This letter was written at 11pm on Friday, December 11, 2009 on the way from NYC to Amsterdam Dear Little Boy – whose face I do not yet know.Soon we will meet you and you might be very frightened. We will be gentle with you. We will show you how to love, how to be…
Author: Stephanie Karp
Steph’s Travel Journal — Thoughts from Amsterdam to Almaty
Transcribed from my paper journal written on Saturday, December 12, 2009 High in the Sky (Photos to be posted shortly. Check in again) “Gary, let’s hold hands as we head to a land that holds our future.” This time, the take off was smooth and even now, though intensely cramped with a food tray still…
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Since I have gone out of order a bit in updating our travel to this point, please just refer back to the initial post early in this December 14, 2009 thread called We have found our boy!! And I feel thrilled!
Thrilled to Introduce the Little Boy We Have Been Dreaming Of!!
Batyrhan – Meaning: Leader, Hero, Athlete and The Dashing Equestrian. But most importantly, the boy who will become our son! After all these twisted roads, it all came down to this. Congratulations to Big Sisters Emma and Eden!! Mommy and Daddy have found our little brother!! Click on photos to enlarge. Pause playlist at the…
Day Two of Bonding with our little boy
Photo above taken at the end of our visit. Batyhan sure does enjoy his Papa. I write this post at 3:30 in the morning after having already slept 8 hours. Our schedule is so off that when we get back from the baby house a little after 6, I am too tired for dinner. I…
Three Times a Charm
Day 3 of Bonding with Batyrhan — December 17, 2009 There was no crying and he came easily to me and plopped on my lap. We also were able to walk outside for 20 minutes so I was able to dress him (what layers!) and walk outside without any accompaniment. To watch Gary with him…
This kid sure is smart!!
“Ta Ta!” in Kazakh means “This one!” and that is how he selected this toy in the outdoor play area. Today was Day 4 of Bonding with Batyrhan and when he was brought into the room to see us, he had a small smile upon his lips and when I opened my arms and encouraged…
NYET! NYET! NO BITING!
With a black and blue mark and welt beneath my jeans, I have been initiated into the land of biting children on Day 5 of Bonding. (Since I never experienced this before, any advice is welcome.) Today started out wonderfully when Batyrhan showed joy and giggles immediately upon seeing us and quickly ran over to…
Happy Anniversary in Almaty!
Written on Sunday, December 20, 2009Today we celebrated our wedding anniversary by doing a little site seeing. When we said our vows 12 years ago, I can assure you I would never have imagined then that my life would take me here. I feel grateful to have followed my heart to this place that enabled…
Love Blossoms — Bonding Day 6
Someone once said to me, in response to our decision to adopt, “There is nothing like your own.” You know what? They were right. I don’t need a court decree to tell me that Batyrhan is my son. I have known him 8 days but I have also known him all my life. My heart…