Some people fondly refer to this time as "Groundhog's Day"...if you haven't seen the movie, you wake everyday and it is exactly the same as the last. Truly, we are all having fun and adjusting to the rountine.Our group gets along great and we've had no real problems together.
Samuel is out of isolation! Hopefully, for the last time. It was MUCH more fun to play with him in the playroom with all the other families and children. There are two other families now (from a dif. agency) so that makes 6 families altogether. There is a nice bond between us.
Samuel is playing and playing and really enjoys grasping my fingers to pull himself up. I've got to get his muscles moving. He also is curling up in arms regularly and that is divine. He had his first tears with me today after he bumped his head, but I was able to quickly soothe him. (Also felt divine) I know I'm beginning to sound like a Mom, but I really do that that he is special, very loving and easy going. It all feels reeeeaaaaaallllly good! Of course, I haven't changed a dirty diaper yet, but I don't think that'll discourage me.
A few details:
Court date for the adoption to become final is June 16th, 9am. It should just be a formality. We should be flying back to Almaty with the babies on June 18th. We pick the babies up on way to the airport and dress them for the first time in the clothes we brought from them. I might be out of Almaty by June 29th...that is the hope. Frankly, delays now seem to be inevitable, so I'm assuming we'll have a delay. The whole process is taking a bit longer than we were told, but it isn't as big of a deal to me now.
We go to the orphanage twice a day...around 10-noon and 2pm-4pm. Our little group eats breakfast together at the hotel ('do you want eggs or eggs for breakfast') and then we alternate eating out as a group lunch one day, dinner the next. The restaurants are OK, but fresh greens are hard to come by. Everything is swimming in mayo and it is advised not to eat fresh greens that aren't peeled or washed with purified water. The grocery here is awesome (practially like Whole Foods at home) and you can get nearly anything you want that is packaged or canned...fresh is a bit scarier. They even have Nutella and Starbust candy, so I'm good to go! :-) A few days ago we discovered a Baskin Robbins and I've accidentially stopped in a few times for a scoop. Their pineapple sorbet is to-die-for! And for those that know me too well, they even have a few lovely shoe stores :-)
The weather is getting quite warm...high 80's now. Not too humid and no bugs (so far). There are tons of butterflies in the afternoon sky and the cotton off the cottonwood trees floats in the breeze.
The people seemed to be of reasonable means and dress nicely. The apartment buildings look a little run down, but maybe that is just from the outside. There is almost no trash in the streets and I've barely seen anyone smoking, either indoors or out.
Thanks to all that have written. I've read them all and REALLY appreciate the comments and support. This is an exciting adventure...I do feel so lucky!
Chat in a few days!
xoS
9 comments:
These pictures were some of my FAVORITE...Samuel looks so incredibly happy to be with you. I am SOOO excited to meet him. I am going to look at flights today. I have a 7 day advance notice I have to give to use my ticket, but I need to plan a little further ahead to get Jordan a ticket. Forgot about that. Anyway, it will probably be mid to late July. Susan asked that I try to coordinate with her class reunion on the 23rd so maybe the 21st - 28th or something. I took pictures of Brooke in her cap and gown yesterday - she said she would post some on her Xanga. Graduation is tomorrow morning. I'm very happy things are going so well. Funny how we all get over the labor once we are with the baby! Can't wait to see you.
Love, Debbie
Shar...just got back from AZ and first thing I checked your journal...Samuel looks so comfortable and happy with you, and vice versa! I just can't wait for you to get home, as I'm sure you are feeling the same way! I'm glad Samuel's finally out of isolation and hopefully for good, although you have to admit it was probably good for both of you to have "one-on-one" to start. He has an incredible smile, just like his mom!!! Take care and lots of love, Pat.
Sharon,
Again all these stories are so inspiring. I look forward to reading them daily as they give me a boost of hope. Today, as I type, we are about 2 hours away from finding out wheather or not our surrogate is pregnant with our child/ren. I am so glad that I have your story to focus on and the pictures of Samuel to help me get through the day. Please keep posting as each day brings you happiness, it also brings all of us reading happiness as well.
Take care,
Cori
Shar,
Great to get the news and a pictures!! I can imagine your bliss. The kids loved the shot with them and Samuel!!
Sharona,
Your journal is consistently the highlight of my day! I ADORE the pictures and your joyful musings... nutella, starburst and shoes... OH MY! To quote Gloria Gaynor... "You (I) Will Survive!". Everyone is aching to meet Samuel... he's absolutely Sam-alish(er)-ous! Savor every tiny little moment, my friend... this is obviously an experience like no other! Love, Pamela
Shar,
I've already cancel your appointment on June 29th for Samuel.
Tomorrow after school we will go with the kids to see Ruby.
I with the kids are following all your thoughts and experiences, you are a great narrator!!
I'm happy to know that was it more fun to be with all the other families, but I'm sure that that special time made singular marks in boths of your lifes at these beginning steps!!
Keep enjoying your treasure!! and share it with us!!! We LOVE IT!!!
Lots of love,
Zory.
Sharon,
Finally got to check out everything. It is bringing happy tears to my eyes. Glad things are going so well. He is so darn cute, and healthy, the most important thing!
Can't wait for our first playdate.
Bonnie and Joey
(Tom, Ryan and Erik too)
Hi Sharon,
I can't tell you how much our family is enjoying sharing your journey with you! The memories flood back as we read the emotions you're experiencing day by day. DAvid and I were reading together when you posted your first visit experience and it had both of us in tears. It's very difficult to put the miracle of adoption into words. I remember that peaceful feeling that you talk about, it's as though God picked these children especially for us and when they are in your arms you know it is what was supposed to be and all the delays and confusion of the process to get to them suddenly are meaningless. Good luck with court. Your date is just one day off from our court day with Aliya. We are celebrating our 2 year "Family Day" on the 17th. If you didn't get up to the mountains in Almaty make sure you do, they are incredible! Lots of wonderful restaurants on the way up the mountain as well. Maybe your group should take on our tradition? Our driver, a Russian who we loved bought us a bottle of good vodka and insisted that after each family made it thru court we must toast the new family with shots of vodka! When in Rome!!!!! All the best to you and Samuel!
Also in Almaty if you haven't tried the traditional dish called lagman do so! It's a spicy noodle dish and it is wonderful! There are many restaurants that serve lagman in Almaty. We got so hooked on it we had it about every other day!
Jeanne
Hi Sharon!
Little Samuel is adorable. Can't wait to meet him. He is so lucky to be getting you as a Mom. I have really enjoyed reading about your journey. Thanks for sharing that with all of us.
Loved the picture with Ruby. I did a double take thinking they must has goldens at the orphanage, but that seemed weird. I gues not quite as weird as Maggie snorkeling in the Carribean!!
Hope to see you soon.
Love,
Paula
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