Surprises from Far Away & Visits with Family

Well, it is hard to believe, but we are quickly approaching our one year anniversary with our three youngest. Friday, our social worker came to complete our report for the Russian government. Almost 12 months later and the kids were still a little afraid I think. We explained what she was coming to do and why, but it seemed they still were afraid. Dawn even explained they would never have to go back to the detsky dom and that this report was just to make sure we were taking good care of them. The visit ended good even though Polina quickly disappeared after Amy arrived.

We, or I should say, Polina received a wonderful surprise from Aunt Tatiana a few weeks back - baby pictures and baptismal records. I'll have to scan a couple for the blog, they were cute. There were pictures with their cousin Vladik, their aunt and, their grandfather. I wish I had a better picture of the grandfather - it is just a side shot of him. We spoke to Tatiana on Skype just a week earlier and she never told us about the pictures that were in transit so it was a good surprise. Tatiana did update us on the rest of the family. We have learned that Tatiana is a very good woman and did as much as she could for the kids. I have grown to admire her for what she did for my children because I am sure it put her in difficult situations at times.

The kids are growing so much and Dima has lost at least four teeth just in the past nine months. At their next doctor visit, it will be interesting to see how much weight they have gained. The other night, Polina asked me, "Papa, why I have dark circles around my eyes"? I replied, "Because your a Baggett baby - all Baggett's have dark circles around their eyes"! She just looked at me and started to slowly smile.

As far as the language goes, Polina and Nastya speak very good English and have thick Russian accents that they will likely have forever. Sometimes Nastya will say something very serious in that thick accent that just cracks me up (I try not to laugh out loud). Dima has a unique accent that sound to be a mixture of a Russian/South Alabama accent.

That's about it for what has happened in the past 30 days. We are STILL waiting on Social Security cards for the three youngest (we filled January 22). They sent our adoption records to be translated into English. Our records had an English translation attached, but they would not accept that translation because it was not certified. I offered to go locally, get an English translation and have it certified and the answer was "no". I have attached some photos from just a week ago. My brother and his family came home from Pennsylvania and the three youngest got to meet him and their cousin Jessica.

Our days are filled with laughter, tears and yes, frustration - but I would not trade one single day for a million dollars.

God Bless -