We’re writing this on cloud nine, having just returned to the apartment from court, where we were granted custody of Lily Grace! The proceedings went smoothly, other than Tonya breaking down one sentence into her court speech, which she gave right after mine. :-) At which point the judge told her she could just sit down and try to speak later. This must have given her new resolve, as she said “No, I can do this!”, got it together, and finished her speech, which was beautiful.
We are about to grab a bite of lunch, then head to the baby house for our afternoon visit, which we already know is going to be very special.
We now wait 15 days for the decision to become final, then five more days for Lily Grace's passport to be processed, then fly to Almaty for a week of processing out of the embassy. Add it all up and this Thanksgiving will be the most blessed Thanksgiving we've ever had.
Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts – keep them flowing!
Steve & Tonya
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
We have a court date - and it's tomorrow!
This morning, we learned from our coordinator that our court date has been set, and - it's tomorrow! Wednesday late morning our time, late Tuesday night back home.
We have each written our court speeches - both are a few minutes long allowing for translation - and are told that the entire proceeding should last about 30 minutes.
If all goes well, and we are certainly hoping and expecting that it will, Lily Grace will become legally ours! The 15-day waiting period, paperwork, etc. follows, and we'll cover more of that in our next post, which we'll send tomorrow night. Bottom line is our planned return around Thanksgiving Day appears to be on track.
We appreciate your prayers and support throughout this process, and particularly at this important milestone.
Steve and Tonya
We have each written our court speeches - both are a few minutes long allowing for translation - and are told that the entire proceeding should last about 30 minutes.
If all goes well, and we are certainly hoping and expecting that it will, Lily Grace will become legally ours! The 15-day waiting period, paperwork, etc. follows, and we'll cover more of that in our next post, which we'll send tomorrow night. Bottom line is our planned return around Thanksgiving Day appears to be on track.
We appreciate your prayers and support throughout this process, and particularly at this important milestone.
Steve and Tonya
Friday, October 24, 2008
A Visit to Lily Grace’s Birthplace
This past Sunday, we were able to visit in-person the town and the maternity hospital where Lily Grace was born. When we came to Kazakhstan, we had no idea that we’d have an opportunity like that, or even be able to find out what town she was born in, so when we were given the name of her birth town and realized it was only 45 minutes from Karaganda, the city where we’re based, we asked if we could arrange a trip there. Our coordinator generously offered to take us there herself, along with our travel companion family whose son was also born in this same hospital.
On our drive out, we were able for the first time to see the land around Karaganda – our introduction to Kazakhstan’s vast steppe region. It has its own peculiar beauty, with a vast open sky stretching in all directions, the grasses a golden flax color, all different lengths and choppy, and an equally muted silvery gray sky. (It looks much more interesting in person that in these bad shots taken from our speeding car!) After experiencing this landscape for ourselves, it was clear how this area has been the land of the horse for millennia.
We were struck by the importance that mining is to this region of Kazakhstan, with frequent mining operations popping up out of the horizon every so often along the drive. They mine coal in the Karaganda region, and most of the small villages dotting the outlying areas are supported by the coal mining industry.
The town at which we finally arrived was pretty small, but had it’s own maternity hospital which services many of the villages and towns in that area. We drove up to a 6-7 story Soviet style building and were only able to park and take pictures of the outside, without going into the actual hospital. (We had already been told that would not be possible.) So we walked around the grounds and took pictures at every possible view and I (Tonya) walked down the drive to the entrance gate, imagining the woman who had driven through those gates carrying Lily Grace, and then leaving without her. We can only imagine the mixture of emotions she must have felt.
We drove back, grateful for the ability to in some way, touch this part of Lily Grace’s unknown journey. We hope that by sharing photos of this place with her, one more piece of a puzzle of her life will be able to come together and help her understand part of the story of how she came to be in our family.
Tonya and Steve
On our drive out, we were able for the first time to see the land around Karaganda – our introduction to Kazakhstan’s vast steppe region. It has its own peculiar beauty, with a vast open sky stretching in all directions, the grasses a golden flax color, all different lengths and choppy, and an equally muted silvery gray sky. (It looks much more interesting in person that in these bad shots taken from our speeding car!) After experiencing this landscape for ourselves, it was clear how this area has been the land of the horse for millennia.We were struck by the importance that mining is to this region of Kazakhstan, with frequent mining operations popping up out of the horizon every so often along the drive. They mine coal in the Karaganda region, and most of the small villages dotting the outlying areas are supported by the coal mining industry.
The town at which we finally arrived was pretty small, but had it’s own maternity hospital which services many of the villages and towns in that area. We drove up to a 6-7 story Soviet style building and were only able to park and take pictures of the outside, without going into the actual hospital. (We had already been told that would not be possible.) So we walked around the grounds and took pictures at every possible view and I (Tonya) walked down the drive to the entrance gate, imagining the woman who had driven through those gates carrying Lily Grace, and then leaving without her. We can only imagine the mixture of emotions she must have felt.
We drove back, grateful for the ability to in some way, touch this part of Lily Grace’s unknown journey. We hope that by sharing photos of this place with her, one more piece of a puzzle of her life will be able to come together and help her understand part of the story of how she came to be in our family.
Tonya and Steve
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tea Time in Kazakhstan
Those of you who know me pretty well know that I am a huge coffee lover. Some would clarify that as “coffee snob” and I have a hard time refuting this! However, most days here find me firing up the kettle in our kitchen, every hour or so, for some fabulous varieties of the local teas. Black teas, fruit infused teas, green teas … you name it.
We’ve learned that Kazakhstan, being located in central Asia, is a country of tea connoisseurs, or tea snobs if you will. I figured I’d do as the Romans do while we’re here and embark on an exploration of the various teas they have in their “tea aisle” at the grocery stores.
I am not kidding when I say they have an entire aisle dedicated to tea … with a few jars of instant coffee (Tasters Choice) nearby. They also have an entire aisle for chocolate too, which is separate from their aisle of general candies. We can see the priorities of the culture here, and we highly support those priorities!
The black tea here is wonderful and very smooth. The traditional Kazakh way to serve it is with milk and sugar cubes. I also found a Lipton Black tea with Mango and Peach infusion … wonderful stuff which I don’t think we’ll be able to find back home so I may have to bring some back. I also happened to bring a couple of loose tea blends from home, which I’m grateful to have thought to pack now.
So, as you read this, chances are if we’re not sleeping or visiting Lily Grace, it means one thing: it’s tea time and I’m busy firing up that kettle. Cheers!
Tonya
We’ve learned that Kazakhstan, being located in central Asia, is a country of tea connoisseurs, or tea snobs if you will. I figured I’d do as the Romans do while we’re here and embark on an exploration of the various teas they have in their “tea aisle” at the grocery stores.
I am not kidding when I say they have an entire aisle dedicated to tea … with a few jars of instant coffee (Tasters Choice) nearby. They also have an entire aisle for chocolate too, which is separate from their aisle of general candies. We can see the priorities of the culture here, and we highly support those priorities!
The black tea here is wonderful and very smooth. The traditional Kazakh way to serve it is with milk and sugar cubes. I also found a Lipton Black tea with Mango and Peach infusion … wonderful stuff which I don’t think we’ll be able to find back home so I may have to bring some back. I also happened to bring a couple of loose tea blends from home, which I’m grateful to have thought to pack now.
So, as you read this, chances are if we’re not sleeping or visiting Lily Grace, it means one thing: it’s tea time and I’m busy firing up that kettle. Cheers!
Tonya
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Week Two: Doctor Meeting, Social Workers, etc.
We recently made it through two of the necessary meetings here on behalf of Lily Grace: the meeting with our baby house doctor, and the meeting with the social workers who review our case.
Our meeting with the doctor was very informative, giving us all of the medical information they have compiled on her during her 8 months here. The doctor was amused by the giant list of questions that I whipped out of my notebook and Steve was actually able to use a couple of the Russian words we learned, much to her surprise and (we think based on her smile) approval.
Fortunately, Lily Grace hasn't had any serious illness other than Chicken Pox, as evidenced by the green “dye” they use as an antiseptic on her spots, and which were still on her head and body when we met her. Bottom line though, she appears to be healthy and as they put it: an extremely active and independent little soul. Their exact words were: “She will get whatever she wants in life because she goes after it.” We can only assume they have observed her “grass is greener” behavior with her friends’ toys in the playroom, as she scoots around on her belly stealing her favorites from their stash. Apparently we either have much to learn about toy selection, or about how to help her enjoy what she already has!
Each day we visit Lily Grace, she recognizes us more, is more excited to see us when we wake her from her naps, makes more eye contact and holds it longer. She is being drawn out and is interacting more with us and with others, instead of simply observing life around her. She is sitting up straight now and is scooting around much quicker, and has been lifting up on all fours even, in her attempts to get into crawl position. She’s got very strong little legs and back, which she displays by jumping on our laps or standing and holding onto us. Today she discovered she can bang cups together and make some amazing percussive noise, much to the complete delight and cheers of her parents. It’s been a real joy to watch her change before our eyes and bond with us more and more.
Thanks to all of you who have emailed us and posted on the blog. We appreciate each one of you and your supportive thoughts and prayers.
Tonya and Steve
Our meeting with the doctor was very informative, giving us all of the medical information they have compiled on her during her 8 months here. The doctor was amused by the giant list of questions that I whipped out of my notebook and Steve was actually able to use a couple of the Russian words we learned, much to her surprise and (we think based on her smile) approval.
Fortunately, Lily Grace hasn't had any serious illness other than Chicken Pox, as evidenced by the green “dye” they use as an antiseptic on her spots, and which were still on her head and body when we met her. Bottom line though, she appears to be healthy and as they put it: an extremely active and independent little soul. Their exact words were: “She will get whatever she wants in life because she goes after it.” We can only assume they have observed her “grass is greener” behavior with her friends’ toys in the playroom, as she scoots around on her belly stealing her favorites from their stash. Apparently we either have much to learn about toy selection, or about how to help her enjoy what she already has!
Each day we visit Lily Grace, she recognizes us more, is more excited to see us when we wake her from her naps, makes more eye contact and holds it longer. She is being drawn out and is interacting more with us and with others, instead of simply observing life around her. She is sitting up straight now and is scooting around much quicker, and has been lifting up on all fours even, in her attempts to get into crawl position. She’s got very strong little legs and back, which she displays by jumping on our laps or standing and holding onto us. Today she discovered she can bang cups together and make some amazing percussive noise, much to the complete delight and cheers of her parents. It’s been a real joy to watch her change before our eyes and bond with us more and more.
Thanks to all of you who have emailed us and posted on the blog. We appreciate each one of you and your supportive thoughts and prayers.
Tonya and Steve
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tonya’s suitcase arrives!
When we arrived in Kazakhstan on October 1, our bags decided to stay behind. Three days later, four of our five pieces of luggage made it – the lone straggler being Tonya’s suitcase, containing all of her clothes, and also our photo albums of home and family required for the judge when we go to court.
After a week in-country, it was looking pretty bleak for ever seeing that bag again. However, due to the diligence of our adoption coordinator and interpreter here, the bag finally made it from Amsterdam, where it had been apparently misplaced. Needless to say, for Tonya, going through it was like opening a treasure chest, and I think it’s safe to say she’s looking forward to wearing a different pair of jeans today … :-)
Steve
After a week in-country, it was looking pretty bleak for ever seeing that bag again. However, due to the diligence of our adoption coordinator and interpreter here, the bag finally made it from Amsterdam, where it had been apparently misplaced. Needless to say, for Tonya, going through it was like opening a treasure chest, and I think it’s safe to say she’s looking forward to wearing a different pair of jeans today … :-)
Steve
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Familiar Faces
We’ve begun to settle into a routine, with our 2-hour visits each morning and afternoon, with lunch and errands in between and then home for dinner in the apartment each night.
Each visit begins with waking Lily Grace from her crib, in a room of 14 cribs, changing her diaper and feeding her, then playing with her – either on a blanket spread on the floor or bundled up and taken outside for a walk around the grounds of the baby house. Lily Grace has begun to realize that we come as a “package deal” – if one of us is holding her, she is now looking around trying to find the other. Eye contact is coming more easily and frequently, and nothing melts our hearts more than looking into her eyes and seeing a smile break out on her face.
In a few days, we will have our official meeting with the baby house doctor, who will go over all of her medicals, give her assessment and then field our questions. We’ve been impressed with the doctors, nurses and care giving staff at the baby house – they do a lot with a little, and clearly care deeply for the children in their care.
After two weeks of visiting, papers will be filed with the court on our behalf, and we will wait and see what court date will be assessed. It will likely be in late October, followed by a mandatory 15-day waiting period, then a week of processing through the embassy. At this point, the estimate of coming home in late November seems to be on track.
We deeply appreciate all of the prayers and well-wishes that have poured in – it buoys us and reminds us that indeed, we are all one big adopted family.
Steve and Tonya
Each visit begins with waking Lily Grace from her crib, in a room of 14 cribs, changing her diaper and feeding her, then playing with her – either on a blanket spread on the floor or bundled up and taken outside for a walk around the grounds of the baby house. Lily Grace has begun to realize that we come as a “package deal” – if one of us is holding her, she is now looking around trying to find the other. Eye contact is coming more easily and frequently, and nothing melts our hearts more than looking into her eyes and seeing a smile break out on her face.
In a few days, we will have our official meeting with the baby house doctor, who will go over all of her medicals, give her assessment and then field our questions. We’ve been impressed with the doctors, nurses and care giving staff at the baby house – they do a lot with a little, and clearly care deeply for the children in their care.
After two weeks of visiting, papers will be filed with the court on our behalf, and we will wait and see what court date will be assessed. It will likely be in late October, followed by a mandatory 15-day waiting period, then a week of processing through the embassy. At this point, the estimate of coming home in late November seems to be on track.
We deeply appreciate all of the prayers and well-wishes that have poured in – it buoys us and reminds us that indeed, we are all one big adopted family.
Steve and Tonya
Friday, October 3, 2008
A day we will never forget
Today is a day that we will never forget. It’s the day we met our daughter who we plan to name Lily Grace, and our hearts were totally captured. It’s actually hard to put into words how we feel right now, because it’s such an overwhelming experience. I’ll just give a synopsis of the day below though:
Our interpreter and coordinator took us to the baby house this morning and after being escorted through the home, we saw her across the room in her little walker, jumping around and scooting along the floor next to several other babies. We were smitten and of course, I immediately burst into floods of tears, which was not surprising, but it meant I couldn’t see anything for the next 5 minutes! Total cuteness cannot describe how absolutely adorable this little punkinhead is. Big grin, animated face, little dark brown almond eyes that follow you everywhere and soft dark brown hair sticking up on top of her head. And two new teeth on the bottom, just peeking out of her gums! She seems to have a pretty laid back personality from what we can tell after just one day. We’ll see!
We got to play with her for two hours this morning and then put her down for a nap, break for lunch with our interpreter and our traveling partners, Maggie and Danny who are also adopting at our baby house. Then at 2 p.m. we returned and got her up from her nap, and had the experience of feeding her for the first time. A great mixture of mashed potatoes mixed with turnips and ground meat. She liked it at first but then quickly became disinterested in her potato mixture, preferring instead to watch the little boy next to her get fed. After she was finished, she promptly drained her bottle in about 20 seconds flat. Apparently she’s a fan of juice.
At this point, Steve had to go with our driver and interpreter back to the airport to try and identify our missing luggage, so it was just me and Lily Grace for the afternoon visit. I respectfully bundled her up in a snowsuit and hat (Russians and Kazak culture is very big on making sure little ones don’t get cold!) on this lovely, sunny 60 degree day and we went outside to visit the playground along with Maggie and Danny. She was intrigued by all of the noise of the cars driving by, and she got to practice her favorite activity (jumping) on my lap as we sat on a bench. She has some strong legs. I had to keep a good hold on her so she wouldn’t go shooting off the end of my lap.
We then went back inside for more play time and then, of course the day would not be complete without the first changing of the diaper. Steve made it back from the airport in time for that!!! I know he was really relieved that he didn’t miss that “first!”
After leaving, we went to pick up some supplies and groceries for our apartment and then came back here to unpack the bags that DID make it here. (still missing the ONE bag that had all of my clothes… they think it may still be in Germany… hmmmm) We’re pretty wiped now, but wanted to share the great day we had. Wow. Are we really about to be parents???
To be continued…..
Tonya and Steve
P. S. Our agency has asked us not to post any pictures of her on the blog until she is legally ours – you’ll just have to take our word for it that she’s one of the most adorable babies you’ve ever seen. :-)
Our interpreter and coordinator took us to the baby house this morning and after being escorted through the home, we saw her across the room in her little walker, jumping around and scooting along the floor next to several other babies. We were smitten and of course, I immediately burst into floods of tears, which was not surprising, but it meant I couldn’t see anything for the next 5 minutes! Total cuteness cannot describe how absolutely adorable this little punkinhead is. Big grin, animated face, little dark brown almond eyes that follow you everywhere and soft dark brown hair sticking up on top of her head. And two new teeth on the bottom, just peeking out of her gums! She seems to have a pretty laid back personality from what we can tell after just one day. We’ll see!
We got to play with her for two hours this morning and then put her down for a nap, break for lunch with our interpreter and our traveling partners, Maggie and Danny who are also adopting at our baby house. Then at 2 p.m. we returned and got her up from her nap, and had the experience of feeding her for the first time. A great mixture of mashed potatoes mixed with turnips and ground meat. She liked it at first but then quickly became disinterested in her potato mixture, preferring instead to watch the little boy next to her get fed. After she was finished, she promptly drained her bottle in about 20 seconds flat. Apparently she’s a fan of juice.
At this point, Steve had to go with our driver and interpreter back to the airport to try and identify our missing luggage, so it was just me and Lily Grace for the afternoon visit. I respectfully bundled her up in a snowsuit and hat (Russians and Kazak culture is very big on making sure little ones don’t get cold!) on this lovely, sunny 60 degree day and we went outside to visit the playground along with Maggie and Danny. She was intrigued by all of the noise of the cars driving by, and she got to practice her favorite activity (jumping) on my lap as we sat on a bench. She has some strong legs. I had to keep a good hold on her so she wouldn’t go shooting off the end of my lap.
We then went back inside for more play time and then, of course the day would not be complete without the first changing of the diaper. Steve made it back from the airport in time for that!!! I know he was really relieved that he didn’t miss that “first!”
After leaving, we went to pick up some supplies and groceries for our apartment and then came back here to unpack the bags that DID make it here. (still missing the ONE bag that had all of my clothes… they think it may still be in Germany… hmmmm) We’re pretty wiped now, but wanted to share the great day we had. Wow. Are we really about to be parents???
To be continued…..
Tonya and Steve
P. S. Our agency has asked us not to post any pictures of her on the blog until she is legally ours – you’ll just have to take our word for it that she’s one of the most adorable babies you’ve ever seen. :-)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Hello from Kazakhstan!
A quick note to let you know we have arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Though not without some adventure - our flight out of Dulles was delayed two hours due to thunderstorms, which resulted in us missing our connection in Frankfurt.
We were routed to Amsterdam, then switched carriers to KLM into Almaty. This required a mad dash through the Amsterdam airport to make this flight, and of course, this means that none of our luggage made it. :-) We're told it should show up in a couple of days. Fortunately, we have with us all of the important documents, etc. we need to move forward.
Will send another update hopefully tomorrow or Saturday after we have a first visit to the baby house!
Steve
We were routed to Amsterdam, then switched carriers to KLM into Almaty. This required a mad dash through the Amsterdam airport to make this flight, and of course, this means that none of our luggage made it. :-) We're told it should show up in a couple of days. Fortunately, we have with us all of the important documents, etc. we need to move forward.
Will send another update hopefully tomorrow or Saturday after we have a first visit to the baby house!
Steve
