Lights on - Lights off We've had the power go out a few times since we got here. Usually not for long but enough to be a little annoying. This morning they went off and on twice. Seemed to be just enough to burn out the lightbulb in my bedroom. The big question is, where do you get a lightbulb in Uralsk? I think Assia and Vladimir are tracking one down for us. Funny how those little things that we never think about in the US end up being projects over here.

If you can believe it, there are only 5 more visits to the babyhouse. One this afternoon, two tomorrow, two on Thursday then court on Friday, grab the kiddos, get on the plane and we're off to Almaty again. Although this isn't the most convenient place in the world to visit, we've really enjoyed it so far and the time has really flown.

The big questions now are how Sasha will react to being out of the babyhouse, how she'll react on the airplane and what she's going to think of the week in Almaty.

For anyone thinking of coming to Kazakhstan to adopt but are hesitant because of the time in country, please reconsider. The babyhouse visits are very beneficial to the children and the parents. I can't imagine what it would have been like if we'd walked in, taken that screaming, sullen, little girl and walked away from everything she'd ever known. Now she loves us and, while it might be stressful when we leave, at least she knows who we are and that she can trust us.


In case you're wondering, Tenge is the monetary unit in Kazakhstan. 100 case you're wonderingTenge is about 67 or 68 cents American. Every time I convert money, I feel like a bootlegger! Thousands and thousands of Tenge...if only it were worth a little more :) But, it's worth a lot here. The little sheepskin mittens I got for Sasha were 600 tenge. That's about $4.

But buying anything is like buying a new car or at least a used car. Robin and I will show off our treasures and ask, "How much was it?" The answer is usually something like, "I paid 6000 for all of it!" It's pretty funny when you think about it.

We had a very fun visit this morning. Sasha loves to tease us and her new trick is to go out the door and go running down the hall, laughing all the way and watching to see if Mommy is chasing her. I don't think this is really something the babyhouse wants us to do so I try to discourage it but every once in a while she slips away anyway.
I doubt we disturb anyone but it's disconcerting, anyway.

She also likes to wear Grandpa's shoes. Today we had her wearing Mommy's shoes, just for a change. As you can see, she's got some growing to do. No comments on the size of Mommy's feet are necessary :)




Grandpa has also started the "Hup-I-Doodle" thing with Sasha. I don't know if he's really aware of what he's started because Sasha will go to him and just climb on his foot and wait for the ride :) For those of you who are not part of the family, "Hup-I-Doodle" was a game that my grandfather used to play with us. We'd sit on his foot and he'd swing it up and down, hanging on to our hands. This may not sound all that exciting to you but it's sure a blast for a two year old! :)



Grandpa seems to enjoy it, too :)

Here she is waiting for the "Tickle Machine", Grandpa's a good photographer, isn't he? Yes, her teeth are really that crooked but at least they're baby teeth. She sucks her fingers when she goes to sleep so that might be part of it.



Beautiful smile, no? :)

The I-cafe is closing for lunch. Have to run. Paka-paka for now.

- posted by Jaime's Mommy @ 2:38 AM