Tough to leave today

This is her infectious laugh. It just kills me.

I tried to give her the pink teething toy she seemed to love you much, but you know "that is soooooo yesterday...."

We had 30 minutes alone before the twins arrived. It was wonderful. She was tired and focused more on looking at me, touching my face, and of course, pulling hair. I am hoping we are close to her recognizing me when I arrive. If nothing else I am the keeper of cool toys. Today was the first day it was really, really hard to leave. The 2 hours went by way too fast. I guess I am attaching first.

It is STILL snowing here! Gusanna says it snows pretty much every other day. Thank God for Driver. I could get used to this. I walk out of the apartment building, Baby House, grocery store, and THERE IS DRIVER! FAB......

Bonding Day

Today was Day 3 of the 15 day bonding period before applying for a court date. We decided to go to the 2-4pm visiting hour instead of 10-12pm to see if the playroom was less crowded. Maya and I are still getting familiar with each other and with her intense curiousity, she would never look at me with all the people around. Entering the Baby House each day smells deliciously of fresh baked bread. The caretakers recognize me now. They smile and say to Maya, "Mama!" Beehet continues to be Maya's most favorite person. Maya just looks at her and cracks up. I don't know what she says to her in Russian but Maya finds it funny.

We got lucky and there was only one other family. A very, very nice couple, Dan and Lisa. They are adopting 9 month old TWIN girls. They have a 5 yr old and a 4 yr old girls at home. I brought along clothes this time, binkie, teething ring, and toys.

I promise this is the last post from me gushing about the simpliest things she does as if she is the first child ever in the universe. First child, third day - I find it all miraculous. Forgive me. Maya seemed to focus more on my face this time. Mostly because I wore my hair down and she loved pulling on it. At least it kept her looking at me for a bit. As you see she LOVES her binkie and teething ring. Frequently trying to put both in her mouth at the same time. She has a few teeth already. I read in my book that it is good for them to be on their stomachs to gain strength and learn to crawl. Although after watching Dan and Lisa chase the twins, not sure why I am encouraging that. She is determined little girl. She decided she really wanted my camera. I placed it away from her and called her to me. She did take a couple crawl steps(?) and then pulled herself, crawl steps, pull, but by God she got to that camera. I have to say much of what I do with her reminds me of being with my dogs as puppies. Same behavior, different species, I swear. The twins would cry a bit. Maya thinks that is very funny. When one does, she whips her head in the direction of the noise, eyes wide, scrunch of the face and giggle. She coos but I have yet to hear her cry or fuss except to arch her back to get down and explore. By the end of the 2 hours she is content to sit in my lap and rest. I kiss on her face and neck constantly, she opens her mouth as a kiss back. When I stop, she leans in for more. She is a lovey.

Beehet, Gusana, Dan, Lisa and I went to dinner together tonight. $7.00 for pizza and beer. Love it. The food here has been very good and inexpensive. I am in love with Borscht. I need to learn how to make that. The pizza place was in a mall similar to the Cherry Creek mall. Beautiful stores and expensive. Outside of the mall is the most gorgeous light display from Christmas not taken down yet. I'll try to get a picture.

I added Maya's middle name to the blog - Marie. She is the latest in a long line of strong, independent, and fabulous Taylor women to have the middle name Marie. I think my Grandmother would be touched. More pictures, less talk to come. Thank you for all of the kind wishes, they mean so much.

My little Love

How cute is my precious little chunkster?! This is day 2 and already taken a million pictures, I've narrowed it down to these few. Of course more to come! I met Maya yesterday, Monday the 22nd at the Baby House in here in Astana. She is just perfect. Healthy, active, and a cuddler. She has a great laugh and scrunches her whole face when she does. Maya was born on June 15, 2006 (my dear friend Deidre's birthday, not to mention 2 of her 3 children's birthday). She was 6 lbs at birth and now 19 lbs. She is very curious and has to check out everything going on in a room. She fights sleep for fear of missing something good (very much like her Grandmother). On the floor she is trying sooooo hard to crawl. The nurses all love her and tell me (via translator) that she is such a good girl and "clever". I think they mean curious. The Baby House is outstanding. Colorful, cheery, toys and stuffed animals in every room. Doctors, Nurses and caretakers everywhere. They couldn't be nicer or more attentive. There are several American families here and the playroom during visting hours is packed.

Astana

It is cooooold here! 10 below zero when I arrived on Sunday. My flights here were uneventful. My coordinator, Beehet, translator, Gusana, and my driver met me at the airport at 8am. They are just wonderful people - caring, funny and easy to be with. Beehet's cell phone ring is the sound of a baby laughing - cracks me up every time. I feel very fortunate. We accomplished a lot that first day except for the most important thing - calling my Mother!!!! I could not believe in a city were everyone has a cell phone, we couldn't get a LAN line to call the US. It was very frustrating. I didn't get through until Monday. The good news is that once I did, I was able to tell my Mom she was a Grandmother. And just in time. I am pretty sure the Kazak police were going to be notified of an all points bulletin in a matter of hours. So sorry again Mom.

I moved into my apartment yesterday. It is large, comfortable on the 8th floor - I have a beautiful view of the city. The cable guy hooked up my internet here this afternoon.

Astana feels a lot like New York City, people drive so fast and pay no attention to cars driving right at them or people crossing the street – insane. People for the most part do not smile and just shove if you are in their way. I asked Gusana if they don’t like Americans, she said no, that is just how they are. If you smile at them, they think you must be crazy. The women are beautiful - all tall, slender, and stylish. Boots, bags, coats (fur or fur lined) and hat - all out out of Vogue. They all wear high heels even though all of the sidewalks are a block of ice. Reminds me a lot of Paris. The men are HANDSOME. GOD! My landlord is so hot, I am calling him for many, many repairs. They are tall, strong facial features, and well dressed. I wish there was a Man House I could go to after the Baby house and complete the family. Beehet (speaks no english) catches me staring often, laughs and says boyfriend! All and all I am incredibly fortunate for CAI (my agency), the Baby House, and of course most of all my baby girl.