us on that one) “Will you discipline your children?” “What are you plans regarding work and taking care of the children?” “Are you financially able take care of two children?” etc…

The doctor also informed us that after our first visit with B every one of his immediate caregivers and his physical therapists said that our visits with him made a very positive impact on him. He has thrived so much more since our encounter that short week. Due to the one-on-one attention we were able to give him, he has become more outgoing and confident and has been more interested in trying more “excelled” tasks. Yay! That is such great news for a Mommy to hear!

And then the door opened…

Quite frankly, I was expecting tears. What we got was a timid (I wouldn’t even use the word scared) little boy. Our B! He had a haircut since we last saw him, though his beautiful, shiny black hair was as thick as ever—just like his Papa! He took his stacking cups from our bag in one hand and Papa’s hand in the other and we headed off to the playroom. He wasn’t as rambunctious as he was when we left him more than a month ago, but we did get to see an equally wonderful side to him—his cuddly side. B just leaned up against Papa or lay on Papa’s stomach for most of the time, his cute little hands so close to Derek’s face. B did much on some Gerber puffs (big surprise!) and even played his “Give one to Mama!/Give one to Papa!” game. Gosh, I love that boy! What produced the biggest smiles was when I tickled his belly or gave his belly loud kisses. He loved that and I, in turn, loved making him happy like that.

After our morning meetings with our children, we visited St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the third largest domed cathedral in the world. It was a beautiful house of God with breathtaking mosaics, painting, columns and more.

That's Derek and our translator in the foreground.

For lunch we went to a great place we had visited on our first trip, though this time we were joined with the other couple (on their own first trip) and our driver/translator’s wife, who we had the pleasure of working with during the last two days of our first trip while her husband had to take a quick trip to Moscow. It was just a great group of people! After lunch (and our driver being pulled over by the Russian police for a traffic violation! Eek!), we were able to make one visit each to see our babies again. I can’t get enough of those kiddos!

We got back to the hotel around 6:30, stopped to chat with the couple who are on their first trip who incidentally are staying at the same hotel, and Skyped my parents to fill them in on the day’s events (who will then fill in Derek’s parents, since they don’t have access to Skype this week). After that we braved the cold and walked to one of our favorite Russian eateries, Stolle, where we had our “usual,” meat pies and tea. Mmmm…

Tomorrow it will be more of the same and I can’t wait. At some point tomorrow, we will meet with another of our agency’s employees to prepare for court. The woman who will educate us on what’s to come was actually the one who began the agency more than 20 years ago with the help of the main director who lives and works in the Sates. We’re definitely in good hands. The best, in our opinion, when it comes to adoption agencies. But… I’m still nervous. I wonder what would happen if EVERYONE had to go before a judge and prosecutor before becoming parents…

Love you all! For those who requested, no, demanded that I blog each day while we’re gone, I hope you approve!



Back in the Homeland

We made it! This trip seemed much more difficult for whatever reason. I'm completely spent from hours upon hours of flying and layovers. I'm hoping the headache I've had for the last several hours (or has it been a day...?) goes away before tomorrow morning. Nevertheless, nothing is going to stop me from showing my excitement to see our kiddos tomorrow!

Our driver/translator was waiting for us just outside of the St. Petersburg airport's customs area with a huge hug and a "So glad to have you back!" We just love him. He hustled us outside into the bitter cold Russian air and into his compact car. He drives just as wild well in a foot of snow as he did back in October.

St. Petersburg is absolutely beautiful during this time of year! I'm afraid I'm too tired and out of it to do the city justice in my description at the moment, but believe me—it's magical. Of course, the fact that B and C currently live here add to the "magic!" What we Americans would consider Christmas decorations are up: decorated pine trees, tall fake trees waiting for the finishing touches before being lit, icicle lights twinkling on the sides of buildings. However, all of this is done in celebration of the "New Year," according to our driver. I can’t wait to better appreciate it when I’m more awake!

Our driver will pick us up just after 9:00 a.m. tomorrow to take us to see our babies (first one, then the other). It would be fantastic if they remember us, but even if they don’t it will be such a blessed reunion! Possible happy or frightened tears and all!

Good night friends! (Or, good afternoon to you in the states!)

All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready To Go

We're finally packed! Just a few more days until we go before a judge who will officially decide if we can be parents to B and C. Eeeek! I am so nervous can't wait!

Since this is our shortest trip, we're trying to make the most out of our luggage space. For only three full days in Russia, we don't have to pack too much clothing, and I've always been a very practical packer anyways. So, with the extra space in the two large suitcases we are allowed to bring this trip, we've packed some items that we'll need for our third trip and are allowed to leave with our translator. We have practically any over-the-counter child medication (suggested by our pediatrician) one can think of packed away. We have a few small Christmas presents. We have one snowsuit. (Try finding a decent snowsuit in a store in Tennessee. I dare you! Oh Chicago... how I miss you sometimes.) We also have two bags of infant clothing items to donate to the baby homes. Oh! And how could I forget all the gifts for the caregivers? (Remember, B and C have never met and are currently in two different baby homes, so we're bringing double.) They're small items really, but it all adds up. So, needless to say, we're stuffed to the gills right now. But better now than when we have to pack for four people for about ten days in bitter cold Russia!

My mind has been going 90 miles an hour for the last few weeks, so I haven't really had a chance to sit and truly enjoy the anticipation leading up to seeing our babies again. I think I'm finally getting there...

We Have a Court Date!

PRAISE GOD! I know that so many friends and family have been praying for our family (of four!) and specifically that we will be home by Christmas. The chances of that happening were really slim—especially according to some of our agency reps who were trying to keep our feet on the ground.


Well, I'm so thankful that we worship a miracle-making God! We got the call at about 2 p.m. this afternoon informing us that our court date is set for December 9. We will leave no later than December 6 and be able to see our children for the first time again on either December 7 (if we have time right after we land in St. Petersburg) or the next day. It would be wonderful if they recognize us, but even if they don't what a reunion it will be!!!


We will probably leave the day after court to get back here to tie up some loose ends before we bring our babies home. There is a mandatory 10-day waiting period after court before we are able to take them from the baby homes. At this point, we are unsure if the 10 (work) days includes Saturdays or not. If it does, we should be able to pick them up on the 21st—C's birthday! If not, we're looking at the 23rd. I don't want to get greedy, but it would be AMAZING if we were able to bring them home before the first of the year. Financially—thanks to taxes and a hidden benefit for adoptive families from "Obama-care"—it would be very helpful. But, God's got us this far. I have no doubt that He will provide for our needs, whatever they may be. The third trip can be about 8 days or so. So if we can get them on the 23rd, we'll be pushing a 2010 return. We'll see.


Either way, it looks like it will be a Russian Christmas for the Hunters! We should be able to be with our kiddos on Christmas! It may be in a country that views December 25 the same as any other day, and it may be in a tiny, crowded hotel room, at it may be without a Christmas tree, but it most certainly will not be without God's miraculous beginnings, and the love of a forever family.

The Winter Palace at Christmas