HOME SWEET HOME

Rich, myself, Vlady and Alex could not be happier being home. Jotsi is also very happy to have us back! I'm sorry I haven't posted until now but it's been pretty busy here! I keep thinking of you all and I want to let you know how the end of the trip was, and how the boys are here at home. The flights home went really well. We couldn't have asked for a better time. The first flight (2 hrs) was a breeze. The boys were kept occupied by the newness of the plane and the flight. They got a few toys from Korean Airline (which they still hold on to and love) and they enjoyed getting their first inflight dinner. They also enjoyed playing with all of the buttons and the music and headphones. Once we got to S. Korea we only had to wait about an hour before boarding the second flight home. Vlady kept asking us for chocolate. When he didn't get it from us he proceeded to ask every flight attendant on the plane for chocolate. Luckily none of them understood Russian. The flight was at night and we were chasing the sunrise west to LA. So this was perfect for the boys to be sleepy and to sleep. They slept for a good two hours and then the rest of the trip was on and off sleeping. They would wake up and try to get comfortable and toss and turn. I felt so bad for them. I wish I could have told them that no matter how hard they tried it's so hard to get comfortable on a plane but we did the best we could for them. We arrived home and got through Customs okay. They processed our paperwork and Vlady and Alex became official U.S. citizens! The stamp on their passport certifies that they are citizens. A very exuberant, anxious, tearful Aunt Carol and Aunt Ellen met us as we walked out of baggage. Vlady and Alex really took to the both of them and gave them kisses as they helped load up the CRV for the trip home! Everything up to this point is a blur to me. We were so exhausted but we did it!!! We arrived home to an awaiting Jotsi at the door. The boys came in and acted very non-chalant about the house...they were more excited about the two cars that we have. It was almost like they were born in this house as they were/are very comfortable and secure in it almost immediately. They love their room, and their beds and bedding are so comforatable that we all got a great nights sleep that night! They continue to sleep really well throughout the night...maybe about 2 or 3 times getting up in the middle of the night. Saturday we stayed at home and just lived and looked around. On Sunday we ventured out to a small park close by. The boys love to play at the playground and they love to swing. We taught Vlady how to pump his legs to swing...he loves that he can do it but still asks for our help sometimes! Monday we went to a larger park closeby with a bunch of different playgrounds, fields, and trails. We had a snack break and threw around the toy football and watched Jotsi point at bunnies. Alexei ruined Jotsi sneak and point by running up in front of Jotsi and chasing the bunnies into the bushes. Jotsi looked back at Rich and I as if to say...can you please control your son! Vlady also tried to stop Alex but to no avail! It was funny. Today, Tuesday we went back to the larger park and played. Also, Rich and the boys put together their first "Radio Flyer" wagon! The boys love it. Rich was pulling them around the yard. Then Alex and Vlady took turns pulling each other around the yard. Vlady is really interested in helping us out doing household chores. He helps me do the laundry, helps Rich water the yard, clears the dishes from the table. He really wants to learn everything and enjoys it. Alexei enjoys being a little 3 year old and pulling things apart and putting them back together and running (he is very sure footed, actually they both are). They are both doing so much and change everyday, it really is neat to watch. They love being in a family. They love calling us Mama and Papa and having a dog. They love watching us cook and bring food to the table. They love watching all of the planes fly over the house (since Fullerton airport is not too far away). We think Vlady might be a pilot...he loves watching them so much). Their favorite TV show is Scooby Doo. They have been enjoying pulling apples from the apple tree although the apples are tiny tiny. They are mystified at seeing all the fruit growing on the trees...the neighbor's lemon and lime trees...I know if that fence wasn't inbetween our houses that they would have picked all of their fruit by now! They lost a few toys by throwing them over the fence but at least they learned not to do that anymore! They fall asleep in the car and seem to be very comfortable in their car seats. They learn a few more english words a day and we can't wait till we can actually talk to them...but all in good time. We have alot of paperwork to get done (post adoption stuff, insurance, etc.) so we are busy at night when the boys go to bed and then we still have two bags to unpack!! Hopefully, by the end of this week we will have a handle on things! Oh, we also went into Costco to get them passport pics for Russian registration we have to get out by the end of the week and alot of people were looking at them and smiling as if to say "how cute!" They are both so wide-eyed at everything. Thank you to everyone for your posts! Know that we are thinking about you all too and can't wait for you to meet our sons. I'll keep posting as much as I can - ! We love you all and thank you for all of your positive thoughts and prayers. Did I say we love you? We love you so much. Jayne, Rich, Vlady, Alex, Jotsi