We're Home!!

We are so thankful to be home!! Having all three of my babies in my arms at the same time was better than I could have ever imagined. The boys were so excited!! They have been so great with her, so many hugs and kisses and Austin is just in love with her. He wants to hold her all the time and Ty is being absolutely Ty, trying to make her laugh every chance he gets, our little comedian. God has blessed us with miracles every step of the way up until the moment we were able to board that plane Thursday, with 16,000 flights being canceled we were definitely worried, but again He provided the way home. Seeing this little angel with her new family and the joy and happiness coming from her, it breaks my heart to think joining these Russian children with loving American families could possibly stop, it just can't. My journey continues to be one of prayer for all of you waiting to bring your children home. The positive outcomes so outway the negative ones. I can't imagine what her life or ours would have been like without each other. I'm praying for you all.

One More Day

Now I can say we're counting down the hours, not days until we are home. We spent the day at the Kremlin and Red Square again. We were there almost all day and she did so great. Even though the stroller and pack-n-play were bulky and a pain, they were so worth it. The stroller has been a life saver and allowed us to really get out and about. We've also had the most amazing weather, sunshine everyday. Eddie hasn't worn a coat the whole time we've been here. It's been great for sight seeing. We hadn't done hardly any souvenir shopping so today was our last chance. We got some really cool hats for the boys. We also found her an authentic Russian dress, a spoon to start her collection, a Faberge Egg jewelry box, and a Nesting Doll, of course. While in Kaliningrad we got her a pretty little dragonfly necklace with four amber stones in it, the four different colors of amber. Kaliningrad produces 90% of the worlds amber because it is right on the Baltic Sea, there is amber everywhere. I bought myself a green amber stone ring and pendant to always remember the special place where she was born. Tonight we'll stay in the hotel for dinner and call it an early night. The packing is almost done and we are ready to be on that plane. 17 hours till boarding!

US Embassy Today

We went to the US Embassy today to get Nicole's American Visa. Oh how we have been waiting for this day. Needless to say, it's been crazy being over here in the midst of everything that is going on. The news is awful here on Russian television and I can completely understand their anger at this woman and her unforgivable decision. I just pray they don't stop everything due to this terrible case. It breaks my heart to think what this women in Tennesse could have done to waiting families and waiting children, and all the lives she could have ruined with her selfish acts. My heart goes out to the families waiting for their court date. I will be praying for you all. From what I have learned while we've been here, court is still taking place. Adoptions have not been suspended on a whole, but some sort of treaty between the two countries needs to be signed. We know our region has put into place more requirements and restrictions.

Despite all the stares and looks we've been getting, we're still getting out and making the most of our time in Moscow. We've been here since Friday and it really is amazing!! St. Basil's, Red Square and The Kremlin are sights I will never forget. We had a lot of time to sight see, but I am so ready to get home. We saw 5 other families at the embassy today, 4 boys and 2 girls total. The woman at the embassy was so happy to see all of these famiies. She asked us to please fulfill our requirements and keep up our post placement reports because they wanted to see this room filled with adoptive parents for many years to come. It was nice to be there and feel such support. We could come home tomorrow, but of course Wednesday is the only day of the week that Singapore doesn't fly to Houston so we have to stay until Thursday. I miss my boys so much. I can't wait to come through that kitchen door and have all three of my children in my arms at the same time. The journey we all take to make this a reality is not easy, it takes your whole heart, body, mind and soul. I will continue to pray for you all that have worked so hard to bring your babies home, God has and will work miracles.

Gotcha Day!!! In Ours Arms Forever

Hi everyone,
I'm 2 days late, but internet access is limited. We picked up our baby girl, I can now reveal her name, Nicole Yelena Romaka, Tuesday afternoon. She is amazing!! We took cakes, flowers and gifts to the baby home as thank you's for taking such good care of our baby the first year of her life. She was so happy to see us, she smiled the second she saw us. As we were coming down the stairs leaving the baby home, we went into the room she normally plays in to say good-bye to her caregivers and she was grabbing on to Eddie, holding him so tight. I think she thought we were taking her back and going to leave again, like on our visits. Not this time!! It was so wonderful leaving with her in our arms. She was wonderful on the drive back and has been an angel ever since. She did not want to eat anything at all that first day and did not like the formula I bought either. She did great in her bath and fell asleep easily. Around 11:30 she woke up scared and crying. She calmed down and then ate like a champ, baby food, but still no formula. Thank goodness for Jeanette's blog, I read it the day before we left and someone mentioned their little boy would not take formula, but he would take Pediasure. I ran to the store and bought some, thank goodness I brought it with us, she loves it. I'm using half pediasure and half formula for her bottles and it's working great. I had to go with our coordinator for a couple of hours yesterday so Eddie took her for a long walk. They walked around the city for almost 2 hours and she did so good in the stoller. Then we went out for some ice cream. We got up this morning and went down to our favorite cafe for breakfast. Now we're back in the room and Daddy and Nicole are both taking a nap, sleeping like babies. She is our miracle daughter. We should have named our blog, Our Miracle Baby, that's exactly what she is, nothing short of a miracle. Thank you Lord for this precious baby. I know she has been in your hands from the beginning, as have we. The road has not been easy getting to this point, but it is so awsome to see your glory revealed at the end!!
Just thought I would share, some essentials I brought from home have been the pack-n-play, stroller, teething toys, pediasure, baby oatmeal, and playtex drop-in bottles(so easy). The oatmeal wasn't working until I added a packet of sugar. Anything I think of that I can pass along for those coming soon I will. Now for some pics!!

leaving for pick up trip

We're in the airport now getting ready to board our final plane to Russia. We pick up our sweet baby on Tuesday. I will post pics as soon as I can. We'll be in "Kaliningrad until Friday and then off to Moscow. We'll spend the next 6 days in Moscow and fly home Thursday the 15th. Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayer. Now the fun begins!!

Quick Question

I was just wandering when I can post pics of our sweet baby. Can I post them as soon as the ten day wait is over and we pick her up in Russia or do I have to wait until we are home? Any answers would be great, of course I want to post them as soon as I can. Thanks guys.

The Waiting

Oh, why do the days keep dragging? We waited six weeks in between our first trip and the court trip and they seemed to fly by. I guess because I was still running around like a crazy person doing paperwork most of that time. This time it's just waiting. At least we've had some great weather so the boys and I have been able to spend a lot of time outside. One week of waiting down, and one more week to go. I know it will be here soon, just not fast enough. I want her home with her family and the boys can't wait. Poor Tyler, he's been so confused as to why we keep going to Russia and keep coming home without his baby sister. It's just too much for a 5 year old to understand. Today I'm packing up our angel girl's stuff. I have it all layed out in her room. Clothes, shoes (I forgot how precious tiny shoes are), coat, hats, bows, blanket, diapers, bottles, formula, teething toys (oh my is that baby teething), bibs, backpack carrier, medical kit, sippy cup, snacks, and her famous phone. Good thing Eddie and I are light packers, I feel like I take the same thing every trip. We live in Houston, I don't have too many warm things to choose from. I'm amazed at how little I've really needed, and Eddie could probably go somewhere for 2 weeks with just a backpack. I just keep telling myself to keep busy and Sunday will be here before I know it, then I'm never leaving any of my babies again.

We're Home from Trip 2 Court was a Success!!!

We arrived home yesterday from our court trip. It was a long trip, but the non-stop flights from Houston to Moscow made such a difference, it cut out at least one extra day of travel. We started our week in Moscow getting our medicals done. Then we flew to Kaliningrad and spent five days with our sweet baby. It was so wonderful to hold her again. She grew taller and got heavier. She's still not walking, but I think she's almost there. And as for her hair, it is definitely not longer, in fact they cut it right off. Her little bangs are so short, but she's still the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen.
I can't say enough about how wonderful her caregivers and baby home director were. Everyday we went to visit she was clean, smelled like a doll, and dressed as cute as can be. They hugged her and gave her kisses on the forehead many times. She looked at them with trust and security. She's definitely felt love as much as she can in a baby home. They made us feel so welcome. One day we spent our visit in the director's office and she offered us hot tea and cookies, she was so kind. A few times, during that visit, she would come over and run her fingers through her hair as she talked about her. I'm so thankful she's been in such loving care.
We loved every visit and every minute we got to spend with our little angel. On the first day, I don't think she remembered us because she cried again, but she warmed up quickly. Eddie had such a way of making her smile and laugh. She was fascinated with him and his facial prickleys the day he didn't shave. With each day she became more and more comfortable. By day three, there were no more tears. When they brought her in the very last day, she gave us the sweetest smile when she saw is. It was a happy smile, but at the same time it looked like a smile of relief, like she was saying in her little mind, "oh yeah, it's you, you're here again, you came back." It melted my heart and is an image I will never forget, a sweet innocent smile of hope. I just pray she really has no concept of time and isn't sad that we're not there now. When we were leaving that last day Eddie said, "This is the last time we'll ever have to leave this place without her." She was also fascinated with the dresses they put her in. I think this is the first time she has ever been in dresses, she kept lifting up the hems and looking at them, it was so cute. One of her caregivers told us she knew she liked us because each day they dressed her she would smile, it's like she knew we were coming because they were dressing her up. The baby home director said that our visits were having a positive affect on her. She said she was smiling and lauging more than they had ever seen. I even think she gained weight during the five days we were there.
Monday we went to court. Eddie got most of the questions, then the social worker spoke and the baby home director. Then I got a few questions and then the judge went out to make her ruling. At 12:30pm the judge came in and granted us our application to adopt our sweet baby girl and officially named us her parens. I thought for sure I would cry, but I didn't. I was so overjoyed and thrilled, but no tears. Eddie welled up a bit, he's become a big marshmellow for this little one, I love it! And then it was hugs all around. After court we took our translator, driver and coordinator for a celebration lunch. Almost 2 years after starting this journey we finally have our baby girl, our miracle baby, in so many ways. After all this, I totally forgot to take a picture of us in front of the court building after the hearing. I'm kicking myself.
Yesterday we flew home to wait out the ten day wait. We'll head back a week from Sunday to pick her up. I'm pretty ready, but I know these next few days will fly by with last minute to do's. I wish I could post pictures and as soon as we're home for good I will.

Leaving for Court Trip Tomorrow

AHHHHHH! I can't believe it's finally here. We are heading to Russia tomorrow and will get to see our little angel again in just 4 days. I can't wait to hold my baby girl again. I wander if she's grown, I wander if she's started walking, I wander if her hair is longer. I hope she remembers us. Finally, finally, finally, she is almost ours forever. We leave tomorrow at 5:45 and have a direct flight to Moscow. We'll be in Moscow for two days getting our medicals done, staying at the Courtyard Marriott, so comfy beds, yeah. Then we're off to Kaliningrad. We'll spend 5 days with our angel girl before court and then court is Monday March 22nd. I don't know how long that will take, but I pray everything goes smooth and easy. We head home the next day to wait out the ten day wait. I already have all of her clothes laid out ready to be packed for that trip. The boys are so excited. They talk about her like she is already here. They are going to be the best big brothers, I am so proud of them and the love they already have for her. I think it made it so real when we were able to come home and show them pictures. Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayers, they are felt and appreciated.

The Olympics

I'm a little bumbed that the games are over. This year was so fun because the boys really enjoyed watching them with us. They were so cute cheering on our US team. Tyler decided if the US wasn't competing then we all needed to cheer for Russia "because that's where our baby sister is". He was so cute cheering "Go Russia Go Russia" all 2 weeks. We recorded the closing ceremonies last night so the boys could see a little bit about Russia. I can't wait for the next winter olympics in Sochi. Our doctor from St. Pete said her family lives in this part of Russia. It will be so fun to watch with the kids. I can't believe our little girl will be 5 at that time, so actually I can wait. I don't want the next four years to go by fast at all!!