 | Jeff says:
The following picture is specifically for Mr. Jonathan Pryer. Enjoy. And please appreciate that I have
been passing this place every few days for the past couple weeks just waiting for the right instant to
snap the photo. Philipich doesn't slow down (except for red lights...and maybe for pedestrians, but only
if they're cute).
This morning, I woke up late,
got ready, and plugged in my computer. It blew the power out. Bada boom.
So I went out into
the hallway to fiddle with the fusebox. I learned a very important lesson: the fuse on the right isn't
mine. Unscrewing it to investigate its condition in an attempt to restore my own power does a very nice
job of turning off Sue Schebler's hair dryer, John Schebler's electric razor, the Schebler's
refrigerator, television, vacuum, and many other things belonging to the Scheblers. John Schebler is
much bigger than me, and used to play football (with Roger Craig!). I did not bring running shoes with
me.
Fortunately, the Scheblers have an easygoing nature and a good sense of humor. It's now
the end of the day and they haven't hurt me yet.
Today, my son was cute. Of course, that's
not much of a change from yesterday, really. I suspect he'll be cute tomorrow, too.
We played
with him this morning. Actually, all six of us played with all four of the children. They especially
had fun chasing after a big, purple, inflated ball. Misters Holton and Holm, as usual, also enjoyed
chewing on each others' toys. Alex' crawling style has developed significantly since we arrived here.
The first two days, we weren't really positive that he could crawl at all. But there is no doubt now.
When he wants something, he goes and gets it. Our outstretched legs can still create a bit of a barrier,
but I suspect this will change within a week or two.
All of us are highly cognizant of the
fact that our lives are about to change drastically. We are ponderous of what the next 72 hours will be
like. Considering how vocal we are about it, it would seem we consider it even more than wondering what
the next 18 years will be like. We worry about sleep schedules, feeding, playing, adjustment, fidgety
children on an all-night, red-eye flight (albeit in business class).
And in 72 hours, none of
it will really matter. We'll be on our way back to Almaty and that will be that.
Although we
are, of course, looking forward to bringing Alex home, we are both vocalizing that we will miss this
place. We are taking photos of random things on the street (as you see above), getting music that we've
been hearing on the radio, saying goodbye to people, and...getting used to the food. We spent lunch
today with the Scheblers and Assia [Masha took the day off], went back to Alton Dela, and ordered more
of...of...who knows what.
Actually, I do know what. I asked this morning about Uzbeki food
(since we pass an Uzbeki restaurant several times every day). Assia told me that they make something
called Plov which is rice with chunks of meat, seasoned. Sounds like pretty much every world
cuisine! So I ordered that and Dina ordered the Lagman (a korean-inspired local soup). See
photos 14 and 15. We each liked them both so much that after three bites, we traded! Yummy stuff!
In the afternoon, we arrived to find Alex in the great big multiplayer communal playpen in the
Gruppa 4 area upstairs. He saw us and excitedly began to crawl towards us. He was apparently unaware
that there was another child between us and him. Were he four, I would label it inconsiderate. But
as it stands, it looked pretty darned cute how he got stuck on the poor little fellow's head (who seemed
just as oblivious to Alex as Alex seemed to be to him) while we intervened with a rescue attempt.
Honestly, I'm not quite sure which of the two we were rescuing.
We went downstairs and Alex played with the purple ball. He tapped on it a lot. I rolled it to him and he kicked it back (with help from mommy, of course). We talked with Assia a lot about idiomatic expressions and marriage (what's the difference?), He played with his ladybug. Mommy hugged and kissed him a lot. So did I.
Then he kicked the ball some more. He really liked doing that!
I think my favorite photo of Alex ever may be the next to last one from today. I can't wait to see that smile with teeth, but for now, it will do just fine! The final photo from today is of a mural painted on the wall just outside the music room. There are four or five murals in this style painted on the interior walls of the babyhouse. They appear to portray characters from fairytales, but I sure can't identify them. One of the others looks like a big, drunk dragon with a huge trencher of ale in each hand enjoying a nice cold one on a Friday evening after work with a very young (perhaps 14-years-old) King Arthur, who has a bucketfull of his own frothy stuff. I'm at a loss.
I am on page seven of my paper. I have a theme established and I know where it is going. I have no idea how many pages it will take to finish it, but I have set myself a goal to have it completed in twelve days. This will be long after this journal is completed, of course, so most of you...will never know. The good news is that I am comfortable with the thought of balancing parenthood and school...given that there will only *officially* be a ten-day overlap between the two.
I will finally be done with school, perhaps forever.
And I will finally begin parenthood, definitely forever.
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 | Dina says:
As I start typing this entry, I can’t believe we have less than 36 hours until court. I didn’t really think the time here would go by so fast. It’s amazing how adaptable we are as humans. The first day we were here, I wasn’t sure how we’d survive in such a different environment than I was used to. You may remember early on that Jeff shared that he could live here. I thought he was nuts. I mean, I wasn’t miserable, but I certainly wanted to go home as soon as possible. Well, things change. Although, I am very happy to go home, if I had to, I could certainly learn to call this home. However, I am looking forward to stable electricity and hot water, cleaner air, and wearing a seatbelt.
Alex was adorable, as usual, today. The morning visit was fun with all the kids. I’m really going to miss our little morning playgroups. We discovered a big purple beach ball today and the boys loved it! We played with it all morning, and you’ll see it in many pictures from today. Speaking of pictures, I apologize for my lack of color coordinating Alex’s and my outfit. We were wearing two different shades of green, and it doesn’t look too pretty in the pictures. But who am I kidding? I know with a face like Alex’s, you all are not worried about our color schemes.
After our first visit, we had to come back to the apartment so Igor could fix our electrical problem that Jeff mentions (or will mention, depending on when you are reading this) in his journal for today. Assia came over so she could translate, if needed, so we invited her to lunch. We went with John and Sue and Assia to Alton Della. I had Uzbekistani food and it was fantastic. It was a very simple dish of rice and carrots and meat (beef). I think there was lots of butter in it, too. It tasted so yummy, but I forgot to ask what the name of it was. Assia ordered for us, so I don’t know what it was.
Our afternoon visit today was probably the best visit we’ve had since we’ve been here. When we went to pick up Alex, he was in his big playpen. As soon as he saw us, he started crawling towards us. And ain’t nothing was gonna get in his way. He crawled OVER another poor baby’s head to get to us. I got to him just as the baby was starting to get mad. Alex was very happy to see us; it melts me when he smiles when we get him. I got to feed him lunch today. I’m getting to be pretty good at it. He’s a very good eater and we didn’t make too much of a mess. After he was done with lunch, we went downstairs to play. We got the big purple ball out and had a great ol’ time rolling it back and forth. Toward the end, he got a little tired, so I held him and he played in my arms for a while, then cuddled into my shoulder and settled down for a nap. Pure bliss.
Dinner was at the Golden Cat tonight. We’re all feeling a little melancholy about leaving, but it’s the same thing I’ve been saying for the past several days. It’s bittersweet. We’ve really formed some great bonds with the people here, but at the same time, we can’t wait to get home and start our lives as a new family. It’s all part of the process, I guess, and for those of you who have adopted before us, you know exactly how we are feeling. We talked with the Scheblers about how important it’s going to be to keep in touch. We talked about getting together at least once a year, on the same weekend each year. It makes things easier to plan that way. I’m looking forward to staying in touch with them.
Tomorrow is really the last day we’ll have to get things done. We will buy some baby food, get our last minute shopping done, and visit the hospital where Alex was born. We won’t go in, but we’ll be able to take pictures from outside. We’re trying to gather as much as we can to share with him when he’s older. Jeff has been taking tons of photos or Uralsk. Assia thinks he’s crazy because he takes pictures of EVERYTHING. Signs, cars, billboards, buildings, gas pipes, etc. It will be nice for Alex to have an idea of where he came from and what the city looked like.
We send lots of love to all of you. You have all made this experience so much more rich than we ever imagined. We will remember this wonderful adventure for the rest of our lives. Everything that has been put on this website will be printed out and saved for Alex. I want him to know how much he was loved even before he was officially ours. So if there are any special words you have for him, please leave them in the comments section and they will be presented to him when he can understand what this is all about. Something tells me, this is going to be a “two Kleenex” day for all of us! |
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Comments for August 29
Comment from
Liz Branch | That donkey ... I'm cracking up! She looks like she is up to no good! I'm guessing the green shirt was in anticipation of a repeat of yesterday? Just kidding!! I can't believe that you guys are almost ready to leave! Isn't it amazing how the days just fly by? Bring LOTS of hankies with you when you take Alex out of the Baby House .. on second thought, forget the hankies; bring a towel!! David gets very emotional at times like that, so I, with nerves of steel, volunteered to make the "going away" speech. NO problem, I said, I NEVER cry. Well, once I looked at all these amazing women in their white coats, and knowing how much they all loved Lisa for so long before we came, I completely lost it. They were all standing around sniffling and snorting, and I was right there in the middle of it. So, even someone without an emotional bone in their body is bound to lose it. It's a very profound moment. I can't wait to hear that you have Alex with you in the apartment!! | Comment from
Dina Holton | Oh my gosh, Liz! You've got me tearing up just thinking about it! I can't even imagine the feelings we will be experiencing those last few moments as we're saying our good-byes. We will definitely bring hankies towels! | Comment from
Uncle Dan | Well, that did it. My eyeballs are about to float right out of my head. How close you are to the end of the great adventure, but down deep inside you're wanting it to not end. Uralsk has become your 'normal' and you've been very fortunate to find a comfort zone there. My family has been uprooted after developing a sense of place and feeling a sense of belonging among what were at one time alien, strange and downright bizarre circumstances. It was always saddest to leave the 'locals' with whom we'd developed a bond knowing that we'd likely never see them again. But we are still here (or wherever) and life goes on!!
After the court date Tuesday, you mentioned returning to Almaty. What happens there? Does that mean that it's all a done deal and Almaty is just a first stop on the journey home or are there additional formalities there that will require time? If you must do that additional 2 week thing, where will that be accomplished, Uralsk or Almaty?
Dina, lighten up, lady!! The greens matched just fine. Besides, who cares. If anybody is logging on to this site to check out fashions and ensembles, they should just do soak their heads!! The expressions on your faces match beautifully and that's where it's at!! I'm here to participate and to see pictures of my great nephew, in both senses of the word.
Jeff, I agree that the 'next to last' picture is among the best of many good ones of your son and heir. Who provoked that response from him? If he responded to me that way, my reaction would be simple ... I'd melt into my boots!
OK, gotta post a note to Alex so will stop this one here.
Unka D
| Comment from
Uncle Dan | Dear Alexander Jeffrey Holton:
For weeks now, I've felt that logging onto this website on a daily basis was the highlight to each day. It was!!
You are one handsome little dude and I can't wait to get my hands on you. I'm gonna goose you, tickle you, and tweak your toes until your squeals alarm your mom and dad. And if you search around, you'll probably find some candy hidden in my pockets. Hope you like Hershey's Kisses. Of course, you will like chocolate. It's one of the major food groups, you know.
Your Mom and Dad and neat folks. There is/are (pick one) more than one way to make a family. God decided that he's spare your folks morning sickness, sleepless nights, swollen ankles, hemmorhoids, and some of the other joys of biology. He decided to get the three of you together via a grand and glamorous adventure in which the whold family could participate. You will belong to all of us and you will know that you are loved more that you'll ever know. Nobody will love you like your mom and dad and that's the way is should be, but your family already knows you and smiles at the thought of you. I am looking forward to meeting you face to face so we can see each other smile. If you decide to scream the first time you see me, that'll be OK. Most kids think I'm a fright, but they always come around. Two of the nicest things you have to look forward to are Uncle Dan and puppies. --Forget about kitties - that's another story.
I envy your grandpa and grandma. You are as lucky to have them as they are to have you. I don't know your Holton grandparents, but evidence is that they are just what a lad like you needs also. They managed reasonably well with your dad. A tip to remember: When your father says "NO", go ask your grandfather!! God bless you all.
Uncle Dan, Aunt Samar, Cousins Samantha and Daniel | Comment from
Darcy McGowan | oh how exciting - you are in the home stretch.
Here are a few questions for you:
1. How do they have the baby rooms set up? I envision lots of cribs lined up against the wall. (Are you able to take a photo of this for Alex?)
2. How many babies does each caregiver take care of?
3. How are you feeling each time you give Alex back to the care of his caregiver?
4. What kind of a diet will Alex have when you get home? Do you just start him on what you would do for an American baby or do you keep on the beef/rice mixture you mentioned in an earlier post for a bit??
I've said it before, but this site is such a wonderful gift to us all....but mostly to Alex. How wonderful of you to record what his first 8 months of life was like. How neat for him to be able to see where he started. | Comment from
Karen Walton | I passed this website along to Michael Schulz as you requested. I also checked my photo album for pictures of Andy and Audra's wedding. Sure enough you were in them. Guess we did meet. But it wasn't that which gives me the feeling I know you a little bit, it is these last couple of weeks in which you have shared with us this beautiful experience of welcoming Alex into your home. As you express sadness about leaving Uralsk, I am feeling sadness that this journal will be coming to an end. This trip has been your prolonged "labor and delivery", and though it has been such a wonderful story it is really only the very beginning of everything. Take pity on those of us who have gotten to "know" you throughout this process and do give us an update from time to time. | Comment from
Pat Shikany | Dina and Jeff,
Here is a bit that my daughter-in-law says: She and our son Joe have adopted 5 children from the State of Arizona and Susan uses this saying:
For all my kids:
Not flesh of my flesh,
Nor bone of my bone,
But still Miraculously my own.
Never forget, not for a minute,
You weren't born under my heart, but in it!
I always thought that said it all.
Have a safe trip home to the three of you. | Comment from
mary evans | thinking of you all and praying for a wonderful experience in court tuesday. How happy you must be to know you'll be bringing your new son home soon. Love you lots | Comment from
Auntie Julie | Dina and Jeff,
Wow... the home stretch it is! I can't believe how quickly, yet SLOWLY, the time has passed! I most certainly can understand your bittersweet feelings. Having lived and travelled in many different locations, I know that there is always a part of you that is left behind in each place, but the good news is you will always carry so much of those places with you forever in your heart. What a truly incredible experience this has been for not only you, but all of us who love you and have been religiously following along. As always, I am keeping you in my prayers and hoping for the best in court on Tuesday, as well as for the upcoming adjustments you will soon be facing! Life is going to change drastically, but not to worry. God will take care of everything, as you have already seen and experienced. I know I don't have to tell you to trust in Him.
And now a note to my dear sweet nephew Alex,
The first thing I want to say is you are one little, blessed and lucky baby. Do you realize how many people are in love with you before they have ever even set eyes on you? What a sensation you have become amongst family, friends and strangers alike. We have all taken such delight in following along with your story.
God has given you such an amzaing and wonderful gift. He picked out for you the most generous, thoughtful, tender, sweet mother any child could ever hope for. For you he chose an amazing father who is immensely knowledgeable, talented, witty, and kind. Being the first grandchild on both sides, you are in for some serious spoiling from both sets of grandparents who are already crazy about you! And as your Auntie and Godmother, I am planning so many good times we will share together. In bringing you into our family, God has given you an unlimited abundance of love and support that will never cease, and that is just the beginning. Equally as important though Alex, God has given our family such a precious gift in you, through the joy with which you will surely enrich our lives. Our family is truly blessed and lucky to include you.
I love you all so much and may God continue to bless you always,
love,
Julie | Comment from
| wow... I'm reading these posts and crying my eyes out!
What a wonderful life this little boy has in store for him! | Comment from
Jess in MD | I'm not so great at the profound, and this first bit is more for Dina and Jeff than Alex. It's one of the poems that we used in Hannah's baby book, adapted slightly. (My to our, mother to parents, etc.) The original author is Jill Work, copyright 1998.)
Our child,
We carried you in our hearts
before you were even born
And dared to dream
that you were real.
Our child,
We carried your picture with us
since the day we received it,
And dared to love
a child we were yet to meet.
Our child,
We carried you in our arms at last,
and gazed in helpless wonder
at your face,
And dared to lose
our hearts to you.
And now, our child,
a dream fulfilled,
a prayer answered,
a family created,
We have dared to become
parents.
And so now,
our precious child,
We shall carry you
home.
Specifically to Alex,
Little guy, your world is about to change pretty drastically. If you get scared, just hang on to your mom and dad. They'll be there for you, now and forever. People might say, when they hear that you were adopted, that you're lucky to be in such a wonderful family. While I agree, you can always say right back to them, "My family is lucky to have me!" There are so many different ways to make a family, and none of them is any better or worse than others, but one thing you will always know is how very much your parents wanted to have you in their lives. | Comment from
Nana Nina | I must admit, I'm sort of speechless (or maybe it's breathless?) today. The time, which I thought would pass most slowly, has flown by. I do agree with the previously expressed opinions that we humans adapt quite quickly to changed circumstances, and it becomes as though we'd always lived that way. For instance, why do we need large homes with multiple possessions and two-car garages and storage sheds, when we can vacation for 3 weeks out of one suitcase and a carry-on? Why can't we always live as simply?
Gramps and I are so looking forward to the day when the three of you arrive home. We've grown to love this little man called Alexander Jeffrey Holton, whom we've never seen, but have even been blessed to hear, through the wonders of modern technology. That near to the last photo on today's collection just about broke my heart. Alex ~ you are a very blessed child, to have so many folks who love you so. Love is like a blanket around your precious little self, and love is the answer to so many of life's challenges. Take comfort and shelter in that love as you grow and mature and become an all-American boy and then a man; and know that although you didn't start your life as part of our family, by the time you arrive in the United States and are hugged by your grandparents and aunties (and other assorted relatives, of course), you will definitely be part of our family forever. Welcome.
As to the donkey ~ perhaps they hired an itinerant artist who was from another culture to paint the pictures? That would explain why they're not explainable. Personally, I think it's a little scary ~ although, of course, so are the monsters in Where The Wild Things Are.
We're praying and looking forward to your phone call tonight. | Comment from
Uncle Dan | Dear Jeff, Dina, and family,
It's the 30th, but nothing is up yet so I'm trying to survive by coming back here, reading the posts, and rereading the journal, but it's like the second cup of tea from the same tea-bag. I'll also check out the pictures again. That'll put a little back-bone in the brew.
Another day ticked off!! One one hand, it seems like the fime has flown, but on the other, I can't remember not having these journals to brighten up my days. I'm going to miss our adventure here.
I'm excited to know that the final signatures on the last documents are near and the last coupons in the air-ticket are about to be used! If I'm so excited, the senior Holtons and the Khanachets must be about lose bladder control!! They'll probably go to the airport a day early because they're so hyper!
Jeff: It's still not to late to add 'spell-check' to this section. I just reread my last post and it's embarrasing - I think I just did it again.
Love you guys,
Unka D | Comment from
Theresa Wolinski | I have loved the pictures of Alexander with you both. He seems to really love you both. I am so excited for you both. I can't believe that time has passed so quickly. So tommorrow is the big day, good luck with the judge and I can't wait to see ALL in Vegas. Have a safe trip back and remember, everyone misses you back home and can't wait to see you.
P.S. Dina-Crystal is going with me to the unit meeting tonight to see what Nicole's meetings are like. We have rescheduled our coffee interview for this Thursday. I am very optimistic :) | Comment from
susan vogel | Well, my dear ones, Alex is almost officially yours. The dream that was in your hearts almost fully realized...we are so excited for you all and eagerly await the time when we can embrace you all and welcome Alex into our circle of love.
Susan & Ron & Ashley | Comment from
Ammo Ramzi | Julie.. You could not put it more beautifully.!
Jeff and Dina.. You have performed a true Miracle by
touching everyone's heart by making Alex part of our
daily life.
As for Alex, my goodness what can I say!!
You have graced everyone of us with a touch of joy.
Even I, who hardly writes find myself writing and talking
to you as if I have known all my life.
Your lucky parents performed the ultimate generosity
of let us all share in your love, your smiles,your burps,your ---- and your naps.
and you know
| Comment from
Theo Nick and Thea Evonne | Dear Jeff, Dina and Alex - You are always in our thoughts and prayers. We hope everything goes your way in court and that you will soon be with us again. We are all looking forward to meeting Alex in person real soon. Love from the Yfantis' |
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