The roaming blog

So titled because this post was written over various locations.

In the air, earlier today. . .

It seems that the only place I have time to create a decent blog is when we're in transit. I am very happy to report that we are on our way home. This morning we traveled from Moscow to Amsterdam and are now a couple hours in to our flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis.

Natalia has turned out to be a comfortable traveler, which is another example of how she is the perfect fit to our family. She was awake for the 3.5 hours from Moscow to Amsterdam and was a cheerful trooper for the entirety. Now she sleeps, having fallen to sleep even before take-off. Car rides are still not the best for her. We we surprised that she got sick on the way to the airport, especially after our numerous adventures on the Moscow metro this last week. We'll just wait and see how the one hour plus drive home from the airport goes.

Our time in Moscow was enjoyable, but we are SO ready to be home. We did finally make it to Red Square, roamed around for awhile - long enough to confirm the fact that we are not the touristy type. We probably would have lasted longer if the weather wad better and we had a stroller. The next day we remedied the part over which we had control and purchased a stroller. This was an adventure in itself and well worth the time invested to locate said stroller. Natalia LOVES the stroller, sometimes gets really bummed out when she thinks it's time to get out of the stroller. These instances have shown us what a really good faker this girl can be. Open the stroller, with the sole intention to put Natalia's jacket on (or off) her. Mad girl. Reclasp lap bar. Happy girl.

Once we had the stroller getting out was much easier - on everyone. We also became pro's at navigating the Metro system. It is quite impressive, allowing you to get from corner to corner, and anywhere in between, the Moscow area. Chad will tell you that I struggled with the appropriate method to scan my pass the first few times. However, I will counter that with the fact that Chad about locked Natalia, while in her stroller, into a pass gate for his own improper scanning. Ha!

Natalia continues to be a very healthy little eater. Although she's sampled some new things, she consistently goes back to fresh fruits and veggies. Even at the Amsterdam airport, she scarfed down the cucumbers and tomatoes from a salad bar. I am pleased to say that she has found a liking for ice cream. You gotta like ice cream.

In my last post I mentioned the use of the crib. Subsequent nights haven't gone quite as smoothly as the initial night with the crib. Natalia still sleeps very soundly, either for her full nap or for the entire night, in the crib but she's not pleased to simply be placed in the crib to fall asleep. We're happy to rock her and speak or sing softly to her. It is such a perfect example of what every little one deserves but that so many have been left without. Yep, we'll rock her and cuddle her and sing to her off key the whole night through. Like I said, though, she is a very sound sleeper. Once she's out, she seems to sleep through about anything; including a nasty little cough she has right now. One tip, for anyone in the process - Russian lullabyes are a must! Playing these on the iPad has given Natalia something familiar and comforting while establishing some predictability at bed time.

Bath time continues to be a blast. Here again I recognize moments that this sweet child has gone without. It includes just plain old bath time. A time to play and splash in the tub, not just a necessary chore to wash the stink off. Even more so there's the cuddle time after. Our hotel had the big bath sheets. After bath, we would wrap Natalia in one of these and just cuddle. I think she would stay like that all night if we didn't eventually have to diaper up and put on jammies. She is taking to us very well and doing all kinds of things that show her fondness for us and desire for us to do things for her. Last night she gestured for me to give her the little bottle of Johnson's lavender bedtime lotion. I did and the two of us sat on the couch. She sat and leaned into me as I put lotion on her, massaging her little arms and legs and rubbing her back. She just loves it, and I know it is a wonderful, simple, quiet way for us as we move along on our path of attachment.

And just like that, from Stanchfield . . .

It's done. In the last 22 months we made the decision to adopt, gained approval to adopt from both the U.S. and Russia, waited to find our little girl, renewed our approvals, found our little girl, traveled to meet our little girl, prepared and passed court to become Natalia's parents, waited for another 10 days to take custody of Munchkin, brought our little girl out of the baby house and into my arms, were together for the first times a family of four for the most amazing Thanksgiving ever, and have spent every day since loving Zehnder x 4. And now, today, we returned home. Today Natalia Hope Zehnder touched ground at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport and became a citizen of the United States of America. Within minutes she was introduced to four overjoyed individuals; Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Joel and Grandma Linda and Grandpa Dick.

All of these moments, so very important, so very meaningful. None though compares to the moment we arrived home. Stepped foot in our house. 22 months later it's just like we envisioned it. Natalia just had a bath and she's running around in her footie pajamas. Oh, she's also trying to feed my a booger. Perhaps I didn't envision that.

I owe you all some pix, and one funny video. It's coming. Now I'm going to sleep in my own bed for the first time in 28 days.

Love,
Cameo

P.S. Dorothy was right; there's no place like home.



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