Sunday 19th November 2006
Bonding - Day 18
Another week gone by! Will we be back in Ireland this day next week? Hope so! Did our final job for court today which was to develop photos for the judge to show each day of our bonding.. Seemingly, each photo must have Declan or I in it with Alex. Well, am sure that it will be okay as we had a few days where we had lovely photos of Sasha but none of us!!!
Today was a good day in the Baby Home. We asked could we take Sasha out as it was ‘Horoshaw Pagoda’! – (lovely weather) and it was a real novelty as it’s been a long time since we got to go out…
Sorry Sasha - am not allowed out today!
Found the window of the Sick Room and decided to serenade Sue & Damir from outside. Well, they arrived at the window and we took some photos.
Very surprised when a few minutes later she strolled around the corner with a very snug Damir, all wrapped up in a blue snowsuit and a makeshift scarf (a pair of trousers wrapped around his neck). She was delighted, as when the carers had come in gesturing and talking loudly to her she thought she was in trouble for something or other and next thing they had bundled up Damir and sent her out. It was the very first time she was allowed to take him out. Of course any variation in the daily routine is much welcomed!!!! We got some nice photos.
Hit the next slump today when we got a phonecall in the afternoon from Alfiya to say we had to meet with the lawyer in the lobby at 6pm. Why? There is some problem! What? She could not tell us! We were seriously worried. Why would we be summoned on a Sunday to meet the lawyer.
Every scenario had gone through our heads by the time we all met downstairs. Alfiya arrived first and could not tell us anything but was very subdued. To cut a long story short when the lawyer came we must have had 10 full minutes of questions before she told us what was wrong - We had a slot for court tomorrow @ 10am (was news for us!) but as our papers had not arrived back from Astana, Oksana from the Ministry of Education could not complete the necessary paperwork on time. The problem is that there is a full schedule for court and if we miss that slot they can not tell us for definite when the next one would be…. Anyway, the lawyer said she would do everything she could to make sure things would go ahead in the morning and they left telling us to be ready for 9.30am, not to worry that they were pretty sure all would be ok for tomorrow.
We were so relieved that we had a celebratory vodka and orange juice and then went across for something to eat to the Pancake House. Is this it? One can never take anything for granted and we do know that by now…. We are hopeful though and delighted… What a great day to be able to adopt Alex on his first birthday….
Bonding - Day 18
Another week gone by! Will we be back in Ireland this day next week? Hope so! Did our final job for court today which was to develop photos for the judge to show each day of our bonding.. Seemingly, each photo must have Declan or I in it with Alex. Well, am sure that it will be okay as we had a few days where we had lovely photos of Sasha but none of us!!!
Today was a good day in the Baby Home. We asked could we take Sasha out as it was ‘Horoshaw Pagoda’! – (lovely weather) and it was a real novelty as it’s been a long time since we got to go out…
Sorry Sasha - am not allowed out today! 
Found the window of the Sick Room and decided to serenade Sue & Damir from outside. Well, they arrived at the window and we took some photos.
Very surprised when a few minutes later she strolled around the corner with a very snug Damir, all wrapped up in a blue snowsuit and a makeshift scarf (a pair of trousers wrapped around his neck). She was delighted, as when the carers had come in gesturing and talking loudly to her she thought she was in trouble for something or other and next thing they had bundled up Damir and sent her out. It was the very first time she was allowed to take him out. Of course any variation in the daily routine is much welcomed!!!! We got some nice photos.
Hit the next slump today when we got a phonecall in the afternoon from Alfiya to say we had to meet with the lawyer in the lobby at 6pm. Why? There is some problem! What? She could not tell us! We were seriously worried. Why would we be summoned on a Sunday to meet the lawyer.
Every scenario had gone through our heads by the time we all met downstairs. Alfiya arrived first and could not tell us anything but was very subdued. To cut a long story short when the lawyer came we must have had 10 full minutes of questions before she told us what was wrong - We had a slot for court tomorrow @ 10am (was news for us!) but as our papers had not arrived back from Astana, Oksana from the Ministry of Education could not complete the necessary paperwork on time. The problem is that there is a full schedule for court and if we miss that slot they can not tell us for definite when the next one would be…. Anyway, the lawyer said she would do everything she could to make sure things would go ahead in the morning and they left telling us to be ready for 9.30am, not to worry that they were pretty sure all would be ok for tomorrow.
We were so relieved that we had a celebratory vodka and orange juice and then went across for something to eat to the Pancake House. Is this it? One can never take anything for granted and we do know that by now…. We are hopeful though and delighted… What a great day to be able to adopt Alex on his first birthday….
2 comments:
Hi there
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX FOR MONDAY J
Sorry I didn’t reply to your last email .. we've had an awful week .. we have had the gastro tummy bug moving between all of us in our house which has not been pleasant .. no fun looking after sick kids when you yourself are sick. But now we all seem better apart from sniffles & coughs.
Elena is on the home page this week.. I thought it would also be a good omen to have her on & your court in the same week !! .. I hope it goes well on Tuesday .. I’ll be sending positive thoughts your way…
Our court hearing in Ust was so easy. Who is your translator?
I am sure you are missing them & are torn between wanting to go back & see your girls & leaving Alex .. but at least you will all be home for Xmas together .. the best Xmas present I am sure J
I am sending happy birthday wishes for Alex for tomorrow .. great that you are getting to spend the first birthday with him even though its there. Do you have any photos to share ?
I am surprised that you are all bonding in different rooms .. we (5 families) were all together in the main room on the top floor. I don’t know why you would be split up. Are you spending much time with the other families .. if you are lucky you can meet up with great people & you obviously have a very special bond of what you are doing.
Please continue to send updates .. its so great to read them .. sorry I have been so delayed in replying
Lots of love
Ashley
Hi Ashley - Thanks for the birthday wishes for Alex. We had a lovely party for him in with his group this evening. We brought in a really nice cake and although Alfiya, our translator said not to bring anything for the babies, I brought in baby biscuits and thought if they don't want them to have them that's okay. Was so glad I did because they all lined up at the little railing in the room looking at us all (Carers, Alfiya, our travelling buddies who had finished their bonding for the day)eating cake and it would have been so awful to eat in front of them and not give them something. One little guy escaped out to the table and sat down beside the cake but did not touch it - just ate his biscuit Very cute!! We got some lovely photos - usually they are very adamant that you cannot take any pictures of the babies... It has been a big drawback to us that we don't have our translator with us much so cannot really communicate with the carers. She is a nice girl but not very forthcoming and does not really keep us informed about what is happening - Court has been up in the air for days, no definite date, yes, maybe, shrug, possibly, not. We were all going crazy -almost three weeks bonding now - were summoned to a meeting yesterday Sunday to say prepare for court in the morning but it might not happen - all dressed this morning at 9, knock at the door - no court - cannot say when - problem with paperwork.... it really is so much more difficult this time - I am glad that this is to be our final adoption - don't get me wrong - I have such a fondness for Kaz but the process has just got so hard and it is so hard to be away form the girls at home for so long - If we were staying after court which Elena (Coordinator) put a lot of pressure on us to do we would be away for about 7 weeks. She kept saying you should stay it is better for the baby. We know that but we have to consider our 'babies' at home also. So we will do two trips.
Sounds like I am really grousing doesn't it? I'm not really and we are having a good time - unbelievable weather. Even get to bring the babies out on sunny days. Think I just had such a good time in Taraz that maybe my expectations were too high. I read Marcia's updates and thought it sounds so lovely to be back in a familiar place with familiar coordinators etc. Yes, I found it strange that we were all bonding in little rooms off the different baby rooms and felt a little isolated from all the others for the first few days.. Was thinking of the big music room in Umit! I asked the translator, Elena and even the director and she said 'Nyet!' so I guess they all do things differently. The director is very good and it is a very good Baby Home. am sure you would see big changes in Ust since you were here in 2001. Big city - lots of lovely restaurants. have met up with some American families and with everyone in the same boat we all have this common bond. We have all been out to dinner afew times. they have Galina, our cordinator from Taraz and have each had their own difficulties so when I praised Galina they were saying ' Not our experience' which makes me think it really is that things are getting so much more difficult.
Did you do any sightseeing while you were in Ust? Any recommendations? We leave Friday morning!
Will try to attach a picture of Alex
Hope you have all recovered - I missed your homepage photo of Sam & Kyle - was in the middle of the I.T. difficulties then!!!! but will look them up on the Taraz board. Declan & I were so chuffed to see Elena on the homepage this week - all the more poignant because we are missing her so much!! Thank You!
Court tomorrow! We can't say 100% but we are hoopeful - will count today as a dress rehearsal!!
Regards
Adrienne
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