Surprise it's a Boy!

Yesterday, the Russian Stork delivered through cyberspace news of my baby bird.
I have so much in me to share about the roller coaster of the last 24 hours.
I am still a bit punchy from it all but I am going to burst if I don't share at least a snipit with you.

He is 9 months old, born the same month as me
He is healthy and meeting his milestones
He has big blue/grey eyes and eyelashes a mile long

I said yes!

Cat and I leave to meet the little man on June 12th... yes as in twelve days from today.  Let the whirlwind travel planning begin.

Visa Photo Fun

To travel to Russia you need a visa.  To obtain a visa you must fill out a lengthy form with all sorts of questions pertaining to your identity, your employment history, criminal records, communicable disease afflictions... oh and side note, my results are back from the lab and I have the paperwork to prove that I am indeed disease free.  Check that form off the paperwork list.

Anyways, back to the visa applications.  The next step is the photos that need to be attached to the visa application.  I read the specifications and was pretty confident it could be a dyi project by our renowned photographer Dad.  However, when researching I was lured by the Blacks Photography Guarantee.  They are official photographers for passports and other photo ID's and claim to be the experts.

They may be the experts but the employee that was working when we came in to the store was not.  Becka was not familiar with the specifications for travel visa's nor did she have any training or resources on the subject.  She did not even have internet access but was sure there was wifi for Cat to look it up on her blackberry.  So we read her the instructions and she took the picture with the fancy camera.  The sign said "ready in 15 minutes" but Becka explained that the lab had a back up off long weekend prints in the que.  We explained that we were not requiring visas for a sunny vacation but rather for an international adoption.  This did not have any effect on Becka who still looked as clueless as before we disclosed the purpose of the photos.  Apparently nothing could be done to jump the que and we would have to wait a few hours for the prints.  Oh well, we are travelling half way around the world so what's a few hours to get the proper prints?


I returned to Blacks several hours later to find Becka still at the counter.  She handed over the prints and charged me $45 for the two 2 inch x 2 inch photographs.  I looked at them and noticed something was missing... shoulders to be specific.  Cat had no shoulders, just a neck and barely a neck at that.  I inquired about this to Becka but Becka was certain that the photo was fine.  I was in a rush so I took them and went home.

Those of you who are familiar with international adoption know the stories of paperwork glitches.  A typo can hold up a court date by weeks, even months.  We live in fear of the tiny error that can derail our delicate paperwork processes.  So when I got home I scanned the pics and sent them to my contact for the visas and asked her if I was being paranoid or was something off?  Turns out my radar was right... the missing shoulders were indeed an issue and if we submitted it then it would most likely have been returned by the Embassy.

Man I would have kicked some Becka butt if her error had caused a travel delay.  I called Miss Becka and explained the situation and since I am practicing for Russia I did it in a factual, curt and assertive way.  

Becka, you will reprint the photos following the details that I will again read to you. Becka do you have your ruler out because you need it.  Cat will pick them up later today and we expect a full refund as per your policy.  Got it Becka?

Cat went back today and Becka retook her photo at Cat's insistence.  Way to get into the paper pregnant spirit of things Auntie Cat!
Becka may hate me dislike me a little bit but I am hoping that the next person who requires a travel visa picture will benefit from our run around.

Visa application and perfect photos will be couriered to my contact (Elena the agent) tomorrow and we should have them in three weeks.  All very super spy and all very exciting.

After the reprints I had a bit of photo fun making us into the stick figures you see at the top of the post.  I needed a little laugh and a little craft therapy.

Stay tuned feathered friends for what could be "the call" on Monday

xo
Heather

   

Shoot Anything Share Everything.... my new Flip camera

Hello,

I came home with a Flip video camera last night. It was late and I was tired so if this does work then please excuse the extra bags under the eyes, my make up lady was already in bed.

If this works then it will be what I use to video blog from Russia.

Here is goes

Do you see it?

Can you play it?

Please leave a comment so I can get your feedback

Chirp, chirp

Heather

Reflections on taking P.R.I.D.E and Loving Life

Eighteen months ago I took my first official steps in the adoption journey, the required P.R.I.D.E adoption course. The two weekends of classes were filled with adoption information, resources, tools and experts. I have the binder and took the quizzes. I remember the first day coming into the room excited and a bit nervous about the sessions. When I looked around it would seem that the journey of adoption was primarily a partnered one. It looked like it was all couples, everyone was sitting in pairs, my heart sank a little.

"Are you single?"
I was asked over and over individually then publically during introductions.
It's a fair question just one that I really prefer to avoid in my then complicated relationship status.

I did not feel single... I had a significant other, it's just that he had no intention of parenting with me. I realized that my relationship was unconventional but it was still very significant.

Are you single?
I am in a relationship with a man that I share my life with, that I love with my whole heart, who makes me an excellent omelet, our lives and laundry are interconnected

But the fact remains that here I was in North York planning a chunk of life that he is opting out of. Eight months later he left the rest of my life. I still miss him and his omlette making skills. I ache from his absence and still use a little bit left of our shared laundry soap.

Eighteen months ago I wasn't ready. Nine months ago he left, today I can say I am ready to become a mom and share with her my.............

crazy, unbelievable, challenging, side-splitting, spontaneous, improvable, unpredictable, exasperating, big-hearted, absurd, delicious, abundant, inspiring, joyous, daring, jaw-dropping, beautiful life.

Russian Roulette

Updating paperwork Task #1
New medical and update blood work

Went to the Doctor's office today, this is a transcript of the conversation I had with Nurse Ruth.

What can I help you with today?
I am adopting internationally
and I need a blood work requisition for HIV, Syphilis, and Hep ABC
Ok... click... click.. click (this is her typing and not looking up from keyboard
Do you have sex with women?"
No, no I do not... I realise that I have cut my
hair short but no I am not a lesbian
Do you have sex with men?
No, no I do not
Never?
Oh, I meant not currently, never is a bit extreme, of course I have.... hope to again...

then the rest of the questions did not involve my sexual history and an easy succession
of no, nyet, never and nada's

After this interrogation, she hands me a sheet of paper to take to the lab. I ask her how long will it take for the results.

HIV results are 4-6 weeks
What ?!? I was hoping to be in Russia in 4-6 weeks. Can you rush it?
No, it's Public Health
Even if there's the adoption of an orphan involved?
Doesn't matter. You can start calling and checking after a few weeks and see if you get lucky.
The office won't call me when the results are in? I just have to call randomly and see if I luck out like a game of Russian
Roulette?
Good luck to you

Next stop... the lab

Peek a Boo

Can you see me? I picked this up today at Homesense. The netcam doesn't do it justise so you'll just have to take my word that's it's adorable. I was wandering the aisles not looking for anything in particular when this canvas appeared before me. It's russian, sparkly, fun and on clearance. Perfection!
Oh and did I mention it has magical powers? Moments after walking out of the store with my russian dolls I received an e-mail from my adoption agency.

I am next!
As in their next client in line for a referral. Last time I called there were four families before me in my region and now it's just ME! This is excellent news. Liana (my agency angel) has spoken to the Co-ordinator in Volgograd and I am expected to receive a proposal in the next TWO WEEKS! Yesterday I thought I had to wait 21 days to even check in on my progress and now in the next 14 days I will be receiving THE Call..... then see THE picture of THE child. I will post another entry about what's next but for this moment I am just celebrating and enjoying being NEXT!

Spring has sprung the grass has rise, I wonder where my birdie is?

Spring is in the air! The grass is a growing, the birds are a chirping and spring fever is upon us. Time for rebirth, regeneration, things to bloom, nature to nuture.

My spring fever is the travel itch. I am burning up with the desire to go meet my little russian. My calendar will soon be open, my passport is updated, paperwork is organized, Sister is on stand by, carry on is empty, ipod is loaded.

June seems like a lifetime away. I realize that in fact it is actually only 21 days away but it feels like eternity when I am waiting to call the adoption agency. I can't call them now because the earliest that I am eligible to receive a referral is in 21 days. As much as they appreciate calls from their clients just to say hello I need to respect the process which means sucking up the wait.

In the meantime I have bought a russian doll coffee mug in which I sip my morning coffee and my lovely friend Barb has given me a summer dress for her to add to my collection. Truth be told, cutie Barb actually bought it for herself thinking it was a baby doll style tank top only to be told by her man that is was actually a toddlers dress. Hilarious!