Introducing Jacob Miras Giddens
Born July 1, 2006
Weighing in at a whopping 23 pounds (50th Percentile) this little chunky-monkey has stolen our hearts! We’ve kept his Kazakh name, Miras, as his middle name. We’re told Miras means “sunshine” or “light” and indeed we believe, just like JC, he’ll be the light of our lives. Jacob is observant. With great interest, he watches everything we do. He may think we’re a bit crazy running around the room playing “gotcha” as I believe this is a new and very strange game for him. But, his big brown eyes take it all in as if saying, “OK. This could be cool”. Squeals of giggles erupted today when we discovered he likes us to drum out tunes on Daddy’s knee. Perhaps he’ll have rhythm? That would certainly prove nature vs. nurture! He also enjoyed the finger puppet sent by Aunt Jill and JC’s wind-up jumping frog from GG. This afternoon, we played outside and entertained all of the kids with bubble blowing. There are so many cute kids here…
So now we begin the bonding period allowing us to get to know this sweet dude who will soon, hopefully, be JC’s little brother. We’re not sure yet if our bonding period started yesterday, the first day we met Jacob, or will begin tomorrow when an official from the court is expected to be included in our morning visit. Hopefully, it will be the former. We’re required to spend 14 consecutive days bonding with Jacob before we can petition the courts for an adoption hearing. We’re praying for a court date very soon after the bonding period ends so we can head home to JC. Once at home, we’ll wait about 4 weeks before returning to bring Jacob home. Please know this is not a done-deal. There is still risk that something could go wrong. The officials require that Jacob’s birth mother sign off on our adoption request one more last time. The officials will begin looking for her soon. There are also frequent changes to the documents required for court that may cause delays. Interesting to note, the two-year old girl we were seriously considering petitioning to adopt was visited today by her birth mother. The mother had visited a year ago and reappeared today stating she’d like to take her daughter home. Coincidence? Perhaps, but maybe not. So, we move on knowing there is risk and trusting that what is meant to be will be for us and Jacob.
About 50 children, three years old and under, live in Jacob’s baby home. It’s a typical Russian looking building with an asbestos tiled roof (sorry, Dad!) and likely lead-based painted playpens (again, sorry Dad!). Although run-down by American standards, it is very clean and the staff truly seems to love the kids. The kids are treated to music and massages and you see and hear the caregivers speaking and singing very kindly. It feels like a happy place full of women doing their best for the children. Everyone knows Miras by name and walks by, points and says “momma” and “papa”.
Although the weather is very nice here, temps in the low 80s, we’re discouraged from leaving our flat without an escort. So, my goal is to take a nap each day and only eat one or two of the Heath mini-bars I brought from home. To date, I’m exceeding my goals. Tim keeps busy working and reading. He’s itching to run but I’m sure he’ll be attacked by a pack of wild dogs so he’s planning to work out in the room beginning tomorrow (while I nap, I’m sure!).
We miss home so much! I can’t begin to tell you how much we miss JC. We’ve spoken to him on the phone a few times and he sounds like he’s doing great! Thanks to Aunt Jill, Uncle E, Ju-Ju and Laney, JC’s is well entertained. We have also heard from Chris that he’s doing his duty giving Abby hugs and kisses every day.
More to come! Thank you for your comments!
Da svidaniya!
(That’s good-bye in Russian)
Born July 1, 2006
Weighing in at a whopping 23 pounds (50th Percentile) this little chunky-monkey has stolen our hearts! We’ve kept his Kazakh name, Miras, as his middle name. We’re told Miras means “sunshine” or “light” and indeed we believe, just like JC, he’ll be the light of our lives. Jacob is observant. With great interest, he watches everything we do. He may think we’re a bit crazy running around the room playing “gotcha” as I believe this is a new and very strange game for him. But, his big brown eyes take it all in as if saying, “OK. This could be cool”. Squeals of giggles erupted today when we discovered he likes us to drum out tunes on Daddy’s knee. Perhaps he’ll have rhythm? That would certainly prove nature vs. nurture! He also enjoyed the finger puppet sent by Aunt Jill and JC’s wind-up jumping frog from GG. This afternoon, we played outside and entertained all of the kids with bubble blowing. There are so many cute kids here…
So now we begin the bonding period allowing us to get to know this sweet dude who will soon, hopefully, be JC’s little brother. We’re not sure yet if our bonding period started yesterday, the first day we met Jacob, or will begin tomorrow when an official from the court is expected to be included in our morning visit. Hopefully, it will be the former. We’re required to spend 14 consecutive days bonding with Jacob before we can petition the courts for an adoption hearing. We’re praying for a court date very soon after the bonding period ends so we can head home to JC. Once at home, we’ll wait about 4 weeks before returning to bring Jacob home. Please know this is not a done-deal. There is still risk that something could go wrong. The officials require that Jacob’s birth mother sign off on our adoption request one more last time. The officials will begin looking for her soon. There are also frequent changes to the documents required for court that may cause delays. Interesting to note, the two-year old girl we were seriously considering petitioning to adopt was visited today by her birth mother. The mother had visited a year ago and reappeared today stating she’d like to take her daughter home. Coincidence? Perhaps, but maybe not. So, we move on knowing there is risk and trusting that what is meant to be will be for us and Jacob.
About 50 children, three years old and under, live in Jacob’s baby home. It’s a typical Russian looking building with an asbestos tiled roof (sorry, Dad!) and likely lead-based painted playpens (again, sorry Dad!). Although run-down by American standards, it is very clean and the staff truly seems to love the kids. The kids are treated to music and massages and you see and hear the caregivers speaking and singing very kindly. It feels like a happy place full of women doing their best for the children. Everyone knows Miras by name and walks by, points and says “momma” and “papa”.
Although the weather is very nice here, temps in the low 80s, we’re discouraged from leaving our flat without an escort. So, my goal is to take a nap each day and only eat one or two of the Heath mini-bars I brought from home. To date, I’m exceeding my goals. Tim keeps busy working and reading. He’s itching to run but I’m sure he’ll be attacked by a pack of wild dogs so he’s planning to work out in the room beginning tomorrow (while I nap, I’m sure!).
We miss home so much! I can’t begin to tell you how much we miss JC. We’ve spoken to him on the phone a few times and he sounds like he’s doing great! Thanks to Aunt Jill, Uncle E, Ju-Ju and Laney, JC’s is well entertained. We have also heard from Chris that he’s doing his duty giving Abby hugs and kisses every day.
More to come! Thank you for your comments!
Da svidaniya!
(That’s good-bye in Russian)
10 comments:
Congratulations!!!!
How exciting. It must have been divine intervention that the girl in the little blue dress was visited and made your decision all the easier.
23 lbs, wow! He IS a chunky monkey. He sounds wonderful and on track developmentally. Please post pictures as soon as you can.
Sounds like the orphanage is as good as you can hope for. Hopefully you can venture out more freely so you don't get stir crazy in the apartment.
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!
Katie, Pete, Luke and Ella
You must have been posting the picture while I as
You must have been posting the picture while I was posting my comments.
He is gorgeous! What a happy looking fella! He is huge. JC is going to have to watch his back, looks like Jacob is going to catch up to him fast.
Katie
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!
He is soo cute! I just want to reach through the computer and squeeze those cheeks. I am so happy for you guys.
We will be keeping you guys in our hearts and prayers that everything goes smoothly. I know it will.
Isn't it funny how when you think you have a choice in these matters... :)
On another note-we will be attempting potty training boot camp number 2 this weekend with our chunky monkey... More to follow :)
Beth
Oh - My!! He is SO SO SO cute!!! I just love tubby babies. Irena was at least as big as Jacob and it was adorable! It's hard to resist those cheeks.
I'm so hoping the rest of your trip goes smoothly and quickly. I can only imagine how hard this trip is but it should all be worth it in the end.
Congrats!!!
Danielle
He is too cute. I am already working on telling JC about his brother...not sister! I am sure he will adjust.
By the way, he is a hit in Child Watch at the YMCA. He already knows everyone's name and he has only been there 2 times. The only problem is that he can't go outside with the rest of the group because he is now refuses to wear any shoe that is not his Spider Man flip flops! He shows EVERYONE how they light up when he stomps his feet!
Keep the updates coming...I too am a blogger junky!
Aunt Jill
I can't get enough of just sitting and looking at that cutie. Ditto about the cheeks. He is adorable!!!
What about hair, you know how important that is to us. The hat. the hat take it off let us see more beautiful brown hair. Jill keep the info about your team coming we check this thing too often way too often and love it when there is something new.
How about this from St Louis... Bobby got the cast off his arm yesterday. Has a removable brace he has to wear for a month and today, just Tuesday, he fell off a ladder at work and landed on his hand. He will have it checked out soon I hope. Not nearly as fun as light up spider man flip flops, but I love him anyway.
All is well here, we look forward to more info and more pictures. Don't forget the hair.
Love to you all.
Aunt Debby
All of us here at Bethany International are rejoicing with you! I certainly see the mothers return as the lightening bolt you wanted. Judy, Sam and I are all with you in prayer. JAN
Oh my gosh! Congrats. We can't wait for you to come home with him. I'm sure he and JC will bond wonderfully.
Mom and I thought maybe they are going to get the little chunky boy. I'm not sure if my mom wanted to tell you but when she read the post from yesterday all she could was cry. She was so exited for you. I think she misses having little ones around.
Praying really does help. Have fun with him. We can't wait to see you.
Lizzie
Jacob is such a handsome little guy! He has a smile that must melt your heart! All of us here at Bethany are praying that your adoption goes smoothly and that you are able to get to home to JC, with Jacob, very soon:)
Congratulations!!!
Aimee
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