7 years you have been with us! November 20, 2006 we were in Murmansk, visiting you before court, one last hug and then hoping and praying all would go smoothly.
It was a long session, a bit nervewracking and tense. But in the end, the Judge said Yes and you became Maks-Joseph Kirill.
What a trip it was. Murmansk was cold, snowy and only 4 hours of daylight. You looked so much better than we we left you on our last trip. You were no longer sick and the little sores on your head were gone. You looked like you packed on more pounds from all your stew eating and you interacted with us alot more. It was awesome to see the difference!
You spent the remaining two days after court in the baby home so you could get to know us better before leaving. You were walking around holding my hand, you played with blocks and knocked them over and you snugged in my lap. It was perfect.
Then it was time to say good bye to all you had known, all the familiar faces, sights, sounds, smells. You braved it all like the tough guy you still are today. You went in a car, ate your first meal with us at a restaurant, and slept in an unfamiliar bed. You explored your surroundings and held on tight when you got scared. you braved a bumpy and scarey flight from Murmansk to Moscow and mommy braved that awful airplane bathroom trying to change you.
Once in Moscow we were one big step closer to home! You had to have a doctor exam and bloodwork drawn, you cried, mommy cried, you were so brave and strong. You crawled around our hotel room, you tried different foods, but turned your nose up to the milk and formula. Your belly was in turmoil, but you managed to give us some smiles and hugs.
Then we had two more plane rides back to the US, to Pennsylvania, to your new home. You were restless and had lots of diarrhea( you love hearing that part the best-of course). You were smelly and you ruined the the few outfits I brought on the plane, but you managed to charm the other people around you. You entered the airport to a bunch of strangers who were smiling and crying and waiting patiently to hold you and love you. You met your brother for the first time and watched as he cried in mommy's arms, then you started crying. I always remember those wet blue eyes and beautiful red hair looking up at me, as if asking me, what the heck is happening here lady? Again, you were resilient as you were strapped in your first car seat for the ride home, your tears turned to laughter as Alek and I made you giggle. That same night after all those firsts and all that stress, you came into your new home and met your first dogs, played with new toys and ate your first meal in America. You amazed us that whole trip. What a relief and dream come true to finally have you home, in our arms with Alek. From the moment you two met you were brothers and even though he makes you crazy now, he helped you so much your first weeks home. It was true love.
Fast forward 7 years, you are in second grade. You are still the toughest and most resiient kid we know.
You are smart, creative, funny and bright.
After trying out many sports you have found your love-hockey. It is awesome watching how hard you try and focus to improve your skating, your passing, your game.
You are also a great little artist. You love your art class, you love doodling, drawing, painting and working with clay.
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