I'm tired. Not so much from the baby care stuff (what else do I have to do?) but from another night with no more than 3 hours of sleep and the headache that goes with it. Brady was extra squirmy and fussy last night. I CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE A CRIB! Today also seems to be a green snot day (the booger sucker isn't working -- probably user error) and the little hand is rubbing the little ear an awful lot. He's sleeping again now, so I'll see how he is when he wakes up. I brought the baby meds, including Tylenol infant drops, but I'm a skittish new mom and giving anything to him for what is likely the first time is just scary.
Still no hot water and no heat. I broke down and did the ice cold shower dance for about 3 minutes (the time it took to rinse the shampoo out of my hair) while he napped. Of course, he woke up while I was in there! He desperately needs a bath too. I've been holding out hoping the hot water will come on, but we are going to have to do a sponge bath with water heated on the stove today. I'm not expecting it to be a fun experience for either one of us. I washed all his and most of my stinky pooped and peed on clothes yesterday morning, but by bedtime (11pm) nothing was dry enough to wear. Was a challenge to find something for both of us to wear to bed.
We ventured out to the little store downstairs yesterday. Took an hour to get ready to go for the 10 minute adventure, which included a few minutes sitting on the bench checking out the neighborhood. Tried on the baby carrier when we got back. He thought it was great fun and kicked his legs non-stop, but alas, my shoulders aren't going to be able to withstand his 16+ pounds. Yes, he's tiny, but it's more than my out-of-shape body can handle.
Our schedule got way messed up yesterday. We're already running behind today. We're supposed to be ready at 10 to go the travel agent to get our plane tickets to go to Almaty tomorrow. Wish me luck.
This is the story of my journey to adopt a child from Kazakhstan.
Welcome!
Welcome to my journey to Motherhood! I appreciate your interest and am thrilled to share this exciting and terrifying adventure with my family and friends.
-- Alysa
Little Precious
Fur Babies
Callie and Merlin
Aqtobe Time
Aktobe |
Aqtobe Weather
Polling Place
Timeline
- October 26, 2008, 4:38pm MDT -- Newest US Citizen
- October 26, 2008 -- Homeward Bound
- October 12, 2008 -- Left Aqtobe for Almaty
- October 7, 2008 -- We are family! (Gotcha Day)
- October 3, 2008-- Return to Kaz - Trip 3
- October 1, 2008 -- Adoption Decree signed by judge - You're mine!
- September 15, 2008 -- Kaz Court
- September 9, 2008 -- Return to Kaz - Trip 2
- August 9, 2008 - End of Trip 1
- July 22, 2008 -- I found you!
- July 19, 2008 -- On da plane to Kaz
- July 10, 2008 -- Letter of Invitation Received
- February 1, 2008 -- Dossier sent to Aqtobe MOE
- November 9, 2007 -- Aqtobe is my region!
- November 5, 2007 -- Dossier to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- October 10, 2007 -- Dossier to Kaz Consulate in NY
- October 5 -- Dossier in translation
- October 2, 2007 -- Dossier FedEx'd to LMI!!!
- August 21, 2007 -- I171H (approval from US immigration) received!
- August 9, 2007 -- Homestudy submitted to USCIS.
- June 15, 2007 -- Homestudy completed again! Sent to USCIS -- Not!
- May 31, 2007 -- Homestudy completed. Not!
- March 2007 -- Signed agency contracts
- January-March 2007 -- Researched agencies, countries, etc.
- March - November 2006 -- decided to move out of CA, found and started new job, sold CA house, bought CO house, and moved!
- February 2006 -- Realized I needed a fresh start, whether or not I adopted
- October 2005 -- Started researching adoption
Favorite Adoption Blogs
Links to More Info
Kazakhstan
A Bit About Kaz
Kazakhstan is the largest of the former Soviet republics in size (after Russia) and is the ninth-largest nation in the world. It shares a border with Russia on the north and is west of China. Kazakhstan gained its independence from Russia in 1991, and although traditionally a nomadic and pastoral society, the current way of life and culture reflect strong Russian influences. Kazakhstan has a population of over 15 million people comprised of 46% Kazakhs, 35% Russians, 5% Ukrainians, 3% Germans, and the remaining 11% a mix of other European and Asian ethnicities. While Kazakh is the "state" language, nearly everyone is bilingual in Kazakh and Russian.
About Me
Yep, I'm 40-something and going to be a single first-time parent!
And yes, many nights (days, nights, and more sleepless nights) I think I may have just lost my mind! But, I'm also excited and am looking forward to all the challenges, thrills, sweet little moments, panic, hope, messes, joys, and mostly love that will be an everyday part of my life.
I've changed my life pretty dramatically in the past year (new job, new state, new house, new life!) in part because I wanted a fresh start, but also because doing so allowed me financially and emotionally to pursue adoption.
Most of you know that my mother had me at nearly 40 and raised me alone. And this was back when being a single mom, and especially an older single mom, was not a very acceptable thing to do. I'm sad that Mom will never know her grandchild, but I know she would be thrilled that I am doing this. From her I have learned independence, tenacity, resourcefulness, and that family is not defined by numbers or what society thinks it should be, but by love and support. Thank you, Mom, for setting the example that has given me the courage to follow, in my own way, in your footsteps.
Visitors
Blog Archive
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2008
(100)
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October
(23)
- Our First Outing
- Life is Good, Take 2
- Home Sweet Home
- Last Post From Kazakhstan!!!
- Case Closed!
- Paperwork Snafu
- A View of the Smog
- A Walk in the Park
- Bath Time is Fun Time!
- Sunday in the Mountains
- Leeza and Brady Unite!
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
- Temper, Temper
- Umit Babyhouse
- Baby Times ala Almaty
- Alive and Sleepy in Almaty
- Things Are Lookin' Up!
- Day Two
- Quick Morning Update
- We Are Family!!
- Reunited
- Kazland - Part Three
- Gotcha Trip
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October
(23)
6 comments:
Alysa - I'm feeling for you! You might try letting Brady sleep on the floor in the room. Put him on towels, clothes, whatever against a wall (or in a corner) and if necessary, use items, such as your suitcase, rolled up clothes, etc. to make a rectangle around him. Sleep whenever he sleeps and try to pack, clean, etc. when he is awake. When you have your medical visit in Almaty, the doctor can check out his ears. Or Marina can get you to a doctor sooner if necessary. Brady may also be teething, which can cause children to rub their ears.
Good luck getting out of Aktobe!
P.S. - When you get to Almaty, buy some baby yogurt from the grocery store for Brady to try.
It all gets easier!
-Kim
aww Alysa..I am so sorry.
bless your heart-no hot water and no heat-and squirmy baby.
I agree with your friend.
How bout a putting him a a suitcase?
or making him a bed on the floor..that might help him feel more secure.
leeza is eating more and more foods now-yogurt is a fav and she used to spit it out a few days ago.
Hang in there-it does get easier-but babies are defintely demanding-but you will figure it out.
GET SOME SLEEP!
HUGS TO YOU
I feel for you girl! No sleep makes everything else seem even less bearable. Like the others said, get creative and "build" a crib if you can.
And a cold shower in a cold room is the worst! Maybe you can take a shallow, warm bath with stove-heated water, and then wash your hair separately in the kitchen sink with stove-heated water.
Soon you will both be warm and cozy at home, enjoying a crackling fire on a fall evening. Just keep trudging through the hard times!
I can't believe you still don't have hot water!! That alone would put me in the worst mood ever nevermind no sleep!!
Just remember, You are in the home run stretch!
Susan
You are experiencing a lot of "no-s" - no hot water, no heat and no sleep?! ARGH! I hope that you are off to Almaty very, very soon. I was just thinking that somehow this is commando parenting.
Alia is for sure teething and she tugs at her ear, so I second the comment about the connection between the 2. We started giving her Motrin for her teeth right away. She is also very snotty, but that is getting better the longer she is out of the hospital. I am so happy to know that the "crib cough" is fading fast. There were some other issues, but it sounds like all of them are starting to work themselves out.
Hang in there! Imagine how Brady will feel when he isn't perpetually sick! And, that will be very soon.
Well, you already sound like the harried Mom... and for good reason! You can try putting Brady on folded blankets in a deep drawer pulled out on the floor or a large suitcase as a make shift crib. Good luck at the travel agent. At least they should have hot water in Almaty!
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