Recap
After an intense trip out here, we arrived in Moscow tired but excited. Nineteen hours in airports and airplanes and an 11-hour time-zone difference had left us pretty exhausted, but not enough to miss our 7:45 a.m. appointment to visit the orphanage on Thursday. We arrived at Moscow Orphanage #2 at 8:30 and were held in suspense for another 10–15 minutes while "she" was dressed to meet us. Then when they carried the adorable bundle through the door into the meeting room ... it was love at first sight.
She was introduced to us as Syevinch Rakhminova Musurmonova, a 14-month old of Russian/Uzbeki background, surrendered to the state at one month of age by a single mother who could not support her. Her birth mother was apparently from a region in Uzbekistan known as Furenze. Other than this, we know little about Syevinch's family background, although her medical history is well maintained from age one month on.
Before meeting her, we were informed that Syevinch does not deal well with change (which is a good sign in an institutionalized child in terms of attachment theory), so much of the first day involved tears and attempts at Cheerios-inspired bribery for her affection. We spent about 90 minutes with her before she was taken away for her morning nap.Continuing on...
Another night of sporadic sleep -- we've been catching naps in the afternoons as schedules allow as we attempt to convert to the drastically different time zone. Those who know me would be surprised to learn that on the other side of the planet I can, in fact, be a morning person (conveniently ignoring the fact that my body experiences this as waking at 5 p.m., west coast time). We were therefore quite on time for our 11:00 a.m. meeting with our translator, Masha (here with a less troubled Syevinch). We drove to the orphanage for a second day of visiting Syevinch and the hope that we might work our way into her tiny little heart with familiarity and time.Syevinch was handed to Renee and again we were left alone with her for most of the next 90 minutes. After initial periods of crying, she settled down and they had some seriously introspective bonding time with each other. Hoping that her fear of men had lessened a bit on day two, I held her for perhaps five minutes this time with only occasional howling (from her, not me).
Typically visitors are not allowed at the orphanage on the weekends, but somehow Vlad (our driver/guide) and Masha have been able to get permission for us to visit later this afternoon (Saturday) and perhaps even on Sunday. We are wanting to spend as much time with her as we can on this trip — not just to make up for the lost 14 months, but also to begin the arduous task of bonding. As I've said from the very beginning of this experience, I can imagine nearly every conceivable situation relative to the adoption adventure, with the exception of the 18-hour, multi-legged flight home from Moscow with a confused and frightened toddler in the custody of two inexperienced parents, in the midst of a planeload of tired, international businessfolk. If spending time with Syevinch helps to ease her burden (and therefore everyone else's) on that undoubtedly memorable trip, then let the bonding begin!
So things are still moving forward — excitement and emotion for all three of us as we navigate the "new" over here. Renee and I have settled in to the apartment we've rented on a short-term basis and are heading out in just a bit for a quick walk to the Kremlin (how often do you get to say something like that?) for photos of St. Basil's, Red Square, and a chic and evolving city center.Thanks to all for the very supportive messages. More soon....
With love,
Larry & Renee
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