Sondra... yeah you....

Sondra... yeah you.... over there... lady with the baby.

Yes... if it isn't too much trouble I would appreciate it. I get the feeling we're gonna need one?

Front porch is fine... just close the gate behind you so Bambi doesn't eat my flowers.

Thank YOU very much for offering.

Everyone else.. please disregard this post... just answering a private message. ;o)

~~~

I wanna go home...

I wanna go home...

Yes... It's time to go home.

Today started off with Tamara catching up on her sleep so she was in a wonderful, cute mood this morning. I envy her these days. I'm still up at 5:50 am. Packing, wrapping gifts and trying desperately to get organized.

~

We went to the embassy today and after all our brain storming and accessing records electronically... we were told. "OH we called Washington last night... they said you guys didn't need that" Grrrrrr! Ok.. so anyway... they couldn't be nicer to us today. Tamara got her VISA to the USA along with her baby American flag and a box of Crayola crayons. I'm surprised they don't throw in a Happy Meal... lol... that would have made her an American kid for sure. ;o)

As we left the embassy Bruce waved the flag for our driver and translator who were waiting in the car out front... well not really out front... sort of down the block for security reasons.

As soon as they saw the flag waving they knew we GOT IT! ;o)

It's rather interesting they give you an immigration packet that is sealed and has to remain so until you get to the proper authorities in the USA at the airport. We also got all our originals back.. which is cool. ;o) yup... tired but smiling.

~

After the embassy we headed off to the gold market again... some last minute shopping is still going on. And then back to the apartment as Tamara was there with Anna and we wanted to give her the great news. ;o)

This evening went rather quickly play time, dinner, bath, bedtime.

~

Then Bruce went to bed and I stayed up to start our packing. We purchased some rather large pieces that require some thought for packing but I think I got it?

Also had to wrap up gifts for the in country staff. It's one of the many things that we had to plan ahead for. I wouldn't say that it's a requirement but it is expected and considered polite to gift the staff. All international adoptive parents do this regardless of agency or country.

A token of our appreciation. So anyway... I think they should be pleasantly surprised tonight when they receive their gifts. They're getting some pretty cool stuff. ;o)

We were hoping to be able to treat them to a fare well dinner but it looks like we have scheduling issues trying to get them all together. So hopefully we can get them to all come over tonight for cheese and wine. It would be nice to get them all in one place, thank them properly, get some pictures and relax a bit before we go.

~

OK.. can you tell I'm running on fumes here? Yeah... and I'm trying to plan a wine and cheese party? LOL... If only I could do the shopping in NJ. It would be so much easier on home turf.

I'll have to be pretty creative to pull this off... honestly it's not easy as very few things are in English.

We're being picked up at 11 am to do some shopping... there are two stores I need to visit before I leave. Better go get some more Lari... the gold market wiped me out today.

~

So anyway... here are some pictures that we snapped while driving around Tbilisi.

River that runs through Tbilisi


I've been trying to get a picture of this guy for over 2 weeks. Finally today at 60 MPH I got him.

This one's for my Malibu Girls...lol. They tell me he's supposed to be a Greek God... like Dah? No kidding... ;o)

Traffic Circle Fountain... this is the one you'll see in all the travel brochures. Name escapes me.. no time to Google. ;o)
Fairly typical older apartment buildings.

Every day life

People selling goods on street. They tend to set up all over?

Needs a coat of paint.

Daddy takes the trash out... Tamara wants to help.

Court yard view

Using a zoom and finding a more direct view from our bedroom I was able to finally figure the top floor out. It's sort of a storage / tool shed in the attic space. They store firewood and tools up there. Amazing. ;o)

Time for bed Tamara...

OK I need a power nap... it's 7 am I have maybe two hours before cookie wakes up... no make that 1-1/2 need to shower.

OK.. It's time to go home...

I wanna go home.

We'll be leaving Saturday AM. Woohoo!!!

Please note... it is a very long journey home...especially with a brand new toddler in tow. We will be exhausted to say the least. We would appreciate a little space when we arrive. That includes FAMILY especially. Please remember that Tamara will be very confused, tired, cranky as will her parents. ;o) She seems to think she lives in this apartment and was very upset with me when she saw me packing. In fact she started to unpack as I was packing.

WE will have to have a whole other adjustment period to her new home, culture, country, language, room, bed, pets, stuff and more stuff. She may handle it well or she may not. She could get over stimulated, with draw or regress?

Also please remember that although you all feel as if you've known her as long as we have... weird huh? She has no clue you exist. Please do not freak her out when you see her. She is after all only 3 years old.

I thank you for your anticipated co-operation in advance.

I'll try and post again before we take off... otherwise we'll see you in Munich.

~~~