Tips for families in process

There are things that I wish I had known before coming over so I thought I'd jot them down as they come up and edit this post. I don't know how much of this applies to other regions in Kazakhstan but I've found to be true in Astana.

- no matter how much money the agency tells you to bring - bring A LOT more either in cash or MC/VISA (Astana anyway doesn't take American Express except to draw cash). Beehet went over all of the fixed expenses of my trip both here and in Almaty on my 2nd day. Needless to say, I do not have enough beyond fixed expenses. Apparently this happens to a lot of families.
-it is customary to bring a cash donation for the Baby House. Ask your cooridinator how much. It is given at the end to the Head Doctor.
-The Baby House is HOT!!!! Wear layers. I wore a tank top with a cotton sweater over it yesterday and still hot. Everyone wears t-shits/tank tops and jeans.
-You can buy just about anything you need for toiletries, etc at similiar prices to US. EXCEPT for DIAPERS. They are outrageously expensive here. $20-30 depending on brand and size pack. But the rest helps keep your baggage weight down. I packed all of it and was 14 lbs over.
-Definitely bring a laptop if you can. Most apartments will have cable internet access($100/month and as fast as at home). Much more comfortable than internet cafe.
- you are only in a hotel for a night or two when you first arrive. I think it is worth the extra money to stay in a nice hotel. I stayed in a cheaper hotel for only one night in a room that wreaked of smoke. All of my clothes smelled like I'd been in a bar even though they weren't unpacked. And a nice hotel probably has internet access to let family know you arrived safely. My hotel had no internet and couldn't get through to the US on the LAN line.
-SKYPE!!! The best invention! www.skype.com You can sign up for free, have your family sign up for free - add each other to your address books and talk for free through your computers! You just need to pack a headset with a USB plug at the end (at any Circuit City or Best Buy) and have family get one. FAB!
That is all I can think of for now.

The Paper Pregnancy

This posting is mostly for families in the process or thinking of beginning the process of international adoption. One thing I really wanted to know when I started this was how much time to expect for each phase. I drove my angel case worker, Ashley, CRAZY with this. The agency will give you the averages and typically very conservative estimates. I wanted to hear from people who went through this recently. So I hope this is helpful.

My first call to CAI (Commonwealth Adoption International) was on the 28th of July 2006. Vi Pierce, the agency Director, spent a lot of time with me on the phone. As a single woman, I wasn't sure what my options were. After talking with her, I chose to adopt from Kazakhstan. There is more about Kazakhstan in a separate posting. I signed the contract with CAI 2 days later. Upon signing, you are assigned a case worker. Mine is Ashley. I have to say I am absolutely THRILLED with CAI. Vi, Ashley, Anna, Pam, and my social worker, Diane are just the best people. Ashley will forever be Aunt Ashley to Maya.

The massive paperwork to be completed (the dossier) arrived within days. Fingerprinting, signed and noterized originals stating everything from yes I have health insurance to - no joke - a statement of Hetersexuality (not required by all countries). Then it all gets apostilled. I had no idea what that was (The Secretary of State confirming your notarized copies are legitimate). The agency quotes approximately 4 months for families to get this completed. Part of how long it will take is how quickly you move on it and part is how long it takes the government to get documents to you that you will need for your dossier. I started in August 2006 and had it all apostilled in October 2006.

In addition to the paperwork is your home study. 3 visits total. I finished this in a month but depends on yours and the social workers availability. Since I am self-employed, it was easier to schedule. The social worker's write up is also part of your dossier.

My dossier went out to Kazakhstan in November 2006. So first call to dossier in country, for me, was 4 months. From there, it is country dependent on how long it will take to get a referral. Mine happened much more quickly than expected and I couldn't be more thrilled. For those in process that have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I have been blessed with wonderful families that have answered all of mine and happy to pass that on.