I know, I know, I haven't been updating! So here's a quick summary of what's being going on and what is to come.
Things at Home
It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks and none of it has gone quite as expected. My plan was to get Kairat's room finished and work on some other house projects, but instead I had to take a quick business trip, have been dealing (and stressing) about a very sick cat, had to move my office, and have been sick myself!
I came home with a slight cold, but got rid of it fairly quickly, only to come down with a nasty bug after an overnight business trip late last week. I was running a 101 fever for about 3 days, but am finally on the mend, although it isn't quite gone yet. I suspect all the stress and travel has really taken its toll on me, but I need to build up that immunity again very quickly for my next trip to Kaz! Taking lots of vitamins and drinking tons of juice.
And then there is Merlin. It seems his kidney issues are back in full force. He is losing weight and we haven't found the right combination of anti-nausea drugs and appetite stimulants to counteract it yet. Also he has become very anemic, which is not a correctable situation with CRF (chronic renal failure) cats. I'm really struggling with having to leave him for a several weeks now and again in a month or so. He has always been so active and talkative and playful and affectionate. Now, he is just tired. Some days are better than others, but he no longer brings me his toys or follows me all over the house. It's breaking my heart to know I may lose him soon.
While I was in Kaz, I found out that my office would be moving to another building. My company actually does not have a facility in Denver, but several employees live here, so they rent offices for us in an HQ facility. HQ has several buildings in the area and we were moved to one just a block away from the old one. What I didn't know until last week (the day they moved us) was that I could have been moved to a building (for the same price) that would cut my commute by half in miles and by two-thirds in time -- a good 20-30 minutes on an average day. A big deal when there is a baby to pick up at daycare before 6pm! So, I'm trying to sweet talk my company's real estate manager into "fixing" this for me, but not having any luck so far.
Haven't managed to get a thing done at home yet. At least this is a long weekend!
Adoption Update
My court date is scheduled for Monday, September 15th. I have to be in Aqtobe on September 11th, so will be heading back to Kaz on the 8th or 9th. I am not able to stay in Kaz until I can bring Kairat home, so will have to make two trips. At this moment, I'm still undecided as to whether I'm returning home right after court, then going back to Kaz 2 weeks later to sign the birth certificate, at which time I get custody of the little guy, then wait out the paperwork in Kaz for 3-4 weeks, OR I stay after court through the 15-day appeal period to sign the birth certificate (approx 3 week trip), then come home until the paperwork is done, then return for a few days to fetch him home. There are pros and cons to both options. I have to decide soon.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
In the Lap of Luxury
Yep, I'm still here. Caught up on my sleep, nearly over the cold I came home with, very much enjoying my own bed and being able to brush my teeth with tap water!
Since I am woefully behind in posting anything much about Kaz, I'm starting out my "retro" posts with a photo tour of the accommodations on my first trip. It was rather interesting, to be in places that I have seen on other blogs. In some cases, reality was nicer (the Almaty hotel), in others, not so much. In any event, all three places were livable and comfortable in the end.
I was on the 4th floor of the hotel, and both apartments were on the 3rd floor. Elevators? What's that? Definitely got my exercise while in Kaz! The apartments are very typical of old Soviet style. Decrepit concrete exterior, dank and dark concrete stairwells with heavy metal doors to enter the building. Each apartment door also has some sort of heavy metal exterior door (some were rather ornate), with what we would consider a regular wooden front door a few inches inside the outer door. Other than weather and security, bomb shelters? Maybe the original intent, but not a chance, given the construction is, well, not quite up to US code.
Floors are not level, there are thresholds are built up and you actually have to step over them to go from room to room (not fun on bare toes in the middle of the night!) and there still might be 2-3 inches difference in the floor level from one room to the next. The light switches are all on a wall before you enter a room, rather than inside a room, and outlets are midwall, instead of a foot or so from the floor. Neither apartment had anything resembling a table lamp -- ceiling lights only. PAP Alert: If you like to read in bed, I would strongly suggest bringing a clip-on book light. I will be for my next trips.
Plumbing is exposed (as are gas pipes) and the toilet has it's own little room that opens into the hall separately from the rest of the bath. Both "bathrooms" are hot and smelly. The plumbing is shared from neighboring apartments and I'm guessing decent venting and traps are nonexistent. The hot water pipes double as drying racks in the bathrooms as well. I will say that those hot water pipes must be nice in the winter, because the floors in both rooms and the rooms themselves are very toasty.
Almaty Hotel -- The Grand Hotel Tien-Shan
Front Entrance
The window sills are very deep (about 18") so made a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
Regina's Apartment
My second abode was Regina's apartment, which she graciously shared with me my first 3 days in Aqtobe. It was good sized -- 2 bedrooms, multiple living areas, nice sized kitchen. The pictures don't really show this apartment's quirks. The most noticeable was the ripply floors. Vinyl floors are very popular here, but it seems they put some sort of pad or something else underneath. Or maybe it is just layers and layers of other flooring material. In this place, whatever was underneath was all bunched up in places. It reminded me of a sandy beach after many people had been walking on it.
It seems that armoires, in both the bedrooms and entryways are used in lieu of closets. Regina's apartment did have one large pantry-like walk-in closet full of shelves off the hallway for storage. My apartment had nothing except the armoire in the bedroom and some hooks in the hallway. Efficient and minimalist. Really does put in perspective how much "stuff" we Americans are used to acquiring and I'm a packrat by nature.
My Aqtobe Apartment
This next series is of my home away from home. Many families have stayed in this apartment in the past and I had seen pictures and descriptions of it on other blogs. I was prepared, but also pleasantly surprised. While it certainly had its quirks, it was cozy and comfortable. Also had AC in the living room, which assisted by the fan I purchased, made it a respite from the furnace outside. Also had a washing machine. Something I don't know that I could have survived without when I was being spit up on daily!
Street side of building:
View at dusk from kitchen window. Dusk was close to 10pm (and sunrise was well before 6am). Families were still out in the park this late with their kids.
Front Hall: (It is customary to take your shoes off when entering anyone's home.)
Living Room:
Hall to Kitchen:
Kitchen:
Yes, those are the gas pipes. You turn on the gas and light the burner with a match. Yes, it flares. Yes, I singed my fingers several times. There was always a lingering odor of gas around the stove. I made a point to open the windows during non-mosquito hours to air the place out.
Strangely enough, I never used the microwave, but I did use the magic hot pot. Zero to boiling in less than 3 minutes.
Refrigerator - the doors on the right go into the washroom and the "water closet":
Bedroom, with access to the "balcony". You can't tell from this picture, but that mattress was like the Grand Canyon times two. Couple of times I rolled over and woke up with a start wondering who else was in the bed! The ridge in the middle was a good 6 inches high. I actually piled some extra blankets on the mattress under the sheet to try to even it out! Not comfortable, but pretty funny. Now anyway. ;)
Washroom and the life-saving washing machine:
Single Faucet which rotates between the tub and sink: (I scrubbed that tub! I came to the conclusion that the combination of low grade porcelain and mineral laden water has caused the staining.
Hot water pipe drying rack. Very handy for bibs and spit-up rags between babyhouse visits!
True double-pane windows! Not only is each window double-pane, but there are two windows as well!
Enclosed balcony, which is somewhat sunroom like. This is where people hang their clothes to dry (dryers are not common).
This would be why I only ventured onto the balcony long enough to hang out and retrieve a blanket after washing it! Only a few inches of crumbling concrete seem to be supporting it. I just kept thinking, get me home before the earthquake hits, please! I took this picture while hanging out the kitchen window.
Apparently the upstairs neighbors have some plumbing issues. Fortunately, despite many stains, all remained dry while I was there.
Electrical? Light fixtures are very ornate and interesting. Also seem to take very low voltage bulbs, which don't last long and blow up often! The power fluctuates ALL the time. I unplugged everything (except the refrigerator) if I wasn't using it. Also appears that the metal or plastic outlet boxes required in the US to house an outlet or switch are not used in Kaz. The wiring just connects to the outlet plate, which in many cases is only attached to the wall by clips that fail. Thus the outlets kind of hang out of the wall. Scary. Again, unplug often and with dry hands!
The cord from the AC unit was about 4 inches too short to reach the outlet, therefore the suspended in mid-air extension cord. I moved this cord around daily in order use the hairdryer, then again for the washing machine. And what about that wallpaper??!! It reminded me of that spray on snow-in-a-can stuff we used to spray little scenes on windows at Christmas time when I was a kid!
But we have to have our MTV! I was surprised to see so many satellite dishes mounted on every apartment building. The old style antennas were everywhere too.
More to come another day.
Since I am woefully behind in posting anything much about Kaz, I'm starting out my "retro" posts with a photo tour of the accommodations on my first trip. It was rather interesting, to be in places that I have seen on other blogs. In some cases, reality was nicer (the Almaty hotel), in others, not so much. In any event, all three places were livable and comfortable in the end.
I was on the 4th floor of the hotel, and both apartments were on the 3rd floor. Elevators? What's that? Definitely got my exercise while in Kaz! The apartments are very typical of old Soviet style. Decrepit concrete exterior, dank and dark concrete stairwells with heavy metal doors to enter the building. Each apartment door also has some sort of heavy metal exterior door (some were rather ornate), with what we would consider a regular wooden front door a few inches inside the outer door. Other than weather and security, bomb shelters? Maybe the original intent, but not a chance, given the construction is, well, not quite up to US code.
Floors are not level, there are thresholds are built up and you actually have to step over them to go from room to room (not fun on bare toes in the middle of the night!) and there still might be 2-3 inches difference in the floor level from one room to the next. The light switches are all on a wall before you enter a room, rather than inside a room, and outlets are midwall, instead of a foot or so from the floor. Neither apartment had anything resembling a table lamp -- ceiling lights only. PAP Alert: If you like to read in bed, I would strongly suggest bringing a clip-on book light. I will be for my next trips.
Plumbing is exposed (as are gas pipes) and the toilet has it's own little room that opens into the hall separately from the rest of the bath. Both "bathrooms" are hot and smelly. The plumbing is shared from neighboring apartments and I'm guessing decent venting and traps are nonexistent. The hot water pipes double as drying racks in the bathrooms as well. I will say that those hot water pipes must be nice in the winter, because the floors in both rooms and the rooms themselves are very toasty.
Almaty Hotel -- The Grand Hotel Tien-Shan
Front Entrance
The window sills are very deep (about 18") so made a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
Regina's Apartment
My second abode was Regina's apartment, which she graciously shared with me my first 3 days in Aqtobe. It was good sized -- 2 bedrooms, multiple living areas, nice sized kitchen. The pictures don't really show this apartment's quirks. The most noticeable was the ripply floors. Vinyl floors are very popular here, but it seems they put some sort of pad or something else underneath. Or maybe it is just layers and layers of other flooring material. In this place, whatever was underneath was all bunched up in places. It reminded me of a sandy beach after many people had been walking on it.
It seems that armoires, in both the bedrooms and entryways are used in lieu of closets. Regina's apartment did have one large pantry-like walk-in closet full of shelves off the hallway for storage. My apartment had nothing except the armoire in the bedroom and some hooks in the hallway. Efficient and minimalist. Really does put in perspective how much "stuff" we Americans are used to acquiring and I'm a packrat by nature.My Aqtobe Apartment
This next series is of my home away from home. Many families have stayed in this apartment in the past and I had seen pictures and descriptions of it on other blogs. I was prepared, but also pleasantly surprised. While it certainly had its quirks, it was cozy and comfortable. Also had AC in the living room, which assisted by the fan I purchased, made it a respite from the furnace outside. Also had a washing machine. Something I don't know that I could have survived without when I was being spit up on daily!
Street side of building:
Entrance and parking side of building: (also where I would wait for the driver to pick me up to go to babyhouse)
View at dusk from kitchen window. Dusk was close to 10pm (and sunrise was well before 6am). Families were still out in the park this late with their kids.
Front Hall: (It is customary to take your shoes off when entering anyone's home.)
Living Room:
Hall to Kitchen:
Kitchen:
Yes, those are the gas pipes. You turn on the gas and light the burner with a match. Yes, it flares. Yes, I singed my fingers several times. There was always a lingering odor of gas around the stove. I made a point to open the windows during non-mosquito hours to air the place out.
Strangely enough, I never used the microwave, but I did use the magic hot pot. Zero to boiling in less than 3 minutes.
Refrigerator - the doors on the right go into the washroom and the "water closet":
Bedroom, with access to the "balcony". You can't tell from this picture, but that mattress was like the Grand Canyon times two. Couple of times I rolled over and woke up with a start wondering who else was in the bed! The ridge in the middle was a good 6 inches high. I actually piled some extra blankets on the mattress under the sheet to try to even it out! Not comfortable, but pretty funny. Now anyway. ;)
Washroom and the life-saving washing machine:
Single Faucet which rotates between the tub and sink: (I scrubbed that tub! I came to the conclusion that the combination of low grade porcelain and mineral laden water has caused the staining.
Hot water pipe drying rack. Very handy for bibs and spit-up rags between babyhouse visits!
True double-pane windows! Not only is each window double-pane, but there are two windows as well!
Enclosed balcony, which is somewhat sunroom like. This is where people hang their clothes to dry (dryers are not common).
This would be why I only ventured onto the balcony long enough to hang out and retrieve a blanket after washing it! Only a few inches of crumbling concrete seem to be supporting it. I just kept thinking, get me home before the earthquake hits, please! I took this picture while hanging out the kitchen window.
Apparently the upstairs neighbors have some plumbing issues. Fortunately, despite many stains, all remained dry while I was there.
Electrical? Light fixtures are very ornate and interesting. Also seem to take very low voltage bulbs, which don't last long and blow up often! The power fluctuates ALL the time. I unplugged everything (except the refrigerator) if I wasn't using it. Also appears that the metal or plastic outlet boxes required in the US to house an outlet or switch are not used in Kaz. The wiring just connects to the outlet plate, which in many cases is only attached to the wall by clips that fail. Thus the outlets kind of hang out of the wall. Scary. Again, unplug often and with dry hands!
The cord from the AC unit was about 4 inches too short to reach the outlet, therefore the suspended in mid-air extension cord. I moved this cord around daily in order use the hairdryer, then again for the washing machine. And what about that wallpaper??!! It reminded me of that spray on snow-in-a-can stuff we used to spray little scenes on windows at Christmas time when I was a kid!
But we have to have our MTV! I was surprised to see so many satellite dishes mounted on every apartment building. The old style antennas were everywhere too.
More to come another day.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Just walked into the house a few minutes ago. The cats are still shell-shocked I think, but are at least following me around.
I'm exhausted. Four legs -- 20+ hours in the air and just as much time in layovers. I know many of you have done this and worse. I don't want to again! But....
I plan to do some catch-up blogs in the next few weeks, but for now, just wanted to say I'm home safe and sound, miss the smell of spit-up on my clothes, and miss those soft sweet little cheeks.
Off to bed now.
I'm exhausted. Four legs -- 20+ hours in the air and just as much time in layovers. I know many of you have done this and worse. I don't want to again! But....
I plan to do some catch-up blogs in the next few weeks, but for now, just wanted to say I'm home safe and sound, miss the smell of spit-up on my clothes, and miss those soft sweet little cheeks.
Off to bed now.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Another Day Gone By
Yesterday, Kairat really impressed Mommy by taking the little toys out of this drum. He didn’t quite master putting them back in, but it did not take him long to figure out how to take them out. He also had a fun time shaking the drum with the toys in it (which were little rattles by themselves) and making enough noise to wake the dead. That seemed to be a lot of fun. Boy, is my currently quiet household in for a shock!
As many of you know that have been to Kaz, the bonding period and days to follow in-country are pretty much identical. You get up, get ready, go to the babyhouse, play with your child (with the same toys in the same room), come home for lunch, go back to the babyhouse, come home and check email, blog, go to bed, and do the very same thing again the next day. And the next. And the next. For 15 days. Fifteen days isn’t too bad actually. I really feel for the parents that stay for the entire process in regions where the process only takes about 2 months total. Mind-numbing is the term that I have heard used. Remember that movie Groundhog Day? Well, we live it here. Kairat lives Groundhog Day everyday. Their schedule is very regimented. You can just about set the clock by his moods. Pretty obvious when it is time for dinner or time for a nap.
And he wasn’t too crazy about modeling his new T-shirt either! In fact, this is often what happens if I lay him down on his back if that is not what he had in mind.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Yum-Yum
As much as I love Kairat’s smile, his giggles and squeals, and lately his oh so sweet babbling (did I mention I love his voice too?), what absolutely melts my heart is the moments when I hold him and feed him. I so completely understand now why this is one of the best things to do to promote bonding and attachment. Whether or not he is still on a bottle when I return in September, he will be again once we are home.
There is no such thing as high chairs in the orphanage. I have not witnessed the nannies feeding the kids, but I have heard they hold them on their laps, say yum-yum, and shovel the food in at a pretty rapid pace from behind. Sounds bad, but they do have a lot of kids to feed in a short amount of time. From Day One, I’ve been giving Kairat his late afternoon meal of juice and some sort of gruel. It varies from oatmeal, to cornmeal, to cream of wheat, to rice types of concoctions and occasionally I think I have spotted some bits of chicken.
The first couple of times he was wearing more than I managed to get in him, but he quickly got me trained. You really do shove that big spoon most of the way in that little mouth, you don’t stop to wipe the face, hands, clothes, my clothes, or anything else, and you don’t even think about slowing down until it is all gone. And he eats it all.
I was told I could bring him some juice and fruit puree. I remember that warm and fuzzy feeling when I fixed the first bottle and rummaged through the baby food display at the grocery store. The bottle is half apple and/or apricot juice and half water, with a dose of vitamins added. It took a little effort the first time. He definitely doesn’t like the apricot juice as much as the apple, and the nipple is much smaller than what he is used to. Now however, he is holding the bottle himself and trying to get it away from him is like trying to wrench a bone out of a dog’s mouth. He won’t give it up! Here’s the look from the first time we tried apple puree with a baby-sized spoon. The second time was classic. He scrunched up his face and shook his head. I so wish I would have had the camera ready. He gets pear or banana now instead.
Tomorrow is my last bonding day with Kairat. I am very sad to be leaving him. Yesterday he actually looked for me and whimpered or crawled towards me if I walked across the room. All of this will be lost during my 5-6 week absence from his life and we’ll have to start over in September. I am glad that he is recognizing me now though. That is a good sign.
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