Life is Good Thanks God!!!!!!

  

Wow What a Difference 30 Seconds Makes

 
  

Rub-a dub-dub

 
 
 
Bath time begins with all smiles. Leah loved the tub and the water. Hair washing was altogether a different story as you can see. I hope you all take notice of the huge molars on the bottom of her mouth, well she has matching molars on the top. Do you think these could be a tad painful??????? Next blog will have the happy ending photos ******* 

Play Time 1:45am

 
 
 
Leah had a good first night. Bedtime at 7:30pm after a big dinner. However the excitement of it all set in around 1:30am and she wanted to play. So we did. At first she was very happy staying in bed playing with the stuffed animal her brother got her. Then she wanted out, so we let her cruise the room. As you can see its a big bedroom with very little furniture. Perfect. Her PJ's are a bit large so walking was even more challenging. After about 1.5 hours its back to sleep until 6:ooam. Stay tuned for the bath pictures........ 

Sept 24th 2006 Gotcha Day

 
 
 
 
Sunday Sept 24th, 2006

Gotcha Day

Our journey back began on the 22nd. We took the 9:10 pm flight out of Kennedy Airport after a beautiful dinner prepared for us by one of our best friends Mary and Ed Hynes. The meal was delicious and the love and warmth surrounding us by these friends is a gift we treasure.
Our flight was delayed by an hour however, we had no connecting flight issues. The weather was beautiful and our flights were wonderful. We arrived at Almaty airport at 1:00 am on Sun Sept 24rd. We were met by our translator and driver and taken to an apartment where we would have about 5 hours to rest before our next flight to Ust Kamenogorsk, departing at 7:20am Sun Sept 24.( As we were getting into the car at the airport as big as day we noticed a large billboard sign displaying a computer graphic rose bud beginning to bloom. For those of you who know us, you will understand the significance of this sign. We were so taken with the experience I cannot even tell you what the advertisement was for. I will try and look again when we return to the airport for our flight home.) The apartment was nice and the shower at 5am was glorious and much needed to prepare us for the day ahead.
We arrived at Ust Kamenogorsk Airport right on time and we had picture perfect weather. Alma and Bulat our previous driver and translator/coordinator were there waiting for us. We were made to feel as though we were family coming home from a vacation. We picked up our luggage and we were off. Our excitement grew. The plan was made that we would drop our luggage off at the apartment. We are in a different apartment than our last stay and unfortunately their will be no farm fresh eggs or milk this trip. Oh well we will have to settle for store bought. The apartment is huge with everything we should need. We are sure we will be just as comfortable here. After dropping off the luggage, next on the agenda was lunch and a stop at Daniels the supermarket. We all decided it would be good to have a meal and shopping done before picking up Leah, so as to be able to come right home after leaving the baby house.
It is now 2:15pm and we arrive at the baby house. We are so thankful to be here and it is so hard to find the words to describe the emotions running through us at this moment in time. We believe Leah is sleeping, and are glad to have time to talk with the care givers before taking her home. I have so many questions but having the outline of her daily schedule is really what we need to understand. Sleep schedule, meal time, snack time ect. What food does she eat her likes and dislikes. Again we are trying to make a plan but alas God has something else in store. When we get into the baby house the care givers tell us Leah is awake and waiting for us. She was told we were coming and wouldn’t sleep. So much for questions and answers. Her caregivers went to her room and brought her right out to us. She greeted us with a smile and we are sure she recognized us. The caregiver (whom we never met before) begins to change Leah into her new goodbye clothes. To us it was as if we never left with Leah looking at us and smiling. However we could sense that Leah understood something would be different today. She wanted to be that happy baby we left 49 days ago but she was pensive. The question and answers about her schedule and meals took place in front of Leah. How much she understood we will never know, but this whole process took maybe about 20-25 minutes.
After a few pictures and hugs and kisses from the caregivers out the door we went. Leah did not want us to carry her but she readily went to Alma. So Alma carried her out of the room she has spent her whole life in until we got into the hallway. It was there I took Leah in my arms and promised her we would never leave her again. She came to me without a tear and we left the baby house for good.
Outside the sun was glorious and Bulat was at the ready to drive us home. This would be the first time Leah would ride in a car. Like she did when we first met her she was confident and curious. As you can see from the look on her face she was serious but did not appear frightned. She gazed in wonder at everything around as we began the ride home to her new life. No tears yet…..
We arrived back at our apartment at 3:30 pm and said our goodbye’s to Alma and Bulat. Chris was taken back to the grocery store to buy the salty tasting yogurt drink that Leah is used to. Upon his return we helped Leah get the lay of the land. As a small snack we gave her a piece of apple and a plain cookie. This apt is very big and EVERYTHING is unfamiliar to her. After a while we realize she has not had a nap and is tired. We attempt the nap thing but Leah has now realized she doesn’t know where she is or what is happening. The crying starts. Sad crying. Scared crying, Whats going on crying. Tired crying. We try our best to comfort and reassure her. She fights sleep. So I hold her . Rock her. Quietly tell her (in English) everything will be ok. She has moments of smiling alternating with crying. We can almost feel what she is thinking. We pray for God to help us help her to understand. We must teach her to trust us. She makes eye contact and holds it as we are speaking and praying. Crying begins to subside but sleep does not come. So we do the next best thing. Eat!!!!!
A thanksgiving feast of turkey,mashed potatoes greenbeans and carrots. Gerber Graduates. A huge hit for the first course. Followed by 2 ritz crackers and a piece of cheese. Topped of by some salty yogurt drink Leah is used to and voila a full belly. By 7:30pm the sandman arrives for Leah and not a moment too soon. By 7:35 pm its lights out for Mom and Dad. God is Good. 

On the way....to the Baby House

 


Our dream now becomes our reality. Our journey back to Kazakhstan begins tomorrow. We are greatful to God, and this country for giving us the gift of Leah. We will continue to learn about Kazakhstan as we grow in our love of this beautiful precious child.
Christopher is both excited and anxious as he comes to realize we are leaving him for the first time. He understands this is also a special time in his life and the first steps to independance must be taken. We leave him with our parents who have surrounded him in love since his birth. We are thankful and blessed to be able to leave our son in the loving care of family.
Our adoption has touched many lives and we are so touched by the outpouring of good wishes and prayers from our family,friends, co workers and strangers around the world. This journey has truly been a miracle.
In preparation for Leah's departure from the baby house to our care I made a list of things I thought we should have with us in small quantities. Shopping almost brought on a panic attack as I perused the baby food section. It has been 12 years since I walked down that aisle, and I was disoriented for quite a few moments trying to figure out just what I should buy. The reality is I dont really know what it is she eats. Then again before Christopher was born this was the same issue. I can do this. I have done this. Calm down. Reality Check. Stage 3 toddler food is what I picked, off I go to car seats, medicines, wipes and diapers. It all comes rushing back now that I allow myself to believe this is really going to happen.
I stop at Carters for a few items and cant help but chuckle at a conversation I hear at the cashier as I am making a puchase. There are 2 women working the registers, one matronly women and a young women very pregnant discussing her present state. She tells her co worker "I cannot wait to have this baby and stop being fat and tired but I dont think I am ready to be a mother". I know its alot of work because my parents (who are in their 50's) have a 6 year old so their lives are tied up forever. I am glad my child will be grown up when I am 50 and I will be free then. My parents adopted this baby when they were old so they asked for this again.
After I made my purchase, I couldnt help but comment that "I was adopting a toddler also. I guess I'll be tied up for a few years". We both laughed and as I left the store my heart was smiling..........Who was it that said Youth is wasted on the Young ?????? 

We have been in labor since Aug 5th. Contractions for 8 more days....

Leah not a day goes by that we are not thinking about and praying for you. We miss you and love you very much. We are still amazed at the miracle that has taken place in our lives and are thankful to God for the gift of you. There are so many people who are also waiting to meet you. You have touched so many hearts from that baby house in Kazakhstan to the USA.
Again today we received gifts for you from a family who adopted a baby boy from your baby house and who saw you while they were in the process. We promised to bring photos of their child back to Kazakhstan and deliver them to the caregivers. When the package arrived not only were their pictures but books and outfits for you. These are people we have only spoken to on the internet. Thank you Pam and Nicholas for the random act of kindness. You are very special people.......

I went shopping today and bought you your Red,White and Blue homecoming outfit. A man named Lucky from Riverhead Raceway gave me money Saturday night and insisted I buy you a gift. So I bought the entire outfit, head to toe with Lucky's money. I am sure you will be as your shirt says an "All American Cutie" on the outside and always our "Kazak Angel" on the inside. Thanks Lucky!!!!












Our travel plans are made. We leave NY on Sept 22 and will arrive in Ust Kamenogorsk on Sept 24. We will be so happy to have you in our arms again. We are your forever family. Please God continue to watch over our daughter as you have from the very beginning. We thank you for her caregivers and the love they have given her ,and all the children whose lives they touch. We pray also for the other adoptive parents who are in the process, beginning the process or hitting the bumpy and sometimes painful twists and turns the process can take. Fill their hearts with faith that your timing is perfect. Amen


Christopher says I want my sister home NOW!!!!!!!