First Doctors Appointment

Did I say I was only going to post once a week? Hmmm....Today was Jacksons first doctors appointment, and despite the 5 shots, and 2 blood draws (1 which was aborted and will be repeated again TOMORROW), he handled like a trooper!!!Dr. Glisson was wonderful, and gave Jack a clean bill of health (pending blood work)! Jackson even smiled at the poor nurse who had to stick him 5 times!

1. He's telling Grammy -- "This is fun -- what do you mean be brave?"

2. Hmm....two people holding me down....uh oh....3. BIG Uh oh!! 5 shots later...

4. and finally....he's had enough. I left him with Mimi and ran to the bathroom -- this is what I found when I got back... Jackson fought the law, and the law won ;-)

More Than I Ever Imagined

As I sit here writing this, Jack is downstairs with Mimi, telling her how much he wishes his second tooth would come. Despite the fact that he's teething like a mad man, and has a cold the size of Texas, he is still the happiest little boy I know. Less than 5 weeks ago, he had seen nothing but the inside of 1-2 rooms, and known the faces of less than a dozen people -- but today you'd never know it. He smiles at anyone who'll look his way (including Maggie the dog), and rarely shys away from going to anyone.He's mastered sitting (yes, at 7.5 months), and tosses toys from hand to hand like he's been doing it for years. He's hugely infatuated with dancing Elmo , and Maggie (the dog) -- in that order. He's eating anything that comes within reach (including napkins), and "talks" for hours on end.This is the part of being a parent that I never knew about. Being happier than you've ever been despite the fact that you're covered in spit up (or worse). I've also discovered that poop doesn't smell quite as bad if you breath through your mouth....Today's pictures are dedicated to all of the wonderful people who have taken the time to leave us a message on our guest book. Those entries will be saved for when Jackson gets older -- I'd like him to know how many people were happy about his coming here. Thank you again, for your kind words and wishes -- we both are grateful them.

For Aunt Judy

Things continue to go well here in Atlanta, Georgia! Jackson has now been out to dinner about a half dozen times, and has been perfect each time! Dad, Nan, and Aunt MaryLou leave for Ohio tomorrow, so this will be our last day with them. Jackson has really had fun with all of them, but he seems to be very attached to Grandpa Vern.Today's entry is especially for Aunt Judy in Ohio -- she called this morning and said "put more pictures up of that baby!!" -- so, here they are!

The dog that I thought would be terrified of Jackson, Maggie, is absolutely in love with him! She goes everywhere he goes, and when he cries, she won't leave his side. She's also very fond of the way he tastes!!

Things continue to go well here in Atlanta, Georgia! Jackson has now been out to dinner about a half dozen times, and has been perfect each time! Dad, Nan, and Aunt MaryLou leave for Ohio tomorrow, so this will be our last day with them. Jackson has really had fun with all of them, but he seems to be very attached to Grandpa Vern.Today's entry is especially for Aunt Judy in Ohio -- she called this morning and said "put more pictures up of that baby!!" -- so, here they are!

Doing Great!

I know he's mine, and I'm probably a little bit biased, but this kid is amazing!! Yesterday he traveled for 22 hours to go from Kazakhstan to Atlanta, Georgia, and today he went to the mall!Jack was exhausted when we got home yesterday, but he slept fairly well considering the time change, and today he was his regular happy self!We went to the Mall of Georgia, did some shopping, and ate lunch at the food court. We also stopped in Carrie's Canine cuts to introduce the newest member of the Metz family -- the loved him!Here are a few pictures of Jackson today -- he is adjusting amazingly well, and has even gone from not being sure of the dogs to holding his hand out so they can lick it!

Jackson and Maggie (see the dog on the right?!) are reading a new book.

Mimi got Jackson a dancing Elmo doll -- he is completely enthralled with it!!
About done!

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!

November 25, 2004

One week & 6 days until I leave to meet Jackson! I've packed, re-packed, and re-packed again! I'll have 1 large suitcase (which at this time weighs 59lbs!), 1 large duffle bag (weight unknown), the camera / camcorder bag, and a diaper bag backpack! I'll be gone 43 days (oh my!), and greet 2005 with my new son! I'll post one more time before I leave (on DEC. 7th), and then hope to begin posting daily starting on the 10th or 11th of December.Thanks again to all of my friends & family who have been so supportive during this time. Not everyone is able to grasp the idea of a single mother adopting a child, so for those of you who have supported me, -- I thank you -- it means the world to me.

November 8, 2004 -- Travel Dates!

I just got a call from my coordinator -- I'm due in Kazakhstan on December 9th! I hope to be able to start updating the travel journal sometime around the 10th -- so start checking back then!

October 29, 2004 **BIG UPDATE!!**

....it happened exactly like they said it would -- when I least expected it, and in my case, how I least expected it.I'd taken a vacation day, not doing much, just enjoying a long weekend, when I decided to send my adoption agency's director a question via email -- her initial response was the answer to my question, but it was what was in the next sentence that took my breath away...."AND, we have a referral for you!"So as of yesterday, Thursday, October 28, 2004 I have officially accepted the referral of a very handsome, baby boy from Kazakhstan! I cannot tell you very many specifics (to protect the integrity of the adoption), but I can tell you that he's somewhere in the 4-5 month old range, is very healthy, and is simply the most handsome baby I've ever seen!My travel guesstimate is in the January timeframe, but there is a very small chance that I could leave as early as the beginning of December.I'll continue to update while I wait to travel, and then every day once I'm in country! So please follow along!More in a few weeks!Kristi
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October 16, 2004

Well, I'll admit -- the waiting is getting difficult. Although in my mind I had always set my sites on October, in my heart, I leaned towards listening to all the signs that indicated it might be sooner. I'm now officially 4 days away from the 8 month mark, and no news yet. I did find out that a rather large group of referrals did come in yesterday, but it does not appear that my boy was in them -- it does mean though that I'm that much closer .I told myself the other day -- if I were giving birth to this baby, he still wouldn't be here yet -- so I have a new appreciation for all those women who go through 9 months of waiting!I'm packed (actually I've done that a few times), I'm waiting, I'm ready, and I'm sure that these next few months will go by quickly with the holidays, a possible Thanksgiving visit from Dad and Nan, amd Mom's moving to ATL.I'll update as soon as I hear anything -- keep praying!Love,Kristi