Although it was cold today, it finally stopped raining and we were able to go into the back yard for the very first time. The girls look so small in the picture. Of course, they are that small, but when you are trying to carry both of them, they seem much larger.

The family outing to the back yard. Even the dog had to join in. She likes the girls, but still wants them to be a little more gentle.

Ready for breakfast

Sasha and Leeza both like scrambled eggs in the morning. They are 2 handed eaters and need both a fork and a spoon to be happy.

We didn't go trick or treating, but we did hand out candy for an hour. Next year we will do the costumes and all. The girls were fanscinated by the kids coming to the door in their costumes and stood by the door waiting for them.

Doctor Visit

The girls really like to organize things. Today was playing with these baskets. They double as baskets and helmets on the heads both.

Toy shopping!

Planning the prison break

Trying to talk Grandma into assisting in the prison break.

To day was the girls first Dr visit. The Dr visit went fairly well until it came to the shots and then it was meltdown time. It didn't help that it was lunch time by the time they got to the shot part. We went to Mc Donalds afterward and the girls had their first happy meal. They of course loved it.

More pictures!

Leeza playing with her baby doll.

Sasha playing with the ball machine

Grandma holding the new Raggedy Ann dolls.

Sasha thinking hard about what to do next.

The girls on their swing.

They like their swing.

The girls are learning new words daily. They now call me mama most of the time. The dog is now "og". Leeza can also say gentle( I say this alot when she is trying to pet the dog). They also know "mine" as in that toy is mine and I will have a melt down if anyone touches it. They still speak to me in Kazakh a lot and understand one another even though I can not.

Pictures!

toy shopping in the playroom with Grandma

Sasha likes this book and anything that makes noise.

Leeza having some mommy time.

Sasha getting ready to make a cell phone call

Leeza telling me that the dog is barking. She really likes the dog, but has to learn how to pet gently.

The weather was bad again today so we were inside all day. I wish I could get them outside, but it is fall in Illinois and that means cold rain. Leeza slept well last night. Sasha was up at 2 am and ready for the day. Neither her or her mama got much sleep after 2 am. Leeza slept through most of the crying. They both fell asleep fairly easily tonight- we'll see how long that lasts. Maybe we can make it until 4 am tonight! I'm not counting on anything.

Sorry no new pictures

I forgot to put the SD card back in the camera so all the pictures I have taken went on the camera memory. I have to find the cable to transfer them now. Since I rearranged the whole house to prepare for the girls, I have no idea where it is. The SD chip is back in the camera now so there should be some new ones tomorrow.
I was able to get some sleep last night so things are better. The girls went to bed at 8 and slept until 6 with just one time where they needed attention. I don't think sleep problems are over, but they are much better than the first night.
Sasha is calling me Mama or Ama now most of the time. Leeza is calling me Mama some of the time, but still calls me Apie(caretaker) most of the time. They are doing great for the time they have been here. I even got some kisses today. Both girls are talking a lot. I am not understanding much. The escort, Nadia, said she thinks they have their own language between the 2 of them as she couldn't understand them much of the time. Leeza somehow understands what I say though and listens to what parts she wants to listen to(typical 2 year old behavior). She understands the word No as she has probably heard it enough already!
Between eating, cleaning up, trips to the potty, play time and nap time, the day goes fast. Did I mention, Leeza is potty trained except for night time and Sasha is probably half way there? I am using up the diapers that I already bought and then Sasha will be in pullups also. She goes in the potty most of the time, but still has a couple wet diapers a day.

They are HOME!!!!!!

The girls got here Saturday morning. They have really grown over the last month and a half. Leeza is up to 24 months and Sasha is wearing 18 months, but will soon be wearing 24! Sasha especially has put on a lot of weight. They both have little tummys now. Everything is going well except we are still trying to get over jet lag and the time change so sleep is difficult.

This is the girls at the airport. Look how big Sasha has gotten. She is almost as big as Leeza!

Leeza and the doll that Nadia got her. The poor doll arms fell off in the week they had them, but they are another memory from Kaz.

Sasha, as always, was very cautious, but she is opening up now.

They fell asleep after about 5 minutes in the car and slept for the whole 4 hours drive. Probably one of the many reasons they were both awake at 1am and ready for the day to start. I'm hoping for a better night tonight.

Almaty

I got an email from the escorts today. They are all in Almaty and have been to the SOS clinic. The trip to Shymkent went fairly well. I guess there were some tears. Sasha doesn't look too happy to be on the plane. I expect a lot of those tears were from Sasha.
Sasha on the plane with Ashley(one of the escorts) headed to Almaty!

Leeza waiting in the airport. She looks like she is enjoying all the flights as much as I did- I couldn't wait for the flights to be over with either.

Sasha does not apppear happy to have to go to the doctor in Almaty.

Their outing to the park in Almaty. Sasha really looks like she has gone through a growth spurt in these pictures and is almost as big as Leeza is.

The girls in their pink outfits.

Leeza after her bath and in need of a haircut! She appears to love her new doll. I hear they are going on a picnic tomorrow. Lots of new experiences for them in this trip.

Just a few days left before they are home. I can't wait until Saturday!

Shymkent

I got an email that the coordinators made it to Shymkent today. I don't know if they got the girls today or will pick them up in the morning(which is actually right about now when I add the time difference in), but in either case, the girls have probably left the baby house and have started their long journey home. They are still on track to arrive Saturday morning!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sasha!

I had hoped that I would be able to spend Sasha's 2nd birthday with her, but passport delays prevented that. I got a small cake for her and Frosty and I had a party for her anyway. We have many occassions to celebrate in the coming years so I will make sure each one of those is special to make up for the ones we have missed together.

On the positive sign, the escorts left this afternoon and are on their way to Frankfort right now. Sometime Sunday morning, they should arrive in Shymkent. Monday morning they should pick Leeza and Sasha up from the baby house and catch the morning flight to Almaty. After going through the process there, they will arrive at Ohare at 10:33 am Saturday morning! One more week to go!

On Schedule-so far!

The escorts are scheduled to leave for Kaz on Friday. They should get to Shymkent on Sunday and pick the girls up Monday morning and head back to Almaty. So far so good. I should be meeting the girls at 10:33 am Saturday the 24th. Ok, that is when their plane lands so it will probably be a while after that before they actually get through customs etc.

2 weeks to go- I hope!

2 weeks until this journey is finally over and the truely exciting one begins. I am hoping for an update on the timeline early next week, but information seems scarce right now. It still seems like the escorts will leave on the 16th and return on the 24th.
I am painting the playroom this weekend. The color is Poetic Princess- or most people would call it light purple. I'll post some pictures when it is done. I am also trying to figure out how to install the car seats. Lots of latches and belts and clips to connect. I have to guess where to set the harness straps as I don't have the girls here to try the seats on for size. I hope I guess right because I don't want to have to be adjusting them in the middle of the O'hare airport parking lot.

waitingwaitingwaitingwaitingwaitingwaitingwaiting

I got the call today to tell me when to schedule the flights for the girls to come home. I guess there was a delay with one of their passports and now they are not scheduled to come home until the 24th! Yesterday, I was worried that they would come home early and I needed to rush to get things ready, now I have an extra week and I am unhappy that I have to wait even longer. I guess I should look at the bright side and say at least I have a date now, but I will miss being with Sasha for her 2nd birthday by a week. I know she won't care, but I do.