We are so happy to report that we have made our way through the 15-day appeal period so now we are REALLY Zak's parents (or Max's parents -- still trying to decide on that nickname!) We had no reason to believe that there would be any cause for concern during that 15 days, but we counted down the days none-the-less. It has been extremely weird being home without our main man.
As most people know, we have very little evidence in our home that we have adopted a child. We still don't have a nursery (although we will be scrambling to set it up this weekend) and we have purchased very few things. I've said all along that we were operating in a fog of procrastination, superstition, and paranoia. Most of that fog has lifted, although I suspect we won't really see clearly until we touch down in the US with Zak in our laps.
We have slipped back into our pre-travel routine, which was surprisingly (freakishly so) easy to do. People say to me, "What does it feel like to be a mom?", and my honest answer is "I don't feel like a mom ... yet." I am so ready for that feeling to hit, as I suspect it will when Zak is screaming and crying during his transitional days. My heart aches knowing what he will be going through during those first few days and weeks. We are so sad for him, but we know we have a lifetime of happiness to offer him thereafter and we will do our best to deliver on that promise to him.
Our agency has indicated that we will hear "something" next week regarding our travel back to Ust. We have been following the stories of all of the parents who either immediately preceded us to the region or who arrived at about the same time. We are also so incredibly blessed that Tina, Kristen, and Crystal - who are all on the "one trip plan" -- have been sending us the most amazing updates. We love these women, and we selfishly hope that they are all still in Kaz when we arrive -- but selflessly hope that they make their way home with their children in short-order.
Passports seem to be taking about 10 days to issue, and then there seems to be a 1-3 day window for Zak's Visa to be issued. We have flights on hold to leave on June 11, arriving into Ust on June 13, but our agency has braced us that it could be the week thereafter as well. In the meantime, we wait. As patiently as we can.
After all, we already know what is waiting for us at the end of the rainbow.
22 comments:
Karen and Glenn I m so excited for the both of you i cannt wait to meet Zak man i know austin and zoe cannt wait to meet zak man too.
Congratulations, Mom & Dad! Great news. I hope you will be back in no time - what a cutie pie!
He is so darn cute!
I don't know how you could feel like parents yet. You haven't even lived with the lil guy yet.
I would think it'd be better to wait where you are, at home, getting the house ready (and his room since ya'll are slackers) then waiting for the paperwork there, since you couldn't see him much until now.
I sent you some pics of Seans room taken with my new birthday camera.
I don't think we are leaving anytime soon, so, you have time to get Zak or Max home (both cool names) and get adjusted so that some day, when we travel far away (will do 2 or 3 trips) you can help encourage me. :)
He is truly tres adorable and he wants a Bengal's room-and a jersey. He told me. :)
The time will FLY as you turn your attentions to getting Zak/Max's room ready. BTW Pottery Barn Kids has some good sales going on (online too).
You couldn't possibly know how it feels to be a mom yet - but you will soon! First there will be the need for incredible patience and love as he transitions. Then it will be as he lifts his little arms to you, and looks for you in a crowd, and wraps his little arms around your neck when only your comfort will do. It will be a beautiful thing.
Now may this time FLY by for all three of you!
What great news. Congratulations mom and dad. I hope that your trip comes up soon so you can bring that cutie home.
Sandi
Yay! I was thinking of you all yesterday on the day you officially became parents! Congrats!
Congratulations! It must feel so good to have that step behind you! Good luck on you second trip I hope that it goes smoothly and you come home with your adorable son!
Michelle
What a nice feeling it must be to know that your new family is "official". Now to go grab that little cutie into your arms again and start feeling like his parents. I hope the time will go by quickly for you.
Another step behind you on this journey & now it is time for Mommy & Daddy to kick it into high gear.
Congratulations I am so very happy for you!!
Darlene
We are so happy to know that max has got a home, we were out in Ust in February adopting our daughter Leah and we both took a real shine to Max! If we had been allowed to take two children we would have definetly brought Max home to Ireland!
I'll send you a few pics we took of him in Feb/March if you would like?
God Bless your new exciting life together.
Philip, Amanda & Leah
If that little boy isn't better than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I don't know what is!
He is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on being official. And yes- the feeling of being a mom, it will definitely hit you and you won't be able to remember what life was like before Zak/Max.
Congratulations again!!!
Woo Hoo!!! It's official.
Such wonderful news.
Congrats!!!
What great news. I am so happy for you all and for Zak! I like that nick name. Our little guys will hopefully be able to play together in the years to come. Keep your fingers crossed that we hear we are in NY soon!
Your little man is beautiful. Congrats...
Tracy
Congratulations! Safe travels back, and bring that boy home!!!!
Shannon
Hooray—great news. Now off to Kaz you go!!!
Wow! I am so happy for you all! Zak/Max (why not both? Heehee) is adorable and very soon you will feel like real parents.
Good for you, and God bless you in your travels!
Kath
Congrats on the great news.
Don't worry about the house--I've always said that if your home is filled with love all the other things will come--you already have the most important thing.
He truly is adorable.
Hi you guys! Just popping in to catch up on your story and OMG, your little guy is cute as a button!!! I know what you mean about those cheeks. I can't get enough of kissing Milo's cheeks! Congratulations to all of you! Thanks for the nice comments on our blog during our first trip. It was tough to leave him behind, but we will soon be going back too and bringing him home for good!
Karen & Glenn:
We are so excited for you! Congrats on finalizing the next step. Max/Zak is unbelieveable cute...hoping we might meet him and you guys in Ust!
Dan and Allison Byrne
Hi,
First of all congratulation for being officially parents. WE were in the same situation, planning to adopt one child and had the surprise of two, and no nursery ready and almost nothing for the children. I would not worry about not being ready. We are back for 2 weeks and it worked out pefectly. 1-2 weeks before we went to pick them up (second trip) we bought only absolutely necessary things, furniture etc. Most of the clothes we bought before they came were either too small or too large even if we met them before.
And also, dont think of the transition days too pesimistic, he may not even cry, they adjust so fast, Yulia (16 months) only cried when she was hungry or tired. She was so very happy from the first days, we felt like we have been together for long time. The most difficult part was the travel.
I wish you the best of luck!!
Well where the heck have I been??? Congratulations!!! Zak is quite a cute little guy.
Well I see I have a lot of catching up to do. That'll be fun.
Safe travels to you,
Eileen
Karen and Glenn, Sorry it has taken so long to catch up on your blog. The photos are great - he is such a cutie pie! And congratulations on the now official adoption of Zak. A new family! As you get ready to head back to Kaz-land, take along our email address (altansky@yahoo.com) just in case our paths cross in Almaty (we plan to be there starting on the 18th or 19th June at least through the end of the month). I'm sure that the trip up to Kok-Tobe on the cable car is more fun with company!
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