Answers to Some of Your Questions

Hi from Astana--

We hope you are all well. While our lives are starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day over here- not so much new news to report each day, we figured we'd answer some of the questions people had posted in comments.

We do change Rylie's clothes when we get there each day. For those of you who are preparing to travel, keep a few things in mind. There is a chance that if you put your child in an outfit one day, you won't see it again. (If you have a really special outfit that is of great significance you to, I would not put your baby in it, unless of course you want to change him or her out of it before you leave.) Rylie's caregivers are amazing. We love them and they do a really great job with a job that is not an easy one to do. Nine times out of ten, we have gotten the outfits back, we wash them, and bring them back. We've lost a few onesies and a bunch of socks in the mix, but most of the stuff we get back. They seem to have an easier time if they see something over and over again, so then they know it is her's. That's why you've seen a lot of repeats! We had to get some new socks over here to replenish some of the lost ones. Which hopefully explains the polka dot socks with the striped pants! Most of the outfits will be donated before we leave, but we're trying to make it through. We also have a sort of bartering system going on with some of the families. Given that Kaz does not have referrals, most people come with some 6 mos stuff, some 9 mos stuff, some 12 mos stuff, some pink, some blue, some green (you get the point.) So we've also done some sharing :-)

As far as Thanksgiving goes.... We did not go back to the Intercontinental on Friday night for the "traditional" meal. While the manager told us we should come back, we explained that $100 for dinner is a treat for all of us. Apparently it didn't occur to him that he should invite us back for a complimentary meal! So no turkey this year...

No Macy's Day Parade either.

Yes- those were beach umbrellas on the "beach" along the Ishim River. The whole thing is kind of bizarre. It is frozen now, as you saw from the pictures. People walk across it, bike ride across it, they basically treat it as a new road/sidewalk in the winter. Apparently they don't fall in here.
And lastly, yes, we are definitely planning to come back here one day with Rylie, certainly to visit and very, very possibly to get her a sibling (or two) while we're here! But yes, we will come back with Rylie one day to show her this amazing country where she was born. Next time we'll just plan a little better and come in the spring time.

And just a few pictures from Tuesday's visit.

Another family pic This is how we'll travel once Adam leaves :-)Okay, we are off to see Rylie. We hope you are all well.
Love to everyone---