A Nest for Our Russian Doll

By Verda Koene Hanrahan

A Nest for Our Russian Doll is a heartwarming book about a couples struggle with infertility and the eventual adoption of their daughter. This journey leads them halfway across the world to a village north of Moscow where they meet a small two-and-a-half-year-old child who had only known the orphanage as home. It takes you through her transition to America with her new family. This is a story that would bring hope to any couple trying to realize their dream of starting a family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 1, 2004
• ISBN: 9781469105277

Verda Koene Hanrahan

The author, the younger of two daughters, was born in 1961 to parents who immigrated from the Netherlands. She graduated in 1979 from Broomfield High School in Colorado and continued on to earn a bachelor’s degree in commercial leisure resource management. She married her husband in 1983 and started working as a flight attendant in 1986, and which she continues to do until today. In 1996, they adopted their beautiful, two-and-a-half-year-old daughter from Vologda, Russia. Today they all reside in Michigan.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

First Day at Home

Congratulations and Welcome Home, Petra were just some of the banners hanging on the walls as we walked through our front door. It was such a good feeling to be home again and I could see the journey as exciting as it was, it had taken its toll on all of us. The thought of curling up in my own bed, wrapping my body in our soft flannel sheets, and sinking my head in to an abundance of feathers was about all I could imagine right now.

Our dog Sandy was so excited to see us, you would have thought we were gone two years instead of two weeks. Sandy ran up to welcome Petra by giving her a large lick across her cheek. But the thought never even crossed my mind that Petra probably had never even seen a dog in her life. While visiting the orphanage in Russia, we noticed a cat roaming the halls and had seen plenty of stray dogs on the streets. So Petra let out a blood-curdling scream and began to sob while Sandy, not seeming to notice the profound impact she was making, continued to sniff what she believed to be a new guest in our house. In time, I’m sure they would get used to each other, but until then we will try to keep Sandy at a distance from Petra. Throughout the evening Petra’s eyes followed Sandy’s every move while Sandy seemed oblivious to it all.

Our close friends who met us at the airport and drove us home came in for a visit to hear a little of our journey and get acquainted with our new daughter. My parents were also in town for the celebration and to welcome their new granddaughter. Everyone was so taken with her and passed her around one by one to get that long-awaited hug, since they had all shared in this trying adoption process that we had endured the past year. Petra was very receptive to all the open arms that embraced her. Almost like she had waited for this moment to arrive too.

We all sat around talking, eating, and drinking while I slowly unpacked my luggage and handed out souvenirs we purchased in Russia. I changed Petra into a new soft, cotton blanket sleeper and introduced her to her new bedroom. She seemed a little overwhelmed at first, which was understandable, since her only possession was a small, white lace handkerchief. In the corner of the room was a stack of unwrapped Christmas packages for Petra. We had vowed to leave the tree up until we brought Petra home, but decided to take it down in mid-February because it saddened us so. One by one, she began opening the gifts. Like many children, I think she enjoyed the unwrapping more than the gift itself.

Petra, Steve, and I were exhausted. After our company left we all went to bed. We were informed that tomorrow we would have a surprise gathering of our friends to welcome Petra. A couple of hours after we were all sound asleep, I heard Petra cry out loud. I was still half dazed when I stumbled out of bed to run to her. I felt bad for her because she was in a strange room and strange bed and understandably scared. Her bed was a crib because we were supposed to get her at an earlier age. So I wondered if the white wooden bars surrounding the crib even frightened her. But I didn’t want her to fall out of bed or wander around the house alone late at night. I picked Petra up and rocked her back to sleep. Oh, how I had longed for this night to rock my baby in my arms.

Petra fell sound asleep and shortly after, so did I. By morning, Petra cried to let us know she was awake. So I picked Petra up out of bed and slowly everyone else began to surface. I feel like I could sleep another twenty-four hours, I told Steve, and I knew he felt the same way. Today we were just going to relax and let Petra explore her new home. She was even starting to relax around Sandy. We had a nice hearty breakfast and my parents were amazed at how much Petra could consume in one sitting. But Steve and I had already observed a sample of her appetite the previous week in Moscow.

I was extremely grateful to my parents for not only staying in our home while we were gone, but for cleaning it before our gathering that was going to take place this evening. Petra had a closet full of clothes, most of which were gifts. So I dressed her up in a sweet blue denim jumper with small pink flowers on it and a white lace collar. She looked so adorable and ready to accept her guests or welcome committee.

That evening, I decided to set out a few snacks before everyone arrived. But shortly after this decision, our friend Peggy stopped in and set up a large table in the solarium with a long submarine sandwich, salads, desserts, beverages, plates, napkins, cups, etc. As more guests arrived, so did more delicious side dishes. I had to laugh at the thought of my small plate of cheese and crackers. The small gathering I had anticipated turned out to be a house full of well-wishers. Petra took it all in stride, welcoming all that crossed her path. Everyone crowded around us as Petra unwrapped all of her gifts. She had received so much in the past two days, her mind must have been in a whirlwind.

I carried Petra into the solarium to fix us both a plate of something to eat. At that moment, she decided to give me a bruise to match the one she had on her cheek. We assumed another child had bitten her at the orphanage. As she sunk her teeth into my cheek, our friend Debra walked in. No, no, no, Petra, let go! she said, and Petra relaxed her grip. Although my cheek was throbbing in pain, I tried to make light of the situation and thanked Debra for rescuing me.

As the night wore on, Petra began to fade fast. So my mother and I snuck her upstairs to change her into her sleeper. As we undressed Petra, her head bobbed up and down as she fell sound asleep in my arms. I tucked her in bed and went downstairs to continue on the festivities. Steve was busy showing some of our guests the video footage of our trip. We not only taped our sightseeing excursions, but also our initial introduction to our daughter and the orphanage she spent the first two and a half years of her life in. This part of the video was an eye opener to all who viewed it. Steve managed to catch the children sitting on their individual potty bowls in a half circle while relieving themselves. These small faces with large eyes all looked into the unfamiliar camera. Afterward, the children sat down to enjoy a snack, and lastly said goodbye to Petra one last time on the day of her departure. It is a sight that will be etched in my memory banks until the day I die.

Peggy was a sweetheart, because she not only planned this party but cleaned up afterward as well. This was a blessing in disguise, because once again I was lethargic and when the last guest left, I believe I fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow.

I was in a deep sleep when I thought I heard Petra scream out loud. I stumbled out of bed once again to race to her side. Only this time, I found her to be sound asleep. As I walked back to our bedroom, Steve asked, What is wrong? I thought Petra was crying again, but I realize now that I was dreaming, I replied.

CHAPTER 2

Getting Acquainted

Today is Friday, March 2, 1996, our second full day at home. Mom and I decided to take Petra grocery shopping with us. She is such a trooper and takes everything in stride. She seems to enjoy everyone she meets and everywhere she goes or just enjoys life in general. And I feel like the luckiest mother in the world.

While browsing through the aisles, Petra managed to get a good grip on my pinky finger between her teeth. Someone walked by us stating how cute she was. Tears were in my eyes when I managed to pull my finger out of her mouth. My finger turned a little purple and I told Petra, No biting. My first dilemma as a parent. What happened to your finger? asked my mother. Petra bit me again. Well, you always hurt the one you love, replied Mom.

My parents only stayed a few days, because they felt we needed to have some privacy as new parents. But I know I will miss them, as I always do when they leave. Our agency suggested that we not bring Petra to a physician for at least the first month. But Petra seemed to feel comfortable around us after the first week that we decided to take her in right away. We wanted the two bruises on her rear end that we discovered while in Moscow to be examined before they disappear.

When Petra met the doctor, she just smiled at him. She let him give her a thorough examination. I asked him to check the bruises and told him about the story we heard concerning the sedation shots. He said the bruises could have been from injections, but it is all speculation, and in reality, we will never know. The doctor also informed me she was lacking several immunization shots. He suggested I contact our health insurance to make sure they are covered, and if not, he told me the state health department will do the same thing for $5.00.

When I returned home, I called the insurance company to inquire about the shots. To my surprise, I learned all immunization shots needed to be given before the age of two to be covered. I explained, I would have loved to follow this rule, but was unable to get our daughter before she turned two. I asked to speak to the manager and explained our situation, but he too stated their policy and didn’t budge. My next call was to the Michigan Department of Labor to find out if this practice was legal. Although they sympathized with my problem, they said nothing could be done.

A couple of days later, I took Petra to get her immunization shots. Peggy offered to go along for moral support. I was advised to buy children’s Tylenol in case of slight fever after being given the shots. Out of seven shots, Petra needed five immediately; the other two were part of a series. Out of the five she needed today, they could combine two. So she would be stuck with a syringe for four separate times. They opted to do these shots on her legs. I held Petra on my lap when the first injection came. Petra cried a bit when the needle pierced her skin, but immediately stopped upon its removal. Each shot thereafter became a little more intense for Petra, but she held up like a trooper. My moral support, on the other hand, was very traumatized and almost passed out, I might add.

After Petra’s ordeal, we took her out to lunch. She never seemed affected by the shots and was her happy-go-lucky self in no time. When I returned home, I informed Steve, You can bring Petra for her next shot. I wonder why she didn’t scream, cry, and kick when she saw the needle coming? Steve replied, Maybe she is used to needles. And Petra also never broke into a fever either. She handled the day better than many adults.

Each day was a new adventure for all of us. Petra continued going potty in her green plastic bowl from the orphanage. We tried the larger toilet, but that seemed to frighten her. And her food consumption was still a bit much. We also discovered not only did she stuff her mouth to over full capacity, she hid food in her cheeks to consume later, usually while bathing. This drove Steve nuts. He would tell Petra to chew while motioning with his mouth. But as always, she would just smile and sometimes mock his chewing motion. Bedtime was a little more difficult. I tried playing with her in the afternoons, until she would fall asleep for a nap. I couldn’t just lay Petra down in bed or she would scream. This was unusual, because in Moscow we could just lay her down and she would go to sleep. And at nighttime, I had to rock her to sleep or sit in her room until she fell asleep.

Peggy wanted to be the first to introduce Petra to McDonald’s and their happy meals. So one afternoon, we ventured up town. First, we let her play in McDonald’s Playland. She started out with a bit of hesitation, but soon crawled in the tubes and down the slide with the other children. Peggy and I enjoyed it as much as, if not more than, Petra did. Afterward she sat down to eat her happy meal. Peggy and I took photograph after photograph, as Petra went through four packages of ketchup.

After McDonald’s, we headed over to Target where Peggy took Petra shopping. Peggy bought Petra a new dress with accessories and a toy. Petra’s eyes lit up with everything that Peggy showed her and she even taught her to toss things over her shoulder and behind her into the shopping cart. I’m not sure who enjoyed themselves more. It was a fun-filled venture out in town. Peggy told me, I enjoy buying things for Petra because she gets a sparkle in her eye when I show her something and she seems to appreciate it all.

Each night after dinner, it was bath time for Petra. She thoroughly enjoyed playing in the water and even more so on the evenings she got bubbles in her water. She never wanted it to end, but when her skin started to shrivel like a prune, I knew it was time. After her bath, we were teaching her to brush her teeth and then bedtime at 8:30 p.m., Steve and I wanted to get on some type of schedule not only for Petra’s sake, but for our own as well. One evening as I put Petra to bed, Steve walked in to her room saying, "Are you ready to try it