Friday, August 1, 2008

We're IN KAZ !!

WOW-talk about surreal!! We are in Kazakhstan!! It was a whirlwind day-like I figured it would be-and Joe and Sean are crashed in our hotel, but sweet Joe figured out dial up before he crashed so I could blog!!!

I know what everyone is waiting for....and I am happy to announce....

BABY KAZ IS A GIRL!!
She will fit in my ergo, and probably in all the adorable clothes I bought her! We were taken immediately from the aiport to the Ministry of Education to get permission to see the baby house, then to the inspector of custody, then to the baby house. Yup, no time to change clothes-we looked very "Motly" (our coordinator did not understand what that meant, LOL).

I only got to spend about 15 minutes with her. We are going back tomorrow at 11:00 to play. :) Sean got a couple pictures, but I will post them later. We haven't even sent a thing to our international doc, and we're going to, but our mind is made up. :)
She is petite, blond hair, blue-eyed lil angel whose birthday is Sept 5th, 2007.
One of her good buddies is Rustam, who is Tricia and Chris' son. Tricia said she has many pictures to share with me.

She is just precious and she cried big tears when they handed her to me.I felt so bad, but she didn't know me. I got up and carried her around the room and sang to her, and she calmed down. She was MESMERIZED with my "Baby Kaz" necklace I wore. I had this necklace made last summer when we were waiting to adopt. How fitting that she loved it. She laid her head on my lil shoulder and my heart melted.

It's so surreal to be here. Tatiana took us to get pizza after we met our girl. Her name is Leeza..and I love it! I will not be changing that at all. It fits her!!
I cannot wait to get to know her.

The pizza was really good, and it's a cool day, the weather is FABULOUS. I was actually cold getting off the plane in Kostanai.

Sean traveled well, and we all did. Joe left my cell phone in London airport though-so no one try to call me on it because hopefully it's being cancelled.
I may need an iphone anyway to carry around pictures of my daughter. :)

I will post more as we get settled and take more pictures.
We are here, we are happy, and I feel like I'm in a dream.

Dasvidana!!!

48 comments:

Unknown said...

OMG...I'm crying now. I am just so happy for you. Leeza...how beautiful. Your dreams have come true. :-)

Sandi said...

Susan, Joe and Sean
Congratulations on meeting your new daughter and sister. Leeza is going to be a perfect addtion to your family.

I can not wait to spoil her and I am looking forward to your journey.

Hugs and best wishes

sandi

BabyKazfan said...

Congrats! That is sooo wonderful- so happy for you!!!! Can't wait to see a picture!

God Bless! Love, Stacey

Our Family of Bloggers said...

I'm crying... Congratulations! I am thrilled beyond words. You have waiting SO long for this point. You are all so blessed. I can't wait to hear more about your princess as you get to know her better.
And I'm so glad she'll fit into all of those clothes :-)
Lots of love from AZ!!!

Our Family of Bloggers said...

Oh, I missed the name part and was like- "How did Sandi know her name?" You'll have to excuse me, it's 5:30 in the morning.
I LOVE the name!!! How adorable!
LOVE it!

Jaimie, Gena and Berik said...

We are so happy for you!!!! Wow more happy blogs to come. Leeza is such a cute name, can't wait to see pics. She sounds beyond prefect!!! Congratulations!! Gena, Jaimie and Berik

kitzkazventure said...

We are headed out of town today so I am so thrilled that we were able to get your fabulous news before leaving! Congrats, Congrats! She sounds divine! Love the name Leeza!

Enjoy these first days of bonding...what a special time!

So happy for you all! ky karen

Karen said...

Wow—it is all so surreal. You've already met AND fallen in love with your daughter who just happens to have a name you love. Now you know there was a definite plan—you were supposed to wait this long to meet your little girl. Now how beautiful is that?

I'm so, so happy for you. What a wonderful way to start a Friday. :-)

Warm hugs from Minnesota,
Karen

Patrick & Eileen said...

Unbelievable - man that's quick! Congratulations - woo hoo x 10!!!

As soon as I saw the name Leeza I thought of *Leeza Gibbons* from TV - remember her? She's a pretty blond too.

Anyway, can't wait to view photos, hear more, etc.

It's crazy amazing!
Eileen

Monica said...

Awwww... that's such GREAT news!!! Can't wait to hear more. I hope you're sleeping now!

Tricia said...

Leeza couldn't have picked a better family for her! God has a plan. Chris and I are thrilled to pieces for all of you! Wishing you a wonderful journey together in Kostanai. I'm glad I will get to witness some of it. Love, Tricia

KazAdventurers said...

Wow! Congratulations on meeting Leeza! I'm so happy for you and your family. It sounds like things are going really well all around. Can't wait to hear more as you get to know your little girl.

Best wishes to all of you!
LOVE the name! ;) ;)
Lisa (and Corey)

KazAdventurers said...

Forgot to say...she also shares my birthday. Ahhhh. :)

Hehe!
Lisa

Tracy said...

OMgoodness.. How wonderful. God is so great. He knew the child for you. I am so happy for you and your family. Her name is beautiful. Leeza, I can't wait to see your picture. I wish you a wonderful and blessed life.

Tracy

Aaron and Julie said...

Congratulations - We are so happy that you have met your daughter. I have chills & tears. You met her when you were supposed to :). Love her name. Can't wait for pictures, of course :)

Enjoy the bonding period and getting to know each other. Leeza crying when you held her at first is a great sign. I knew she would love your necklace.

Looking forward to following along. So happy you are in Kaz with all of your family :)

John & Jenny Morgan said...

The tears are rolling down my face! I am so glad you arrived and met your perfect child, who has a beautiful name by the way! I can't wait to see pictures! I hope you get some rest and get settled in.

We're so excited for y'all and are thinking of and praying for you! Send our love to Tatiana and others!

Jill said...

Great news. We are so excited for you. Can't wait to see pictures and hear more.

Miles is doing fine. He and Mia are now BFFs. Miles is concerned everytime Mia goes in the pool.

Talk to you soon on Skype hopefully.

Have fun!!!!!!!

Karen, Glenn, Allie, Max, and Sam said...

Congratulations! We are so so happy for you, and we are amazed that you have the emotional and physical energy to post! (Actually, we should not be amazed at all -- you have always been an inspirational bundle of energy!) Oh, Glenn and Leeza share the same birthday. It's going to be a GREAT September! :-)

Max can't wait to meet his girlfriend.

We are sending lots of love your way.

Karen, Glenn, and Max.

Karen, Glenn, Allie, Max, and Sam said...

P.S. Remember, we never did get around to sending a thing to the International Adoption Doctor while we were in Kaz (technology problems, etc.), even though Max barely moved or uttered a sound for the first few days. And, you know how that turned out. He's a totally healthy 19-month old who is the perfect child for our family. We totally understand your comment about your mind being made up already. :-)

Anonymous said...

Yes, arriving in Kazakhstan is like falling down the rabbit hole, eh?

I LOVE the name Leeza and are happy you're keeping it. Alexa and Leeza will be fast friends I hope ;-) Can't wait to see photos!

Shannon

demarest6 said...

I can't wait to see you holding your little girl. Joe you are an amazing man, what a journey this has been. Sean, Leeza is so lucky to have you as a big brother. I just can't stop smiling! xoxo

Angela said...

INCREDIBLE! I am so happy for you, Serra family! I love the name Leeza! She sounds amazing. Have fun getting to know your little one.

So, so happy for you that your day has come!

Amy said...

Congratulations!!!! Such good news to hear!!!!

Jeannine said...

I am crying tears of Joy for you. You have such an amazing story to share. What a blessing! Looking forward to pictures of your sweet girl. I love the name Leeza. What a dream come true!

Jeannine said...

I forgot to add...if you have any questions during your bonding time I am here for you. :)

Thad and Ann said...

Congrats!! Can't wait to see pic's, glad everything went well..even though you didn't get to freshen up. :)

Stacy said...

Congrats!! Enjoy your time in Kaz! We never did send anything to he IA doctors and Haven is a healthy as a horse. Even if there had been something wrong I would have never turned her down I KNEW she was our daughter!! Cngrats Congrats, I can't wait to see Leeza's sweet face!!

Jennifer said...

Oh my gosh!!!! This is so AMAZING!!! Wow. Like picture book perfect. It just... happened! No horror stories or waiting or glitches or 'come back' or 'go there' or 'no wait.' YOU MET YOUR DAUGHTER!!!!

YIPPEE!!!

Thank you Joe for figuring out the dial up!!!

Can't wait to hear all the details and especially a picture of your blue-eyed princess.

So darn happy for you guys!

Lots of love!

Karen Harrison said...

YAY YAY YAY! Add me to the list of people who are crying... and I NEVER cry! I am so excited for you all. Leeza is adopting a GREAT family. I was thinking about you guys all night last night and first thing this morning. I cannot wait to see her pictures! AND she is the perfect age to be Ryan's girlfriend! :-)

XOXO
Karen

Jill and Brian Erlandson said...

Congrats! Sounds like a smooth trip! I can't wait to see some pictures, I am sure she is breathtaking!

Julian and Sara said...

L'il Leeza Serra... awwww, how adorable. And we haven't even seen her photo! No doubt it will be off the adorable scale.

Congratulations!! You must be on cloud nine! Get some rest and enjoy the journey. We are so happy for you.

Sara and Julian

Regina said...

Wow!!! A blonde, blue-eyed bombshell girl named Leeza!?!?! I love it!

A HUGE congratulations to you, and all the best for a happy bonding period!

I cannot WAIT to see photos!

xoxo,
Regina

P.S. Welcome to Kaz!

Brian and Patti said...

Congratulations on your new daughter! We can't wait to see some pictures of Sean holding his baby sister! He's going to be a great big brother!

Kjersten, Steve, Aitugan & Nurai said...

All good things....

And just that that, 14 months of paperwork, wait, frustration and wonder melt into some sort of distant dream like memory, and a beautiful child in a distant land becomes a daughter.

Simply overjoyed for you all. So happy that Leeza was able to find such a fantastic family. Sending lots of love. Take Care.

Steve, KJ, and Tougy

dnd82001 said...

I am so so so very happy & excited for you guys!!

What wonderful news!!

Continued blessings!!

Darlene

The Cook said...

Yeah, I am so happy for you. She sounds gorgeous. can't wait for pictures. I love the name.

Maryann said...

IT'S A GIRL!!! IT'S A GIRL!!! IT'S A GIRL!!! IT'S A GIRL!!!

While I DO KNOW God hears MY (OUR) petitions, it it's WONDROUS when HE responds POSITIVELY!!!!!!

LEEZA!! Just the mere utter of her name brings a warm feeling to me!!
YOU TOO!!

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!

ALL of your dreams have come TRUE!!

DELAY IS NOT DENIAL!!!!!!!!!!

AND, "The best is yet to come"

Lovin' you ALL.......... Aunt Mam

traceylynndel said...

OHHH Wow! How exciting! Congratulations. I hope your process goes smoothly.

Tracey

Kim said...

YES!! Congratulations on meeting your daughter! I can't wait to see pictures. Enjoy your time in Kaz!

Gretchen said...

OMG that is so cool. She sounds as amazing as you guys. I'm so happy for you.

Tricia said...

She is a little Angel. No photo can capture those beautiful blue eyes, she'll melt many hearts (sounds like she already has).

We have some great photos for you. Can't wait to see her now that she's grown up, well two weeks older anyway.

Enjoy your time with her!!

Best wishes, Chris

Kristen (and Cary) said...

Wow. I am so excited for you. Leeza sounds wonderful and so worth the wait. I can't wait to see photos. I've been thinking of you as I have started my massive set of lists to try to pack...please send any tips my way.

Matthew Ruley said...

YEAH I cant wait to see pics. Thinking of you every day. let's see - its 10pm here so its probably close to your fun play time there. So hard to fathom the time difference... POST PHOTOS!

Alysa said...

Congratulations on finding your Baby Kaz! She sounds gorgeous! Wow -- that did happen quickly! Can't wait to see the pictures.

Happy, happy, happy for you!

Best,
Alysa

Catalina said...

so happy to hear you met your daughter, I was thinking of you so glad i checked your blog. Heartly congratulations and many hugs!!!!

Tina said...

Wow - it's so incredible to watch you go through this journey. Someone said Leeza is adopting an amazing family - she has no idea!!!

And she's the perfect age for Brody! Back off Ryan!!! :-)

BLOG MORE!! WE WANT TO KNOW MORE!!!

Chris & Christy said...

Holy Moly, you have 46 posts! I have been out of town and just dying to see what has happened. I am trying desperately not to peak ahead at those photos of little wee Leeza. I can't even believe it! :) ooooooh yes I can, who am I kidding. God is good! God is great! :)

Yeah for Susan!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah for little Leeza!!!!!! :)

Christy
Now, on to the pictures!!!

sabarter said...

Many blessings to you. I know you have waited so so long for this. Enjoy it and take in every moment. We are so very happy for you. She is beautiful.