Shoshana,
I'm not adopting from Russia, but I wanted to make a small suggestion...
Your agency has a facilitator or lawyer in Russia, right?
I could be wrong...thats more or less why I'm asking....
...if they do, maybe ask your agency if they have an address where you could ship some items over before you arrive...to pick up when you arrive.
You could send all the gifts/baby items in a box or two, and avoid the overage charges the airlines charge...
Just a thought, it may not work...but it might
