Dear Kami,
On Sunday, January 13th, Mommy, Bubba, and I boarded a plane. Our destination? Russia, the country you were born in. 18 months ago, we started the adoption process, and this was the very moment that we had been fighting for.... The moment to go pick you up and bring you home to be with us forever. The night before, Mommy finished packing the suitcase that we were taking that was filled with stuff just for you. We were ready to go. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could keep us from going to get you.
As we boarded the plane, my heart was pounding fast. Not only was I anxious and excited to meet you for the very first time, but it was also my first time ever flying on an airplane, and my first time ever leaving America. I tried to control my nerves as I leaned my head against the head rest. The main thing keeping me calm was the fact that I was doing all of this for you, and I was more than willing to step out of my comfort zone for you. The plane took off, and we were in the air headed for Frankfurt, Germany. I could hardly believe it.
10 long hours later, we landed in Frankfurt where we had a 6 hour layover. It felt so weird as I walked through the airport because, obviously, almost everyone was speaking German, and almost every sign was written in German. Lucky for us, the Germans were kind enough to have some English on some of their signs to help us Americans out a little ;)
As we waited for our connecting flight to Russia, we got to enjoy this beautiful sunset. God makes beautiful things.
After our 6 hour layover, we hopped on our next plane. 3 hours later, we landed in Russia. Because of the time change between here and Russia, it was Monday night when we landed. It felt so unreal being there. I could not believe that I was in your country, and that in less than 24 hours, I would be holding you in my arms for the first time.
After we got off of the plane, we checked in at the airport and gathered our luggage. Then, we were off to find Vladimir, our driver who drove us everywhere while we were there. We walked out of the airport, and I almost couldn't catch my breath. I knew it was going to be cold there, but I didn't realize until that moment how cold it was really going to be. It was around 19 degrees, and I was freezing. We stood outside of the airport as Vlad went to go get the car, and within 5 minutes, my legs were numb from the cold. Vlad pulled up to the front, we put our luggage inside, then got inside ourselves. It was time to head to our apartment that we would call home for the next week. On the way there, we stopped at the store to covert some of our money to Rubles and to get a few drinks for the apartment.
We arrived at the apartment, settled in, and then went straight to bed. We had to wake up early the next morning to go break you out of the orphanage :)
We woke up the next morning knowing that it was "Gotcha Day"! I was so excited that I could hardly contain myself. We got ready then Vlad picked us up. Next stop: Your orphanage.
A little less than 2 hours later, we arrived in the city you were born in. I loved getting a peek at the place you've called home for almost 2 years. Shortly after we entered your city, Vlad turned on his blinker. Mommy looked at me. "This is the street Kami's orphanage is on." The moment those words left her mouth, tears filled her eyes and fell onto her cheeks.
Once we parked, we got out of the car, gathered the things we needed for you and the gifts for the orphanage workers, and we headed towards your orphanage. In just moments, you would no longer be locked inside of these gates. You were going to be free..... forever.
As we walked inside and slipped our coats and scarves off, my heart was pounding. I could hardly wrap my mind around the fact that I was standing in your orphanage! I was just minutes away from finally meeting you! We walked up the ramp towards your room. I walked into the room that you shared with several other babies around your age. When I turned the corner, I saw the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was the first moment that I saw you. My eyes filled with tears as you were picked up out of your crib by one of the orphanage workers.
Then, after a month of not being together, you and Mommy were finally reunited.
Then, after a few minutes, we moved to another room. One of the orphanage workers put you on the changing table and changed you into the clothes that we brought for you. The first pair of clothes that were your very own.
After you were all dressed and ready to go, your nannies each took turns holding you and saying their last goodbyes. I felt so bad for them knowing that they would never see you again after that day. They raised you up until this point. Tears filled their eyes as they hugged you, kissed you, and held you tight.
Then, it was time for the moment we have been longing for these past 18 months. It was finally time to say goodbye to your orphanage and take you out of there for good.
We walked out of your orphanage doors and then finally outside of the gates. As we walked out of the gates, Mommy started crying. Stepping outside of those gates meant you were forever free and forever ours. We could not have been happier.
Once we got back to the car, Mommy took off your coat and put you in your carseat. You looked so scared and confused. It made me sad to see you like that, but I knew that it would only last for a short time.
Once you were buckled in safely, we made the 2 hour drive back to our apartment. You didn't like the car ride very well, so Mommy spent alot of the time trying to soothe you before you eventually fell asleep. We stopped at the passport office on our way there. We were having some trouble getting your passport so we needed to go there to do a few things really quick before heading back to the apartment.
We arrived back at the apartment a short time later, and I set you on the bed. You had the biggest smile on your face. Like you knew that everything was going to be okay :)
We played with you for a while. As you sat playing on the bed, you grabbed the cell phone that was on the bed, put it to your ear, and started babbling. I started laughing because I was surprised! I didn't think you would even know what a phone was, but you sure did! You are so smart :)
After you played for a while, I changed you into your pajamas so you could get ready for bed. A little while later, I placed you in your little temporary bed, and you dozed off fast asleep......
Over the next few days, there wasn't much to do but sit and wait for your passport. So, we stayed in the apartment most of the time giving you all the attention you could possibly want, plus some ;) You LOVED the attention though! I loved being able to be there with you because I really got to know you so much while we were stuck inside that little apartment. I learned that you are a fast learner, and that you learned how to clap, blow kisses, and pucker to kiss someone all within the first day or two that you were with us. I learned that you LOVE your food, and you would get mad at me whenever I took the bowl away because you were finished with your food hehe I learned that you can say "ball", you love hugs and kisses and snuggles, you love baths and giggle whenever the water is poured on you, and you rock yourself to sleep whenever you wake up in the middle of the night which totally breaks my heart. We had alot of time to get to know eachother, and I fell even more in love with you.
I got to enjoy lots of snuggles with you.
I loved waking up to your gorgeous face every morning.
You LOVED taking a bath, and we even gave you a little mohawk just for fun :)
You gave me lots of smiles after bath time.
You spent pretty much a whole day with just me and Bubba while Mommy ran around the city, riding buses and metros and walking in the freezing cold weather to get stuff done to be able to bring you home with us. Mommy loves you alot :)
.....and I got this extremely cute picture of you and Mommy together :)
Finally, on Thursday, we were able to get out of the apartment to go get your medicals done! You did so well with the doctor, and he said you were healthy besides the fact that you had a little cold.
A little while after your medicals, we went to have some lunch at a little restaurant. Their food was very.... interesting. Lucky for you, you had baby food to eat so you didn't have to deal with eating the restaurant's strange tasting food :)
After we got through eating, we took a little walk to the next place we needed to go. You and Mommy went with our facilitator to get some papers done while Bubba and I went to the mall to wait for you all.
That night, we got invited to the Marriott hotel to meet up with some friends who were in the country also trying to bring their babies home. We only ended up seeing them for a very short time, but I was so thankful that you got to experience that pretty hotel. I couldn't imagine what you were thinking in your mind going from an orphanage to being in a nice hotel like that. You didn't appear to think too much of it! You did enjoy the water fountain with Mommy, though.
On Friday, we went to get your visa, and the other two days after that, we stayed in our apartment, packing and preparing to head back home. We were all ready to go home. Because of a few road blocks we hit while in your country, we were all homesick and ready to just be home with you.
We woke up in super good moods on Sunday knowing that we were going to be heading home that day! We all got ready and finished packing. We could hardly wait to get you home.
On our way to the airport
Once we got to the airport, we checked into immigration and customs and all of that other boring stuff, then we finally were able to get on the plane! We were all smiling and beyond happy knowing that we were about to take you home for good. No turning back. You would never be alone again.
Waiting to board our flight from Russia to Munich, Germany
You did so well on the first flight which was almost 3 hours long. You played a little, ate some German baby good, then drifted off to sleep for the rest of the flight.
Once we got to Munich, we had to rush because our layover was only a little under an hour and a half long. Once we boarded the plane, we settled down for our 11 hour flight back to America, and Mommy let you watch some Handy Manny which you seemed to get tired of pretty fast. Maybe it's because you couldn't understand what they were saying? Haha!
You fell asleep shortly after and slept almost the rest of the plane ride. You are such a good baby, sweet girl! You barely made a peep the whole plane ride, and you only cried once for a very short time. I am so proud of you :) After our LONG flight, we finally landed in America on Sunday night. It felt so good being home with you. Once we landed, me, Bubba, and Mommy were smiling because we all knew that once we landed on American soil, that meant you were officially an American citizen. WOO HOO!!!
After we got checked in at the airport, turned in your immigration papers and got our luggage, it was FINALLY time to go see all of our family and friends that came to welcome us home! Bubba held you in the baby carrier as we walked towards the exit. I could not stop smiling. I was so happy to be home with you! So many people showed up to meet you! Our very special friends, the Jaco family, drove 7 hours just to come see you! See how loved you are, beautiful girl? Our friend, Katrina, took some pictures of our homecoming which I am so thankful for! We will have these pictures to treasure for the rest of our lives :)
Mommy hugging Karly. Her family drove about 7 hours to be there for your homcoming, sweetie.
You and Laura meeting for the first time.
Everyone who was there at your homecoming: Uncle Ricky, Aunt Joely, Karly, Kyah, Jojo, Bubba, Kim, Grandma, Grandpa, you, me, Megan, David, Brother, Nunu, Mommy, Ava, Daddy, and Laura! (Minus Katrina who was taking the picture, and Joey who was somewhere else) :)
Nunu holding you for the first time!
Grandma and Grandpa spending some time with you :)
Aunt Joely holding you for the first time!
You were squishing Brother's face, silly girl!
You with Mommy, Megan, Katrina, and Karly! Megan has adopted, and Katrina and Karly are currently adopting! Isn't that amazing, sweetheart? :)
The first time in your very own carseat!
After we left the airport, we all went to Denny's to celebrate YOU!
You, Laura, and Karly's baby girl, Ava! Beautiful girls :)
FINALLY HOME!!!!
You and Laura playing together before bed....
It is so good to finally see you two together, baby girl! I have waited 18 months to see you and Laura playing together and just being together. I know you two will be best friends :)
Well, precious girl, that is the end of the story. The story of our long, amazing journey to bring you home. I am so in love with you, and I can't believe that I get to be your sister forever. I am so blessed that you are in my life. I love you more than you will ever know. I never imagined that I'd have 1 little sister. Now, I have 2! God has blessed us so much, Kami. He is so good!
I love you with all of my heart.
Welcome home, beautiful!
Love,
Sissy