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The Nose Story...

Okay, here is the what happened to Ella's nose....

The last day we were in Ukraine, Ella and I went with a friend of mine to the park to let Ella play and expend some energy. She was doing great, swinging, playing, climbing and having a great deal of fun while I was taking pictures. The park was beautiful and right off the river....my friend asked if I had seen the river from the park...I hadn't. Just as I took a couple of steps towards the wall to take some pictures I heard screams - Ella's and my friend. Ella had tried to climb across the money bars without assistance in the blink of an eye. There was no time for my friend to have reached her and she fell flat on her face in the sand. It looked bad however, there was no broken bones, lost teeth or anything of that sort. She had a mouth full of sand, skinned her little face up and bruised her hip. It has since cleared up and there is no lasting scars.






This is right after the fall and clean up.



Ella today (9/27/08)

Two Weeks Home

We have been home 2 weeks - where does the time go? We are finding our new normal and figuring out how this wonderful new combination works. We are having so much fun watching her explore new experiences. She is an amazing little girl. These are some pictures of our homecoming and of the past to weeks. Her little nose is almost all better now....




Carson, Christian and my niece Astryd waiting for us at the airport




Finally, with Papa




Ella and Patrick - her knight in shinning armor




Happy to be home




Presents for me?

I am working this new princess role

Such a cutie!


Thank you to Carly & Caden for the box full of fun and accessories. Ella loves to wear her beads, accessories and her pretty glitter shoes you sent!

Thank you to everyone who came to the airport to welcome us home and for the lovely gifts you gave to Ella. She looks adorable in all those cute outfits!

The First Six Weeks...

Well, the first six weeks of school are up and I missed 4 of them while in Ukraine.

Patrick did great although, I am not so sure his new school is challenging enough for him after his 3 years at ASM. We have considered putting him in a more challenging program at another school (also private) however, seeing how much he poured into his studies in Spain we opted to permit him to have a little more leisure time, time for sports, and socializing. He is a responsible and good kid who makes the right choices (most of the time) he is deserving of some down time.

We have yet to see Christian and Carson's report cards however, they should bring them home tonight. Last night was report card night at their school - a few hours set aside for parents to go pick up their report cards and spend 5 minutes with the teachers. Unfortunately, we had prior commitments and were not able to make it. We are able to follow their grades online - everything from daily work to test and the final grade for term 1. It appears they struggled a bit over the first few weeks but comments from their teachers say they are doing much better.

They had a lot of changes going on with the move, new home, new friends, new school, daddy and mommy leaving, grandma caring for them, daddy coming back and then finally mommy and Ella. We are finding our new normal and our routine seems to be working now.

Keep checking back - we will post pictures of everyone soon!

Pins & Needles....Mostly Just Needles

Ella had her first appointment with the Doctor yesterday. Dr. Perez was just wonderful with her and so gentle! He did a complete exam from head to toe and found Ella to be, "a normal, healthy, happy, child who appears to be adjusting and adapting great." She has gained 2 pounds in just under 2 weeks...either it is the peanut butter & bananas or the previous scale was off.

I was a bit concerned about a "bump" on her lower spine however, it turned out to be nothing significant or out of the ordinary.

She had blood work done in Ukraine in 04 with all results within the normal range. We were having a blood typing test done and since she was going to be poked for it we opted to repeat all the standard test for accuracy and under U.S. standards. Ella does not like needles nor do I! The moment she saw the needle she knew what was happening. She's a tough little girl though and only cried briefly when the needle went it. Thankfully, they used the butterfly needle which isn't so big and not nearly as scarey. We should have the results of the labs by early next week.

Then we were off to immunizations - she needed 5 to bring her up-to-date. She was only given four since we think she has had the chicken pox already (the labs included a test to see if she has). She had 2 pokes in each thigh; and yes she cried and so did I. Once she was off the exam table she was fine....until we had to sit in the waiting room for 15 minutes (reaction to immunization wait) and she cuddled in my lap and cried the whole 15 minutes.

In Ella's translated medical records (not the diagnoses given by the SDA), it stated she has speech delay. Of course, neither Dr. Perez or I are fluent in Russian and we cannot tell if she actually has a speech delay. We have decided to wait until she is speaking more English to have her evaluated.

I knew exactly what would be her bright spot after all those needles - her Papa. I called Papa who was ready for lunch so we took Ella to her very first meal in the O'Club. She is such a little daddy's girl and it is so cute to see her explode with joy when she sees him. Okay, it's cute to watch a big man like Jim melt when he sees her to!

That's it for now...

Adjustments...

I think some of you have missed our blogging....I have had several emails requesting updates and new pictures. Sorry for the delay we have been adjusting to our new household combination. Ella is settling in wonderfully. Our first couple of days home we spent with our family here in El Paso allowing Ella to "get to know" them. She enjoyed playing on the saucer swing, blowing bubbles, and writing/drawing with chalk on the sidewalk with her cousin Astryd and her bodyguards, Patrick, Christian, & Carson - talk about protective!

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Sunday evening Papa left for a short business trip and Ella walked around the house calling, "Papa come to me, Papa I am waiting for you." This was in Russian and I only know what she was saying because she repeated it 1,000 times while we were in Ukraine without Papa and our wonderful translator "N" helped me out with the translation. We also made a trip to the commissary on Sunday afternoon which didn't start out to good. Ella began crying uncontrollably as soon as we drove away from the house - crying so hard she couldn't speak. I diverted to a parking lot to try to calm her down. She clung to me and was trying to tell me something in Russian....of which, I can only suspect was she didn't want to leave. The last time she had been in the car was from the airport to home (about 10 minutes). I believe she thought I was taking her back - my heart ached for her. Once we arrived at the commissary and she was out of the car, she was happy again.

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Monday morning....Ella wakes up between 0530 and 0600. Now, maybe this is because her "clock" is upside down due to travel and it will taper off later, but for now it works for us. We have our little routine in the morning which includes her helping to wake the boys up for school. Now, prior to this little princess this was a chore in the morning since 2 of the 3 boys are like waking hibernating bears. Not with Ella around! She climbs into the bed with each of them; snuggles and smothers them in kisses! I think they secretly adore the attention although they will not admit it! Finally we are off to drop the boys off at school. This becomes another sobbing moment. She doesn't understand the concept of the boys leaving for school. It's heartbreaking to see her cry so hard. They try to sooth her and tell her they will be back, but she just doesn't understand. This routine happened both Monday and Tuesday however, on Wednesday there were NO TEARS! Yeah! I think she understands she will see them in the afternoon and she is absolutely elated to see them later in the day. She holds hands with both of them and is grinning ear to ear. When Patrick arrives home she runs to him and squeals with joy to see him!

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Wednesday night Papa came home from a short business trip. I think if I had taken her seat belt off before Christian & Carson had gotten out of the car, she would have knocked them over running to Papa. She is all about her Papa. She will sit in the car and repeat over and over, "My Papa, Mama and brats (brothers)" smiling ear to ear as she says it.

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Thursday morning there were no tears when we took the boys to school however, the moment Papa exited the car the lip drooped and the tears welled up. I pulled over so she could get out of the car to hug Papa....she so loves her Papa. No tears when she was back in the car ~ she just needed a little reassurance from him. After our walk, we strolled over to Papa's office for a surprise visit. She peeped around his door and must have caught a glimpse of him and ran in after him...never mind he was in a meeting! There are some things you just take a break for...one of them being this little girl who in such as short time has wrapped this Papa around her little finger!

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Okay, that's the update! I hope this holds you over until we download and post the "Arriving Home" video and pictures that you have all been requesting.

Love,

The Payne Family

We Are Home...

Hello Everyone!

We made it home safe and sound and have been enjoying the company of our family and friends the past couple of days. I promise to post pictures and more soon; we just need a bit of time to settle into a routine. The boys are doing great with their new little sister ~ they love her so much and are just spoiling her with attention.

Ella slept on the flight from Kiev to Munich since we woke up at 0400 to arrive at the airport in time to check bags and catch our flight. We were not going to miss it! Our flight from Munich to Denver was 10.5 hours and she did amazingly well on this flight. She made friends with John and Dee from Montana. Thank you John and Dee for your kindness and making Ella's flight most enjoyable! Once we made it to Denver, we had an original 2 hour layover; it eventually became a 3.5 hour layover due to weather. Finally, we were on our way and made it to El Paso only 1 hour later than anticipated. We were greeted by our family (Jim, Christian, Carson, Grandma (NaNa), Rhea, Paul, Zenia, Astryd, Irma, and Rene - thank you all for being there!

We are now home, happy, and thankful for a journey filled with so many blessings and thankful to have so many friends, family, fellow bloggers to pray for us and keep our spirits lifted while we traveled to a far away land to bring our little princess home.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Glad to Be An American...

We (Ella and I) are on American soil. It is an awesome feeling to be back in this GREAT country. More later...just wanted everyone reading to know we have made it back to the USA - not home; but back to the land of the brave and the home of the free!

Visa Obtained We Are Heading Home

Today I received Ella's visa (no daddy, not the credit card) and we are ready to head back to the United States! Our appointment was at 2:00 and I was finished by 3:00 ish. While there, I ran into Staci & Damon with their handsome little man Wesley http://stacianddamon.blogspot.com/
along with 3 other families. I think we are all ready to head home. Be safe on your travels home families it was great to chat with you and see your beautiful blessings!

We also said our good-byes to our translator "N" today - it was a tearful moment. She has been wonderful and we will miss her as Ella says. "N" - we know you are reading, thank you just doesn't seem to say enough. You are an amazing lady and we are forever grateful to you.

Hard to believe we came here in search of our daughter 27 days ago and tomorrow I leave with a smart, giggly, girly girl who is absoutely amazing and beautiful! Tomorrow will be a long day for both Ella and I; as well as our family and friends who await our return at El Paso International Airport. See you all then!

Love,
Lisa & Ella Grace

Consulate & Medical...

We have made it to Kiev!

We arrived via the overnight train at about 10:00 this morning. I must say I have experienced the best and worst when it comes to the train. Our first train ride was a new train, clean, orderly, and comfortable however, the last one - last night....OMGoodness! Nasty is the only word for it. Our cabin even smelled of pee pee so needless to say the window was open all night! Hey, it was all an experience and I wouldn't trade 1 nasty train ride for the precious cargo I now hold!

Ella finally fell asleep last night on the train at 1130ish...she was way over stimulated. She rocks herself to sleep, sucks her thumb, and wakes me up to go potty.

We hit the ground running...off to the consulate to fill out a couple more forms and pay the fees ($400.00). Then to the medical exam but enroute, Ella got sick - motion sickness? Really, she was in motion for 16 hours at this point between taxi, train and taxi. Our translator "N" made a quick dash to the pharmacy for some motion sickness pills...in about 40 minutes she was a new kid. Finally, we make it to the medical exam. It is not your average American medical facility...then again it is not America. The whole process was less than 45 minutes and $85.00. Ella is a healthy 34 pounds and 42.5 inches tall.

And Ella Makes....

...A PAYNE FAMILY OF SIX!!!!

Our daughter is

now in Lisa's custody!

Headed back to Kiev on the night train in order to be

at the consulate office in the morning. If all goes

well we will be home SOON!

Uploading Issues...

Sorry for the lack of photos...I am having uploading issues. Attempting to correct the problem so we can share our upcoming happenings with you as they unfold this week.

Papa Has Landed...

Safely home with our boys!

Mama & Ella Grace-Ana have 1 week and a wake up!

Enroute Home...

Papa is on his way home back to our boys!

The Stumble or Not...

Have you ever anticipated the stumble and then it just doesn’t happen?

Today, we went to the consulate –expecting a stumble – but it was flawless!
So for those of you following in our footsteps….

IF your spouse is leaving before you, you will need 2 forms: “Acknowledgement of Health Problems of Adopted Child” and “I-600.” Both forms can be found online at the consulate website or just by typing into the search engine the name of the form. We were able to fill the forms out and print them.

Some helpful tips:

DO NOT wait in the long line outside of the consulate building.

Have your passport out and hand it directly to one of the gentlemen in a black vest identified by “CONSULATE” in large letters on the back. He will direct you to the front of the line where you will wait until you are able to go in.

Turn your cell phone off, take your documents in a clear folder, and limit the amount of “stuff” you have in your pockets and avoid taking your purse if you can.

Once inside of the building follow the signs – clearly marked for ADOPTIONS.

At the window you will be asked for your passports again and the ladies will ensure your file is in their possession – sign your documents and wait to be called by the consulate. It was quick, easy and again painless.

When the spouse returns you will need form DS-230, Part I and II, “Affidavit of Vaccinations Requirement Waiver” (only for children 10 and younger), money for the visa, 50 mm X 50 mm frontal facial view photograph of the child(ren) – on glossy paper, light background, unretouched and unmounted, Medical exam, child(ren’s) Ukrainian passport (original), and I-864W (Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption. BOTH the DS-230 Part I and II and the I-864W can be found online.

Jim is now free to go home to our boys and I will hang tight.

Waiting Is The....

...HARDEST PART!

It was difficult enough to leave this child who is now ours in the Child House but waiting those 10 days is oh so painful! Everyday we wonder if she thinks we have abandoned her; does she think she did something wrong and we left her behind? Sure, we had the translator explain to her what was happening (mulitple times) but did she really understand it?

God please continue to carry me, to keep me at peace, to protect our daughter and to give her peace in knowing Mama is coming back for her.