Trip 2 - Day 10

Today was a GREAT day. Perhaps the best yet of Trip 2. Ilya was beyond cute today, and had me laughing so hard my stomach hurt (Norm suffered, but we'll get to that in a bit). We're LOVING our new apartment. The weather cooperated again and it was a beautiful day in Moscow. We’re LOVING our new apartment. We met 3 new sets of friends. We're LOVING our new apartment. We had an excellent dinner. And did I happen to mention we're LOVING our new apartment?

Last night we packed up all our stuff to get ready for today's move. It was a little strange because I would have preferred to be packing to head home, but at least we've reached the 1/2 way point in our trip which feels great. One week from today, Ilya will be here, in this apartment, with us. Yay!

This morning we loaded all our stuff into Pasha’s car, headed to the orphanage, and decided to give Ilya a test ride in his stroller. This was another first for him and while he was NOT happy as we tried to adjust all the straps (we’re newbies after all), once that was situated he really enjoyed our strolls around the orphanage grounds. He lounged back, started kicking his little feet, and what we now call the Ilya Happy Grunts ensued.

Do you remember on the Cosby show when Bill would zerbert Rudy? Well, Norm did that a few times on Ilya’s cheek today and Ilya loved it. Ilya then began to mimic his papa, and tried his very baby best to zerbert Norm’s cheek. Unfortunately for Norm, Ilya’s zerberts were a little…shall we say “wetter”…than his papa’s and Norm ended up with the entire right side of his head and face drenched. Ilya kept trying to do it over and over, bouncing up & down with each attempt, and drool was literally dripping off Norm’s face. I realize this may be one of those “you had to be there” events but at the same time it was one of those disgustingly cute baby moments that we’ll never forget. Ilya was so excited as he tried to do this, that Norm didn’t have the heart to make him stop. I, on the other hand, was enjoying watching this spectacle far too much to step in & save Norm! I’m supportive like that ya know! ;-)

Ilya & our lab Bailey should get a long just great - they're both droolmeisters!

Little man had the cutest hat on today and I can’t wait to share those, and many more, photos with you on Tuesday.

The new apartment is absolutely wonderful. We couldn’t be happier. The apartments we've rented in the past have been rented through Peace Travel. This one, however, is through Best Moscow Apartments. Our apartment manager, David, greeted us with some food in the fridge, a full thing of water, a kitchen nearly as well stocked as our own at home, AC, ice!!, and a wonderful Aussie sense of humor. Oh…and the best part, in our fridge we also found a chocolate “welcome” cake. This man knows how to get on my good side! Have you seen anything more scrumptious? Yummy!

Just in case you want a closer look:

We met up with Ron, Dana, Aaron, Becky, Keith, Leah, John, and Ron & Dinia’s friends the Willats and the Boutee’s for dinner at a great Chinese place called 5 Spices. The food was wonderful and the company even better. Ron has taken EXCELLENT care of the many CSS families in Moscow right now, has gone above and beyond anything we could have ever imagined and we are so very grateful to him for everything. I don’t know that we’ll ever be able to repay Ron’s kindness! THANK YOU!

Since returning from dinner, I’ve been working on projects for both of my jobs & I just realized it is nearly 1am here. I do believe it’s time to call it a night!