Welcome to fatherhood, please fasten your seat belt

And so I met what may turn out to be my son and daughter today.

Instant fatherhood. Bam. Did I tell you this was all surreal. Well there's nothing like having Russian caregivers bring two children into a room who potentially are going to spend the rest of your life with you.

Asking for money.
Borrowing the car.
Drawing on the expensive sofa with non-erasable markers.
Waking you up before the alarm.
Coming home after curfew with no excuses.
Spoiling their diapers when mom isn't around to change them.
Asking for money ... did I say that one already?

Zukhran was brought out first, she cried when she saw us both and ran back out of the room. I have that type of effect on women.

Ruslan was second, and he had no issues with us. He seemed pretty laid back and easily adjustable, which may be his personality, or perhaps the baby valiums he's on.

We spent two hours with the two children today, bribing them with toys and pieces of cookies, and just soaking in the whole idea of becoming parents. Zukhran was a handful, very independent, sending a clear message to mom and dad that she will go potty when she chooses to, she will get whatever pierced whenever she wants, and no she doesn't need our written approval for her prom dates.

Ruslan was more like dad, enjoying the finer art of slouching, loving the sofa, and acting like he was going to cry anytime he didn't get his way. That worked for him, but seldom works for dad.

It's an amazing series of events. You spend three days traveling to Siberia, you wake up Tuesday morning, are taken to a baby home, and they bring out a boy and girl who they have assigned to your family who will become the two most important people in your lives (sorry, Shreve) for the rest of your life.

I don't know if surreal quite says it all.

(somewhere my sister is laughing ... Mikel a father?)