...On Our Way...

Wanted our boy to have the spotlight here for his bravery & amazing flexibility (that we didn't realize he had until all of this trippin to Russia!!)... Who knew? Several months ago we got information for potential referral and when they said "4 trips" I GULPED. Really? 4 trips? Our boy has never been without his Mama for more than 36 hours and even that was only once... Sigh.
Well, he has done fantastic! Here are some photos of our adventures to the airport... where we left him for the last and final time (as far as I am concerned) for this long for a long time....

...Papa and LM get silly with the woobie while waitin in check in line...

...LM, Aunt Joan, & Mama...

I have been blessed with Joan for almost 20 years now - hard to believe. In July, actually of 2012, we will have met 20 years ago when she interviewed me for my first job at CHLA!!! ... She is an incredible friend & soul, and we've had some terrific adventures together in the US and across the world!... Ironically, we have literally "crossed paths" in Russia several times... With LM adoption, she was about 100KM away in Kazan... and for our LG adoption, when I was on trip 3 in Vlad, she was about 60 minutes away by car in Nizny Novogorad! ..... and she has been getting her doctorate nearby our home... for the last 2.5 years, she has been coming in every few months for coursework (literally starting 1 week after LM got home!) so they have a really special and wonderful relationship... We are so glad for my mom & grandad Co-Co for all their support on all these trips, but felt badly -- this 2nd adoption adventure started out with 1 trip of us away and then a combined trip 2 & 3 where we'd bring LM... fast forward to dossier #1 expiring, shifting to a new agency, and referral in a wonderful region that happens to be 4 trips and not easy in terms of travel for 2 adults, let alone a 4 year old.... They have been fantastic and LM has stayed with them a ton and we are grateful! Aunt Joan asked if she could help this time because the timing of her last class and this trip were perfect... So, she stayed with him for the first couple of days of our trip!!

...Last shot as a Threesome...

After Aunt Joan... he went to Gamma's for fun with Aunt Eileen & Aunt Norine! and now Uncle Brian has flown in from California)... I truly think the boy is gonna look at us twice, and tell us to "go back and take her with you!"... he is simply having too much fun!

...It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere...Airport Sweetness...
How Cute is My LM??

A note to our Dear LM -- you are so sweet, silly, smart and fun! We learned 2.5 years ago just how brave you were, as you left with 2 essential strangers to start a new life with us... In the last few months, you have shown flexibility and resilience as you rose to the occasion of all these trips, of time without Mama and Papa... Right as you started a new classroom with new teachers, new friends, etc... You are an amazing little boy & we love you so much -- We can't remember life without you, and know you are going to be an absolutely incredible big brother!!!
All our love & hugs!!
Mama & Papa!!