Eyeing my baby!

Our first full day here in Latvia. It started out....well....late in the day. I think Sheri was the first to awaken sometime around...... noonish.   It was a late night. I think we went to bed sometime around 2oclock in the morning. Keep in mind that we are 10 hours ahead of PST. There was a 23.4 hour flight (San Diego to Chicago to Stockholm, Sweden and Sweden to Riga Latvia.) I did the calculations by adding in the time difference against the circumference of the globe divided by air speed

and came up with the equation that we are all really, really tired.  Now, I won't mention any names but someone did not want to go to bed last night. She was bouncing off the ceilings and needed somebody to play with. Guess who she turned to? Yep! The biggest child of them all. It became a game for me to drag her from the living room to her bedroom, tucking her in, which usually included 5 minutes of wrestling. giving a kiss goodnight and leaving to only have her 1 minute later run back into the living and with a flying leap and shouting "incoming". Repeat

But this is our first full day in Riga. After the girls had breakfast.......or lunch at the Happy Pumpkin it was time to get cleaned up. Sanija wrapped our gifts to for the foster family and we all set out to pick up some things we needed at Rimi's. Rimi's is our local grocery store. Not like our supermarkets back in the states but still a well-stocked corner store.

Although we walked around a little it felt like putting on an old glove.  We stopped by a few of our favorite stores and picked up some needed items for survival. While at the mall we had a Mommy and Daddy moment. While in one of the stores, I saw some kids coming our way. As they passed by Sanija, about 5 yards in front of us, I purposely watch a young boy...excuse an older boy about 13 or 14 years old "eye" by baby girl. Thank God, my baby girl didn't notice the guy checking her out. After the passing, I had to tell Mommy and Sanija. Sanija didn't really care. In fact, she asked what was "eyeing". I told her but I don't think she really cared. Now Mommy on the other hand was a bit more concerned about this.  I on the other hand was not shocked as I knew it was just a matter of time. My daughter is a beautiful girl and when she dresses up...watch out!  My job is to protect her and when she starts to show an interest in boys.......I will make sure.....that......well.......I'm done talking about this!!!!!

I forgot, this morning we spoke with Ilze and it was so good to hear her voice. We spoke about the plan for tomorrow and it goes something like this:

Meet with Ilze around 9:30am
Meet with Orpahn Court representatives around 10
We will speak about any medical issues Nata may have and her background. We will then meet with Foster Mother and ask her about Nata's Likes and Dislikes, behaviors, her routine and so on. What I find funny is that she will be filling us in about all of her behaviors. Keep in mind Nata has only been living with her for 4 months and we have Sanija who was her foster sister for 4 years not to mentioned that Nata lived with us for one month.

My heart is beating faster even thinking about hold Nata again but I'm getting nervous. It's been two months since we have seen her and a lot can happen, Those darn "what if's" keep flying into my mind. What if, we are not like how she remembers us? What if, she doesn't want us to adopt her? What if.... What if...  I know she wants to be with us but it's those "what if's" that keep us on our toes.

Today we stopped by the toy store and Sanija picked up those temp tattoos she likes so much. Apparently, she will be wearing several of them tomorrow for our meetings.

Today was a bitter sweet day for me. Today was the last day that Sanija will be our only daughter. She holds a special place in my heart and I worry about her. For a year now, she has been an only child. We are still working on a few items but the two of us have connected in a way  that is too hard to describe. A bond, that that has hit both high and low points. But it was those low point that forged a unique relationship that is so special to me, I never want to give it up. Without those "rough" times we would not have become so close. I'm a bit worried that may change when Nata enters the picture. My love for Nata is just as strong as it was and is for Sanija, These ARE my two daughter and I love them both equally. But I'm afraid That Sanija might be upset by this as she sees me interact, play, talk to, hug and kiss her. I love Sanija so much I never want to see her hurt,,,EVER! But this is something else, a NEW family member.

On the other hand, I have a new daughter. I HAVE A NEW DAUGHTER! Sheri and I have the family we always wanted. My two girls are the world to me and I will do anything for them. Both girls are so different in their personalities I can hardly wait to experience life through their eyes.

These girls may not have known me for most of their lives but I have known them from the moment they were born. They have always been there, in my dreams, hopes and desires. They were there when I went to bed and there each morning I woke up. They are the best part of me and I promise to be the father you have always wanted and need.