Introducing Alex Declan Colleran!

Tuesday - 21st November 2006
Court Day!!

It’s Official!!!
We are now the proud parents of
Alex Declan Colleran
Baby Brother to Darrelle & Elena…..


It felt like déjà vu this morning when we got up – breakfast, getting dressed for court and was standing with the hair-straightener looking into the mirror when there was a knock at the door – just as I had been doing the previous morning when Alfiya knocked to say that ‘No court today!’ I opened it a crack and said ‘You are not Alfiya, are you? If so, I am not letting you in!!’ Sue was there laughing.

So, it was full steam ahead – into the now very familiar maroon van and onto the court house…. A building a bit smarter than the courthouse in Taraz. We met with Janna, Michael and Oz, their translator upstairs. They were to go in before us so we settled in for a long wait. We kept checking – passports, speech, photos for judge!!!
Our lawyer came out and explained to us that as the court was fully booked for the next two weeks and as we had missed our official slot yesterday we were to speak very fast. We can do that I thought – we’re from Galway!!

A very happy Michael & Janna came out (their 6 yr old had to wait outside while they were in court) and Aine & Alex went in next. Proceedings took roughly 25 – 30 minutes. Before Declan & I went in there was a bit of confusion as some of Sue’s documents were missing (what a time to find out!)
and there was a question about whether she would be able to go in. While poor Sue was left stewing outside we had entered the courtroom. It was a very small room – just about held the judge, the prosecutor, the recording secretary, the Director, Dr. Natalia and Oksana – the representative from the Ministry of Education and of course us and Alfiya.

It was all quite formal, we were told when to sit, when to stand and then we had to read the speech. It was great to have it down on paper. For Elena’s adoption we had to compose as we went along, and hope we said the right thing although we had been given a fair idea of what questions we would be asked. Each of us took different aspects of the speech, introduced ourselves – I spoke about why we chose Kazakhstan, Declan spoke about coming to Ust and meeting Alex. He also spoke about finances which of course have been seriously depleted with our lengthy holiday in Kazakhstan – (please postpone Christmas until February – I am currently on unpaid leave!) I had to speak about our daughters at home and of course got all emotional – Declan teased me afterwards saying I did a really good job of trying to get the two week post court period waived!! Unfortunately it did not work!! Alfiya would translate after every couple of sentences.

The director had to speak twice about us, the bonding and Alex. Also Oksana had to speak twice to say the MOE (Ministry of Education) approved us as parents to Sasha. The prosecutor spoke and had no objections and thankfully no questions as she had a pressing lunch arrangement so it was an advantage to have a short slot. We then had to leave the court room while the judge made his decision. It took 30 seconds, did not believe in prolonging the agony (Well, we knew he was going to say ok!!) and so he did and that was that – big relief all round. Thankfully Sue was ushered in and all went well for her and although they must now source the missing paperwork she has the all-important court date behind her. Funny thing – we never got our photos back from the judge – and the others did!!

Outside the Court House with Alfiya

We brought Alfiya and Alexei for lunch to celebrate – guess where – Pizza Blue (no laptops with us unfortunately!)

The funny thing about the day that we became parents, us for a third time, the others all first time parents we did not get to visit our new sons!!! A bit ironic! We were all shattered this evening and just chilled out, some slept, some drank a celebratory vodka in someone’s room, some read….. Can you guess where I was?!!! What do you mean you don’t think I was sleeping or reading?!!!




Declan & I & Sue tried a noodle house tonight and it was good despite the fact that we did not get the rice with our dish and so we ate the beef dish and ordered another so we would have something to go with the rice when it did come. We asked for it again, on seeing the beef dish arrive solo again. The rice arrived with the bill - charging us twice for the rice we got AND the rice we DID not get. Well, we queried it, bits of Russian from Sue, charades from Declan & I but when she asked the waitress did she bring us the first rice ordered she said ‘Da” –Yes. They stick together – what ever happened to the customer is always right!!! Anyway, we just paid – why would we quibble over a euro.!!

It was quite sleety this evening and I think Alfiya will get her wish – snow is on the way!! Talked to Darrelle this evening. It was great…. Was too tired to spend anytime on the computer so just dabbled a little.