We went to the baby house this morning at 10am. We first ran into another couple from Kentucky (with another agency). They were going to court today, adopting a little boy that looked to be about 1.5 – 2 years old.
So…we were with our travel partners (the Brustmans), and we met the interpreters (ours is named Anna) and chatted for a little bit since the babies were not quite ready for us yet (all were busy gong to the potty or being fed). After a short wait, they had us go into the main room where the little ones are kept, and we got to meet the most beautiful seven month old baby in the world! We will begin the 14-day bonding process, and will name her Katherine Anna (and call her Katie). Katie was not too sure about us at first, she seemed a little afraid, but she didn’t really cry, just had that concerned look on her face. We spent about 1.5 hours with her – playing and cooing over her, then it was time for her nap. She is very beautiful with a big tuft of hair in the front, but very little hair elsewhere. The caregivers said they have already had to trim the long hair in the front!
There are several other families in the same room with us, so things are kind of busy in there. The Brustmans are there, a lady named Kim (and her mom) from NJ, and another couple from…well, I forget, some European country, maybe Germany. It is great being with the Brustmans, for many reasons, but this is their second adoption from Karaganda, and Nicki has told me exactly what to expect the whole way through.
We went out to lunch with the Brustmans and the interpreters – I had some sort of meat pie, Dave had meatloaf and mashed potatoes (or something close to it) - warm and yummy. They we went to the Ramstore, Dave and Anna bought a pillow from a little stand, and they put it in this big plastic case with a handle – it looked like a briefcase. We went to the grocery part and bought the necessities – Anna was a big help. We were able to get Diet Coke in Almaty (it is called Coke Lite), but none here is Karaganda, so Dave is drinking regular Coke, and even it tastes different, less sweet than normal.
We went back to the baby house at 2pm, got Katie out of her crib, and it was time to eat again. Oh boy, you should see it – it is like a gruel type food, pulverized carrots, potatoes, etc., and they put it in a big bowl and handed me a big soup spoon and said she needed to it all! Well, we started out in the highchair, and then I held her, but she still only ate about 25% of the food. Nicki Brustman told me that they don’t fool around with the eating…they just shove it in one spoonful after the other, but I was not able to do that. There were so many people in the room – the other families – and kids in the big playpen on the potties, caregivers, interpreters – she was very distracted. Oh well, I guess we did okay. We stayed and played with her until 4pm, then were driven back to the apartment. We are exhausted after a very emotional day!
So…we were with our travel partners (the Brustmans), and we met the interpreters (ours is named Anna) and chatted for a little bit since the babies were not quite ready for us yet (all were busy gong to the potty or being fed). After a short wait, they had us go into the main room where the little ones are kept, and we got to meet the most beautiful seven month old baby in the world! We will begin the 14-day bonding process, and will name her Katherine Anna (and call her Katie). Katie was not too sure about us at first, she seemed a little afraid, but she didn’t really cry, just had that concerned look on her face. We spent about 1.5 hours with her – playing and cooing over her, then it was time for her nap. She is very beautiful with a big tuft of hair in the front, but very little hair elsewhere. The caregivers said they have already had to trim the long hair in the front!
There are several other families in the same room with us, so things are kind of busy in there. The Brustmans are there, a lady named Kim (and her mom) from NJ, and another couple from…well, I forget, some European country, maybe Germany. It is great being with the Brustmans, for many reasons, but this is their second adoption from Karaganda, and Nicki has told me exactly what to expect the whole way through.
We went out to lunch with the Brustmans and the interpreters – I had some sort of meat pie, Dave had meatloaf and mashed potatoes (or something close to it) - warm and yummy. They we went to the Ramstore, Dave and Anna bought a pillow from a little stand, and they put it in this big plastic case with a handle – it looked like a briefcase. We went to the grocery part and bought the necessities – Anna was a big help. We were able to get Diet Coke in Almaty (it is called Coke Lite), but none here is Karaganda, so Dave is drinking regular Coke, and even it tastes different, less sweet than normal.
We went back to the baby house at 2pm, got Katie out of her crib, and it was time to eat again. Oh boy, you should see it – it is like a gruel type food, pulverized carrots, potatoes, etc., and they put it in a big bowl and handed me a big soup spoon and said she needed to it all! Well, we started out in the highchair, and then I held her, but she still only ate about 25% of the food. Nicki Brustman told me that they don’t fool around with the eating…they just shove it in one spoonful after the other, but I was not able to do that. There were so many people in the room – the other families – and kids in the big playpen on the potties, caregivers, interpreters – she was very distracted. Oh well, I guess we did okay. We stayed and played with her until 4pm, then were driven back to the apartment. We are exhausted after a very emotional day!
I did not take any pictures of the snow, but you would not even believe it. Really though, inside, it is very warm, so we are fine. They say that in the next few days, it is supposed to get really cold!
