[randloar]

Yippee, its really moving forward!! Amazing what a change of countries (and agencies!!), can do for an adoption process!!!

Court is on Friday, February 9th, and we are planning on staying during the 10 day wait. So, we leave on the 7th, and are gone the whole rest of the month (at least!). At this point we are just past the two week countdown!!!

A couple of questions:
-For those that went to Moscow, did you buy most of the kids food there or take a few things as backup?
-My mom is going with us, and we are not sure if we will be allowed to stay in an apartment. SO, does anyone have any suggestions on hotels that accomodate 3 people (plus 2 kids) without getting two separate rooms?
-Any other travel/trip2 words of wisdom are always welcome, as I have learned so much from everyone here!!!

[Ktates]

Congratulations!!!! I'm not sure I can help you on your questions as we didn't stay long in Moscow - DD ate a lot at breakfest - and we usually swiped some fruit or yogurt for later. We brought a few things to supplement but she didn't eat much in the beginning but when she did she pretty much ate the same food as us (though I mashed it up a bit for her).

Have an awesome trip! waiting out the 10 days will be great for your bonding!

[Sally26]

No advice, just Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see pictures!

[DoreenG]

WOW! We're going to hit Moscow on the 8th, fly down to our region (Stavropol) that night, then be back, hopefully, around the 15th (if 10 days waived) or the 24th if not.

Want to try for dinner!?!?!?

LOL< WONDERFUL NEWS!

[beckyww]

Moscow is the most expensive city in the world. A suitcase of snacks would be very wise. Lots of good cheeses and you can always find bread....but cha-ching, cha-ching.....

See our blog for our time in Moscow:
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[kretzklan]

We stayed at the Grand and had the suite. It wasn't cheap - but SO worth it for the extra space. It has a LARGE family room with two sofa beds, a dining table and a bar - plus a bedroom with a king bed. The biggest plus is you are automatically a Marriott VIP and get to use their VIP room and area. They serve snacks all day long in the VIP room as well as have papers, magazines...larger "meals" for lunch and dinner and gorgeous pastries for breakfast. We literally ate there for every meal - all 5 of us. Plus, in the suite you have a maid that checks in on you quite often...she brought us fruit and juices every day (knowing we were stuck with three kids) - they hooked up a DVD player for free. Basically the extra cost was well worth it for us!

[cathvash]

Congratulations! I am SO excited for you (and a bit jealous...)!!!

When I asked about the Grand, the Suite at that time was >$700.00 per night! It is a nice hotel, but...

We stayed at the Hotel Arbat and LOVED this clean slightly older and smaller hotel that caters to international businessmen...They had a HUGE two room suite for less than $300.00 at that time. (You can get cheaper rates on most hotels in Moscow by shopping around online). The Arbat is located on a quiet street near the famed Arbat pedestrian street, grocery, and US Embassy. A full (and I do mean FULL) breakfast was included in the price and security is good. Be sure to ask for a rennovated suite if you book there. I have also heard that the nearby Belgrade has suites, but I don't know what they are like.

I have heard that apartments are the way to go for a stay of more than a few days. I don't understand why this would be an issue (unless the agency personnel in Russia prefer to make the hotel arrangements for you for a "finders fee"). I had to insist very directly on making my own hotel bookings. It saved me a lot of money, but they were not happy about it initially, and even tried to insist my booking had been cancelled. (NOT!!!)

Good luck and enjoy your trip!!

[lovestruck]

I so happy to read this post! Congratulations!

[mommyto4]

What great news so happy for you!

[mgwurster]

Yeah!!!! I've been watching this board on and off hoping to see a post from you! Very happy for you and your husband that this is finally happening for you!

Merry -

[lmhouston]

Congratulations! We were in Moscow for over a week last year, and bought all of our daughter's food there. She was pretty much still on forumla and baby food. They have all of the baby foods, cereals, yogurts, etc. you might need. We stayed at the Ukraina, and there was a grocery store within a three-minute walk from the hotel (not cheap, but not outrageous either -- probably about 10% higher than what we pay here in the US). We did have to try a few different types of formula before we could find one that she liked, so you might want to start with small packages until you lock onto what appeals to them. We found that, with yogurt and cereals, she preferred the cheapest brand you could find. She especially loved the yogurts they served in the hotel breakfast, because they didn't have any bits of solid food in them. For any child under two, be very careful feeding solids or semi-solids. We tried with our daughter, and she just couldn't swallow them -- muscle tone too low and other sensory issues. We just respected that and kept to the mushy and liquid stuff until after we had time to work with her at home. This notwithstanding the fact that the orphanage claimed she was eating soups, etc. The orphanage also claimed she loved kefir, which she wouldn't touch. In short, we found what we needed in Moscow and were glad we had brought nothing with us. We would not have correctly guessed what our daughter would like and would have lugged a lot of stuff with us for nothing. With older kids, it may be easier to anticipate what they'll like. Hope this helps. Have fun with your kids!

[lmhouston]

And on your last question: we got a suite last year, and it worked out well, but for our next adoption, we are planning on renting an apartment. A lot of people have done this, and I like the autonomy it gives you (especially when it comes to food).

[reddizon]

Congrats!!! I am so happy for you! It's great to hear that things are now moving there!

Good luck, but I know you will do well!

[crispex]

Congrats!!! I love seeing pics, bring those kiddos home!


PS, $300-$700/night? No way could I have afforded that. To think, I was nearly balking at the $96/night @ the Vlad Inn in Vladivostok!

[jroc]

Yea! So glad to hear the good news! And it's soon!

We brought some food with us to Russia - just in case. I just bought the Gerber Graduates little travel meals. And we brought those for the plane too. I don't recall how old your kiddos are. If they are older and can eat just about anything, then I'd say food in Moscow is plentiful and you shouldn't have a problem. If they are still babies, I'd just bring a few meals as backup. Since you'll have 3 adults, one can always go and find a grocrey store and bring stuff back.

I'd reccomend renting an apartment. Andrei is great and will help youo find one. That way you won't have 5 people shelled up in a hotel room.

Good Luck