On Sunday, August 8, our two little girls turned five! Gunther and I got up at 7 a.m. to get on a conference call with Rosi, Galia and the girls. I was at a friend's cabin on Piers Island, Gunther was up in Telegraph Harbor with his colleagues on the boat, Rosi was outside of Sofia in Bulgaria and the girls and Galia were at her villa in the Bulgarian countryside. Pretty cool! We all joined into the call, and Galia could hear us clear as a bell and vice versa -- however the connection between Galia and Rosi was pretty rough. That was too bad. So we listened to Julia tell us in Bulgarian how she and Fana spent their special day...and we let Rosi just listen and translate at the end. Julia told us that she and Fana had a great day at the villa, hanging out at the pool (see in pics) and eating lots of yummy treats and birthday goodies. We heard a screetch or two in the background from Fana but Galia told us that they were both pretty wiped out from all of the celebrations. She told us that she loved her mommy and daddy...and loved her new room and house. We got tons of photos and videos and it looks like they had a blast. Fana is hilarious.
On the Monday, they returned to the orphanage and had birthday party part two with cake, balloons, birthday hats, and horns. They really enjoyed the presents that we sent, including the funky birthday glasses as well (pictured above)
This past Tuesday, Julia and Stefana were transported to Sofia to have their pictures taken for their passports, which should be ready to pick up this Monday. These passports will be translated and sent to the embassy by next Wednesday and we have been informed that it will take 15 to process. So on September6, 2010 the girls will be ready to come home!!!!!
We are looking into flights to leave here on the 7th and come back on the 13th. We are awaiting final news on whether Rosi can get her visa (please, please, please)...so it looks like we'll book our flights on Monday. And then we start the final countdown.
We have very few things left to pick up...bean bag chairs, car seats, potty stuff...and I need to pick up clothes, shoes, socks and other general garments to bring them home in. We agreed to keep the clothes that we buy for them at a minimum (I'm impressed at my own restraint) as they're going to grow pretty quickly in the first three months (and the weather is going to change too). My former colleague Sue gave me the whole library of Baby Einstein videos which I cannot express my gratitude for! These will be priceless in helping them to learn so much. Everyone has been so generous!!!
So the countdown continues...in one month life as we know it is going to change as we've never experienced before! As much as we feel prepared for this huge event in our life it's a bit scary! Our house is ready, the paperwork is almost final and Gunther and I are as excited as we've ever been about this. We are enjoying each and every day as we wind towards leaving for Sofia. This day will be here before we know it!!!
On the Monday, they returned to the orphanage and had birthday party part two with cake, balloons, birthday hats, and horns. They really enjoyed the presents that we sent, including the funky birthday glasses as well (pictured above)
This past Tuesday, Julia and Stefana were transported to Sofia to have their pictures taken for their passports, which should be ready to pick up this Monday. These passports will be translated and sent to the embassy by next Wednesday and we have been informed that it will take 15 to process. So on September6, 2010 the girls will be ready to come home!!!!!
We are looking into flights to leave here on the 7th and come back on the 13th. We are awaiting final news on whether Rosi can get her visa (please, please, please)...so it looks like we'll book our flights on Monday. And then we start the final countdown.
We have very few things left to pick up...bean bag chairs, car seats, potty stuff...and I need to pick up clothes, shoes, socks and other general garments to bring them home in. We agreed to keep the clothes that we buy for them at a minimum (I'm impressed at my own restraint) as they're going to grow pretty quickly in the first three months (and the weather is going to change too). My former colleague Sue gave me the whole library of Baby Einstein videos which I cannot express my gratitude for! These will be priceless in helping them to learn so much. Everyone has been so generous!!!
So the countdown continues...in one month life as we know it is going to change as we've never experienced before! As much as we feel prepared for this huge event in our life it's a bit scary! Our house is ready, the paperwork is almost final and Gunther and I are as excited as we've ever been about this. We are enjoying each and every day as we wind towards leaving for Sofia. This day will be here before we know it!!!
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