[ddahl]

Just had a conversation with the agency. Looks like its going to be three trips for us. Not sure how to break the news to DH yet. Three trips would make it very difficult in light of our bussiness happenings in January.

I was told the first 2 trips, referral and court have to be together but pick up can be done solo for embassy etc. Of course in my opinion, thats the toughest part. Has anyone totally gone it alone for pick up without support recently? How was it? What should I be prepared for? There were honestly things I did not even pay attention to because DH just handles it all.

Any tips and tricks would be much appreciated.

I am thinking hip hammock and less than no luggage!

[Wendrew]

Hi Dixie! I sent you a PM!

[MamaChinch]

Whoa, is this going to be more common now? Dixie, you are so organized you can do it. I did it, although my mom travelled with me, she just basically travelled. Can someone else go with you who can pay their own way? My sister was going on trip two but ened up not being able due to work.
Is this specific to your agency? Okay, you know why I am asking. he he!

[ddahl]

Nope, I think its going to slowly become the norm. In fact it seems people are being discouraged from staying. I'm thinkin slumber party! If you know what I mean! Wink wink!

[tbristow]

Dixie,

Is this because the 10 days aren't being waived much anymore? I would have to check the cost of course, but I would definitely make all 3 trips as short as possible and get souvenirs on the first 2 trips. Great...like any of us needed more expense on the trips with the oil prices like they are anyway. As far as the hip hammock thing, all I can say is thank goodness I'm getting an older one the next time!!

[papedge]

I used A MIti it worked much better then a hiphamock hands totaly free.

Kim

[jeni-b]

We are trying to decide the same thing. Although there is a chance we could end up in a region that does waive the 10 days (today at least).

Right now we're debating between 2 trips and me staying alone, DH going back to be with DD and I'll do embassy alone, then there's the 3 trip option which I'd either bring someone to travel with me or go alone.

I have traveled across country with DD, so that part doesn't worry me. I think I have it down and I have a selection of carriers to make it easy. A hip hammock is definately not my favorite for travel, something 2 shouldered that distributes the weight is better for long stints. I like my beco or a mei tai.

Wouldn't it be nice to link up and be able to have a travel buddy.

[ddahl]

Jen-looks like we adopted kids 6 months apart in age and we came home in 2005 just a few weeks apart! COOL! Hopefully we will bring our girlie girls home quick!

[ddahl]

PAPEDGE-whats the MLTI? Where do you get a mei tai? Too funny and so appropriate for IA!!! LOL

[jeni-b]

Originally Posted by ddahl

Jen-looks like we adopted kids 6 months apart in age and we came home in 2005 just a few weeks apart! COOL! Hopefully we will bring our girlie girls home quick!

very cool!!! are you planning to go back to the same region? We aren't it's 3 trips, plus not having the 10 days waived, so trip 3 is LONG.

I had a friend make my mei tais, but some options are babyhawk, kozy, eden. You can google mei tai and find heaps of information, or PM me and I can point you in the right direction. DD still likes to be worn, so I have quite a stash.

[MamaChinch]

Slumber party in Mosocw!!!! Yea!!! he he!!

[lmhouston]

In our first adoption, my sister came with me for Trip 3 to help out. It was great (and special for all of us), but I don't think it's impossible to do alone. This time, we will probably do the third trip with only one of us. The only sad bit is to miss the pick-up day, but the advantage is that one of you is fresh when the travelers get home. I think that it is manageable, but you will be tired...

[amanda_p]

We are doing 3 trips. It stinks, but we just cant wait out the 10 days.

[MominPA]

We did three trips in 2006 since Moscow City doesn't waive the 10 days. Our third trip was the longest too. My husband went on the first two trips and my mom went with me on the third trip. I was going to go by myself and I could have survived, but she did make it easier to have an extra set of hand with a three year old. I could easily run to the corner store to get milk without having to bring my son.

The first trip we left on a Tuesday, landed Wednesday morning in Moscow and left on Friday.

The second trip we left on Saturday, landed on Sunday in Moscow. Court was on Monday and left on Tuesday.

The third trip we left on Saturday, landed on Sunday morning in Moscow and relaxed that day, Monday my mom and I pick up my son from the baby house after I applied for his passport. Tuesday was the medical exam and late Wednesday afternoon we were told the passport was ready. We picked it up on Thursday morning and went to the Embassy. We could have left on Friday, but we left on Saturday since that is what we planned for so we had an extra day to sight see.

It was cheaper for us to make three trips then to stay in Moscow between the hotel and food expense and the loss of income.

[becky26]

I picked up Elisa by myself (though only going from Moscow to Germany). The time in Moscow was very easy. I shared an apartment with another adoptive mother which really helped. I did not bring a stroller, but I LOVE my Ergo carrier. You can use it on your back (for older kids) and in the front. Elisa went everywhere with me and I had my hands free. If you like, you can try it out next time we see each other! They are not cheap, but I definitely got great use out of this carrier!