Graeme’s passport arrived Monday evening. Which meant we could finish up with Graeme’s final Embassy appointment and go home.

Tuesday morning we went back to the US Embassy to get Graeme’s visa. After our appointment we went back to our hotel and finished packing. Our flight was booked and we were leaving Wednesday morning.

Wednesday morning we got picked up at 4am and headed to the airport. We said our goodbyes to Vitaliy and to Ukraine. As we boarded our first flight it was a very humbling emotion. Chris and I were leaving with this little angel from Ukraine. Graeme did extremely well on the flight once we were moving.

We gate checked our stroller in Kiev expecting it to be waiting for us in Vienna. To our surprise we found out our stroller was checked to our final destination. This is not what you want trying to carry a squirming 2 year old and navigating through an airport.

As we boarded our flight from Vienna to Newark I was concerned how Graeme would do on this 9 hour flight. And I was also concerned with how we were going to manage getting through customs, collecting and rechecking luggage and going through security all while holding a baby and only 1 1/2 hour layover.

Our long flight went better then expected. Graeme slept and played. About 6 hours into the flight he got fussy. But really for his age I think that’s normal. Chris got up with Graeme and walked a little bit. I was blessed with having to learn how to change several diapers in that teeny tiny bathroom. That was a lot of fun to say the least. Graeme really did well Chris and I were both surprised.

Our flight to Newark was late arriving. Passport Control was crazy busy. Let’s talk about how much fun it was trying to hold Graeme waiting in line since we had no stroller. There was only 4 lines open so it took a while to get through the line. By this point Chris and I knew there was no possible way we would make our flight. Once we got through the line and collected our luggage we got booked on the next flight. By this point we were all overly tired and just wanted to be home. Our new flight was actually leaving the time we were supposed to of been home.

By the time we got on the plane Graeme was just over all of it. And honestly who can’t blame him. Poor thing had a huge meltdown before take off then passed out. Chris and I were not long behind. Our flight got in about 9:30 pm. Then we had an hour car ride to get to our house.

All of our luggage arrived but the stroller.

Chris and I had been gone for 23 days.

We waited for Graeme’s passport 17 days – 11 business day there was a holiday in there.

And Graeme had been with Chris and I for 17 days before getting to his forever home.

We are all extremely happy to be home as a family of 4.

XoXo

Tia

Last Thursday night we arrived in Kiev by train. This was Graeme’s first train ride. We had our own cabin which was nice so Graeme could get crazy in. He literally went from 100 to zero in no time. He enjoyed looking out the window and watching the world go by. By the time we get to Kiev it was late so we went to our Apartment and straight to bed.

Friday morning we got up and went directly to the US Embassy. People were lined up outside the Embassy to get in. I am not really sure what I thought the Embassy would be like. The only time I have ever seen the US Embassy in another country is what I have seen on tv or in movies. The doors to the Embassy are extremely thick steel and extremely heavy. You have to go through security then head to another part that reminded me of the DMV. You take your number and they call you. We were lucky number 815. They actually called our number pretty fast. It helped that we were prepared and I already had all the necessary forms filled out. So our 1st Embassy appointment was pretty fast.

After our Embassy appointment we went to Graeme’s Medical appointment. The medical appointment is nothing but a physical. Graeme got weighed and measured. Then the doctor did his exam. Our almost 2 year old only weighs 22lbs. He is a tiny little one which is okay me. Just means I can baby him longer. Once the medical exam was completed we ate lunch at a lovely restaurant with Vitaliy then went shopping.

Saturday we decided to go explore a little. We went to a mall then had an early dinner at an Authentic Ukrainian Restaurant.

Sunday was fun we went to the Park of Eternal Glory and met up with another family. Graeme and his new buddy Asher were both listed on Reeces Rainbow. They are only a few weeks in age apart. Asher walked up to Graeme and Graeme just wanted to hold his hand. It was adorable. The boys had a lot of fun playing on the playground together. This was the first time Chris and I have been able to watch Graeme play with a child his age. Graeme wants to walk and play with the other kids so bad. He kept pulling himself up. As a parent it makes you sad to see your child can’t do what others are doing however I will tell you this little boy is determined. You can see his determination by just watching him. This precious boy will walk! If there’s a will there’s a way. He is now with a family who will never tell him he can’t.

Graeme facts:

Graeme is incredibly smart. Chris and I are in trouble. He is saying a few words already like Dadda, Mamma, sissy. He trying to say his name and that only comes out as Gee. He also try’s to say Bella and Eddie (our dogs names). He has been trying to say I love you. Which is so stinking cute to hear. And he says Masha for his favorite cartoon Masha and the Bear.

He really seemed to understand us a lot.

He loves to give kisses now. And I think Chris is paying him because Graeme actually likes to pull our arms or push our heads so chris and I will kiss each other. Graeme will just look at us and smile.

Graeme loves to blow kisses.

He loves animals and also music.

He can crawl all over the place.

He is saying Ear, nose and eyes and will point to all of those.

We have only found 1 food so far he doesn’t like which is cauliflower.

Everyday he does something new. It is amazing and a true blessings to watch this beautiful baby boy.

XoXo

Tia

This past week we have been waiting in Graeme’s region for his passport. We have fallen into a routine for the most part. It gets daylight here around 4:30am. So this early bird always wakes up thinking it’s a lot later than it really is.

The past few days have been difficult waiting. Chris and I felt like it was time for us to go to the Capital and wait. We need to get home not only for Graeme but also for Morgan. She has been having some medical issues that need to be addressed.

If the passport doesn’t arrive today then we are stuck here till next week. And honestly we don’t want that. My poor mom has been staying at our house while we have been gone. We are so thankful for her helping us during this time. I know she wants to get back to her house and her life. Also the sooner we get home the sooner Graeme gets the medical care he needs.

XoXo

Tia

The past few days have been going extremely well. Tuesday was Graeme’s first full day out. I woke up that morning with a touch of a stomach bug. Many of the families seem to get this bug when they travel over here. With it being Graeme’s first day out and my stomach bug we decided to stay in. So we played all day and everyone was perfectly happy.

Wednesday I woke up feeling so much better. We decided to be adventurous and walked to Gorky Park. Graeme loved every minute of it. He’s so happy about just being pushed in the stroller people were actually waving at him when we walked by.

Gorky Park is absolutely beautiful! Graeme wanted to touch all the statues. I took him on his first carousel ride. He was not to sure about it at first but then of course loved it. We ate lunch at the park and of course he was good. After lunch we headed back to the apartment and Graeme was sleeping like a rock by the time we got back.

Thursday we decided to stay in. We think it will be best to limit activities to maybe every other day for right now. Graeme is extremely smart. He picks things up very fast. We are trying to teach him now that we are his mamma and daddy. And we get him to FaceTime with Morgan and we show him pictures of her all the time. It’s important for him to learn we are his people.

We are hoping to get Graeme’s passports soon. We need to get home and get Graeme to the doctor. He has some issues with his feet that need to be addressed as soon as possible. On top of that Morgan really is having a hard time with us being gone which kills me. And I am having a hard time being away from her. This is the longest we have ever been apart. And yesterday I officially became home sick. Chris and I are those people who love to be home. Our vacations are usually 4 days. So this is very major being gone like this but it is worth it. We are all making sacrifices in order to bring Graeme home.

XoXo

Tia

Monday May 21 2018 Graeme got busted out of the Orphanage!

Monday morning I woke up early. I couldn’t sleep I wanted to make sure the apartment was clean and I had everything packed to take to the orphanage. Like a baby is going to know if the apartment is clean? Crazy the thoughts that run through your head at these moments in your life. Our lives changed the moment we saw Graeme’s picture for the first time. Which happened to be this past July while Chris, Morgan and myself were on vacation in Key West. But today our lives were going to physically change.

We got picked up from our apartment by our Facilitator which happens to be awesome. She really fought for Graeme to get out of the orphanage. And she went above and beyond for our family.

When we got to the orphanage Chris and I were lead to Graeme’s groupa. This is where we handed out the Nannies gifts and we got to get Graeme ready to go. After we got him ready and he said his goodbyes in that area we went to the Doctors office. They gave use 2 pairs of special shoes for Graeme that help push his feet out and the Nannies also made him a book filled with a few pictures and personal information. We had a lot of visitors come into that office to say their farewells to our little man. Walking Graeme through the hallway was extremely emotional knowing he will never have to know that life again. It seemed to take forever to get to the car everyone was coming out for him. The doctors did tell use he was the favorite and he’s a very special boy.

When we finally got in the car it was very hard to see one of the Nannies sobbing as we drove away. We did promise to email updates and pictures.

Graeme’s first night went extremely well. He slept for about 9.5 hours. Graeme’s personality lights up the room. He is a true blessing. He’s genuinely excited about everything and it brings joy to your heart just watching him.

We are currently still in country waiting for our little mans passport. Hopefully we will be coming home next week.

XoXo,

Tia

Sorry for the long delay in post. Since court we have been on the go. We went to court May 17th. So let’s rewind a bit.

Chris and I arrived to Eastern Europe later then expected. After delayed flights, having to change airports to another town and changing airlines we finally arrived. While we were collecting our luggage we realized 1 suitcase was missing. Can you guess which one was missing? That’s right it was mine. I had no clothes! Baby C had all his toys in my bag and half his clothes. After traveling for 24+ hours that’s the last thing you want to happen. I was trying my best to fight back tears and communicate with the baggage claim representative to file my claim.

Since I had no clothes for court after we left the airport we went shopping. Which I love shopping! However when you are exhausted to the max and upset plus in a foreign country it’s not fun. The shopping experience was very overwhelming for me. I like to do my own thing and I don’t do well with people constantly coming at me. But I managed to get through it.

The next day Chris and I took the fast train to where Baby C is. We got to have an afternoon visit with him. It was so wonderful to be able to be back with him.

Court Day I woke up so nervous. What if we went and the judge decided we were not good enough for Baby C? I had a million things flying around in my head.

As we got to the courthouse the whole seen is completely different from what we are used to in the States. While in the courtroom Chris and myself were asked a series of questions. We had 2 ladies who were jurors. One of them was smiling the whole time which put me at ease. The court session lasted about 20 mins. The Judge came back into the courtroom and announced we had been granted the rights and read Baby C’s new full name. At that moment Chris and I were brought to tears.

After court we were able to have our afternoon visit. That visit seemed different from the rest. Baby C knew from the start who we were and wanted to stay with us when it was time to go back.

Welcome to our family Graeme Christopher.

XoXo

Tia

Last week we got the call our court date is this week. We had another short notice so Chris and I have been running around like maniacs. It’s very hard to pack light for ever changing weather. Also we are not only packing for ourselves we have a little one to pack for. I think I packed more for Baby C than I did for myself. This trip is also going to be a long one. So we are having to pack for a few weeks. Needless to say our suitcases are jammed full.

Leaving our house this morning knowing the next time we return we will have Baby C in tow was an awesome feeling. I am ready to have both my children in the same country.

The past few weeks have been extremely hard. Your heart is constantly torn. You constantly have people asking you questions or if you have heard anything. I know people mean well but that’s been one of the hardest things to handle when you don’t have an answer and your heart is breaking.

We are on the final end of this chapter and we could not be anymore excited to start the new chapter. But first court…

XoXo

Tia

Everyday Chris and I are asked “any news” everyday we say “no not yet”. Yesterday made it 3 weeks since we got to meet Baby C. We are still not crossing next week off the calendar yet for a court date. Chris would love to spend his birthday next week with Baby C. We are prepared to leave if this is the last trip or not.

Maybe possibly by the end of this week we can say “yes we are leaving”.

Until then…

XoXo

Tia

2 weeks ago today we got to meet our little man. It almost seems like a lifetime ago. There has been many of tears in the 2 weeks, many pictures looked at, many videos watch and many stories told. Baby C is apart of us now in every way.

For the past 2 weeks we have been busy getting back to everyday life with work and school. We have also been trying to get everything prepared for our next trip in case this is our last trip. If this is our last trip we will be in country with Baby C a few weeks before we can come home. If this is not our last trip we will only be there a few days for court then come back home. What we are currently waiting for is our court date. And from what we understand that could come any day. So that being said we have been running around almost every night making sure Baby C has what he needs. We have also been buying all the goodies for everyone who has helped with Baby C. Every time I cross something off my list it seems like I add 2 things onto it.

Hopefully we will find out this week about court and our trips. Chris and I are ready to get back to our baby boy and for him to be with us forever.

XoXo,

Tia

Friday Chris and I got ready for our 9:30 pick up. We woke up emotional knowing that was our last day with Baby C. Our morning visit went really well. He showed off his dancing moves. He has a love for music and books. He’s a very smart and inquisitive little one. That visit was one of the best ones. After our visit we went back to our apartment finished packing relaxed a little then off again. For our afternoon visit we had to bring our luggage with us so we could catch the overnight train. Our visit start out like the rest. We played until I realized the baby needed to be changed. I was able to find a Nannie who brought me back into Baby C’s groupa. I saw where he sleeps and I was able to see them bath him. After the nannies got Baby C nice and fresh Chris and I were able to see him take his bottle. We feel extremely lucky to be able to have seen these things not all the parents get that privilege. We played after his dinner and had to say our good byes for now.

I will tell you there was nothing we could of done to prepare ourselves for that heartache. While driving to the train station I was trying not to fall completely apart. There were many tears during that car ride. When we got to our cabin on the train we both had a very hard time. As I am writing this thinking about the events and Baby C I am crying. The overnight train was about 6 hours. I was able to sleep some. We got to the Capital then had our favorite driver pick us up and take us to the airport for our 7am flight Saturday morning. By the time we got to the airport it was about 2 am Saturday morning. When our flight left Baby C’s country the water works came back on. Just thinking about leaving him not being able to get to him was and is devastating. Chris and I did not land in our own beds until Saturday night about 11pm. We were and still are emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted.

We are hoping and praying for a fast court date so we can get back to our boy.

XoXo

Tia