Jesse's Kazakhstan Observations

Wed, April 9thLocal Time: 8:50 am Cincinnati Time: 10:50 pm

Just when we thought we were getting over our jet lag, looks like Amy had a bit of a relapse. It was a long night for her of tossing and turning. So, after staying awake most of the night, she finally crashed early this morning, which gives me some time to summarize a few of our more lighthearted observations of Kazakhstan. Don’t worry ladies, we’ll post again later in the day with an update on the little one, as we’re off to visit him around lunchtime today (can’t wait to see him). Also, before I get going on my spinoff of the Saturday Night Live ‘Random Thoughts by Jack Handy’ moment, I wanted to encourage everyone to keep up the comments to the blog. (Remember Allen E, to keep it clean). It’s really been great to have everyone’s support during this life changing event.

A few observations of life in Kazakhstan:

· Driving is the national sport. Ok, so you don’t actually get points, but you should simply for surviving. Laws are more ‘suggestions’ than mandates. And lane markers are merely to add decorative color to the streets. They have developed a language using only the car/truck/other random motor vehicles’ horn as the means for communications. I suggest they drop the pretense of rules, slap some tires around the outside of all the vehicles, and call it what it is… a huge bumper car ride. By the way, most cars are imported used, as new vehicles are very expensive (since there are no auto factories nearby). I’m guessing this contributes to the general attitude toward driving – ‘It’s already dented, what the $%#!’. The good news is that Amy now regards my driving as excellent, or should for at least a few weeks after we return (until I get too close to the elder statesman in front of me).

· Unlike us Americans, the average Kazak seems to be thin and in decent shape. Since their food is very meat and potatoes (yummy), my theory is that it has more to do with exercise than diet. Most of the folks we’ve met walk a lot. Which I believe is related to their fear of driving. See bullet above.

· However, if you are going to get your exercise by walking in Kazakhstan, you better watch your step. There are potholes that could swallow a small child, and the sidewalks have somewhat random changes in elevation, which I would call a step, but placed in odd locations. It’s hard to describe, but easy to trip over. Trust me, I almost broke my neck last night. And that was before I had a peva (that’s beer, ya’ll).

· Much to my dismay, tea is the preferred drink over coffee. Not a packet of Sweet-n-Low or Splenda to be found. And to Connor – no son, I haven’t been able to find a Starbucks (or Starbuckinski’s). For Connor, this will be justification enough to pick up our new son immediately and bring him home to the States. Is it a problem if your 6 year old is addicted to Strawberries and Cream Fraps from Starbucks? (no caffeine, but plenty of sugar and calories). Thus the need for all the extracurricular activities. Miss our trips, son.

· The typical police officer is plain-clothed, except the traffic cops. Not sure the reason, other than the traffic cops definitely need to stand out. You will occasionally see military personnel on the streets with the cops. Not overly intrusive, but a presence nonetheless.

· While in general I love the diversity of looks in attire in Kaz, for the life of me I can’t understand the way the typical baby is dressed. For instance, the first time we met our little guy, he was wearing 4 shirts, 1 jacket, 2 pairs of pants, 3 pair of socks, and a hat. It was about 70 degrees F outside, and we were indoors! It was like the movie ‘A Christmas Story’, but instead of the first grader getting overly bundled up to head out to face the cold, there are hoards of babies sweating away in the spring heat. Tiny little arms stuck straight out, barely able to move. Kinda funny to see, but can’t be all that comfortable for the youngsters, though. Go figure.

· While traveling in Kazakhstan, we have noticed that the airports address baggage handling a bit differently than in the states. In Almaty, it was more similar to the Caribbean, where the baggage would randomly come out of one of the baggage carrousels, regardless of how they were labeled. They will then pile up because the baggage was too big for the carrousel, and folks would dive over one another in an attempt to find their stuff. Reminds me of single 30-something ladies jostling for the bouquet at a wedding.However, in Shyment, the luggage experience was very different. We flew on a fairly large plane (~747 size), so when we disembarked, we assumed we would head into the terminal to receive our very large checked baggage. Nope. We were shepherded into an area just outside next to the plane and told to wait, while our luggage was put onto a truck, then brought around the plane for us to pull off ourselves. We cut the middleman right out of the equation. I think you could have asked to dive right into the belly of the cargo hold yourself and they wouldn’t have minded – perhaps a ‘be aware of the jet turbine engine’ warning, but other than that, you would be good to go.

It's a Boy!

Tuesday morning… local time 10:45 a.m. Cincinnati Time: 12:45 a.m
Yesterday was a very emotional day at the Baby House and we’ll tell you more about that process later. Frankly I just don’t feel like writing about it at the moment.

More importantly, as I write this morning I’m thinking about Connor and Lana, just typing their names makes me tear up. I miss them so much, but feel very comfortable with our decision to have them at home with the normalcy of their comfortable mid-western American lives.

Speaking of comfortable…I’ll tell you about the bed a little later or have Jesse tell you about it. He had a whole hearted laughing attack last night when he sat down on my side of the bed last night. Note I said “my” side of the bed.

It’s a sunny morning in Shymkent and we are both feeling hopeful about the day (and month) ahead. A full night of sleep can do wonders for the spirit or perhaps it’s the fact that today will be our first day in 4 days that we don’t have to get on a plane.

Or maybe it’s because we had a great conversation with Dr. Staat, our US doctor, last night. We’re thrilled to tell you we’re going to proceed with the adoption of a 15 month old Kazakh BOY! We can’t give a lot of details in this public forum until the adoption is final, but we can tell you he’s alert, playful, and ticklish. Makes me smile thinking about him!

I’m off to shower and prepare for our visit today at 2:00 and then another visit at the Ministry of Education local office.


Update – local time, 9:29 pm. Cincinnati Time: 11:29 am
So it’s probably against blogger etiquette to provide updates to a blog within a blog, but so goes it when you can only get access to the internet sporadically. This is Jesse, and I’m currently sitting in a café about ½ mile from our hotel (nearest one that has WiFi access). I’m here because we ran out of credits on our mobile phone last night while speaking with our doc in the states, and Amy was dying to speak to the kids at home, so I’m off to refill the card. What my baby wants, my baby gets…

Ok, so it’s not such a burden, as I’m drinking a cold one while doing my internet chores, and I’m also missing our little ones like crazy – so getting the phone up-and-running serves us both.To sum it up, today was a day to remember. We will certainly provide more details in the future regarding our soon-to-be newest addition – but know that he already seems enamored with Amy and tolerates me (good sign, all things considered). I’m running out of battery power, but will send more details tomorrow, as well as fill everyone in on a few funny stories, including the bed story.

Shymkent Day 1

Let me start by saying Jet Lag is a major drag! Jesse and I both are struggling to get through the days right now. I slept like a baby for 4 hours last night and then at 2:00a.m. I'm wide awake. Thank goodness for Ipod audio books, listening saved my sanity as I was trying to pass the time in a small room with no where to go and no TV to watch. The hotel had one English speaking channel, BBC.

This rainy morning we arrived in Shymkent, a two hour flight from Almaty. We were met by our driver, coordinator and translator. With not a minute to catch our breath it was Game On! Our coordinator arranged for us to see an apartment, but we were not interested in staying there. It was clean but not our "cup of tea". We ask to go to the Hotel instead. We decided to splurge and get the deluxe room for $100/night. A small two room unit versus a single room with just a bed. I figure the extra money might save our marriage, after all we'll be here a month.

Next we raced to the regional Ministry office. Our coordinator Nurshy is hard to keep up with, she's a lady on a mission! I think she pushed the elevator button 3000 times. We spent a total of 3 minutes in that office. The official apologized she was in a hurry and she left. We proceeded to the local Ministry office. We had a short conversation with an official there and then off to the Baby House.

The time at the baby house was extremely stressful but we've met a child we're hopeful will become our "one Moore."

More information to follow as soon as we can...

Almaty, Kazakhstan

We made it to Almaty without incident. Our flight arrived at 5:00a.m. local time and we made it through customs, retrieved luggage, exchanged money and checked into our hotel all by 6:00 a.m., that’s fast! We’re staying at Hotel Kazzhol. Our room is tiny but clean, and it’s hard to say what to compare it to in the States. We stayed awake long enough to have breakfast and then took a 4 hour nap. We forced ourselves to wake up and shower around one o’clock. We then headed out for a walk and to find the Kazakh restaurant the hotel receptionist recommended.

The city streets of Almaty were very quiet. Not many people out and about for such a warm and beautiful day. We had a traditional Kazakh meal – but I admit I can’t quite figure out what “Kazakh” food really entails. We both had a salad called “Kazakhstan Salad” (imagine that) which was delicious. I ordered a chicken dish that had an Asian flare to it and Jesse had “beef and potatoes”. He cleaned his plate! Maybe if I’m ever brave enough to order lamb (head included, so the menu said) or horse stew I’ll be better able to describe Kazakhstan food.

It’s amusing to me to watch the communications between two people who don’t speak the same language. Both parties get this little nervous laugh and shake their heads yes but have no idea what they’re laughing about or agreeing to. Jesse wanted a small Sprite at the restaurant, but we both ended up with 1 liter bottles---could have been worse. Most people we’ve encountered so far speak English, just not the restaurant staff.

Upon returning to the hotel we stopped in the lobby to talk with two other adoptive families. One family was returning home with their adorable son and the other just arrived today to start the process.

Tonight it’s off to bed early because we’re being picked up at 5:30 a.m. for our flight to Shymkent. Tomorrow should be a big day!

Amsterdam Airport

Local Time: 3:45 p.m. Cincinnati Time: 9:45 a.m.

Amy here...

Just sitting here at the airport waiting for our flight to Almaty. We had a nice flight over the pond -- it helps to be in first class! I was quite cozy with a blanket and pillow, lots of leg room and seats that recline into a sleeping position. We both slept for at least 4 hours, something I really needed. The last few nights at home were difficult for me.

Knowing we were leaving the next day, I was crying my eyes out at bedtime Thursday night. Lana said to me, “Are you trying to be brave, Mom?” Yes, dear I’m trying to be brave. I’m just not doing a good job right now. She says, “that’s ok” and runs off to get me a tissue. Friday morning, before sending Connor to the bus stop with Jesse, I break down again. Connor comes walking into the kitchen, and after seeing me crying he says “Oh no, not again!” He was willing to give me a big hug, but really wanted nothing to do with a cry baby Mommy. Thank goodness they are stronger than me.

And We’re Off…

Friday 4/4 – 6:18 pm from JFK

After more than a year and three months of planning, document preparations, background checks, homestudys, and general poking and prodding required by the adoption process, we are finally beginning the actual trip to meet our child! Everyone that knows us realizes that we have done our best to plan ahead for all contingencies for this most important event. Is our adoption agency’s in-country (Kazakhstan) staff prepared to meet us? Do we have enough cash? Do we have our international doctors lined up in the states to help with heath related questions? Check, check, and check.

So, you can imagine our surprise to realize that we have done all this planning only to find out that ‘Almaddy’ is actually a city located in Kansas. Well, at least that was the impression of the Delta ticketing agent when seeing KZ on our tickets. When we informed him that we were, in fact, flying to Almaty, Kazakhstan, he felt that made more sense, seeing that our connecting flight was through Amsterdam.

With our confidence renewed that our bags would meet us in Kazakhstan, we headed off to the gate to go to JFK.

Having no issues with our first leg of the flight, Amy and I our now hanging out at an international terminal in JFK awaiting our flight to Amsterdam. During our downtime, we have been reflecting on the fact that our amazing adventure would not be possible without the support of literally hundreds of people. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful, caring, and selfless family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, adoption agency staff, and professional healthcare support staff that this will certainly be a community accomplishment. In fact, I would like to send thanks out to a few individuals that have gone way beyond what is reasonable:

• To my parents and ‘Grandma T’, for agreeing to take care of our most prized ‘possessions’ while we are on our travels. Please don’t let the little buggers take advantage of you too much…
• To Sandee, for your ongoing ‘legal’ support.
• To Misty and Shane, for being so generous with your time and explanations for how things are really going to work once we get to Shymkent. Can’t wait to try the Turkish restaurant.
• To my Fidelity colleagues, for covering for me during my extended absence. While I’m guessing that a few may actually be looking forward to me being out of their hair for some time, it’s a great comfort knowing that I have a such an understand team (ok, so you guys are gonna hold the work until I get back, then hand it back to me – got it ;) ).

The list goes on, and on, to our children’s teachers, coaches, sensei (karate is great until your 6 year old can whip you)… You get the picture. Regardless of the outcome, none of this would be possible without our family, friends, and community. We will forever be in your debt, and love you all! Thanks a million.

What To Expect (We Hope)

There is not a “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” book to read before going to Kazakhstan for an international adoption, but we had the next best thing… a conversation with our new friends Shane and Misty (thanks guys!).

Below are our basic expectations of the adoption process in Kazakhstan.

We leave Cincinnati on Friday and will arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sunday morning. We’ll stay one night in Almaty and then travel to the city of Shymkent on Monday morning. Once in Shymkent we have an interview with an official at the Ministry of Education. As the official searches through a book of children available for international adoption, we tell the nice lady that the perfect child for us is a healthy young boy with red hair. (That’s a joke… have you ever seen an Asian child with red hair?) Unimpressed with our attempts to charm her, we will be sent to the orphanage (called a Baby House) to meet our child.

Once at the Baby House, we will meet with the Director and she will introduce us to the youngster. During the ‘introductions’, she will explain the basic history of the child and any known medical conditions. Keep in mind that all conversations occur in Russian, so we’re completely reliant on our translator. (The only Russian Jesse remembers from our trip to Russia 5 years ago include “hello”, “beer” , and “thank you” ). During this initial stage, we’ll be able to spend time with the child and continue to gather information about the medical history. Back at the hotel we’ll send all the medical information to the director of the international adoption center (IAC) at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati. (Allow me to digress for a moment. Our daughter Lana is prominently shown on the IAC website http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/i/int-adopt/ --- Thanks to Kate). Based on this information, Dr.Staat will give us her professional opinion on the health of the child.

Assuming all is well health wise, we will begin the mandatory 14 day bonding period. This typically constitutes being able to visit the child daily for approximately 2 hours, although the Director has discretion on daily routines. Once the 14 day bonding period is over, we wait for a court date. The court date is usually 4-6 days later. At court we ask the judge to grant the adoption, thus making it all legal. Then we start the 15 day appeal period. Jesse and I will travel home without the child to wait out the appeal period and the time necessary to process the child’s passport and visa. The return trip to bring the child home should occur 4 – 6 weeks later. During that trip we pick up our new precious addition, have a final appointment at the US Embassy and come home, for a total of 5 -7 days.

Sounds simple, eh?