Happy Father's Day !!!

Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads out there including our fathers back at home and of course, our soon-to-be fathers here in Karaganda (Mike and Chris).  Father’s Day is not celebrated in Kazakhstan; they actually have a special day of their own today called “Health Care Worker’s Day”. So today, in Kazakhstan, we also celebrate and thank the team of caretakers here at the Baby House for all that they do for the 100+ babies and children they care for each and every day.  

Our fourth week here in Karaganda has ended yesterday. Our pre court is tomorrow (6/22) and we are hoping to get our big day in court this week as well.  We continue to visit our “little one” each day at the Baby House while we wait and I must admit, I will miss the other babies and children I have met during our visits.  We have seen all the different age groups playing outside in the sun or being pushed in strollers by various caretakers/volunteers and we, quite literally, would take ANY of them home with us with our “little one”!  In fact, Mike and I have already asked about adopting an additional child but Kaz law will only allow siblings to be adopted per visit. Unfortunately, our “little one” is not related to any of the others but the idea of returning is very tempting.... but in the meantime, anyone else out there interested?!?!  I promise to hold your hands through ALL of the paperwork (as I feel I am an expert after having done most of the paperwork 2-3 times already!). I have grown quite fond of their face and personalities and I can’t help but wonder what lies in their futures.  I know a few of them have families coming for them soon and for the rest, I hope and pray for a wonderful, happy future.  After court we still have a solid 3+ weeks here in Karaganda so hopefully we will see more families coming to adopt these beautiful children.  

As for our “little one”, we still can’t believe how much he changes from day-to-day!  He has become much more verbal (including louder) this week and has been experimenting with the different noises/sounds he can make.  He has made rolling around his preferred mode of transport while he continues to figure out how to crawl.  On Wed (6/17), his very first tooth finally broke through his front lower gum.  He still loves being carried around the Baby House playground in the Baby Bjorn but now watches the kids playing and wants to touch every piece of playground equipment. The kids have gotten used to seeing him each day and call him “lala” (which means doll).  We usually end our visit with him watching the cars drive by on the street until he falls asleep (such a boy!).  Speaking of which, he has obviously taken a liking to an “older” girl (Karina, who is moving to Paris in a few weeks).  They have been caught chatting and playing, while they are supposed to be napping, more than twice this week and now there cribs have been separated!!!    

For now, that is all we have to report but we will keep you posted when hear our Judge’s decision. 

 

Wish us luck!

Linda and Mike