MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE! Hope all is well with your families and everyone is healthy this holiday season.
All is well in the Peck household. We were so excited to share Christmas with Mason this year and it was a very exciting one with him being in the house. He absolutely loved presents and especially Santa Claus. He is still walking around the house asking Santa come out and bring more presents. Today he would come up to me and ask for more presents.

We went to Santa's Castle and I really was worried about how he would react to Santa but he told him that he wanted Barney and kept telling him Thank You Santa even as we were walking out the door. Later Santa made another visit Christmas Eve at my parents house to check on Mason once again and he just went crazy--he stayed real close to me but loved having him there at the same time.





This was Christmas Eve after the girls Christmas program. He is so mischevious and always getting into something. But I love that about him, he keeps us on our toes and we are always laughing. He has brought so much joy to this family and I can't say it enough. If anyone asks him "Who's boy are you" and he always replies, "I'm a mama's boy"







I know I am their mother but are they not gorgeous?

The girls and I tried to get Mason to participate in a group phote for cards but he would have no part of it, he would come in and take off as soon as I took the picture. It actually looks like they might even like eachother in this shot.



















Once again Merry Christmas & have a safe and happy New Year!

Together once again.

Alexander & Mason once again but in Garner, Iowa.

We met Alexander's family on our trip to bring Mason home. We actually spent most of our time with them and created a very special friendship. The boys were in the same orphanage but in different buildings so we always rode together to our visits. Kristen has a sister that lives in Garner (they are from Michigan) so we took the opportunity of them visiting & being so close to get together. It was so nice to get together and talk about how the boys have grown, hopefully it is something we can do often.

L 2 R Madison, Mason, Alexander, Marina & Tori

A couple of weeks ago my sister and her 3 kids along with my 3 and myself drove to Wisconsin to stay at a waterpark for a weekend getaway. It was nice just to get away and the kids had a ball. Mason had a great time in the water and went strong from morning to night.

L 2 R Ethan, Madison, Taylor, Tori & Aliza

The kids making funny faces before we leave for the long trip home.

SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER, ELF MASON. He loves wearing his hat and this day it happen to go up over his ears. WHAT A HANDSOME YOUNG FELLOW.

Much love from the Peck's and we hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.

We have now been home with Mason for 5 months (14th). I can't even believe it. He is such a sponge and takes in everything. He continues to amaze us all the time. He can completely communicate with us in English. My mom had bought him a music cd of Russian folk songs and he didn't even seem to recognize any of it.

As you can see in the pic's Marty is always watching TV:0) just kidding, he is always a jungle gym with the kids. As soon as he hits the floor they are climbing all over him.










Mason is Elmo's biggest fan! Everything he sees of Elmo sends him in a frenzy. My mom got him an Elmo costume for Holloween and while they were at the store he had it on and wouldn't take it off to scan it so they did it with him in the costume. He sleeps with the costume everynight, I think its become like a security blanket but only it's an Elmo costume. I'll show pic's after holloween.

Everything continues to go well. Mason is getting use to being at sport events and is very good. We have siblings from some of the players that are always great about helping to entertain Mason which gives me an oppurtunity to watch a little bit.

Hope this finds everyone doing well. Much love from the Peck's

I had to show you guys my collection of pic's with Mason in his goggles. :o) As you can see from the pic's each pair is a different pair, I don't even know where he is finding all these. It always seems that the girls can never find a pair when it comes time to go swimming.

Marty and I are so looking forward to this weekend. It's our annual Kansas City Nascar race. I haven't left Mason overnight yet since returning from Russia and I'm already stressed about it. He'll be in good hands with my parents. It will be the first alone time Marty and I have had also since returning. Very much looking forward to that time too:o)

COWBOY GOGGLE MASON

GOGGLES IN THE TUB















DRIVING HIS FIRE TRUCK IN GOGGLES

Mason--our little ham! He is such a riot. He is always making us laugh. He loves wearing these goggles all day, haven't had to leave the house with them yet but I'm sure the time will come.

I cannot believe it's been almost 4 months already (14th) that we have had Mason in our home. He is getting to be a typical 2 year old and a handful at times but a joy more times then not. He is really into testing me and has learned what time-out is but I still couldn't ask for a better little boy. He loves to battle. He has become a hitter so we have that to deal with and everything is "mine" and he is very jealous when either of the girls or even Marty are sitting next to me (even our dog Harley), I am his also (my mommy) and Marty and the girls love to tease him by saying "my mommy" and a whole battle breaks out with me in the middle. Mason is such a little talker and loves to repeat everything, even when you don't realize he is listening--not always a good thing. Some of his new words are c-ya, watch, walk, outside, bath, drink, milk, church, book, ready, shoes, socks; to many to mention--he just is an amazing little sponge.

Mason is still going to daycare everyday but hopefully that will soon stop because everyday I take him another day is a deeper injury to my heart. He's only there from 8-3:30 but it should be me teaching him his abc's and 123's. His babysitter is great though and he loves going and being with the other kids.

The girls are doing great. (their going to kill me for putting in the picture). We are in full swing of school and getting into the routine of things. Both are in volleyball this year; Tori school league and tournment. I don't know how she keeps the schedule she does but she loves it that way. Madison is on a tournment team and we get started with that this week. Not really looking forward to taking Mason to volleyball games because they are indoors and we'll be on bleachers were softball was outside and he could run around. We'll see how it goes, he'll probably surprise me like always.

I've got a request of everyone. My sister-in-law Megan is in need of a kidney transplant. She needs a lot of prayers right now and I ask that you add her to your's. Her prayers had been answered one other time 15 years ago when she had a transplant then but her body has now rejected her given kidney. God willing Megan will receive another and my brother Chad and her can once again enjoy the life they created together only 3 years ago. Thank you.

Much love and happiness to all from the Peck's

1st group photo of the 3. B-e-a-u-tiful if I must say so myself. This was the day we got Mason baptised and it was a perfect day. Weather was wonderful and we had all our family and friends there to share in the event. Todd & Trish Larson are Mason's God Parents and we were honored to have them stand at the alter with us that day. When Pastor poured the water on Mason's head I set him up straight and he said "what that guying do'in". It was so funny and when Pastor gave Mason the blessing of the symbol of the cross on his forehead and heart Mason put his hand over his heart, it was so precious.

Mason's 1st haircut since being in the states. As you can see he didn't care to much. Aunt Dawn had the honors of giving the haircut. As you can see from the picture the hair was quiet long and I was hoping it would grow out nice but it wouldn't and I had to do something before the baptism so I gave into cutting it. Marty wants to buzz it again but I want one more chance to grow it out.

Mason loves to act like a puppy all the time. He gets on all fours and walks around saying "arf,arf". In our room we have a dog kennel and he loves to play in it. (It's all in fun and he is never locked in there) He is such a riot to watch. If we don't watch close enough we will catch him in the dog dish eating food and drinking their water.

Hope this finds everyone doing well and we love to hear your comments.

Much love,

Marty, Tammy, Tori, Madison & Mason

Goal--keeping up the blog

I have had so many people comment on the fact that I have not posted since being home and it is now a personal goal of mine to keep you all posted on Mason and the family.

My cousin Jamie got married in July and we took Mason to the reception and he learned how to dance. He is such a ham dancing and now starts in when ever the music in on. He had such a ball and we enjoyed just watching him interact with everyone out there. About an hour later he came up to me and said "night-night mama", he was exhausted.

Mason is doing absolutely fantastic. He is talking up a storm. He says probably 50-75 English words. Many of his favorites are stop, no, don't, bath, eat & drink, get your own & the most use word in his vocabulary is "mine". He is doing much better with eating and will try most things but is picky.

We have had to get a babysitter for Mason for the past month in a half, our secretary at work had to have surgery and needed 6 weeks off for recovery so I had to fill in for her. He is going to my good friends Trish everyday and gets spoiled rotten. She has no other daycare kids so he gets a lot of attention. My boss (Marty) also insists that I have to return to work on a part-time bases at least through the winter. I was absolutely devestated and had to find a daycare that I would have to leave him at on a daily basis. (Trish works for the school system and has to return to work when school starts). I am really struggling with this. The idea of having to take him to daycare is really a struggle for me because I was able to stay home with the girls till they started school but I know that women all over the coutry do it and I do think it will be good for Mason to be around other kids his age. I did find someone to take him to and he will only go from 8-noon so it's not bad. It's going to be harder on me then on Mason which in turn will be hard on Marty because when Mama ain't happy no ones happy.


Mason's favorite time of the day is bath time, you mention it and he starts to strip down. The water is ice cold by the time you get him out of there. It's a time that I really enjoy also cause it is just him and I interacting together. But when it is time to remove him from the freezing water he goes crazy and throughs a temper tantrum that lasts for quite some time--to long for the girls and Marty to be able to stand all the screaming and crying. So to give an insight to his tantrum I took a picture.

Mason after his bath!!!

This precious child has brought so much joy to our family that I can't even imagine what life was like without him. It has been 3 months already (the 14th) that we have been a family of five. He is such a character and makes us laugh non-stop. The girls can't get enough of him and are great about helping out. They start back at school on the 21st and are so ready but they know they will miss seeing Mason during the day. I'm looking forward to a routine again and getting things back to normal.

Mason seems confused on being a princess or a prince. Marty says there is no question as to him being a prince. He is all boy and it's a big change having it in a house of 3 girls. Marty thinks it is us girls that is confusing him because he loves to carry around purses and playing with a baby doll (which Marty go rid of) that he found in one of the girls closets.

Well I hope this update pleases everyone and I promise to keep it up.

Much love to all,

Marty, Tammy, Tori, Madison & Mason

A family of 5

Sorry I haven't posted lately but things have been crazy here but in a good way. I'll update everyone now cause I have heard from many of you that I hadn't.
Mason did so incredibly well on the flight home. Not one problem, he played in the seat between us and entertained himself very well. Took a few cat naps but nothing real long. The 1st flight was 11hrs and it seemed to drag on forever. We arrived in Atlanta at about 4pm and had a 4hr lay over which was probably the most difficult part of the whole trip because Mason wanted to run but the place was so packed so he did fuss some but still no complaints. We got on our flight for Des Moines and I don't even recall the take off because Mason and I were already asleep. A 1/2hr into the flight the captain came on and said we had to return to Atlanta because of mechanical problems. Naturally we were devastated becasue all we wanted was to get back to the girls and they were waiting for us in Des Moines. We returned to Atlanta and changed planes and after about a hr delay we were back on our way to Des Moines. We had a great welcome once we arrived with family and friends waiting for us. It was so wonderful seeing the girls after 3 weeks of being apart and I think Madison grew an inch. Mason instantly went to the girls and it was incredible. It was as if he knew them instantly. It was so nice to have the five of us together at last.
This week has been good. Mason has adjusted to the time change easily, I'd say it only took a day or two and he was on his schedule. He will no longer us the potty now that we are home and he hasn't adjusted to the food. He likes his cheerios, gold fish, bread and that is about it. I was really concerned at first but I figure he will eat when he gets hungry. I always make him a meal anyway and it's there for him to try but he hasn't yet and yes I have tried just about everything. I even bought instant grits at Wal-Mart.
I am lucky enough to be home full-time with Mason and it is such a joy. We laugh so hard during the day and I cherish every moment. Once the girls are home from school I don't seem to exist any longer cause he absolutely loves the girls.
He is talking less and less Russian all the time and starting to pick up English very easily. He adores the dogs which was a huge concern of mine but an unnecessary one cause he now cries when we let them out to go potty, he stands at the door waiting for them to come in.
We are so incredibly happy to be home and there is no place like home in the great USA. Can't wait to introduce Mason to everyone. Thank you all for taking time to check our site.
We love you all.
Marty, Tammy, Tori, Madison & Mason

The blogspot website apparantely has been down for a couple of days because none of us have been able to get on. Tomorrow we will be home and cannot wait. Mason has adjusted well to the time change in Moscow so hopefully he will do as well in Storm Lake. All our friends got to leave this morning to go home so we had some tearful goodbyes by all. We have made some incredible friendships out of the process and plan to keep in touch in years to come.

Our final exit from the orphanage. I can't even begin to explain how well things went. Can't wait to tell everyone once we are home. 5 more days and counting. Thursday we leave for Moscow at 6am. Can't wait to get out of Krasnoyarsk but we hope to be back someday and show Mason where his heritage all began. 12-14 years if we have any travels who would like to come along.

Mason's first car ride went great. We had another couple with us that their little boy cried practically the whole time and I thought maybe Mason would start up but he never did. He just looked out the window and talked. We have learned the word baca (bye-bye) and he says it alot. He stands at the hotel door of our room and says it to go. Today we went outside and fed the pigeons with another family and he had a great time just running around.

Mason has been wonderful about going on the potty. Everytime we put him on it he goes. If we mention potty he goes and starts to pull down his pants. If you could pick up a potty for us mom before we get home that would be great.

Look girls at what daddy is doing to Mason already. For now Mason thinks it funny. Like the rest of us--that won't last long

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Mason is great sleeper, we put him in the crib and asleep he goes. (See the giraffe Madi) Hey dad, it would be great to have the crib up cause I don't know how well he'll adjust to the toddler bed right away. Thanks.

Mason has taught us so much. I love the little man with all my heart but I also can't wait to get home to my two beautiful girls. I miss them terribly so. So does dad. We aren't a family till all five of us are together. Everyday is one day closer.

One journey is coming to a close but another is just beginning.

OKAY! OKAY! I'M SORRY I DIDN'T BLOG YESTERDAY BUT I'M A MOM TO A 2yr OLD.

I'm so sorry about not posting yesterday but we had a lot of running around to do for paperwork and passport photos to take.
Everything went so incredibly well I couldn't even believe it. We arrived at the orphanage at approach. 8:30am and when we got there they stripped him of his clothes, changed him and off we went. Apparently they try to do it quickly because it is hard on the caretakers seeing the kids go. His one caretaker cried as we were leaving. She dressed him in his new duds and Mason thought he was so cool-he beamed from ear to ear. As she was dressing him she was talking to him and she started crying. I tried not to look at her cause it was hard enough because we were so excited and she was loosing someone she has taken care of for almost 2 years.
We got into the van and they usually cry because they either haven't been in a vehicle before or if they have it is only to the hospital. Mason just took it all in and watched out the window. Never cried once. Another family was in the van with us with their new little boy and he cried pretty much the entire time. It didn't seem to bother Mason one bit.
When we got to the hotel after all the running we took Mason into the room and he became an instant ham. He is so funny. I think they were giving him something to calm him on our visits because he is an animal--all in a good way. He never spoke a word on our visits and now he is talking constantly. We really thought it was sentences in Russian and our translator told us it was probably blabish but when he came to our room and Mason started talking he couldn't believe how much and how clearly. Mason even started a conversation with a Russian gentlemen walking down the hall and the man talked right back to him. Mason loves to get attention and is always trying to make us laugh. He is hilarious.
Our first nap went very well and we just laid him in the crib and he played with his animals (he loves the giraffe you gave him Madi) and went right to sleep. Today's nap was a little more difficult but he again laid down and went to sleep.
We are putting him on his potty chair and he goes everytime. We have had quite a few dry diapers. That is going much better then I anticipated.
His first bath he did not care for much at all. They just hose down the kids at the orphanage and so giving him a bath was pretty scary for him. I think we will skip it tonight.
Last night we cuddled on the couch for a few minutes and then I carried him into his crib and he went right down. He slept from about 9pm--7am. Right on schedule.
Today we all gathered in the lounge and the kids all played and us parents compared our nights sleep. Mason realized the long hall and sent Marty running after him and it became an instant game for the two of them that went on for about 45 minutes.
I can't post pic's again today--who knows why, it's probably me. I'll try again tomorrow.

One more day and counting!!!

Today when Mason walked into our visit he ran up to me with his arms out. It was breathe taking. I fall in love with this little boy more and more each day. Today was another great day in the interaction we had between the three of us. He's warming up to Marty more all the time. Here in the pic he climb up on Marty's chest and Marty acted like he fell back and Mason just laughed so hard.
Tomorrow morning at 8am we get to go and pick him up forever. We are so excited and making it an early night so that we are rested up for the big day. No more afternoon naps for us but we are willing to give that up for him.
Another holiday is Monday & Tuesday and we don't know yet if the business office will be open or not so there might not be any posts so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from us.
Much love to all. 9 days left and we are home. Can't wait to see everyone.

Nothing new

Can't get pictures to down load for some reason (kinda a guessing game when most things are in Russian on the computer) so I will try again tomorrow. We did get into a much bigger room today and we are very excited about that. Got all settled and then went to lunch at the hotel cafe. It has been snowing most of the day although not really that cold. We went to the toy store today and got Mason a potty chair (some of the kids are having a hard time going potty in their diapers that the parents put on them when they are used to sitting on a bucket) and hopefully that will help him out. Yesterday when he had his accidents he did not indicate at all that he had to go so it's a timing thing. After we got back from toy store & market (had to get more vodka--it's the best, we'll try to bring some home for everyone to take a shot--very smooth) we took our daily afternoon nap. I don't know what we are going to do when we get home because we are in such habits of laying down in the afternoon and sleeping for an hour. And now I'm here in the business office. Not real exciting today but tonight we will go out for supper with everyone and then sit around till about 10:00 and back to bed again. We do get to see Mason tomorrow so it really helps pass up the time.
Let you know more tomorrow. Miss everyone.

PEE & POOP

Mason was so glad to see us today. He smiled as soon as he saw us. He came up to me and put out his arms. Definetely a mama's boy. What a pleasant greeting. We have completely turned the corner in his acceptance.
When they bring Mason in he is in underwear and as Marty is holding him up on the windowsill to look out and Mason p-e-e-d (spelled out for you Dawn) all over the sill and Marty's hands. We cleaned him up and they came in with a change of clothes (Marty absolutely did not like his outfit today, you can't really see it in the picture but he had brown shoes, orange socks, pink shorts and a funky top) and we quickly began playing again. Not more then 10 minutes Marty is looking at me with the look of disgust. He could smell something and naturally his first thought was it was me. (Why?) We looked down on the floor and Mason had pooped on the floor and down all over his legs etc. (very messy & runny/no details left out). Once again we got him cleaned up and they brought yet another set of clothes. Mason was like a new man. He played so hard and belly laughed. We got it on video and can't wait to show everyone.

We don't get to go back tomorrow but will see him again on Friday and pick him up on Saturday to be with us forever. We are so excited. I wish I could show expression on the computer but I am jumping out of my skin right now.

This has been so much more fulfilling then I could have ever imagained. We have got to have the best agency (GOL-Beth you are awesome) and facilitators (Aleks and Yelena) we have been so welcomed here by them and they take such great care of us. Aleks and Marty love to give eachother a hard time. We have met some of the most amazing people through this experience and made some great lifetime friends. I couldn't be happier. We don't even spend much time in the room anymore because families are starting to get their babies and we that don't have our kids yet do a lot of running for things that the other families need. It helps pass the time for us. If any of the other families are any indication--you don't leave your room once you get the child for first 1-2 days. Some kids have adjusted great and love to come out and play with all of us adults (we call it the adult orphanage) and others are just so overwhelmed and take some more time. I feel Mason is going to love the freedom of the motel and the very long halls. All the families are on one floor and they have a lobby area that we all congregate at and visit for hours.

Tomorrow I'm going to post pictures of our current room (we got VERY small room till tomorrow) cause you guys will not believe it. I think Marty has a total of 3 steps he can take in his pacing modes.

Better go. Much love to all. We are half way through and miss everyone terribly.

This is my all time favorite picture. He is so precious. I can't wait to get him on Saturday. Today we witnessed a family getting their little girl brought to them today and it just gives you goosebumps. Our time is slowly coming. I'm so jealous of all the families already bonding. Our time will come.
Visits are getting better all the time. We have an organizer on our hands girls..dad has someone on his side (for the time being). He loves having everything in place and stops what he is doing if something gets knocked over to pick it up and place it properly the way he had it. If he takes something out of the bag he puts it back before taking another.

We got to go to the local zoo on Sunday and it was fun. Something different to do.
Aleks took us to a look out point and we got to see the view of the river and city from here. It is the 4th largest river in the world and runs north to the Artic Ocean. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to be able to get out of the hotel for something else to do.

There is some story about this giant sturgis but I can't recall it so just enjoy the goofy picture.

Love to get your comments so please keep sending.

OKAY, so daddy isn't so bad after all.

This was our visit on Friday and all completely turned around. Thank goodness for goldfish crackers.
Today we went to the zoo and didn't get back till late and only have 2 minutes before business office closes. It will not be open tomorrow because of holiday so I will do more on Tuesday. We get to go back and see him again tomorrow. It's been a long weekend not being able to see him.
Love to all.

We are so bored.

Today we have not accomplished much but wanted to write and just let you know how things are.
Every morning we are waking up around 7am, only cause Marty makes me of course, he has usually stirred for about 2 hrs already by that time. He's telling everyone here that I would sleep 24hrs if he allowed me too. The way I look at it is that there is not much else to do right now and as of next Saturday we will have Mason and we are to keep on a strict schedule given from the orphanage and he is to be awake at 7:30 each morning.
We went on a walk down by the river today and it is a breath taking view unless you look down at the waters edge and you see all the garbage they leave behind. It is so sad cause it is so beautiful here and they leave garbage everywhere--I'm not kidding, beer bottles are broken everywhere and there doesn't seem to be a drinking age because all ages have beers in their hands very early in the morning. There was a young couple down by the waters edge making out--very heavy--and I tried to get Marty to do the same but of course he just shook his head at me like always :o)
We went to the market (grocery store) and bought items to keep in our room--meat (I thought was meat) bread (very hard bread). We made sandwiches when we got back and I had to pass it to Marty cause I don't think they cook their meat. You all would be so proud of me cause I am trying all kinds of new things (not by choice of course cause you just point at the menu and hope it's what you think it is) can't complain to much because I haven't had to many bad things because of course I always choose safe things but Marty on the other hand eats it all. The other day Marty drank a glass of milk here and I told him if he drank it I would no longer kiss him--of course he drank it, but it was worth the funny disgusted look that came across his face. He's just dying for a tall glass of milk while I am dying for a Pepsi--everything is Coke :o( I have seen a Pepsi truck so I know they are going somewhere I've just got to find where.
One thing I do have to say about being here is that the women are gorgeous looking and nice bodies to boot but the odd thing is that the men are nothing to look at so you see a lot of women walking around arm and arm. They all wear stiletto hills too, young and old.
It will probably be Wednesday before we get to see Mason again because Monday is a Russian holiday (May day) and Tuesday is the day couples go to court so we have a lot of time to do nothing. 3 couples did get their kids today so it does help with having them around to entertain us.
Talk more tomorrow:o)

Thursday was a great day.

We got to see Mason yesterday and it was great. He did not come in crying and he warmed up to Marty. He started the visit off by not leaving my lap but quickly Marty got him to play and shortly Mason was on his lap. We played so hard and Mason had some laughing spells that just made us beam with pride. After the visit I realized we did not have the video camera on so won't be able to share it when we get home but I will forever remember. We are unable to got see him today (friday) or this weekend so we have to entertain ourselves. It is very difficult being away when we are so close. Last night we went out with some of the other couples and it has been a lot of fun meeting everyone. We do alot of walking around shopping and site seeing to help pass by time. We have found some great restuarants and have tried some really great food.
All is going well, we miss the kids terribly. I'll continue to post more as we continue.

Today was a better day.

Hello everyone. Today we saw Mason and things were a little better. He walked into the room with caregiver and he turned around to walk out as soon as he saw us. Marty and I began to panic. I went to him and picked him up and he cried for only a moment. We quickly learned that if we gave him food he was much happier so we got out the gold fish crackers and quickly we were a hit. He clung to me mostly and if Marty bribed him with a cracker he would go get it and get back to me as quickly as possible. He cracked a few smiles but not a whole lot. It was so wonderful having him cling to me like he did but I could see the hurt in Marty's eyes. We now understand the purpose of the 10 day waiting because it would have been to traumitizing for Mason to have just removed him from the only place he has know all his life. Tomorrow we go back and they are going to let us take him outside if it's nice and go for a walk.
We met up with a lot of couples also here to adopt and we sat around and drank a few beers and got to know one another. We are having a good time considering the difficulty of being away from the girls is very hard.
Today we went for a walk and got some excercise. We went shopping at a store but it is so difficult to read the tags that we didn't buy anything. We are having to shop and find some cooler clothing for us. It is 90degrees in the rooms at the orphanage and we sweat terrible when we are there so we are going to look for short sleeves. We walk around with out a jacket and the Russians are still bundling up as if it was cold and it's in the upper 60's.
I'll post more tomorrow and hopefully all goes well with Mason.

Hello to everyone. Marty and I arrived in Moscow on Saturday and stayed for about 6 hours in which we got a hotel just to sleep. We then flew out to Krasnoyarsk that same night and arrived at about 6:00am Sunday. Monday morning we went to see Mason for the 1st time and it was devestating. He cried when they left him with us and it took a few minutes to get him to stop. I was able to hold him and once I did he would not let me put him down. He held a ball up to his face to prevent him from having to look at Marty. Marty was just heart broken. Mason would not let him look, touch or say anything to him with out crying. We were finally able to get him to stop by feeding him rice crispy treats, we couldn't feed it fast enough and he just keep it in his mouth. Before we knew it the 2 hours were up and they came to get him and he lept out of my arms. Hopefully all will go better when we see him on Wednesday. Today we had court and all the stress we were putting ourselves through was unneccessary. The judge made it final after about 45 minutes of questions. Marty had to answer for the most part, which I was thankful for, and I finished us up. After a short recess the judge announced us as parents of Mason James Paul Peck. It was a very happy moment. Tonight we will celebrate with another couple that also had court with us.
I'll continue to keep in touch and hopefully I'm able to start including pictures soon.