Happy New Year! Tomorrow we'll celebrate New Year's here and the set up has begun! ;) On Friday - the baby house had a huge celebration and the care takers, directors and staff were dressed in Kazakh outfits and really fancy clothes. Larry and I had truly wished we could speak Russian - because we would of loved to have joined in! :) Today we walked the streets and took some pictures of the huts they are setting up. :) I believe we may be going somewhere special tomorrow, our coordinator is working on setting something up. We'll keep you posted.
I can't believe it - but this trip - I think I am doing MUCH better than Larry. ;-) Hard to believe huh? The emotional one out of the bunch!! But we also all know that Max stole a HUGE piece of daddy's heart a few years back and have been best buds ever since. I think I know that since I survived the missing part from the first trip - that I can "put it in perspective" and know we will survive. It isn't easy - you miss everyone like crazy -but I'm really much "calmer" this trip. I think a HUGE part of it is our in country coordinator. Our translator and coordinator speaks English very clearly, explains where our paperwork is in the process and truly is a nice and caring individual. In Semey, our driver took us every day to the baby house - we didn't see the translator - here - she comes every time, speaks with his caregivers and sets us up in our visitation room. :) With Max, we stayed right in his room with the other children - here we go to a bonding room and for now - it is just us - I'm sure other families will be joining us - I believe a couple from overseas and a single mom from the states should be arriving by the end of the month. I kinda hope to connect with one of the families - but if not, I also know I am in good hands with our coordinator. She offered for us to go to an apartment to save on expenses - but we talked and decided - if Larry leaves - it is probably best for me here - I know the area and where everything is and the girls downstairs speak English and could help me if I needed it.
On to the little guy..... Oh my gosh, do we love him! He is my little snuggle bunny! He loves to be held and I'm eating it up. I'm sure the time will come way too soon when he is an active toddler and not snuggling into mommy's lap. Even when he plays - he likes to snuggle in and play. He likes to drop things and play the "mommy pick it up" and laugh -- the uh, oh, spagehettios game! We also play a game called what time is it Mr. Fox and I swing him down - I had played this with Max and it is now one of Logan's favorite. :)
Hopefully everyone understood Larry's last paragraph - it was a "spoof" on the show 24 that we finished watching. :) Last night we had movie night with the other two families that are here. So all in all, it is okay - yes we would LOVE to be home with Becca, Max and everyone - but I can honestly say - I'm enjoying myself - when does the world "stop" and you get to "know" your child? :) I guess the best of both worlds would be if we could of had Becca and Max join us.
Oh and one last thing - even in Kazakhstan - they say I have a beautiful daughter and to watch her with the boys. You should of seen our driver today! We're like - hey - thats our daughter. ;-)