Second Wind

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:6-7

No two experiences are alike, and therefore each one comes with its own set of anticipatory anxieties. This trip began with a one-night stay at the Holiday Inn Sokolniki - the same hotel in which Trav and I spent a week in December of 2010 making a painful decision - and then arriving the very next evening in Tver at Hotel Osnabruck to spend a wek in room no. 234 - the same room in which we spent our joyful first nights together as a family with Anya.

Everything seems to come full circle.

 Monday morning, June 18th, we rejoined Alexei (our long-time CHI Tver consultant extraordinaire), and went to the Ministry of Education to get permission to visit our child. Fortunately, he is located in the Teremok orphanage, a short 10 minute drive from our hotel. We sit in the lobby sandwiched between a giant stuffed elephant and a 3-headed stuffed dragon that stands 3 feet tall. Within minutes, a social worker arrives with a chubby-cheeked, dark-haired, smiling little boy. As we begin to get acquainted, the doctor arrives and says, "Blah, blah, blah" (all good news health wise). We get to spend 2 hours with him, and we notice how observant he is. And WOW does he respond well to Travis! This makes me so happy.

Our little one seems trusting and friendly, and very relaxed. He crawls and can stand while holding onto the table. He makes simple gestures for things he wants. He likes the book we brought - a touchy-feely animal book that he can turn the pages of, but would rather chew. His 2 front teeth are pushing through, and it just feels good, I'm sure. He's got a strong grip on the musical instruments we brought, and loves to shake and tap them on the table. He squeals and smiles when we hold him up in the air, and never seems to tire of it. It was a great first day!