Thursday

This morning I walked to Mickey House and bought the last of Tanek's things that he will need for the trip to Almaty - his snowsuit and warm socks/booties. It was very cold, too, and the wind didn't help. I think it was -11 C whatever that converts to in farenheit. Here is a picture of his clothes and gear for the trip to Almaty - someone will bring him by train to meet us in Almaty when we return to bring him home!
We found a binky underneath the mattress in Tanek's crib today, which he really likes. I think he doesn't like the one we bought for him because it has a different shaped nipple. We got him to push against our hands and scoot a little bit today using the binky as extra incentive. I know that is probably mean, but it sure did motivate him to scoot and squirm until he got to it! We also practiced sitting up today - he has a ways to go, but is definitely getting stronger!

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Wednesday

Olga took us on a tour of Karaganda today. We visited the mosque, Muslim Cemetary, and Russian Orthodox Church, among other places, but I'll write more about that in another post.
Tanek and Valerie both seemed content to just entertain themselves today. We, of course enjoyed watching them. Tanek is rolling all over the place and putting everything he can find in his mouth! I still can't believe what a happy baby he is!

Interview Day

The plan for today was to go shopping for baby clothes, but things changed quickly when Keith came to our door at about 9:45 AM. Larisa had called to inform all of us that the drivers would be here within the hour to take us for our interviews with the adoption officials. It was quite comical because I could hear someone knocking on doors and calling out our names - Keith didn't remember which apartment was ours. But, I'm sure everyone thinks of us as "those crazy Americans" anyway. About 5 minutes later, Ricky received a call from Julia that we were to wear our court clothes. Needless to say, I was running around trying to iron clothes and finish getting ready before the cars arrived, and of course I was the last one to the car (but, really, only because I didn't know they were here yet)!

The Wimmer's and the Nolte's also had their interviews this morning. The Nolte's went first, then the Wimmer's, and then we went last. Larisa said we could go last because we were the youngest. Iwas really nervous, but at least I didn't have much time to think about it. The actual interview only took about five minutes. There were three women in the room asking the questions and Larisa translated. Seven or eight questions later, we were finished. Ricky was our spokesperson unless a specific question was directed at me. The questions were fairly general - How long have we been married?; Why didn't we have biological children?; Where do we both work and what is our job there?; then to me, What is my education, and does my job have anyting to do with transplants?; What would we do if Tanek were to get sick - would we want to let him go?; and Why didn't we want to adopt in America? We think it went well - at least Larisa said we all did fine. I am so relieved now that it is over and we are one step closer to having Tanek to ourselves! I think one of the officials who took part in the interview will also be at the court with us, hopefully advocating for the judge to approve the adoption.

We were back to the apartment by 11:15 AM. After we changed clothes, Julia, Keith, and I went to do our shopping. Ricky ended up taking a walk around town to get some pictures. We bought a few things at a shop in the mall, but we ended up getting most things at Mickey House. We still have to get some booties because the socks we bought aren't warm enough, and I have to get a new snowsuit for Tanek - the cute one we brought with us isn't warm enough, either. The snowsuits here are really cute, but he is going to look like an eskimo when he's fully dressed.

We had fun with Tanek today - he was in a good mood, as he is on most days. They didn't have him dressed in several layers today, so we had to put a hat on him and wrap him up in a blanket just to take him to the playroom. I'm sure one day when he is older, he is not going to appreciate being dressed and photographed in a pink "jester" hat! I happen to think he looks really cute in it and he doesn't seem to mind the color yet. The hats didn't look quite as good on Keith and me, though. We both got sprayed by porridge today when we were trying to feed Tanek. He thought it would be fun to blow bubbles in the porridge instead of actually eat it. He had both of laughing at him!

Oh yes, the owner of the apartment had someone look at the radiator today. It must need some major work because she had an electric heater delivered to us this evening! Hopefully it won't take long to produce some heat.

Around Town

Ricky walked around town (in the freezing cold and through much snow) today and took some pictures of various buildings and monuments. I'm not sure yet what all of them are.... The first and second blue buildings are banks here in town. We think we can see the star on the top of the first one from our apartment at night when it is lit up.




The first monument is a memorial of Nurken Abdirov, a famous Soviet Union pilot.





There is also a monument that serves as a tribute to all of the coal miners from the Karaganda region.
We're can't remember who this statue is of, we'll have to find out and post it later.

Monday

Today Tanek was very fussy and wouldn't stop crying when we first got to the orphanage. He didn't have a fever or anything, but they think his hernia was bothering him. (Yes, he has a small hernia, I don't think I mentioned that before). Actually all of the babies were fussy today, which Olga says that means it is going to get very cold! But, after he ate, Tanek wasn't as fussy - he still just wanted to be held, but at least he stopped crying.
We saw Larisa at the orphanage today. Our court date is officially December 4th at 10:00 AM! We will have our Ministry of Education interview sometime this week, but we don't know what day/time yet. Larisa also helped prepare us for the types of questions we may be asked both at the interview and in court.
Tomorrow Julia and I are going to the mall to shop for the clothes and supplies needed for the babies' trip from Karaganda to Almaty. Olga gave us a list of things to buy today:
snowsuit, hat and scarf, one warm outfit, one light outfit, two tee shirts, two pairs of tights, two pairs of socks, two bibs, diapers, wipes, bottle, diaper bag, and maybe some toys. It will be interesting trying to communicate with the people working in the stores - I think it may take us awhile!
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Sunday

We were able to visit with Tanek during our usual time (3:30-6:30 PM) so we feel very fortunate! Normally there is no visitation on Sundays. He was already awake and dressed when we arrived, so we just went straight to the play room until it was time for his snack. He seemed to be a little bit congested today, so maybe he is getting a little cold. He fell asleep at about 5:45 and had a little nap. I think he was feeling better when he woke up!

Tonight we went to the Wimmer's for a rematch of rummy. It was nice to be in their warm apartment for awhile. Our apartment is cold! The radiator in the kitchen has a leak, so we had to turn it off. The bedroom is the only somewhat warm room in the apartment because we keep the door shut. Hopefully someone will be coming to fix the radiator soon. Oh yeah, I actually won the card game! Julia won last time, so the women have been dominating at cards!

Saturday's Visit

This is Tanek and Valerie with one of their favorite Nannies! Tanek is in the new outfit I bought for him yesterday. The size is 6-9 months and is only a tad too big for him. He likes the little lion on the front :) It also probably fits a little better since he has two onsies and a pair of tights on underneath of it! They won't let them be dressed in less than two or three layers.

We were in the small playroom this afternoon because four families came in from Spain today and they were in the bigger playroom. We don't mind - as long as Tanek is there, it doesn't matter what room we are in. We did miss the music, though, since it is in the other room.



This is the view from one of the orphanage windows. It snowed again today - it seems to snow at least a little bit everyday, but today it snowed all day.

Video Clips

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Friday

As you can see, Tanek is doing well. He was a hungry boy this afternoon - for the first time, he finished his porridge before Valerie. It was nice not having to fight with him to eat, for a change. He was playful again today and did a bit of cooing and babbling. He didn't fall asleep this evening like he normally does, but he seemed very content to have us hold him on his stomach so he could lay there looking at his surroundings. He is very inquisitive!

Julia and I went shopping at the Tsum and the City Mall this morning before going to the orphanage. We had our driver drop us off because it is too cold to walk there. The malls here are very different from ours, but it's hard to explain without being there. They have everything you need, though. There is nice jewelry, watches, cell phones, cameras, clothes, etc. We haven't really found that things are a lot cheaper here, though, like we had heard. If anything, I've found a lot of things to be more expensive. Hats/scarves/coats, etc. are a status symbol here, I think. People here have a lot of pride in their clothes - their hats and scarves always seem to match and are very beautiful. If I had somewhere to wear a hat and scarf at home, I might buy some, but they are too expensive to wear for just a few weeks! And the boots! You would be amazed at how easily everyone walks through the snow in boots with spiked heels!

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Tummy Time

Olga and the drivers picked us up at 2:30 pm to take us to the notary before going to the orphanage. We had to get the papers notarized that we signed yesterday (power of attorney for Larisa to apply for the baby's Visa and to get him registered in Kaz before we take him home). It didn't take long - they are very efficient here.
Tanek was very energetic this afternoon, although getting him to eat is still a challenge. But, he was very happy today and is doing much better spending time on his tummy without whining. He also started reaching out to grab at things today AND started babbling today. He was so talkative during this visit. We are very pleased with his progress! I just wish we wouldn't have to leave him for a month before we can bring him home!

We went back to Johnnie Walker pub tonight for dinner with Julia and Keith, which was a lot of fun. It's nice to get out and about, but it was a frigid walk back to the apartment. Did you know that your nose hairs can freeze?!

Johnnie Walker Pub

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This is where we had our Thanksgiving meal with the Wimmer's and the Nolte's. Ricky had grilled salmon with steamed vegetables and I had curried chicken with rice. It was very good. Our plan is to return to the pub tonight after we visit with Tanek. Sorry everyone, we know a pub is not the ideal place to spend Thanksgiving, but it's the best food we've had so far!

Being in extremely cold weather does not cooperate with wearing glasses - they just stay fogged up the whole time. Ricky seems to find this funny. I find it annoying! And in case anyone back home is curious, it is now 2:00 pm here and -5 F!

Happy Thanksgiving

too all my family and friends at clay see you soon!

Passport Picture Day

Today Tanek had his picture taken for his passport. It took Olga several attempts to obtain an adequate photograph - he wasn't very cooperative with looking at the camera, but she finally got one that would work! She also took a family picture of us for the court. We signed some papers for the court/ power of attorneys which we will get notarized tomorrow on our way to the orphanage.

Tanek was in a good mood today. He ate well and even decided to have a little tummy time before he insisted on being held and cuddled! We love being with him and wish we had more time to spend with him!