Seeing Red?

Can you guess what this is?

Yes, it is the RED PASSPORT! And the birth certificate listing us as Maia's parents! Thanks to everyone for your prayers - what a wonderful Christmas Eve gift! The even better Christmas present will come tomorrow.

While we were waiting for the passport, we had a quick bite at a little coffee house. I had a smoked meat soup with vegetables and lemon that was terrific. Mark had vegetable soup - Olga called it borsch, but it was much different/better than our first beet soup experience here.

Olga, Vitaly, and Mark at the coffee house 

Our first official photo as parents

 On the left is Marina, the medical director of Maia's orphanage. On the right is Ludmila who is the neurologist who has cared for Maia. They are beautiful, compassionate doctors.

 And of course, what post is complete without a photo of the most important person?

We didn't get to see Maia today because she was napping when we were at the orphanage dropping off paperwork. Sounds like she is back in her groupa and doing well. Tomorrow is "Gotcha Day" - we will pick her up in the evening and bring her back to the apartment. On Sunday morning, we fly to Kyiv. Embassy appointments Monday and Tuesday. We've booked our flight home for Wednesday morning - YAY!!

More tomorrow, but want to say that we miss everyone and hope you are having a safe, joyous Christmas Eve!