Hello! Sorry for the late post. We arrived safely in Almaty yesterday and established internet connection. However I was exhausted to say the least and was having some problems with the website, so finally just went to bed.
We got up early got Rachel ready packed and to the hotel lobby. Our interpreter was 30 minutes late and my blood pressure was starting to rise to say the least. There are only a few flights a week (four I think). It is really not like her. She is always on time but there was a hold up at the immigration office (long story). Anyway, we rushed to the babyhouse. The caregivers had Todd fed and dressed. His room was filled with women from the babyhouse but the room was virtually silent. Two of his caregivers quietly put on his snowpants and hat. They said their good byes, I thanked them and promised to send pictures. The weather was so cold, I can't even describe it. We headed for the airport but not without drama. We were riding in a station wagon and the hatch came opened as we were driving through downtown Petropavlovsk. One of our bags came out into the street. Dad recovered it. We walked outside and boarded the "jet". Luckily we paid someone to carry on our luggage and we boarded the plane. Hopefully the last time I will ever board a plane from the tail. The flight with the kids was rough. It was 4 hours long. I don't even want to think about the trip home. Luckily babies are considered communal property in Kazakstan. I think every woman on the plane held Todd ( I am not kidding) and even a couple of the men were entertaining him. Everyone on the plane was so nice.
We arrived in Alamaty and went straight to the law office to sign some papers. All of the girls in the office took the kids when we hit the door and I never heard a peep out of them. Then we came to our apartment. We are fortunate. We have a 2 bedroom with 2 cribs. It is very nice with leather furniture and a 61in TV. Dad stayed with the kids and I went straight to the grocery. I was in heaven. It is a great change of pace from Petro. When I came home from the store the kids were half naked and hanging from the drying rack. Dad was running around the apartment saying "Nyet, Nyet". The kids were out of control last night.
Overall, Rachel is doing fantastic and Todd is having a hard time. Very fussy, not at all himself, difficult time sleeping, diarrhea, a couple of white blisters on his tongue. Every 5 months of his life he has been moved from the life that he knows. This time it is forever, but he doesn't know that. He had some very strong attachments to his caregivers and I think he is grieving. Plus the change in diet and environment.
Almaty had their first snow of the season last night. It was beautiful this morning. Our driver drove us up to the mountains to a ski resort for lunch. We were at over 10K feet elevation. It was beautiful. I am amazed at what a nice city Almaty is. It looks like paradise after spending 5 weeks in Petro.
