Here it is . . . The first meeting . . .

It is 10:10 and we just got in from dinner. Didn't get back from the orphanage until probably 8:30--it was an unbelievable day. First we went to the minister of education. It was very emotional b/c she ask if you have seen pictures of the child and if you can see him as part of your family. Then she asks you to tell about yourself and your family. She also tells me that in Russia today is the day of the child, and that is a very good omen that I will be meeting him on this day. Then she tells me that he is very lucky to have me as a mother and that I am giving him something he doesn't have which is a mother and that she is very grateful. She also says that she can see my father is a very kind man and he is luck to have a grandfather. She also tells us that my father looks very American but I could pass as Ukranian and my look is considered very beautiful here. I then asked her if I might then be able to also find a husband here--she laughed and said that she couldn't promise that,but in Russia anything is possible! I was pleased that the meeting went well and everyone is so nice!

After a three hour car ride,we finally arrived at the orphanage. We went into a room to wait for the director to come in. They were cleaning up from the celebration they had for the children's defense day and the interpreter was going to take me to the bathroom when I turn around and Vladimir was there. It is hard to describe what it is like to see him, but all I can remember was that the room was silent. He looked shell shocked and they said that he had never been in that room before and he was definitely aware of all the strangers around him. You could see he was tense b/c he kept his hands clenched in a fist. It is a little stressful b/c you don't want to scare him, but they are encouraging you to take him. They also told me that he loves music and different sounds. It took him a little bit of time, but he finally warmed up and really was interested in all the toys. When he was concentrating on something, he would suck in his cheeks. I finally got him to smile when I kissed him, which was so cute. Then my father was making these noises and he was laughing a little. When I sat down to speak to the doctor, he was grabbing my hair and putting his fingers in my mouth. He loved the frog blanket I brought him and would put it in his mouth whenever I gave it to him. He knows his name and definitely responds to Russian.

We put him on the floor with several toys in front of him and he pulled himself to the stuffed bear singing Russian songs. He is very healthy and alert and very cute--I am also so happy b/c he still looks very much like a baby. He really enjoyed all the toys and would concentrate on something and then look up at me and then all around at everyone talking.

Then all of a sudden someone shows up and takes him away. It is all a bit surreal and then you realize that you have a three hour car ride home. It was a great day and I am so happy that he seems so happy, alert, and responsive. I can't wait to go back tomorrow and see how he is. We may even be able to take him outside, which would be great.

More tomorrow. Cindy