 | Jeff says:
Three poopy diapers today have left the voice of Boris Karloff reverberating in my head...
The three words that best describe you
Are as follows (and I quote)
Stink! Stank! Stunk!
It's a good thing he's cute!
They told us at the baby house that one "movement" per day is normal. Either they lied, or I got a turbocharged edition of the latest model.
I'm not asking for a recall, of course. (With apologies to Floridians for using the word "recall" so close to November. And with double apologies to Floridians for implying that they're concerned right now about something so trivial as ballots.)
Alex' medical appointment today went very well. He loved the nurse (Kazak, of course) who weighed and measured him. We confirmed that he's gained about a pound and a half since we met him. I believe Dina will share the exact figures, maybe even in pounds and inches for those of us who haven't woken up to the simplicity and elegance of the metric system yet. The nurse's English was pretty good until the end, when she said something like, "Dr. Irina will call you in shortly. She is Russian doctor and she does of the good English."
Right.
Of course, I'm sure her English was a heck of a lot better than my Russian! I haven't mentioned the number of times in the past few weeks that I've intended to say, "I don't understand Russian," but used the wrong verb tense and accidentally said the imperative command, "You are NOT to understand Russian!"
Capice?
In any case, Alex had fallen asleep in the waiting area (after receiving a kiss on the lips from fellow adoptee of a few days ago, Kai Taylor). He woke up to the sensation of a large plastic examination tool (of the familiar type) invading his ear. Poor kid. And poor us! Dr. Irina said, "This ear is fine. The other ear needs to be cleaned."
Her bedside manner was fantastic, honestly. She was friendly and personable and treated him gently, kindly, and sweetly. It was just the tone of voice of that particular line that made me think she was treating him like a car or something. "This tire is fine. But you can already see the belts on the other one."
How do you clean an ear? I think cleaning a tushie is easier. Unka Dan, I'm sure you could describe this in your eloquence in 15 simple steps. There's gotta be a way.
Anyway, she gave him the infantile equivalent of the turn-your-head-to-the-side-and-cough examination. The poor guy wailed like a banshee, the kind of cry that takes his normal cry and adds the pitiful warble so you really KNOW he's not enjoying this. Mommy soothed him. I just stood there, sorta catatonic, trying to decide if Dina was creating a mama's boy or if I should rather take the doctor outside and punch her in the mouth.
I opted for...neither. Dina did the right thing. So did the doctor. So did I by just standing there, I guess.
Dr. Irina also reviewed his original diagnosis and suggested that the most alarming portions of it probably have no basis in fact. In short, the doctor who reviewed his case at birth likely took a "better safe than sorry" attitude and assumed the worst in some areas. This is wonderful news for us, of course, not that we assumed there were any problems. She just confirmed our positive suspicions with positive confirmation, or at least near-confirmation. (This journal will of course be over when we take him in for the full safety inspection physical in a week or so.)
We also went today to buy rugs. Sasha brought us to "a friend," for whom we had to wait in the car for about ten minutes in a run-down parking lot in a run-down area of town. He eventually led us up a set of run-down stairs in a run-down apartment building which he explained was actually one of the more expensive buildings in town. Interesting. So the guy had a two room apartment (with a kitchen that seemed more like an afterthought, an appendix to a book that wasn't even finished anyway) and a living room with a bureau, three chairs, and a stack of turkmen and kazak rugs in the corner that was probably worth about $20,000. We picked two. it took a while. Alex got excited about a couple of them, so we took his advice under consideration. The quality of the turkmen rugs is significantly higher, but the traditional kazak rugs are very unique, and besides, it's his people. So we got one of each.
We leave this apartment in about 24 hours. I can't believe the trip is almost over. In a sense, this is absolutely not anti-climactic. Those of you who study literature know quite well that the climax of this trip took place on the morning of August 31, and we are well into the denouement at this point in time. But even the denouement is to reach its conclusion shortly.
Tomorrow we will go to the mountains, from whence we shall have one last look at Almaty. Then we will pack, and then we will be home.
We will post as possible. My plan is to post tomorrow as usual (perhaps a tad early), and then, if possible, on the way home when we stop in Frankfurt, but in any case, late PM California time on Wednesday.
According to Weather Underground, the current conditions in Almaty are "smoke." That's one I've never seen before. |
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 | Dina says:
I can’t believe that tomorrow is our last day in Kazakhstan. As I reflect, it feels like it went by so incredibly fast, but at the same time, I think about the first few days in Uralsk, and that feels like a lifetime ago. We will remember this trip for the rest of our lives. We have created wonderful memories and are so glad that we documented them so we can share it all with Alex when he is older. I can’t wait to get started on his memory album for this trip.
This morning, around 9:30, we were all relaxing in the bedroom when we heard the doorbell ring. I got up and asked who it was. The voice said “Sasha”. I thought to myself, why is Sasha here at 9:30 in the morning? He usually calls in the mornings to see what we want to do that day. So he rang again, and I asked again who it was, and he said “Sasha, Sasha”. I made Jeff go open the door because I was always told never to open the door to anyone we weren’t expecting, and I wasn’t sure if it was really Sasha. Then Jeff asked who it was, and he said, “It’s Sasha, Jeff”. So Jeff opened the door and as it turns out, Sasha thought our medical appointment at the international clinic was at 10 AM. We were told it was at 4 PM, so Sasha called the adoption office, and sure enough, he got the time confused. You can’t blame him, though. WPA has fourteen families in Almaty right now. They’re either coming or going or staying here. So we got it all sorted out and asked Sasha to come pick us up later in the day.
First, we went to the Lufthansa office to purchase Alex’s ticket. It was only $150.00 for the lap fare. Not bad at all. Then we went to purchase some rugs from a man that Sasha knows. Sasha said he has some of the best prices in Almaty. We ended up getting a large traditional Kazakh rug and a medium sized Turkmen rug. We didn’t really “need” two rugs, but we got a better price when we purchased two, of course. The Kazakh rug was initially $550, and the Turkmen rug was $350. We asked Sasha what a fair price would be. Sasha talked to the guy really fast in Russian, and then he said we could have both for $700. We thought that was a fair deal, so accepted. We were so glad that Sasha was there because he helped point out better quality rugs and what to look for in designs and such. Not to mention how he also helped us bargain down the price. He has been so much help to us this week!
We were intending to drive up to the mountains today, but by the time we were done with our other errands, we didn’t have time to go and still be back for our medical appointment at 4. So Sasha dropped us off at our apartment, and poor Jeff had to drag two heavy carpets up three flights of stairs. I got the better end of the deal and got to carry Alex, the diaper bag, and the Snugli. We fed Alex, put him down for a quick nap, then were off again for our next stop. The medical clinic is more of a formality than anything else. It is required to have this checkup before we are allowed to leave the country. We arrived and the Taylors were in the lobby. We sat down and April was holding Kai and I was holding Alex and we were sitting next to each other. I asked Kai for a kiss, and he leans over, mouth open wide and plants a slobbery kiss right on my face. He really latches on, too! Then he looks at Alex, and leans into him and kisses him right on the lips! Boy oh boy, do April and I have some serious blackmail material to use when they are older! We’ve posted photos of this for your enjoyment!
First, Alex was seen by the nurse, and she took his weight and height measurements. Alex weighs in at 8.1 kg, which is about 19 pounds. He’s 70 cm long, which is about 27.5 inches. I think this is a bit small, but we’re keeping in mind that he was only 5 pounds and 18 inches long when he was born. What a little peanut! After Alex saw the nurse (who he flirted with, of course), we went back into the waiting room to wait for the doctor to call us in. Alex was really tired, and fell asleep within a few minutes. A few minutes later, the doctor called us in, and did a very basic once-over on him. Poor thing was woken up by her and a little scared. He didn’t mind the ear probe that much. He got really upset when we laid him down and took his pants and diaper off (wouldn’t you?). She checked his throat, poked around on his belly, and bent his legs all around. She said he looked great to her. So $75 later, we’re almost ready to come home!
We came home, and immediately put Alex down for a nap at 5:00. He didn’t fuss at all, and was out in about 30 seconds. He slept for a good two hours. Poor baby was so tired! I was pretty tired, myself, and slept right along with him. Jeff got Alex up at 7 and fed him and played with him for an hour, and then we put him back to bed at 8. I rocked him and sang to him for about 10 minutes to calm him down. That is one of my favorite parts of the day, as he’s settling down for the night. And no, it isn’t because I’m about to get some free time, it’s because he’s so sweet and beautiful and cuddly. And also, I missed out on some cuddle time today. He’s been sleeping peacefully since then. We love going in to check on him and see his sweet baby face asleep. Every night, he wakes up around midnight, and I rock him while Jeff prepares a bottle. I hold him while Jeff holds the bottle. He’s just so darned cute when he’s all groggy and sleepy.
We’ve started organizing and packing everything. Mom and Dad, and Mike and Nina, I hope you are coming with EMPTY trunks! We’re going to have lots of luggage! It’s almost time, and we can’t wait to see you guys at the airport!
Lots of love to all of you, and we will be home soon! |
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Comments for September 6
Comment from
Katherine | Alex,
America and all your relatives are eager for your arrival to your new homeland!
A safe trip!
PS I hope I get a little flirting from you when I meet you! | Comment from
Laura & Paul | We hope you have a safe and easy trip home. Enjoy introducing your son to all of your family and friends.
Best wishes,
Laura & Paul | Comment from
Pat Shikany | Dina and Jeff, thank you so much for this journal, I feel like you are part of my family, and loved it from beginning to end. Have a safe trip home I know your family is waiting for you.
Alex, you are one lucky young man, to have wonderful parents and wonderful grandparents who love you so much.
Welcome to America, and welcome to California!!!!! | Comment from
Julianna | I love the kissy photos! The one with Kai is one for the year book!! :)
Can't wait to meet you, Alex!
-Julianna | Comment from
Francesca (from LJ) | Dina, Jeff, and Alex--
Praying that you will have a safe trip home as you return to the arms and hearts of your family in the United States.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I hope that you will keep posting so I can see how the next chapter of your lives--home!--unfolds!
All my best,
Francesca from Minnesota | Comment from
Vikki | Jeff, all I can say is be glad they now have the diapers with the gathers around the legs. They didn't exist when Jamie was little! Need I say more, or can I create a visual for you!!! Oh diaper changing is so much fun!( or should I say, diaper, and clothes, and bedspread...etc...etc... ) :) But...I have to say, it created such wonderful memories :)
Hope you all have a great, safe, relaxing trip home! See you soon! Vikki | Comment from
Yiayia Connie | Hi guys, we missed you so much this weekend, we were lucky enough to get to look at the internet, a couple of times so we did see your pictures, but we missed talking.
The picturesof the babies together are adorable, It is funny how they both have learned to kiss already. I hope he will give one to Yiayia before too long. Did you say the other day that you found hin standing in his crib??? I told you it would't be long. Has he done it again? Boy his physical development is soaring day by day. It will be so fun to watch his learning curve in the next months.
We are counting the hours now for your return, needl4ess to say, we can't wait. Love and kisses to the three of you.
Mom | Comment from
Aunt Janet Holton | Safe travel, have fun, enjoy the closeness of your beautiful son.
I agree Dina, 19 lbs does seem small. Your pediatrician will have a wonderful growth chart to plot his length and weight. And if he has gained since you've been together think how much more when he's truly home.
God bless you all richly.
Aunt Janet | Comment from
Karen Walton | They come in all sizes. I read that Alex was 19 lbs. and immediately thought to myself "Wow, he's big!" My fifteen month old is weighing in at 18 lb. 10 oz. And she was nearly 8 lb. when she was born.
I think I have mentioned it before, but I will say again that I really will miss these daily peeks into your lives. I have enjoyed this story so much and wish you much joy. We will pray for your safety during your long trip and a joyous adjustment to your new lives at home. | Comment from
Nana Nina | Our trunk will be empty, and our hearts will be full! | Comment from
Thea Evonne | We just returned this afternoon from PML and I just got caught up on all your journals. You have had an incredible trip with lots of memories i'm sure. Im glad that you will be coming home now. Have a comfortable safe trip. Alex sounds like a real trouper. We are all looking forward to meeting Alex and seeing you again. Kisses to you all.
Love Thea Evonne | Comment from
Melanie | Well, he's not THAT small! Mabry weighed in at 21 pounds and 77 inches long the other week (6.5 months) and she was off the chart. I'd say Alex is PERFECT!!!! |
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