Olivia was waiting by the window as always; though she didn’t run right to us this morning. She wanted to play first. I think she is showing more signs of security. Though when they brought the baby in and papa was holding it she kept shaking her head no. I am not sure what she was thinking. We hope that she doesn’t think that we are considering another child over her. It is hard to explain things to her since we have the language barrier. We tried to make sure that she didn’t feel that we were focusing too much attention on the new baby.
We also had our translator explain that we would not be able to come on Sunday, but that we would come on Monday. Last night I had a dream that we were discussing the babies name and that we wanted to giver her the middle name Pearl, after my sister Stephanie… which was ironic since today we learned the baby’s name means Pearl in Kazak.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
03/30/2007
There was some sort of even in the front of our hotel, so our driver was not able to pick us up from the front. She ended up parking several buildings away and come running up to us so that she could guide us to the cars. We were supposed to pick up the last medication, but now didn’t have time… she had already picked up the shoe cobbler, that we requested make some special shoes for Olivia, since she really can’t wear normal shoes. He came with us to the orphanage and measured Olivia’s feet and will make us some custom shoes. Olivia didn’t seem to mind the process at all.
We met with one of the nurses that said she took care of Olivia as a very small baby, and that she had worked at the orphanage for 33 years. We took her photo with Olivia. We promised we would make her a copy. At the end of our visit they took us into the doctor’s office to meet the baby we had discussed yesterday. We sat down and they handed her to us. She was very happy and smiled and laughed each time we tickled her. She seemed in a great mood for just having surgery. When she laughed you could still see stitches in her lip and all along the inside of her palette. She was a very sweet little girl. They said she loved to play and was happy. We told them that we would discuss her adoption and tell them our decision tomorrow.
We met with one of the nurses that said she took care of Olivia as a very small baby, and that she had worked at the orphanage for 33 years. We took her photo with Olivia. We promised we would make her a copy. At the end of our visit they took us into the doctor’s office to meet the baby we had discussed yesterday. We sat down and they handed her to us. She was very happy and smiled and laughed each time we tickled her. She seemed in a great mood for just having surgery. When she laughed you could still see stitches in her lip and all along the inside of her palette. She was a very sweet little girl. They said she loved to play and was happy. We told them that we would discuss her adoption and tell them our decision tomorrow.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
03/29/2007
Today Olivia seemed a little sick, we had another typical visit, we asked to play in the “exercise room” upstairs again which we were allowed to. But learned later that the doctors were upset that we were in that room and told our translators that the Americans can not go in any room they please. They basically stated that they had a schedule. This is a room that they stated the children exercise in, but both are children acted like they had never or seldom go in that room. So I don’t think that they we will be allowed to go in that room again.
We were asked if we wanted to meet a baby that we had been shown a photo of just prior to our leaving for Kazakhstan. We said yes, and they said tomorrow we could meet her. She had just turned one on the 28th, and had been in Almaty having surgery to repair her cleft lip/palette. On our way out the doctor asked us if we would get some medicine for Olivia since she was sick. She wrote us a prescription on a plain piece of paper. Apparently you don’t need an official prescription in Kazakhstan; you can buy anything you want. She also asked us to pick up some medication for the other babies as well; which we agreed to do. We went to two pharmacies and were able to find 2 of the 3 medications but could not locate the third medication.
We were asked if we wanted to meet a baby that we had been shown a photo of just prior to our leaving for Kazakhstan. We said yes, and they said tomorrow we could meet her. She had just turned one on the 28th, and had been in Almaty having surgery to repair her cleft lip/palette. On our way out the doctor asked us if we would get some medicine for Olivia since she was sick. She wrote us a prescription on a plain piece of paper. Apparently you don’t need an official prescription in Kazakhstan; you can buy anything you want. She also asked us to pick up some medication for the other babies as well; which we agreed to do. We went to two pharmacies and were able to find 2 of the 3 medications but could not locate the third medication.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
03/28/2007
Today we are going to the “exercise room”, since the children are watching a cartoon in the “music room”, were we usually do our bonding time. We played for a while then were invited to the “music room” to watch the Kazakhstan cartoon. They had set up little white benches for all the children. They filed in a small group of children that I would guess were about 2-3 years old. They all sat on a bench, and seemed very well behaved. They then filed in a larger group of 3-4 year olds. They all sat as well. As soon as they turned off the lights and started the cartoon, several off the young children started crying, so they took them out of the room.
The cartoon was a little scary we thought, though we couldn’t understand the language it had a 3 headed dragon like character that was eating several animals. Then it seemed to get ill and couldn’t fly. Then these three “wise men” called this mosquito like animal went and sucked blood from a small infant, it looked like the infant was on the verge of dying from this act, and then a bird was chasing the mosquito to get back the blood, and was chasing it when the blood was dropped and caused flowers to grow from the dirt. Suddenly the baby was better, and then the dragon fell out of this castle when it was chasing the bird and died. It was all very weird and scary; I was really surprised that this is what they chose to show 2-4 year olds. I was expecting a Disney movie or equivalent. The children for the most part sat quietly and watched the film. Then they were all escorted back to their rooms.
The cartoon was a little scary we thought, though we couldn’t understand the language it had a 3 headed dragon like character that was eating several animals. Then it seemed to get ill and couldn’t fly. Then these three “wise men” called this mosquito like animal went and sucked blood from a small infant, it looked like the infant was on the verge of dying from this act, and then a bird was chasing the mosquito to get back the blood, and was chasing it when the blood was dropped and caused flowers to grow from the dirt. Suddenly the baby was better, and then the dragon fell out of this castle when it was chasing the bird and died. It was all very weird and scary; I was really surprised that this is what they chose to show 2-4 year olds. I was expecting a Disney movie or equivalent. The children for the most part sat quietly and watched the film. Then they were all escorted back to their rooms.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
03/27/2007
Olivia seems less clingy with our visits (this is the fifth one so far)… though she is always waiting in the window for us, she isn’t has clingy during the visits, and she doesn’t ask us as many times if we are returning the following day. She does seem to want to bring something back each day with her to her group. I am not sure if this is to give her a sense of security that we will come back for our things or just some reassurance to her that we care about her. Perhaps it is just some way of showing the other children that we really do come everyday.
Monday, March 26, 2007
03/26/2007
Olivia was waiting by the window again, but papa brought the camera to video her so that you can see how excited she gets. So hopefully we can email that when we are home (we have dial-up here, so it would talk all day to email something like that) She seemed very happy, and remembered some English, she says "Hello" and "Goodbye" really well. We bring new toys each day, and we share toys with the Mikos, since our children seem to like each others toys. Today she asked for yogurt by name, so she must really like it. She only drank one juice, which was cherry/banana. We have to somewhat feed her on the sly, since they aren’t big on you feeding the children. I gave her a bite of chocolate, as I wasn’t sure if she had ever tried it.
We ran into her teacher/nurse, and she told her that we were her mama and papa. The teacher/nurse apparently told her not to be a naughty girl in America when she gets home. (per our translator) Each time we leave it seems to get harder for Olivia, she was upset and kept saying no to the translator about going back to her class. The translator told her not to be a naughty girl and she jumped up and asked again if we would come tomorrow. She wanted to bring a stacking cup set that the Mikos brought, but we told that that was their toy, so we talked her into taking a car puzzle back to her class. I think that she likes taking something back with her as a reassurance that we are coming back.
Also apparently it is whispered in some circles that American’s are adopting their (Kazakhstan) children to use their organs?? We tried to explain to our coordinator that was so ridiculous that in America you can’t even sell your own organs. He said that he knew that, but that it was a belief in this country. I do worry a little how Olivia will feel when we can’t visit next Sunday, as they typically don’t allow visits on Sundays.
Olivia is currently in about a 4T top, as her arms are a little shorter then normal, due to her condition. I bought some size 5 leggings which seem to fit her well. She has special shoes that we have asked about borrowing, so we hope to get to take them to the bazaar tomorrow to have several pairs made, since I am not sure that we can even find a place in American that will custom make her shoes, and certainly not for the same price.
We are not sure how soon they will want to start her operations, and whether they will start on her hands or feet, or do both at the same time? She does have two elbows and two knees (we weren’t sure from original photos), but she seems to favor one knee and one elbow, so we are not sure if therapy will give her better use of the less used joints. She loves the piano so that will be great therapy for her after her surgeries, if we can keep her interested. She gets around amazingly well, and can feed herself simple foods like cookies. But she uses her leg to push her arm to her mouth.
She does seem to have several cavities, and her teeth are quite yellow. She also has her two bottom permanent teeth are growing behind her bottom two baby teeth, so I am guessing they will need to pull her baby teeth. Ironically both Julia and Jordan had the same issue with their baby teeth not wanting to fall out. So I think once we are back we will have to have some dental work done. I am hoping they will just put her under since she needs so much work done, and I don’t want her traumatized, to the point that going to the dentist becomes something she fears.
The children at the orphanage are very well-behaved. The other American parents that we have talked to here have joked that we need to learn more about their boot camp. They have over 100 children under 3 at the orphanage and you seldom here one cry. They are all pretty much potty-trained, and eat anything you give them.
We ran into her teacher/nurse, and she told her that we were her mama and papa. The teacher/nurse apparently told her not to be a naughty girl in America when she gets home. (per our translator) Each time we leave it seems to get harder for Olivia, she was upset and kept saying no to the translator about going back to her class. The translator told her not to be a naughty girl and she jumped up and asked again if we would come tomorrow. She wanted to bring a stacking cup set that the Mikos brought, but we told that that was their toy, so we talked her into taking a car puzzle back to her class. I think that she likes taking something back with her as a reassurance that we are coming back.
Also apparently it is whispered in some circles that American’s are adopting their (Kazakhstan) children to use their organs?? We tried to explain to our coordinator that was so ridiculous that in America you can’t even sell your own organs. He said that he knew that, but that it was a belief in this country. I do worry a little how Olivia will feel when we can’t visit next Sunday, as they typically don’t allow visits on Sundays.
Olivia is currently in about a 4T top, as her arms are a little shorter then normal, due to her condition. I bought some size 5 leggings which seem to fit her well. She has special shoes that we have asked about borrowing, so we hope to get to take them to the bazaar tomorrow to have several pairs made, since I am not sure that we can even find a place in American that will custom make her shoes, and certainly not for the same price.
We are not sure how soon they will want to start her operations, and whether they will start on her hands or feet, or do both at the same time? She does have two elbows and two knees (we weren’t sure from original photos), but she seems to favor one knee and one elbow, so we are not sure if therapy will give her better use of the less used joints. She loves the piano so that will be great therapy for her after her surgeries, if we can keep her interested. She gets around amazingly well, and can feed herself simple foods like cookies. But she uses her leg to push her arm to her mouth.
She does seem to have several cavities, and her teeth are quite yellow. She also has her two bottom permanent teeth are growing behind her bottom two baby teeth, so I am guessing they will need to pull her baby teeth. Ironically both Julia and Jordan had the same issue with their baby teeth not wanting to fall out. So I think once we are back we will have to have some dental work done. I am hoping they will just put her under since she needs so much work done, and I don’t want her traumatized, to the point that going to the dentist becomes something she fears.
The children at the orphanage are very well-behaved. The other American parents that we have talked to here have joked that we need to learn more about their boot camp. They have over 100 children under 3 at the orphanage and you seldom here one cry. They are all pretty much potty-trained, and eat anything you give them.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
03/25/2007
Our third visit - typically visits aren’t allowed on Sundays, but since Thursday was a holiday it somehow shifted their work week. They tried to ask us if we wanted a “break”, which we didn’t; we stated we came all this way to spend time with our daughter. As we arrived we could see Olivia in the window of her room waiting for us to come, when she saw us she yelled mama, papa. You could see her jumping up and down she was so happy.
They escort us to the “music room” and then they get the children. We can always hear Olivia coming down the hall. Today two of the doctors came in to meet us and tell us that Olivia is very happy to have a family. We asked her when she knew that we were coming; they told us that they did not tell her until we arrived in the country since they didn’t want her to be disappointed if we did not end up coming for her. Which was not the same story we received the first day?? We brought more apple/cherry juice and a apple/mango, she wolfed those both down and had a yogurt. She doesn’t feed herself well, but she can hold her juice box, but we have to feed her the yogurt. She is definitely independent. In fact she would often push papa away when he was helping and would say in Russian that she would do it herself. She only asks for help when she can’t do it on her own. It is actually rare for children with her condition to her severity to be able to walk. So the fact that she walks so well and gets around is a testimate to her independent spirit. We were also told that no one helped her learn to walk, that she did it all on her own.
We also learned they had another child with her condition, that never learned to move and died last year. We were also told to get photos of her arms and legs, to send the doctor so that we could get a letter to attempt rush her adoption stating that she needed immediate medical care. (which she really does) So we brought fingernail polish and painted her fingernails and toenails (like mamas) so that we could ask her to take photos of her pretty fingernails and toenails. We didn’t want her to feel that we were focusing on her deformities. We want her to have a healthy self esteem. We played outside today, and as it was getting time to go, she stated that she didn’t want us to leave and stated that she would cry. Once we were inside she kept asking us if we would return tomorrow. We kept reassuring her that we would return. We let her take a little ball with her to her group, and we had dressed her in American clothing. She then hopped out of the room.
They escort us to the “music room” and then they get the children. We can always hear Olivia coming down the hall. Today two of the doctors came in to meet us and tell us that Olivia is very happy to have a family. We asked her when she knew that we were coming; they told us that they did not tell her until we arrived in the country since they didn’t want her to be disappointed if we did not end up coming for her. Which was not the same story we received the first day?? We brought more apple/cherry juice and a apple/mango, she wolfed those both down and had a yogurt. She doesn’t feed herself well, but she can hold her juice box, but we have to feed her the yogurt. She is definitely independent. In fact she would often push papa away when he was helping and would say in Russian that she would do it herself. She only asks for help when she can’t do it on her own. It is actually rare for children with her condition to her severity to be able to walk. So the fact that she walks so well and gets around is a testimate to her independent spirit. We were also told that no one helped her learn to walk, that she did it all on her own.
We also learned they had another child with her condition, that never learned to move and died last year. We were also told to get photos of her arms and legs, to send the doctor so that we could get a letter to attempt rush her adoption stating that she needed immediate medical care. (which she really does) So we brought fingernail polish and painted her fingernails and toenails (like mamas) so that we could ask her to take photos of her pretty fingernails and toenails. We didn’t want her to feel that we were focusing on her deformities. We want her to have a healthy self esteem. We played outside today, and as it was getting time to go, she stated that she didn’t want us to leave and stated that she would cry. Once we were inside she kept asking us if we would return tomorrow. We kept reassuring her that we would return. We let her take a little ball with her to her group, and we had dressed her in American clothing. She then hopped out of the room.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
03/24/2007
During our second visit Olivia seemed to beam even brighter this visit, like she was even happier that we had returned. She ran to papa and sat on his lap. She likes to look at the photos that we have taken of all of us, and she points out each of us, papa, mama, and Olga (her Russian name). We brought two juice boxes again, she loved the apple/cherry, which was the same as we had brought the day before. But she was not so big on the apple/peach. We also gave her a yogurt which she loved. We spoke with her about her new name Olivia (through her translator), she said that she liked her name. When we would walk around outside she would talk to all the adults and though we didn’t get all that she said, see was telling everyone that she was going to AMERICA. Near the end of the visit she didn’t want to get ready to leave. Our translator stated that she couldn’t believe that we were finally there, that she had waited to so long for her family, and couldn’t believe that it was true. She wanted reassurance that we would come again tomorrow.
Friday, March 23, 2007
MEETING OLIVIA (03/23/2007 cont'd)
At 10:00am we went to the orphanage to meet our daughter, Olivia (we were with the Mikos family). We were escorted to the consoler’s office and meet with her and her staff. They talked with us briefly… they wanted to confirm that we were aware of our daughters medical condition (she has severe special needs, her condition is referred to as Amyoplasia or Arthrogyposis) and then asked us how many children we had. They seemed shocked that we already have 4 children, and talked a bit about that among themselves in Russian, it would have been interesting to know what was said… then they brought in our daughter, we had hoped to video her coming in, but they didn’t tell us that she was coming. Our daughter Olivia (her Russian name is Olga) is 6 ½ years old, so she came running out and greeted us she shook everyone’s hands and wished them a happy new year (so our translator told us) She was beaming from ear to ear. She hopped on our laps and immediately said papa and mama (which is the Russian words for mother and father, it was nice to understand something she said). She seemed to know who we were and that we were to be her parents. The other couple is adopting a 2 year old little boy, he could not talk but grinned at them, and seemed happy as well.
Each day we spend 2 hours with our children. The children seem clean and well mannered. They also seem happy, Olivia seems exceptionally happy. She is very playful and has no problem sitting on our laps or interacting with us. She keeps speaking to us in Russian, so I think that she forgets we don’t understand her. We are picking up a few words, but she is quicker with her English then we are with our Russian.
Olivia is somewhat of a celebrity at the orphanage, in part we believe that is because she is 6 ½ years old and children are supposed to be moved from the orphanage at 3 years old, so she has been at the orphanage since birth, and is well known. She also has a beaming personality, and all that have met her seem to remember our girl. They have all commented on her personality and that she seems to be the favorite child at the orphanage. Even the coordinator knew Olivia, and was excited that she was being adopted. He tried to convey to us how special Olivia is, and stated that Olivia was like GOLD.
During our first visitation, Olivia beamed with happiness and seemed very light hearted and carefree. She was very affectionate, we gave her some juice and she sucked it down in seconds, so we decided to bring two juice boxes next time. She asked if we would return tomorrow and we said that we would. We put a shirt on her from Salt Lake City, Utah and showed her photos of her siblings. We asked the translator when they told Olivia we were coming, and she stated that Olivia has known for months. She asked us in Russian if we had purchased a bed for her. I wished that I had taken a photo of her bed as I think it would have helped her feel that the adoption was more final. She didn’t seem at all upset when we left and just went bouncing out of the room to see her teachers and friends.
Each day we spend 2 hours with our children. The children seem clean and well mannered. They also seem happy, Olivia seems exceptionally happy. She is very playful and has no problem sitting on our laps or interacting with us. She keeps speaking to us in Russian, so I think that she forgets we don’t understand her. We are picking up a few words, but she is quicker with her English then we are with our Russian.
Olivia is somewhat of a celebrity at the orphanage, in part we believe that is because she is 6 ½ years old and children are supposed to be moved from the orphanage at 3 years old, so she has been at the orphanage since birth, and is well known. She also has a beaming personality, and all that have met her seem to remember our girl. They have all commented on her personality and that she seems to be the favorite child at the orphanage. Even the coordinator knew Olivia, and was excited that she was being adopted. He tried to convey to us how special Olivia is, and stated that Olivia was like GOLD.
During our first visitation, Olivia beamed with happiness and seemed very light hearted and carefree. She was very affectionate, we gave her some juice and she sucked it down in seconds, so we decided to bring two juice boxes next time. She asked if we would return tomorrow and we said that we would. We put a shirt on her from Salt Lake City, Utah and showed her photos of her siblings. We asked the translator when they told Olivia we were coming, and she stated that Olivia has known for months. She asked us in Russian if we had purchased a bed for her. I wished that I had taken a photo of her bed as I think it would have helped her feel that the adoption was more final. She didn’t seem at all upset when we left and just went bouncing out of the room to see her teachers and friends.
03/23/2007
Then at about 4:15am they knocked on our door to tell us it was our stop, we only had a few minutes to gather our things… we had to exit the train quickly, as they only stop about 10-15 minutes, and we had 4 suitcases to haul around (1/2 of which are gifts for the orphanage and staff, which are customary).
We were then greeted at the train station by our coordinator’s (Bulat’s) staff. They were very polite and helped us carry our luggage to two vehicles, and they had a translator to great us. Then they drove us to our hotel, were we were able to shower and get ready and eat breakfast.
We were then greeted at the train station by our coordinator’s (Bulat’s) staff. They were very polite and helped us carry our luggage to two vehicles, and they had a translator to great us. Then they drove us to our hotel, were we were able to shower and get ready and eat breakfast.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
03/22/2007
Bulat then took us to a hotel which we arrived at on Thursday at 3:00am were we stayed until our train departure at 7:00pm that evening. We were able to sleep shower, and he took our cash for the in country adoption fees/expenses $8,000 and $500 driver/translator, then we also showed him our gifts and he picked two of them (he did the same with the other couple that we traveled with).
He then explained a little about the culture and gave his speech…. which lasted about 3 hours. So when we finally were able to sleep it was about 5:00am. We slept a while and then got up around 9:00am for breakfast, and then walked around since it was a holiday (Kazakhstan New Year – March 22nd) so there were many things to see on the streets. We then went back to the hotel prepared our luggage, and ate dinner, and then Bulat picked us up for the train. He had purchased our tickets then we reimbursed him for that cost. (about $50 per person) The train was not as bad as everyone stated, it was not luxurious, but not horrible either. The bathrooms, reminded me of an outhouse (due to the smell), and the beds weren’t great, but clean, and you are so tired you can sleep anywhere at that point. It truly was what you would picture a “soviet train” to look and feel like.
He then explained a little about the culture and gave his speech…. which lasted about 3 hours. So when we finally were able to sleep it was about 5:00am. We slept a while and then got up around 9:00am for breakfast, and then walked around since it was a holiday (Kazakhstan New Year – March 22nd) so there were many things to see on the streets. We then went back to the hotel prepared our luggage, and ate dinner, and then Bulat picked us up for the train. He had purchased our tickets then we reimbursed him for that cost. (about $50 per person) The train was not as bad as everyone stated, it was not luxurious, but not horrible either. The bathrooms, reminded me of an outhouse (due to the smell), and the beds weren’t great, but clean, and you are so tired you can sleep anywhere at that point. It truly was what you would picture a “soviet train” to look and feel like.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
03/21/2007
We arrived in Frankfurt at about Wednesday at 7:10am and then left for Almaty at 12:20pm. We arrived in Almaty on Wednesday at 11:45pm where we were met with a sign by our coordinator Bulat (not to be confused with “Borat”), with Adoption Ark.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
3/20/2007
We left Salt Lake City, Utah Tuesday at 10:50am. We then arrived in Illinois at 2:56pm
Which is were we met another couple that we were scheduled to travel with, that is also adopting a 2 year old from our same orphanage. They are Paula and Jim Mikos from Chicago/Rockford, Illinois. Then we left Illinois about 4:45pm
Which is were we met another couple that we were scheduled to travel with, that is also adopting a 2 year old from our same orphanage. They are Paula and Jim Mikos from Chicago/Rockford, Illinois. Then we left Illinois about 4:45pm
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
March 2007
03/02/2007 - Sent final payment to Adoption Ark ($700)
03/08/2007 - Received our Visa's in the mail.
03/14/2007 - Booked our flights to Kazakhstan, it is all official now we leave March 20th, and should finally meet our daughter March 23rd. It has been almost two years, it is so hard to believe.
03/08/2007 - Received our Visa's in the mail.
03/14/2007 - Booked our flights to Kazakhstan, it is all official now we leave March 20th, and should finally meet our daughter March 23rd. It has been almost two years, it is so hard to believe.
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