Finally, our bonding period is over and we have a court date: March 28! Since our children are in two different orphanages, we were initially told that we may need to have two court dates in two different places, but luckily, this is not going to happen. As in other regions, after the court, our judge did not wave the 14 days waiting time when anybody from their biological family can contest the court decision. We are so much looking forward to officially become their parents.
Today was a day of firsts with Yulia. Because the room where we usually play was busy, we got to play in her room, together with the other children. I also got to give her the first bath, to change the first diaper and change her clothes for the first time. It took me a pretty long time, but I think I was pretty successful. She did not cry at all and she actually seemed to like it. She enjoys exploring everything, pulling out all the drawers in the room, looking for toys, climbing everywhere, putting everything in her mouth, playing with the electric plug. First thing to do when we arrive home, baby proof the house!!!! And then when it was time to leave, she cried for the first time! Well… she was immediately consoled by her caregiver, but she did look after us, for the first time when we left!
Gabi had some behavior changes today. We were initially giving him chocolate or candies every time to do something good. Well, today he refused to listen to us, he would not answer any questions (English or Russian); refused to count, refused to draw, refuse to do anything we asked him to do. We already started to get a little frustrated until the moment he saw the magic chocolate, when the metamorphosis to the very good, big boy happened suddenly! I guess he is just trying to teach us how not to teach him! He is also starting to show some signs of regression in his language. Igor, our translator mentions he was able to understand his Russian much better 2 weeks ago when we met him and he is now using a baby language he can barely understand. Today, he witnessed him speaking a perfect Russian while talking with his caregiver. I am sure he is going to need lots of attention when we will be together. However, he is so adorable!
Today, we also said good bye to Maia, Yulia`s friend who went home with her mommy, Kristen! We wish them a wonderful life together and to continue to enjoy their stay in Kazakhstan. And it is still winter time here in Petropavlovsk, we don’t get too much to do except bonding with our children, but somehow the time passed by really fast. We have one more week! Wow!
18 comments:
Congrats on the court date!!! You guys are already great parents - it is so uplifting to read your compassionate, sweet posts!
Good luck at court. I am sure it will go very well. I know you can't wait for the announcement that the cuties are officially yours!
What great photos! Bonding is over already?! Wow, the time seemed to go by quickly. I'm so glad you were able to get a court date. That's wonderful news.
Congrats on the court date! Hoping everything continues to go well for you!
:)
Monica
Yeah, congratulations on your court date! So happy to read everything is going so well for you both.
Wow- Court is right around the corner! I am so glad that they are both progressing in their own separate ways. Sounds like little Gabriel is just testing you guys. Who could resist that smile, especially on a little boy who loves chocolate. A boy after my own heart. And I love that you got to bathe Yulia--- how special!
Yay for one court date to come! I love the photos of both of them. And how great that Yulia is bonding with you! What a good feeling. Don't worry too much about Gabriel's behavior and language regression. I think you are seeing typical stubbornness for his age (good practice as you'll be going through it again in a few years) and, from what I've read in the adoption books, typical transitional behaviors (testing your love/devotion, regressing before progressing, etc.). In fact, if you didn't read it before, "The Weaver's Craft: Toddler Adoption" is a very good book to read to prepare for Gabriel's transition (actually for both).
I'm so glad you got a quick court date, that is great.
Yulia looks ilke such a happy lil girl..she is really precious. That's cool you got to bathe AND dress her. :) You'll get it down in no time. :)
Your son is testing you--hey, we go thru that and my son is almost 10. :) He will continue to test you but as he sees you love him no matter what, it will get better. Wait until he learns some english-and gets home with you.
It does seem like time has flown for you guys...not sure if it seems that way to you. :)
congratulations as the day gets closer to when your "dream come true" becomes official. Congrats on wonderful firsts with Yulia! Kelly's post made sense -- hopefully that book and early intervention will help. As will hugs and kisses. I guess these behaviors are just symptoms of the amazing transition about to occur. Not good nor bad, just a stage he will go through to pass through to the other side. And he will be soon enough, of that I'm sure.
God bless!
Steph
Great news you have a court date. Sounds like you are doing really well. Can't wait to catch up with you once you return to Brooklyn, however I can help - please let me know.
Congratulations on the court date! That's awesome news. Will you be returning to the states for the waiting period? I can't remember if you were going to stay or not.........
Anyway, good news!!
Shannon
Congrats on the court date! Thanks for being so candid and sharing all of the details with us!!
I didn't change Maia's clothes or diapers until I was taking her out. And her first bath was here at the apt!! How great that you get to do some of those before you take her with you... it's special time for sure! So far so good for us. First whole day is down... a lifetime to go! :) Kristen
That is a beautiful photo of Yulia!
Congrats on the court date - these are two incredibly lucky children and I am sure the judge will see that as we all do. What you are going through with your son seems to go with his age (in addition to his adoption background). He does test you and you are handling it very well. I have been very impressed with our daughter Jen and her husband Marshall and how they handle Aila - when she acts out holding her firmly and lovingly and letting her know they will always be there for her. The comfort she draws from that experience is allowing her to finally be a trusting baby. It is wonderful to see that you are handling things in a similar way - although it is harder with a 5 year old!
Congratulations on getting a court date. We're hoping to get a pre-court date next Friday and court on Tuesday, April 1st. We were delayed because the "new" judge here in Uralsk asked us for yet another document from home. Oh well. All we can do is to continue our visits to Nurlan on a daily basis.
You're two little ones are quite the cuties.
Congratulations on getting a court date. We're hoping to get a pre-court date next Friday and court on Tuesday, April 1st. We were delayed because the "new" judge here in Uralsk asked us for yet another document from home. Oh well. All we can do is to continue our visits to Nurlan on a daily basis.
You're two little ones are quite the cuties.
Congratulations on getting a court date. We're hoping to get a pre-court date next Friday and court on Tuesday, April 1st. We were delayed because the "new" judge here in Uralsk asked us for yet another document from home. Oh well. All we can do is to continue our visits to Nurlan on a daily basis.
You're two little ones are quite the cuties.
Congratulations on a court date! I'm sure everything will go smoothly. I have enjoyed following along on your blog and your children are absolutely precious!
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