Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
first embassy day...(sb moms - question for you in the last photo please)
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| my son reminding me that God has the whole world in his hands.... Today was our first of two embassy days. Shea and mommy went solo because it was pouring rain and windy and my parents wouldn't have been allowed in the building bc of security etc. I also left the stroller home bc I knew with all of the stairs on this trip and needing to get through the metal detectors etc etc it would be easier for just today to travel without it. Shea wore my poncho and we tried not to get blown away by the wind! No photos of this day...camera's not allowed at the embassy...and it was too wet and difficult to try to take them anyway. Once there the appointment went smoothly and Shea was perfectly behaved! He sat like such a good and patient boy! (now to figure out how to get him to be so good on the potty!...he really doesn't like it...he will do much better once home on a potty chair I'm sure) For families coming behind us...it was 404$ US today for this step....and filling out your forms ahead of time is really helpful...it would have been so stressful to try to fill them out while there in my opinion...especially if you are alone... So the business of the day went very well...I was whooped by the end though...3 flights in and out of this building...the taxi was 1/2 an hour late so we took shelter in the tunnel where we could see the taxi arrive, but still be out of the rain...also a delay in the van that would take myself and another family back to our apartments after...we took shelter in a grocery store as many others did to escape the downpours. Lets just say I was glad to get back into the apt today! By late afternoon...the apartment was again getting old...so we all put on our sneakers and headed out for a walk in the rain...which had decreased to a "moderate" soaking by this time...we tackled some crazy hills, outdoor ramps and stairways and got a healthy dose of exercise and came home looking like wet noodles...except of course for shea who was dry as a bug in a rug with his rain protected stroller shield...thank you again maria c!! The electricity has been hit or miss today...it has never fully gone out, but it is not strong enough to power the microwave right now, and we have no oven...so we had a classic "EE tourist dinner" tonight, ie pb and j, cup o soup, apples etc... shea thouroughly enjoyed every bite! |
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| more future blackmail material! |
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| whooey...I'm not sure how I feel about this toothpaste taste yet mamma! |
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| he certainly knows how to ham it up on cue for the camera... |
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| this apartment is certainly not child oriented or disability oriented...he needs both hands to stand...and both hands to do his self care...so we get creative! The bathroom I'm trying to potty train in is literally about 4x4 (which the toilet takes up most of!)...hmmm shea who needs support...nothing to hold except mommy or the toilet...mommy is 7 1/2 mo prego...gets pretty darn interesting.... !! |
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| this is his spinal scar...there are also some abnormalities further down...but it's a family show here! Spina Bifida moms...chime in...does this look typical...or is the scar tissue pretty keloid or hypertrophic like?? what are your thoughts? |
Sunday, June 26, 2011
waiting out the weekend until business can resume on monday...
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| one of his still moments amongst his go go go...to watch the world around him... it's been raining non stop since we arrived on saturday to the capital...but cabin fever sets in, so we gear up for the rain and head out for walking a couple of times a day. This apartment is very close to some indep square, St Micheals and St Andrews. Nice to see a different part of the city this time...still lots of hills and lots of stairs!! Pack light if you are coming here...best advice ever.... |
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| shea and mommy in independ. square. (Maria this stoller has been a godsend!) |
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| grandpa was braver than mommy on this ramp! I know PT's he should be going backward! Also it must be engrained into all children to give a mamma no peace in her 10 mintues of bathtime solitude wheather they have been yours for days or for years! All through my shower I heard...maamma...maaaammmaaa and giggles. | <><>
An orphan no more! Gotcha Day!
there will be more pictures of gotcha day in the private
blog, want to keep faces protected....
This day was a wonderful whirlwind. His special nanny helped me prepare him to leave, with tears coursing down her face most of the time. She loved my boy, and was at the same time happy to see him find a mamma and pappa, but sad to have to say goodbye to him. We took time to walk Shea around to each of his grouppa mates to say goodbye and give hugs and kisses. His nanny walked us down to the taxi and she hummed "America The Beautiful" and was explaining things to Shea again.
The pictures above show the happenings of the day. One of the most fun moments was the pre bed bath time! He loved it so much, and probably would have stayed in the tub all night if I had let him. Brushing his teeth was at first a scary ordeal filled with crying...until I stopped and brushed my teeth infront of him...making silly faces....and he caught on with no problem. It seems to be one of his favorite activities now. We are already making headway with some of the brown stains on his teeth. Sitting on the potty ring on the toilet was not his favorite activity...actually probably his only "bad" experience of the day....but mamma is hitting the ground running with this one! We have had 3 sucessful "foos" in the toilet so far.
Time for bed and packing came....I laid down in bed with him and his starvation for human touch was soooo evident. He nuzzled, and hugged and squeezed and sniffed for many many minutes...finally I thought he was asleep and then it was time for me to try to sneak out of the room to finish packing. Before I was 2 steps out of the room the most mournful wail started... I don't blame him...so many new and overwhelming things to take in, and now in a room by himself ??? What was mamma thinking? So I climbed back into bed with him and he was instantly calmed....
His first day went very very well, he managed so many new sights, sounds and experiences with awe in his eyes and no major meltdowns. He showed all spectrums of emotion. We can't wait to be with daddy to finally be a complete family... I've sighed a big sigh of relief on gotcha day...but will fully feel the relief when we are home in daddy's arms with brat and sistrah!
blog, want to keep faces protected....
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| His first machina ride as a "free man"! |
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| changing clothes to leave the orphanage...last moments with his nanny who had true love for him... |
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| this is a dark photo...but a moment full of light....leaving the gates of his orphanage as a Kulp |
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| intwined in all the tender moments and first events of gotcha day there was still much business to be done...booking flights out of region to happen in 15 hours time, making arrangements to pay rent and return keys, getting an embassy appointment booked earlier, ensuring all paperwork needed is leaving region with us.... |
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| probably the most significant moment of the day....our first ice cream cone together!!! |
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| the trains were good if Shea could watch while embracing mommy...they were a bit too loud on this first day |
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| who is enjoying this first meal more? mamma or shea? |
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| the train is too loud mamma...there is so much world I want to see...but can we turn down the volume? |
This day was a wonderful whirlwind. His special nanny helped me prepare him to leave, with tears coursing down her face most of the time. She loved my boy, and was at the same time happy to see him find a mamma and pappa, but sad to have to say goodbye to him. We took time to walk Shea around to each of his grouppa mates to say goodbye and give hugs and kisses. His nanny walked us down to the taxi and she hummed "America The Beautiful" and was explaining things to Shea again.
The pictures above show the happenings of the day. One of the most fun moments was the pre bed bath time! He loved it so much, and probably would have stayed in the tub all night if I had let him. Brushing his teeth was at first a scary ordeal filled with crying...until I stopped and brushed my teeth infront of him...making silly faces....and he caught on with no problem. It seems to be one of his favorite activities now. We are already making headway with some of the brown stains on his teeth. Sitting on the potty ring on the toilet was not his favorite activity...actually probably his only "bad" experience of the day....but mamma is hitting the ground running with this one! We have had 3 sucessful "foos" in the toilet so far.
Time for bed and packing came....I laid down in bed with him and his starvation for human touch was soooo evident. He nuzzled, and hugged and squeezed and sniffed for many many minutes...finally I thought he was asleep and then it was time for me to try to sneak out of the room to finish packing. Before I was 2 steps out of the room the most mournful wail started... I don't blame him...so many new and overwhelming things to take in, and now in a room by himself ??? What was mamma thinking? So I climbed back into bed with him and he was instantly calmed....
His first day went very very well, he managed so many new sights, sounds and experiences with awe in his eyes and no major meltdowns. He showed all spectrums of emotion. We can't wait to be with daddy to finally be a complete family... I've sighed a big sigh of relief on gotcha day...but will fully feel the relief when we are home in daddy's arms with brat and sistrah!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The ever changing story of EE adoption...
An important prayer request for the EE orphan situation in general first... On July 11th adoption will halt in this country. The president did sign laws which will allow the shut down so that government offices can be restructured. Let's hope positive changes occur in a timely manner due to this and that the doors reopen very very soon. Pray that the restructuring may clean up some of the questionable processes that are a part of life here in regards to working the system...
In these laws that passed it also confirmed that unless you are an orphan with special needs you can't be adopted internationally until your 5yrs old. I think they are trying to get more in country adoptions of their own orphans but this may increase the number of children who age up in the system and thus become harder to adopt. Also the list of special needs that are accepted is quite limited to only more common diagnosis...lets pray more of the rare or less common diagnosis will also be allowed, otherwise more and more special needs children will face institutionalization here.
Basically...let's hope the changes are quick, and improve the process overall.
Remember my post about leaving your type A at home?? That’s all I need to say J
If you can’t leave your type A at home…you should probably adopt from China! Very structured, planned, mapped out…
Arriving in region on Monday we were told there was a possibility of getting the passport on Friday…but more likely Monday.
By Tuesday PM we were told there was no chance of getting it by Friday, and to plan on being in region until
June 29th because of the mon and tues EE holiday.
By Thursday we were told there was SOME chance we would get it by Friday.
By Friday we were told we would most likely get it that day…but they couldn’t really be sure.
By Friday at 3:00 we were told to be ready to leave the apt in 15 minutes to pick up the passport and then go have Gottcha Day and bring Shea home with us….and return to the capital by Saturday morning! (okay, I admit that my type A did kick in and I outlined all the flights, packed the suitcases and packed a Gotcha Day kit, gave the going away nanny and orphanage gifts etc etc all by Friday morning…you know….just in case!! )
I think the nannies knew we would be leaving soon too…because in addition to the normal treats, pampers fruits and toys that we would bring on visitations they had some special requests. They showed me a broken electric water hot pot, a broken lamp, missing light bulbs and a needed extension cord….implying I should buy them for the orphanage. This was a project for Dad and Mike S…walking over to the market with my shopping list while the women did that days visitation.
So back to EE adoption creative scheduling. My facilitator at one time laughed with me and said…you try to figure out how everything works….stop trying because it will only change and that’s why you pay us! Ohhh but it’s so hard to not be in control says this mamma.
(by the way…my stomach is visibly shifting Left and Right like the atlantic ocean waves right now…I think someone is trying to say hello…and don’t forget about meeeee!)
So we hurriedly booked our tickets to the capital, and headed out to the passport office. Luda had been out of region since wed am working with other families, so she had put the driver in charge of this task. When we arrived the door was locked and the office looked closed! The driver made a call and the door opened, I was asked in…the driver waited outside.
It was kind of strange being in a building, locked to the public from the outside, not speaking any of the language and having workers walk by you wondering what the heck you were doing sitting there in the waiting room. I tried not to make eye contact so that people wouldn’t try to make me explain what I was doing and I was half afraid they might tell me to leave! After a few minutes I was handed the passport, checked it for any errors, signed a paper that was all in Russian and headed toward my little one to spring him from the joint!
So you probably want to know about gotcha day….hee hee hee, I’m thirsty and have to go to the bathroom so you’ll just have to wait for the next post!
And also…before we get to that… before we rejoice….please say prayers for a family who is a bit delayed in Shea’s region. We were able to spend nice time with them and I would really love to see them having court very soon…..and also for any complications that have occurred or may happen in the future….whether day to day problems….or bigger external issues from external sources….that they be obliterated and their little boy goes home with them forever very very soon!
In these laws that passed it also confirmed that unless you are an orphan with special needs you can't be adopted internationally until your 5yrs old. I think they are trying to get more in country adoptions of their own orphans but this may increase the number of children who age up in the system and thus become harder to adopt. Also the list of special needs that are accepted is quite limited to only more common diagnosis...lets pray more of the rare or less common diagnosis will also be allowed, otherwise more and more special needs children will face institutionalization here.
Basically...let's hope the changes are quick, and improve the process overall.
Remember my post about leaving your type A at home?? That’s all I need to say J
If you can’t leave your type A at home…you should probably adopt from China! Very structured, planned, mapped out…
Arriving in region on Monday we were told there was a possibility of getting the passport on Friday…but more likely Monday.
By Tuesday PM we were told there was no chance of getting it by Friday, and to plan on being in region until
June 29th because of the mon and tues EE holiday.
By Thursday we were told there was SOME chance we would get it by Friday.
By Friday we were told we would most likely get it that day…but they couldn’t really be sure.
By Friday at 3:00 we were told to be ready to leave the apt in 15 minutes to pick up the passport and then go have Gottcha Day and bring Shea home with us….and return to the capital by Saturday morning! (okay, I admit that my type A did kick in and I outlined all the flights, packed the suitcases and packed a Gotcha Day kit, gave the going away nanny and orphanage gifts etc etc all by Friday morning…you know….just in case!! )
I think the nannies knew we would be leaving soon too…because in addition to the normal treats, pampers fruits and toys that we would bring on visitations they had some special requests. They showed me a broken electric water hot pot, a broken lamp, missing light bulbs and a needed extension cord….implying I should buy them for the orphanage. This was a project for Dad and Mike S…walking over to the market with my shopping list while the women did that days visitation.
So back to EE adoption creative scheduling. My facilitator at one time laughed with me and said…you try to figure out how everything works….stop trying because it will only change and that’s why you pay us! Ohhh but it’s so hard to not be in control says this mamma.
(by the way…my stomach is visibly shifting Left and Right like the atlantic ocean waves right now…I think someone is trying to say hello…and don’t forget about meeeee!)
So we hurriedly booked our tickets to the capital, and headed out to the passport office. Luda had been out of region since wed am working with other families, so she had put the driver in charge of this task. When we arrived the door was locked and the office looked closed! The driver made a call and the door opened, I was asked in…the driver waited outside.
It was kind of strange being in a building, locked to the public from the outside, not speaking any of the language and having workers walk by you wondering what the heck you were doing sitting there in the waiting room. I tried not to make eye contact so that people wouldn’t try to make me explain what I was doing and I was half afraid they might tell me to leave! After a few minutes I was handed the passport, checked it for any errors, signed a paper that was all in Russian and headed toward my little one to spring him from the joint!
So you probably want to know about gotcha day….hee hee hee, I’m thirsty and have to go to the bathroom so you’ll just have to wait for the next post!
And also…before we get to that… before we rejoice….please say prayers for a family who is a bit delayed in Shea’s region. We were able to spend nice time with them and I would really love to see them having court very soon…..and also for any complications that have occurred or may happen in the future….whether day to day problems….or bigger external issues from external sources….that they be obliterated and their little boy goes home with them forever very very soon!
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| this is the sleeping room for the grouppa |
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| the regional passport office...the last step before gotcha day! |
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
wed 22nd...the paper chase continues!
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| these critters are everywhere! so we might as well play with them! Some of them are super big! |
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| stray dogs are as common here as squirrels are at home it seems...and they travel in packs, but so far all are friendly |
shopping in style....much more fun this way...
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| buying bannanas for the grouppa Wednesday 22nd…the paperchase continues Today was another busy one… first stop with my driver was picking up Luda then we headed to the orphanage for a 9 am meeting with the orphanage atourney. ( which of course started at 9:20 typical ukranian time ) That was completed by 10. I received Shea’s baptismal certificate from the local orthodox church that also had a small cross necklace, this will be a special keep sake for us. The orphanage has all the children baptized. I received the needed paperwork to close down his government bank account and transfer the money back to them, the permission to release him from the orphanage on the day our passport comes and permission to take his “orthopedic shoes” and night time leg splints with us when we leave. Next we were supposed to head off to the social workers office in the city to get additional papers we would need for our bank visit. In Ukranian time frame style…the social worker was not ready for us and we needed to wait an extra hour, but that was fine with me because it allowed me to do a short morning visitation with Shea, and we also met the Silva family today (adopting noah). Once we made it to the social workers office we then headed all the way back to the region of the orphanage to complete the banking work. I also managed to buy some cherries from a street vendor in the process. They were very yummy, but after a few I noticed a worm in one, then the next, then the next…. So I think I may have accidentally gotten a little extra protein today, blaaaahhhk. Once the bank papers were complete we headed back to the orphanage for two more signatures and then I headed back to the apartment and met up with my parents. The evening visitation was nice, cooler, and we did a play date with the Silvas. Shea enjoyed cars, pegs, treats, and sliding snails down the slide! I am proud to say that he is now easily saying grandma and grandpa….rolling his R’s the whole time….I hope he doesn’t loose that little trait. He also said simon without being prompted when looking at a photo today….that was a joy! From now until passport arrival there is no paper chasing thank goodness. I just have to get started on my embassy paperwork to have that done in time for our appointment. We will re enter the phase of 2 daily 2 hour visitations. My ankles are quite a bit better, a little ouchy still…but much much better, thank you all for your kind words and prayers. |
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