24 September 2009

another prayer call

eta: It's ready! We leave in half an hour to pick it up! That is worth waking my sleeping baby. Thank you all.

I won't say it 's the LAST one...but I hope it's the last one regarding paperwork and Russian officials.

It is all down to what kind of day a Russian official in the local passport office is having tomorrow.

If it's a good day, we'll get Sasha's Russian passport, turn in paperwork on Monday at the embassy, have our exit interview Tuesday, leave Wednesday (without crying to delta...whom I don't trust will be as accommodating as everyone else does on this no-changes ticket) and make our initial appointment to get her US passport on Thursday.

If she's not, we won't.

And we REALLY, REALLY would like that to happen.

I met her today and she wasn't a very happy person. She and Sergei don't have the best relationship. (That's putting it mildly.) She was rather unfriendly to me, but she did smile at Sasha. How could she not? She was in a favorite outfit of mine.



People familiar with the books pictured may be interested to know that Moo, Baa, La La La retains its title, but starts on the BOW WOW WOW page, Goodnight Moon is the Russian equivalent of Peaceful Night, Little Bunny...and can't be read before bed because it turns into a manic impression of the orphanage bedtime--but we like saying goodnight to the kasha, and I haven't read Sheep in a Jeep to her because when she reads it to me in Russian it's too precious. I want her on video reading, "Zheely Beele eta baraf..." (a little like "Once upon a time there were sheep."



(Answering questions:
Yes, she's incredibly overwhelmed and overstimulated. By ev-er-y-thing.
Yes, she's amazingly affectionate but only with me. She'll not even speak to strangers. She'll now speak to Olga and Sergei--barely.
No, the gotta-go-now isn't control at this point. It's a surprise to her each time.
"Mnoga" means many or much (sorry for not translating that.)
It's an outie.
her favorite song is "One, Two, Two Little Girls" from Sesame Street Old School (which has the warning that it may not be appropriate to meet the needs of today's preshooler. I decided to risk it.)
English words we've heard: cross (only repeated after she asked what it was), keeske pants (also repeated--poor child--while I was putting on pajamas) and good girl, no, and okay all used correctly.)

26 comments:

Barb said...

Yes, good humour for the Russian official will be on the prayer list! The pics are adorable. Thanks for taking the time to answer all those questions:-)

Looking forward to the video you alluded to!

Barb

ko said...

Oh I hope everything works out! I love the picture of her by the tree and yes you have to video her reading in Russian! Glad things are going well with the bonding! Good luck

Allison in NJ said...

Love reading the update Kate.... My experience with officials is fresh bakery goods, tin (pound) of coffee, tin of tea, chocolates, etc. Even for secretaries. Was not held up at all. Sometimes fresh flowers from the corner kiosk was good. I got to know every bakery/grocery coming and going. Ask Sergie. Pictures are precious, and all will work out.... promise!!! Looking forward to the video of Lexi reading also. I love their voices.

Blessings....

Rachael said...

Moo, Baa, Lalala is a FAVORITE in our house! (Well, was...it's passe now. But all four kids at one time loved it!) Did I send that to you? If I didn't I SHOULD have! :)

Prayer sent your way. Tell Sasha to have her most charming smile that day too.

Julie H said...

I can't believe it is real. I am overwhelmed with feelings!!Can't wait to talk when all has settled down (HA HA)

Lindsay said...

Pray to God and row towards shore :)

Hey, it's what it said on your rolling header when I come on your blog. Maybe it is a sign for your paperwork.

Hope so. Fingers crossed :)

She's a darling. And such great taste in clothes too!

Kerry said...

Interesting that kids the world over love "La la la" (as Peter calls it!) We have to read it every night.

Will be praying hard!

Maura said...

Prayers being said that the Russian official is having a fabulous day and mood tomorrow.

Lexi is absolutely adorable in that outfit. That reddish color suits her and the hat is darling.

Love, love love Sheep in a Jeep and Moo Baa LaLaLa. The Bedtime Book was our kids' favorite - I can still recite it from memory!

Gigi said...

She looks great in red! I'm so confused-how could she not have been the detsky dome favorite???? And one more thing-she looks just like you-the smile and the twinkle in the eye!

Anonymous said...

Sasha is so lovely! She looks soooooo much like my best friend (also Sasha!) did when we were kids, like nearly identical, I would almost think they were twins if not for the 20 year age difference! My Sasha is almost entirely pureblood Tatar, maybe yours is too :)

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

That outfit is so pretty on her...she looks great in red! She has the most beautiful eyes.

Prayers being lifted up for a softened heart of the passport official...

espe said...

Praying that everything goes well GMK!

OF

Unknown said...

Do you not LOVE dressing a little girl? YOUR little girl? I do. Lexi looks amazing, I melt at every picture. Must run upstairs and retrieve my Sara from her bed and put her in something precious and fitting.

Suz said...

Praying Kate! I just love her dimples - precious :O)

Tammy said...

Kate Kate Kate!! AAYYYIII I am in between internet providers and was SO UPSET That I couldn't see your last few days of your countdown!

Lexi is absolutely beautiful and I love that she now has a glow about her. I am actually glad I didn't get to see your slide show before knowing she was safe in your arms. Her grief in those last pictures of your first slide show is haunting. And you lied when you said we didn't need a tissue on the second slide show. Seeing the little girl in the background, all alone in the world, made me cry again.

I am so, so happy for both of you! It will all come together, simply because it has to. God has not taken you both this far only to leave you. I am hoping that as I type this, you already have her passport and all is going as it should.

Lexi will come around. It will do wonders for her when you finally get her home and into a consistent (but not orphanage rigid!!) routine. As exhausting as it is, enjoy these days to their fullest and don't worry so much. I look back on my first 10 days with him before we flew home and I wish I hadn't spent so much time worrying about him.

I can't wait to hear about your travels and when you finally her her HOME for good!

All my love, prayers and best wishes,

Tammy

Lauri said...

Hugs & Prayers coming at ya

Lexi looks adorable

beckyww said...

Love her in red!

june said...

The picture in the hat by the tree is TOO CUTE FOR WORDS! "Not beautiful", my foot.

fingers crossed for the Russian passport...

Debbie said...

I don't even want to say anything about passports so I'll leave you with my prayers :) Debbie

Calico Sky said...

Love Love Love the dress!!

I'll be praying!

Jenni said...

She looks beautiful in her red outfit! Glad the passport went through OK. Thanks for answering everyone's questions too (I had many of them as well).

Annie said...

You must be having fun with that adorable wardrobe she has!

Tina in CT said...

I know you had done quite a bit of shopping the past two years. Hope what you bought fits now and in the future (to grow into). Red is a great color on her and one of my favorites.

She looks so happy in the pictures.

Just love the smile and dimples (like Shirley Temple dimples). Boy, am I dating myself.

Suzanne said...

Hey -- we have that dress too! Yeah Hannas!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I've been out of internet/blog mode, but finally got on to see that your little princess is with you....and will try to catch up on all this. Blessings to you both as you adjust to being family.

Beckie

Anonymous said...

Try "Time for Bed" by Mem Fox and Jane Dyer at bedtime.