Home 1 week

We have been home for a week now and have already seen an incredible transformation with Gabriel. She just has fit right in and made herself at home.
Gabriel is far and away more verbal in Bulgarian than Jude was. She has blown us away with her acquisition of English but she is still fluent in Bulgarian. She has figured out that if I don’t get it “there is an app for that.” She will grab my phone and we will turn on Google Translate with the voice recognition.
Not perfect but it has helped for the things that Gabriel feels are vital to tell me. Like, she prefers to wear jeans. She is NOT a baby! Oh and since Monday: she wants her ears pierced. She actually has repeated this request so often that Jude wanted pierced ears too. Even after I explained them to her.
So today, we have 2 little satisfied girls with newly pierced ears.
Gabriel loved Thanksgiving yesterday. She ate an entire plateful of food but seemed to enjoy the Turkey and the applesauce the most. She also made quick work of some chocolate cream pie.
She is pretty easy going with whatever we have going on any given day.
She and Jude might as well have been sisters forever. They play and squabble and tattle just like any other 3 and 4 year olds. They are both very girly so they agree that anything fairy/princess/pink/purple/glitter/sparkles is the best thing ever.
And now the universe is just because they have pierced ears.

The doctor’s appointment

I took Gabriel to the doctor yesterday.

Lots of bloodwork, which is expected. Not as much as Jude had. We did more vaccine titres on Jude. Didn’t need to on Gabriel because she has had hardly any vaccines. So she got stuck several times yesterday. We will go back in 2 weeks for round 2.

The Pneumonia is gone. Thank goodness for that. We will continue on the ventolin syrup I was given by the orphanage doctor at least until she sees the asthma specialist next month.

And (we already knew) she is tiny. Super tiny. She came in at 32.5 inches and 21 pounds. She is far, far below both the CDC and WHO growth curves for both height and weight even when they are adjusted for her prematurity. Toddler formula, high fat everything (good fats), whole milk, and an almost non-stop eating schedule will hopefully help. She can and does eat a good amount.

Gabriel is lined up to see the Asthma specialist, the opthamologist, the dentist, the geneticist, and have a developmental evaluation in the coming weeks and months.

Trip 2 Day 8 Coming Home

Friday November 20

The day started early: 3:00 AM Bulgaria time, which is 7 hours ahead of the time here in Maine. I got up, dressed, and then proceeded to dress 2 extremely sleepy and limp children. Then pack what remained.
We were out the door by 4:15.
The drive across the city was quiet. No one is really up in Sofia at that time of the day. It took about 15 minutes to get to the airport in our transfer van.
We checked in all the way to Boston at the Lufthansa desk. We checked the stroller this time.
Through passport check number 1, no problem. Through security no problem. Upon the advice of customs and immigration when I entered the country I handed over both of Jude’s passports and Gabriel’s Bulgarian one. When asked I handed over the birth certificate and adoption decree for Gabriel. Immigration took about 5 minutes.
Then onto our gate where we had some breakfast.
Jude was sleepy but excited for “3 AIRPLANES!” Gabriel was obviously nervous. She wouldn’t eat anything. We boarded our Lufthansa flight and got both children into the CARES harnesses. Gabriel was not a fan of take-off but spent the rest of the 2+ hour flight passed out on my Dad until we had to buckle her back in for landing. Again, pissed off. But we made Frankfurt on time at 8:30 AM local time.
This time in Frankfurt was very much like the first time we went. Only no flat tire on landing and we were brought into the proper area. As such we went through 3, possibly 4 passport checks but no security and from the time we landed to the time we were seated at our next gate was about 30 minutes. Frankfurt, for this reason, just moved up to one of the airports that I recommend. It was very well organized.
Everyone had a snack and chilled/woke up while seated at the gate.
We also had an excellent view of the rather large aircraft that we would be resident to for the next 7 hours.
Just after 10 AM they started boarding and because we were family with 2 children we took advantage of the early boarding. For this flight we had an entire middle section in addition to an additional aisle seat across. We put the 3 adults in the aisle seats and the two girls in the middle.
I have had my share of long flights over the Atlantic but this one took the gold medal. Both girls were pumped right up. Gabriel elected to have an hour long tantrum right at take-off. The two of them actually got into one large and several small physical altercations. And Gabriel’s favorite pastime was changing the language setting on everyone’s TV to Chinese.
Jude finally passed out for about 2 hours somewhere south of Iceland. Gabriel never ever slept a single wink the entire flippin flight.
By the time we hit the coast of Canada I swore before God and everyone in Economy class that after that day I wouldn’t take the two of them on an airplane again until they were old enough to potentially fly all by themselves. And I mean it.
We landed in Boston 20 minutes early. Which was good because I was ready to jump out over the Gulf of Maine. We got in the Blue Line for Visas, thanks to Madame no-nap where we waited for about 45 minutes to make it to the front.
And then we got the nicest officer in the history of Ever. I think his name was Emmett. I really wish I could remember but at that point I was surviving on Coca-Cola and airplane food so my mental skills were not the sharpest. We went downstairs for “secondary processing” in the little room again and I fully expected not to see my family again for hours.
Then something wonderful happened.
Madame no-nap threw a sippy cup full of formula at a CBP officer. And said a few select swear words in Bulgarian.
And we were out of the room inside of 15 minutes.
My parents were so shocked that they thought something was horribly wrong.
All of our luggage had made it, so we proceeded on our merry way out of terminal E and onto terminal C. We found the Cape Air desk without difficulty and not surprisingly were greeted with no lines. Everything, including us got weighed. Then we went through security again.
Actually the most thorough security of the entire trip. Gabriel’s amoxicillin got flagged for explosives and the baby wipes and powered formula sent another TSA agent into another frenzy.
But we made it through with all of out belongings.
Gabriel had another meltdown in Johnny Rockets and then just suddenly sat up when she was done and started chowing down on some fries.
Jude’s meltdown came at the gate. When I wouldn’t let her attempt to board the other flights and confined her to her stroller for a mini-nap.
Then we were called for our flight. And learned that there were 2 unfortunate souls who innocently enough booked a Friday evening flight to Central Maine with US! The 7 of us were escorted to the Tarmac, where the lady looked us over then assigned our seats to balance the plane. Mom got next to Jude, I got next to Gabriel in the exit row.
We strapped the kids in. The co-pilot gave us the safety briefing from his seat. And the airplane started up.
And both kids promptly passed out before liftoff.
The flight was the smoothest, most visually beautiful flight of the entire trip. The skies were clear and it was amazing to see up the coast of Maine at night. The flight took 45 minutes. A trip that given the day of the week and the time of day would have likely taken us 5-6 hours to drive. We arrived in our hometown at 6:30 and luggage was off the plane in mere minutes. We stopped by to say Hi to little Tristan before bringing Gabriel to her new home.
Where everyone was in bed by the normal 8:00 bedtime. Go me.

Dos for this trip: Apartment again saved us, setting up airport transfers before we even got to Bulgaria, paying the extra $350 to have the pickup trip shortened down to technically less than a week (only an option because NGO and orphanage were willing and because Gabriel was in Sofia), Lufthansa, flying all the way home, the double stroller.
Don’ts for this trip: Paris. I had heard not so great things about it before. We saw them on the worst day ever, but it is really a non-awesome airport. Delta, our plane was nice, our flight attendant was stellar but their ground crew just plane sucks. The “ship” restaurant on Denkoglu street. I am not sure what happened, I think the waitress said the cook had quit earlier in the evening.

The big question seems to be, was this our last trip to Bulgaria? No. We won’t be adopting again. And we certainly won’t be travelling for many years, but I definitely have plans to bring both girls back to Bulgaria in the future. It is a beautiful country with some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I couldn’t be more proud that both of my daughters come from such a rich place.

How are we doing now?
We arrived home and are horribly jet lagged. The worst that it has ever been. We have been sleeping around 14 hours a day since we arrived which is interesting given how active both girls are. Jude, for the first time ever, has been asking to go to bed around 6:30 at night. Gabriel is also exhausted by that time. Nights are touch and go for her right now. I always knew that I would be co-sleeping those first few days in Bulgaria, and would then make a decision to continue after. She is set up in my bed now. She has a few things to learn about nighttime sleep in order to be able to sleep successfully on her own. Every single night she does better and better. She just seems to need to settle down and feel a sense of permanency and find some order and peace to life.

Trip 2 Day 7

Was woken up by Gabriel in the pre dawn hours again. She strongly dislikes mornings.
At 9:30 the adopting mom next door and I went on a Christmas/Birthday shopping mission.
Back at noon where the girls and I chilled out for a bit before my parents took them out so I could pack like a mad woman.
Out just before 5 to the first restaurant I ever ate in Sofia late the afternoon that I signed Jude’s adoption paperwork almost 2 years ago. For a mini birthday celebration for both girls.
Then back to the apartment for showers and what really amounts to a quick nap. We get up in 5 hours to leave.
I am homesick today. I will miss Sofia, but I really wish that I could fast forward through tomorrow and be going to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Trip 2 Day 6

I was greeted at dawn to another TANTRUM.
Poor Jude didn’t know what happened. This time was better than before; however.
Up, breakfast, dressed and out the door by 10:30 as today was the long-promised zoo day.
Jude had a blast. Gabriel chattering away all day as we pushed her around in the stroller. The bear by the snack bar was even treated to a song. That’s right, not only is Gabriel speaking full Bulgarian sentences…she sings!
She is slowly coming out of the somber, sad shell we have always seen at the orphanage.
While at the zoo I got a text from our translator that the visa was ready and we arranged a meeting for 5:30 to pick up the final paperwork.
We went back to the apartment briefly around 3:30 to freshen up then out again for more shopping. At 5:30 I met with FNA and am happy to report that everything is done except the flights home Friday.
Dinner after and then back to the apartment as we were exhausted.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Bulgaria. I am very happy to be going home but it is a great deal bittersweet not knowing how many years it will be until we return.

Trip 2 Day 5

Gabriel was up at 7:30. She did great sleeping through the night.
Jude and I got up. After yesterday I wasn’t quite sure the textures that she would actually eat. My mum bought some baby applesauce just in case. She ending up eating 1/2 banana, 2 bowls of dry cocoa puffs, and some milk.
After breakfast came THE TANTRUM. Jude’s epic tantrum lasted a half-day. Gabriel realized after 45 minutes of me not letting her kick, bite, claw, or scratch either me or her, that there was no winning THE TANTRUM.
She decided a better use of her time was learning the ropes from Jude. Learned about all the toys we have. Loves the magna doodle. She also mastered the art and science of the sippy cup.
Gabriel and I left at noon to go to the embassy. I was able to get details on how she has been as Marieta joined us today. I also saw her passport which is great. The reason pickup is only a few days vs. the nearly 2 weeks we were here with Jude is because Marieta took her to get her passport and medical appointment done while we waited for pickup. Which was limited to the time the embassy had available.
Back to the apartment just before 3, then we loaded the kids into the stroller which finally came yesterday evening and spent the afternoon and evening with our neighbors wandering around Sofia.
Back late which was intended as I am trying to push Gabriel on the bedtime to help with adjustment at home. They made it until 11PM. Tomorrow we are planning a zoo trip and if all goes well hopefully will have Gabriel’s visa by late tomorrow too.

Trip 2/ Day 4, pickup day

We barely slept. Jude’s insomnia kept us up until 4 AM. Not to mention some jet lag and plain old excitement. When we finally did doze off 7 AM came quickly.
We ate breakfast and we ready to go downstairs at 9:30. We took a taxi to the orphanage and was there by 10.
We went through a security guard, which was not there in June, and proceeded to wait for the director for 15 minutes. We discussed a few medical changes that Gabriel has had since June including new glasses. Gabriel also has pneumonia again so I was given an RX to fill for her. I then signed paperwork. Handed over an outfit for them to put her in. 5 minutes later she walked in and we walked out with her. Once we got outside she became upset that we had messed with her schedule so pitched a fit for 10 minutes until the taxi back arrived.
We stopped back at the apartment to give us time for some pictures and to properly assess her. She isn’t as ill as June, so we left for Lunch, to fill her RX (which was so easy), and then a walk on Vitosha before coming back.
We met up with our neighbors who son is adorable. Then all napped until dinner.
Gabriel had another meltdown here as her temp was starting to go up, so she got a dose of Baby ibuprofen along with her meds and chilled.
Bath was not nearly the ordeal we experienced with Jude and she even watched as Jude’s got a bath as well.
Some cartoons, about 4 ounces of toddler formula from a regular cup, a story and after protesting and tears from both…bed.
Gabriel is very interested in Jude and will copy some of the things she does. Jude adores her, except when she is crying.
The size difference between the two is startling, and since Gabriel is exactly Jude’s height and weight at pickup, really drives home how much she has grown.

Trip 2 Day 3

The jet lag gets worse everytime.
Slept until 2. Then Jude and I were extraordinarily hungry. It was after dinner time in Maine. So we got up had sandwiches and then went back to bed at 3.
We all got up at 10. Made breakfast and then all went back to sleep again until 1.
Then we finally felt ready to get moving.
There is another adopting family staying next door to us, so we all went out to dinner tonight.
And back to the apartment.
And now back to bed again.
No stroller again today, but Delta says they know where it is. Will try again tomorrow.
Tonight is Gabriel’s last night in the orphanage. We have pickup in about 12 hours. The family next to us is picking up their child tomorrow as well.

Trip 2 Day 1/2

Friday November 13:
Jude and I got up at our normal time. Jude knew today was the day. We had breakfast, got dressed, wrapped up packing and did a few last minute errands.
We left our home right around 11 AM and were driven straight through to Boston. We got there just after 2. We were able to check in for our first flight to Paris, but for whatever reason, not the connection to Sofia. No matter, we had a 4.5 hour connection so weren’t worried about the extra step. We made it through security by 3 so got a midday meal and onto our gate about 20 minutes before boarding starting at 4.
Safely on the plane at 4:30 and as we were almost set to go everyone started hearing the news: Bombing in Paris. But we knew nothing more. And took off on time.
From where we sat it was a relatively uneventful flight. Except there was a few times that the plane made some odd, sudden course corrections. We would find out after landing that for part of the flight we had been diverted to Ireland, and then Brussels.
Saturday November 14:
But we landed in Paris. Shortly after 5 AM local time. Taxiing to the gangway fellow passengers got the full brunt of what had happened and shared. We were secretly very concerned about what we were now walking into: a city under attack.
Our gate checked stroller was not coming. We were told to move along after exiting the aircraft. Likely would see again in Sofia. At this early hour and given that we were amongst the first arrivals after the French president speech one could note that there was an increased security presence but we got through in about 10 minutes.
We met another family that is traveling to Jude’s village to meet their daughter. Jude and their adorable 2 year old spent the layover playing.
An hour before departure I was able to check in at the gate. We boarded about 15 minutes before we were scheduled to take off and were delayed for an additional hour because of the heightened security. But we did leave and arrived in Sofia only an hour late. Without a stroller in sight. We expected this so have filed a claim with the airline. They expect it to arrive Sunday afternoon. We had all the other luggage. Our driver had waited for us! And we had a smooth check in to the same apartment from June. Immediately after we walked around a bit and went to Happy Bar & Grill and then to the Billa for groceries before coming back and down for the count by 9.
But we are here. And booked to fly home via Frankfurt assuming the Lufthansa strike stays over for now.

Day 1,213

I remember the day I started. I remember wondering how many days it would take to get to this point: the end of the waiting.
Here I am. On the last day of waiting. We leave in the morning. Next Friday we will be home. Finally and Forever.

I was told it would take 2-3 years to adopt 2 daughters. Ultimately that estimate ended up being quite accurate.

But we have made it. In the most roundabout, crazy way possible. We are here.

What’s to come?

Over the next week I shall again attempt to post daily (next post won’t be attempted until we arrive in Bulgaria on Saturday). If you see nothing, don’t panic. It just means that we have bad internet and blog will have to wait until I get home.
Over the next few weeks I am again stay-at-home Mommy. As of 5:00 today I have 52.5 glorious days to spend with Jude, Gabriel and the rest of my family. I felt completely lucky that my time with Jude happened to fall during our “golden summer” I am equally thrilled that Gabriel’s time falls squarely over the holidays. I will attempt at least weekly updates.
I have no immediate plans to stop this blog. There is still a lot to finish in Maine after Gabriel is home. In fact, it will take almost 2 years to wrap up everything with her adoption.

For now, I need a good night’s sleep. Jude has already vowed that she is NOT sleeping on the airplane tomorrow. Oh yippee.