10 years later....Happy Metcha Day!

I can only imagine the joy parents feel the first time they see the ultrasound of their baby-to-be or were handed their baby right after birth.  Oh, the tears, the relief, the OMG...this is real!  Our first time laying eyes on our little bundle of love was quite different.  We were sitting in baby home #6 located in a remote area of Sverdlovsk Oblast near Yekaterinburg, Russia.  On that couch with us was a translator and a Russian Pediatrician who we arranged to fly in so she could tell us if there was anything we should be concerned about regarding this little girl who already stole our heart via a photo.

The referral photo we received.

It was 10 years ago today on September 24, 2008, that our love was signed, sealed and delivered.  I can remember the cold, dreary day and the long 45-min drive out into the country where Kristina's home was.  It was baby home #6, Department 2.

Passing one of the many Dachas, or seasonal homes found out in the suburbs.

I remember the excitement as we walked up the driveway leading to #6 with Lydia our translator and Dr. Victoria Khouloudis.  This is where Kristina lived from 3 mos of age until she came home at the age of 28 months old.

The name of the baby home:

"Child House No. 6

Department No. 2"

When we first laid eyes on Kristina, she was 20 months old - walking - climbing stairs - and extremely inquisitive.  Not much talking and only an occasional grin but she followed commands, and gave good hugs.  There was no going back and we prayed every day that nothing would stand in the way of our dream.  Not a day passes that I don't realize how fortunate we are (yes, even when she drives me CRAZY)!!

The expectant parents - just moments before a caregiver brought Kristina through the door.

The moment Kristina was brought in.  I wish the pic was more clear - 

but that moment was a blurr anyways!

My chance to interact with Kristina - under the watchful eye of an interpreter, a pediatrician, the orphanage MD, and a caregiver.  No pressure for this first time mom-to-be!

She was already the apple of Jon's eye!

Dr. Khouloudis doing her examination of Kristina.

Finally got a smile out of this little one!

That first meeting went so very fast.  We only go to interact with Kristina for a little bit because the doctor had to catch a flight back to Moscow and she needed time to do her examination.  All results of the examination came back as we had hoped.  Except for some deficiencies you expect to find growing up in a baby home with limited stimulation, care, touch, love....she was pleased to tell us that Kristina would thrive in a family.  No matter what that doctor would have told us that day...it really didn't matter.  We were starting out battle to complete the boat-load of paperwork and do whatever we needed to get Kristina home.

We met Kristina on a Wednesday and returned for 3 more days to play and love on her as much as we could before heading home to the states on Sunday, September 28.  Prior to seeing her on that Saturday, we sat down with our in-country coordinator, Olga, and signed the paperwork that we commit to pursue the adoption of Kristina.  We did not change her first name as we were told it was given to her by her birthmom in the hospital. We did elect to change her her middle name from Sergeevna to DeAnn.  Our Russian Angel ~ Kristina DeAnn.

Making it official....

...we intend to become Kristina's parents!

Kristina's very own crib in a grupa of many children.

Ahhh, some foreshadowing of the love this girl would have for an iPhone someday....

The moment the caregiver came in for the last time to take Kristina from us.  Kristina knew.  We all cried.  It would be a long 7 months before we would be asked to return for court and become a forever family.

And fast forward, our little girl is not so much a little girl.  She is 11 years old, turning 12 in less than 4 months.  I would not change a thing in regards to the process we went through.  Everything brought us to where we are right now....10 years later.

Happy Metcha Day, Sweetheart!

We love you, baby girl, more than you will ever know!

XOXOXO

Thank you, Santa Ted!

The last 18 months have been a blur and for the first time - I'm sitting down free of work projects and trips and soaking in the joy of the season.  Today, our daughter begged us to go and see Santa at the mall.  We have spent many hours in line at that mall waiting to see the jolly guy in years past and something inside of me told me to "give in."  I'm so very glad we did.

It was 5:30pm and we knew Santa would be wrapping it up at 6pm.  Even though Jon thought we were nuts, he reluctantly agreed to go with us (he really is a big softy and could not live with himself if I took our daughter to see Santa without him....).  Our little girl in the back seat was all dressed up and so excited.  I could feel her anticipation!

We arrived at the mall and got a great parking spot.  First positive sign!  We walked through JC Penneys and left Jon in the dust....Kristina held my hand and guided me quickly through the aisles knowing who was located right outside in the center mall.  "He's there -- and no one is in line!  Look, mom!!"  The jolly old man was there --- and waving to Kristina.  We weaved our way through the stanchions and ropes.  After the obligatory warm up photos, Kristina ran up the ramp to the stage where Santa waited.

There.he.was -- Santa Ted.  Back in 2010, Santa Ted was the first Santa that Kristina ever felt comfortable approaching.  We saw him again in 2011, 2012 and 2013 before hitting a dry spell missing his shift.  I was so excited that I brought up the 2011 photo of Kristina with Santa Ted on my phone so she could show him.  Seeing Kristina sit there on his lap made me so nostalgic -- our little girl is not so little anymore.

What was on her Christmas Wish List?  A laptop, an iPhone X (but an iPhone 8 will do...), corresponding phone case, fake nails, nail polish, and hair dye.  Thank you, Santa, for downplaying the phone.

Even though I wasn't supposed to, I took some undercover photos of Kristina's magical encounter with my iPhone. SSShhhh!  What makes it so magical is Kristina's continued belief in Santa.  I expect this belief won't last much longer as kids at school, well...they talk.  I wanted some candid pics because I'm sure each visit after this will be viewed from a different perspective on Kristina's part.  For the last 8 1/2 years, I have tried to capture as many "firsts", "lasts", and everything in between.  Old habits die hard!

Overall, it was such a great visit - that lasted over 10 minutes because there was no one else in line!  Nothing sadder than seeing a Santa sit there with no one around.  And for me, the eternal procrastinator, I will listen to my daughter in the future if she wants to see Santa on Thanksgiving weekend.  I feel like I just gained a few hours of holiday shopping, wrapping, writing a "Year In Review" blog update, etc. by not having to stand in line at the mall and complain about how hot it is - or how much my back aches.  We're off to a great start for the Christmas season.  Thank you, Santa Ted!

Kristina and Santa Ted Through the Years!

This was Kristina's 2nd Christmas home and our social girl was no longer afraid of Santa.  She sure gave him an ear-full!!

Oh, how I miss these days sometimes!!  Age 3

This is the year she asked for a Pony...age 4.

Yup - Kristina had no fear of Santa Ted!

Kristina told Santa her favorite movie was "Polar Express."  After we left, he found us to give Kristina a bell he had in his pocket.  You have to see the movie to understand the significance and how special this made Kristina feel.

This is the year Kristina started picking out what she would wear to see Santa.  She chose the fanciest dress she could find!  Age 5

No longer a toddler!  Age 6

Fast forward 4 years and reunited with Santa Ted!  Kristina is showing Santa a photo from 6 years ago.  Now Age 10!

The pose is the same EVERY year ~ by coincidence!

"Ahhhh, an iPhone X, you say?"

Getting the lecture that there are 4 weeks until Christmas and you have to be good!

A high-5 seals the deal!

Just having fun! How often does one get the full attention from Santa without hundreds of kids clamoring behind waiting for their turn?

 

Kristina's favorite photo.  

Our most special gift in life.....we love you, Kristina DeAnn!

Our Snow Angel

The weather here in California has been CRAZY this winter.  After being in a drought for years and getting used to brown mountains and lawns, we have seen more rain than I can ever recall.

This winter has seen not only rain, but we have had our share of cold days.  I've had to break out a credit card to scrape the ice off the windshield frantically when trying to get Kristina to school on time!  With this coldness, we've also had a lot of snow up in the California mountains.  One thing we have wanted to do is to take Kristina to the snow but hadn't...up until recently.  (I don't count when the local YMCA shipped in snow and planted a patch of it on their side lawn....only soon to turn to slush.)

We ventured to Bear Mountain where we signed up Kristina and her friend, Jasmine, for snowboarding lessons.  It was a 5-hour class so we had our fingers crossed that the girls would enjoy it and not ask to quit shortly after starting.  Did they have fun???  You bet!

What about mama?  Well --- let's just say....it was a holiday weekend and 1/2 of Southern California skiers/snowboarders were up there....and everyone drove because there is no public transportation  The crowds and the traffic really put a damper on my fun.  It took 4 hours to get there instead of 2.5, 2.5 hours for Jon and I to park the car and get shuttled up to the mountain [we dropped Kristina/Jasmine and Jasmine's parents off at the mountain so they could get to class...], and then over 5 hours to drive home.  Next year, we will book way in advance and stay overnight somewhere local.

At the end of a very long day - the girls had a blast and Kristina loved snowboarding.  If we didn't know better, we would've thought she had done it before.  But before this day, Kristina hadn't seen "real" snow since her days in Yekaterinburg!

Memories of Big Bear Mountain in Pics

Up at 5:30am and on the road!  (Photo taken a little after 6:30 when we finally had sunshine.)

One of our first glimpses of snow on the mountains!

Our snow angels ready to hit the slopes.

No doubt that the babushkas in the Mother Country would approve how layered Kristina was!  We dropped Kristina and Jasmine off (along with Jasmine's parents) at the entrance to Bear Mountain so the girls could *barely* make the class, thanks to all the traffic.

After 2.5 hours of searching for parking and two shuttles later, Jon and I finally arrived at Bear Mountain.  I just wanted a hot drink by this point.

After much searching, we finally got a glimpse of the girls on the far away slopes.

Taking a break!

Lots of smiles -- they were really having fun!

While the girls were snowboarding, Zoltan, Monalisa, Jon and I enjoyed lunch -- hot dogs and beer.  What else is there on the slopes?  (Note to self:  put the sunglasses ON!) 

Jon and I hadn't been to the slopes together since....the 80's!!!

Two tuckered out girls.

Ready for the looong drive home!

Someone was already falling asleep before Jon and Zoltan picked us up.

All good things come with a price:  the next morning, Kristina had a fever of 104 that lasted all day.  Let's just say I got lots of cuddle time in!

Belated Birthday Party --- Check!

As I sat at the edge of Kristina's bed on Sunday evening, I was in tears.  I sat there watching her sleep -- something I have had the privilege to do for over 7 1/2 years.  I was in tears probably because of the rawness of my emotions when I'm exhausted after trying to put 110% into a birthday party that I hope she will remember for the rest of her life.   (Ha --- like she can forget it when I document her life here on this blog....)

Yes -- Kristina's birthday was last month -- but it falls around winter break when everyone is traveling and off from school.  I would have had to send out invites before Christmas and, well --- I never did get Christmas cards out this past season (first time I've missed in 32 years) --- so a party in February made so much more sense for many reasons. 

Since Kristina is into gymnastics, she really wanted the party at Le Club Gymnastics where she goes weekly.  Her last big birthday party was in 2010 --- when Kristina turned 3.  Back then, it was her very first party as they didn't celebrate the kids' birthdays in the baby home in Russia.  Ever since, we have kept the parties small to her 5 closest childhood friends or just family.  She was due!

After wracking my brain for a week over the invites -- I went to Costco and ended up with this one.  I love Costco!

I have a feeling those tears of mine were also stemming from the fact that I know that this party was such a big deal for her.  She has been talking about it for the last 6 weeks constantly.  It was a tad difficult making up the invite list because she wanted to invite everyone but knew we had to keep it to her longtime childhood friends and closest 4th Grade girlfriends.  Believe me, we had to trim it numerous times and have a few "come to Jesus" meetings to keep her on track. 

As it turns out, Kristina had 12 girlfriends attend and they all had a great time.  After 90 minutes of running/jumping/swinging around, the girls were hot, sweaty and smiling...and hungry!  My hat off to all those who work in food service...it was a team effort to feed 13 girls!  I *sincerely appreciate* fellow moms and dads who were there and jumped at the chance to help out -- during the party and cleaning up afterwards.

The party was supposed to be 11am-1pm.....and we finally left at 2:10!  Eek....thank goodness there wasn't another party scheduled for the next party slot (1:30).  I crashed for a 15-minute nap when we came home and our birthday girl was asleep by 7pm.

Talk about sleep, I think I'll go sit next to her now as she sleeps so soundly so I can watch her for a little bit before I retire for the night.  Not a day passes when I don't thank God for picking us to have the privilege of being Kristina's mom and dad -- I think I'll have that discussion with Him right now.  ;)

Birthday Party Pics!

The gym where the girls are running and jumping

Kristina LOVES the gym and sharing it with her friends was just a bonus.

Bella focusing on the beam

Gaby racing along the beam

Natalie's turn with Gaby right behind!

Andrea's tired....but still smiling!

Two-year old, Lily, showed some awesome balance skills!

Lily had lots of fun!

Coach asked if I wanted to take a spin around the obstacle course.  Ugh - no.

Focusing on beam work, with Coach Jake and Coach Robert handing out the drills.

Kira channeling the inner gymnast in herself!

The girls are checking out "Memory Lane."  I put up photos of Kristina with each of her girlfriends who attended -- some now and then photos going back to when Kristina was 2 years old!!

Because I had so much time on my hands....!

Had to have all of Kristina's favorite candy.

Cake table

Pizza and fruit -- big hit!

I tried to get creative by having a fruit rainbow.  Not sure anyone noticed but the fruit was delicious!

The cake (from La Paz Bakery in Canoga Park) was fabulous!  Not only was it decorated beautifully, but it tasted  delicious.  Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream icing on the bottom, and white cake with buttercream chocolate frosting on the top layer.

We had so much food that I asked families who just dropped off their daughter to come back at 12:30 to have some lunch!  I truly wish I had more time to socialize with everyone. 

Kristina was so surprised by how big the cake was!

Yes, I kept the tradition with this cake, too -- always having a matryoshka with the birthday cake honoring the woman who brought Kristina into this world.  :)

The Deary Girls

Our little family

Getting ready to sing.....

Blowing out all 10 candles, plus one for good luck.

Was shocked to see that the cake was 6 layers!  Six DELICIOUS layers.

I had to get a lesson from a good friend, Mike, regarding how to dismantle the cake and then cut it!

The "Goodie Bag":  fun stuff-- drawstring backpack, jump rope, pen and notepad, sweat wristbands, friendship bracelets and an emoji!

Avery and Kristina met in Kindergarten

Gaby and Kristina are 5 months apart.  Gaby is Kristina's first friend -- having met when Kristina was home 1 week from Russia.

A wonderful group of girls!

When we got home, Kristina was ready to release her balloon and make a wish...

Watching her balloon....

...carrying her wishes off to Heaven.

And sleeping soundly by 7pm.