Rasberrys are a big hit!

Lots of pictures today! (You're welcome Mom) I managed to get as close to a smile as I seem able with the camera stuck in his face! The days are very much "Groundhog Day" like (for those of you who have not seen the movie -- Bill Murray gets stuck having his days repeated over and over again).

We ended somewhat early because we had a short discussion with Dr. Natalia regarding court (date still to be determined).

Jackson definately naps from 11a - Noon, and eats at Noon. Today he took the first half of his bottle while he was still sleeping -- definatly all man!

Paka, Paka (bye, bye) from Kokshetau

Kristi

Meeting Dr Natalia

Today was our 4th visit with the baby's. We visit each day from 10am to Noon, and each day we visit, the 2 hours becomes even more short!

I was able to visit today with Dr. Natalia. She is the head doctor at the Maternity Hospital here, and also our coordinator for court.

When she walked in today, Jackson was asleep on my shoulder (it's looking like he naps each day from 11am to Noon when he gets a bottle), and she said "what a beautiful picture".

She reviewed his medical history with me while he slept, and I was able to ask her some questions to clarify. Jackson woke up towards the end of our visit, and I was able to snap a picture with Dr. Natalia and him together.

I found out today that Dr.Natalia gave Jackson his birth name, which is Beibol. It is a Kazak name which means "big man" -- very fitting don't you think!!



One more picture for today. This was actually taken yesterday during our tour of town. There is a large lake on the edge of town were locals go to ice fish. Below you can see them with there tents out on the lake waiting for the days catch. If it looks like it's freezing, that's because it was!!

Can you fall in love in 2 days?

I don't know how else to say it -- he's perfect in every way! Beibol (AKA Jackson) is very curious about everything around him. I haven't been able to get many pictures of him smiling because he just becomes enthralled with the camera whenever he sees it!



Jackson's primary care giver is pictured with him below. Her name is Helen.


We took a long tour of the city today, and saw many things. One is the mosque below. It is a newer mosque that is built on the outskirts of the city. Kokshetau is a beautiful city - much larger than I expected it would be. Here are some pics from our tour today...

Our 2nd Date -- and Jackson brought a girlfriend!

Today was even better than yesterday! Nothing but giggles and squeels! We visit once a day from 10am - Noon, and get to give them their lunch time bottles right before we leave.

I'm saying we, because we share out visits with another family who is there to adopt their little girl. She obviously has a thing for Jack as you can see from the picture below!



I found out on my first visit that we will need to bring a change of clothes each day. In addition, Jack's a big guy -- I'm guessing he's right at about 19 pounds, so the clothes I brought are none too big! We'll be able to go shopping on Monday to see if I can find a few more things.

He is extremely happy, and very curious about everything around him. He doesn't seem to be crawling yet, but it's clear he will be mobile soon!

Well, more news tomorrow!

Big Guy With Red Cheeks!

No reason to keep everyone waiting! Here he is!! And look at those cheeks! I suspect he has an allergy to milk, but the doctor did not seem concerned, and he's as happy as can be!

It has been a very long emotional day, so I'm going to leave you all with the picture below, and I promise I'll provide more details tomorrow!

Paka Paka from Kokshetau!

December 9, 2004

I arrived safely in Kazakhstan at about 11:30 pm last night. Both legs of my Lufthansa flight (ATL to Frankfurt, and Frankfurt to Almaty) were outstanding, although long! The first leg was about 8 hours, followed by a 4 hour layover, and then a 7 hour flight to Kazakhstan.The temperature is pleasant here in Almaty (I'm guessing 40 degrees F), but will get much colder as we head to Kokshetau. One of the women at the office today said "It's really Siberia" -- woo hoo!!! For those of you wondering how my foot is doing since my fall of the ladder the day before I left, here are 2 words -- nothing's broken! I managed to get into the doctor on the 6th, they took a couple of xrays, and could not find any broken bones -- just a very bad contusion, so it's purple, but it's all in one piece! It did bother me during the flight over, but today it is much better -- shouldn't be an issue after a week or so.I did go to my agencies offices here in Almaty today. The people there are fantastic. I spent most of the time with Gulzhan (she is a lawyer), who is pleasant, and very very funny!I will meet some WPA friends tonight for dinner at Mad Murphy's Irish Pub (yes, that's right -- irish pub!), and then will leave tomorrow afternoon for Kokshetau where I will meet Jackson!Please check back on the 10th after Noon or so, and you should be able to see out first picture together!Until Tomorrow!Kristi

December 6, 2004

Well -- less than 24 hours to go! (actually 23.5 hours -- but who's counting!!). Surreal only begins to describe the way I fell when I realize that I leave tomorrow! I'm packed (thanks Mom) and I'm ready!Here's one for those of you that know my ever amazing level of coordination....yesterday morning, 8 foot ladder, me -- about 1/2 way up -- and then a beautiful slow motion fall straight to the nice hard cement garage floor!! I was certain that I'd broken my foot, but the doctor today told me that everything still appears to be in one piece -- a doozy of a contusion to the arch and the top of my foot -- but no broken bones to be found on either xray film!So! Can you believe it? Me either!! I'm fine though -- sore, but fine. So tomorrow afternoon, I leave ATL for Frankfurt, Germany and then I am off to Almaty, Kazkhstan where I will arrive slightly before midnight on the 8th.I may post from an internet cafe in Frankfurt and/or Almaty, but you more than likely won't hear from me until the 10th or 11th after my first meeting with Jackson!