Six Weeks

While I'm waiting for my court date I decided I would continue to post to my blog so here you go. Last Monday I went to NYC to try to get the new documents the Judge requested notarized, authenticated and apostilled, it was not as simple as it should have been to say the least! I was able to get six of the eight documents done; they are on their way to Almaty now. Yesterday I received new copies of the other two documents he requested so this morning I went back to NYC to get all of the required stamps and approvals, those two documents are on their way to St. Louis now, from there they will also be sent to Almaty.

Today is six weeks since my papers were submitted to the Ecik court, no update. Missing my baby boy a lot today, Chris

One Month Ago Today

Exactly one month ago today, March 11th. my papers were submitted to the court in Ecik. Today I received an update; apparently I will not get a court date for at least another month. My coordinator in Almaty has frequent contact with the Judge and he has decided to ‘take advantage of all of the time given to him by law’ before he assigns my court date. When I received my invitation to travel in February, CHI was told the time allowed by law to assign a court date is three months, the information CHI received today implied that the time allowed by law is two months, we are not sure which is right and in this process it may be very difficult to find out which it is. I know of two other families adopting from Ecik who have been waiting over four months for their court dates. So I am basically in limbo for at least another month if not two or more. The good Judge has decided to keep me occupied while I wait, he has asked for new and multiple copies of several of my documents. The process to notarize, authenticate and apostille will begin once again for the requested documents.

To those of you who have seen me type Issyk before, Ecik and Issyk are the same place, one is the Kazakh spelling and one is the Russian spelling.

That’s it for now and apparently for quite awhile. 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 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

And the wait continues.....

My dossier is still at the Ministry of Education, it has been there for nine weeks now and it may be there for quite a bit longer. As December and January approach, many offices and the courts in Kazakhstan close down for holidays. They try to work it so that you are not traveling and waiting for the courts and offices to reopen. Timing is everything! Hopefully I'll hear something soon.