Nagarjun and Pizza

Sunset over Himalayans.  Our view from the hotel.

 I haven't blogged for a few days just due to Internet issues.  It takes so long to load every page.  For some reason, I am tired by about 8:00pm.  I think my body clock is confused.

We have been busy here in Nepal.  Busy waiting...  But we got Smriti's travel documents on Monday, no problem.  We had the visa interview today and it is possible we could have the visa tomorrow.  The embassy lady said we will for sure have it by Thursday.  We have talked to a travel agent about tickets home leaving tomorrow- if we get the visa then.  If not, we will try to leave Thurs. night.

On Sunday we visited Nagarjun Forest Preserve.  It is only a few minutes out of town.  Mike negotiated a taxi to take us and wait for us a couple hours and then bring us back to the hotel.  Sounded like a great plan...  When we got to Nagarjun, we signed in, left Mike's driver's license and we took off.  Nagarjun has a trail with about a billion steep steps leading to the top of the mountain.  We did not intend to climb all the steps, we just thought we could find a little picnic area.  The problem is, once we started the steps, that was it, there really was no level place on the way up.  We kept thinking that maybe around the next corner we would find an area to stop.  We finally found a "not so steep" area to take our break.  We all enjoyed just being in the outdoors, listening to the wind ruffle the leaves and inhaling the fresh air.  It was really beautiful.  We had a little snack and hung out long enough for Smriti to kick around the leaves and climb a few stairs herself.  When we got back to the bottom, we checked out, got Mike's license and plopped down to wait for the taxi.  We waited and waited and waited.  Now, we did not pay the cab driver when he dropped us off so we felt like he really would come to get us.  After about one half hour, a please officer from the park yelled to us "Why you wait?"  We told him we thought our cab was coming for us.  He told us to walk down to the end of the road and there would be other cabs.  We finally figured our driver was not coming back and headed down the road.  I entertained several possibilities in my mind about how we would get back to the hotel.  But, I felt comfortable enough- we have a local cell phone and if worse came to worse we could call the hotel and ask them to send a cab.  We about made it to the end of the road when a cab pulled up to us-Not our original cab.  We negotiated the fare back and just figured the other driver had left us.  When we got back our first driver pulled up alongside the other cab and started yelling.  He told us he was only 10 minutes late and the reason he was late was because he had to change a tire.  Anyway- we made it back and it was a fun experience.  :-)

Nagarjun

 

 

 

Cheerio!

 

 

Lots of stairs

Yesterday we celebrated our successful travel doc appointment with pizza at Fire and Ice Pizza.  Smriti loved her first pizza.  She was not sure about the ice cream at first but became a believer real fast.  It was so nice to have pizza!

We love pizza

Today before our embassy appointment we hung out with a couple families at the Shangri-la hotel.  We visited awhile and the kiddos played on the playground.  Mike pushed Smriti on the swings.  She loved it!  Wishing those families safe return home!

My next post may be from home...  We'll see!

-This post was intended to have pictures of our Nagarjun and pizza day,  but after 30 minutes, they will not upload.  I will add them later.
Namaste and God Bless,
Carrie

Stinkerbell

Smriti has a new nickname.  It went from "sweetie" to "stinkerbell".  The newness has worn off and the 2 year-old-ness is here.  Smriti is very loving and affectionate.  Each morning she snuggles and kisses me.  She calls me mommy all day long and wants me to pick her up.  She hugs me spontaneously.  She will kiss Mike, too, sometimes.  BUT... she can also be, well, a stinker.  She does not like to be told "no" and will either ignore me, or lash out.  She has hit and kicked me, and even, spit at me.  Yep...  It could be that she is angry or confused still, it could be that discipline was handled differently in the children's home,  it could be that she is 2, it could be a feisty personality.  Or, it could be a combination of the four.  In any case, we are trying to be very consistent.  The good thing about being here, is that we have nothing else to focus on other than parenting.  We have a lot of time to follow up with her behavior.  Really, I feel much more patient about it than I remember feeling with the boys.  It is a little harder though, just because I don't have a long term relationship established with her yet.  Although I feel that we are bonding, she just does not have that desire to please me yet.  We'll see...  This morning was a little rough, but by late afternoon, she was really trying.  She is smart so I know we will get to where we need to be.  I am not discouraged, in fact, I am happy that this has shown up now.  I expected there to be issues like this.  I thought it would come a little later, but kind of feel that if we are going through these things now, the relationship is progressing. 

We have not been doing much the last couple days.  We went "trekking" in Kathmandu yesterday.  We walked quite a ways with baby in backpack to Bhat-bhateeni superstore.  This is kind of like a Nepali Wal-mart.  We got some groceries and headed back.  I carried the baby carrier back since the groceries were heavier than the kid.  Long way but good exercise.  Smriti loves riding in the baby back pack.  She will bring it to us throughout the day, as if to say, "Let's go!"

We met up with some other US pipeline families last night at the Hotel Summit BBQ.  It was nice to meet some of the families we have been hearing about for the last couple years.  Several are in the visa process and are preparing to leave.  Some families have been here for awhile.  We left saying that we all hope NOT to see each other there next Friday. 

Smriti's TB test was negative and she had her medical exam on Thurs.  (Did not like!)  So we are moving along.  Hoping, hoping, hoping everything will be OK with our travel doc for Monday.  Then embassy appointment on Tuesday and let's hope we can get everything done and a government shut down does not interfere with us getting our visa by Thurs.  We may be cutting it very close.  We have to go home to those boys.  Here they are!

Skyping with those crazy brothers!

Swayambhu

Yesterday we visited Swayambhu (or monkey temple for those who cannot pronounce it correctly).  This is a Buddhist Stupa overlooking Kathmandu inhabited by Maquac Monkeys.  We climbed up the stairs to see the Monks, Monkeys, the eyes of Buddha, many dogs, and a view of Kathmandu.  The monkeys were pretty cool and well behaved, I must say.  There were tons of them.  We also saw the Buddhist Monks chanting, walking clockwise around the Stupa. Smriti rode on Daddy's back most of the time.  She did not like the monkeys or the dogs.  It was a very peaceful place with the chanting in the background.

Smriti is coming out of her shell.  We are definitely seeing two-year old behavior.  She is still not thrilled about the bath, but loves baby spa time where she gets all lotioned up.  Overall it is going very well.  She had her TB skin test on Tues. and we go to have it read today (Thurs).  She also gets a general medical exam. 

Happy Birthday to Riley today!  Wish we could be with him on his birthday.  We miss our 11 year old!  (We also miss the 13 year old!)
Namaste.

Monkey business



Daddy and Smriti



Pretty Smriti

monkey view of Kathmandu

It’s A Girl-officially!!! Meet Smriti!





Smriti

Today was adoption day!  We are now the parents of Smriti!  Here she is…  Since she is ours, I can post her picture.  Isn’t she adorable!  After signing all of the paperwork, sitting there while they witnessed and certified it, they said, “congratulations!”  We are thrilled, overjoyed, relieved, and in love with this amazing little girl.  I thought it would take longer to feel like her mother, but it really did not.  She’s ours now and even though I know we still have much to learn about her and we have to go through a process of grief and bonding with her, I truly feel like she is my daughter-as she was meant to be.

We next went to apply for her travel documents.  This was somewhat stressful.  It just seemed like there were too many things that could have gone wrong here.  But, we were told to come back next Monday to pick them up.  Yeah!  Hopefully they will be ready and we can get on with the US visa process.  In the meantime she has a TB test scheduled for tomorrow and then the reading of that two days later.  Again, just hoping and praying this goes well.  While we are enjoying experiencing Nepal, touring is not our goal here and we really want to get home so we can get on with our family life.  I am missing the boys- this is too long for me to be away from them.  I can’t wait to see them with their new little sister!



Namaste



Nagarkot and Picking up Sweetie

Today we got up early in hopes of getting a good view of the Himalayas and Mt. Everest.  We drove about an hour out of Kathmandu and up a huge mountain.  The scenery changed from chaotic city to quiet countryside.   Nagarkot village has a hotel that is maybe 5 stories.  You climb about a million steep steps to get to the rooftop for the view.  We were able to see the tops of the snow covered mountains peeking above the clouds.  Unfortunately we were not able to see Mt. Everest.  It was too hazy.  We were able to see Annapurna and other peaks.  When you look at them, at first you think you are seeing clouds and then you realize they are the mountains.  I would love to go back to Nagarkot and just hang out until I could see Everest- maybe do a little trekking.  But, this is not the trip…  Someday we hope to come back to Nepal and bring the boys.  This will definitely be on our list.

After our mountain viewing we headed to the children’s home.  We finished up our paperwork, changed Sweetie’s clothes and left.  I wish I could say this was a happy occasion, but it was very difficult for Sweetie and her Didi Nanny.  It was clear at this moment that this woman truly loved Sweetie and Sweetie loved her.  My heart broke for both of them.  I am so thankful to this woman for taking such good care of Sweetie.  As difficult as it was I was also relieved to know that Sweetie felt bonded to this lady. 

Back at the hotel, Sweetie was able to settle in a bit.  She played with her new toys and hair accessories. We just hung out, relaxed and got to know each other.  She loved the hair accessories (thanks Angela)!  She actually insisted on putting the giant flower on with her pajamas.  She hated the bath but loved the lotion.  We’re amazed with the things she knows and how well she is communicating with us.  She went right to sleep when it was time and slept through the night.    It was so nice to have her with us.  Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

Buddhist prayer flags on the way to Nagarkot

The white line above my head is the mountains

Day 3 visit and Bhaktapur City

The 55 Window Palace built 5 centuries ago

Today was our third visit with Sweetie.  She was withdrawn at first but came around quickly playing with legos.  While we were there the 2 Dutch families were preparing to take their little ones.  We got a quick photo with these families.  Both of these little boys were in the original photos we received of Sweetie so it was nice to see them with their families.  After they left we were able to see where the children slept, and then we went to the top terrace to get a view of the new well they were building.  The other children were up there having a snack so we were able to meet some of Sweetie's friends.  We ended up spending some time playing with Sweetie and 3 of the children who share the same Didi Nanny with Sweetie.  They about knocked each other out trying to pop the bubbles I was blowing.  We played with bubbles, legos, balloons and even a football.  Sweetie would play for a while and then go sit on Mike’s lap.  It was nice seeing her in her environment with the other children- she can certainly fend for herself in the playroom.  When it was time for the kiddos to take their nap, we headed out.  It was hard to leave her, but we were told that the next day we would be able to take her to our hotel.



Notice the exquisite wood carvings behind the lovely couple,



The children’s home is in Bhaktapur so our driver suggested we see Bhaktapur City.  The city dates back to the 7^th century AD and is a combination of Hindu and Buddhist temples, shrines and architecture.  It was amazing.  We had a tour guide who told us about each building, which god the building honors and other tidbits of information.  Inside the city is also a clay pot making community.  Here are some pics of Bhaktapur City.

The five-storied Siddhi Laxmi Temple with political rally out front

Visit-day 2

Today was our second visit with Sweetie at the Children's Home.  It started a little rough, but then got much better.  When we first saw Sweetie, she basically shut down.  She would not respond to us or even the center director.  We were worried but continued as if everything was OK.  We played with bubbles and then she got interested in some legos.  Once she started playing with the legos, she gestured that she wanted something from the coffee table.  I put her down so she could reach it and then I sat on the floor.  She then turned to me and made a motion like "hey, sit back on the couch and pick me up".  Later she let Mike pick her up and carry her around.  He had brought a banana for her from breakfast and got it out.  At first she did not want it and so he started eating.  Then she opened her mouth like a baby bird.  Mike fed her the rest of the banana and then he was her friend.  She laughed and played with him.  Toward the end of the visit we got to hear her voice.  She told me she had to go to the bathroom, which I did not understand.  She led me to it.  Yeah...  potty trained.  Then we sat down and looked at a book.  I pointed to pictures, said the English word, and she repeated it to me.  Mike says she likes him better, but it IS NOT TRUE!!  We had a great visit, a made it over a hurdle.  Can't wait to bring her with us!

It is actually 2:30AM here.  I woke up and could not go back to sleep.  I started to panic about some of our paperwork.  We had a meeting with the US embassy and although it went well, it just reminded me of all the hurdles we still have ahead of us.  So now that I am up and sent an email, I saw how fast the internet is in the middle of the night.  Thought I would try to post some pictures before going back to bed.  Here our some cool pictures of Nepal.  There was a wedding party coming down the street right as we were leaving.  Hope you can get the feel for it through these pics...

I think this is the bride.  Isn't she beautiful?

Wedding party

Wedding party- I don't think the photographer is happy with me




 


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This is right out of the window of our car.  Shows how close everyone is on the road.  The family posed for me.  I love this pic!

 

Hold up for the cow crossing

Wedding party girl smiling for me to take her picture

Ok, as I am previewing this it shows 2 of the cow pictures.  It will not just let me delete one cow picture.  Since this is my first time posting pictures on Blogger, I'm pretty happy with it.
Namaste,
Carrie

Meeting Sweetie

Today we got to meet “Sweetie”.  It went very well.  She is precious!  She was a bit hesitant at first.  Raj, our rep, talked to her a minute and had her give us the Namaste (sooo cute!)  Then Raj took her for a minute and handed her over to me.  I had a small lollipop that she stuck in her mouth right away.  She was shivering at first, maybe from fear, maybe from being cold.  It was chilly inside.  I brought the “blankie” that Aunt La La sent out and wrapped her up in it.  She then snuggled right into me.  She was not so sure about Mike.  Of course, he is fair-skinned, blue-eyed with a beard and at 6”2’ towers over all Nepali men.  For a while she wouldn’t even look at him.  We went into a play room with two Danish families who are adopting little boys.  We blew some bubbles, looked at a book, and played with some balloons.  Sweetie eventually would hit her balloons with Mike’s balloons.  I was happy that only after a few minutes I could get a smile out of her.  None of the pictures we got of her ever showed her smiling, so this was nice.   We actually caught a smile on film.  She is a beautiful, tiny little thing.  She has big brown eyes and sweet full lips.  Her hair is very black and she has a cowlick in the front and in the back. She has this little gesture that she does with her head.  When you talk to her she will quickly bob it to the side.  I think it is kind of a Nepali gesture- our rep does it as well.  I think it is like a shoulder shrug.   I can’t wait to post a picture of her.  It was such a nice, sweet time with her.  We will, of course, be going back tomorrow.  We visit her for 5 days and have our appointment to adopt her Monday, the 21^st.

OK, now some observations about Kathmandu…  Mike and I walked around a bit before going to the children’s home.  We went looking for a store to buy a few things.  You really take your life into your hands when you attempt to cross the street.  The driving here is crazy.  I can barely describe it.  Cars just drive closely alongside the other, sneaking and weaving in and out of the traffic.  They literally come within inches of each other.  Then you add in the motorcycles.  They are everywhere.  And they just sneak up along-side the cars and buses weaving through the traffic.  Mike said the Nepalese must possess a sense when they are driving, just knowing where the other drivers are.  There is a constant “beep-beep” and the fumes are quite bad.  Does anyone remember from Disney World, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride?  It is a bit like that.  On the way to and from the children’s home we saw many dogs, some random cows, and a monkey.  When we got to the children’s home and turned off the main road, the road turned into a stone road.  It was just like big rocks on a path.  I couldn’t believe our driver even attempted it, but we made it.  On the way back though, Mike and Raj had to jump out of the car to push it back onto the road.  It was a blast!

We are staying at the Hotel Tibet.  We have a nice size room that is very clean.  The staff is friendly and attentive.  Outside or our room there is a beautiful terrace with some comfy Adirondack chairs and tables.  You get a nice view of the city.  There are beautiful flowers outside the front of the hotel.  After coming back from the children’s home we took a big nap (we are a little bit jet-lagged) then later went down for dinner.  I had vegetable momos and Mike had Buff phlate.  The momos are little steamed dumplings stuffed with veggies.  Mike’s were fried dumplings stuffed with buffalo meat.  It was very good.  The only problem is the sketchy internet service.  We were able to Skype with Mom, Dad and the boys this morning but tonight I cannot get service.  So, I am composing this post in word and will copy it onto the blog whenever I can get internet service.

It was a great first day in Kathmandu!

On the Way- in Bahrain

We are getting ready to go to Kathmandu.  After 9 hours of flying from Dallas to London, a 10 hour layover in London, a 6 hour flight to Bahrain, here we wait another 3 before our next flight.  Due to another time change I cannot yet figure out how long our flight will be.  We land in Kathmandu 6:30 local time.  So far, everything thing has gone well...  Flights on time, just a little turbulance, friendly people.  It is different being in Bahrain (favorite vacation spot of Michael Jackson).  We definitely stick out like a sore thumb.  I see no other women dressed in sweats like me.  Some burkas, some in robes with heads covered, some in more western style clothes with heads covered and a few with no head coverings.  It is interesting being in the minority.  We have met some very friendly people along the way so far and everyone wants to know why we are traveling to Nepal.  Everyone we have told we are adopting have been very kind and gracious.

Once we land in Kathmandu we have to get our visas and maybe find out about cell phone SIM cards.  Then we are off to the hotel.  Tomorrow is the BIG DAY.  It is the day we meet our new daughter.  We are hoping she won't be too afraid of us, but know that she probably will be-especially of Mike.  He will certainly tower over most Nepali men and with his redish hair, beard, and size, I am sure will look quite different.  We will work it out though.  We are looking forward also to meeting our investigators in Nepal.

I hope to have good internet access, but the next time I post, we will have probably met the little sweetie.

It's happening!!

It is all coming together.  Between trying to wrap up with my class, getting the boys situated, and trying to prepare for the trip, I kind of feel like a mad woman.  My parents are here, ready to hang out with the boys. My mom has already washed all of the clothes we have ready for little girl. My substitute is on deck.  My wonderful teaching team has come together to step in to support my students.  My friends have rallied around.  My sister has gone shopping.  Angela is making flower studded headbands.  Whew!!!

We fly out on Monday and will arrive in Kathmandu in the evening on Wednesday.  We have a couple long layovers.  I am nervous about flying.  I really prefer travel in my big van.  But, I am so excited.  The next couple days will be quite busy.  Next Thursday will be the first day we get to meet our daughter.  We will meet with her at the orphanage for 5 days and then if all goes well, adoption day will be Monday the 21st.  I have been emailing with our awesome investigator and I cannot wait to meet him either. 

I can't believe it is here after all this time.  It was so much waiting and now there is so much to do.  My heart is breaking more for her every time I look at the pictures of her in the orphanage.  I just can't wait.  By this time next week we will know her.

I am going to try to be a good blogger.  Internet service and power are a bit sketchy there.  But I really want to try to post pictures as we learn about our daughter and about the amazing culture of Nepal.  So, check in later.
Carrie

Aunt Cathy is coming with us!!!

Yay!  Yay!  Yay!!  The best news of the day is that Aunt Cathy (Mike's sister) will be able to fly in and join me in Nepal after Mike has to leave.  I am excited and relieved that she will be coming.  I am so happy that she has decided to share in our adventure.  Cathy is travel savvy and a do-er.  I know I can count on her.  And, she is an incredible photographer, so we will have great pictures of our trip.  So happy about this!

My neighborhood friends put together an little impromptu celebration.  So cool of them to do that.  Some have been with me all along on the ups and downs of this journey.  What great friends I have!  AND, Lisa taught me how to Skype!  I made my first video call across her dining room table to her.  Now, I've invited all of my family to join Skype so we can video chat while I am in Nepal. 

We are still trying to work through the details so we can get out there.  Mom and Dad are driving from FL and will be here the middle of next week to stay with the boys.  I am feeling so fortunate to have such a supportive family. 

Wow!  What an incredible couple of days!

We are going to Kathmandu, baby!

This morning the phone rang at 4:30AM.  It was my "snowball express"  letting me know that we were going to be out of school for the 4th day in a row.  While I was up, thought I would check my email knowing that any email from India would come overnight.  And, it was there!!!  We got a letter from USCIS saying our visa request was "preliminarily" approved.  We have to actually adopt and sit for the interview at the US embassy in Kathmandu before we get the "real" approval. 

Mike is on the phone with the airline.  Well, I should say on hold with the airline.  We are trying to figure out how we can use our sky miles to get to and from Nepal.  So much to think about!  Excited and overwhelmed at the same time!

PINK-The color of faith

OK, I did it!  I painted a bedroom PINK!  It was either guest room neutral or PINK and PINK won.  This is  a big step, because really, we have bought and prepared very little.  Part out of fear that it would be difficult having "stuff" and no little girl and part afraid I would jinks the whole thing.  I don't believe in jinksing, but just in case...  Well, it was time to paint the bedrooms in the new house.  Carpet is waiting to be installed so we had to do it.  We chose a beautiful, soothing gray for our room.  Riley went with metallic silver (yeah, a bit crazy).  Blaine has a nice khaki green.  And then there is the "other room".  Blaine said to me, " I guess you are sure we are going to get her if you painted her room PINK".  I told him, not sure, but feeling pretty good about it. 

PINK seems like a hopeful color. 

Duct Tape to the Rescue

It has been awhile since I posted.  In my last post I did not know what we were going to do about our RFE.  Since then we have hired an attorney and a Nepali investigative reporter who have been working on our behalf.  Our RFE rebuttal was sent and received at USCIS on Jan 24th.  Some families have received approvals for visas since submitting their rebuttals, so this has been good news. In a conference call in December, the US Embassy reported that they had completed all of their investigations and that they found NO FRAUD.  However, we, and most other pipeline families, are still left to hire teams to prove there is no fraud.  Some families have put together a petition to congress.  Please read it and consider signing it.  There is also a blog where you can see the many children and families waiting to come home.  We cannot post our little girl’s picture since we have not legally adopted her.  Can’t wait to share pictures we have of her with all of our friends and family.  Please keep us and our little girl in your prayers.

Petition-

http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now/

Blog-

http://theywaitnepal.blogspot.com/

Carrie