Adopting Twins: Our Russian Adoption Story - Part 2

{Home at last.}

 Explaining how I felt on that first trip to meet Cici and Nini is difficult. Excitement, of course, but mostly I was feeling a long agonizing journey coming to an end.  I mentioned some of my feelings on my first post here about arriving in Moscow and flying to the girl's hometown. I must add, that driving in Moscow was a very scary adventure. Lanes? What lanes? What you would think to be a four lane road, had eight lanes - plus an extra lane on the side - just in case you weren't getting to your destination fast enough. I am thankful, that we didn't have to drive. A driver was provided - again-very grateful for this.  We arrived at the orphanage early in the morning. I was impressed that there was a play ground and that the condition of the outside building was well kept up. I'm not sure what I was expecting - outward signs of poverty-like conditions? It was a surprise to see it so well maintained. After meeting with a nurse, our translator, and the director - the door opened...



First Look:  Cici



First Look Nini



 Two bundled from head to toe curmudgeon's came through the door with two orphanage workers. I knew them in an instant and knew that I was supposed to be their mom. It was a defining moment for this first time mom. Their bodies were tiny - not even 10lbs (at 7 months). I held Cici first, since she was the first baby to come through the door. I remember holding her up in the air and watching her face. There was so much life behind that timid stiff little frame. Nini and daddy cuddled first. My first impressions of Nini was she was needing to escape. She had so much energy inside of her, that was being stifled - she needed me.

For two days, Mr. C and I were led to the orphanage where we spent time with them. They were always brought to us bundled from head to toe and we always took them out of their clothes. After an hour maybe a few minutes more, the workers would come back, bundle them again and keep them to their strict routine. When we left the orphanage not to come back until our paperwork was ready, I wasn't as sad as I thought I'd be. I knew that they were safe. I was determined and I knew that I would be back in no time. My ache came later when we were home and we knew that they were thousands of miles away.

 

I coped by collecting donations for the orphanage, packing our bags, talking with friends, praying, and having faith that we would soon be on our way.  We traveled back to Russia less then a month later and on my birthday we left the orphanage as a family.  There was a lot of rushing around to get passports, paperwork, health records and reports ready for our trip back to the states.  Five days later we were coming down the escalator at the Salt Lake Airport each carrying a daughter and seeing our extended family for the first time.

 Monday, I  dedicate to either twins or adoption.  Next week, I will focus on the physical strain of twins on momma.  If you are a mother of twins or have your own amazing adoption story and would like to share your story here on this blog, please write to me at shecalledme@gmail.com. 

Have you been to Russia?
What were your impressions?