July 17, 2006

Hello Everyone, Rachel here...we're on day number 13 here in Kazakhstan and we just finished our 11th visit with Mason. We heard him laugh today and smile a lot!! It was great. I've been sick for about 5 days now of what I believe to be the flu/strep throat. Luckily we had some antibiotics I could take and today is the first day I've been able to swallow without feeling like I've swallowed a golf ball covered in needles. Ryan may be getting it now, which I feel really bad about but at least we know what to look for and be aware of. You would have thought I would have a reaction to the food change or something but not yet. The food has been okay. We're living off of soup, dumpling things filled with either meat or potato, noodles, and lots of water. This has been the basic foods for us, but we've found a new market that we may get some new foods at. The market we have been going to is one where you have to ask for the things you want and being that we don't speak Russian, pointing to what you want makes for a long shopping session. And, have to say "skolka stoit", which means "how much does it cost" for each thing, adds more time. So, the new market allows us to walk around and pick what we want which is less stress and less time.

For this blog, we've been to the internet cafe three times now and have had no luck with posting to the blog from there. Each time we log in and get ready to post, the computer loses its connection with blogger and we can't post. So, Jen and Brian who are here adopting a son as well, are letting us use their laptop. And thankfully, they've figured out how to help us post our pictures. So, there's another post with only pictures for you to look at. We may only be able to post once a week or so, but we'll do our best to keep up.

We hope everyone enjoyed Fish Day and for anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about, we hope you enjoyed your Saturday. We were thinking of the fish and chips all day and Ryan is still talking about craving it today. We hear it was quite hot. It's been pretty nice here, somewhere between 70-80 most days. We also miss the taste of Miller Lite. The beer here is good, but nothing compared to an ice cold, longneck bottle of mmmmm Miller Lite. I miss my car and knowing that the water will be on everyday unless the water department notifies me. Here, no notice, just oh, waters off again. Or, power went out again. It's very interesting and makes for a learning experience. We love all the consistencies of the States but the no work, no responsibilities of being here. Just time with our son and each other. Which, I would like to say has gone extremely well. No arguing or major issues. We both may say different things in about 3 more weeks, but for now all is good.

We love visiting Mason everyday and can't wait to go to court and hopefully have the director give us custody right away and be able to bring him back to our apartment. Everyday we see new sides of his personality. He seems to be a quiet, shy guy and he is very intrigued with the toys we brought. His favorites are the big animal book and the plastic rings. He puts the rings on our fingers, his wrist, his and daddy's head. He loves it. At first, when we would go to his room to get him, he would cry but walk to us. Now, no cries and he comes straight to us. We love it. Then, we go to the music room and eat some cereal or fruits and then play. Some days we go outside but not always. He like to ride the rocking horse and have Daddy push him around on the little police three wheeler thing. Everyday it gets more and more fun. He loves to hug and be held and smiles a lot when we give him kisses.

We miss everyone and we'll talk to you later.

Love Ryan, Rachel, and Mason