Bought our First Toy and Stuffed Animal Today

I spoke with our agency today to confirm our dates again. Nothing had changed thankfully because we had already booked the air and hotel. Did cause a tad of panic in me at first though.

But better than that, as the title says, we bought our first stuffed animal for our little girl. As well as a couple of other toys to play with when we are over there seeing her.

Not very long now and we will be over there for a week. WOO HOO!!!

Reservations Booked

We have hotel and airline tickets booked. The flight has a one stop each way but at this point it made more sense for us to do it this way than spend an astronomical amount on a direct flight. We will take a direct flight home when we have Kat with us but for now, we can do this as it is just the two of us. We are staying at Hotel that is not even a mile from Red Square and the Kremlin.

We are really looking forward to seeing our little girl and then as an after thought seeing some of the things that Moscow has to offer. It is an old city with impressive architecture as well as many other things to see. All of which is an after thought to our little girl. A bonus shall we say.

We also forwarded our documents to a contact in Washington DC in order to get our Russian Visas. Hopefully have those by the end of next week.

Weather in Moscow

Just checked the long term weather for Moscow. While it only goes as far as the 17th, it is going to be quite cold. Right now the weather for the 17th is 12 degree and snow and 7 degrees for a low that night. That is cold. I am going to have to purchase one of those big hats to keep my head warm.

IT'S OFFICIAL - WE ARE TRAVELING TO RUSSIA THIS MONTH

We have our first dates in Russia. Our first meeting is December 22, 2009. The first time we see our little girl. I had chills when I thought about it after speaking with Kelly. We are so excited and now have so much to do to get ready for this.

To see her just before Christmas is the best present we could ask for. To see Moscow at Christmas time will be very cool. Although the celebrate the Christian Orthodox Christmas which is later than ours (around the new year), the Kremlin and Red Square will still be decked out I hear.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE KAT!!!!!!!!!!

Seeing our little girl on Christmas

It is still up in the air but there is a decent chance we will be in Moscow seeing our little girl on Christmas. What a great present for us! We had to finagle to find coverage for Kelly but it worked out in the end. Now let's hope our agency can make it happen.

update

From now on rather than going by my nickname, Garc, and Ms. Garc, our first names will be used. I am Craig and my better half and soon to be mother of our beautiful little girl is Kelly.

Timeline of the Process to date

June, 2009

• 30th - Adoption package sent to Adopt-A-Child, Inc.; Process has begun!!!!!
  

July, 2009

• 15th - Application sent to Lutheran Social Services to perform Home Study
• 18th - meeting with Psychologist re: MMPI exam
• 20th - fingerprints at Connecticut State Police
• 20th - First meeting with Lutheran Social Services, Home Study agency
• 22nd - one document package sent to Adopt-A-Child, Inc.
  
• 23rd - Craig meeting with Psychologist
• 29th - Craig and Kelly meeting with Psychologist
• 30th - Craig gets blood work done (happily comes back negative on all counts)

August, 2009

• 10th - received clearance from F.B.I.
• 10th - first meeting, at our house, with social worker for our Home Study
• 25th - Medical documents forwarded to Adopt-A-Child, Inc.

September, 2009

• 14th - Home Study meeting at Lutheran Social Services
• 18th - I-600A application submitted to USCIS
  
• 22nd - Hague required seminar/class - all day

October, 2009

• 5th - updated home photos forwarded to Adopt-A-Child, Inc.
• 12th - Home Study meeting at Lutheran Social Services
• 21st - finger prints for USCIS in New Rochelle, NY
• 21st - Hague required seminar/class - evening - completed

November, 2009 (GREAT MONTH)

• 9th - receive notice from USCIS that Home Study was denied due to a lack of one sentence stating that our house is compliant with Connecticut requirements
• 16th - Receive referral for our little girl from Adopt-A-Child, Inc. by telephone call
  
• 17th - updated Home Study forwarded to USCIS
• 17th - Receive seven and a half minute video for our little girl from Adopt-A-Child, Inc.
  
• 18th - speak with Dr. Laurie Miller of The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center regarding our little girl
• 19th - Confirm acceptance of our little girl/referral with Adopt-A-Child, Inc.
• 24th - Receive travel package from Adopt-A-Child, Inc.

December, 2009

ANXIOUSLY AWAITING TRAVEL DATES SO WE CAN SEE HER FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!