Some progress..

Okay so first stop on the agenda today was the courthouse to have a statment added to the adoption decree, confirming the 10 days had passed and it was "final". Simple? Of course not. The Judge's secretary wanted to know why we were asking for it, and not our attorney. Are ya kiddin' me? Irina told here there was no need for the attorney since I - the adoptive mother - was making the request. The secretary then calls up to the judge, who now wants us to put in writing the fact that we're requesting, and receiving said amended document. Talk about drama! Ultimately we got what we needed and went to the Registrar's Office. I'm told it is the equivalent of our Vital Statistics Offices. We waited about 40 minutes and finally got the adoption certificate. From there we had to stop by the notary office so Irina could get notarized copies. From there it was back to Angarsk and the Registrar's office where we got his new birth certificate. Last stop was to get passport pictures of Harry taken.

We have everything we need to apply for his passport. Except - the office isn't open on Thursdays. Of course! Would you expect ANYTHING to go quickly?

So tomorrow we'll go and apply. Hopefully they'll issue it quickly, without the adoption visa, and without sending it through Irkutsk, which would slow things up!

Until then, two boys who spent 6 hours in a car and office waiting areas beckon...they have lots of energy to expend...just wish it weren't -30F outside! Oh well, that's what long underwear is for...