3 weeks down

Well 3 weeks have passed waiting on our court date. It feels more like 3 months. Our paperwork should be in front of the judge on Monday. We then wait for the release from the data bank and our FBI background check to be completed. Hopefully, that will be done by the end of Nov. so that a date can be set for the beginning of Dec. I pray, I pray!
We registered for baby items at Target last night which was exciting. We have a ton of stuff already, but there is always more we could use. Our 1st shower is set for Nov. 15. I think we will have 2 showers before he is here and a big shower once he is finally home. I'm sure everyone will want to see him asap. I just look at his pictures and videos and smile. He is so stinkin cute! I am so glad Scott is a picture taker. I joke about it, but I love the fact that he took 280 pictures during our 1st visit. I need 10 albums for all the pictures, but that's ok I love looking at them. The videos are also priceless. A picture is nice, but actual videos of this little guy are fabulous. We are so blessed to have this child and we cannot wait to give him all the love and affection he deserves.
Scott and I could always use tons of prayers for our situation, but there are so many other families adopting who need them even more. Families that are stuck in limbo trying to get a court date, but because the judge in their region will not grant any American adoptions until the bi-lateral agreement is signed they just have to wait. I can't imagine seeing our son then someone saying, you can't come back until a piece of paper is in place which could take months and months. They are supposed to have it signed by January, but who knows at this point. My heart breaks for the couples who have been waiting month after month with no end in site. At least we have a small flicker of light at the end of our tunnel. Please pray for them and their reunion with their child.
With Love,
Scott and Mel

2 weeks down

It's been 2 weeks since we returned home from meeting our sweet baby boy for the 1st time. He is now 10 months old as of yesterday and we miss him more than anyone could ever know. We have been trying to stay busy and positive, but it's so hard. We think about him everyday. We just want him home and in our arms. We have pictures framed and sitting around the house so that we can see him all the time. Hopefully, we only have 6 more weeks to wait, but it could be 8 or more. It's really out of our control. Our paperwork is complete and in Russia being translated and prepared for court. We pray the FBI fingerprints and background check comes back asap. Please pray that Bradyn is as happy as he can be away from his mama and daddy. Pray that he stays healthy because we are not there to hold and comfort him if he gets sick. He needs his parents and we need him. This has been the hardest part by far. We love him so much. Pray we stay positive and that the next several weeks fly by as quickly as possible.
With Love,
Scott and Mel

Our Last Day in Moscow

Today we completed our medical exams. This was the final step in our process during this 1st stay in Russia. It was not too bad.
Tatiana, our translator, met us this morning at 11:20 to hold our hands throughout the entire thing. There were 2 other couples there completing their medicals as well. It was so cool because one couple was from Ireland and the other was from Italy. There were 8 different doctors, a psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, cardiologist, dermatologist, oncologist and a general medical doctor. Each doctor asked 1-5 questions. The dermatologist looked at our skin and the general doctor took our vitals. Pretty painless stuff. We passed with flying colors. Once the process was complete we received an official copy stamped by all 8 doctors and that will go to the courts.
After we left the clinic, Tatiana took us to see the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, rebuilt in 2000. The original was built in 1860 and was blown up by Stalin's orders in 1931. It was built exactly how is was before and took 5 years to rebuild. It was the most beautiful structure we had ever seen. We have pictures of the outside only because cameras are not allowed inside. It is still a functional church and the city gathers on Religious holidays. People still come in each day and light candles and pray to the Saints. There is marble and gold everywhere. The art work is indescribable. Beautiful is an understatement.
We left the cathedral and Tatiana had our driver take us back to the apt. where we were left on our own. We decided to walk around and see the sights one last time. It's already very chilly here so I can't imagine how cold November will be. The guide that was ay the clinic with one of the other couples said it gets down to -40 here in the winter. Wow! We had a great time here, but we are ready to come home and begin the countdown until we get to return and bring our boy home.
Love Scott and Mel