The night before Court...

Hi everyone! Now, we have alittle more time to write. The wireless internet still is not working so we are in the computer room again. Maybe tomorrow they will fix it for us. Like we wrote before we arrived safely. The airport (Incheon) in South Korea was really nice. Probably the nicest airport we've been in. It was very peaceful, quiet and clean. Also, the "fast food" sushi was good! We met Valerie at the airport who is also adopting and is using our agency, AAi. She is adopting a little boy - he is cute. Stas picked us up from the Vlad airport. We then checked into a suite at the Vlad Inn. It has two bedrooms and big living room and sizeable kitchen. We face the woods and are at the end of the hallway so we have a good set-up and are happy with it. When we went to see the boys yesterday it was nice. They were happy to see us. They checked for the toys that we always bring - and we played. We got back around 7:30 p.m. to the hotel last night, unpacked, went for a quick dinner at the hotel restaurant. And then passed out around 10:30. Time is just flying. The bed is comfortable and it is pretty quiet at night.

The caretakers told us that Alexei really missed us and was crying for us after we left in Jan. And Vladimir kept asking everyday when we were coming back. Vladimir still had the photo album and ran and got it along with the blanket we gave him in Jan.

Today was especially busy. We went to the orphanage around 9:30 a.m. The boys were excited and had alot of energy. Alexei needed alittle more attention today. He was resistant to us for alittle bit but then when we started picking him up and walking around with him and kissing and hugging him - he soon forgot to be resistant and loved the attention and soaked it in. Today, we went outside and played. It was a windy day but nice. I was holding Alexei and humming lullabys in his ear. The wind really picked up and he got my hair near my ears with his hands and placed my hair over my ears as to keep them warm...he is such a sweatheart. Vlady also at one point today, started to touch my face all over with his hands and then he touched my hair...some really nice moments today. Also, before we went outside the kids change into their outside clothes, sweater, pants, coat, scarf, hat, gloves, boots...so Rich dressed Alexei but couldn't find his hat, a caretaker came over and saw that his hat was in his sleeve and she went to get it but Alexei backed away from her and reached up for Rich to hold him and said Papa. Vladimir really enjoyed playing with Rich. Laughing and having fun. Alexei needed me more today...carrying him and mothering him. After this visit until noon, we then went to a pizza place with Anya, Stas, and Valerie. Anya prepared us for our court hearing tomorrow. Rich and I still need to go over our answers tonight. After the hearing we will go and get a couple cakes to have a going away celebration at the orphanage. We will then dress the boys and take some photos and then off as a family to our temporary home at the Vlad Inn! Oh, also after the lunch we went grocery shopping. It was a challenge to buy food with Russian labels. We tended to go for what looked like familiar packaging. Everything was a little pricey. I think some customers were shocked at all of the food we were buying...we filled up two carts (but their carts are somewhat smaller than ours at home). We then found out that we needed to go back to the orphanage to interact with the boys while a social worker observed so that she could testify how we interacted and if the boys will be happy. That went well. The boys were kind of mellow tonight (we finally got there at about 7 p.m.) and they were alittle shy with the new woman/social worker. But it went well. Vladimir (without being coached ;) said at the end of the meeting while in front of the social worker, "take me with you" "take me with you" - ! We said one more night here and then we will be a family. He told the social worker that he liked his mama and papa and that he wanted to go to America. So it's 11 p.m. and we better get some rest for tomorrow, it will be a great day!! April 11th!! We will write tomorrow night again probably at this time.
Happy Birthday Bill! Thanks for all of the comments! Jotsi, we didn't know you could write that well...we need to send you to school when we get back. You are so sweet and we miss you so much. Your Aunt Carolyn ;) is the best auntie in the world. Give her a big kiss from us!! Kelsi and McKenzie...the boys will love you soooo much and thank you for wanting to teach them stuff they should know. We can't wait to come to your house and play. We have pictures of you in their album and we will show them you both. Donna, glad you are following the blog!! Nice to hear from you. Aunt Doreenie - we have those two boxes of Nerds waiting for them in their room - we love you!, Pano, Sperry and girls - thanks for your love and prayers!!! Bridget, Dhruv and Amy! HI - nice to hear from you.
Love you all,
Rich, Jayne, Vlady, Alex, Jotsi