Our story started on February 3, 1997 when we attended our first meeting on
adoption. Cradle of Hope (Cradle) staff members and parents who adopted
using Cradle were at this meeting with their children. It was after this meeting
when we knew who would be handling our adoption process. We were very impressed with Cradle,
and after the meeting spoke with some parents who adopted using Cradle; they were
very pleased and confident about Cradle. We then started our paperwork and got the
ball rolling. We were a little slow doing our paperwork, due to family situations that
needed our attention first. Finally all paperwork was done, and the call came about our
son. We were so excited that we jumped in the car and drove to the agency to pick up the
video, medical and pictures. Our social worker was also excited, and asked us if we wanted
to watch the video in the office; of course we said, "yes".
Finally a court date! After eleven years we were going to be parents. February 27, 1998
was our day; we had about three
weeks notice. That gave us plenty of time to pack and
get ready. We were so excited; we thought that day would never come. We chose to make two
trips due to the ten-day wait in Moscow, and we also chose to stay with a host family. We
were very happy with our decision. On our first trip we were able to visit our son every
day, except for the first day in Moscow because we arrived too late. The rest of the time
we were able to visit with Alex every day, even on Saturday for one and half-hours. We
were able to play with him and feed him during this time. After visiting with our son, we
went sightseeing with out translator and driver. Moscow is really a beautiful city to see.
We were able to go to the Kremlin one day, Red Square another day. Our translator also
turned out to be an excellent tour guide. We could not get over how beautiful the
buildings were. When we arrived back at our host family’s apartment, she usually had
dinner waiting for us. After dinner we would go to our room and watch the video of our son
that we had filmed earlier that day at the orphanage. Then we would go back into the
kitchen to have tea and cookies with our host family and talk with them and play with
their children.
Our court day was a day I will never forget. Everything went so smoothly, thanks to our
coordinator. She really seemed so well organized and confident in her work. The court
hearing lasted about 45 minutes. After our court hearing we went back to the orphanage to
visit with our son, take more videos of him, and hold him for the first time as his real
parents. What a feeling that was! After our visit we took our coordinator and translator
out to eat to celebrate our officially becoming Alex’s parents. We asked our
coordinator to pick a special restaurant that she would like to go to. The restaurant was
very nice and the food was delicious. When we arrived back at our host family’s
apartment, they had a cake for us to celebrate our adoption. We really felt so good about
that. Having to leave Alex to go home and wait for our second trip was a little hard, but
we knew he was being well cared for at the orphanage. We were very pleased with the
orphanage and their staff.
Now for our second trip. The first day we did not get to take Alex out of the orphanage
because we arrived too late, but the second day of our trip was the big day. It was a very
happy and sad day. We were so happy to finally take Alex out of the orphanage, but we felt
bad for the staff members who looked so sad as they said their good-byes to Alex. We think
Alex might have been a favorite child in the orphanage, due to his outgoing personality.
Straight from the orphanage we took Alex for his medical exam; everything went well there.
At the embassy we were very pleased to have worked with Cradle because before we
left, they informed us about the employment verification letter that is now required by
the American embassy. At the time we were upset about having more paperwork to do, but as
it turned out, other parents there could not get their children’s passports because
they were missing this new form. Everyone was asking us how we knew to get it. Anyway, we
were in and out in about an hour and a half.
Then came the big day we left to come home. It was such a wonderful feeling when we
arrived at J.F.K. and saw our families there with flowers and balloons and signs all
excited to meet Alex. Alex was 14 months old when we adopted him, and he has gained 9 lbs.
in the four months he has been home with us. Alex is doing very well. Alex does receive
speech and occupational therapy, but he is doing so well, I think he may not have to
receive therapy after his first six months evaluation is up. We are very thankful to Cradle
for helping make our dream come true.
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