It’s about 11:00 p.m. Astrakhan time, and my son and wife are asleep in the bed. I chose to sleep on the pull out couch, because of my CPAP equipment, which might disturb the baby. Of course, I’m wide awake right now. I can’t believe that he is finally ours. After so many months and years of waiting, praying, disappointment, excitement, we are finally parents. We are in charge of this little being, who will depend on us for years.
We started today with a lot of worry. I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about if we didn’t get him today, if the prosecutor objected again, if the doctors didn’t get the medicals done, if the 10 days wasn’t waived. We drove to a TB clinic. Disgusting wasn’t strong enough a word. There was a poor young man, crouched on the floor (as many people here will do, rather than sitting they crouch). He was spitting spitum into a plastic sack. I presume it was to give to his doctor to examine. It was disgusting, but also heartbreaking. There was also a mother being examined by the doctor, while her husband held onto their baby, a cute chubby baby who loved to smile. We were xrayed, and checked for TB, which I guess is rampant in Russia. Of course, we were both negative, but it still cost us money again.
Then, we drove to the psychiatric clinic, where they signed another medical saying we were fit parents. Finally, a trip to the court area, where Galena took our stuff in, and then, thankfully, called Vika and told her that the court accepted the documents. Then, just the wait for court. Court time came, and no show from the inspector of the orphanages. So, Galena sent Vladimir, our driver, to go get her. She showed up, and court started very quickly. I was asked several questions. They were mostly leading questions, so it was easy to see the correct answer. They loved when I told about Charlie learning about kisses, and leaning his forehead forward to get more kisses. Kim said the judge teared up. I didn’t notice. Most of the questions were expected. I actually thought they were very tame questions. Do we know his medical condition? Does it worry us? Do we know his birth parents background? Does it worry us? Are we able to treat his conditions in the states?
Then, the judge walked out. Less than 5 minutes later, she returned, and read her decision. The prosecutor jokingly asked me if we wanted to stay the full 10 days, because I hadn’t asked for it to be waived. Vika told me later that she forget to tell me to say this. The prosecutor said, “If you love Astrakhan so much, you can stay the 10 days. It’s your choice”. Both the judge and I laughed, and I asked the court to make the ruling immediate, so I could take my son home. They waived the 10 days. Then, it was over. Galena and Vika hugged us, and we went outside the courtroom.Then, it was a wait for the order to be typed, and then a drive to the office that does birth certificates, to get his new certificate. Now, it shows that we are his parents. Then, a drive to the Ministry of Education, for some unknown reason (more paperwork), and then, finally, to the orphanage. The doctor was waiting outside, in her civilian clothing. She looked at the order, smiled, and left with a waive. Another brunette doctor asked for Charlie’s clothing and “pamper”. We gave them, and waited in the area outside the offices. Finally, he was brought to mama, while I videotaped. It was very happy. After a couple minutes, we left.
Charlie’s life just changed forever. We got in the van, and drove back to the hotel. Along the way, Charlie was so quiet, just watching the scenery go by the window. He was probably in a bit of shock. We went to the Anteka, and got his food, medicine, and more diapers. Then, to the room. Vika and Galena were both trying to help us, while we were playing with him. It got to be “too many cooks”, and both Kim and I were getting flustered. Finally, after telling about his schedule and food and medicine, they left. We fed Charlie his dinner, which he ate happily. I’m not sure if he likes the nipple on his water, because he didn’t drink much. Then, mom took him, and I went upstairs to order something for us to eat, as we hadn’t eaten all day. When I came back, he was in his jammies, and was laying in the bed. He was starting to fall asleep. I layed down with him in the bed while Kim ate. I also called grandma, so they could know about their new grandson.
Suddenly, he got miserable. He was laying on his back, shaking his head, “NO”, which I figured out was his way of scratching the back of his head. He then got on his hands and knees, put his head on the sheet, and rocked back and forth, scratching his head. He was crying, pulling at his ears, and just plain pitiful. I asked Kim to hang up, and make up some of his medicine. She made up the head medicine, with the red paint. Needless to say, he now looks like “accident victim” baby, with all the red stains on his head and hands. But, it worked, and he fell asleep about 5 minutes later. Poor thing. I know how much it sucks to itch when you want to sleep. A little more cleaning up, and changing clothes, and it was bed time. I figured out how to pull out the couch, and Kim got some sheets. Charlie woke up again briefly, scratching his head, but a could quick dots of red stuff, along with a head rub, and he fell back asleep.
Tomorrow will be our first full day as parents. God help us! There is so much we don’t know, but I’m sure we’ll make it through. We have to. We have someone depending on us. Now, if we can get his passport, and then fly back to Moscow, get his Visa to enter the US, and then, get a flight back home, all will be good. Lot’s of stuff to go wrong, but who cares. He’s ours no matter where we are!
