It's Official today!!!

As of today, Hannah Alina is officially our daughter!!! It has now been 15 days and the judge's decision is binding!! I had such good intentions of updating the blog during our time apart from Hannah, but obviously, it didn't happen. I feel like the time is going by so fast.

In other news...I am going to pick up Hannah on June 8th!!! I will be going by myself to Almaty to pick her up, but staying with Chris (our neighbor from Karaganda) in an apt. I leave the 7th of June and will arrive in Almaty at 530a on Thursday. It will be a whirlwind trip with picking up Hannah and going for her medical exam that same day. Then Friday, we go to the US Embassy to get her visa and by Saturday morning, we'll be on our way to Boston via Amsterdam (to pick up Daddy). We've decided not to get her visa for NL, but rather make a VERY quick trip to the US (3 days) to get her US passport. We chose Boston because there is a direct flight and Joe knows the city well. If Hannah is up for it, we may even get to see family too.

But going back....a recap to today.

Last Tuesday, my friends, Jill and Meghan, threw me a baby shower.
It was so much fun! The cutest touch was the diapers made out of pink napkins safety-pinned filled with chocolates! I had brought pictures of Hannah, mostly wallets, and we displayed them throughout her house. Too cute. Then, of course, there were the presents. A lot of pink!! Toys, outfits, onesies, books (Auntie Tara, the teacher, couldn't resist). She even got a jean jacket! Something every little girl needs, right?

This past weekend was a 4 day weekend. Joe got Thursday and Friday off from work - Ascension Day. Just what we needed after spending 24/7 together for a month. Thursday was shopping day for Hannah. Between the baby shower and hand-me-downs from friends, she is pretty set with clothes. We also are borrowing a lot from my friend Maria, including an infant car seat, which is great. So we just had to get a few more basics.

Saturday morning, I received word from Don at ROTIA (via email sent Friday) that we could have appts. the 8th and 9th or the 12th and 13th in Almaty. We were very excited and of course chose as soon as possible! Because of the 3 day weekend we couldn't confirm this with him until today and therefore will be booking our flights tonight!

The rest of this week, I will be doing the finishing touches on getting ready for baby. Finishing up her room, cleaning, moving stuff around to make room for her stuff, baby pro0fing, etc. I also have to go to the Kazakhstan Embassy in The Hague again to get another visa.

It's hard to believe that next week, we'll have our daughter!!! Very exciting! Very scary! : )