We've decided to stay!

Since it's one delay after another, we've decided to just buy a little place of our own and stay. I'm looking into starting my own business, and giving the little babas a run for the money. All I need to do is set up a t.v. tray, put a bowl of sunflower seeds on it and sell them by the shot glass full. I could also sell individual cigarettes from packs, individual matches, and push out individual pieces of gum. You see these ladies on every street corner, but what amazes me most, is the number of people walking by who actually stop and buy these things. I'll leave the jars of ?jam to them. Maybe I'll get creative and sell individual squares of toilet paper since I haven't seen that yet.
Rylan's passport arrived Thursday night, but then the real drama begins. The man who was supposed to take it to the Consulate in Astana on Friday is apparently in jail, and the airline he owned went into receivership 2 days ago. That means Rylan's passport did not leave Uralsk yet. We had hoped to fly out of here on Wednesday, but since even if it gets to Astana Monday, there are no flights back until Wednesday night. And everything has been delayed or screwed up in some way, so it's too risky to plan to leave then. So unfortunately, we won't be leaving for Moscow until next weekend at the earliest, and home - well - maybe the following week.
We spend as much time as we can outside, because it's a lot more interesting than the hotel room. Grandma and Baba will be proud of me - Rylan's packing on the pounds and his hair is growing! I'm sure by the time we get home he'll be walking and have his driver's license.
Hopefully this coming week will bring better news.

Still Waiting

Delay after delay - I am so frustrated! We're still waiting for Rylan's passport to return - it was supposed to be here Tuesday, and it's Thursday evening - still nothing. Once it returns, it has to go to another city for some stamp from the consulate, then back to us. So, we're here for another week. It's so hard - there are families that have arrived after us - from both the U.S and Canada - who have already left. This entire process we've had to be patient, but I'm tired of it. I sure hope we get some good news soon, we all need it!

Look for the positives

Well, we're still waiting for Visas and Rylan's passport, and have no idea when we can leave.
I hear there is still a lot of snow and cold temperatures at home. I wish I had packed more summer outfits because the daily temperatures of around 20 degrees Celcuis in the sun feel even hotter than that. In fact, we have to limit our walks because Rylan gets too hot. Just thought everyone at home would appreciate that.

I've decided to go back and post my favorite pictures we took of Rylan during our visits at the baby house. I can't possibly post all of them - there are about 500. The card in the picture is from his cousin Livia, who wanted to make something for her first cousin.

Well, it's only taken a week, but we've figured out who calls the shots in this family - and it's Rylan. Last night he had his first full blown temper tantrum. Apparently he disagreed with the fact that he had to go to sleep. There was a lot of screaming, leg kicking, arm flailing, and head shaking involved. And then there was Rylan.... Dave's still looking for the snooze button on him, but so far, no luck. It wouldn't have been so bad if we were home, but in a hotel with other guests at 11 pm, it's not that funny for mommy and daddy. I gave in and put him on our bed, and he settled instantly. Then he rolled onto his stomach and started to play. Just to rub in in, he would look at the crib and shake his head no, then return to playing. It didn't take long for him to crash after that, and to the crib he went. I'm telling you, I'm counting the days until we are home. There will be different rules at home, for sure.

We received good news yesterday - the medical was approved in London. Today we had to go and notarize some more forms, and pay for our Visas into Russia. On Monday our coordinator will apply for our Visas. We should have a better idea by mid week when Rylan's passport will be ready, and then we can try and arrange for our tickets to Moscow. It finally feels like things are moving forward!

Nine Months Old

Today Rylan is nine months old. It's hard to believe we met him more than a month ago - he's made a lot of progress developmentally since then. He doesn't flop around like a fish any more, and can sit unsupported for periods of time. Today is also one week since we got custody of him (although I find that hard to believe - it feels so much longer)!
We're still waiting for his passport to be processed. We also need approval of the medical from London. Once that comes, we can apply for our Visas to Russia. Then, once we get our Visas, we start the journey home!

Murphy's Law

The internet across the city was down again all day Tuesday. So we missed being able to say Happy Birthday to Grandma Carlson. So it's belated, but Happy Birthday!
We've had a learning experience of sorts - apparently we've changed Rylan's diet too much, and it wasn't agreeing with his little tummy. Poor guy was not happy for days, and neither was mommy. We finally had the doctor from the baby house come and see us at the hotel, and she gave us some suggestions to try. I'm crossing my fingers, because he slept well last night - maybe we're on the right track now. In our defense, nobody told us not to try the baby food with chicken or beef in it - that may be the problem.
I can't wait to get home - it feels very isolated when we can't just pick up the phone and ask someone for advise. Here's hoping the remaining paperwork gets done quickly.

Everything is exciting. Well, that is unless you've spent 4 days in a hotel room - that gets boring pretty quick. We've had time to try and figure out each other's routines, only to discover that Rylan is not really following any routine right now. Bedtime varies by 2 hours, naps during the day are fairly consistent in time, but not length of the nap, and poops, well, totally unpredictable.
Dave went out and bought us a stroller today, and we went for our first stroller walk. I don't know if Rylan's eyes blinked the entire hour and a half. He was in awe of everything. I hope the excitement lasts, because it's a nice way to spend some time. The weather here is really nice, 19 Celcius today. That's the only thing I'm not missing about home right now - snow and temperatures where you can't walk around without a jacket today.
Hopefully we'll be able to continue with the paperwork to get out of here soon. We're still waiting for an approval of the medical from London, some re-translated papers for Rylan's passport, and then receiving the actual passport. We're slowly getting there.