Back in the Saddle

It’s funny how quickly you fall into the same routine and get “comfy” when coming back to a place that you spent several weeks in previously. I had some money exchanged, water purchased, and groceries stocked within a couple hours of arrival in Aqtobe. Wasn’t able to get an internet card until today, but now I am all set.

My flights were uneventful and on time -- still whining about the very uncomfortable seats on Lufthansa from Denver to Frankfurt though. Wish there was an alternative without adding another stop. Seriously, the Frankfurt to Almaty plane (also Lufthansa) has more leg room and softer seats. Ah well, 10 flights down, only 9 to go. I am having some jetlag issues this trip, which usually isn’t a problem for me. I’ve decided not to fight it and am sleeping whenever I feel the need. So far that isn’t preventing me from also sleeping at night, except while being dive-bombed by mosquitoes. My insect repellent went missing -- more on that later.

I arrived in Almaty at midnight Wednesday and opted to stay at the “transit” hotel adjacent to the airport in order to freshen up a little prior to being back at the airport at 6am for my Aqtobe flight. The room I chose was 7500 Tenge, which is about $68, rather than $18000 Tenge for a "regular" room. Well worth it. And there were elevators! The floor I was on reminded me of a college dorm. Very simple room with two single beds and a sink. The toilets were in a room down the hall; next to that was a shower room. After one look, I decided a shower could wait, but, alas, using the restroom could not. Very thankful for having toilet seat covers and TP with me!

Traveler Tips:

Couple things I wanted to mention to those yet to travel. Be sure to bring a few smaller bills in good condition. If you are with LMI, you will be given a list of items for which you need to pay when you arrive in Almaty and so far the total has always been something other than a denomination of 20. If you can find a couple of 5s and 10s in good condition, bring them!

Also, a few plastic forks, knives, and spoons, and maybe a plastic cup or two have proven valuable. They came in very hand in transit (eating yogurt at the hotel) and before I was able to wash (aka sterilize) the utensils in the apartment.

So this time when I deplaned in Aqtobe, I was met by the ever wonderful driver, Ceric, but no translator. Seems Aina is out sick. Another translator came to my apartment with the regional coordinator in the afternoon. She is very sweet, but very new to the adoption world – I’m her first. Yep, I’m a bit nervous given court is on Monday and she will be the one translating. I was counting on the old pros, but I’m sure everything will be fine.

I am in the same apartment as last trip too, however this time, I had to spend a bit more time scrubbing the place, dishes, etc (sans hot water) before I could even unpack. Also had to replace (and wash) the dirty towels and sheets left behind…. Ugh. Unfortunately, the bags of things I left behind last trip were rummaged through and some things are missing. Mostly kitchen stuff and a new set of sheets I purchased here – conveniences – but very disappointing. The bags were left in a cabinet in Regina’s apartment the day of our departure and I suspect a later tenant (likely not adoption related) helped themselves. I brought several gifts and more baby items this trip planning to leave them as well until needed on the last trip. Thinking that might not be such a good idea now, but no way will it all fit in my suitcase for a return trip to the States.

As for what you really want to know: baby Kairat. We had an interesting visit yesterday. I don’t think he recognized me (didn't think he would) and was very quiet and subdued the entire time. Rather strange. He only smiled a couple of times. He was enamored with watching the other two moms and their babies though, so I’m hoping that was part of the reason for his inactivity. I’m sure part of it is his age – he’s 9 months now – and maybe a little bit of stranger anxiety is setting in, where it likely hadn’t last time. He has 4 more teeth coming in and can now sit by himself without toppling over. Yay Kairat! He definitely has lost some muscle tone though. I guess I didn’t fully realize just how much progress he had made during our bonding period. We have some work to do.

Instead of the bottle of juice and bowl of gruel he used to get in the afternoon, we are each given a large bottle of kefir (fermented horse milk) at each visit and these babies slurp it down in record time. I wonder if this is the new diet, or it is just easier for the babyhouse to manage with 3 of us here. My schedule is 1/2 hour earlier for both visits too, so I can feed him in the morning. Interestingly enough, my afternoon visit is from 3-5, while the other parents are on the old schedule of 3:30 to 5:30. I'm thinking that is due to my driver, not the babyhouse.

It was nice to have someone else in the bonding room. Claudine (from France) and her 14 month old son, Alia (not sure how it is spelled), along with Kara (from Texas), her mom, and her 10-month old daughter Sophia, are waiting out their appeal period now. Gotcha day for both is sometime next week. Claudine is also a single mom, while Kara’s husband is home with their 6 year old son awaiting their return.

This morning, there was a meeting going on in the bonding room, so we were taken to a small stuffy room in another wing. Kairat was still a bit grumpy and distant, but still mesmerized by all of the activity in the room. I'd be grumpy too with 3 layers of clothes in an already warm room. (As a side note, the weather in Aqtobe is much more pleasant this trip -- in the mid 70s.)

At almost exactly 11am, both Kairat and Sophia fell asleep. Seems this is their usual naptime. It was the first time Kairat has fallen asleep when I have been with him. It was very much like someone flipped a switch. I couldn’t stop messing with him though – touching his checks, his little mouth, playing with his fingers, and yes, I woke him up once and he was not happy, but he zonked out again in a matter of seconds.

This afternoon, he was much more the playful baby I remembered and I think recognized me a little. While still not quite Mr. Giggles (except when I gave him back to his nanny), he did venture across the room on all fours and was playing with various toys. He seemed to want to spend a lot of time being held. I think he has a little cold, which explains some of the fussiness.