Monday, September 20, 2010
Second trip?
Okay folks...what advice do u have for the second trip? This will be the 3.5 weeker where we do everything from court in Vlad, to embassy in Moscow. What are the top things we need to bring? What did u bring that you didnt need? What other advice? thanks everyone! (now...back to final paperwork)
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6 comments:
I remember wishing we had a copy of our homestudy for court...it was fine without it (I found a draft in my e-mail), but it would have been nice to have.
I *think* I e-mailed you our packing list...if I didn't, I'd be happy to. And happy to answer any questions I can.
SO happy for you!
Of course all the important paperwork for court and the embassy (pic of the 3 of you together, homestudy, bank stmts, tax returns), layers clothes for you and baby (I wished I had actually brought more clothes for Anna), hats for baby (they like to see baby's heads covered up in Russia and it should be cold anyway).....I did haul around an umbrella stroller (a big pain) but it did turn out to be totally worth it while in Moscow - if you are staying only in Vlad you won't need one as there are extras at the VMI, although don't know if your baby is young enough for the carriers you wear, Anna was not), a loved that I bought a dual voltage flat iron off ebay!!, I would say some travel packets of Tide to do your laundry, but the dryer at the VMI ripped holes in all our clothes so I don't know about that right now if the dryer isn't fixed or replaced, think I'd stick to liquid Tide in the bathtub to wash if needed, Immodium and I wished I'd had a Rx for Cipro from our doc when Steve and I got sooooo sick.
We brought instant coffee and creamer for the mornings, squeeze jelly and peanut butter for a nice change for lunches on occasion (the market by VMI does sell sliced bread!) I bought diapers and baby food in Vlad so problem, but did wish I had thrown in one box of baby cereal from home as it mixes up better it seems.
Remember to bring a lightweight blanket with you when you pick her up from the baby home in case she gets car sick (hopefully not but I've heard it happen sometimes), bath toys for sure to help her get used to a bath in case she is terrified (stacking cups worked great).
This trip we also brought a Scrabble game for the lap top and it was fun to help pass the time!
I write as I think of anything else.
I researched restaurant and supermarket locations before we left.
Lots of DVDs (lap top)and games.
Not too many clothes for us.
Scabies cream etc.
Basically the 10 day wait is long so DvDs, games and plenty of snacks will help pass the time, we took entire series of programmes.
We bought the Magic Jack to stay in touch with our family in the United States. You just pulled it in your laptop and magic you have a phone! :-)and no phone bill.
Make sure you have enought clothes for your little one as they get soil quickly. All food and diapers you will get them at the store in Vladivostok. Also once in Moscow that is where we bought our stroller which we still use this day :-) .. the Vlad has some, however some are not comfortable for the little ones. But again if you prefer you can get one at the store in VLadivostok they have an awesome baby store!! Also food wise the best!!! Even if it is american products you will find great meals we can't find here in the states. Try to also stop to the shoe store next to it. They have great baby shoes!!!!! Don't bring to much toys as there is plenty at the Vlad and anyway if you give her too many at once she will not know which one to use. Same in Moscow if you stay at the Courtyard they have a great play room for little one. When you pick her up yes have something in case she gets car sick. Ours did... also in the plane bring a change for you and the baby. Our little guy got sick again in the car to go to the airport and I had only a change for him. My jacket was in pretty bad shape and it was for sure a long flight with dirty clothes... bring one or 2 bottles so you can get her use to go back on it. (Now as a private tip as nobody told me at the time.. it may be stressful at time.. but you know it is normal everybody felt the same and it will pass... it is a very emotional trip with a lot of very high and low emotions but such a great time to be just the 3 of you with no worry about the real life back in the States enjoy every second. as much it may seems for ever before to go home, it actually goes so fast!) So so excited for your guys!!!!!!! (by the way for clothes make sure to bring some smaller than her age.. you will be surprise as she will not have grown much since you saw her.) Also not sure of her age but in case bring oral gel. Our little one was teething at the time we got him. Not fun. Any other question, feel free to email me at stella.spera@marriott.com
We bought the Magic Jack to stay in touch with our family in the United States. You just pulled it in your laptop and magic you have a phone! :-)and no phone bill.
Make sure you have enought clothes for your little one as they get soil quickly. All food and diapers you will get them at the store in Vladivostok. Also once in Moscow that is where we bought our stroller which we still use this day :-) .. the Vlad has some, however some are not comfortable for the little ones. But again if you prefer you can get one at the store in VLadivostok they have an awesome baby store!! Also food wise the best!!! Even if it is american products you will find great meals we can't find here in the states. Try to also stop to the shoe store next to it. They have great baby shoes!!!!! Don't bring to much toys as there is plenty at the Vlad and anyway if you give her too many at once she will not know which one to use. Same in Moscow if you stay at the Courtyard they have a great play room for little one. When you pick her up yes have something in case she gets car sick. Ours did... also in the plane bring a change for you and the baby. Our little guy got sick again in the car to go to the airport and I had only a change for him. My jacket was in pretty bad shape and it was for sure a long flight with dirty clothes... bring one or 2 bottles so you can get her use to go back on it. (Now as a private tip as nobody told me at the time.. it may be stressful at time.. but you know it is normal everybody felt the same and it will pass... it is a very emotional trip with a lot of very high and low emotions but such a great time to be just the 3 of you with no worry about the real life back in the States enjoy every second. as much it may seems for ever before to go home, it actually goes so fast!) So so excited for your guys!!!!!!! (by the way for clothes make sure to bring some smaller than her age.. you will be surprise as she will not have grown much since you saw her.) Also not sure of her age but in case bring oral gel. Our little one was teething at the time we got him. Not fun. Any other question, feel free to email me at stella.spera@marriott.com
A copy of all paperwork. Anything you have completed and sent, have a copy of it with you.
Otherwise, I say enjoy the process. This is a once in a lifetime thing so enjoy it as much as you can. And then treasure the return trip to JFK when that little girl who is already all yours, becomes a citizen.
Enjoy Moscow, and try as hard as you can to get down to see the Kremlin/red Square/St. Basil's Cathedral/Lenin Masouleum (all in the same place) if you have not seen it before.
And as always, any questions, please feel free to email or call either of us.
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