Mucking about Moscow

We're back in Moscow. This time with a little one in tow. D's first flight was turbulence free. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. He did very well! He had no idea what was going on, of course, but still...

The morning after we arrived, a doctor who works for the US Embassy came to our hotel (at 6:30AM!) to examine Denis. Just what a toddler wants - to be poked and prodded when he's still half asleep! But the doctor was great. His Russian instantly put D at ease, and we sighed a sigh of relief when he heard his perfect English. He performed a quick exam and was quite pleased with Denis's health. He said he looked as if he was "thriving" and that he was a solid and handsome boy! We've always thought so, too, but it was nice to hear such things from a doctor.

We've applied for Denis's US visa, which should be ready Monday (IF the potential problem of our stateside and overseas addresses turns out not to be a problem at all) and his Japanese visa, which should be ready Wednesday (IF the Japanese Embassy really doesn't celebrate the upcoming Japanese holiday on Feb 11). We'll be flying back to Kobe on Wednesday night IF everything falls into place. Has any part of this adoption process been accomplished without a big "IF" hanging over it? I don't think so! All if's aside, we should be home soon.

Apart from doctor visits, embassy runs, and wondering if we should worry about all these if's, we've just been mucking about Moscow. We took the metro to Gorky Park today. Tons of people were out and about skating and walking around - even in these minus temps. We plan to go to Red Square/St. Basil's and the Kremlin tomorrow. And we're hoping to catch up with some old friends of ours who are now teaching in Moscow.

Here are some random pics of us leaving Kaliningrad and hanging around Moscow.