Sleep Little BB

Today I was back on schedule for my 8:30 AM pickup to go to the baby house. Asiya, my translator joined us today, it was a good day to have her with me. Once we arrived at the baby house we went into the office and I had to sign several papers which Asiya translated for me. While in the office they bought BB in who looked a little surprised, but not happy, they said it was because he had never been in this room before. What can you say; you just go with what they tell you. Once I finished signing all of the papers, I took BB into the playroom. Let’s just say I’ve seen him happier. Shortly after we got into the playroom they bought his food in, usually I can’t start feeding him fast enough. Not today, he started screaming when I put him in his chair so I tried the high chair, he was still screaming and refusing to eat. After I walked around with him for a few minutes to calm him down and knowing they would not be happy at all if he didn’t eat, I fed him while holding him in my arms and standing, it worked, he ate about 95% of his food. Well 95% wasn’t making the care taker happy, she told me through my translator that he eats this amount every day and he would have to wait until 2 PM to eat again. She tried to give him the rest of his food then finally decided to tell him to be patient for his next feeding and left. Not long after that he fell asleep in my arms and slept there for about an hour, until they came to get him. The first question out of the caretakers mouth was how long has he been sleeping? Of course we said he just fell asleep because she was taking him for his nap. I thought he was sick, but as it turns out she told us that he did not sleep well that morning. When I handed him to her he woke up with that big bright smile again, all was good for me, not sure how well he slept during his nap after I left but I enjoyed my visit!

Today was an absolutely beautiful spring day in Kazakhstan; it had to be at least sixty-five degrees out. I walked down to Paniflov Park, met Sara and Julian and then we did a little shopping on our way over to Yubileyny. It is a food stand that sells tortilla-wrapped doner kebabs. They are stuffed with meat, onions, carrots, pickles, sour cream and French fries. We picked some up and went and sat in one of the numerous parks here to eat, they were good. While in the park we heard very loud music so we walked to it. There was a stage set up and a rally going on, there were signs and hats which translate to something like ‘For a Green City’. We think it has to do with the upcoming national Spring Holiday on March 22nd. Several different people performed, kids were dancing all over the place, police were everywhere and it was being filmed. We started to walk back to my hotel; the park that was behind the stage was lined with Military personnel, one about every ten feet. It put an entirely different feel on what we had just seen, makes you wonder how peaceful this rally really was. Anyway, it was a fun night and we all got free hats!

Tomorrow will be my last day to see BB for a while. I hope he's feeling better tomorrow. I’m not looking forward to leaving him especially since I don’t know how long it will be before I see him again. Hopefully it will be soon! Take care, Chris

Let Sleeping BB’s Lie

Today was an interesting day, I was told yesterday that my coordinator needed to take care of some business on my behalf and she needed my driver to do it so I would not be picked up to go to the baby house until 2 PM. OK, since I always see BB in the morning, I was interested in seeing BB in the afternoon. At about 11 AM, my phone rang, Dusen, my driver was on his way to pick me up and he’ll be at the hotel in about twenty minutes. Five minutes after that the phone rang again, Dusen was down stairs waiting for me. It took me a few minutes to get downstairs and when I did he was standing outside, not in his car. I was having a problem with my phone so I asked him to call my translator for me; he did and told her to call me back. I was concerned that we were going to arrive at the baby house during BB’s nap. I was asking the translator if someone called the baby house to let them know I was coming now, during BB’s nap, her reply to me was that the baby house doctor and the Director of the Ministry of Education were in the car so they knew I was going at that time. I was shocked, someone is in the car and here I am standing outside of the car for five minutes talking to my driver and translator and making the people who are trying to help me wait. Of course I said hello and I’m sorry I made you wait but the only part of what I said that was understood was hello. So for the next hour I sat quietly in the car and listened to the three of them laugh and talk in Russian.

When we arrived at the baby house I went into the playroom and waited for BB. When they bought him in it was obvious they had just woke him from his nap. Needless to say he was not a happy boy; he was very sleepy and didn’t want to leave his caregivers arms. He exercised his displeasure with being roused form his nap and he exercised his lungs as well. After a few minutes I got him to settle down, but he was not his usual happy self for most of the visit. He played a little bit but he was basically weepy until probably about the time he was supposed to get up from his nap. Shortly after he started playing with me, they came and got him for whatever he has on his day planner at 2 PM.

The bad part of this whole thing is that they were unable to complete the business that they were trying to do so they will try again in a few days.

We got back to the hotel later this afternoon, by this time the rain had cleared and it turned out to be a nice day. You guessed it, time to walk again. Sara called and asked me if I wanted to see the American Idol results show so I headed out again. This time, I took a different route, one without my unintentional detours and made it to her and Julian’s apartment in about 30 minutes. We had dinner, watched Idol and had a nice evening. Then Sara and Julian walked me back to the hotel, they escorted me back after dark, I appreciate that!

I only have two more days to visit with BB. Although I am anxious to come home the thought of leaving him gets harder and harder every day. I can only hope I get a quick court date and get back here to see him again as soon as possible. Take care, Chris

Walking

Today was an interesting day at the baby house, when I went into the play room, for the first time there was another person there with a baby. She was singing in Russian or Kazakh to the baby. The baby was very young; I asked her how old and she held up four fingers, four months. I asked her adoption and she said yes. Many of you know the children are on a registry for six months before they are available for international adoption, during that time Kazakh citizens can adopt the children. That’s what appeared to be taking place. I wonder if the Kazakh citizens have to do the required fourteen day bonding period like we do. It was good to see and another new experience for me in Kazakhstan.

BB was good today; he cried when I finished feeding him, he always wants more. I know he gets fed several times a day but I wonder if he knows what it’s like to feel full. That will be something new for him in the future. BB was not feeling great today, we played for a while and then he just didn’t want to be put down so I suffered through it and held him for most of our time together. He still has a cold and he spit up four times today, he hasn’t spit up once in three weeks. Maybe it was bad porridge, ha ha ha.

On the way back from the baby house, I finalized my travel arrangements home for Sunday. I will be taking the 4 AM flight out of Almaty on Sunday morning, lucky me! I’m looking forward to coming home but once I’m home I will be anxiously waiting to come back. Hopefully I’ll know my court/return date soon.

It was a pretty sunny and warm afternoon so when I got back to the hotel I took a walk back down to Paniflov Park. There were a lot of people in the park enjoying the nice day. It was a nice day for a walk. When I returned to the hotel they had the lobby torn apart, they are putting in all new lobby furniture, makes me think I was gone for a long time!

Sara called and invited me over to their apartment for a home cooked meal. I walked over to their apartment; however I took an unintentional detour. The walk that should have taken me thirty-five minutes or so, it took over an hour. I knew the street name to turn on but of course I know it in English, you would think by now I would have learned to read Russian or Kazakh, not! The walk wasn’t bad, I saw new parts of the city that I had not seen yet and of course it was in the daylight. So needless to say, I did a lot of walking today but it was well worth it, Julian made a delicious pasta dinner for us and we watched a little bit of American Idol. After good food and good conversation they walked me back to the hotel.

Three days left on trip number one. By the time I'm done here I may be able to sponser city walking tours, ha ha ha! Have a good day/night, Chris

Still Here, Still Visiting BB

Yesterday I showed BB a picture of himself on my camera, today BB showed me a sneaky side, every time he thought I wasn’t looking he went straight for my camera. He’s quick, but not subtle! We had a good visit today, he was very active and apparently very hungry, and when I finished giving him all of the food they prepared for him he started screaming for more, he’s got a good appetite. But he settled down and we played for the rest of my visit.

Today I did a lot of paperwork, today is the first day they were able to officially submit my adoption request to the court, now it’s time to wait for a court date.

I met Sara and Julian for dinner tonight; we went to the Guinness Pub. The food is decent and we had a good time talking and laughing about this process. Who knows what it has in store for us next? Everyday is a new adventure in a foreign land and language. Have a good day/night. Chris

Baby House Day 14

BB was in a much better mood today and somehow we were able to avoid chewing on wood! When I was feeding him today he reminded me that I was not doing it fast enough, I paused and he opened his mouth wide as if to ask me where’s the food? We played for a while and he chewed on every toy he could get his little hands on except his teething ring! Today completes my required fourteen day bonding period, but since I am staying for several more days I’ll get to see BB each day. It’s going to be very hard to leave him.

After my visit with BB, I met my coordinator, translator and driver, we had some business to take care of and then we went out for lunch. We went to Mehpamxaha, an authentic Kazakh restaurant. The food was good and we all had a good time.

It’s a little rainy today so I won’t be able to walk, time to watch a couple of movies and relax. Take care, Chris

Baby House Day 12

Today’s trip to the baby house took new and different turns. To start with my translator was thirty minutes late. It’s not like my day is full, but the one thing I have to do is be at the baby house on time otherwise I have less time with BB. So because we were late, I was unable to feed him today. All was forgotten when they bought him in to the room, for the first time he reacted to me like he reacts to his caretakers, he was excited and what seemed like surprised to see me. It was great! We played for a while, he climbed all over me and we had fun. He was much more active and talkative than yesterday, I hope this means he is getting over his cold. His caretaker told me that he is in a group of twelve children and now he is not happy being with his group, she says he wants the one-on-one time with me. Not sure how she knows this, but I’ll take it.

During my visit the baby house director came in and asked if I could stay a few more days past my required bonding period which ends on Sunday. She said it would be better for the court if I stayed. I met with my coordinator this afternoon, who also said it would be better if I stayed. Apparently it will look much better if I don’t just do my fourteen days and leave, they like to see more of a commitment. So, I am trying to change my flights so I can stay a few extra days. It looks like I will come home next Sunday, the 16th if I can make the flight changes. This change will make going to work on Monday the 17th interesting to say the least, how well do you think I’ll be able to concentrate after the flights and time change, should be a fun day.

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Kazakhstan, it’s National Women’s Day. It seems to be a very big holiday; the schools will be closed Monday because the holiday falls on Saturday. The baby house director told me I could visit with BB tomorrow; she would let the guard know I would be coming. Slight problem, my driver wants the holiday off so my coordinator asked me if I could take the day off so he could enjoy the holiday with his wife and daughter. I agreed, although I’m going to miss my little BB tomorrow.

One of the families that I have spent a lot of time with this past week is going home tonight; they will be leaving with their new baby boy, James. It has been great getting to know them and spending time with them and I wish them a safe trip back to Virginia.

Thanks to all who have been e-mailing and responding to my blog, both provide a nice connection to home. Good morning/night. Chris

Baby House Day 11

I have been riding in a car for 2 ½ hours a day back and forth to the baby house. I don’t mind the ride at all; the prize at the end of the ride is well worth it. For eleven days my driver has been playing a couple of cassette tapes of various Russian/Kazakh songs. I thought I was ignoring this music pretty well until I realized that I keep repeating it over and over in my head even when I’m not in the car. I don’t know how to speak Russian or Kazakh but apparently now I know some of their most popular rap and rock songs. To top it all off I don’t even like the music, but I can sing it!

My visit with BB was good today, he seemed a little tired and fussy but we had fun. I fed him again and them we played for a while. My watch stopped the second day I was here so when I’m with him I have no idea what time it is, but, I can tell when my visit is almost over. About twenty minutes before it ends, he starts getting tired and he rubs his eyes and kind of winds down. His schedule is that he goes in for a nap at noon, about twenty minutes before he is getting himself prepared. He’s a cute little clock.

Asiya, my translator was with us today. She hasn’t been with me while I visited BB since early last week. Asiya commented that he seems much more comfortable with me. He climbs all over me now and seems to like sitting on my lap or on my legs or just wants me to hold him, we are making progress! I have been asking him, where’s Mama? BB now looks up at me when I ask the question; again, we are making progress.

Last night I went to an Indian restaurant with another adoptive family. It is called Govinda’s, it is a Hari Kristner restaurant which means it is all vegetarian and it was not spicy but the food was very good. We had a good time.

Take care, Chris

Baby House Day 9

BB’s cold is not getting any better but we had a good visit today. He was very playful and there were a couple of firsts. Every time he took off, he would go a few feet, turn around then look back at me to make sure I was right behind him, then he would laugh, smile and do it again. The other thing he did was climb up on my lap a few times; I think he’s actually starting to like me!

I’m still waiting for that big bright smile and all the excitement that he gives his caretakers when they come in the room; I know I’ll get it at some point. It is very obvious that he loves his caretakers, that they love him and that he is very well taken care of. He is fortunate to be in this baby house, that’s not to say that others aren’t as good, I’m just grateful that he gets such good care here.

After BB’s visit I did a little tourist stuff. I took a walk over to Republic Square then I took a different path back to the hotel passing some Kazakh casinos. When I got near the hotel, I went to the top of Kok Tobe Mountain. Kok Tobe can be seen from my hotel room. It was a somewhat clear day so I had a pretty good view of Almaty. One thing I found out when I got to the top, if you want a ride down you have to buy another ticket, the local walk down, I bought another ticket. As you are coming down the mountain you see some new construction, big houses with big driveways and a great view of the city.

Didn’t make it to TsUM today, I’m going tomorrow afternoon with Welby and a translator.

Tonight I went out to dinner with another adoptive family, Sara and Julian from Toronto; we had a really good time and they are very nice people. I feel very fortunate to be a member of this adoptive community. Everyone I have met here at all different stages of the process are so friendly and so helpful to the new arrivals. There is a true bond between the families and I’m grateful to be a part of it. That’s it for now, have a good night/day. Chris

Baby House Day 8

As of this afternoon, I have completed day eight of my fourteen day bonding period and I’m pretty sure BB is enjoying himself. Today his cold was a little worse and he was cranky but it came and went, he was moving all over the place when he forgot to be cranky. In between his laps there were moments of whining but he was laughing and enjoying himself too! Overall I think we had a good visit.

I believe it is against their better judgment but they are still letting me feed him. I think I’m getting credit for persistence. Today all went well with his porridge but he didn’t want to drink his milk. They heard him fusing and came in, poured the milk into his empty porridge bowl and fed his milk to him with the oversized spoon they use to feed BB with. Another speed feeding trick, I guess I’ll learn more of their tricks as I show my inability to feed him to their standards. Little do they know, soon he will have a baby spoon and he will be using one himself, but we’ll keep that to ourselves for the time being.

It seems to be getting warmer here, the snow is melting and the sun is shining, not bad weather to walk around the city. I get back to the hotel from the baby house at about one o’clock so I have plenty of time to explore the city. With help from other adoptive parents who have been here before, I have been making some progress, I have been getting off the main street and seeing some of the sites on the side streets. Today we met a translator from another agency who took us to Ramstor, it’s a huge mall with an indoor ice skating rink and it’s very close to my hotel, only about a fifteen minute walk.

Tomorrow I have my sites set on TsUM, it is supposed to be the place to go to get all things Kazakhstan. After that, the market is next! We’ll see if my plans and my execution come together. Take care, Chris

Baby House Day 7

BB was better today, he still has a cold but he didn’t let it stop him, he was all over the play room. We spent two hours playing today and one nice thing about today was that he was playing with me instead of just playing with his toys; maybe he thinks I’m just another big toy!

BB’s feeding went better today, as soon as he saw his food he got very excited. The care taker did motion that I was going to slow and apparently BB agreed. If I hesitated he opened his mouth wide to let me know to keep it coming. He likes to eat! Another odd think about how they are feed, when I finished the bowl of food he wanted more until I gave him his milk. Apparently he doesn’t get any liquids until the end of the meal and that signals that the food is all done. They really do have some system here.

It has been really nice spending time with the other two adoptive families that are here now, MaryEllen is here with Katie and she is adopting her second daughter, Evelyn. She will be here until Tuesday. Welby and Duncan are here with Hanna and they are adopting their second as well, a little boy, James, they will be here until Friday. We went to dinner last night and to a crafts fair this afternoon, it is nice to talk to someone without getting or giving that blank stare.

Thanks to all of you who are posting and sending e-mails, it’s a great connection to home and it really makes my day. I'll put up more pictures soon. Take care, Chris

Bubbles

Today’s visit with BB went very well. I introduced him to the magical world of bubbles, he loved them, he was totally enchanted until I wouldn’t let him put the little bubble blower in his mouth, he is definitely strong willed! A little later in the visit he decided today was a good day to show me his crawling and climbing skills, he was all over the play room today. It was nice to see that he was comfortable enough to move around and show me his stuff!

This afternoon I had what I thought was a good idea, I decided to ask the front desk at the hotel for a street map so I could take a different path on my walk. Sure, they gave me a map, no problem, not for them anyway. I think it’s in Kazakh, if not it’s in Russian, neither of which I can read. Even if I could read one of the two, some of the street signs are in Russian and some are in Kazakh so the map didn’t do me much any good, I don’t know what I was thinking.

I walked during their ‘rush hour’ today, the traffic and noise are just like New York City, it’s very heavy and they are not afraid to use their horns! I must look like I belong, twice I was stopped and I’m assuming asked for directions. I have no idea what they wanted and I’m pretty sure they had no idea what I was saying either. To those of you who said I should have learned a few words of Russian before I left, maybe you should have told me to learn a few Kazakh words too! There is no way I could have learned enough of either of these two languages for it to be of any assistance to me. I would’ve also had to learn to differentiate between the two, no way, I’ll stick with my few English words and be happy with that!

Tomorrow I’m going to the baby house very early so I should be able to feed BB, we’ll see. Have a good day/night, Chris

Baby House Day 4

Today was the day that the doctor was finally available to come to the baby house to see BB. We got to the baby house late this afternoon and the medical went well. BB still does not react when he sees me but today when the caregiver tried to take him he turned away from her and grabbed onto me. The caregiver was impressed, I know I liked it. I have a meeting with my translator and coordinator so I’ve got to go now. Take care, Chris