The IceShow/Circus- a full day

Hey everybody! Today was a pretty good day too. We got up and had visitation from 10-12 since there is only one visitation time on Saturdays. It was chaos. But in a good way of course. Let's see, there was Me/Peter/Rinat/Gulsanna, our Canadian friend/her sis/her son, our friend from Cleveland/her son/their translator Malika, our friends from Peru/their daughter/their translator Aliya, a new friend from Manhattan/her daughter, our new friends from Michigan/their 2 year old son/translator. Like I said- chaos. But it's so fun to have the kids play together, share their toys, and beat each other over the head with them. Kidding. Sort of. Rinat was his usual sweet self and I finally made a point to get some photos of him smiling just in case anyone didn't think that he ever did. It seems like whenever he is smiling and giggling, I just forget all about the camera and enjoy playing with him. I can't believe I have a whole day before we can see him again. Argh! But on Wednesday, he'll be ours forever. It's kind of unbelievable and I just don't know that it will sink in until it actually happens. Peter kept obsessing over when exactly the 15 day waiting was up and I finally figured out that he is wanting to know when the mother is no longer allowed to come back and reclaim him. Someone told us about a mother who came back on the 14th day. But we're not going to think about that- cancel, cancel. I kind of got a kick out of the new couple from Michigan who, after me saying my name, they said "Oh, we know who you are, and that your son is Rinat, and that you get him next week- we've been reading your blog." It was kind of weird but also kind of great that we could actually meet one of the people who were are helping to prepare for their trip. It was nice. So, after visiting with our little hellfire, we went to lunch at this Uzbeck place that we have been once before and loved it. It's so good. The menu is pretty much the same (lagman, manty, mongolian chicken), but the restaurant is prettier and the service better, and the food is soooo good. Yum. Then we went back to the apt where Peter slept off his piva for a bit, then off to the ice show/circus. First of all, we went with Gulsanna and her cousin's two kids- aged 2 and 10. The older one was sooooooo excited about meeting Americans. It was so cute. She even made sure to get a photo with us before it was over. And I gave her some little pencils that I brought from America. She was just the sweetest ever. But back to the show. It was really kind of fun. It's been a while since I've gone to any kind of event where children outnumber the adults 3 to 1 and I forgot how crazy it is. The show included everything from regular figure skating on a rink that was all of 25 feet across, to animal tricks, unicycles, double dutch, magic, juggling, these cool spinning shapes, people hanging from ropes (with no tether), clowns, trapeze, and, best of all, rocking out to 'Back in the USSR'. It was so fun. And it was really nice to do something out of the ordinary here. I am looking forward to next Thursday, Friday, Saturday which is a holiday (Consitution Day). I am hoping that there might be some cultural stuff going on. Of course it might be a struggle to get out on the first day after we get our feisty little guy (I'm a little apprehensive about that first night- can you tell? I hope he can't), but I am really hoping we can manage it for at least a little while. They have left the stage up from the Nur Aton (Homeland) celebrations prior to the parliament elections on the 18th so I am guessing there might be something going on there next weekend. And it's only a few minutes from our place. Anyhow, we will let you know what we find. Until then, enjoy the quiet of DC (and everywhere else) because Rinat the Shrieker is coming soon! Have a great Saturday! -m

The Museum

Hi all- Here's our post for Friday even though I know you'll be reading it on Saturday. This morning, we went to the museum across the Ramstore and it was really nice. They had a lot of gifts given by different world leaders including something from the President of Tatarstan where our little guy is perhaps from. And there was the Ethnographic Hall with beautiful rugs and a big yurt in the middle. On the second floor they had lots of replicas of the amazing mausoleums around Kazakhstan and a room full of decorations with gold and gems including a full suit made of gold. And there was an area that talked a bit about the pagan religions that existed before either Islam or Christianity came to Kazakhstan. By then we'd been there for a couple hours and we decided to go back and eat some lunch. We'll check out floors 3, 4, 5 & the museum store (with rugs) later and let you know how they were. Our visit with Rinat was, of course, fantastic as always. He was really sleepy when we got there (I think they woke him up, fed him, and handed him over) and he just sat still with me for a about 30 minutes and then was raring to go as always. He is just loving the fact that he can get around so quickly. We are not loving it so much but at least in the playroom, we know there is limited trouble he can get into. We'll have to figure out how much to babyproof at home so we can feel the same there. Then we ran and got Baheet's gift (some perfume) and some Russian baby books at the bookstore next door. Then we hung out at home, made dinner, went to bed. I can't believe that pretty soon our life will be completely different. I can't wait. -m

Our Little Drooler

Hi- Yes, I am a slacker and am behind on blogging yet again. And I really should not be because our little sweetie was an absolute angel today (Thursday) and I should have told you. He had not one single complaint so apparently whatever it was that was the problem was not repeated. I have been watching what they feed him for the last day or so and there was no buckwheat involved in today's lunch so maybe that helped? I dunno. But he was laughing and smiling the whole entire two hours. We were so happy that our guy didn't have any more problems. The only time we heard a peep from him in the screaming department was when he thought I was taking Peter's sunglasses from him- he loves to chew on them- he let out one of his shrieks and I loved it. He's so spunky! And I love that he is letting out a big grin when he realizes that we are there to see him. And that he crawls into my lap when he's tired and needs to snuggle. And that he chuckles when Peter attacks his belly. And that he has the biggest, toothless grin whenever he sees himself in the mirror. God, does he love to look at himself. I think he might be kinda vain. I have to admit, thought, that I think he's really good looking too. And I have found myself trying to find his father in the crowd here. Before, I kept looking at the kids trying to figure out what he might look like when he's school aged, but I have started trying to find someone with his same chin. For some reason, I feel like his chin comes from his dad. It seems like a strong chin. And I think his eyes come from his mom- they seem intelligent and kind. Maybe that's weird but for some reason I just have it in my head. Of course everyone here tells us he looks like Peter. I had always thought it would bother me for people to say he looks like one of us when we both know he doesn't share any of our genes, but it doesn't. It makes me happy. Although I wouldn't have cared if he didn't look even remotely like us either. I would have adored him just the same. Anyway, it was a great day. I hope yours was too! -m

Same Old, Same Old

Hey everyone! So babycakes was a little bit better today but still had some issues. Gulsanna even went to try and find the doctor and see if she could offer any guidance but she was out of the building. It's so sad! I am wondering if they gave him some new food or something that maybe doesn't agree with him. Gulsanna said it looked like mashed potatoes (which he has had before) and buckwheat. But since we have no idea what they feed him the rest of the time, it's kind of hard to know. Oh well, he's ours soon enough and we can do whatever we want, feed him whenever we want, and give him water if we want. I guess it's kind of good that we are alone for visitation these days because I'm afraid it might have scared the bejeezus out of the others. But aside from that he was happy and smiling and active as always. And, as you can see, he enjoyed reading his photo album again today. Other than that, our day was pretty uneventful. Get up, drink coffee, read, internet, lunch, grocery store, walk to Astana Bakery to get dinner (roast chicken, rice, green beans, cabbage salad- Yum!), TV. Groundhog Day all over again. The only slightly exciting thing that happened today was our landlord came by to collect rent. She is just the sweetest ever. Her name is Larissa and she is so sweet and I just want to hug her for some reason. Gulsanna told me, however, that I was supposed to clean the apartment before she got there so it was a mad rush to pick all our junk up (I had actually just vacuumed and dusted a few days prior if you can believe it). Anyone who knows us knows that there was stuff everywhere- dirty dishes in the sink, dirty clothes on the floor, piles of books that we have read, piles of Rinat's clothes to take with us to the Baby House. I asked Gulsanna if every one's landlord came by every month to collect and inspect the apartment and she said 'yes' in her way that kind of means more like 'of course, how else would they do it?' I was telling her that in the states, we just mail the landlord a check and the only time we see them is when we sign the contract and when we move out. And she said that they don't use checks because of forgery and that most people don't even put their money in the bank because it costs too much to open an account. Interesting. I think some smart person that we know should open a bank with no fee to open an account and get rich. Any takers? Then maybe next time we come we can just use a check instead of hauling a bunch of cash around- although our stack of cash is rapidly dwindling. Well, that's all I can think of for now. I think we may go to the museum tomorrow so maybe I will have something a bit more interesting to talk about. Have a good day! -m

Someone Has Issues

So today was not all fun and games. *If you are not interested in the bathroom habits of our child, stop reading immediately. This is for parental eyes only* Not that it's ever an entire two hours of fun but for the first time I could understand how sad it is when you little one is in pain. He was fine for the first half hour or so and then he started grunting with his face turning all red and I kind of laughed and joked "Hmm. Somebody might get to change a dirty diaper today- Peter it's all you." Then he did it again and again and again and got louder and louder and louder. He would be fine and play for a couple of minutes and then he would go stiff and it would happen again. And he got to the point where he was just panting in between and sweating constantly. And then his whole body would go rigid and he screamed, then relaxed and caught his breath again and whimpered and we saw actual tears for the first time. I didn't know what to do for him to make him feel better and I felt terrible. And it's not like I could strip him down and see what's going on down there with all of the caretakers and people around, and I didn't have any meds to give him. So we got him some chamomile tea (which he threw up) and tried to massage his belly and finally after an hour we took him to his room to ask them about it and ask what they fed him (so we don't give it to him) and they put him on a little potty to see if it would help him go. Honestly I was also kind of afraid someone would come in to find out what the screaming was about. But nope, no luck with the little potty (and he was screaming while sitting on it too). But by then it was time to go and we just put him down for nap. I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow. I'm sure he's fine and we know he is in good hands (there are 3 doctors there if he needs anything) but it's just kind of sad to see. Anyway, he was really great today aside from that issue. It's just sort of frustrating when he's ours but not really ours so we can't do anything for him. But we are supposed to get him a week from today (the 29th) so that's good. And they said we would likely be going to Almaty on the 3rd and home to the States on the 6th even though there is a three day holiday (Constitution Day) next Thurs/Fri/Sat. We were worried it might hold us up but it doesn't sound like it. We will let you know for sure when we know! Have a great Tuesday! -m

It's Been One Month Today

OK so this post is for yesterday (Monday). What can I say. I'm a slacker. Sorry but you'll just have to pretend it is yesterday.
Hi All! So as of today we have known our little poopsie for an entire month and we are amazed at how much he has changed already. He has gone from scooting to crawling, from having short spiky hair to having hair almost long enough to lay down, and most importantly from having no idea of who we are to coming to us for comfort and playtime. And it's amazing that in all of this time, we've only gotten to see him for 53 hours. I know because I counted. So we have known him only for a little over two days and we are already so attached to him. I can't even imagine how we'll feel when he is ours forever (quick, find some wood to knock on!). We have one more week to go and then I guess we'll find out. I can't wait. In other news, we have found that our little Rinat likes to sit in my lap while I read him a book. I'm so happy. I thought he would just grab it to chew on instead of actually listening to the story. I tried to rush through the book before he could wriggle away but he just sat there listening. As a matter of fact, I read our book to him twice and then got out our photo album (Thanks Carse!) and he looked at that for another few minutes before he started with the chewing. We only brought one book with us but it looks like we may have to invest in some more. We have started looking for board books in Russian but they are kind of hard to find. I know for sure that I can't read a book with any kind of story in it but I figure I can handle the Russian in a board book. I would love to find one of those books with a picture and word on each page. I can probably handle sounding out yablakah and konyeega (the words for 'apple' and 'book' by the way). We'll see. Alright, I'm going to work on today (Tuesday)'s post now. -m

Food for Rinat and Food for Us

Hi all- So our big outing today (Sunday- I'm posting late) was to buy baby food for when our little one comes home next week. We bought a lot. You'll notice there is formula (instructions in Russian of course), chamomile and fennel tea (in case his belly bothers him when we give him totally different food than he is used to), some little biter biscuits (which he has never had but we think he'll enjoy- and do you notice the name? BabyCakes. Cute, huh?), and lots of jars of stuff. They even have cereal in jars so we don't have to figure out how to mix it when we can't read the instructions. Hopefully it'll tide us over until we get home to the states.

I have also been meaning to tell you a little about what we have been eating for the last month or so. They loooove meat here, especially lamb since they grow well here on the steppe. One of the other translators tells us they eat so much meat because they need the protein to get through the long winters. My theory is that they have long winters when veggies and fruits don't grow so therefore they don't eat them. And one of the others was telling us that they asked their translator what she ate for a snack and her response was "I am Kazakh. I like meat." We can't wait to get home and go to Whole Foods and buy out the entire produce section. Some of the food here is really good but there is very little variety- or maybe it's just that I don't know how to read the menu and just keep ordering the same thing. Here are some highlights:

Soup: Goulash (beef and veggies), Borsh (veggies), Kazakh (little meatballs and noodles in chicken broth), Lagman (beef/lamb and onions/redpeppers with homemade noodles in broth)

Main: Shashlyk (kebabs- chicken, lamb, beef, ground beef, fish), Plov (rice with meat and other stuff like carrots, raisins, chickpeas), Manty (big steamed meat dumplings), Pelmeni (small meat ravioli), Vareniki (small potato ravioli with sour cream or butter on top), Beliashi (big fried pastries with ground meat), Chicken puff pastry things, Fried Lagman

Bread: Baursakis/Kazakh Bread (small fried doughball like donut holes without the sugar), Khleb/Russian bread (regular white bread), small rounds breads with different things in the middle, brown German bread

Snack for beer: pistacios, dried out salty tring cheese, Pringles, croutons (yes, like we put on salad), chunks of meat and sausage (imagine that)

And that about covers it. *For those who are on their way to Astana, the best place in the entire city to get dinner is the bakery in the basement of the Astana Grocery. They have all kinds of prepared foods like manty and plov and they have pastries galore like the beliashi thing (which looks like a semicircle as big as half a plate and gets all crunchy like a big wonton when you heat it up in the oven) and the chicken pastries (little triangles of puff pastry). And it has a ton of cakes and eclairs and breads. It's fantastic. And there is one guy there who speaks English and always says either "Mazeltov!" or "Bon Apetit!" when we check out. He's funny and always talks us into buying something that we haven't tried yet and it's always good. He'll probably hear you speaking English and come talk to you so he can practice. And now I'm hungry. And I miss my little pumpkin. Today, I took over the computer and looked at every single photo we've taken so far since we don't get to visit him on Sundays. He's so cute! -m