Friday, March 20, 2009

Tania is Sprung!

Here she (FINALLY) is in all her glory... Tatiana Elizabeth Repp!!At the Artem baby home

Goofing around at the baby home

"Getting Sprung" outfit - 18M is a little too big...

Not loving the car ride to the hotel... Thanks Auntie Angie for the snowsuit!

First bath at the hotel - she LOVED it!!
What a day! It's about 9pm here in Vlad, while all you east coasters are just waking up. This morning started with Sergei arriving to kick things off at 9am. My first surprise was a stop at Sergei and Ivan + Luba (my coordinators) apartment building. Luba and her son hopped in. It was good to see them again as they helped out with the notary on the last trip.
Our first stop WAS the notary and we signed a request for Tatiana's new birth certificate. They are super big on the notary here. They even have their own office. After that was done we went to the court to pick up the judge's approved decision. 2nd surprise was the judge's team spelled my name Ammy - so we waited while it was fixed.
Next stop was the Department of Vital Records - to get her new birth certificate and adoption certificate. Friday and Saturdays are big wedding days in Russia - and some marriages even take place in the Vital Records office - so they apoligized for the delay. (Actually they suggested that next time we change our court dates so that the wait doesn't end on a Friday AND apoligized for the wait.)
From there it was on to the passport office. Luba left for a bit to finish Tatiana's picture for the passport (too cute) and by the time she returned, the passport office was closed for lunch. So we sat in the car and waited. And ate chocolate. Not suggested for lunch. The passport office reopened at 2pm and we went right in. Sergei somehow talked them into having her passport done by Monday am around 11am. This discussion also included a chocolate gift to the employee... hey, whatever works!
After a quick stop at the store to buy a nice cake, FINALLY we were off to Artem (approx. 1 hr outside of town) to spring T from the big house. The kicker was that it was Friday afternoon and imagine I-75 N on a Friday afternoon. Yup -- traffic. Worse than normal Russian traffic. We arrived at the baby home around 4pm and the Director and Doctor had both left for the day. Their bad -- they missed the cake!!
T's groupa mates were all sleeping - so you can imagine her thrill at not having to nap, getting all the attention from her caretakers, and having me arrive. She was on Cloud 9 -- totally showing off while I took pictures of her room. We changed into new clothes - a little too big... and we were off. She was excited... until about 5 minutes into the car ride. Not her favorite. She could be occasionally distracted (where is mama's eyes - and YES! she knows!!) but there were some fake tears, followed by some super big tears. The big kicker is - she doesn't like to sit still. Man that plane ride sure is sounding good right now. NOT!
The good news is that she was FINE once we hit the hotel. She's had a blast tonight and will keep me on my toes. She doesn't want to walk - she wants to run, through the entire hotel. She also has discovered what glass doors are all about - the hard way. Having never seen a full length window -- she doesn't get it quite yet and has run into them 3 times. Thankfully not at full speed.
Dinner was good -- she did sit still in the hotel high chair long enough to eat some bread, some mashed potatoes and a little chicken. Not the best eater -- hoping the Robertson, Kluczyk and Ginther girls will help with that. We tried some celebratory ice cream - NYET! She hated the cold. I am sure someday I'll wish she still didn't like it!
After food we went back to the room for a bit - Lisa and Andrew joined us for about 15 minutes of play before bathtime. I expected her to HATE the bath. NYET again! She LOVED it. Didn't even mind having her hair washed. And she LOVES to splash.
The newest Repp is now in her crib -- rocking herself to sleep. Like many of the children who come from orphanages - she's a rocker. I will try the Baby Einstein again tomorrow -- but I knew her fans were waiting....
Paka from Vladivostok - - Mama + Tatiana


34 comments:

Anonymous said...

She's so beautiful!!! I'm so happy for you! I hope you have a good first night!
Love ya both!
-Suz

Jeanette said...

I couldn't wait to check your blog this morning!! She is so adorable! Congratulations, Mama!!! Enjoy your week! So happy for you!!!!

Pollock Family said...

I have tears of joy for both of you.Welcome to fun world of being mommy... our Nadia has been home now for 6 months form MC and every day we have a blast all over agian.. and I know that fun has just begin for you and your entire family,,, she is one sweet baby and I am beyond happy... I am just sobbing over you blog every day... I love it so much. Ivana and Baby Nadia

Anonymous said...

Amy,
She is beautiful just as Heidi had said. I can only imagine your excitement about now. Welcome to the wonderful institution called Motherhood.....Congratulations....
We will be praying for your safe journey home.
Mary

Charlotte in Pa said...

Congratulations, Amy AND Tatiana! I wish you the best of luck as you begin your new life as a family. Good luck with the plane ride. Maybe there's a Russian version of Benadryl? :-)

Jennifer said...

Hey Amy! Everyone here is so excited for you two to come home. As mom and I were looking at the pictures this morning, mom went to tell Riley to come and look. She said "Riley! Come look,Tatianna is in the tub!" and Riley went strait to our bathroom to see her, not to the computer. I hope the last finishes work out okay, and cant wait to see you at home. Riley is soo excited to teach her new things. Congratulations mama! see you soon! Love you both.
Courtney

www.adventureswithaidan.org said...

Fantastic! She is really beautiful. Aidan actually only wanted baby food for about a month or two. We then slowly introduced regular food, which he was on full time by month three. Just a suggestion! Congratulations on motherhood. It's the best, isn't it???

Rich and Jolynn said...

This is the post to read this morning. She is so cute and precious. Congratulations!!! So glad to hear her passport will be done on Monday, Yeah!

Anonymous said...

Amy!
Congratulations to you and welcome Tania, just an adorable little girl who's spirit just glows through the photos! We are a waiting family, and I just blog surfed into your great news on this fine Friday east coast morning!! What a wonderful way to start the day! another child coming home, another family made, another bell of hope for those of us coming in behind you! Have a safe and wonderful journey home!
Amy from Philly

Lindsay & Corey said...

Amy she is beautiful. I am so happy for you. What a huge year you are having. Enjoy every moment of being a new mom. You are going to be an amazing mom.

When do you return to the US?

Nichole said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad to hear and see that T is with you!!!!!!! I am so excited for you. She is a doll! Vera is a rocker, too. Sometimes it is hard to watch/listen to, but the up side is he is extremely easy to put to bed. Enjoy your girl!

findingourdaughter said...

So precious!!! I am so thrilled she is finally with you forever! LOVE the tub photo! I was so anxious this AM to get the boys and Rick out the door so I could come to your blog, LOL.
She'll eat, maybe she was too excited. Ahhh, so happy for you!
God bless you both!
Hugs, Angie

gayle said...

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! It won't be long! She is beautiful!

Laura said...

Oh, how wonderful! I couldn't run off to work without first checking your blog for an update.

She's so precious!!! CONGRATS!!

Skype you soon,
~Laura :)

Tiger & Kar said...

She is so beautiful! I'm sitting at work crying happy tears for you & T. Congratulations!!!!

Julie McGuirk said...

Amy, Congratulations! As I read you blog this morning, it takes me right back... I know exactly how you are feeling and our little girl reacted exactly the way little T is behaving. It was only 5 months ago that we were in your shoes experiencing the same things. Enjoy it. Remember it. Before you know it, you too will be home for 5 months and amazed how well she is doing. Congrats again and enjoy your week. It goes by so fast. Good luck on all your travels.
Julie and Rick McGuirk
Mt. Pleasant
mcguirkfamily.blogspot.com

Sarah said...

HUGE congratulations Amy! Sounds like things are going great! Tristan didn't like the cold ice cream either--still only wants it sometimes.

She is gorgeous!!!! Welcome to motherhood!
Love,
Sarah

Heather said...

Hello Amy and Tatiana! The pictures are great. T looks so beautiful in her dress, and her smile in the tub is priceless. We are so happy for your family. Now the fun truly begins. Enjoy this time of bonding and figuring each other out. We look forward to more pictures!

Iraida and Valeria Sofia said...

Sooooo Worth the wait!!!! She's gorgeous. Congratulations!!!!

Iraida

Lindsay said...

She is gorgeous! Congratulations.

Hannah sometimes rocked (or head banged when really upset). More often she scratched at her skin. It's taken over a year, but she now lets me rock her. Much better for Mama to be doing the soothing and comforting, than for her to do it.

Congrats again on your beautiful little girl.

Roger and Joanne said...

Finally...the moment we've all been waiting for. She's beautiful! I'm so happy for you!
Don't have to worry about you now...you'll be quite busy for awhile.
Sending you a bug virtual hug!

Congratulations!

Troy and Rachel said...

She's beautiful!! As if you haven't heard that enough already!! I love her "getting sprung" dress. She is absolutely adorable in it, big and all!! More pictures - we need more pictures!! Congrats again!

Carolynn and Steve said...

YIPPEEEE!
She is such a sweetie and I'm so happy you're finally together! Big hugs and congratulations!

YAY!!!

Barb said...

CONGRATULATIONS! What a little sweetie!!

CYNDI ~ DELANEY'S MOM said...

Oh Happy Day!! Finally you two are together! She is simply lovely!!! What a beautiful child!
D rocked only for a short time, and our first bath was NOT good! So you are doing great!
Congrats, Mama!
love ~ cyn and delaney
Delaney is looking forward to meeting Sophie!

Tamara said...

OMG .. I'm tearing up! How wonderful that you're together now. She seems like she's going to fit in perfectly. Yes, the plane ride home for many is considered "the journey that shall not be named". We'll hope that you have a Mia experience and not a Sasha experience :) Love, hugs and paka! Tamara

Joy said...

Oh she is so beautiful!! I am so happy that you have her in your arms.
Joy

Anonymous said...

OH HAPPY DAY! Love and hugs to both of you.

Amy's Mom
Tatiana's Grandmother

Nancy said...

This is the day we've all been looking forward to! She is just a precious doll! I love her Spring outfit! Oh, and that orange/yellow car from the baby home...I remember that well.

I hope you're having another fantastic day with your new daughter!!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

De-lurking to tell you a big CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so happy for you. I really enjoy reading your blog and now I will enjoy it even more with your new little beauty. Love her smile.

Becky and Keith said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! She is absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad she loved the bath - it makes things so much easier. The fun has just begun - can't wait to hear more and see more pictures of that princess!

kate said...

So glad to get to see her sweet little face after all the teaser pix. Congratulations to you both on your new family!

Sherrie said...

She is beautiful! I am so thrilled for you and Tatiana!

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