Gotcha Day and beyond

This afternoon I finally have a little time and the emotional capacity to type a brief update. Whew! We just got back from the American Embassy, where Sam's visa to enter the US was granted. It's printed and in his Russian passport, waiting to be stamped when we land in Atlanta. That's the last piece of paperwork we were waiting for--it's over! Now we'll see some Russian friends here tonight and tomorrow, and then get on the plane Friday morning.

On Monday morning (was that only two days ago?) we went to the hospital at 10am to pick Sam up. Of course, I barely slept at all the night before because I couldn't stop thinking and imagining. The previous Friday, I had asked to take a picture of Sam's room, and the head of the hospital said it wasn't a good idea. After we left, she felt bad, so they took some pictures of Sam with his doctors and nurses, and gave us the CD. I can't wait to see them and show them to him someday.

We had to sign a paper at the hospital saying that we understood his medical conditions, and that we were taking him home. And then, his doctor brought out a huge bag of things (one of those big Ikea bags, if you can picture it). In it was some clothing, a huge bag of diapers, diaper cream, baby food jars, a bottle, two boxes of cereal, a can of formula, and some medical supplies. Julia, our facilitator was shocked. She told us that in five years, she's never picked up a baby that got any supplies. They are always brought out naked and the parents are expected to dress the child in new clothes. Instead, we got to keep his Russian clothes and got all of these extra supplies. What a blessing. We think the doctors may have purchased some of it with their own money. You could tell they were super sad to see him go. We got the hospital email address, and promised to send some pictures and news of the surgery. So, that will be a good way to keep in touch.

And before we knew it, we were saying goodbye and walking out the door! Ben captured it on video, so we'll be able to show you leaving the hospital and entering the world as a family of three. After we got back to the hotel room, we fed him lunch and then went on a walk. We bundled him in our baby carrier (thanks Jenn!) and walked around to take pictures. Of course, he fell asleep, so he's sleeping in the pictures! The afternoon and evening got pretty long--just playing in the small hotel room. He finally fell asleep on the bed a little after 9. Then, at 10, we checked out of the hotel and left for the train station.

The train left at 10:45, but it was very noisy. The people in the car next to us were drinking, singing loudly, and smoking. Thankfully, once we turned out the lights and got him ready for bed, Sam pretty much went back to sleep quicky. But Ben and I didn't get much. :-( We arrived in Moscow a little after 6 am and checked into the hotel.

Our room wasn't ready, but they put us in a larger room for a few hours because of Sam. So he was able to sleep for about 3 hours. We wanted to nap, but couldn't use the bed, so we watched Heroes on their DVD player while he slept. We finally got into our room in the afternoon and played together. I was wiped out physically and emotionally by bedtime, so Ben put him to bed. He fell asleep at 8:30, and we were sleeping by 9! He woke up at 4:30, took some formula, and then slept until 10am! And that was after we turned on the lights and tried to get him up. He was so, so tired. It was a great night of sleep for all three of us.

Today the weather is a lot warmer, and it's been nice to be outside. We're hoping tomorrow will be too. He's been so good riding in cars, and waiting on our laps quietly, so we're hoping that is a good sign for the 11 hour plane ride coming up! I'll update again before we leave. Can't wait to get home soon!