We're heading home early!

Hello everyone. This will probably be the last entry to this blog for a while, because in a few hours we are heading home! This morning we strolled Emma around and let her chase pigeons in a park, and this afternoon we had our US Embassy appointment to sign more papers and get Emma's passport. We then went back to the law offices and found out that Emma's blood test result was in and was negative, the birth certificate listing us as Emma's parents was finished, and that all we had left to do was bring our daughter home! So we had our driver take us right over to the airline office and were able to change our flights to leave Friday AM instead of Sunday! Woohoo! We're just finishing packing and contemplating the marathon flight home and the end of our long adoption journey. Three trips halfway around the world. Over a year of preparation. It's hard to believe we're really done. Of course, it's not the end at all, but the beginning of our lives together.

Once we get settled in at home, I'll post an update on how Emma is doing. To those of you who went before us, thank you for your guidance and encouragement. To those in the midst of the process, have faith and it will happen for you too. To our friends and staff who have supported us through this roller coaster ride, thanks for helping us hold on to reach this fantastic finish. To our family, we love you so much and WE'RE COMING HOME!

Out and About in Kaz

Today was another day of new experiences for Emma. She had her first ride in her stroller, and also her first ride on a swing! This morning we went to a small office to sign paperwork that will make us officially Emma’s parents on her birth certificate. Afterwards we took Emma shopping. Then, a nap, followed by a brief stroll around the neighborhood. We are staying in the same apartment we had for trip one. This is good in that we know our way around, especially where to get groceries and internet cards.

The photos on the blog today include a few cute ones of Emma in the apartment, and a few of her in her stroller. You can also see us cruising around the shopping area and in the small play area in the courtyard of our apartment complex. Jim got a couple shots of random sights on the street - military guys, a policeman giving someone a ticket, and a very brightly colored camel.

We are very much looking forward to leaving for home in a few days. We miss everyone back in the US so much, especially Nick, Jake and Luke. Hang in there guys - we’ll all be back home together with our newest family member very soon!

Tales of a Terrific Toddler!

Hi everyone. Last night the three of us slept well. On today’s blog I’m putting pictures of the first plane we boarded to get Emma and her Gotcha Day. These photos include first hug I gave Emma when we saw each other again at the baby house, a picture of us and the baby house director right before we left, and Emma and ourselves outside the baby house, preparing to leave the orphanage together for good!
Today’s blog also includes some photos (from yesterday and today) of Emma getting used to us and the apartment. She likes her new surroundings, but particularly liked her Easter basket toys. Yes, the Easter bunny found his way to Kaz to bring Emma her basket! The picture of Emma with the sad face was after her bath. She didn’t cry during it, but we definitely didn’t have enough tub toys to make it a fun experience. She was fine once she got her PJs on and got back onto the floor for a little more playtime. I’m sure tonite’s bath will be better - we are going to have to give her nightly baths I think, as she has found out that putting spoonfuls of food onto her head instead of into her mouth gets quite a rise out of mom and dad!
Today we had an appointment at the international medical clinic for Emma’s checkup. It was a pretty quick and cursory exam (the doc didn’t even ask us to take Emma’s clothes off). Emma did have to have a fingerstick blood draw for her required HIV test. She didn’t cry or even flinch, and watched with great interest as the little tube was filled with blood. Maybe she has a future in medicine - as our oldest son Jim pointed out, “Do you guys realize Emma’s initials are E.R.?” You never know…

It's Gotcha Day!

Great news everyone - today is Emma's Gotcha Day! We started trip 3 on Friday, but because of flight cancellations we didn't get here until Monday morning. Our driver picked us up at 6 AM and told us to be ready to take Emma from the orphanage in a few hours! So we geared up for the final push, unpacking and readying the apartment for a toddler. We brought gifts for the orphanage staff, and at noon we left Baby House Three with our new daughter Emma Rose Petre! Emma did remarkably well. She toddled out of the orphanage holding one of mom's fingers and didn't look back. Today was her first car ride, first meal with her family, first nap snuggled up against her mom and first bath with us. We are amazed at this incredible child. She toddled around the apartment over and over, then settled right in with us. Right now she is playing on the living room carpet, smiling and pounding on her toys and making us feel so very blessed to be bringing this wonderful little girl into our family.
Right now we need to get our daughter to bed, so I'll have to say goodbye. Don't worry - I'll post pictures tomorrow after we have all had some rest. What an exhausting but exhilirating Gotcha Day it has been! It would not have been possible without the love and support we have received from all of you. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We have trip 3 travel dates!

Hurray! We are leaving this Friday for our third and final trip to Kaz to bring Emma home. We arrive there on Easter Sunday and return the following Sunday. It is hard to believe our journeys are finally coming to an end. We are so excited that this last trip is actually happening, and that in less than two weeks Emma will be home with her family. I'll try to get connected to the internet as soon as I can when we're back in Kaz. Hopefully you will all follow along as we finalize our adoption and prepare to come home. The best part of this trip is that there will be no more goodbyes to that sweet little girl at baby house three, soon to be known to all as Emma Rose Petre!

Our youngest son Lucas wants to post something, so here he is:
"I hope this trip will be the happiest of the three trips to go bring Emma home. Finally! I'm not Mr. Shorty anymore! Well, what else would you expect from the 8 year old who is the youngest in the family? I really hope you guys (you guys = people looking at the blog) can keep in touch with our adventurous travelers here! I can't wait to see that little girl in person!"
Love, Future big brother: Luke