[Kasey]

When you traveled for your second trip--did any family members go with you? We have two that want to come--but we are unsure if this is a good idea or not. It is not because of relationship with them, I just wasn't sure if it was better for just DH and I to be around the baby in the beginning. Although it may be nice to have some additional help, especially if we are sleep deprived?
I appreicate any input.
Thanks,
Kasey
awaiting referral for baby boy from Kursk

[aggieamy]

We were going to bring my mom. She was so excited and more than willing to put up with whatever to see her granddaughters. But, after the first tri, we saw how TINY everything is. The cars, the rooms, the space at the home... we talked to our agency about it and she said it is really difficult to have another person on trip two. That person will not be allowed in court, or in the embassy, they may not be allowed in the baby home (it varies). So after much discussion Mom thought it would be better if she stayed her and was here to welcome the girls home. Ask your agency is anyone else has done it recently and call them. It could work, but it will be stressful and not a vacation.

just my opinion- Amy

[waitinginnj]

I adopted as a single parent and brought my dad on trip one and my sister on trip 2. In retrospect, I probably should have waited until week 2 for my sister to fly over, once we were in Moscow. The second trip is long, the rooms are small and there is a lot of down time. There is little or nothing to do in the region. She was bored and felt useless. I worried that she was bored and was away from her family for so long.

She came to the court house with me and waited outside. They told me that I could place a petition to the court to ask that she could come in, but I decided to try to keep things as simple as possible. I didn't want to appear high maintenance. It probably would not have been a big deal. But, I just wanted things to go off without a hitch and we were prepared for not being able to come into the court room, so it wasn't an issue.

Week two in Moscow is a lot easier. We had custody of my daughter and there is a bit more to do. But, again, it was boring. I was trying to bond and she spent most of the time feeling like she didn't want to interfere.

I don't think that I could have made the whole trip alone and the trip home would have been miserable, but I think it would be less pressure on everyone if the timing was shorter for her.

My dad was more than comfortable staying home for trip 2 and we were greeted at the airport by my immediate family.

So one idea would be to have gram meet you in Moscow and get a second room.

[chucknfw]

We just returned from Russia with three children. The orphanage allowed us to take the children the day we arrived which was a couple of days before the court date. My wife's father and my sister accompanied us on the trip and I can't imagine what it would have been like without them. They were able to go to the store for us and keep the children when we were out dealing with all the paperwork for passports and visas. It is also great to see the special bond that the children already have with their aunt and grandfather.

[chucknfw]

In regards to family being allowed to be apart of the court and going to the orphanage. Grandfather came to court with us and all were allowed to go to the orphanage. Any American Citizen is allowed in the embassy. The whole family witnessed the final paperwork there in Moscow. As far as transportation, we rented a van on the days that we needed more room for passengers. It was about 40-50 dollars a day for van transportation where we were.

[wigwag10]

Kasey,

When we traveled to Kursk on our first trip in March, one of the other families brought their mother. Everyone and I mean everyone(Kusk orphanage director, doctor, staff and our Russian team) loved it. They made the biggest fuss that grandma(bashiga, not sure how to spell it) was there. They are big on family. They even had a healthy baby boy, but the judge still waived the waiting period. Let me know if you need any info on Kursk.


Wendy

[Kasey]

Thank you all for your responses they were really helpful!!
Wendy--thanks so much for the insight into Kursk--I think that sealed our decision, while we have to do a homestay, we can put our family up in the hotel--which actually will be nice, that way if we need some quiet family time--we can just go to their room.

Our families have been so supportive, I didn't want to turn anyone down, but I also wanted to do what was best for us and the baby.

Thanks again,
Kasey