We Are Safely Home (I prefer winter in Estonia)

Look what we came home to.










This was bare when we left last Tuesday.









Sure is alot of work!











I think I might be in Narnia.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Remember that movie? Our return journey is beginning to feel like that. Everything went well until we landed in Detroit. Everyone was talking about the big snowstorm in Maine, and whether or not we would fly out. Dan and I had already been travelling for over 24hrs., so we were hoping the flight would be cancelled and we could crash in a real bed for the night. We flew out to Portland, but couldn't land. Finally, they flew us back to Albany,NY where we were supposed to be bussed to Portland. I did NOT want to board a bus for a 6+ hr. drive at 1am. I was so relieved when the announcement came that busses were unavailable so we would be put up for the night at the Holiday Inn. We checked in at 2am and slept in a wonderful,big, cozy bed until 6am. Then we had the luxury of a hot shower and hot coffee!! Now we are sitting in the baggage claim area, waiting for the bus to arrive. All of the passengers have familiar Maine accents, and everyone is friedly and chatting like old friends. It is great to be(almost)home!!!

Hopefully, I will get a chance to post more pictures and a short video of the little man. Thanks for the encouraging comments and prayers during our trip. We certainly felt a peace and calm we did not expect. Love to all,
Alice and Dan

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY CONNOR!!!

Happy Birthday!! I am so sorry we weren't home to celebrate. We are in the airport in Detroit waiting for our final flight. I can't wait to see you and wish you a happy birthday!! It sounds like Mimi and Aunti Kim gave you a nice party.:)

On our Way Home

Yesterday was tough! Andreas knew something was up,he stared at me all the way back. His eyes got teary and he kissed me on the cheek. He is so sweet! When we got to his orphanage, he was so happy. The kids were out playing and he took off running to meet them without a glance back at us. It was great to see him in his own familiar place. Gotta run to catch a taxi. We will post the rest of the pictures when we get home It's gonna be a LONG day!

10 Random Facts for the Crawford Kids

1.Tallinn is pronounced (tah-lin, not tah-leen). I was wrong,sorry.
2.It snows here all the time! Th snow is very light and doesn't amount to anything, but it has snowed everyday.
3.In the mornings,you see older women out sweeping their stairs and walkways.
4.There are stairs everywhere!!! We have an elevator in our apartment that is so small, our family would have to take at least 2 trips!It is the same size as the showers at Cathedral Pines.
5.We have seen only 2 dogs, but lots of outdoor cats.
6.Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way unless they are in a crosswalk with the walk sign lighted. Otherwise, if you see a car coming you better move!
7.Pork is the favorite meat. It is available in all the usual cuts as well as pig's feet, hamhocks, and tongue(4tongues/pkg.).
8.Eggs,eggs,eggs... You can buy caviar at the convenience store. In the fish department there were 2 large bowls of salmon roe-large and small. Next to the chicken eggs,were tiny, speckled quail's eggs, and huge Ostrich eggs.
9.Andres' name is actually Andreas. They all seem to pronounce it, Ahn-drehs,with the rolled "r". Andreas is written on all of his clothing.
10.Our breakfast always includes salami, cucumbers,and cookies or pasties.

Still working on pictures

We have a few pictures,but we haven't figured out our new program, so I can't upload them yet. Here is a rundown.

I didn't burst into tears because I was biting my check to pieces. Today,of all days,he had a doctor's appointment and didn't get home until 4:45. We waited with his "family" at the orphanage. He lives with 6 older brother, and 2 wonderful caregivers who love them so much!!! The first thing he did when he saw us was to look at Dan and say,"Hi,Dad". Of course he was coached by his caregiver, but it was still precious.

He has been doing great! He loves to tease. He calls,"Mami", and when I turn to look at him he pretends he is going to throw the ball to me, but then throws it to Dan.
Then he grins from ear to ear.:) He is amazing us in so many ways! Of course he made my day when he touched my face and asked me for a hug. I did cry a little when he kissed my cheek and wrapped his fingers through mine. He is enjoying Dan very much,too. He wouldn't wait outside with me when Dan went into the store, and everytime Dan got behind us, he would not move until Dan caught up.

We will try to get the pictures on here soon!

We Are Here!

We just got in about an hour ago. The trip was not bad except that neither of us slept much at all. Thanks for praying, I was 100% pain free the entire trip!!! I did have totally restless legs which kept me awake, but it still beats pain!

We are supposed to meet up with the Hills tomorrow morning,and then go to the orphanage to meet Andres when he gets out of school.

Excitement or Anxiety?

Ok, I am really excited, but I am also pretty scared! I have had constant butterflies since Thursday when I read the words, "your son is in Tallinn". I can't believe the impact those two words have had on me! I have given lots of thought to being his Mommy, and to him being part of our family, but I don't think I had yet dared to think of Andres as "my son". Wow! Some of the time the butterflies are pure excitement, but sometimes I am not so sure.

We have been incredibly busy getting ready for the trip. I can't believe how much work is involved in going away for less than 1 week! I am just so grateful that the kids are on vacation. It would be very difficult to cover all of their activities and school schedules. We are so thankful for the support of our families. Between my parents, Dan's parents and, of course, Auntie Kim, everything for the kids is under control. Thank you so much for your help!!!! They are even taking care of Connor's birthday party, and I know they will make it a wonderful, memorable 12th birthday for him! Thanks also, to all of our friends and church family who have offered to help in so many ways. We are overwhelmed!

My biggest concern is my back/leg. Most of my family and friends know that I had back surgery 2 yrs. ago and still suffer from flare-ups of sciatica. I have been having a pretty bad flare-up for the last 5-6 wks. I started PT 2 wks. ago, and I am feeling much better! The problem is, I am still waking up to pain way before the alarm goes off in the morning. Sitting is the worst thing I can do, so I am truly DREADING the overnight flight to Europe. I am seriously considering heavy duty pain killers. My other concern is that I keep hearing how Igor walks really fast, and I CANNOT walk fast!! When I push myself, my leg goes numb and then starts dragging. I am so afraid I will be limping by the time we get to Estonia, and they will think I shouldn't be adopting. Please pray for my fears, and that I won't be in too much pain. The best thing about these fears is that they keep me from worrying about other, scarier issues that will surely resurface before we get to Tallinn.

We are leaving in 5 days!!!

I thought I was dealing with the excitement pretty well, but all night I dreamed about traveling. My mom is letting me borrow her luggage, and she brought it over yesterday. I'll have to post a picture.:) I love it because it is very easy to spot. The luggage is bright pink with an orange flower print! I have no idea who picked it out for her, but she thinks it is pretty. I will certainly look like the stereotypical "flamboyant" American. I'm just thankful she is letting me use it. Dad's luggage is basic black. Dan is quite happy about that.:)

Aleksey has a family!

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This is Aleksey. Isn't he beautiful? I know I should say handsome, but he is just too perfect for anything but beautiful. He was in danger of being sent away to an institution because he was born with spina bifida. Here in the US, he will be part of a wonderful family who will provide him with the special care he will need. I have had a soft spot for this little guy since I first saw his picture. He is the boy Gavin chose(without my influence) to receive his birthday donations. My sister, Bonnie and her grandson, Thatcher, were both born with spina bifida. Bonnie had many surgeries and struggles, but she has led a happy and pretty "normal" life. Thatcher had a rough start before his condition was diagnosed and ended up with meningitis and a long hospital stay. Now he is a healthy, walking, talking, potty trained little 5-yr. old. I cannot begin to imagine either Bonnie or Thatcher having to grow up in an orphanage. Praise God, Aleksey won't either! Please pray for Aleksey and his family as they work to complete his adoption. If you are able to help financially, please consider making a donation.

Travel Arrangements Complete

Dan completed our reservations at Romeo's this morning over the phone. We are flying out on Tuesday, the 17th and should arrive in Tallinn Wednesday evening. Dan will be celebrating his birthday on Thursday. He will be missing out on his mom's amazing carrot cake, but I'll do my best to come up with something yummy. Isn't there a bakery near the apartment? The Hills(another RR family) will be in Tallinn adopting their two adorable little boys. They will also be celebrating a birthday. We are hoping to get together. Even if we don't manage it, it is nice to know they will be there, too. I am so happy for them, and I would love to meet James Marcus and Dallas Aleksander.:)

It took alot of searching, but we finally managed to find an affordable return flight that did not have a 15-hr. overnight layover in Amsterdam. We still have a long layover(7+hrs.), but it is during the day. We can deal with that. Unfortunately, we have to return on the 22, which is Connor's birthday. We were hoping to come home on the 21st, but it was way more expensive. Sorry, Connor, buddy!Actually, he may have more fun at Auntie Kim's. She really knows how to have fun.:)

Already, "to-do" lists and questions are popping into my head, but I am pushing them aside. Today, I am just going to savor the moment. I still can't believe this is real!

Preview Trip Under Construction

My first email of the day was from Barbara at AHI saying Estonia approved our travel dates.:) Lord willing, we will be traveling 2 weeks from today. In 15 days I will be able to see Andres with my own eyes! My "paper doll" is soon going to be a "real boy" who I can touch and smell and listen to and watch for hours. I'm so afraid I will just start crying and not be able to stop. I don't want to confuse him, and I definitely don't want to make a fool of myself.

We are working on flight arrangements. Right now, most of the return flights have a 12-15hr. overnight layover in Europe somewhere. We are trying to get around that somehow. As soon as we nail down our flights, we will finalize our plans with Romeo's. I'm so excited!