Getting adjusted

So...a quick update on our new additions. Both kids have been sick off and on since we got back so we have been running back and forth to the pediatrician's office but otherwise are doing well. We are settling in to a routine and John went back to work yesterday. Jacob has been teething the last several days and has experienced all the "fun" side effects of that. We have been using a combo of English and Russian words and Austin especially seems to be understanding more and more English. The only words he has so far are "no", "please"...which he says over and over in order to get an item, even if he can't have the item, "fork"...which comes out more like a not so nice word, "uh oh", "beep beep", "cheese"...which is one of his favorite foods, "mama", and "dada". He is constantly moving and keeps us on our toes. His favorite food so far is hot dogs but we are sure that we brought home the right child because he likes ice cream :). Jacob is still only babbling but his favorite thing to do is say "da-da-da" and hold both of his pointer fingers up....it is a site to see. He is a picky eater and we are trying to figure out which foods he will eat. His favorites so far are rice cereal and any type of pudding. They both love playing with their toys...Austin loves any "machina" (Russian for car) and Jacob's favorite toy still seems to be the drum we bought him in Russia. Austin is still pretty jealous of his younger brother but seems to be warming up to him. Several times today he brought him one of his toys and said "Brattick's" (Russian for "brother's") and just yesterday he ran over twice and kissed his brother on the head. We will post more pics soon. Hope everyone is doing well as the Christmas season is upon us. Love to all!

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Frozen Tundra

Ok. Its cold. Here are some much requested photos.

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21 hours

The amount of travel time from Moscow to Denver (4 AM 1+1 AM Moscow Time).

We were greeted at the airport by John's family and Beth's parents. It was nice as they ushered us to our car. Car seats were a new experience for the boys. Neither liked them very much, but they secure the children very well.

We arrived home in time to feed and wash the boys and put them to bed. We followed about an hour later.

We think the best part was hour 8 out of 10 on the flight from Frankfurt to Denver. This is when Jacob decided to tantrum inconsolably. Can you imagine the looks of death we received from the other passengers... We guess we can travel anywhere with them now, just not too soon.

It was relatively smooth, but did have a couple of minor issues. All in all it worked out and now we are home... Praise God!

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Fog

Did you know that when it is really foggy planes cannot land or take-off?

We had been praying that we could get out of Volgograd on Thursday by plane so that we could make the appointment with the US embassy on Friday. I think that it was the foggiest that we ever saw the airport.

There was only one plane on the ground, a small puddle jumper. Yes, you know the kind, or perhaps you don't. We boarded from the rear and hand carried ALL of our luggage on board. It sat in the very front of the plane (big black bag, green bag, small roller board, backpack, Beth's carry-on, and a stroller), plus two kids.

We arrived safely in Moscow and were greated by our Moscow driver and case worker in Russia. They took us safely to our hotel, but not before Jacob decided to be car-sick. Projectile vomiting...

Isn't it nice to take a hot shower? Thats exactly what we did and went to bed.

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