3rd "Trimester" Complete

The last chunk of paperwork is complete after a long wait courtesy of the US FBI. The required federal background check for Greg and I, two pharmacists with state professional registration and licensure for the past 10+ years, took well over the Bureau's estimated 3-6week time frame. At any rate, we have hopefully met the deadline for a July completion (and not have to skip August where all Russian judges take a month-long holiday).

It was the first week of May when we first met Luka, thus it has now been 2 months since we have seen him. The wait has been pretty rough, especially with his fast approaching 1st birthday :( which we will likely miss. Nevertheless, we are elated to be now waiting for the red-eye call to hop back on a plane for our court hearing in Moscow. After that, we will fly back to the states and ride out our 10 day mandatory wait period. We will then return to Moscow, visit the fine folks at the US Embassy to get Luka's visa and passport, check in with the American physician there, and then we are official!! My fingers (as well as yours, I hope) are crossed in hopes of rapid processing in Russia!

**Note to reader: The overuse of the word "wait" in this post is recognized, but unfortunately necessary :-D