Day 3 with Jakob

Hello again!

I could not resist you people...I had to do a blog today. We have captured so many cute videos and photos that I wanted to get them uploaded.

Today has been a very adventurous day!

We started out with the usual getting dressed, breakfast, etc which was not as exciting, but then we decided to go to St. Basil's Cathedral with Lisa, David, and Patrick. Instead of using a driver like the other families, we decided that the metro would be more fun (remember, all signs are in Cyrillic, so a little challenging).

We walked to the metro station about 15 min. away. Jakob loves riding in the stroller...thank goodness. We managed to work out the tickets and head down . The metro can be fairly crowded and Russians can be very pushy, so the combination of the 2 makes you have to really stand your own. We managed to get on the metro and squish our way in. Luckily, women with kids get priority seating so they let us have a seat. Wayne and Dave had told us that if we get separated, get off in 4 stops. So, Lisa and I knew that we were on the 4th stop and started pushing our way through...I was yelling out "inzviniti" which means excuse me. So, Lisa and I had the boys and we were on the platform...but the doors were closing. Dave stuck his arm out and I thought...not a smart move. You could see his determination to get it open, but it did not happen. He had to give in and pull his arm back. He then did a little motion to show that they would circle around and for us to look for them. (BTW - I know this does not sound near as funny as it was if you were there...I'm going to get Dave to do a reenactment video later and will upload it). So, Lisa and I decided to make the most of the time while we waited. We pealed off our jackets as we were boiling, gave the kids a drink, took photos of the boys and waited for the guys to return. We probably only waited about 10 or so minutes for them to return.

When we finally got out of the station, we realized we were near the National Cathedral and I was like...this is not the right stop! So, after all of that...we still were not in the right spot! Instead, we just decided to walk from there to St. Basil's which was probably another 20 min. or so. Jakob actually fell asleep in the stroller which was good. When he woke up, we were in Sbarro (that Italian chain restaurant...which was not our first choice, an English pub was, but they were closed). We "enjoyed" the buffet which was completely cold. Patrick put on a good show at lunch as he was full on dancing to the music that was playing loud. Jakob, of course, was more concerned with food!

After lunch, we finally made it over to St. Basil's. By now, it was starting to rain a bit, so we were trying to get photos as quickly as possible. We then headed to GUM department store to get a bit of shelter, a coffee, and make sure we actually knew how to get home.

We finally made it home and I just finished putting Jakob down for a nap in a record time of about 5 minutes! He is now napping and I decided to come to the business center to blog while Wayne watches him.

Jakob continues to put a smile on our face with his huge smile, personality, big brown eyes and huge dimples...how could you not want to eat him up? He has decided that yes, he is 2 now and he is allowed to have his cake and eat it too....and if he doesn't get it, he will throw a little tanty. We've not really seen him do this until today, but guess that means he is getting more comfortable with us.

We were really glad to see that he handled the metro, stroller, and eating out part so well! We figure it was all good preparation for the plane ride home where there will be a lot of similarities.

I still have to stop and realize every once in awhile that he is our son...not just some kid we are babysitting...it is just crazy, but we are loving it and we are so comfortable with him. I did not write this before, but have thought it from the first night that it seems like I've known him all of his life. When I hold him and put him down for bed, it just feels right. My mom was right in one of her comments...GOD IS GOOD.

I'm going to finish the blog for today, but will try to get something each day if I can....it is actually a good way for me to connect with everyone and also capture all of these memories. You always think you will remember every detail, but lets face it, we are not getting any younger, so I have to write it down.

Much love to everyone...Courtney, Wayne and Jakob


Jakob Dancing to the Wiggles music

Jakob with his new suitcase that Nana Pam gave him

Daddy and Jakob playing

At Red Square