Nursery (Finally!)

Here are pictures of the nursery. The first 2 pics are of a quilt that Mom made by hand. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen! She did an amazing job and it is something I will treasure forever.

For those that don't know, I am an avid scuba diver. So, I adore marine life and this would explain the fish theme in the nursery. (Is it wrong that I want BabyKaz to be the next Jacques Cousteau?)

By the way, I couldn't post the best picture of the crib because I have BabyKaz's name above the crib. I don't want to give it away yet.

Baby Shower (Just In The Nick of Time!)

I had a shower thrown in my honor at my house yesterday. We knew we might be cutting it close to the time I was leaving but we had no idea it would literally be a week before takeoff.

This is my cousin (on left) and sister-in-law (on right), who hosted my shower. They did a fantastic job and everyone had a blast!


This is me with my friend's 7 month old baby. He was born about 6 weeks after BabyKaz. I can't wait for them to meet each other, along with my godson (son of cousin above). I expect to have many playdates with our 3 guys!!

Cutie Patootie!

Here are a couple of pics of my godson. He is 17 months old. Isn't he a cutie??

LOI Has Arrived!

My LOI came today!!! I am leaving on Saturday, November 3 for Kaz! I got the call at work about mid morning so obviously I got absolutely nothing done. I have so much to do to finish packing. It's so funny, you wait and wait and wait some more and then you finally get THE call and it's a scramble! My head is swirling but I am so thrilled.

J&M, get ready!! You guys are next!!

My Wish

I've noticed recently that my local Top 40 radio station has started playing a song I really like. It is currently the first song on my playlist on this blog (You're probably listening to it right now). It is My Wish by Rascal Flatts. Now, I am not a huge country music fan but there are a few country songs I do really enjoy, like this one. I especially like the lyrics in verse 2:

I hope you never look back, but you never forget
All the ones who love you in the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
You'll find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take

And the chorus:

My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big
Your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you

This is truly my wish for BabyKaz.

Packing List (Are you kidding me??)

I've been working on my packing list. Actually, I had several different lists going and I consolidated. OK, can someone please explain to me how in the world I am supposed to pack to travel halfway around the world for 5-6 weeks in one check-in bag (70 lb maximum) and one carry-on?? Here is a PARTIAL list:

- very heavy, winter clothes for 5+ weeks
- heavy, down-filled winter coat (yes I had to buy this, I'm a southern girl)
- hat, gloves, scarf, long underwear (winter-related accessories I will probably lose)
- wool socks (had to buy these too)
- umbrella stroller
- diaper bag (luckily diapers and formula can be purchased in Kaz. I realize I will have to carry this on the flight home (not that incompetent) but can onload a few things like gifts)
- snowsuit (for BabyKaz, not me)
- hat, mittens, and other winter related clothes for BabyKaz
- toys for BabyKaz
- various medications for myself and BabyKaz (antacid, headache, sleep meds, immodium for you-know-what, antibiotic to treat if get you-know-what, baby tylenol, benadryl, oragel, desitin, etc., etc., etc.)
- various toiletries for 5+ weeks
- flip flops for shower (haven't needed to wear shoes in the shower since my college dorm days)
- clothesline (apartments usually have washer but not dryer)
- camera and charger
- laptop and various accessories
- converter and adaptor plugs (Kaz uses the same voltage as Western Europe)
- I-pod
- camcorder
- various means of entertainment (books, cards, dvd's, sudoku puzzles, etc., etc.)
- work
- PAPERWORK (cannot forget this!; very important!)
- gifts for caregivers and staff
- gift bags to place gifts into
- snacks (peanut butter-I've heard a few places in Kaz do have pb but I am very picky, granola bars, crackers, bottled water)
- And the list goes on and on

Do you see my dilemma? Sigh.... I'm told once I have BabyKaz in my arms, none of this will matter and I'll forget all about it. Let's hope so!!

BabyKaz Is One Month Older Today

I've decided not to reveal BabyKaz's actual name until later; although all of my family and friends already know the name. And I couldn't come up with a very creative name, such as Taco (this name was taken by another Semey family :). I'm an accountant, remember? Great with numbers but not creative. So BabyKaz it is for now. He turns another month older and I pray for him every night to stay well and be happy. I also pray for his caregivers as they take care of him.

I was watching my local news last night and they did a segment on one of our National Guard units that will come home this weekend after being in Iraq a year. It really put this wait in perspective for me. As really, really hard as this wait is, I really don't have anything to complain about. So many families are missing their loved ones whose lives are in jeopardy every day. So I will wait and try not to let it get me down.

I met with the pediatrician and I liked her very much. She was very patient with all of my questions and we seem to be on the same page with some of the issues I raised with her such as co-sleeping and circumcision. For those who don't know, baby boys are not circumcised in that part of the world. I get to make that decision once we are home. My first big decision; yeah!!

I also found out from my coordinator today that I will most likely travel with one of my favorite compatriot Semey families, J&M, sometime in November (looks more like mid to late November). They seem like a fun couple and I truly hope we are together in Semey!

I also realized this week that my boss seems more comfortable with the idea of me being gone. I will have access to email in Kaz, although it will be slow dial-up. But I will be able to check email and access our system remotely from time to time. And I should have some down time in Kaz when I'm not at the Baby House; at least until I get custody of BabyKaz.

So, although a very, very busy, crazy week; it is ending on a good and less stressful note. At least for the moment!!

SPAFA

I just returned home from a support group for adoptive families in Charlotte with an organization called SPAFA (Southern Piedmont Adoptive Families of America). They meet monthly and I go sporadically, depending on the speaker's topic. Tonight, they had a pediatrician, who specializes in international adoption and is an adoptive parent himself, speak about possible developmental delays. I didn't really learn anything new but he did have some good resources to check out. He had a book listed that I actually do not have (I thought I had them all!). The speaker was so timely because I have a consultation with the pediatrician I hope to use later this week.

But, the best part of these meetings are always at the beginning. Adoptive families who have recently returned with their children show off their children and talk about their experience. Tonight included two couples from China and one who had adopted domestically from California. It is always so great to see the babies. And the parents always get a little weepy telling their story. But, after a crazy busy last couple of weeks, it was so uplifting to see these families home. I know it will be my turn soon!

Snowing in Semey!

Oh my, when I logged on to my blog this evening I noticed the little weather box for Semey says it is 18 degrees and snowing!! Already?? Hello, it is October 3. It was 80 degrees where I live today. I guess I better get busy buying that winter gear!

Dossier in Semey!

I found out today that my dossier is in Semey. Yeah!!! Of course, I still don't have an actual travel date but this news does tell me that my timeline is still on track. So, unless I hear otherwise from my agency, I am assuming I will travel in November (hopefully in early November). By the way, my birthday is Nov 12; wouldn't that make an amazing birthday present? I think so.

My nursery furniture was delivered today as well. So, as soon as I get the bed linens in the crib and the pictures, etc. on the walls then I will post pics.

So far, so good.....