Yesterday I spent 3 hours with my dad going to our local notary (thanks Peggy and Devorah!), driving to downtown Brooklyn and then over the Brooklyn Bridge to downtown Manhattan to go to the various county and state offices of New York, including the Supreme Court building, to pass through metal detectors and then notarize, certify, authenticate and apostille my Final Adoption Paperwork. I was a nervous wreck as we were supposed to do part of it yesterday and part today but my dad said “let’s do it all today because tomorrow is the Yankees parade in Downtown Manhattan” where we needed to be and no way would we want to be there with the extra million people heading into the city to participate. However, due to having some wrong birth certificates (I mistakenly brought the short form instead of long form), I was sent back to another office building through more lines of people and metal detectors where $95 and 45 minutes later, I had what I needed. That extra time, however, was the clincher because the final stop, the office where I would get the apostilles, closed at 3:30. I was running through the city streets with a folder of “my life” under my arms trying to reach my dad who was parked a few blocks away but it was 3:29 when I finally got in my father’s car to go to 123 William Street, which was about 10 blocks away. Too late, we just headed home, knowing I would take a train back to Manhattan in the morning and brave the Yankees ticker tape parade traffic.
All’s well that ends well. I was gone about 2.5 hours and I just got home with Apostilles in hand and it was not too bad at all. I passed crowds of banner waving screaming fans but I didn’t have far to walk to get back into the bowels of the city subway system where, with my folder firmly held to my chest, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Thank you Dad for helping me — you have been instrumental in this process. I love you!!
Today my mom is coming over so we can go over the girls’ schedules and so that I can teach her how to use Skype. She helped me by picking up Eden so that I could take my time getting the Apostilles. Thank you mom for making today easy on me!!! I love you!!
Because Gary still didn’t buy his own jacket and past history has shown me that every single thing I buy him, he returns, I decided to make it easier on him by writing him a very neat and succinct packing list where I actually checked off and noted all the things I have already packed for him (toiletries and medications and various needs.) I have already loaded over 9 hours of music for him (Sinatra and Willie Nelson and The Beatles and Tony Bennett) onto my new iPod Touch for him. What a gadget! I bought him books to read but he made me return all 5 of them because he didn’t like my selections — he’s not a reader but I’m just trying to help him avoid any boredom so I thought these autobiographies would be good. Another reason why I just need him to buy his jacket already. He has long arms because he’s almost 6’4″ so he really needs to be the one trying on his stuff. Anyhoo, as Regina said, it just takes him going into one store. Problem is, today is Friday and he gets home about 11 pm on Friday nights. And he works from 9am to 3am (yes, AM) on Saturdays and on Sunday, he will be home at 7pn from his showcase. He has no time. We might be leaving Monday or Tuesday. I don’t even know yet.
Hmmm…. I guess I will buy him his jacket after all. Saturday perhaps.
I just needed to vent. All will be good. This is just about packing, the nonsense of it.
I’m talking about a little boy … the HEART of it.
When I was pregnant with Emma, Gary bought me a small Elsa Peretti “bean” necklace from Tiffany’s because I used to call what was in my belly a tiny growing bean. It symbolized growth to me, and according to the Tiffany’s website, the bean is the “origin of all things.” I wore the necklace as a new mom and for many years and I put it back on when I was pregnant with Eden and as a new mom to her. Yesterday, I found the necklace and placed it around my neck to wear for the duration of our adoption process and beyond. And, this morning when my mom saw it, she cried.
Steph,
Sounds like you are all ready to go. If you haven't already I suggest you write down any passwords or user names for skype or email addresses just in case your computer doesn't work and you need to use one there.
Good Luck!
Julie
Steph,
Sounds like you are all ready to go. If you haven't already I suggest you write down any passwords or user names for skype or email addresses just in case your computer doesn't work and you need to use one there.
Good Luck!
Julie
What a wonderful story about the necklace. We are so happy for you. Try not to stress about packing too much (I know, easier said than done). You truly can find just about anything you need in Kaz — even a winter jacket for Gary. So he steps off the plane and freezes for a few hours?! No big deal in the big scheme of things, right?! — and he will surely buy a jacket once you are there. 🙂
We are sending prayers of support and cheering you along. I just love your Manhattan stories — it definitely adds a new element of adventure to your story as you run the streets of New York City — not quite the same as us crossing a road in Columbus, Ohio, that's for sure!!
So, so excited for you!!
What a wonderful story about the necklace. We are so happy for you. Try not to stress about packing too much (I know, easier said than done). You truly can find just about anything you need in Kaz — even a winter jacket for Gary. So he steps off the plane and freezes for a few hours?! No big deal in the big scheme of things, right?! — and he will surely buy a jacket once you are there. 🙂
We are sending prayers of support and cheering you along. I just love your Manhattan stories — it definitely adds a new element of adventure to your story as you run the streets of New York City — not quite the same as us crossing a road in Columbus, Ohio, that's for sure!!
So, so excited for you!!
What a wonderful story about the necklace. We are so happy for you. Try not to stress about packing too much (I know, easier said than done). You truly can find just about anything you need in Kaz — even a winter jacket for Gary. So he steps off the plane and freezes for a few hours?! No big deal in the big scheme of things, right?! — and he will surely buy a jacket once you are there. 🙂
We are sending prayers of support and cheering you along. I just love your Manhattan stories — it definitely adds a new element of adventure to your story as you run the streets of New York City — not quite the same as us crossing a road in Columbus, Ohio, that's for sure!!
So, so excited for you!!
Your necklace story brought me to tears! I found your blog on the yahoo list. We adopted our son from Almaty BH #3 almost two years ago. We were actually home waiting for a court date two years ago this month. I miss Almaty & will follow your journey there. Your recent posts brought back memories as we prepared to travel. Godspeed as you board that plane to carry you to your son! What a journey!!!
Your necklace story brought me to tears! I found your blog on the yahoo list. We adopted our son from Almaty BH #3 almost two years ago. We were actually home waiting for a court date two years ago this month. I miss Almaty & will follow your journey there. Your recent posts brought back memories as we prepared to travel. Godspeed as you board that plane to carry you to your son! What a journey!!!
Make sure you pack a couple of short sleeve shirts as the baby houses tend to be very warm 🙂
Good luck!
Jennifer K
Make sure you pack a couple of short sleeve shirts as the baby houses tend to be very warm 🙂
Good luck!
Jennifer K
Great update about the necklace. And, wow, you sound really organized! Does Gary watch tv at all, are you bringing dvds to watch? My husband isn't a reader either…just watched tv or dvds. Good luck with getting Gary a jacket!
Great update about the necklace. And, wow, you sound really organized! Does Gary watch tv at all, are you bringing dvds to watch? My husband isn't a reader either…just watched tv or dvds. Good luck with getting Gary a jacket!
Great update about the necklace. And, wow, you sound really organized! Does Gary watch tv at all, are you bringing dvds to watch? My husband isn't a reader either…just watched tv or dvds. Good luck with getting Gary a jacket!
I love the bean necklace story. And Karen is right- if it takes Gary freezing for the first few hours in Almaty, he can surely buy a jacket there.
Can't wait to hear your next news of when you are boarding the plane and if we'll be on the plane together from Frankfurt!
I love the bean necklace story. And Karen is right- if it takes Gary freezing for the first few hours in Almaty, he can surely buy a jacket there.
Can't wait to hear your next news of when you are boarding the plane and if we'll be on the plane together from Frankfurt!
I love the bean necklace story. And Karen is right- if it takes Gary freezing for the first few hours in Almaty, he can surely buy a jacket there.
Can't wait to hear your next news of when you are boarding the plane and if we'll be on the plane together from Frankfurt!
That is so wonderful and sweet you are wearing the necklace again! I used to call my child-to-be a "sprout." Very similar to a bean. 😉
Good luck with finding the coat. If worse comes to worst, Gary can buy one in Kaz, although I doubt they have any "tall" stores there.
The clock is ticking!
That is so wonderful and sweet you are wearing the necklace again! I used to call my child-to-be a "sprout." Very similar to a bean. 😉
Good luck with finding the coat. If worse comes to worst, Gary can buy one in Kaz, although I doubt they have any "tall" stores there.
The clock is ticking!
That is so wonderful and sweet you are wearing the necklace again! I used to call my child-to-be a "sprout." Very similar to a bean. 😉
Good luck with finding the coat. If worse comes to worst, Gary can buy one in Kaz, although I doubt they have any "tall" stores there.
The clock is ticking!
Steph, the necklace storry is so sweet! I am sure you will find a nice jacket for Gary. Dont get too stressed out, even if you forget something, you will find everything you need there.
Love, C.
PS. Don`t forget sleepers.
Steph, the necklace storry is so sweet! I am sure you will find a nice jacket for Gary. Dont get too stressed out, even if you forget something, you will find everything you need there.
Love, C.
PS. Don`t forget sleepers.
Steph, the necklace storry is so sweet! I am sure you will find a nice jacket for Gary. Dont get too stressed out, even if you forget something, you will find everything you need there.
Love, C.
PS. Don`t forget sleepers.
Hey, don't forget electric adapters! You don't want to have that iPod go down and have no way to recharge it!
McP
Hey, don't forget electric adapters! You don't want to have that iPod go down and have no way to recharge it!
McP
Hey, don't forget electric adapters! You don't want to have that iPod go down and have no way to recharge it!
McP