Appeals Period - Day 1

We had a relaxing morning today with some delicious pop tarts to start things off while watching some Mad About You episodes on DVD. We would have preferred to sleep longer, but the jet lag is still kicking our butts (I was up around 5:30am, while Jenny made it to about 7am...you would think that we would sleep for hours on end since we are always tired, but that's just not how it works). Our bodies just aren't on Aktobe time yet. When the banks opened, we had to run out to exchange some US cash for tenge and then run to the market to get some diapers (damn, those are expensive) for the babyhouse. And then we hurried back to the apartment to be picked up at 9:40 for a morning visit with Max.


He seemed happy to see us when his caregiver brought him into the bonding room (wearing what appeared to be similar to a Muslim prayer cap).





He was in a very good mood today and seemed much more at ease with us. We pulled some "new" toys out for him today (actually quite old toys that the orphanage keeps in the room, but they were new to Max). One was a toy drum that had a lid on one side. He must have spent an hour putting things into the drum, closing the lid, opening the lid, and pulling them out again. I was only fascinated for about five minutes, but he was enthralled. Here's a short taste.

He has been making a weird face when he is reaching out to pick up something. Very funny.

Kisses for Mommy.

We've been hoping to go out for shashlik and beers to celebrate our court decision, but we've just been too wiped out by dinnertime. It is 8pm now and we are really dragging after some Spaghetti-O's for Jenny and Chef Boyardee Ravioli for me. Yum.

And since today is August 21st, I would like to say "Happy Birthday!" to my mom (Ginger). Becoming a grandmother (finally) is about the best gift we could think of!

14 more days until we receive custody!!!