Passport - Check! Visa - Check!

We have Jaxon's passport and visa in hand and are winding down our trip. We moved back to the Marriott Royal Aurora today and Jaxon seemed happy to see his suite and the concierge level again.

Before heading to the Embassy this afternoon, we visited the Church of Christ the Savior. It is absolutely beautiful and amazing how they restored it to its original in 5 years time. We had hoped to get both boys saint medals while we were there, but alas they did not have any for Artyom or Yuri (the boys Russian names, now their middle names). We will try to get them elsewhere.

We then had $50 coffee and dessert at the mall - do not ask, it was good, but a rip off!

Then onto the US Embassy where we got to hang with Mark/Sinziana/and Diego (who is too cute!), Cindy and her son, and another couple from the same agency. There were probably 3 more families from the US who were waiting on visas for their newly adopted kiddos, too.

We will register Jaxon with the Russian Consulate tomorrow and also officially take him off the registery at the MOE. We are then free to head home Friday. Of course, Delta still has nothing available, but we will remain hopeful. We did meet a couple at the concierge lounge this evening - they are here adopting their second daughter from Moscow City. We must have missed them by days back in 2005 as we arrived home with Luca 2 days before they arrived home with their first daughter. It is a small world, too, as they are both originally from PA (in the same areas where Nick grew up!) They told us about how they had the opportunity on one trip to get home 4 days early, but alas Delta had no seats (seeing a pattern here!). Aeroflot somehow partners with Delta and they got on the SVO to JFK Aeroflot flight and to top it off received a refund in the mail a few days later. So, we will also try that scenario! Aeroflot is not my favorite, but back in 2005 we had an OK flight with them (no movie at the time...but I doubt we will need that with Jaxon!)

Oh, yes, Jaxon! He is doing well. He was cranky today and went into a full blown screaming festival after the Embassy. I was in the car with him and Nick went into the office to do some paperwork. I was actually getting concerned that he was freaking out sooo badly. He had just woken up, but there was no consoling him! He finally passed out again and slept all the way to the hotel. Once in the room he started the howling again. We decided to feed him a bit early and after a 12 oz. bottle, a jar of chicken and gravy, and bananas he was our happy guy again. We changed scenbery with a trip to the concierge lounge where he added some pancakes to his dinner menu! Boy, does food change this little dude's attitude!

We enjoyed playing with him this evening. He has the greatest laugh, too! And yes, as hard as it is to admit, I fear he has the word "dada" down! I tease Nick that he is really just saying "da" (yes, in Russian). Hopefully, mama will come soon!

We spoke to Luca Lovebug this evening, too. He is having a hard time leaving Pop to go to school in the AM. Pop is tooo much fun! I tried to get him excited about his Spring Party and Egg Hunt tomorrow, but I did not get far. He is totally focused on Pop! We miss him greatly and he is the biggest reason we want to get home a day early!

I will add more pictures tomorrow...ready to call it a night here!