What a journey! Sleeping is difficult for Greta. No nap either day. After she finally fell asleep last night, she slept until 7 am this morning! Robert had to get out of her sight for her to go to bed and go to sleep. She counts on him rescuing her from the mean mama!

We took her out to play in the snow. When we were getting her snowsuit on, she thought we were taking her back to the orphanage. She misses her friends. When we came back in, she had a major meltdown. I held her while she cried (and flailed). Eventually she calmed down. Afterwards she has been happier than she was earlier in the day. I expect that bedtime will be rough again. I can't imagine what is going on in her mind. She seems happy with us, but I'm sure she is missing her friends and her familiar routine.

We have Greta!!! I've usually posted something earlier in the day than this, but I've been busy with my daughter! She has had her first Happy Meal. She has refused to take a nap. I tried, she cried, I gave in, and Robert laughed. Oh, well, there will be plenty of time to get the routine down later. : - )

Greta was obviously ready to leave with us when we got there this morning. We changed her clothes, then she went in to say good-bye. That was hard to watch. The younger ones gave her hugs. The older ones did too, but they were more solemn. The oldest boy cried. I'm sure his tears were for himself as well as for saying goodbye to Greta. He is old enough to realize that he doesn't have a family and may never. Greta went around and gave each child a hug and kiss. Those moments will stay in my mind forever.

By the way, Greta can wear the 3Ts but she doesn't have any growing room. I'll be buying 4Ts when we get home.

We're back in Klaipeda and just had a visit with Greta. She still favors Robert which I was told to expect. Right now she probably sees me as another caregiver but Robert is something new. He's also more fun! I get plenty of hugs and kisses though. He was riding her on his shoulders today, which she loved! She also had fun combing my hair. I'm sure my hair looked wonderful when she was done!

The plan right now is for me to pick Greta up from the orphanage tomorrow morning! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much since it's not official yet. However, it seems as though the caregivers are prepared for me to pick her up tomorrow. I didn't see Dr. Genyte at the orphanage today to talk with her about the plans. We will talk tomorrow morning to confirm. I'm fairly sure that I will at least get to take her out of the orphanage for the day. I'm so ready for her to be with me!

Court is over. I would be more relieved if I had the decision. Egle says that it went well and to celebrate. I think I'll wait to celebrate after the decision has been given, which will not be until Monday afternoon. The judge asked the state/government workers about Greta's older sister, who is 17. She asked whether she may want to adopt Greta when she's older. I couldn't understand all that was being said, but the girl is with a foster family. She doesn't know Greta and there's not telling when or if she'd ever be able to care for her - or even if she would want to. It was heartbreaking to hear Greta and Greta's mother's story in court today. I'm so ready to have her home and so that she can learn what it means to have a family.

Tomorrow Robert and I return to Klaipeda by train. It's about a 4 1/2 hour trip. We will be able to visit with Greta tomorrow afternoon. We are missing her!! We will be visiting with her over the weekend. I think we will be able to take her out of the orphanage during the day, but she will probably not be able to stay with us overnight until we get the court decision. I'm going to check on that to make sure.

Once we get the court documents (which will probably be Wednesday), we'll take them to get Greta's new birth certificate - with me listed as her mother and with her new name - Greta Rose Bass. I'm told it takes a couple of hours to get the birth certificate. Then I take the birth certificate to get her passport. All of this is in Klaipeda. As soon as we get these documents, we will return to Vilnius to start the process of getting Greta's visa.

The meeting went well with the attorney. She said that she is 99% sure that the judge will waive the 40 day appeal period. Egle, the attorney, said that we have a very nice judge and that she expects the process to go smoothly. She said that it may be Friday or Monday before we get the court decision - which will make Greta officially my daughter - but when we get the decision it will be final!

After meeting with the attorney, Robert and I went to a mall to shop. We bought a couple more activities for Greta since we will have so much time in an apartment for the next couple of weeks. It is too cold to have her outside any more than is necessary. It was -5 F yesterday!