Trip 2 – Day 26 – Exit Interview and Friends
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Written on 5/14/2008 2:43:03 PM.
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 4 comments
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Today was an early morning for us. We think we have a child that will be an early riser. This is good because he can just walk on over to Grandpa Love’s and drink a cup of milk with him while he has his coffee. So there we were at 5:30am trying to pretend that we were not awake in hopes and prayers that he would go back to sleep. No luck. He was up and ready to go!
This morning was pretty laid back. I realized how much stuff I still need to do to pack so I started that huge ordeal during Zach’s 2 hour AM nap. (How nice is that – a 2 hour AM nap!) I was smiling sooo much the whole time I was packing! I just cannot wait to get back home!!
K&A picked us up for our 2pm appointment at the US Embassy at 1:45. We arrived at the embassy at 2pm. After several security check points – no cameras, no cell phones, no electronic devices… We were able to by pass HUGE LONG lines or Russians who were in line for their interview to obtain their visa to come to the US for holiday/school/work and so on. We went to this closed window marked #4. As we waited maybe 2 minutes I thought I heard my name being called I looked around and saw no one. Then I was really thinking I was going to be visiting a hospital because I heard it again. Then I saw this man talking into a microphone smiling at me saying yes Mrs. Dilworth this way you are the only family today, in a heavy Russian accent. So all three of us headed over to this very nice lady who spoke sweetly to Zach and commented on how cute he is. It was so nice to speak to an American. I digress.
We went over all the paper work and we held up our right hand and swore that the information was correct and we would abide by these documents or something like that. Anyway, we received Zach’s Russian passport with his American visa sticker! Precious! We also got the blessed sealed envelope that cannot be opened till we get to Atlanta and had it over to the immigration officer. We were warned not to open it! Breaking the tape on it could mean trouble in Atlanta – and who really wants trouble in Atlanta? We cannot wait till they stamp his little passport and he officially becomes an American Citizen. Kind of makes you want to carry your i-pod and sing "Proud To Be An American" or something else patriotic.
Also, in the office of windows in the Embassy, where the adoption “interviews” are held. There are billboards up with pictures of families who have come through. We of course being the proud parents that we are stuck a picture of Zach up on the wall with all the other precious children that had been there before. (Yeah that’s right I carry extra pictures in my bag, don’t you want one?)
After placing the picture of sweet Zach, we were out of there. We got back to the car and I told K&A that they have a super quick line if your child is cute and that’s why we were able to get in and out in 30 minutes. WOOHOO! Quick time! Ok, so there is no fast pass for being cute – but if there was Zach would have one. We were lucky enough to be the only family today. So we were in and out in a flash! Other families are not so lucky, we have heard of some families having to wait for hours.
Then all three of us went to the CSS office. Zach met "I" for the first time. He was not impressed with all the attention. And made Dave and I look like we were lying about his smile and giggles. But he did flash the huge brown eyes and win everyone with them. We completed a little bit of paper work and received the extra copies of Zach’s passport photo. I am so glad we have extra copies of these! It was a bitter sweet moment in the CSS office. I really wanted to cry and I am surprised I didn’t. I think its just to much for even me to take in. There is so much work these ladies have put in to us brining our son home and now we have him and we are leaving to go home! There are just no words to describe how wonderful and sensational these women are. They take such good care of us.
After this Zach and I were dropped off at the apartment and Dave went to the notary office. He had to have our request to remove Zach’s name and information from the Russian Database of Orphans now that the court decision and necessary paperwork has been completed. Normally families go with “S” from our Moscow office to the Ministry of Education (MOE) to hand deliver this letter with 3 flowers (Russian tradition to give odd number of flowers, also symbolic of the Holy Trinity) and candy. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you want to look at this we will not be able to go with "S" to do this. Two other CSS families have court tomorrow (GOOD LUCK!!) and we fly out on Friday! (WOOHOO!!) So there is no time for us to go and deliver these gifts and official request, but sweet “S” will do this for us.
Did I mention that while Dave was at the notary office that Zach did the official fountain initiation right? Yeah that’s right all over clothes and blankets. So the washing machine was used again today!
After our afternoon nap and Dave returned from the notary office we made plans to meet Kevin, Lisa, and little Carter at TGI-Fridays for an early dinner. I have never been so excited to go out to eat. Even to TGIF. This was our first meal out of the apartment. Carter was precious – just wide open boy!! Zach was enamored by him and wanted to play with him, but luckily the high chair was a good restraint. By the way, this was the first for a highchair. I thought there would be issues, but thankfully there were none! We stayed long enough to meet three other CSS families. Karyn and Norm, Dana and Aaron, and Denise and Mike with their son Joshua. It was nice to meet people that we have been following for months now on their blog. It’s funny to meet someone that you have been cheering on and sharing similar journeys with in a “virtual” but very real world.
Zach had reached his limit and we needed to ensure enough lead time into our quiet time before bedtime so we left early. We walked back to our apartment which as luck would have it is right beside Kevin and Lisa’s apartment. They also had a precious little outfit for Zach and a pair of cute tennis shoes! They are so thoughtful! We are so happy that we could start this crazy adventure with this wonderful family in February go though so many similar thoughts, fears, excitement, exhaustion, and end the same week being back together in Moscow! We hope to go to the park tomorrow morning together. I hope to get a good picture of the boys together.
Did I mention that on the way home it started to rain? Yeah. WE LOVE OUR STROLLER! It has a rain guard on it so Zach looked like a little pod baby coming down the road. Dave will have to post a picture of it! He was of course scared but good natured about it. His only compliant was that his hat kept falling down into his eye and he could not get a good clear look to see what Carter was doing.
We had a very successful bedtime. I of course worried that the trip out to dinner would have been set up for an over stimulation episode and problematic bedtime. But little guy just needed his normal "wind down" time and we made it to bed without me banging my head against a wall.
Tomorrow will be our last full day in Moscow. I am not sure the real emotion I have saying that. It is bittersweet. DO NOT GET ME WRONG – I have been ready to leave. Actually, I was ready to drive straight to the airport the night we received Zach. But, I know this place is so very special. Because of this place and this time here we have created a family. With the sweet kisses and the “la la la” song that helps us go to sleep at night and each day leading up has been so worth it and we would do it again in a heart beat for Zach.
Its time to pack before I crash into bed and hopefully sleep!
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4 Responses to "Trip 2 – Day 26 – Exit Interview and Friends"
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