The President Celebrates the Nesbitt Family

Can you believe it?? Our first day together as the Nesbitt clan and the PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA came to Kirov to celebrate with us!! How lucky!! LOL...

Sure, sure, he drove all around the city and gave a wave to the baby home, but we KNOW that inside, he was so happy to know we'd found each other, and gave us a blessing on TV to travel back to the US... ok, so we don't understand Russian, but I think that is what he said..

Meanwhile, our day in and around the baby home setting was awesome! We asked to take him outside – they told us it was only his second time out – we wonder if his first time was the car ride on Tuesday to passport photo place??

LM enjoying his see saw -- Really, he is having fun -- can't you tell??
Oh, and Pay no attention to the woman with the "Love is in the Air" t-shirt who sorely needs a shower and hair wash in Moscow with a hairdryer! LOL

So, of course they let us (they are INCREDIBLY accepting here, willing, interested in the children, and supportive of the parents! It is SO different from “the past” and we will leave it at that, but I am NOT talking about Romania!) Out we went, into the wild blue yonder. Or at least the park outside. Which was wild as the grass has not yet been cut. It was hilarious to see little man exploring – while he is getting his balance to do a super cute, arms up, on toes run inside, walking on unsteady grass and dirt bumps for the first time was like watching him walk for the first time (which we missed) – by the end of the 2 or so hours, we was more careful about his footing and barely fell. We are big hikers, and can’t wait to get him out on hikes, so I joked between the tall grass and overgrown trees and bushes, this was good practice and, thankfully, he seemed to like it!! How do we know? A couple of smiles, but really simply b/c he kept moving and checking things out – to PAPs to be, remember that everything is new – we find that, with each “new” situation, our little guy clams up, holds on, and his eyes watch EVERYTHING closely – he is soaking it in, trying to figure it all out…. Often Now what woman wouldn't swoon to see their boys bottoms
walk past them like this? SO CUTE!! Love love love it.

I’ve heard adoptive families say they “missed” the firsts -- - look closely future PAPs, and be open – I can’t tell you how many firsts I know Jeff and I have seen – and we know there will be more – firsts don’t always need to be what you think or what the world expects them to be – they can come in simple pleasures, like we have found already –

• First bubbles
• First time we saw him smile
• First time we heard his giggle
  
• First balloon
• First ride in a swing
• First time “saying” something (“more”) and having someone respond clearly
• First walk in the park..
• And so many more, already –
• They are there – look for them, relish in them…
• I feel so lucky we are seeing so many “firsts”…

Anyway, with the other 2 couples and our primary coordinator gone, it is interesting – the pressure is off, and the atmosphere more relaxed. Our translator was available at the drop of a hat/need for “how do we say…?” and an English student of hers came and hung out for the afternoon as well…. The afternoon it was quiet in the playroom – just us and his older buddy with our Michigan friends… We played, we fed him (We began to teach him to the “more” sign during our first meal with him on day 1 – we agreed from the first day of this trip, expectations of eye contact and basic communication would be taught and held to, and it makes SUCH a difference already.. and today, for first time, he he even signed “more” BY HIMSELF without us prompting him when he wanted more cookie. Mealtime is the most motivating time to teach sign, and eventually he’ll pair it with sound, or so we hope. Anyway, BY HIMSELF.) I am telling you, this kid is a genius.

He was much more invested in playing with us without all the hub-bub.. We played games like “go get Papa” (holding Mama’s hand, running towards Papa, and then Papa scooping him up and making a big fuss over him – Little Man LOVED this game – for 16 months, to do something for 20 minutes means love)… And he enjoyed yet again bouncing around on his ladashka (horse) with Mama flying him thru the air… Yes, Gamma, get ready, the other thing this LM has a fascination for is horses. YAHOO…

He and I cut out of “hang out in the playroom” game and obnoxiously asked if we could barge into the next room, where older kids were having music…. The music teacher was awesome – she welcomed us right in, showed us a seat, and we were the audience.. LM sat there, watched, rocked to the music, and for several songs he let me help him clap his hands --- he was mesmerized in a good way with it – The older kids were adorable –at one point, there was a song about chickens, and the teacher put these little chicken caps on all their heads – then they acted out a song, and they really enjoyed it. It wasn’t “rote” for them – they truly were invested, she was engaging, and together they were having fun. This baby home truly is amazing – I have seen only incredible care giving – all caregivers loving kids, gentle diaper changing, kind touch, etc..

We are back in the hotel now – we leave in the AM with out bags (it is MIND BOGGLING how much 1 little boy may need for the next 5 days – honestly, 1 full rolly bag is toys, diapers, a potty seat cover thanks to a loan by the Fillmore girls!, and several changes of clothes in case the flight is, well, overflowing with tummy fun…
After this post, we’ll venture out to the pub right outside the hotel, enjoy this beautiful evening, and go to sleep dreaming of tomorrow – The day he REALLY becomes ours…

This will be the last post until we are settled into our apartment in Moscow – Cross your fingers for our prop plane ride tomorrow!!!! Talk about an adventure!! Oh, and Thank you, Mr. President!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY To Tanya and Kelli!! :)
WELCOME to Moscow, Deary Family!!
See you soon Chrissy & Steve (in Moscow!)