Having a blog about one's journey through adoption is not exactly a novel idea. I was poking around the web, looking for pictures of Kotlas, and found a few other kids who were adopted from the same orphanage Elena was from. It's interesting to read the parallel stories, and to see pictures of Kotlas and Arkhangelsk in different seasons. (For our earlier pictures, see "The baby house in Kotlas, illustrated," and "Our baby house schedule," as well as the "Baby house" and "Kotlas" labels to the right.)
Here are other folks's stories:
Xavier, adopted by Denise and JJ in May 2011.
Their Babycakes blog has a lot of great pictures, including some January pictures of Kotlas, and more of Arkhangelsk. They also spent three-plus weeks in St Petersburg, so they have some great pictures of the city, and some interesting and thoughtful reflections on Russian food and living there as a tourist. And, of course, more recent images of Xavier.
David and Michael, adopted by Rachael and Chris in March 2011.
Their Sanity is Optional in Texas blog has more pictures of the Kotlas orphanage (similar to some of ours), some of Archagelsk in the snow, and some Moscow / St Petersburg photos. And more of the boys, of course.
Nicholas, adopted by Brian and Kimberly in January 2010.
Their Adopting Nicholas blog has a few pictures from Kotlas in August and from Arkhangelsk and St Petersburg in December.
Anna Beth, adopted by Leigh and Bryan in January 2010.
Their "Oh the Places You Will Go..." blog has a few pictures both inside and outside from August 2009, and more pictures of a very photogenic Anna Beth from January 2010.
Allison, adopted by Christine and Thomas in June 2009.
Their Allie in the Family is unfortunately short, but has a few pictures and stories.
Kara and Cooper, adopted by Jane and Jim in October 2008.
Their Life with Kara and Copper blog doesn't have too many pictures, but there is a description of their time in Kotlas, and some pictures taken through Arkhangelsk and Moscow. And the most recent pictures are nearly three years from the adoption date.
Jack, adopted by Erik and Jen in June 2007.
Their Russian Baby Adventure blog has a few orphanage pictures (two, one, one, and one) - The first of those links is interesting, because it shows a room with cribs for younger kids like Jack. Elena lived in the Kotlas orphanage since she was a few months old, so she probably lived in a room very much like the one pictured. Erik and Jen have some more pictures from Moscow (here's Red Square). And, of course, more pictures of Jack through Christmas 2008.
Bonus slide show: Great minds think alike:
Teresa and Andy, August 2011, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Denise and JJ, May 2011, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Rachael and Chris, March 2011, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Brian and Kimberly, December 2009, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Here are other folks's stories:
Xavier, adopted by Denise and JJ in May 2011.
Their Babycakes blog has a lot of great pictures, including some January pictures of Kotlas, and more of Arkhangelsk. They also spent three-plus weeks in St Petersburg, so they have some great pictures of the city, and some interesting and thoughtful reflections on Russian food and living there as a tourist. And, of course, more recent images of Xavier.
David and Michael, adopted by Rachael and Chris in March 2011.
Their Sanity is Optional in Texas blog has more pictures of the Kotlas orphanage (similar to some of ours), some of Archagelsk in the snow, and some Moscow / St Petersburg photos. And more of the boys, of course.
Nicholas, adopted by Brian and Kimberly in January 2010.
Their Adopting Nicholas blog has a few pictures from Kotlas in August and from Arkhangelsk and St Petersburg in December.
Anna Beth, adopted by Leigh and Bryan in January 2010.
Their "Oh the Places You Will Go..." blog has a few pictures both inside and outside from August 2009, and more pictures of a very photogenic Anna Beth from January 2010.
Allison, adopted by Christine and Thomas in June 2009.
Their Allie in the Family is unfortunately short, but has a few pictures and stories.
Kara and Cooper, adopted by Jane and Jim in October 2008.
Their Life with Kara and Copper blog doesn't have too many pictures, but there is a description of their time in Kotlas, and some pictures taken through Arkhangelsk and Moscow. And the most recent pictures are nearly three years from the adoption date.
Jack, adopted by Erik and Jen in June 2007.
Their Russian Baby Adventure blog has a few orphanage pictures (two, one, one, and one) - The first of those links is interesting, because it shows a room with cribs for younger kids like Jack. Elena lived in the Kotlas orphanage since she was a few months old, so she probably lived in a room very much like the one pictured. Erik and Jen have some more pictures from Moscow (here's Red Square). And, of course, more pictures of Jack through Christmas 2008.
Bonus slide show: Great minds think alike:
Teresa and Andy, August 2011, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Denise and JJ, May 2011, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Rachael and Chris, March 2011, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
Brian and Kimberly, December 2009, in front of the Archangelsk courthouse plaque after a successful court petition.
There is a Yahoo group named arkadopt. It's for families that have adopted a child from the Ark region or are trying to.
ReplyDeleteThere is also an organization called FORO that helps support the region's orphanages. forophans.org
I saw your addition to the Ark yahoo group and thought I'd check out your blog. Our second son was at the Arkhangelsk baby home and came home last March. I quickly read a few of your posts. Your daughter Elena is beautiful. She has many of the same reactions to loud noises, crowds, etc... as our first son who was from Pskov. Our second son though, even though much older when he joined our family, is at home pretty much anywhere. So nice to follow others journeys
ReplyDeleteNo way! Elena was in our son's groupa! Our court date was in April of 2012. I have pictures that she is in from our visit. I've often wondered about the other babies in his groupa, room 10 "The Bees". We travelled on the first trip with the Mannings. I do not have a blog, but would love to share the pictures that we have with you.
ReplyDeleteApril of 2011 that is, not April of 2012. Our first trip was January 2011.
DeleteGBeshears: We'd love pictures, but we don't have your contact info (there's none in your profile). :(
ReplyDeleteOur contact email is in our profile:
http://www.blogger.com/profile/01109050060621981965
Sorry, I'm not very blog savy. I'll send them. :) I'm just so amazed to have found a connection to his groupa!
ReplyDelete