Go Time for Operation Double A

One of my co-workers had a hard time remembering Artem's name when we went to Russia for trip 1 but she wanted to remember him in her prayers each night, so she began referring to Artem Alexander as "Double A" to make it easy on her. Two and a half months after meeting Double A, it's "go time" for our final trip!! 24 hours to go before my girlfriend comes to get me for the airport. For those of you that don't do mental math (raising my hand) I will be picked up at 4:30 a.m. for the ride to the airport with a 6:00 a.m. departure time. I'm facing another 7 hour layover in Atlanta and according to the Delta website, a very full flight. I've been spoiled with lightly booked flights and I've been able to stretch out and sleep for the 10 hours but that doesn't look like the case this time.

I am just about packed; only my makeup and shampoos to go. It wasn't easy packing for a child that I don't "know". I packed multiple types of pajamas in case he's a hot sleeper or cold sleeper. I've got long sleeve onesies and short sleeve onesies since the forecast in Moscow changes half way through our trip. The first part is supposed to be sunny and in the mid 60's and the last half is supposed to be rainy and low 50's with evening temperatures in the 30's. I packed quiet toys and noisy toys, blankets, stuffed animals, toy cars, books, tub toys, and a brand new Gloworm for Artem to snuggle with at night. Artem's diaper bag is fully armed with baby medicines in case he gets sick while we are there. His sling is packed and stroller is ready to go. The cameras and Zune are charged. Passport is packed, along with paperwork that our agency has asked us to hand carry to Russia for other families. (let's hope this gets Tiger and Kar their court date!) Three families that adopted children from our baby home sent pictures for me to give to the director to show how much their children have grown. I've just got to stop tonight at the grocery store and get my Milk Duds to go along with my Slim Jims which I've already packed. I'm doing good with getting everything ready and hopefully tonight I can chill out and watch some mindless TV show before the big day tomorrow.

I super-cleaned the house this weekend since my always tidy house is about to be turned upside down by a 1 1/2 year old. I had a little "chat" with the house and prepped it for tropical storm Artem that is about to hit. I said "goodbye" to my clean glass front door, told my shiny floors "adios", and bid my quiet living room "farewell". I let the house know that all of this will be replaced with the sound of little hands tapping on the glass door when they see daddy pulling up out front, little feet toddling around on the shiny floors, and the giggles and squeals of a toddler playing in the living room with a lovable chocolate lab. Yep, this place doesn't even know how much it's going to change; and all for the better.