Stockpile

 

The bakery down the street will be closed for two days. This is our stockpile of delicious goodies to last us (just Stas and me) until Jan 3 when they open again. Not pictured: the bar of bread we already finished at lunch and the bag of fresh croissants.

Cherry delicousness!

One layer of apricot pastries on top of a row of cherries yummies!

Cutest coworker

Why, hello there!

 I was up late working last night 12/30/2010. Or early depending on which time zone you are in. Or depending on if you are talking about when I started (10 pm local time) and when I finished (8 am local time). Luckily I did get a 2 hour nap in the middle of it. Anyway, Niko decided to join me during his middle of the night playtime. He's definitely the cutest coworker I've ever had!

 

Niko's new best friend

Niko loves mirrors!

Other top favorites include gift bags, spoons, remote controls, water bottles, and anything he can bite, chew, or put in his mouth.

Taken 12/29/2010 while mama is working not only from "home" but also from Moscow! And yes, that is the Christmas tree on the table. We have seriously Niko-proofed this place!

Jet lag

Six days later and Niko is still struggling with the jet lag. He thinks going to bed at 1 AM and waking up at 11 AM is perfectly acceptable. This also includes a 3 AM waking when he thinks it is time to play.

We spent nearly nine months getting this guy on a decent schedule, then throw him this nine hour curve ball. I guess it serves us right!

Evening stroll

Thursday December 23, 2010

Tonight Stas and I went for an evening stroll around the pond across the street. How do you dress for -4 C (24 F) weather?? Like this:

Natasha let me borrow her mink coat!

Beautiful Novodevichy Convent across the street from apartment

 

And while we were out Nikolai learned how to clap!


[video of Niko clapping his hands coming soon...or after we get home and get a hold of that camera cable!]

International Traveler

Sunday December 19, 2010 - Monday December 20, 2010  
While this wasn't the first time that Nikolai has crossed the border (Canada in May was the first) this was the first time he needed a passport!

Pops dropped us off at the airport and we were fully loaded - two suitcases, three carry-ons, a car seat, about a million jackets and cold weather accessories, and one super cute baby! 

The first flight to Atlanta was a breeze. Only about 2-2.5 hours. Barely long enough for Niko to get hungry again after take off to eat during the landing. I am very strict about nursing during take off and landing, and so far we've never had a problem with airpressure. We had two seats by ourselves and it worked out lovely.

After we landed, we had just enough time to haul it over to the International Terminal, check in and get our seats together, potty run, and then board for our 10.5 hour flight! We were so blessed to have front-row-Joe seats with a little extra leg-room. We also had the only open seat on the whole flight next to us. We were in the center section of three seats. No window, but an extra seat---we'll take it!! Nikolai did fantastic!! Just cycled through eat-sleep-play cycles until we landed!

When we walked into the immigration area a sweet employee saw me and Nikolai (he goes in the BabyHawk at the airports) carrying two carry-ons and let us (and Stas!!) skip to the front of the line. Pretty sure this was unprecedented. And awesome.

Natasha met us at the airport and it was fabulous to see her and most importantly for Nikolai to get to see her again!


Photos from the DFW-ATL flight: