I'm alive....

I'm alive...

Please put your sound on... Thank You!

Yes... we're breathing. I apologize for the silence... it has been a trip in more ways then one.

As we try to adjust to our new daughter / lifestyle... we are realizing that 24 hours to a day is simply not enough. Well not this week anyway.

Mom is still sleep deprived... but carrying on. Trying to catch up during sleep and nap time as Tamara is pretty much attached to my hip during waking hours.

More about that tomorrow.

~

Before we continue our journey home I thought I'd share some pictures we took the last day in Tbilisi as I know there is great interest in the process, country and staff we used.

One of Tbilisi's many wooden balconies.. this one covered in ivy. Rather pretty I thought. No?

A little humor at this cafe. ;o)

We found the Georgian people to be very warm , inviting and they all had a great sense of humor.

Another one of their many beautiful churches.

Heart of the city... cobble stone streets are slowly being replaced. Although I did notice some are being restored. Many side walks are very narrow. Some just enough room for one person.

Church... Mother Of Georgia Monument in background protecting her city and welcoming her guests.

We stopped at an intersection and I found this charming old world street. The people in the photo were washing their area rugs. There's something magical about finding a shot like this. A quick peek at everyday life. An opportunity to see, learn and appreciate their way of life as well as our own.
You can see from these photos how the older apartment buildings seem stacked against each other. No doubt something that happen over time out of necessity. Some of the iron work used on balconies, doors, fences and window guards are amazing.

A touristy type area although there really aren't many tourist in Georgia.

Tbilisi has tons of statues as well as fountains. Some very interesting pieces decorate this city.
Another beautiful old church.
Very pretty area... lots of cafes and gift shops.
Nina our interpreter was with us. She became my Turkish coffee buddy. Here she holds an out door cafe menu made from old books. Very artistic in person.
Our last night...

Our in country agency staff came for pastry and wine.

Saying Good Bye to Tamara was difficult for them.

Saying Good Bye to them was difficult for us. :o(

When you spend a few weeks with people who share the common goal, passion as you do it's almost impossible not to bond to them.

We will always remember the ladies of Tbilisi as they have changed our lives forever.

They genuinely care for the children, and are passionate about helping as many as possible.

It was also obvious that they enjoy their work. The rewards go far beyond the financial compensation. With each placement they know that have have most likely saved a child... and created a family.
~

We hope to stay in touch via email, skype and hopefully one day soon we will meet again?

Perhaps in the USA on one of their trips or on a visit to Tamara's native land when she's old enough to truely appreciate it.

Below.. Nina, Tamara & Mommy, Mariza and Anna

~~

Our Trip Home

In Munich we....

Yeah... I know I'm late... sorry :o(

We were planning on checking in from Germany but as it turns out Tamara had different plans for us.

Our Saturday AM started... well actually Friday night never ended for Bruce and I ... but this is about Tamara and her day started at 1 am. When mean Mommy woke her up so she could potty before dressing, brushing her teeth.. a hair do and quick snack.

Our driver was picking us up at 1:30 am to catch our 3 am ish flight to Munich.

We got there in plenty of time, sailed through customs and passport checks.

No hassles getting out .. Yuppie!

When we boarded our Lufthansa flight to Munich everything went fine. Tamara fussed a bit putting her into the CARES Harness but once Mommy figured out what she was doing she settled in. FYI .. for those traveling with toddlers and small children.. CARES is a must. So much easier then dragging a car seat along. Of course depending on where you're going you may need one anyway?

Tamara in Munich, Germany

Flirting with other passengers

Tamara was very good on the 1st flight. Eating a whole container of Gerber Graduate snacks during take off and landing which helped with the ear popping air pressure ear thing. By the way... no ear infection. Tamara was pulling on her ears for about an hour whining the day before we left. Thinking back now .. I think she was trying to tell me "Mommy I want my ears pierced?" She had been watching me put on earrings and I think she finally decided it was her turn? 1st time Mom... sorry ;o)

In Munich.. we had a 5 hr. lay over... seems like a long time but it went quickly compared to the other (going to Georgia 10hr lay over). We did intend to update from Munich but our little girl decided she wanted to join the airport security team. So every time someone went through a restricted access door she tried to go for it? Yeah... it was a fun 5 hours. lol. On the upside Tamara told me every time she needed to potty during the entire trip. Pssss . NO soiled pull-ups the whole way home. The 1st flight Georgia to Munich had a smaller bathroom and she held it. The 2nd flight had bathrooms on the lower level that were roomy by comparison. She went happily... giggling usually. I actually changed her on the 2nd flight just too amuse her as she really didn't need it. That's my girl ;o).

Mommy sleeping with one eye open. Not very flattering but Bruce insists it's cute?

Now this is cute ;o)

Our arrival at JFK went very well. We were greeted by immigration and it seemed as if they we expecting us? Perhaps it was that embassy call to DC the other night? We by passed everyone gave them "the packet" which they opened checked, stamped and signed.. sent us to another office as we approached I heard a man say "There she is... " ??? With out even looking at our papers he told his staff of officers.. "they're ok.. let them through"

Hum... interesting. No bag check... no questions? Just a welcome home!

Perhaps... it was our home land security clearance? Nah... it must have been Tamara... she's a charmer. Upon arrival at JFK we discovered our stroller harness broke? Somewhere between Munich and NY? Weird as it was in a gate check bag.

We arrived home Saturday evening around 5 pm. Our limo driver picked us up at JFK .. he FORGOT the car seat. GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! Idiot! It's a good thing I like this guy or else I would have had more then his head. Anyway... after 2 weeks of having Tamara in my lap in Georgia it didn't freak me out as much. The driver was instructed to drive slower then usual and there really wasn't any traffic so we were fine.

When we arrived home and we told Tamara ... "We're home"... her eyes lite up. I think she recognised our house from the pictures? She was right at home. She likes the house, yard, Kitty cats (what a relief).

~

5:15 pm... phone rings.

"Hello?"

"LEE ? You're home?"

"Yeah"

"Oh My God .. we were so worried.. why didn't you tell anyone?"

"We just got in 15 minutes ago... Mom"

"Everything ok?"

"Yes... Mother.. every thing is fine."

~

How does she do that? Know... I mean?

~

Saturday night we attempted to un pack.. not easy. We open a suit case and Tamara shuts it. We unzip one and she zips it. Everything is a game to this child. Sunday we again tried to unpack... we still have 3 suit cases to go. I'm serious... we had 9 pcs coming home not counting my purse or her stroller.

Tamara zips it up

Helping Daddy.. well kind of..lol
OK.. Tamara let's unpack the toys first.

After several hours of house tours, playing and the eating some of Grandma's home made chicken soup it was bed time.

Tamara runs in to check out her room for the 1st time.

She likes her bed although we're using the Pack & Play crib for now.

She's a very active sleeper. Calming down a little bit every day. As soon as we think she can sleep in her bed safely we'll make the transition.

~

In her new high chair... she likes it.

Tamara sleeps extremely well. Although active .. she is a sound sleeper. She is using a Pack & Play crib that Joey's Mommy dropped off Saturday. Thanks Sondra. As it turns out they missed our arrival by minutes. Wouldn't that have been a surprise? ;o)

Tamara sleeps between 10 to 12 hours every night and still needs a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Once she's asleep she doesn't wake up for anything. Seriously we accidentally set off the alarm one night and it didn't phase her. It takes her about 30 minutes to fall a sleep on average. Mommy stays in the room with her until she does. My biggest challenge has been not to fall asleep while pretending to. lol. Yes Mommy is exhausted but it's a welcome challenge.

Anyway... Sunday Grandma and Dido came over to meet their new Grand daughter. (My Parents) It took Tamara about a half hour to warm up to them. They brought her a few gifts and just like you'd expect from a toddler.. she played with the gift wrap. Pretty soon she was having a tug of war with them and giggles filled the room.

Grandma (Lee's Mom) and Tamara

Unfortunately we lost Bruce's Mom several years ago. She would have loved Tamara, her giggles, sense of humor and the way Tamara has her Daddy wrapped around her pinkie. I'm sure we have Betty's blessing from above.
~~

Get up Daddy... we have things to do. Notice how she pulls on the pinkie.

~~~

OH... Yeah... Does any body know Mel Gibson out there? Want him to read a movie script. Stop laughing... I'm serious. Something I wrote in my spare time...lol. NOT. Like I had any spare time. lol. Let me know. ;o)