The waiting game

I told myself that I wasn't allowed to post anything about the baby until I got done with all my Russia blogs...mostly because I knew I would never get around to posting all of those blogs if I didn't have something to push me through it!  Haha!

With all the drama at the Moscow Airport, it looked like we wouldn't make our ultrasound appointment the next day and I was crushed.  The beginning of this pregnancy was tough - spotting, migraines, tiredness and nausea.  I had tried to keep my emotions neutral and just wanted to get to the ultrasound.  Luckily, we were able to get our appointment changed last minute (without an extra fee!) and it would still be the same day.  That was the one positive bit of our horrible day traveling home!

 Poor Nathan had to get shots the day after we got home from Russia but he handled it like a champ and as soon as we were done there - we hurried off to the hospital.  

 Our ultrasound tech was rather "clinical" about the whole process.  She moved methodically from one body part to the next, checking to make sure everything worked and was accounted for.  I love how it feels to finally see the baby and know that everything is okay.  When she got to the lower regions, she didn't mention anything about gender and when the ultrasound was basically over, I finally asked if she had seen any indication of gender.  Her answer was great:

"Well, I didn't see anything hanging down so it is most likely a girl."

I cried.  

(If you have been reading my blogs lately, you'll notice a watery trend!)

We told my family but we decided to surprise Kjetil's family by sending out cards in the mail that said "It's a girl" - great idea except for the fact that we couldn't really tell anyone else in case they somehow found out.  So, we waited.  And waited.  And waited.  

January 2013 we'll welcome our little girl to our family and for now we are trying to enjoy every single day with Nathan before the changes happen and our family grows.  

Our bumpy road home...

If you haven't been reading my blogs about our Russia trip, I promise this is the last one and you might wanna read it because you will definitely be amazed that I am even alive to write about it!

We had a fantastic trip to Russia.  It was amazing.  It was warm.  It was relaxing.  It was everything a trip should be.

Then we left for the airport and the worst day of my life began.  

It felt a little like the road pictured above.  Doesn't look so bad but it is - trust me.  We had plenty of time to make it to the Moscow airport.  Our driver was great.  Before we knew it, we were entering the outskirts of Moscow.  And before we knew it, we weren't going anywhere.  

Bumper to bumper traffic. 

No biggie...we have almost 3hrs to get there.  

No biggie...we have 2hrs to get there.  

The minutes ticked by and suddenly I was biting my nails.  Then I was begging the cars to just get out of our way.  Then I gave up.  We sat in traffic for 2 1/2hrs before we finally made it to the airport.  

And then it felt like this road - looks bad and it is even blocked off.  

Awesome.

When you go into the Moscow airport, you have to go through a security check before you even enter the departure area.  

Great.  

We throw everything onto the belt, juggle Nathan back and forth and then run to the check in desk.  Kjetil had "checked in" online and paid for our baggage before we left Yaroslavl so all we needed were our baggage tags and our boarding passes.  We had 30mins.  We could do it.  Nathan's poopy diaper could wait.  My need for food and a bathroom could wait.  We just needed to catch the plane.  

And then we were hit in the face by Russian Service.  Meaning - the lack thereof.  The woman behind the desk made a whole bunch of phone calls, wouldn't answer our questions and even helped another person behind me when I only needed one more baggage claim ticket before she informed me that I would NOT be making my flight.  

Remember how I hadn't had much food.  And I am pregnant and totally emotional. 

 Yep - it wasn't pretty. 

Kjetil had hurried ahead with Nathan plus a special baggage item and I literally dragged our luggage through 4 barriers because I couldn't get out with the overweight suitcases and pack-n-play that we were hauling home.

The rest of our trip looked like this road...real bad.

Since we were technically "late" for our flight, we had to pay for new tickets home.

Option 1 - Fly to Oslo, stay the night in a hotel, get home some time the following day

Option 2: Fly to Stockholm, stay the night in a hotel, get home later some time the following day

Option 3: Fly to Riga (Latvia), wait a few hours, catch a late flight to Bergen and get home at midnight.

And they all cost about the same amount.  Awesome.

About 1000 dollars later (no exaggeration there, I am oh so serious about the amount), we were booked on option 3.  To spare you from the details, I will just list some of our other adventures that day.

• Nathan slept a total of 40mins during the 20hrs of travel that we ended up enduring.  Brutal.  Absolutely brutal. 
• In a moment of miscommunication, we ordered 4 dinners instead of 3 and just laughed when the waiter kept bringing out more food for us.
• We had to REPAY for our luggage.
• We had to pay late-pick up charges on the car we were renting in Bergen because we arrived so late.
• While using a family/handicap bathroom in Riga, Nathan figured out how to push the button to open the door.  HELLO RIGA!  
• Nathan literally screamed during the entire flight from Riga to Bergen.  Stop staring folks, he's not gonna quit!
• After loading the car, I went to throw something away and right as I walked up to the car, Kjetil drove away.  

The end.  

Worst traveling day of my life.  Sooooo much money because of traffic and Russian service spent and we happily found out that our travel insurance doesn't cover traffic problems.  

Thank you Russia - we won't be coming back anytime soon.

The Volga River

While we were in Yaroslavl, we made A LOT of trips down to the river.  Especially Kjetil.  He was out after one thing - music and lights.  And he didn't give up!  I think he took Nathan down to the river at least three times and that is no small feat considering it takes a little over an hour to get there!  

But Nathan made sure to help with the load but pushing his own stroller occasionally!

The best part about the walk to the river, was the time to play and run free!  And Nathan discovered the same thing his dad was looking for...

The fountains!

He made sure to show them the proper respect and honor that they deserved...

and tried his very best not to jump in the water!

But luckily dad let him splash a little in the water and that makes for one happy boy :)

Kjetil was so impressed with the musical show that he managed to convince me to walk back down to the river with him on Saturday night.

We left much too late and I was a little worried about being out on a Saturday night but once we got to the river and saw the gorgeous sunset, my nerves relaxed and we enjoyed a pleasant stroll along the Volga River.  

And the fountains were just as impressive as Kjetil had promised!

We got to hear some Phantom of the Opera while the water danced along in sync with the music - it was neat to see all the people and families out enjoying a cool summer night together.  

If there is one thing I miss during the summers in Norway, it is sunsets!  Luckily, Russia didn't disappoint on that element - wow!

We spent a good amount of time just sitting on a bench and talking together before we decided it was best to start the long walk back home.  We weren't home until a little after 11pm which probably wasn't the best idea but we made it home safe and I am so glad that Kjetil convinced me to take the walk with him.  It was well worth the fear of a Russian Saturday Night!

I'll Go...

We did the baptism meeting backwards because Maxim wanted a smaller group of people at his actual baptism so we did the talks and musical number after he was baptized.  While we waited for Pasha and Maxim to change, we just relaxed and enjoyed the quiet of the morning.  I love this picture of the Sisters - they taught Maxim and took a quiet moment to offer a prayer of thanks after his baptism.  

So sweet!

 Pasha and Maxim - two great young men!

 Their friend Sergie came to support them and I am sure he will be taking the lessons soon enough!  :)

 Pasha isn't a big fan of getting dirty and tried to wash his feet off before heading up to the changing room but every time he would come out of the water, his feet would get dirty.  My mom ran up to get a blanket he could dry his feet on and suddenly he yelled out 

"Fetch my slippers!"  

The Sisters laughed so hard and told him that the word fetch is typically used for servants and dogs.  The look on Pasha's face was priceless!  But he did get his slippers in the end!

 The missionaries played some quiet guitar music while we waited for the other branch members to show up.

And I took in the sights!

Finally, our little group showed up bearing food, treats and blankets.

 Once everyone got settled in, we finished the baptismal meeting.  Sister Lewis gave the first talk about the importance of baptism and did a great job.

And then Pasha gave a wonderful talk about the Holy Ghost.

After the talks, Elder Urmsten played a simple and incredibly beautiful arrangement of "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" while he sang out the text.  

 The Spirit was so strong and we ended the meeting by singing, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go".  

Again, as I looked at Maxim and listened to a familiar tune with unfamiliar words, I thought about how when we strive to be the Hope of Israel by sharing the Gospel and doing what the Lord expects it's not so hard to go where He needs us to go.  Or to do what He needs us to do.  

And Maxim is doing just that.  

We all sat quiet after the closing prayer and then we decided it was time to celebrate!  

We collected some wood...Russian style!

Cleaned the skewers in the sand - or is that how Mormons keep the bad spirits away?!?! :)

and prepared the food.  

Sister Lewis seems satisfied and apparently Pasha was having a dance party in the background!

 While we waited for the food, we played a great game about the Plan of Salvation.  Their branch put on a great activity but there aren't many pictures because my camera died and my memory card was full.  

Great way to end a great day!  :)

Hope of Israel

On Saturday morning, we loaded up and headed out to a lake for Maxim's baptism.  To begin with there were just 4 of us in the car but before we knew it, we were sitting comfy with 2 other passengers.

Kjetil stayed home with Nathan and gave me the chance to enjoy a day with my parents.  We found our way to the lake, drove through some tight mountain trails and started to set up camp!

After the baptism, they had a branch activity planned so they set up the BBQs and it was just chilly enough that we figured a fire would be beneficial.

Dad worked his magic with the fire and soon we were all getting warm by the fire!

Since we were out in the forest, we had to set up a make-shift changing room for the young men that would be out in the water.  Like I said, we set up camp!  :)

After everyone arrived and got changed, we started the meeting by singing "Hope of Israel".  Since I couldn't read the Russian text, I just took in the music and the sights.  And then I had a thought - 

This young man is Pasha.  He joined the church a little while ago and now he would be baptizing his friend Maxim.  He made sure that his other non-member friend was there and he has shared his testimony with them.  

This young man embodies the phrase "Hope of Israel"

By that time, my eyes were already wet with emotion (I AM pregnant!) and watching Pasha lead his friend Maxim down into the water was powerful.

They got situated in the water...

And then Pasha took a deep breath, looked forward and baptized his friend.  

What an incredible moment to witness!

And we all enjoyed the joy that followed as we witnessed such a wonderful moment!

We made sure to catch them hugging afterward and even made them hug a few extra times for the people that didn't get a picture of that exact moment!  :)

While Maxim changed, we took some pictures and enjoyed the spirit of the day.

Here is the group that came to the baptism -