Sunday, February 15, 2004
Hello Good People:
Thank goodness we are back in the great and warm land of the United States of America, after a wonderful, exhausting and surreal journey to begin our family. (On the day we left Moscow, it was 10 below zero, with a windchill of 25 below.) Payne and Mary Katherine were wide-eyed most of the three flights (Moscow to JFK, JFK to Atlanta, Atlanta to NO). Obviously, they had never seen that many people of experienced that many new sounds and sights, having only lived primarily in two rooms all their lives. Transatlantic travel with a toddler and an almost toddler who were "released" from an orphanage is an experience for which most people will not have the pleasure. It is heartwarming, intense, earpopping, challenging, grueling and joyful - a cycle of emotions which repeats every five minutes.
We arrived at Armstrong International on Friday, February 13th at 11:30 p.m. and were greeted by many of our dear friends and family, complete with a jazz band playing "When The Saints Go Marching." Needless to say, dry eyes were a precious commodity. Mary Katherine and Payne were presented with Mardi Gras beads that kept their entertained while they were placed in car seats for the first time ever. (In Russia, car seats for children are not mandatory.) We drove home as a family, with Thad as our fearless car pilot.
Upon arrival at 1909 Milan, more well-wishers were present to enjoy Champagne, cake and the most wonderful sandwiches. Meredith and Traci thanks for organizing everything/one and for making our homecoming the most memorable event of my entire life. At 3:00 a.m. - after 36 hours of no sleep for the Thomas clan - dreams of sugarplum fairies danced in our heads.
Best regards to all of you who prayed/thought about us during our journey. Words cannot express how much love we felt while in Moscow. See how the lives of Mary Katherine and Payne unfold at www.thethomaskids.com.
Georgia and Thad
We arrived at Armstrong International on Friday, February 13th at 11:30 p.m. and were greeted by many of our dear friends and family, complete with a jazz band playing "When The Saints Go Marching." Needless to say, dry eyes were a precious commodity. Mary Katherine and Payne were presented with Mardi Gras beads that kept their entertained while they were placed in car seats for the first time ever. (In Russia, car seats for children are not mandatory.) We drove home as a family, with Thad as our fearless car pilot.
Upon arrival at 1909 Milan, more well-wishers were present to enjoy Champagne, cake and the most wonderful sandwiches. Meredith and Traci thanks for organizing everything/one and for making our homecoming the most memorable event of my entire life. At 3:00 a.m. - after 36 hours of no sleep for the Thomas clan - dreams of sugarplum fairies danced in our heads.
Best regards to all of you who prayed/thought about us during our journey. Words cannot express how much love we felt while in Moscow. See how the lives of Mary Katherine and Payne unfold at www.thethomaskids.com.
Georgia and Thad
Saturday, February 07, 2004
7:41 PM Moscow time
Thanks for everything. Indeed, we are fine. However, we were in the subway on that same line and passing that same stop just 2 days before. (We took Wednesday off to sightsee.) The mood around here is pretty somber, and it is interesting to see how Moscovites deal with adversity.
Guess what??? We sprung Mary Katherine Olga from Dom Rebyonka 21 on Friday, and she could not be happier. She loves apples, green apple juice, bananas, chicken soup (but not chicken chunks), steamed carrots, yogurt, and she eats very well. Her bathtime was a bit traumatic - she was shaking and screaming. I swear that child has only been sponge bathed. I was even in the bathtub with her, and she couldn't wait to get out. After her bath, Thad brushed her teeth while I held her and again, I don't know if anyone ever brushed her teeth - at least not on a regular basis. This is proof
positive that I know I am saving her - at the very least from rotten teeth. After bath, she received her first massage from Mama and Papa, and
boy, does she love to have lotion on her body. Poor sweetie, when we got her today and finally were able to look at her (in all her glory), her legs and
arms were so dry that they were flaking when you touched them. After bath,
brush and lotion, we were keyed up so it took about 20 minutes to calm down and go to sleep. (I think that is pretty good considering it is her first night. We have heard horror stories and experienced one with a family whose daughter finally wore herself out around 2:30 a.m. and had night terrors.) Therefore, Thad and I believe that we did pretty well considering.
Yesterday, we were up at 5:00 because we had to get the birth certificate and adoption certificate for Frank Payne Sergey signed in his hometown of
Zaliningrad (Green City), which was 30 miles from Moscow. Also, we ran into some trouble today with a new police chief that has refused to sign the Certificate of Citizenship for FPS. Apparently, the police chief is new and doesn't understand that even non-Russian citizens can adopt. Therefore, we are having the orphanage director and facilitator have a meeting with him on Monday morning to show him MKO's Certificate that has been executed by another police chief. Please pray that this will all go well on Monday because we need this for our embassy interview to get FPS's visa.
The official meeting of brother and sister occurred at 12:30 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday. Quite interesting to say the least because MKO was doing her own thing as usual. She sent a few good smacks, but all was well. FPS will be getting a run for his money for sure.
Again, thanks for your kind thoughts and support.
Georgia and Thad
P.S. If all goes as scheduled, we'll get FPS on Monday. We should be out
of here on Friday, and can't wait to have some Louisiana cooking.
Thanks for everything. Indeed, we are fine. However, we were in the subway on that same line and passing that same stop just 2 days before. (We took Wednesday off to sightsee.) The mood around here is pretty somber, and it is interesting to see how Moscovites deal with adversity.
Guess what??? We sprung Mary Katherine Olga from Dom Rebyonka 21 on Friday, and she could not be happier. She loves apples, green apple juice, bananas, chicken soup (but not chicken chunks), steamed carrots, yogurt, and she eats very well. Her bathtime was a bit traumatic - she was shaking and screaming. I swear that child has only been sponge bathed. I was even in the bathtub with her, and she couldn't wait to get out. After her bath, Thad brushed her teeth while I held her and again, I don't know if anyone ever brushed her teeth - at least not on a regular basis. This is proof
positive that I know I am saving her - at the very least from rotten teeth. After bath, she received her first massage from Mama and Papa, and
boy, does she love to have lotion on her body. Poor sweetie, when we got her today and finally were able to look at her (in all her glory), her legs and
arms were so dry that they were flaking when you touched them. After bath,
brush and lotion, we were keyed up so it took about 20 minutes to calm down and go to sleep. (I think that is pretty good considering it is her first night. We have heard horror stories and experienced one with a family whose daughter finally wore herself out around 2:30 a.m. and had night terrors.) Therefore, Thad and I believe that we did pretty well considering.
Yesterday, we were up at 5:00 because we had to get the birth certificate and adoption certificate for Frank Payne Sergey signed in his hometown of
Zaliningrad (Green City), which was 30 miles from Moscow. Also, we ran into some trouble today with a new police chief that has refused to sign the Certificate of Citizenship for FPS. Apparently, the police chief is new and doesn't understand that even non-Russian citizens can adopt. Therefore, we are having the orphanage director and facilitator have a meeting with him on Monday morning to show him MKO's Certificate that has been executed by another police chief. Please pray that this will all go well on Monday because we need this for our embassy interview to get FPS's visa.
The official meeting of brother and sister occurred at 12:30 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday. Quite interesting to say the least because MKO was doing her own thing as usual. She sent a few good smacks, but all was well. FPS will be getting a run for his money for sure.
Again, thanks for your kind thoughts and support.
Georgia and Thad
P.S. If all goes as scheduled, we'll get FPS on Monday. We should be out
of here on Friday, and can't wait to have some Louisiana cooking.
Thursday, February 05, 2004
February 5th, 2004 - 9:45 PM Moscow time
One more update before our life is turned upside down with two children....
Mary Katherine Olga continues to be a bundle of energy and very sassy. She appears to lead the pack of boys. Moreover and unfortunately, she does not like to be told no. It is almost comforting that she is in her terrible two stage already. Today, she said her first word that we understood - talking on a play telephone - "Allo!!" What a relief!! Up until that point, we didn't know if she could speak. We hope to get her tomorrow from the orphanage, so please keep your fingers crossed. The sooner we get her the better.
Frank Payne Sergey is a sweet boy and loves to laugh and play. Unfortunately, he is teething and for the first day in 14 days was not a happy boy. We hope that the tooth/teeth will cut before we get on the plane. Payne loves to play with other children and also plays well by himself. We'll see how long it lasts when Mary Katherine starts terrorizing him.
We are scheduled to come in on February 13, 2004 at 11:00 p.m. into Armstrong International. If something happens with that time, we'll let you know either via e-mail or a phone change. Please come meet the children whenever you have time.
Love to all and continue to keep us in your thoughts.
Georgia and Thad
One more update before our life is turned upside down with two children....
Mary Katherine Olga continues to be a bundle of energy and very sassy. She appears to lead the pack of boys. Moreover and unfortunately, she does not like to be told no. It is almost comforting that she is in her terrible two stage already. Today, she said her first word that we understood - talking on a play telephone - "Allo!!" What a relief!! Up until that point, we didn't know if she could speak. We hope to get her tomorrow from the orphanage, so please keep your fingers crossed. The sooner we get her the better.
Frank Payne Sergey is a sweet boy and loves to laugh and play. Unfortunately, he is teething and for the first day in 14 days was not a happy boy. We hope that the tooth/teeth will cut before we get on the plane. Payne loves to play with other children and also plays well by himself. We'll see how long it lasts when Mary Katherine starts terrorizing him.
We are scheduled to come in on February 13, 2004 at 11:00 p.m. into Armstrong International. If something happens with that time, we'll let you know either via e-mail or a phone change. Please come meet the children whenever you have time.
Love to all and continue to keep us in your thoughts.
Georgia and Thad
Monday, February 02, 2004
January 30,2004 - 11:38 PM Moscow time
Hello, again, from big, blustery, snowy, sassy Moscow!!!
Yesterday it snowed approximately 5 inches, with more snow on the way. Moscovites continue on about the business of the day as if nothing was unusual. (It is probably not unusual for them!). Although, the traffic which is congested to say the least, is more of a nightmare. The temperature is a balmy 25 degrees during the day, but expected to drop below zero most nights. Velvet and Meredith - I am forever in your debts for loaning me the hat and the headband. They have kept me warm and most importantly fashionable. Thad is learning how to keep up with both gloves. Thad looks like a fashion savvy Russian in his chopka. Anyone want to bet he will not make it home with both gloves????
Drivers make U-turns all over the place, and they cut each other off at random. Dad - you would have a heart attack at the crazy Russian drivers. You basically hold onto the handles and pray everytime you are in the car - no matter how good/bad you think you driver may be. Enough of that... on to the reason for our Moscow journey.
Mary Katherine Olishka continues to amaze us everyday. Her bright blue eyes and her amazing smile light up our day. The caregivers say that she does not stop moving. Perhaps this is why she weighs 23 pounds and wears 18 months size clothes. After we were officially declared parents by the Russian family court, we went to visit MKO, and she had a huge black eye. Her eye was so black, blue and swollen that she couldn't close it. Thad and I opined that the little boys in her group (she is the only little girl) know that she is leaving and were beating her up. Later we found out that she is always on the go and runs circles around the little boys and the caregivers.
MKO is also a great dancer. We put on music in the play room, and she dances and dances. Moreover, if you hold her and dance, she puts her head on your shoulder and just loves to be held. Her eating habits continue to dumfound us - for a little one, she packs it away. MKO eats a banana and an apple in no time flat. We have to give her one or two pieces at a time and tell her to chew. Another personality trait - drum roll please - not surprisingly - she is sassy and has a mind of her own. We were sitting today, and the banana that we were feeding her had a spoiled piece that we needed to throw away. She found the piece in the trash and tried to eat it. Of course, we took it away. Simultaneously, a huge temper tantrum ensued. She layed on her floor on her back and kicked and screamed. Thad and I laughed and took pictures. We told her "nilsa" - stop that - and she stopped. MKO was up and playing about 5 seconds later, running around the room and playing with blocks and balls. MKO will certainly be a good big sister to Frank Payne Seroggia.
For those of you who don't know, we celebrated FPS first birthday yesterday (29th) with quite a party in the orphanage. Cake and champagne were enjoyed by the caregivers; bananas, green apple juice and Russian tea cakes were the order for the tots, numbering 7 in all. The gifts for the caregivers for Payne's orphanage were a big hit, and we presented the orphanage director with a huge arrangement of flowers, along with a ganache and champagne. We played with all the children in the group and took lots of pictures. Anyone wanting to adopt a Russian child, we have several candidates and an agency who is ready to help at a moments notice. FPS received a play piano from the Russian toy store - Destsky Mir - 5 stories of everything for children and a fancy sippee cup. The doctors evaluated him on his birthday - he weighs 22.5 pounds and the neurologist was impressed because he is saying "pa-pa-pa-pa" and "ka-ka-ka-ka". We are putting him in 18 month clothes because he and MKO are only 1/2 pound apart.
FPS continues to be one of the happiest babies we have ever seen. He laughs, giggles and smiles all the time. One important tidbit - he entertains himself with toys for large amounts of time. The caregivers keep telling us that he is the best boy because he poops on the potty, he eats like a good boy and he plays by himself. We'll see how long this lasts, but it looks like he is pretty laid back. He also loves laying on Papa's belly to rest and playing washing machine. Yes, we are silly, happy parents.
If you haven't seen some of the pictures I sent home, check out www.thethomaskids.com that my sister, Lynn, created and my dad helped fund. Also, there are so many people to thank for all the thoughts, prayers and support. James and MiMi - thanks for the calling card, we are putting it to good use.
Much love and best regards,
Georgia and Thad
Hello, again, from big, blustery, snowy, sassy Moscow!!!
Yesterday it snowed approximately 5 inches, with more snow on the way. Moscovites continue on about the business of the day as if nothing was unusual. (It is probably not unusual for them!). Although, the traffic which is congested to say the least, is more of a nightmare. The temperature is a balmy 25 degrees during the day, but expected to drop below zero most nights. Velvet and Meredith - I am forever in your debts for loaning me the hat and the headband. They have kept me warm and most importantly fashionable. Thad is learning how to keep up with both gloves. Thad looks like a fashion savvy Russian in his chopka. Anyone want to bet he will not make it home with both gloves????
Drivers make U-turns all over the place, and they cut each other off at random. Dad - you would have a heart attack at the crazy Russian drivers. You basically hold onto the handles and pray everytime you are in the car - no matter how good/bad you think you driver may be. Enough of that... on to the reason for our Moscow journey.
Mary Katherine Olishka continues to amaze us everyday. Her bright blue eyes and her amazing smile light up our day. The caregivers say that she does not stop moving. Perhaps this is why she weighs 23 pounds and wears 18 months size clothes. After we were officially declared parents by the Russian family court, we went to visit MKO, and she had a huge black eye. Her eye was so black, blue and swollen that she couldn't close it. Thad and I opined that the little boys in her group (she is the only little girl) know that she is leaving and were beating her up. Later we found out that she is always on the go and runs circles around the little boys and the caregivers.
MKO is also a great dancer. We put on music in the play room, and she dances and dances. Moreover, if you hold her and dance, she puts her head on your shoulder and just loves to be held. Her eating habits continue to dumfound us - for a little one, she packs it away. MKO eats a banana and an apple in no time flat. We have to give her one or two pieces at a time and tell her to chew. Another personality trait - drum roll please - not surprisingly - she is sassy and has a mind of her own. We were sitting today, and the banana that we were feeding her had a spoiled piece that we needed to throw away. She found the piece in the trash and tried to eat it. Of course, we took it away. Simultaneously, a huge temper tantrum ensued. She layed on her floor on her back and kicked and screamed. Thad and I laughed and took pictures. We told her "nilsa" - stop that - and she stopped. MKO was up and playing about 5 seconds later, running around the room and playing with blocks and balls. MKO will certainly be a good big sister to Frank Payne Seroggia.
For those of you who don't know, we celebrated FPS first birthday yesterday (29th) with quite a party in the orphanage. Cake and champagne were enjoyed by the caregivers; bananas, green apple juice and Russian tea cakes were the order for the tots, numbering 7 in all. The gifts for the caregivers for Payne's orphanage were a big hit, and we presented the orphanage director with a huge arrangement of flowers, along with a ganache and champagne. We played with all the children in the group and took lots of pictures. Anyone wanting to adopt a Russian child, we have several candidates and an agency who is ready to help at a moments notice. FPS received a play piano from the Russian toy store - Destsky Mir - 5 stories of everything for children and a fancy sippee cup. The doctors evaluated him on his birthday - he weighs 22.5 pounds and the neurologist was impressed because he is saying "pa-pa-pa-pa" and "ka-ka-ka-ka". We are putting him in 18 month clothes because he and MKO are only 1/2 pound apart.
FPS continues to be one of the happiest babies we have ever seen. He laughs, giggles and smiles all the time. One important tidbit - he entertains himself with toys for large amounts of time. The caregivers keep telling us that he is the best boy because he poops on the potty, he eats like a good boy and he plays by himself. We'll see how long this lasts, but it looks like he is pretty laid back. He also loves laying on Papa's belly to rest and playing washing machine. Yes, we are silly, happy parents.
If you haven't seen some of the pictures I sent home, check out www.thethomaskids.com that my sister, Lynn, created and my dad helped fund. Also, there are so many people to thank for all the thoughts, prayers and support. James and MiMi - thanks for the calling card, we are putting it to good use.
Much love and best regards,
Georgia and Thad
