The Top 10 things NOT to say to the Russian Judge...

10. We chose Russia, because China turned us down due to the 18 felonies on our home study.
9. Should I just make this check out to cash?
8. Ya know, the cold war is over, it's ok to smile now.
7. Wanna go out for drinks after this?
6. Just cause its 30 below outside, does it have to be 95 degrees in here?
5. Jeez, where did you get that tie?
4. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds it may incriminate me.
3. No, our pit bull doesn't bite.
2. Yes, we keep concealed weapons in the house. I thought I put a translation of the Bill of Rights in our dossier for you.
1. Well, when we started out we wanted a newborn, but now since all of them are teenagers, we figured what the heck.

...and the wait goes on (hum to yourself, "the beat goes on" by Sonny & Cher)

Well it has officially passed the 5 month mark since we've been home from Russia.

No Court date in our immediate future yet. I just don't understand it. This judge hasn't heard an adoption case since October, it is now mid March and rumor has it (can't reveal my source) she has finally issued a court date for April for a couple that traveled last May 2005. Apparently they had re-accredidation issues but still...come on Judge! Get off your ass and get these families completed.

Matthew will turn 16 months old on St. Patrick's Day, let' get him home before we have to fill out college entrance applications! We love him more and more every day.
We've already updated all paperwork twice, everything is good to go through end of April.

Keep those positive thoughts coming!

Video Pic #3

"Gimmee all the toys...

and nobody gets hurt!"

"I can't believe Mommy put this sissy looking stuffed animal in front of me. Oh thank God! Daddy is coming over to throw it out of the way. Doesn't Mommy know I'm the little Stud Muffin of the baby house? My image coulda been ruined!"

"Yeah...that's it Daddy. Gimmee that hockey stick!" 

Video Pic #2

Just Mommy holding her Russian Prince! 

Video Pic #1

My first attempt at capturing stills from our video we shot at the orphanage. Much better than the photos I scanned. I need to work on the editing part though but this does capture him completely.

The Great Thinker of Tobolsk!

It is the perfect background for my computer at work. If I start to get stressed I just close down all programs at gaze at this mug! 

Picture #3

Little Tsar on the move!

I wanted so much to see Matthew crawl since he absolutely refused to stand alone. Everytime I picked him up he would put his feet down and when I would started to let go he would fall into me and snuggle. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Anyway to get his royalness moving I would take his favorite toy (wouldn't let go of it from the moment Daddy placed it in his little hand) and move it away from him and make him go get it.
He was mildly annoyed with Mommy.

Check out those tiny little footsies! At 10 1/2 months, he was barely in a size 2 infant shoes! 

Picture #2

Our first "Family Portrait" taken at the Tobolsk Baby Home seconds after Matthew was handed to us for the very first time. I can still feel him in my arms 5 months later as if it were 30 seconds ago! No he does NOT have red hair by the way!
This was taken approximately 1pm on 10-6-05 (Thursday afternoon).

Picture #1

Matthew was 3 days short of 7 months old when this 3 minute video was shot on May 14th, 2005. Our first glimpse at our son. How could you not fall instantly in love with that face?