Oh Mama...

Thought I'd share another picture.

This one is for you Bebia and P'ap'a = Grandma and Grandpa

Deda = mother and mama = father ?

This is going to be one confused kid... this is according to the Georgian / English Dictionary that arrived this week. Anyone speak Georgian out there that can confirm this?

Can't wait to tell Bruce he may have to answer to Mama ;o)

You just can't make this stuff up. lol

He's Back....

Bruce came home just in time to run to FedEx with me before they closed.

Our Dossier is on it's way to California and then will be hand carried to Georgia.

Talk about service.

Having trouble keeping it straight yet? LOL

Yeah me too but this is a good thing... a very good thing.

Hurry Up and Wait...

Tamara's First Dolly

Dressed and Ready to Travel.
(An Italian baby doll that fits American Girl Bitty Baby clothes. She is much lighter then Bitty baby and therefore is more travel friendly. Tamara will of course have the matching outfit complete with sunglasses.)

Yesterday I packed up all of Tamara's clothing, Health and Beauty products, and toys for the trip. One large suitcase, 1 medium. Had to split every thing up into two suitcases in case one gets lost. So we basically have two identical bags. Different outfits/ same # as. This kid does not travel light.... just like her mommy ;o)
So what's the difference between the two bags you wonder? The large one has a pre-stuff diaper bag for the trip home.


This has been an interesting week for me.

Bruce is away on a business trip. It occurred to me that this will probably be the LAST week I have the house to myself for an entire week for at least 15 years.

"WOW"

Adopting a child when it's your first sort of feels like getting married.
Minus the pretty dress, flowers and parties.
A lot of "this is the last time I can do ..."
And there is a identity change that takes place.
I used to be Lee. A Free spirit. Going where the wind takes me.
Then I married. And although he's an easy going guy I felt a sense of obligation to at least let him know which direction the wind was blowing.
Now... becoming a Mom I will no longer be just Lee or Mrs. K.
I will be Tamara's Mommy.
So much for the wind?
I realize as a Mom I'll have to avoid those sudden gusts and seek shelter.
It's going to be a little weird at first I imagine.
~~~


So Anyway.. we're in that Hurry up and wait phase. We're waiting.
I just spoke to our NJ social worker who informed me everything is going fine.
Our home study is on it's way to INS / Homeland Security
I have two copies that are coming to us and one to California.
Once I get our copies I have Trenton put their seal of approval on them and away they go to Georgia along with the rest of the Dossier.

Still need one more finger printing done before we travel which I hope we can do next week? Glad they didn't call us this week as Bruce is away and that could have been a huge issue. When you get these appointments you have to show up.. especially when you're calling in favors to get it done quickly.


Oh yes... I expect Hubby to return tonight... so if you were thinking I need a bachlorette party or something like... too late ;o)

Need a Boost?

So many packages... so little time.

Today was fun. My orders are starting to trickle in.

Booster seat so Tamara can dine at the big table with Mommy and Daddy.

A Gate check Stroller bag, about a case of J&J baby products and can someone explain these cotton training pants to me? I don't get it...lol. They're cotton and thick. Diaper thick.. but still cotton? And still pants. Weird.

Think we'll stick with pull ups.

I just don't get it.

Saghamo mshvidobisa

Saghamo mshvidobisa

Good Evening / Night

in Georgian.

Yes our language course arrived today.

OMG what were they thinking? lol. Actually it's not so bad.

Just wish I had more time to study up. ok I'm going to get some Chai (tea) and going to Satsoli (bed). Didi madloba (Thank You Very Much)

Nakhvamdis (Good Bye) ;o)

And The Award Goes To ...

I'd like to take a moment and Thank all the Professional and Personal Contacts that have helped us get this far with our sanity intact. Yes... I'm still sane. Really ;o)

Thank you friends and family for being supportive through the "years" and country changes.

Special Thank You to all those who offered to be either personal or professional references. I know I had a lot of you on stand by for over 2 years. Thank you for not changing your minds within those years. It's nice to know our friends still think we're worthy. lol. As it turns out we needed 3 personal references. Special Thanks to Denise and Ash - (neighbors/friends), Sharon & Jim and Darren and Kelly (friends). These couples wrote awesome letters for us. And they were extremely co-operative. I had all 3 within 48 hrs. Awesome job!!! When I read one of them I started to tear up and said to Bruce "are we this nice?" his response was "Nah... she's just a really good writer" lol

Thank You ... Stephen ... Sir ;o)

And Mr. Rudy... I haven't seen you since PRHS. When this is over we'll have to have you over for dinner. Mac & Cheese OK? Tamara might be cooking. ;o) Just kidding! I heard that gasp. Although I bet Mac & cheese tastes better on China.

To my friends... My Malibu Girls for being supportive and excited with me for yes 2+ years.

Thanks Deb for becoming a notary for me and going to the Dr's. office.

Special Thanks to my young Mommy friends who take my calls no matter how silly. Like the other day I called 3 to find out the average # of bowel movements their toddlers have so I know how many pull ups to pack. They've also been awesome with suggestions for toddler equipment & child proofing. And since you all have sons... I know that Tamara will always have a Prom date. ;o)

Thanks Sis... for your medical expertise over the years. Jay has reviewed numerous reports and videos with me over the years. She too has her share of silly phone calls.

Thank You Tariq of ZAST Nutraceuticals' for reviewing the videos and medical reports with your team.

You can check out Zast's new Mega Digest at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAVXxJymjFU

This stuff really works!!!

Dr. Jane Aronson NYC. She's a tough cookie but that's why we pay her the big bucks. Thank You ;o)

Thank You Shobi .. You're a good friend.

Thank You to all my online friends. You have been very supportive and your encouragement and friendship is very much appreciated.

An EXTRA SPECIAL Thank You to my online friend Nancy from Ohio who sent me the referral for our daughter with a note that said "didn't you say you wanted a 3 year old?" Nancy will be traveling shortly to Kazakhstan to pick up her 14 year old baby girl. Many of you may have heard me talking about the knitting group. Nancy is the back bone of Mittens for Akkol. http://www.mittensforakkol.com/ . Awesome organization.

Special Thanks to my professional team. Kathy, Irina, Pat & Andrea. You along with the Georgian staff are doing what many thought was impossible in such a short time frame. I can't Thank You enough. More about these ladies later. ;o)

And last but not least... I'd like to Thank all the adoptive parents who have been so supportive, kind and willing to help sharing information to bring our daughter home. Women like Filomina who adopted her son last July from Georgia. Same age as Tamara... hey another Prom date. ;o)She calls me a few times a week checking in to offer advice and chat. Checks my sanity level.

OK... Think that's it? As you can see we've had a great deal of support.

I wanted to take this opportunity to say Thank You before Tamara comes home.

Just in case if I get a little busy after.

A Great Day in the neighborhood

This morning we heard from our assistant social worker Andrea. Great news all our clearances are back and she was typing up our "official" Home Study. We should have it in a few days. Still needs two signatures, a notary and Trenton's seal of approval. And it "The Dossier" hard copy officially goes to Georgia.

Also .. more great news. Sandy made it to Kaz. Her 4 flights turned into 5 (weather issues) but she made it safely. Woman's Day is being celebrated in Kaz so she will have to wait a few more days to meet her baby girl. She did mention that there was a man at the airport that gave all the woman a long stem rose for Woman's Day! How sweet!!! That never happen to me at Newark ... how about you?