A day of massages and music

Ha ... most of you probably read that title and thought .."WHAT.. Christine is getting a massage in Russia"? Well... I wish that were true but it was actually Mr. Roman who got the massage!!! When we got to the baby home this morning for our visit Svetlana said they would be bringing Max but that Roman was scheduled for his massage ... apparently they get massages at the baby home for circulation and health! Since we were there they brought him to play .. he was NOT a happy camper but if you took me out of line while I was waiting my turn for a massage I wouldn't be happy either!!! When his turn came ... they came to get him and after his massage they brought him back and he was in a much better mood! I mentioned this to Stephen on the way home and he said "well you are usually in a better mood after you get a massage so stands to reason he would be" ... was that Stephen's way of telling me to get more massages ....hmmm I'll have to think about that!!! The best part was when he was walking to get his massage the woman asked him what he was doing and he clearly told her "Mama and Papa" .. yay he knows who we are!!!

Max was his usual curious self today ... it was nice to play with him for a few minutes by himself ... we don't usually get to do that since he comes in 2nd and is always the first to leave. He was having a good time with Stephen's cell phone and really liked listening to the music ... that's why the cell phone is up to his ear in the picture below ... he's listening to the music!!! He is so cute how he comes in the room and then scootches himself into one of our laps ... what a cuddly little monkey ... I can't wait to get him home and just watch him blossom!!!

Oh and before we left the director brought in the 2 cameras we left for each of the boys back in March ... not sure how many pictures they took but it's GREAT we got them back and give us hope that we will get the picture albums, stuffed dogs and other toys and clothes we have sent!!! We shall see.... I hope we do just because those things will have the smell of the baby home and since that scent is familiar to the boys it should help on the plane and while we are in Moscow... fingers crossed!

Pictures from the day!!!


Roman getting his massage


Max listening to music on Papa's cell phone


Roman and Mama


Max and Papa

7 month letter from Russia

Yikes .. in all the excitement of seeing the boys and getting to post pictures of them I totally forgot that November 3rd was time for our 7 month letter! I am thrilled to be able to write this months letter while we are in Russia with them and knowing that yesterday, November 3rd we got to see them!!!! So here's what we have 7months after our first trip to Russia to meet Roman and Max and accept our referral for them to be our sons.

Dear Roman and Max,

November 3, 2009 ... we have COMPLETED our court date and officially become your parents as of Friday, October 30th! Your Papa and I were very excited to hear the judge announce that from this day forward you would be officially known as Roman Robert Pupek and Maxim Vincent Pupek and that we would be known as your parents in every way!!! It was a day we looked forward to over the last 7 months and the day we worked so hard to get to ... the day you would officially be ours forever and be coming home with us!!!

Papa and I have been here for over a week and most of that time has been spent with you and getting to know you and you getting to know us! We are having a great time playing with you and it seems you are really enjoying all the toys we bring to you!

Roman - you are the curious one of our bunch ... you like to explore what we have and this week you have begun to play with things that aren't "toys" but are fun to have anyway ... you were really interested in Mama's chapstick on Monday and Tuesday you were all about having Papa's cellphone and wearing it around on your belt like he does. You are a chatterbox! We aren't sure if you are always saying words but you do talk up a storm and you are beginning to repeat words we say in English! You love to play with the shape puzzel and have gotten very good at putting it together! You are also good at sharing the toy cars with Maxim... when he comes into the room you immediately go up to him and give him a car ... you are a good brother!!! You are also beginning to smile and giggle with us ... you like to laugh at Mama when she does crazy things .. that's good because Mama is always doing something crazy at home so you'll be laughing LOTS!!! At the end of each visit you give lots of hugs and kisses ... nice big HUGS ... and say "dysvidania" and wave as you walk out the door ... always knowing we will be back tomorrow or the next day!!!

Maxim - you are still are quiet observer! You are very funn with your "little old man walk" ... you love to come into the room and look at the toys and you have been going to find the animal puzzle and you like to play with that. If you love that puzzle you are going to love your room because we have lots of jungle animals in there just waiting for you!!! You haven't said anything since we started to visit with you but you keep watching us and looking at everything that goes on so we know one day you will share your voice with us. Not to worry though Papa says he was the same way when he was your age and now Mama can't get him to be quiet ... he's a huge talker ...epecially in the early morning when Mama is still asleep!!! Yesterday we were able to get a little smile out of you so we know you are having a good time with us and we know once we get home you are going to just open up and show us who you really are!!!

We are having so much fun with you boys and can't wait until November 11th when we will come to the baby home one final time to see you and when we leave we will all leave together ... FOREVER A FAMILY!!! There are so many people at home waiting to meet you and counting the days until we arrive at JFK and they can see your cute little faces!!!

We love you,
Mama and Papa


Together AT LAST!!!!

Papa's Cellphone

Our visit today went VERY well! Both boys come into the room excited to see us and Roman always has a big smile on his face!!! He was very excited about the new toys but his favorite toy today was Papa's blackberry! He was busy typing on it and carrying it around with him! When he noticed that Stephen wears it on his belt ..well then he wanted Stephen to help him put it on his pants as well! We got a giggle out of Max today and a hint of a smile!!! The pajamas he has on today are ones we sent in June so at least we know his clothes will fit! People have asked why Roman is always in shorts .. the baby home is VERY hot so alot of the kids are in shorts ... not sure why Max isn't but he's always bundled up .. usually with tights under his pants and a onesie under his t-shirt ... I think he has an extra 5lbs in bulk just from his clothes!!!

A few shots from today!!!





Fun with Papa


Mr. Giggle Pants


Don't mess with me ... I have parents!!

The funny story we heard today at the baby home was that Max got into a "little row" with 2 other children in his grupa... not sure if this is really true but the told us that Max was the "bully" and it's because he now has parents ... really... but he's just 18months old and I'm not sure how much of this he understands!!! He's always so gentle and good when he's with us .... time will tell but he is coming up on the terrible two's!!!

Brothers

Today we journeyed out to baby home #6 for our visit with Max and Roman. We had a great time and the boys seemed to remember who we were even though we didn't see them for 3 days!!! Roman has LOTS of fun going through the toy bag we bring but since we had already emptied he went through the side pockets and found my chapstick, hand sanitizer, gum and tissues. I was able to get all but the chapstick away so the chapstick became the toy OF THE DAY ... I think he enjoyed putting the cap on and off. Tomorrow I will make sure all the goodies are out of the bag!!! Here are the brothers hanging out together!!!







We then spent the afternoon driving around with Svetlana as she delivered paperwork for us and another family who will be arriving in a few weeks to adopt 3 children! It beat sitting in the apartment all afternoon and she's always a hoot to spend time with. Our reward for being such good helpers was a little taste of home ....


Only 9 days to go until we pick up the boys and head to Moscow!!!

First Weekend in Yekaterinburg

This is our first full weekend here and we spent most of the weekend exploring the sights around the city! First thing first... it's COLD here ... and not just a little COLD but cold like January is in New York.... on Saturday we walked down to Cathedral of Blood .. this is where the czar and his family were killed and then they built a cathedral on the sight. We got to see a wedding party in front taking pictures! On our way back to the apartment we walked through a street fair .. kind of like a farmers market ...lots of produce,eggs and fish and I mean FISH ... like whole fish and the sellers had scales that they would weigh your products on!! There were also sweaters, scarves and a collection of winter items for sale (boots, hats, mittens) it was very cool!

Today,Sunday, we walked down to the Park Inn. We were looking for a toy store that another family had found when they were here in April/May but no luck! We did stop in to the Park Inn for lunch .. they have an english menu and the food is pretty good so for a taste of home we had burgers and fries! Our walk back to the apartment included a stop by the Greenwich .. this is the large supermarket down the street from our apartment ... seems like we are there every other day and today we stopped for some water (we buy this in bulk since we drink ALOT of water and you can't drink for the tap) we also got some chicken and lettuce!! You have to pay for the bags and I guess the checker didn't understand we wanted one bag so it was NO BAG FOR US so while Stephen carried the water I carried the lettuce and chickne!! Oh and it was snowing so it make the walk more fun!!!

Here are some pictures of our sights over the last few days!


This is our apartment building ... we are on the 3rd floor!








Cathedral of Blood

Our Sunday in the Snow!!





Last ... the market we go to daily ... it's in a mall!!!

Pupek ... Family of FOUR!!!

Court was this morning at 9am and at 11:09am we were officially named the parents of Roman and Maxim! Court was something ... really can't describe unless you've been through the experience but the end result after 18months is that we have finally realized our dream of being parents!!! After court we had lunch with Svetlana, Helen and the social worker who went with us! On November 11th we will pick the boys up and head to Moscow for the Embassy paper work and then it's off to New York!!!

A few pictures from our preparations and then court!


Stephen preparing for court


After court in front of the court house ... we are PARENTS!!!


With Svetlana outside the court house!

And now for the pictures you have all been waiting for!!!

Introducing.....


Roman Robert Pupek- 2 1/2 years old


Maxim Vincent Pupek - 18 months old

We will post more pictures soon of the last few days but at long last here they are!!! We are so excited and can't wait for the rest of this journey as new parents!!!

Thoughts from today

Today was day 3 with the boys...it's getting easier and easier for them to be with us..I think. The first day both boys came in and were fine, played and we had about 25 minutes with them.. Max was sleepy and it seemed that Roman remembered Stephen's watch from our first vist. Yesterday was tougher .. Max was still a little sleepy and confused and Roman was plain scared!!! He came into the room and took one look at us and started to cry .. he didn't want much to do with us, well until he saw the books and puzzles and then he warmed up some. Max is still confused but is okay to be picked up and cuddled and will play with the toys after some time. Today, Roman came into the room and was excited to see us and went right for his puzzles! Max was a little more scared, cried but again was okay when I picked him up. He's more aprehensive of Stephen but will go to him eventually. Today's visit was short and tomorrow when we vist the social worker will be coming with us to "observe" us as a family and see how we are all getting along. NO PRESSURE THERE!!

I was a little nervous about our visit yesterday ... I think there is so much going on for these two little guys and in a few weeks what will be very exciting for us is going to be DAMN scary for them. I know they will adjust but I just worry about there feelings and what they think is going on. I just keep thinking of my friend Amy's words of wisdom to just get them home and then we can begin to bond and adjust as a family... it breaks my heart to see them cry and looking so scared and we will do all we can to help them and have them feel safe with us.

Here's a picture of some Yekaterinburg snow ... I'm going to bring it home to hopefully use when we baptize them!



And here's one from our day with them today ... you can't really see their cute faces but you can see how big they have gotten!