Update from Volgograd

We survived the plane trip and have spent the last five days visiting the orphanage twice a day to visit our son, Tyler David Nikita (DOB - April 30, 2009).  The heat has been unbearable and the rules of the orphanage are such that a child is not allowed to be in a room with air conditioning nor are they allowed to have anything cold to drink.  That goes against all things Shepley!  That being said, we've enjoyed our daily visits in the blazing hot sun or contained in a stifling hot music room.  Tyler is really quite cute and very gentle, much like Dave!

Our first day at the orphanage was nothing like I would have expected.  Luckily, we can walk to the orphanage and don't have to rely on a driver to get us there.  Our orphanage is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a sheet metal fence and a gate that is guarded.  Upon our arrival, our translator took us to the room where Nikita lives.  Inside, there were three caregivers (one of whom looked just like Mrs. Garrett from the tv show "The Facts of Life", only with gold capped teeth) all speaking Russian, pointing at us and calling us "mama" and "papa."  They quickly got him changed and handed him over to us, not without requesting that we bring diapers the next time we come!  We were quite overwhelmed at this moment but Nikita/Tyler snuggled right in and was quite content to be held by either Dave or I.

The doctor at the orphanage and the Canadian doctor that examined him in our presence both said that he was a healthy little boy that needs to gain some weight.  He only weighs 16.5 lbs.  Needless to say, he loves the cookies and juice we have smuggled in each day!

Over the past five days, he has really come out of his shell.  He giggles, chirps, and always has a big smile on his face.  He can take four or five steps on his own or can go the distance with a finger.  He loves to swing and is always exploring all the things around him.

Tomorrow afternoon (Monday) we will go to the notary to initiate the formal adoption proceedings.  Tuesday will be the last day we get to spend with him because we must return to Moscow that night.  We are required to undergo medical examinations by a panel of eight doctors.  Upon our return to Canada, we will learn as to when we will return to go to court to complete this process.  It will likely be some time in October.

We've managed to do a little bit of sightseeing but decided to save a lot of it for when we return in October.  It will definitely be cooler in October.

Pictures to follow ...