Clean Bill of Health

Today Abby took Jake to the S.O.S Clinic for his doctors visit. The doctor said he looks great and is ready to travel.

Mom is starting to learn about the difference between traveling alone and with a baby. Abby said Jake love the stroller and is happy to go for a walk anywhere. Today they took him to the Green Market and when he was not looking around curiously he did what baby's do best and feel asleep in the stroller. She also had her first less than baby friendly experience at the local grocery store where as best she could tell they were not too happy to have her wheeling Jake around in the stroller at the check out line.

Abby promises to try to get to an Internet cafe in the next couple of days to post some pictures. She promises they will be worth the wait.

Ruth

They have Jake but no Internet

Ruth here again.

I spoke to Abby earlier this morning and was greeted with lots of baby noise in the back ground. Jake arrived safely as planned and they all had a great day together. He is crawling all over the place and standing up on his own. He was so quiet when we met him at the baby house - but Abby says he has not stopped talking - okay babbling - since he got there.

That is the good news. The bad news is no Internet in the apartment so we will have to wait for Abby to make it to an Internet cafe to see current pictures.

Jake had several firsts today. His first bath which he did not love so they went as fast as they could. His first meal in a restaurant. Apparently Jake was more interested in flirting with the girls than eating. Abby said he flirted with everyone from the ladies at the next table to the waitress and they all ate it up. His first international phone call. I insisted that Abby put him on the line. Finally the first day of his wonderful new life with his loving new Mommy.

Tomorrow they are off to the SOS clinic. One more step towards bringing him home.

More on the Travelers

Greetings from Abby's sister Ruth-

I spoke to Abby earlier today and they had spent the day settling in and getting ready for Jake. The biggest challenge - other than having to wait for Jake to arrive - was shopping for baby food and formula. All the labels being in Russian did not help matters. They resorted to just asking what color the label on the can should be. I am sure no matter what they feed him he will be well nourished by his Mommy's love.

Special thanks to Donna! Abby is lucky to have so many great friends that have helped her and supported her in her journey.

Greetings from Almaty

Hi, my name is Donna, I'm a friend of Abby's, I just received a phone call from Abby's sister Ruth she asked me to pass this information along. Abby doesn't have any Internet access right now but she wanted to let everyone know that she's gotten to Almaty and is waiting (patiently or maybe not so) for Jake who'll be arriving on Monday.

Ruth I'm working on the second part now, I'll be talking to you.

The Call

I got the call yesterday! I'm so excited to be heading back to Kaz to get my little Jake. Of course there are still a million and one things to be done before I go but at least I've got the plane tickets booked.:)

Keeping Busy

While I’m so ready to go back to Kaz to get Jake I’m starting to get nervous that there is still so much to be done before he gets here. I’ve been shopping like crazy to buy stuff for him. My friends had a really nice shower for me this past Saturday(see a few pictures below) and then Sunday I went the Maryland FRUA picnic. It was nice to meet/see a few families from Kaz.

I need to get serious about baby proofing the house and finding storage for all his new stuff. Plus I’m still working on the daycare/nanny situation and lining up his pediatrician. Everything takes a lot of time.



Also I need to finish decorating Jake’s room. I couldn’t find any artwork I liked so I decided to paint some myself. What was I thinking? The pictures came out ok and I found some frames I really like but since I painted them on canvas it’s a little thick to go in the frame. As Tim Gunn is fond of saying I’m trying to “make it work.” I bought the letters for his name and I need to get started on painting them as well. I’ve decided they are getting just a plain paint job because I’ve got to move on to other things.




Still no news yet on when I’m going back. I hope I’ll hear something soon.

It's Official!!!!!

Friday was the last day of the 15 day appeal period but being a nervous nelly I wanted to make sure that everything was official before I said anything. I sent a note to my coordinator to make sure and was given the thumbs up so Jake is officially mine! Hurray. My in-country coordinator is now working on the documents that need to be completed in order for me to go back and get him. I can't wait!

Jacob is 9 Months Old

Jacob is 9 months old today. I'm sad that he's not with me to celebrate. I've put together some "previously unseen footage." I can't wait to see him again.