Hello From Karaganda

We are here safe and sound! It has taken awhile to get situated and we are at our first Internet cafe. So, make sure you start below to see more on the whole trip. But, most importantly, see our Lily! She is amazing and we are madly in love!













We didn't know when we would get to meet her. Having been told we weren't going to leave for Karaganda until Tuesday morning, we were a bit disappointed thinking we would have to wait until Wednesday! Nope! We landed Tuesday morning, and were taken to the baby house for the morning visit. It was surreal. I don't think we realized it was actually happening until Oxana (our interpreter) lead us to the Director's office. There, we sat in a large office, the director came in a visited with us for a minute or so, Oxana translated....We could barely breath. Then we heard Lily's pediatrician walking down the hallway, carrying our baby! She handed our girl to me and all I could do was cry and look at her. Craig was speechless...red as could be in the face! The picture below is the first day we met her, after we were escorted to our 'play room.' She loved her little yellow ring in the first picture. She's so funny about the pacifier I gave her. She doesn't actually put it in her mouth...she bites and chews on it. She has two little front teeth on the bottom and two little buds below.

The baby house is not a sterotypical 'instution' with gray walls and scant furnishings. Rather, a very, very clean environment with beautiful wall murals, and toys on nice shelfs. Not many, but enough that the children are happy. The care givers in Lily's room are non-stop. They work so hard, and the love for these children is so obvious. Everyone we have met in the baby house is amazing. Everything we heard about this BH is true.

And as expected, it is very difficult for me to see the other babies in Lily's room. A little guy "Max" has stolen my heart. The whole visit yesterday, he stood in his little walker and watched us play with Lily.





Travel Day:
We departed for Frankfurt on time and had great seats. Thankfully, we were upgraded and had plenty of leg room and wider seats. Sean was amazing on each leg, all the way from Dulles to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Unbelievable . I am afraid to jinx the trip home!



We arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan at 11:55 pm. We were told clear customs, proceed to baggage claim, and look for our driver. The first true test of 'blind faith' in our journey. We were all very curious to see if we would have a driver!

Craig and Chris would have stayed in customs, as the immigration officers were strikingly gorgeous! This was only the beginning of their introduction to the beautiful women of Kazakhstan. Bleary eyed, we were very excited to see our luggage, all of it, rolling out on the conveyor. Through the double wide doors, passing through swarms of taxi drivers, I saw our names on a large card! Dima, our driver was ready for us, as promised.

We did not stay in an apartment as planned, too difficult to find one large enough for two nights. So, we were booked at the Hotel Kazakhstan. I had researched this hotel, and was mentally prepared. Thankfully! Also, having planned on only 1 night in Almaty, we stayed 2. Initially, we were bummed, having planned on leaving Monday night to meet Lily Tuesday morning.
Please refer to the pictures of our hotel room at the Hotel Kazakhstan. All I can say is that I will never say a word about a Residence Inn again. Never. Stacey and Eli, you would be proud of me!


The only heart stopping issue, was my fault. After we unloaded the car, I forgot my bag with ALL the documents and papers needed for our first meeting to process the adoption! I didn't know till morning that Dima had it... no phone, no contact information... nothing! Totally helpless...not a good feeling.

Day TWO - First Meeting and Time In Almaty
We were picked up at 10:15 am as directed, and taken to meet with the agency. We had an amazing free breakfast in the hotel. All was forgiven about the sad rooms after I saw the pastry table. The Kazakh coffee is rich and strong, did the trick. Jet lag hasn't set in yet.

The meeting was in a beautiful building and was easy and efficient. We signed papers, and were given very detailed typed instructions regarding our schedule. We have done really well with just taking things day by day, and not having any expectations.

The city is beautiful, so clean, and a mix of old and new. The abandoned buildings from post soviet occupation stand eerily vacant next to brand new million dollar condos. Finally, I must add... the women here are ALL beautiful. They are fully decked out in heels, skirts, (or skin tight jeans that look painted!) full makeup, jewelry, and perfume...lots of perfume! Some are blond (true and otherwise), but mostly long and dark. I am glad I don't stand out in my shorts and tennis shoes. My Cousin Vinny comes to mind.

After a 2 hour coma nap, in a very hot hotel room...(did I say AC?) we stumbled to dinner to meet our friends who are on the tail end of their adoption journey. It was great fun, and so great to meet their children. Without Linda and Jessica, I don't think Craig and I would not have been so prepared.

Day Three - Our Journey to Karaganda

Dima picked us up at 5:15 am, boarded our flight, and arrived in Karaganda. Our flight on Air Astana was another pleasant surprise. More to come!