We’re Back!

We made it to Moscow pretty much uneventful. As you know, we flew first to Atlanta and than direct to Moscow. We had booked two isle seats in a row of three hoping the middle would remain empty. When we checked in at the gate, they informed us that it had been filled . . . but the gate agent asked if we wanted the window and isle seat in an exit row. Needless to say we jumped at that opportunity. So we departed Atlanta for the 10 hour flight with exit row seats and lots of leg room. Jeff was thrilled! We arrived one hour early and sailed through customs. We were met by our driver who spoke very little English. We smiled and nodded at each other for the 45 minute drive to our apartment. We had our driver take us to the grocery store and were able to fill up the kitchen with the basics.

We love our apartment, home for the next 24 days. It has a kitchen with dishwasher, microwave and oven/range, dining room, family room, bathroom, and bedroom and it is half the cost of the hotels. So far the only problem is the internet is not working in the apartment but we are hoping that is fixed tomorrow. We are right next to a main street, Tverskaya, with lots of shops and stores and people.

You are currently reading our blog update that we were able to post through free wireless internet provided by good old McDonald’s. McDonald’s is a big hang out spot here in Moscow. How funny is that?!?

Today we had to complete the dreaded eight medical doctors review. This is the process of getting eight doctors to sign off we are healthy and sane and fit to be parents. The doctors include therapist, infectious disease specialist, dermatologist, neuropathologist, oncologist, psychiatrist, narcologist, and venerologist. All went well and after a couple of hours we had our paper with all stamps certified.

We also found out today that our court date is Wednesday at 11:00am. We are so excited. Tomorrow we go to the baby hospital to see Tyler. It all feels like a dream. We will get pictures of him in something other than pink. We are taking lots of blue outfits that we can put him in and leave them for the hospital. After court, we will likely have to wait 10 days (really 12) which will be the hardest part of the trip. But Tyler has been waiting 14 months to get adopted, so we can do 12 days!

Tonight, for dinner, we are going out with another couple that we met sitting in the hallway at the eight medical exam. Their son is from the same town as Tyler, but he is in the baby home there. They also have court on Wednesday. They are staying at the Marriott Courtyard.

That is it for today . . . hopefully tomorrow we have some sort of internet access in our apartment and we can send a few emails and post without going to McDonalds.