Back in the USA...to Grandmother's House We Go

Here we are in Chicago at Grandma's house! Well, that flight is not something we want to do again anytime soon! At the airport in Almaty there were 8 adoptive families going home with 9 children (we were the only brave souls with two). It was quite the baby flight on British Air. We took bets on who would be the first and biggest cryer--I would have won! Yes, Sery started the fussing first. And Lonya was the loudest, though he didn't start until the captain turned on the seatbelt sign during turbulence. He had barely tolerated the initial seatbelt, and once he had been out of it, playing, he was not about to be belted in again. This does not bode well for car seats...All during the trip, people were walking babies (and Lonya and Sergey) up and down the aisles. A few new toys did keep them busy for a while. After about 9 hours, we landed in London and had a LONG walk to the gate. The London airport doesn't bring up strollers to the gate, so we knew we wouldn't see our stroller till Chicago.

With a short layover, we had to scramble to get to the plane, though we then had to sit on the ground a long time after loading. Lucky us, we got upgraded to First Class for the London to Chicago marathon. We did not complain about having those wonderful recliner seats that are clustered in conversational groupings, and that fold into beds. Lonya slept most of the way. But Sergey woke up every couple hours and had to be walked up and down the aisle.

Then we landed, and the immigration officials handled the paperwork swiftly and efficiently. Lonya and Sergey are now American citizens. Jeff (Candace's brother) met us at the airport, fortunately for us, since luggage was the last thing we wanted to deal with much.

And finally Grandma got to meet her newest grandsons! Chicago is quite a change. Grandma did not listen to instructions to get the boys just ONE Christmas present apiece. So this morning when they got up we had presents under the tree with a 1-1/2 and 3-1/2 year old. The boys were very excited (Sery about the boxes and paper as much as the toys). They have never had a Christmas. In post-Soviet Kazakhstan, the big holiday is New Years, where they have a New Years tree that looks suspiciously like a Christmas tree. There are presents under it, and Father Winter and the snow maiden leave gifts. Actual Christmas, celebrated by the 40-odd percent of the populace that is Russian Orthodox, is January 7. They don't do Christmas stockings, and we never got much of an answer about the rest of that celebration, except that our translator (who was Orthodox) said her family did presents at New Years and not at Christmas. Christmas was more of a religious holiday. Lonya especially liked the car with the real siren noises and the percussion set (we'll get you back some day, Uncle Jeff!). Sery's biggest present has to be inflated, so he won't get to play with it until Ellensburg. But he was satisfied putting wrapping paper in and out of a box.

Got to go...Grandma's house is not exactly childproof!

Last Day in Kazakhstan

Well, this is Candace--Sue has done heroic duties, going out to the supermarket, getting us meals at restaurants, and posting on the internet from the hotel business center, while I have stayed in our hotel room with the boys. Although entertaining two toddlers when sick is not exactly relaxing! I came down with a nasty cold, just in time for the airplane ride back. I'm just praying the boys and Sue don't get it. It is also frustrating, because there are some sights we did not see because I just wasn't up to it.

Yesterday's US Embassy visit was much better than the medical visit. It was shorter and we did learn from our mistakes and were better prepared. It was rather amusing, because when we got called in for the interview, the first thing the woman said was, "before I start, my husband just wants to tell you how much he misses and loves Ellensburg." Apparently he went to Central--they are both from Washington State. Such a small world, and not something you necessarily expect. It was smooth and final, and I have the adoption decree and amended birth certificates in hand. Once the boys step out of the airplane in Chicago they are American citizens. Last night we went down to the restaurant in the hotel for dinner, but, alas, the Embassy appointment was during nap time, and they had refused to go to sleep before that. So the little one was very squirrely, and I had to take him back to the room. Sue and Lonya stayed and ate with our friend Anita. Sery had dinner in the room. At least the boys got a good night's sleep.

Today was a free day. We had breakfast in the room (we have been eating out many meals, which is really a lot to ask of a 1 and 3 year old). Then we went on a fine walk through the snow and slush to get some fresh air and see Almaty sights. Lonya was particularly impressed with a flock of pigeons that took off right in front of us. Sue got some food to go at a restaurant and brought it back for lunch. Then nap time--not without a fight, though they finally slept--and we are starting to pack. We feel very blessed to have such loving and sweet little boys. Even when they are being little terrors. They are growing more comfortable by the minute, and they are craving the attention and affection that they could not get in even the most loving of orphanages. They are doing a little testing, too. Sometimes it takes us by surprise, after they have been such good sports about everything.

Tomorrow will be a very long day for all. It involves leaving the hotel at 6 a.m., catching the 9 a.m. flight to London, a short 2 hour layover there, and then on to Chicago. All in all, about 24 hours of travel, though it will still be December 30 when we land, due to the time zone changes. At least we don't have two six-hour layovers like the ones we had the first trip. Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers. We will need those. Somehow we are having a hard time imagining keeping these active boys entertained on two 8-9 hour flights. We will write again from Chicago, courtesy of Grandma Hooper. Thank you all for following the blog. It means a lot to read the comments or to hear later that you were reading our adventures. Just the thing to keep us from being homesick.

US Embassy

Candace, She-Who-Never-Gets-Sick, is sick with a sore throat and digestive upset. Sue is trying to carry a bit more of the load but Candace is a trooper. Sue keeps up with the shopping. It's backpack on, trudging 8-10 blocks through the slush (it finally rained today), and then back with a load. The boys are getting used to one of us being away for a short while. Lonya just now says that I'm going to the "magazin" and knows that I'll be back soon.

At 2:30, we complete the final hurdle here in Almaty---the US Embassy visit. It's what allows the boys to be able to enter the US without trouble. It should go fine but we are experiencing some difficulties with Almaty-Karaganda communications and slow, slow paperwork arrival. We'll let you know later what happened there.

The boys get more and more trusting as the days pass. Ahhh......

December 27 and 28

We're a bit behind so we'll pack two days into this entry. We continue to see many English words, silly interactive games, and "private" jokes returning to the boys' memories. They revive songs from three weeks ago without prompting and quickly memorize new ones. Learning set to music sticks to their little souls. We're working on the concept of taking turns but boy is that a tough one for two toddlers! Lonya has regressed a bit with his potty training but we attribute that to his recent upheavals, some jealousy with baby brother, and different foods that are upsetting to his system. He's now trying his turn on the big potty and is quite fascinated with the flushing mechanism. Sergey wants to be just like Big Brother. He enjoys sitting on the big potty but doesn't know what to do next.

Tuesday brought the medical checkup at the SOS International Clinic. We thought that we'd be there a very short while so our supplies were not brought. Bad choice on our parts! Of course three hours later (slow paperwork from Karaganda), the boys were exhausted, acting out, and needing diaper changes. They did get a clean bill of health to go to America. Dr. Oldham in Ellensburg will have a few issues to watch.

Construction is everywhere in the Hotel Kazhol andit doesn't matter the time of day. Beginning at 7:30 am and going into the night, the boys are finding it hard to nap. Sergey is having a strange reaction to the jackhammers and metal grinders. He begins to mutter, makes "scared" sounds and looks at the ceiling with wide eyes as if there are ghosts. It's actually quite sad. He doesn't comfort easily from it either.

Becky, if you're reading this, please know that the umbrella stroller is being used and used! We spent several hours on the 27th taking a walk downtown. It's not easy to push through the snow and ice, but hey, we're from the Northwest! It was the first time that the boys had seen the crowds and had the freedom to walk outside the orphanage grounds without restriction. We think that we may have overdone it for their first time but they were good sports. Fresh air is such a relief for us all.

Christmas 2005

A light mist swirled around the tall old lampposts alongside the train carriage. We stood in the light, peering at the faded blue Polar Express-style cars. The old man stepped down from the train with a bag in his hand. The dark and fog concealed his face but we knew his voice. "They're in there," Eugeny said. We waited. Then, slowly, quietly, the train begain to slide forward. Eugeny turned. He knocked forcefully on the closed doors but the train was moving faster out of the station. We both could feel our panic rising. "We'll have to get them at the next station," Eugeny shouted. And so we were off, speeding through the backstreets of Almaty to Station Number 1. It was a scene from a 1940s black and white movie. After 20 hours on that train from Karaganda, it was as though the boys had just slipped out of our grasp.

But Eugeny's skilled driving did beat the train. The boys were being carefully guarded by two doctors from Nezabudka. With warm greetings between adults, the doctors tried to hand off the boys. Big Brother Lonya hid behind one doctor's legs and looked away while Sergey just looked impassively at us. With a little whimpering, they were finally with us and whisked away by car to the hotel. Sergey quietly watched the cars and people hurrying to work in the dawn. Lonya stared straight ahead and seemed entirely disconnected. With a little coaxing and Sue's counting out loud, "one, two, three, four, five," he seemed to spring alive again and began smiling and counting with her. From then on, it was all up.

Today we traded the exquisite Hyatt room for a return to the Kazhol---glitz for function. The Kazhol had a suite that gives the boys much more playspace and it's centrally located next to downtown supermarkets and restaurants.

The boys had their first Christmas stocking experience. We'd agreed that it had to be very minor since they'd likely never had a stocking before. Inside they both found a "la la" (small, plastic baby doll like the one they'd had at the orphanage). There were two finger puppets each and some Kazakh candies. They seemed completely satisfied.

As time passed, they "returned" to us. We'd feared the worst after this three week hiatus. The governmental restrictions are so hard on the children's bonding. But they've come back quickly and are all smiles and laughter and loving.

Christmas Eve "Eve"

We returned exhausted to the Hyatt and treated ourselves to room service of chicken soup and breads. Off to sleep early but neither of us could sleep. It felt like we were waiting for Santa.

Christmas Eve day

After trying to sleep with completely reversed bio-rhythms, we got up and entered the blog for yesterday. Now it is afternoon of Christmas Eve. We had a leisurely morning, with an abundant Christmas Eve buffet at the Hyatt. On our right sat two Germans. On our left, two Russians. Three languages in a row...this is such an international place. And all the while Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and I'll Be Home for Christmas were playing in English.

We took a cab downtown, trying to find our American friends. No luck. We went walking on the pedestrian mall in the sunshine, temperatures in the 30's and a nice feel among the passersby. We returned to our favorite shopping spots for some final presents. (Somehow I often spend my Christmas Eve at the mall. Why should today be any different?) At one point I (Candace) was trying to ask a Kazakh merchant something about an item. Without prompting, a woman behind her began interpreting in fluent Russian. Just before that, she had been speaking fluent English. When we thanked her we found she was from Holland and her accompanying friend was from Port Angeles, WA. Such a small world!

We've had the conversations everyone has today, about what is important in the Christmas Holidays. We have agreed that finding two boys to join our lives is sure a better present than anything else (including the two new cars we could have bought for the expense!). It is a season of love and life and hope for all humankind. But especially for us.

This adoption experience has been life changing for both of us, and can bring us to tears as we realize the magnitude of the gift we are given. We hope all of you can find joy as well with those you love.

We Made it Back

After a day and a half in the air, we arrived in Almaty without incident. They didn't let us get off the plane in Ekaterinburg, Russia, which is in Siberia. Strange to think that Siberia is on the way to where we are now!

At Almaty we were unpleasantly surprised that our suitcases didn't all join us. In fact, our clothing supply is limited to what we had on the airplane, and our clothes are not expected to catch up with us till Christmas. We have survived with handwashing and a trip to the pharmacy. At least we have plenty of toys, since that suitcase and the boys' clothing suitcase made it. Plus we have CNN in English!

The Hyatt Regency Palace is exquisite, compared to other places we have stayed. We hadn't planned to pay that much, but sometimes in the height of the Holiday season, you take what is available (and cheaper hotels weren't). Of course, it is nice to be pampered with a piano bar, lovely and large atrium, glass elevators, etc. We are in the fancy tourist district, which doesn't really fit our needs with the boys, but for now we will make do.

Speaking of the boys...we found out they are taking the train with the doctor instead of the cargo plane. Which means they don't actually arrive in Almaty until Christmas Day. We have a little time to rest, but we are disappointed at the delay and our anticipation is high.

Return to Kaz

We have our tickets and our Visas. The only thing that we lack is patience. We leave on Wednesday, December 21, at 6:30 pm and arrive in Almaty on December 23, at 4:55 am. What a long flight!

The boys will join us on Christmas eve. As you've all said, those are the best presents possible. We can hardly wait.

We'll try to keep this updated as time goes by but we never know quite how "things" will go over there across the world. Life is unpredictable as guests in their beautiful country.

Home and Waiting

What a rollercoaster! Thursday (court) was a high point of my life. But Friday was a low. The boys were alternately clinging and loving (for Sergey) and (for Lonya) both clinging at times and distant at times. The morning visit went pretty well. My friends Anita and her mother Joyce had court at 9:30, and John and Annette had court at 11. So no Americans were anywhere in sight in the morning, and I had the boys all to myself. A little bribery with a banana kept everyone in good spirits. We played with a flashlight, which fascinated both boys. But the afternoon visit was much harder. As people have mentioned, I know well that this has been hard for the boys. Lonya and Sergey really blossomed at the apartment. It was truly wonderful, and it forged a bond that is very strong. For that reason, being able to live with them was a good idea. And yet I had to take them back to the orphanage and that has really confused both of them. I can really see it with Lonya. I would give anything to have stayed with him or brought him home with me, but that's not the way their system works. In the end, when I said goodbye, the translator was not around to explain everything to Lonya, so I tried to get his caregivers to do it. He did give me a sweet hug and kiss, but I don't think he understands. He was happy to be back with his friends. After I said goodbye to him (and then turned away in tears), I had to take Sergey back to his room. I know he does not understand at all. The thought of leaving him and hearing him call for me was making me procrastinate giving him back. I was cleaning up all the toys that I had bought to entertain them, most of which I am giving to the orphanage, and Sergey toddled into his orphanage playroom and waved Paka (Bye bye). He shut the door. He was just playing a game, and did not realize the caregivers would swoop down on him on the other side of the door and he wouldn't see me again. I heard them come and grab him and they took him away. He was crying and crying--while I have this Humphrey Bogart-esque image of him standing with the door in one hand, calmly saying Paka to me and waving his other. Makes me cry every time I think of it.

The Americans went out to dinner together and we did invite the coordinator and translator, though we were sad at leaving the children. We gave out all the gifts. Then up early in the morning for the WWII-era propeller plane flight to Almaty. At least this time it was daylight, and the plane flies pretty low (it isn't pressurized, I don't think). So I could see the boundless steppes stretching out on all sides. Snow-covered and beautiful. Not all that different from Ellensburg area, actually, though when we got close to the mountains at Almaty, the mountains are like many Mt. Rainiers all crowded together. They are absolutely huge. Actually much bigger than Mt. Rainier.

Almaty had no snow and was probably in the 50's and sunny. It was a beautiful day to go walking in the pedestrian mall, listen to the accordion players (mostly Russian) and the dombra players (mostly Kazakh) as they sit with their hats out and entertain passersby. A little souvenir shopping and then a nap before I was picked up at 1 a.m.

Then for several solid days of travel. 3 7-hour flights with 6 or 7 hour layovers. And home at last. All we can think about is the boys. We love them dearly, and I believe they have begun to love us. They don't understand what is going on. I don't know how I'll be able to stand the next few weeks.

Except now we know what they are capable of getting into, it will take the next 3 weeks to make the house safe!!!!!

Court Success!!!!

Having moved to the Hotel Cosmonaut now, in anticipation of court, it has been very difficult to get to the internet to update the blog. But I am using the hotel's business center. We were instructed to put the boys back at the orphanage before court, and it was very difficult. But Monday we packed them up and handed them back, and then moved to the Hotel Cosmonaut. Sergey cried and Lonya turned immediately into a very sad boy with downcast eyes and the lost expression he had when we first met him. It haunted both of us. We had just gotten the sleep patterns to almost normal, and now I shudder to think about what the orphanage is experiencing!

On Tuesday the caregivers told me Lonya had cried for me. But when I saw him he was quite standoffish for a while. Sergey is quite the character and has been very clingy. Lonya came out of it in the morning, and somewhat more in the afternoon. So it was very sweet.

Meanwhile, I have been buying the customary gifts for caregivers, doctors, translator, driver, coordinator, and anyone else who may have come into our path. Shopping can be hard work, especially fit between orphanage visits. Several of us took the public bus into the downtown area, since the driver and translator are pretty much not around anymore, except for official things like court. It was like a minibus, but it was absolutely packed so that you could hardly breathe. But it was exceptionally cheap and convenient. Really the only downside was that the windows were fogged so it was hard to see the stops, plus you had to fight your way through the crowd from the back of the bus to get off. With friends Anita and Joyce, lunch has been an adventure, and somehow we have managed to shop quite well with limited (or no) Russian. Tuesday night was a big rush to get to a social worker interview. There was a huge panel of social workers, and when they found out I was a prosecutor, most of the questions were about the American legal system and an infamous case in the US involving the death of an adopted Russian child at the hands of his mother. I had read up on it some, so I spoke at some length. It is really on their mind. They are also concerned about rumors that Americans adopt children to sell their organs to people who need transplants.

Wednesday was not so good at the orphanage. Lonya was pretty squirrely in the morning, and in the afternoon visit, he flat out did not want to visit. I was completely crushed. Sergey, on the other hand, has now taken to clinging and crying when he has to go back at noon or 6 p.m. He had always been pretty okay with it, since they have dinner right then. But now the visit is more important than food. He actually jumped down from the little chair they had put him at and ran after me as I walked to the door, crying for me to get him. That was just heartbreaking. Wednesday evening was spent preparing for court.

Which brings us all to today! Hooray!!!!! After last night's visit, it was anybody's guess how Lonya would be. But I'm glad I went, because Lonya was loving and sweet and more like the boy he became after 10 days at the apartment. I picked him up and he wouldn't let me put him down for 15 minutes. He just kept holding on tight. Then later he was singing and playing the games we've made up. He did not want to go in for lunch. Sergey cried and cried at being given back for lunch.

Then it was off to court, and we stopped and picked up the doctor from the orphanage, and the social worker. The court building actually made the Kittitas county courthouse look good. We walked up to the judge's chambers on the 5th floor (they do not have elevators for buildings that are only 5 storeys). Only the judge, the prosecutor, the clerk (who had her back to me the whole time), the translator, the doctor, and the coordinator were allowed. The social worker turned in a positive recommendation and then did not attend. I was asked many questions (including the one about donating organs), and both the judge and prosecutor treated me as a colleague, making reference to my job. The doctor testified that the boys had made phenomenal progress since our first visit. She said it was all because of the individual attention and the good parenting skills shown during the visits. She was also able to confirm that she had personally seen Lonya count objects to ten in English. This was a boy that had not spoken in full sentences when I met him. He sure does now. And she testified that Sergey has become so much more settled and has made much developmental progress, which she again ascribed to parenting. The judge asked me my opinion about some of thelaws and requirements. And then the prosecutor made a positive recommendation and the judge granted the adoption.

Meet Lonya Nikolas and Sergey Christopher!!!!!