Love at First Sight-January 13, 2002

Here are the first pictures of Julia Maisano. These were taken when we first met her. She is in a town about an hour and a half from here. Before going to see her we visited the Ministry of Education in Moscow and then we saw the Ministry of Education in Sergiev Posad where Julia is. Tomorrow we go to have her passport picture taken and to see the notary (whatever that means). Our driver and translator pretty much just point us in the right direction and we go. This process is more complicated than you can imagine and not speaking the language is difficult although we are getting used to using the translator. More pictures to come. It's hard to tell in the pictures but her hair is blonde and her eyes are blue. She smiles giggles and seems to be a bundle of energy and NOPE she didn't scream when she saw us....talk to you later Alice & Anthony:)

Moscow Bound--January 12, 2002

Today is the anniversary of the day we left to go get Julia in Russia. In honor of her SIXTH gotcha day I am going to recreate the days of her adoption....starting with Day One.





Made it safely to Moscow no problem with the flight at all.
They are taking us to see the Ministry of Education tomorrow at 9:00 which is good sign things are starting out in the right direction.

Then we are going to the orphanage to see Julia. We met 4 couples on the plane 3 which are staying at our hotel and 1 couple who is adopting a child from the same place we are so we will probably see them tomorrow also. The hotel is nice and Moscow seems like any other city. We are right near the Kremlin. Our translator is Vera and our driver is Valdamir (he has a Mitsubishi Galant!) Today is
another holiday here so they were anxious to get rid of us today and get back to their families. We will meet up with them again at 8:30 am. So far so good -- Alice had to take off her shoes at the airport (she's such a thug).

Ear Tubes

On December 18th we headed up to New Haven to visit our friend Dr. Fortgang. Julia loves Dr. Fortgang and wore her scrubs for the occasion. Today was the day he was going to finally remove her ear tubes! Yahoo no more ear plugs when showering, bathing or swimming. Both Mommy and Julia are very happy about that. I'm sure Daddy is happy too considering he won't get any more frantic phone calls from swimming lessons to bring the ear plugs. Julia was a little nervous when we got there. As soon as she saw Dr. Fortgang and gave him the picture she had drawn for her him she quickly felt better. The first one came out very easily. For the second one we had to go to the "treatment room." This was a little scary, but Dr. Fortgang promised that it wouldn't hurt and we know that he never lies. The second ear tube was out in a flash. Then Dr. Fortgang taped them to a stick autographed and dated them and they were OUT!!! We then had to go for some hearing tests and because Julia has a cold her one ear tested a little low. So we will go back and visit Dr. Fortgang at the end of January when he will probably tell us we are all done! Dr. Fortgang has already invited Julia to come intern in his office if she is still interested in surgery when she gets to high school. Julia is thrilled...just between us in blog land...I think she may have a little crush on the good doctor!

Christmas 2007

Every year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to get shorter. It seems like we just finished the turkey and Santa was sliding down the chimney. This Christmas was busy and loads of fun. Christopher and Julia were so excited their beautiful little heads nearly exploded.

The Saturday before Christmas we headed down to NYC and the Gazillion Bubble Show. Julia was chosen to go up on stage and was put into a bubble by Ana Yang. Mrs. Yang is the Guiness Book of World Records holder for the most people in a bubble. It was a big hit. We walked to see the tree in Rockefeller center and then we visited St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was a beautiful night and all the lights, hustle and bustle put everyone in a holiday mood.

Then on Sunday we went to see a Cinderella Christmas in Walingford. Julia loved it! Poor Christopher he was one of only a handful of boys in the audience suffering through the princess thing. While we were there the man behind me spilled an entire bottle of water all over me...yuck. I was soggy throughout the whole show. It was nice of his wife to point out that it was "only" water...can you say "ho, ho, ho?"

Christmas Eve found us at Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim's house for our traditional fish dinner. It was as always delicious. It was sad and strange not to have Loretta with us, but we all made the best of it and Big Jim seemed to enjoy himself.

Christmas morning started at 7:30 a.m. -- a little late I thought:) Julia was lying in bed and told me she was afraid to go to the tree because she thought she might get coal! That little stinker had already hours before peeked at the loot. I told her she need to wake up her brother before we could head on in to open gifts. As expected the King Tut hat was a huge hit. I think Christopher was very overwhelmed by the gifts. Our family got a Wii and it is so much fun. I am a Wii bowling champ!

Christmas day we headed down to Karol's house and more presents and more food! Grandpa Svede was presented with an afghan with all the grandkids pictures. I think he really liked it. Karol made a yule log for dessert which looked and tasted really yummy. Lianna gave everyone a beautiful gift. I got a gorgeous bracelet and Anthony got a table top skittle game for his desk. It was so thoughtful of her to think of all of us.

This was a great Christmas and we are very very blessed! Now onto 2008!

The First Snow

The first snow of the season fell yesterday. Julia and Christopher were so excited to get out and play in it. The storm came in around the time school let out. Because it was so cold yesterday the roads quickly became dangerously slippery. There were roads closed everywhere. Julia and Christopher usually get home around 4:00--yesterday they were really late. Julia arrived home at 4:45 and Christopher didn't make it until 6:05!!! His bus was stuck on one of roads that was closed. Julia's bus driver was able to radio Christopher's bus so at least I knew he was okay and making his way slowly home. Then as she tried to inch her way down our hill she started to slide sideways. Julia's bus was parked on our street for about 20 minutes waiting for a plow. It was quite a scene. There were cars spun out everywhere.

After everyone was home safe and sound it was really beautiful watching the snow fall with the Christmas tree lights sparkling and the fireplace burning. It was cozy here last night. Then just to make things even better CBS played Frosty the Snow Man -- does it get better than that? Ask me that question in about a month when the real snow falls and it is freezing and gray...and a certain person I know will be walking on the beach, I doubt I'll be as happy about the snow. Lorelei would have taken a walk out there in that snow because the first snow is magical but I'm content to look out at it from my warm house.

This morning the beauties were up bright and early ready to go play in it. Looking at the snow today it's hard to believe the little bit that fell yesterday caused so many problems. There really isn't much snow but nevertheless Julia, Christopher, Barney and Anthony had a fabulous time romping, throwing snowballs and riding the flying saucers.