 | Jeff says:
We interrupt this broadcast to
give a HUGE message of gratitude to my amazing in-laws. My
sister-in-law, Ms. Julie Reid, and my mother- and father-in-law,
Connie and Fawaz Khanachet, provided on-site technical assistance and
hardware resets when I was 14,000 miles from on-site, just so we could
get this site back up and running for your reading and perusing
pleasure!
MEGAKUDOS TO YOU!
And apologies to the
rest of you for the downtime. Let this be a reminder to y'all that
whenever things are free, you always get what you pay
for. |
New DMV rules...
Green
means go. Red means stop. Yellow means
caution.
Yellow and red together mean...GET THE
PEDESTRIANS!!
Star Wars fans, take note: the
Russian word for dog is sabaka. Coincidence? I think
not. Woof. (It also causes Spaceballs to make a lot more
sense! "I'm a mawg!")
Today, some things happened.
Hopefully, that phrase will make those of you with small children, or
those of you who remember having small children, laugh. The rest of
you can just scratch your heads in bewilderment. Just wait your turn,
people.
For one, we attempted to put Alex in a
SnugliTM. A Snugli is a wonderful contraption for placing
a baby of nearly either [sic] size in your choice of front or back,
and either facing your body, or facing away from your body. By
unzipping, clipping, and looping through straps, you can select
whichever method is most comfortable for you and your child, until he
changes his mind, or ten minutes is up, whichever comes first. To
configure it in any of these eight arrangements, it includes instructions with only 26,437 simple steps that require only you, a friend, a significant portion of the California National Guard, and most of the contortion team from the Cirque du Soleil. The end result, if you are not careful, is something that resembles a combination of a daycare center, a Pablo Picasso painting, and images Stephen King probably sees all the time just before waking up.
To make a long story short, I'm pretty sure that we did it wrong. Alex seemed okay with it anyway. We'll try again later. Hopefully the Kazakh Army will do in a pinch in place of the National Guard, and the borderline between contortionists and translators (especially these translators,..you gotta see them!) is probably fine enough.
Advance copies of select chapters of Stephen King's Snugli should be available on his website shortly.
We also gave Alex a frozen teething ring for the first time today. Rather than demonstrate its complex operation, we just let him have at it and figure out what to do with it. He was extremely amused. He spent ten or fifteen minutes pounding it on the floor. He seemed very keen on the density, the rigidity, and the resultant knocking noise. We suspect that he may graduate to Teething Rings 201: Inserting Between Gums sometime in the next few weeks. Personally, I'm quite impressed, and given the intensity of his fervor knocking it against the floor, plan to put him to work on home construction projects immediately after we return. In fact, maybe I'll just have him assemble his own freakin' baby gates (see first entry).
Alex continues to demonstrate an aptitude for reading. We gave him a new book this morning, a nice soft book about ocean animals. We read it to him twice, and he just ate it up. No, really. He ate it up. We assume he likes seafood.
Today he returned back to the earlier established pattern where he's pretty passive and indifferent in the morning. But this afternoon, he was the happiest, giggliest I've yet seen him. Except for banging the teething ring around, we spent the entire time just sitting on the floor, tickling and kissing and laughing and squealing. It was most fun. I want to do more of this.
Also, Assia wasn't feeling well this afternoon, so her younger sister filled in. Alia is also studying to be a translator. She's three years behind her older sibling, but her confidence level and personality are similar (not to mention her appearance!). We put a couple pics on here of her interacting with Alex at the end of our afternoon session today. He loves her! I have already given them my blessing.
Additionally, the second picture in today's set is one of my new favorites. The backlighting was unintentional, but gives it a sort of Saint-Alexander-of-Uralsk-free-bonus-halo effect. Man, I knew he was a good kid, but WOW!
Several questions have been asked in the past couple days which compel me to share a bit of how this process works, or at least, in theory, how it is intended to work. On August 31 (hypothetically), Dina and I will appear before a local judge, with our interpreter, to petition our case to adopt Alex. This process has been known to take anywhere from about thirty minutes tops, down to about four minutes for a particularly busy or overbooked judge. At this appearance, we will request that the two-week waiting period be waived and that "immediate execution" be granted. The judge will probably take several minutes to decide our case, and then will call us back into the room to announce his or her decision.
Ms. Pearson, to my shame, I had to have Dina explain to me why you referred to yourself as the 913-year-old lady the other day in a comment. I am apparently somewhat dim-witted. Dina has also been translating for me yet again today in the car with Philipiche, which continues to be interesting for the fact that she has never taken Russian, and claims not to understand a word of it. Nonetheless, in my memory, you will never be a day older than dyevitsot. You look great for your age! I also meant to tell you on the first day that I thought of you as we passed over--or at least near--Voronezh on the way from Frankfurt to Almaty. Finally, I'm sure Joe can give the final word on this, but I'm pretty sure that "Tian" is the Chinese word for "God" in the same sense that Christian Arabs use the word "Allah" or we use the word "God." I doubt the ancient Greeks would call us all pagans because we say "God" instead of "Theos." When I worried that it meant "Wind of God," I was more concerned about the potentiality of intestinal aftermath.
Having nothing to do with that, where's your mom? I haven't seen her comments on here, or at least not for a couple days.
Finally, since we mentioned yesterday's trip to the "Patriotic War" pamyatnik (that's a memorial, folks), I have posted a picture of the bronze cast of Mr. Volkov. Compare that to today's photo of Philipiche to see the resemblance. Begging pardon for the contemporary sunglasses, it's quite striking.
I am being redundant, but I really need to thank my in-laws again for their help. As I post this, it is now 3am, Uralsk time. I stayed up only to make sure that things were back up and running. They took time out of the middle of their afternoons to get things reset on my boxes at home. Without that, you all wouldn't be reading this right now.
Goodnight.
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 | Dina says:
When we went to pick up Alex today, all of the babies were in the main room again. A couple were getting fed, A.J. Schebler was getting a massage, and the rest of the babies were in the big playpen, Alex, included. Alex was the farthest away from the door, and we could see him playing with one of the toys hanging over the giant playpen. As soon as he saw us, his little head popped up and we saw his huge brown eyes staring at us. It is so great that he recognizes us now! After a few moments, his caregiver picked him up, fed him, and handed him to us. We took him to the changing room, rescued him from his fashion emergency, and he was all smiles. You will see one of my favorite pictures from the whole week in our photographs from today. I think you'll know which one I'm talking about. I don’t realize how much I miss him each day until I see him in the morning and have to spend a few moments showering him with hugs and kisses. He’s always happy to oblige me. What a sweet guy!
The morning visit wasn’t any different than the other days. We just fall more and more in love each day we see him. He is such a special baby and we feel so blessed to be able to be his parents, and can’t wait for the day in a couple weeks when he’ll officially be ours.
Lunch was spent in the apartment since it was pretty hot and we weren’t up to hiking all over Uralsk today. When we went for our second visit, as we stopped to pick up Assia, we realized that the young woman waiting for us, looked like her, but wasn’t her! She sent her younger sister, Alia, to cover for her today. Apparently, Assia had a headache and needed to rest. It’s pretty convenient that her sister was able to cover for her. Alia is extremely sweet and we enjoyed spending time with her. Alex enjoyed seeing her, as well. It was really cute to watch him stare at her. He was so confused! They look alike and talk alike, but he could tell it wasn’t her! He is a very smart and observant baby!
We came back to the apartment and relaxed until dinnertime. We went to Kamelot again and saw ”Theo Costa’s twin” again. Too bad we didn’t have our camera with us. Maybe now that they’ve seen us there a few times, they won’t think it’s weird if we want to take a picture of him. We’ll try again.
After dinner, we came to the apartment only to find out that our website was down! You’ve probably already read Jeff’s post from today, so you’ll know all the details by now. We are so glad it’s up and running again, and we know you are too!
Please enjoy the photos from both today and yesterday, and we look forward to reading all of your comments, as usual. We love you all!
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Comments for August 18
Comment from
Nana Nina | Many many thanks to the Khanachet/Reid part of the clan for all their hard work this morning.
But don't forget the exhausting work on the part of all of us who waited PAATIENTLY for this work to be done. I would liken it to the surgery waiting room in any average hospital. I sat here at my computer ignoring the increasingly alarming pile of papers on my desk, and tried to access the website ~ oh ~ I guess an average of about once every 5 to 6 minutes all morning. And I bet others did, too!
No, all kidding aside, I'm very grateful to Fawaz, Connie, and Julie. Thank U Thank U Thank U. And spacebo (Jeff, be sure to correct my spelling).
The photos today are just delightful. Alex's personality is certainly apparent. I'd have loved to have seen him banging the teething ring on the floor. Did you capture it on tape? or film? or whatever the current process is where people move on command in whatever room the TV happens to be in? And tell me, do you suppose he's so good-natured all the time, or do they time the visits to take advantage of his good nature. Logically, it would seem, he's just as much on trial as you two are, isn't he?
Good work with the Snugli (you insert the trademark). Do you have a stroller for older Nanas to push? | Comment from
Auntie Julie | The pictures today (especially the 3rd one) PROVE that this baby is meant to be in our family. He even has the Khanachet FIVE-head! :-)
Seriously though, I am so glad we were able to get the site back up and running. I was suffering from some serious withdrawl effects already.
love you guys!
Julie | Comment from
Tsahm B. | I am so tired. But I only have 431 pages left to read! Thanks for staying up with me, even if it was 12 hours earlier for you! | Comment from
Thea Evonne | I wondered what was going on -- now I know. | Comment from
Joanna | Welcome back! | Comment from
Susan | I have given up hope of ever being the first to leave you a message here! You know half the time I just cheat anyway and send you direct emails. Glad to see the site up and running again...you know you have to keep this up every day for the rest of your lives for those of us who are addicted, right? :-)
Send a picture of Olga's baby too if you have a chance!
Susan | Comment from
Deltamiss | Prayerwarrior posted earlier this afternoon that she couldn't access the web site. I almost went into dts! Thank goodness for knowledgeable realtives!
My favorite picture from today's offering is the one where Alex is obviously falling over from a sitting position. The expression on his face is PRICELESS! | Comment from
Julianna | Thank you Julie, Connie and Fawaz! What ever would we have done with out you? How many clumps of hair would have been pulled out? How many nails would have been bitten to the quick?! Luckily I was able to keep myself busy today and didn't check the website 1000 times, which I would have had I been around. :)
-Julianna | Comment from
Ms. Pearson | Looks like I chose the right day to take a hiatus from checking in on the computer several times a day. I did notice the site was down, but at least I wasn't frustrated for hours waiting for more news from you guys.
Jeff, I got a great laugh over your "dim wit" (you said it first!) concerning the age issue. I had been wondering how long it would take you to notice. Thanks, Dina, for enlightening him.
Regarding the Chinese word for God - Joe tells me that the word he has always heard/used is "Shen" - pronounced /shun/. He admits that there could be an alternate word of which he is not aware and suggested checking with his younger sister for confirmation.
I need not remind you of the obvious significance of the date you are to see the judge, but would like to add that that is the same date my parents took custody of 2 of my sisters (while I was in the hospital, of course) 6 years ago - a great date indeed! My folks, by the way are at a dude ranch in New York this week.
You know, I'm thinking that I ought to adopt Alex ...not as a son, of course... maybe as a nephew or something. With your permission, of course.
Tell Alex to give American girls a chance, alright? I do have a couple daughters, you know!
| Comment from
Yiayia Connie | whew, so glad we got this thing running again. We were so disappointed this morning when we found out that the site was down. But thanks to jeff's brilliant computer skills, and our ability to get over to their house, we came home this afternoon to find the pictures here. What a treat. He just gets cuter and cuter everyday. I think my favorites today are the first one where Dina is kissing him while he is beint changed...so very cute, and my other fave is the one where he is doing fish lips, I think he is getting the "cousin's" talent hereexcept he is not cross eyed
the snugli is funny. He looks kind of surprised like "What am I suposed to do now?" Maybe he would be more comfortable facing you. I don'g know you need to get advice from parents who are more current with newer apparatus. Anyway I have no doubt you will figue it out.
Love to you all,
Yiayia | Comment from
Jeddo Fawaz | I would have learned from scratch computer programming for the space shuttle, just to get the website back on the air. Seriously, our anticipation for every day's posting and photographs is as intense as waiting for Julie and Dina to be born. Bravo again on your prose - both of you, and the sublime photos and the incredible range of Alex's expressivness!! He is BRILLIANT!!!!! And Very SWEET!!
May the Lady Theotokos keep her eye on you and protect you. We'll talk soon. All my love to the three of you. | Comment from
Thea Diane | OK. I finally figured out what is happening. I just started looking at your website today and couldn't wait any longer. I have skipped ahead (will go back and read everything) so I could let you know how thrilled and excited we are for you. What an experience and thank you so much for sharing everything with us. I am going to cheat after this and go to look at the pictures. I can't wait to see and read everything. We are sooo happy for you. What a blessing from God. Two people couldn't deserve it more. Can't wait to meet Alex and give him hugs and kisses. Love to you all. | Comment from
Thea Diane | Oh sweet baby. God bless. | Comment from
Mairesue | He's adorable. I love the most recent pictures because you see all those different faces. The many faces of Alexander. I am glad that you are enjoying your time in Kazakhstan and getting to know Alexander's birth home.
Your in our prayers. | Comment from
Cutie π | Did y'all see what my mother-in-law said there?
"But thanks to jeff's brilliant computer skills, and our ability to get over to their house, we came home this afternoon to find the pictures here. What a treat. He just gets cuter and cuter everyday."
I'm pretty sure that she MEANT Alex, but it sure looks like she's talking about me! :)
(Thanks, Connie.) | Comment from
Vikki | Ditto, ditto, ditto.....he gets cuter and cuter every day and you can really see how happy he is....each day he looks more and more comfortable with you two. What a doll! | Comment from
Darcy McGowan | no website....no website.... total panic! Thanks to your inlaws from me as well! :)
I bet that was a happy moment when he saw you from the playpen - how lovely!
He is truly adorable - I think he is the most beautiful baby boy I have ever seen (I can say this because I have the most beautiful baby girls!) | Comment from
Jenn | Official word on "Tian" - it does mean heavenly, but is often used with the word for Lord: /zu/ or something of the sort. Hope that makes sense; it certainly explains why you associated it (quite naturally) with God. | Comment from
Jeff | Not that I'm much of a Chinese scholar, but I was also under the impression that "Tien," "Chen," and "Shen" were all transliterations of the same word. Perhaps "Tsen" as well.
Confucius say: Man who fart in church sit in his own pew.
I guess that's funnier when it's spoken... | Comment from
Lana | red and yellow?! Man that's awesome I hope that happens when I start driving...seems I left my permit in Cali...anyways Alex seems to be quite the intelligent one and will give me a run for my money!!! Haha! still so so so excited for you guys...I can't get ovr how quickly the time has gone by!!
Jeff you dropped the Y bomb again! You do me proud! =D
Talk to ya'll soon!<3
xo Lana xo |
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