We just got back from the Embassy... Visa and supporting papers in hand!! We are on our way tonight. I can't believe it is finally happening.
Had another obstacle over the last two days... was at the doctor's yesterday, with a bacterial stomach infection - vomiting and the works. But after starting antibiotics, anti-nausea meds and re-hydration salts, i feel much better. So glad it won't stop me from traveling.
See everyone soon!!
Thanks for all of your support.
Next post from DC!!!!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
US Embassy Visa Interview Over
Today we had our US Embassy Visa Interview and filling out of requisite paperwork so Ritesh automatically becomes a citizen when he gets home. But he won't leave Nepal with my name. Change of name happens in the US. His travel document says Ritesh Balak (baby boy in Nepali). We were told to return Thursday between 11 and noon to pick up the visa. We are really going to pull this off.
Each day we are getting more and more comfortable with each other, with greater comprehension, trust and affection. This morning when we woke up he rolled over and kissed me on the mouth. He did it two more times, rolling away playfully and rolling back with his little lips puckered. So sweet!
I am nervous about the flight home and even more nervous about the car seat. He doesn't like to confined except in the ergobaby. We have been riding in the stroller on the terrace outside our hotel room door (our own prviate garden frequently), to get him more accepting of having the strap buckled. We have made it into a game. But that is when he is with me, or with Jennifer and her daughter Laxmi who he adores. Not when he is out somewhere where he is unsure. We'll see....
Another full day tomorrow for an outing and to get ready to travel. Count down begins :)
Each day we are getting more and more comfortable with each other, with greater comprehension, trust and affection. This morning when we woke up he rolled over and kissed me on the mouth. He did it two more times, rolling away playfully and rolling back with his little lips puckered. So sweet!
I am nervous about the flight home and even more nervous about the car seat. He doesn't like to confined except in the ergobaby. We have been riding in the stroller on the terrace outside our hotel room door (our own prviate garden frequently), to get him more accepting of having the strap buckled. We have made it into a game. But that is when he is with me, or with Jennifer and her daughter Laxmi who he adores. Not when he is out somewhere where he is unsure. We'll see....
Another full day tomorrow for an outing and to get ready to travel. Count down begins :)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Travel document in hand
Today we got Ritesh's travel document without a hitch and the International Organization for Migrations sent the US Embassy his medical exam/TB test report. So with that, it sure seems like we have everything our visa interview tomorrow. So if all goes as it should, we should have the visa by Thursday morning and get on a plane home Thursday night.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Nap time break March 25th
It is a gorgeous sunny day, maybe a little hot for my taste. Ritesh had a harder night last night, I think that the medicine may be bothering him a little. He is such a good sport about taking it. Sadly, we both are coughing with sore throat. The pollution here doesn't help much.
Today we had our first toddler tantrum. I dared to take a pen away from him. Both mad and clearly tired. fortunately I was able to ease him after his anger subsided and rock him off to sleep... entering motherhood at this stage of life will definitely be interesting. He is no push over.
Oh... my time is cut short. He just woke up. Fortunately I got a shower in.
Thanks for all of the encouragement and support. It is a big help.
Bill leaves tomorrow. He has been staying just one floor below us, so has continued to be a daily presense and huge huge help. He will have to win the award for his patience and generosity during our entire stay. He even went back to the children's home yesterday again to play music with the children. Being a lone is going to be more challenging.
Today we had our first toddler tantrum. I dared to take a pen away from him. Both mad and clearly tired. fortunately I was able to ease him after his anger subsided and rock him off to sleep... entering motherhood at this stage of life will definitely be interesting. He is no push over.
Oh... my time is cut short. He just woke up. Fortunately I got a shower in.
Thanks for all of the encouragement and support. It is a big help.
Bill leaves tomorrow. He has been staying just one floor below us, so has continued to be a daily presense and huge huge help. He will have to win the award for his patience and generosity during our entire stay. He even went back to the children's home yesterday again to play music with the children. Being a lone is going to be more challenging.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 24th
Back by popular demand, and thanks to a rare moment of wireless internet access in my room, I will tell you about our day... Ritesh is sleeping solidly next to me as he has done each night... with the exception of some turning and changing positions, which I wouldn't notice much if I were asleep. This morning it was so sweet to wake up and see his eyes open just looking at me quietly, even giving me time to wake up before asking to be picked up.
It is really fun to see more and more of his personality and to see him become less shy around strangers. Our hotel room has become his little safe haven and play room. I am so glad we decided to stay in a nicer hotel for this phase of the trip. I have a kichette where I can prepare is bottle, cereal and other foods, and where I can easily keep things for other meals and snack for all of us. Our room is on the top floor and opens onto a terrace... so we eat outside frequently. It is a nice home away from home, especially because of the staff. They are so engaging with him. And the adoptive parents I have been most in touch with during this process are next door, so we get to see there with the beautiful daughter Laxmi daily.
Highlights of the day: Ritesh has started blowing kisses at people and waving bye-bye when we come and go from places... this is a good step forward with regard to his interactions with other people.
He has really started to warm up to Bill, today really being the first day I could walk away with them playing with the Thomas train or one of the cool instruments Bill has given him, and go to the kitchen or bathroom. This is big since in general he isn't very comfortable with men.
Results back from the doctor - giardia and tape worm. Great! We were suspicious of this because of how much he wants to eat. He can really shovel it in! Got the best medicine that can be used and the doctor says they are both easy to treat.
Today we went to Swyambunath, one of the most sacred Buddhist Stupas in Nepal on top of large foothill to the West of the city... not too far. We went "pack pack baby" style (an expression both Therese and Heathe use. He loves getting into the Ergobaby. And we certainly do draw attention. I have been getting a lot of questions about whether or not he is Nepali, and if I adopted him, and lots of people fauning over him. Many people seem aware of the controversy last year about adoptions. It was in the papers. So, there are lots of conversations that I wouldn't have had going around Kathmandu myself.
Big new: my mother changed our return flight for me All is going so quickly, that we are going to return instead on March 31st. It is cutting it really close with the Embassy visa interview only two days before, but we were reassured that it would be totally doable. May no additional obstacles arise.
Good night.
Anne-Marie
It is really fun to see more and more of his personality and to see him become less shy around strangers. Our hotel room has become his little safe haven and play room. I am so glad we decided to stay in a nicer hotel for this phase of the trip. I have a kichette where I can prepare is bottle, cereal and other foods, and where I can easily keep things for other meals and snack for all of us. Our room is on the top floor and opens onto a terrace... so we eat outside frequently. It is a nice home away from home, especially because of the staff. They are so engaging with him. And the adoptive parents I have been most in touch with during this process are next door, so we get to see there with the beautiful daughter Laxmi daily.
Highlights of the day: Ritesh has started blowing kisses at people and waving bye-bye when we come and go from places... this is a good step forward with regard to his interactions with other people.
He has really started to warm up to Bill, today really being the first day I could walk away with them playing with the Thomas train or one of the cool instruments Bill has given him, and go to the kitchen or bathroom. This is big since in general he isn't very comfortable with men.
Results back from the doctor - giardia and tape worm. Great! We were suspicious of this because of how much he wants to eat. He can really shovel it in! Got the best medicine that can be used and the doctor says they are both easy to treat.
Today we went to Swyambunath, one of the most sacred Buddhist Stupas in Nepal on top of large foothill to the West of the city... not too far. We went "pack pack baby" style (an expression both Therese and Heathe use. He loves getting into the Ergobaby. And we certainly do draw attention. I have been getting a lot of questions about whether or not he is Nepali, and if I adopted him, and lots of people fauning over him. Many people seem aware of the controversy last year about adoptions. It was in the papers. So, there are lots of conversations that I wouldn't have had going around Kathmandu myself.
Big new: my mother changed our return flight for me All is going so quickly, that we are going to return instead on March 31st. It is cutting it really close with the Embassy visa interview only two days before, but we were reassured that it would be totally doable. May no additional obstacles arise.
Good night.
Anne-Marie
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A day to remember
Today, I feel like we really covered a lot of territory, Ritesh and I. Starting with the poor little guy essentially being submitted to torture at his medical exam (who knew measuring height and weight would cause that level of distress - or to be more accurate, battle) to a total blow out (diaper that is) to a few hours of full on play for the first time in our little home in Hotel Tibet, with running back and forth, tickling, massive giggling - what a total treat! By the way,I have not mentioned that my child is brilliant. On our first day together, I showed him the sigh for "more" a couple of times when I was feeing him, and the next morning when he wanted more food, he put his two little hands together to very precisely make the sign.
What a joy to see him take joy in his world and the world around him.
What a joy to see him take joy in his world and the world around him.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Congratulations Madame, you are legally a mother
So yes, it is offical, Ritesh and I are mother and son. Powerful, but not yet fully felt. Yesterday was a long exhausting day for us both. I think today will be a day for more play and bonding.
We arrived at the orphanage at 9:30 am for tea, gathering final paperwork and saying good -bye to Ritesh's caregivers (didis - sisters) and the other children. The older children were eating when we left but all shouted good-bye Raja (that is his nickname) and good-bye sister. Then for the long day at the Ministry of
Women, Children and Social Welfare for the adoption and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to apply for his passport. That was a long wait... holding him in the shade and then in line. Let me tell you my arms are aching today. Mommy knew she was ill prepared for holding an 18 pound weight all day. Did not have time for weigh lifting before I came. Well, it is totally worth it.
We arrived at a new hotel; Hotel Tibet, which is beautifully decorated in traditional Tibetan decor and images. Very familar and comforting to me. Bill had be so kind to move all of my luggage while we were out all day... and with the power out, no elevator, so luggled it up 5 flights of stairs. Ritesh was pretty quiet most of the day, amazingly peaceful and curious to watch everything. But let me tell you, he would not let me put him down for anything. Not even on the bed to play with one of his toys. Clinging on, insisting to never be out of my arms. Only time he cried was when I changed his diapers. That he did not like. He is calling me didi only when he wants me to pick him up.
Didi is fine with me for now!
He went to sleep at 8:30 pm and slept like a rock. Woke at 2 am and want to sleep on top of me. When he fell back to sleep I was able to put him back down. Yes, he needs a lot of comfort with all of these changes, everything so strange. But he seems to be very comfortable with me. And he is so peaceful when I am holding him. Right now as I type at an internet cafe, he is in the Ergobaby on my lap, so happy to watch the different people talking. I doubt this will be possible for long since this morning he was starting to be more interested in playing with and run to get the ball in the hotel room. He is an incredibly agile, meticulous child... loves to take things apart and line them up in a row. Take toys in and out of their container. He doesn't like when food drops on his clothes. He will pick up a single grain of rice off of his shirt and put it back in his mouth or on the plate. Such a smart detail-oriented little guy.
As for mommy, she really didn't sleep at all last night. Very aware of sounds outside, his sleep, breathing, movements. I guess it is normal. I hope I can sleep tonight.
Well, I have not had time to just breath in and say, I am a mother. I think in many ways yestereday I felt overwhelmed by the sudden change and my concern for his wellbeing. I think the next few days will be wonderful as he comes out of himself more and feels more at ease. Then, I may be longing for his original willingness to just sit on my lap and hold onto me.
Sending our best from Kathmandu!
We arrived at the orphanage at 9:30 am for tea, gathering final paperwork and saying good -bye to Ritesh's caregivers (didis - sisters) and the other children. The older children were eating when we left but all shouted good-bye Raja (that is his nickname) and good-bye sister. Then for the long day at the Ministry of
Women, Children and Social Welfare for the adoption and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to apply for his passport. That was a long wait... holding him in the shade and then in line. Let me tell you my arms are aching today. Mommy knew she was ill prepared for holding an 18 pound weight all day. Did not have time for weigh lifting before I came. Well, it is totally worth it.
We arrived at a new hotel; Hotel Tibet, which is beautifully decorated in traditional Tibetan decor and images. Very familar and comforting to me. Bill had be so kind to move all of my luggage while we were out all day... and with the power out, no elevator, so luggled it up 5 flights of stairs. Ritesh was pretty quiet most of the day, amazingly peaceful and curious to watch everything. But let me tell you, he would not let me put him down for anything. Not even on the bed to play with one of his toys. Clinging on, insisting to never be out of my arms. Only time he cried was when I changed his diapers. That he did not like. He is calling me didi only when he wants me to pick him up.
Didi is fine with me for now!
He went to sleep at 8:30 pm and slept like a rock. Woke at 2 am and want to sleep on top of me. When he fell back to sleep I was able to put him back down. Yes, he needs a lot of comfort with all of these changes, everything so strange. But he seems to be very comfortable with me. And he is so peaceful when I am holding him. Right now as I type at an internet cafe, he is in the Ergobaby on my lap, so happy to watch the different people talking. I doubt this will be possible for long since this morning he was starting to be more interested in playing with and run to get the ball in the hotel room. He is an incredibly agile, meticulous child... loves to take things apart and line them up in a row. Take toys in and out of their container. He doesn't like when food drops on his clothes. He will pick up a single grain of rice off of his shirt and put it back in his mouth or on the plate. Such a smart detail-oriented little guy.
As for mommy, she really didn't sleep at all last night. Very aware of sounds outside, his sleep, breathing, movements. I guess it is normal. I hope I can sleep tonight.
Well, I have not had time to just breath in and say, I am a mother. I think in many ways yestereday I felt overwhelmed by the sudden change and my concern for his wellbeing. I think the next few days will be wonderful as he comes out of himself more and feels more at ease. Then, I may be longing for his original willingness to just sit on my lap and hold onto me.
Sending our best from Kathmandu!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tomorrow there will be a new member of the Urban family!
Tomorrow will be one of the biggest days in my life. Everything will change for the Urban family. Little Ritesh will become my son, and I will become his mother. George and Alicia Urban will have their 13th grandchild! After waiting for a long time, now everything seems to be happening so fast... I had no idea the adoption finalization at the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare would come only 4 days after my arrival in Kathmandu.
We arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday March 17th. March 18th I went to visit Ritesh in the Children Welfare Home in Lalitpur Nepal for the first time. I didn't sleep much the night before because of my sense of anticipation and nervousness about how we would react to one another. What to expect? Will he be scared, let me hold him quickly feel at ease with me? To my amazement, he held out his arms for me to pick him up within minutes after we were together. In part because he was put down on the bed and he much prefers to be held, and in part because I think he did feel some kind of connection. I know he was unsure but he held tight to me. The director of the orphanage, Maya, told me that it was a very good sign. In fact, I learned today that she has not seen such a quick bonding and comfort with any of the children and their adoptive parents when they first came to the orphanage. That brings me great comfort that tomorrow when he goes with me after the adoption, he will not be too scared. It makes me feel more confident that we are a good match, and that our lives have come together for a very good reason.
But, either way, it will be hard for Ritesh to leave his first home. He is much loved by the women who care for him and the other children. I was told today that he was nicknamed "Raja" (little king) not because he acts like a little king but because he is one of the favorite children in the house. They say, "He is such an easy loving baby".
Bill and I have gone together to visit the orphanage for the last three days together. For the past two days he has played music with the children, in different age groups today which worked much better. They absolutely loved it. I have spent some time each day alone with Ritesh and then together with some of the didis (nannies or actually sisters) and the other children. Today Ritesh picked up one of the drums that Bill brought and played on it in rhythm with the others. He was totally into it!
We also delivered all of the wonderful clothing and musical instruments donated, and I went with Maya on a total food and basic supplies shopping spree today which we delivered in the late afternoon. The kids were most excited about all of the fresh fruit. Thanks to those of you who made contributions. They were very much needed and appreciated!
I noticed a change today. Ritesh was much happier with me. How did this process happen so quickly? Is it a good sign? I too experienced a change... the nervousness has started to subside. I am extremely tired after several days of real intensity emotionally and jetlag, but I am starting to feel more competent, like I can really do this.
I will post again soon, and include some photos when I have time to sit and do it. With the power outages every night from about 6 pm to 2 am it has been challenging with the internet. Fortunately, many places have generators.
Good night! Namaste!
We arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday March 17th. March 18th I went to visit Ritesh in the Children Welfare Home in Lalitpur Nepal for the first time. I didn't sleep much the night before because of my sense of anticipation and nervousness about how we would react to one another. What to expect? Will he be scared, let me hold him quickly feel at ease with me? To my amazement, he held out his arms for me to pick him up within minutes after we were together. In part because he was put down on the bed and he much prefers to be held, and in part because I think he did feel some kind of connection. I know he was unsure but he held tight to me. The director of the orphanage, Maya, told me that it was a very good sign. In fact, I learned today that she has not seen such a quick bonding and comfort with any of the children and their adoptive parents when they first came to the orphanage. That brings me great comfort that tomorrow when he goes with me after the adoption, he will not be too scared. It makes me feel more confident that we are a good match, and that our lives have come together for a very good reason.
But, either way, it will be hard for Ritesh to leave his first home. He is much loved by the women who care for him and the other children. I was told today that he was nicknamed "Raja" (little king) not because he acts like a little king but because he is one of the favorite children in the house. They say, "He is such an easy loving baby".
Bill and I have gone together to visit the orphanage for the last three days together. For the past two days he has played music with the children, in different age groups today which worked much better. They absolutely loved it. I have spent some time each day alone with Ritesh and then together with some of the didis (nannies or actually sisters) and the other children. Today Ritesh picked up one of the drums that Bill brought and played on it in rhythm with the others. He was totally into it!
We also delivered all of the wonderful clothing and musical instruments donated, and I went with Maya on a total food and basic supplies shopping spree today which we delivered in the late afternoon. The kids were most excited about all of the fresh fruit. Thanks to those of you who made contributions. They were very much needed and appreciated!
I noticed a change today. Ritesh was much happier with me. How did this process happen so quickly? Is it a good sign? I too experienced a change... the nervousness has started to subside. I am extremely tired after several days of real intensity emotionally and jetlag, but I am starting to feel more competent, like I can really do this.
I will post again soon, and include some photos when I have time to sit and do it. With the power outages every night from about 6 pm to 2 am it has been challenging with the internet. Fortunately, many places have generators.
Good night! Namaste!
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