Wonderful Wednesday!!!

Wonderful Wednesday everyone! It was a wonderful Wednesday for us because Joe’s fever went away and he got to visit Leeza today with us! She was HAPPY to see her daddy too!! We didn’t get to go see her until noon, because she was taken to the hospital today for her “medical checkups”. So, we spent from noon until a little bit after 2 with her today. She got a bit fussy, because she missed her 10 o’clock nap, so she slept on Daddy again for about 40 minutes. It was so sweet! I changed her into another outfit today…she looked PRECIOUS! Today, Leeza donned some pink “yoga pants” from Old Navy, and a long sleeve onesie that has a pink Platinum visa on it that says “Ivana Spends A lot” on it. She looked quite cute! The pants were 6 to 12 months, and fit great, and the top was 12 to 18 months and also fit her well. She was READY FOR YOGA!
We had good play time, but then she really started getting fussy and we could just tell she was so tired. It didn’t take her long to settle onto Daddy and fall asleep. We are going to ask Dr. Irina if we can start spending more time with her, since she is awake until 3. Our 2 weeks bonding is up on Friday already (yes, it’s gone by really fast for us too!!) so hopefully we can start spending from 11-3 with her. Dr. Irina wasn’t in her office today so we didn’t get a chance to chat.
I asked Tatiana if at the medical checkup, if Leeza jumped from the nurses arms and said “I CAN WALK NOW..WATCH ME!” I am now speaking English and walking and even doing gymnastics since I met my family! Then, did she do a double back hand spring and say…”I AM READY TO GO TO FLORIDA NOW!” I need a tan, and I’m anxious to see what other cute outfits my mom has picked out for me!!!”


When are we coming home??? NEVER! (just kidding!)
Several people have asked what the next steps are. As of Friday, we will have completed the mandatory 2 week bonding period required by Kazakhstani law. We will apply for court on Friday. In Kostanai, they have pre-court first, which basically is a hearing with the judge, etc present to make sure all our paperwork is in order, and a court date is set at that time. Typically, pre-court is about a week after bonding is over, and court is about 3 weeks later. Apparently, the judge is on vacation until the 23rd, so we don’t have pre-court or anything until then (I think?!). So, if that is our timeline, it would mean our court date would HOPEFULLY be the week of Sept 7th or 8th…or maybe the next week, the week of the 15th. We don’t know yet. The plan WAS that we would all try to stay thru court, and then leave after court, to wait out the waiting period. After court, there is a 2 week waiting period before Leeza is “officially” Leeza Grace Serra. After that, her visa and passport can be applied for. This takes a couple weeks, and then we have to take her to Almaty for her “exit interview” and medical exam at the embassy, then we can come home. Yes, it’s a very long process. However, one that is totally worth the wait plus some. Leeza is certainly our dream come true! Now, the plan is that Joe and Sean will hopefully be here thru court (if it’s not too drawn out), then they will leave after court. Joe will come back when Leeza is ready to go to Almaty for her embassy appointment. Joe has to come back because I left all our embassy paperwork at home. I felt SURE I was coming home after court too. However, I just feel strongly the need to stay and spend time with Leeza. Plus, I am so happy here and I Love it! I do feel safe and taken care of, and if I have high speed internet, then I’ll be even happier! The food is fabulous, the beer is good, and the weather could not be more perfect!!! I don’t really want to think about Joe and Sean leaving. If Sean didn’t have to start 5th grade on August 20th, I would let him stay here with me. He is having such a good time and he’s so entertaining. Today, the caregivers told Tatiana that Sean is a good caregiver and he always helps at keeping the kids happy. Sean was BEAMING! It was really sweet, and it’s really true! Today, when Leeza was “having a spaz attack” because she was just so tired, Sean started dancing for her and goofing around and she’s just staring at him., mesmerized, crying halted in mid-sob!! Tatiana even said that Leeza will never be bored with Sean around!! Sean is already saying that he needs to come back with Joe when we bring her home. He really does love it here too! Today, after a delicious lunch at the “Pancake house” (they had the YUMMIEST CREPES! I had chicken and cheese, and ham and cheese, and chocolate and whip cream one for dessert), we went to the market. I got nesting dolls for Leeza, a small purse that I can carry that goes across my body for money, and passport only, and Sean got a green Kazakh hat. He looked pretty cute in it!!

It’s a nice day today. It’s overcast and warmish, but not hot. Joe is feeling a lot better, but still declined the shopping trip and came back after lunch to take a nap.
It was a wonderful Wednesday for all of us today!! I know Leeza was glad to see her daddy back-he’s a good snuggler! I also think she will like yoga, and shopping.