Happy 18 months!

Today is Stella's 18 month birthday! On her first birthday she was still at Baby House #1 and I was back home, so we didn't get to celebrate. Tonight we will have a piece of the special pink cake that we had for her back in June. It's been in the freezer just waiting for Stella!

This past summer I finally got to meet Lou Ann and Lexie. I can honestly say that I have not met a couple of girls that I like more then these two! I feel like I have known Lou Ann for years. More then the 3 years that she has been there for me through the times with CHI and every aspect of the adoption. I know that I can ask Lou Ann anything and she will give me her honest opinion. She and I have so much in common. Both military brats of pilots, attended the same University at the same time, Her major theater, mine art. Both lived in LA to persue careers in motion pictures and television (she was successful....I was an extra ; ) ) Both single Kaz mamas.

Finally yesterday we got the two Kazakh princesses together. A fast friendship was created and I know it will be a forever one. These girls even had the same color on. Stella loves Lexie and I see a new light in her that I didn't see yesterday!




On Sunday we got into the holiday spirit and Stella, Tina and I went out to the winery and enjoyed the sunset, which you can't see but we really had a nice time.

My sweet star Stella

Stella's first photo shoot...our sneak peak

Stellabration!



Every thing I want to say here sounds so cliche' but Stella and I are really settling in famously! It was a huge adjustment for both of us in the beginning...just getting out to the grocery store or cleaning the house even! We seem to have our routine down pretty well now. Stella sleeps until about 8:30 or 9 and takes 2 naps a day. Now that I have a monitor I see that she actually plays a lot on her naps, she sings and loves on her stuffed animals. Precious.

We have already had two doctors appointments and in the 6 weeks in between Stella gained 2 pounds! The doc said that she is doing awesome and to keep it up. Oh...and she is perfectly healthy!! No anemia, no scabies, no TB!! We have also had several visits from the ECI folks. Early Childhood Intervention. They are working with Stella where she needs it most to catch her up. Mostly in the areas of walking and talking. The Therapist said that she is a flower just ready to blossom!

We've also made an appointment to have Stella's eyes checked but can't get in until February. Hoping it's just something simple. It seems like it's just her right eye that goes in at times. Maybe a lazy eye or could be one crossed eye?

Every day she says or does something that really surprises me. Yesterday I was talking about going out to eat with a friend and she did the sign for eat. Later she did all done (had that one down early), then later it was the sign for more. I was talking about her baby puppy and she signed baby and said puppy!

On November 20th we had an adoption celebration/party/shower for Miss Stella. It was so wonderful! I had new friends, my high school friends and my Continental work family all represented. Stella got some wonderful things and was very gracious in meeting everyone.

We also had a photo shoot for Stella last week...the pictures turned out just wonderful...better then I had hoped! I am still amazed that this is the same little girl that I met back in June. She really is blossoming!

Paka for now......

coming home forever

I think we were a little overwhelmed upon arriving into Houston. My little Kazakh cutie became a US citizen, and then we quietly collected our lugguge. Most of my family was out of town so we didn't expect much fanfare. As we walked through the arrival gates I heard someone yell...Aunt Lisa...look over here! It was my sweet niece Paige! I couldn't have been more surprised! Paige brought a sweet puppy and ballons fit for a princess, Paige helped us out with our luggage and we were met out in the arrivals area by my bestest friend Tina. How wonderful to have such great friends and family!

The following week is a blur. I brought home a stomach bug, ate something I shouldn't have or was just exhausted but sick! Tina stayed over and almost completely tended to the needs of my sweet Stella. A fast bond was created between the two of them. About a week later I woke up and was like....where have I been?? My little love forgave me and it has been a wonderful mix of family and friends meeting Stella and welcoming her to our family and our small town. I never thought that there would be so much love for this little sweet baby. I felt so alone at times in Kaz and am just so happy that everything has worked out so well. I will always tell Stella about her wonderful country of Kazakhstan. The people where so kind and they helped me bring her into a life of so much love. I love you Stella Bella....welcome home!

leaving Almaty

Our KLM flight was scheduled for 8:20 am, so I woke at 4 and quietly packed all of our belongings in the dark. Nothing more important to me then the sleeping beauty in the bed. She is my everything. We got to the airport and thankfully got two seats together, I took a big chance and booked staff travel tickets, so we were on stand by. As we waited in the boarding area I had a moment of shear joy and I cried. I was trying to be quiet about it but the hiccups kept escaping from my mouth. I was actually going to get on this plane with this sweet little girl. Simply surreal.Stella did so wonderful on the flight, I had oatmeal and apple juice and formula to get us through.

We arrived in AMS at about noon. I thought I had all my bases covered and a friend had booked the Sheraton for us, just off the airport through the transit area. I stopped at the customs area to get a temporary transit visa for Stella. DENIED!! Apparently they haven't given those in 4 years. Previously to the trip, I had called the Mercure which is a hotel in the transit area and tried to book a room there, just in case something like this happened, they said they were booked. Meanwhile...my luggage is going round and round along with my stroller. I called my friend Tina in the states and she immedietly got on the phone and called the Mercure....thank goodness they had a room available. BUT my luggage. I spoke with KLM and then had to walk all the way to the other side of the airport and have Continental work with KLM in locating my luggage. I couldn't check in with Continental until my luggage was found. After an hour or so, everything was located and we made our way mid airport to the Mercure. Stella and I fell into bed at 4 pm and both woke wide awake at midnight. At this point I am running out of food for my STella Bella. On the otherside of the transit area there is a wonderful grocery store called Albert Hein....not much for a baby on the side I was on. My formula had also turned mushy. I made an emergancy call to a dutch friend who called my wonderful flight attentdant friend who was laying over and she got Oatmeal and fruit puree to give to us inflight. We just had to make due with what we had for the time being. Stella being a trooper the whole time. so at about 3 in the morning in AMS...Stella and I walk the airport....even on this side there are fun shops and such.
Stella at the Mercure...ready for our next flight.....
I have to say that my 23 years with Continental paid off all in that day. We got to the gate pretty early and my concierge friend was there to greet us...she said there were only 4 or 5 seats available for that flight but they were trying to block us two of those seats together on the 11 hour flight. the gate agents who I have know for years of coming and going through AMS where so wonderful to us. They came to us first, tore my tickets and said that I could go on first. WOW....such treatment! Once on the plane of course the flight attentdants absolutely made a huge deal over Stella. My friend Sylvia made us so comfortable and we had such a nice flight. As familiar as I am with this flight...this was the longest 11 hour flight of my life. Stella was a dream. She didn't sleep much but she never cried and I always had a bottle of juice ready for take off and landing. She was a trooper! Here is Sylvia and Stella.
Sweet little landing outfit from Auntie Sylvia.

a few days in Almaty

Here are a couple of pix of Stella at our Luxury apartment in Almaty. You do what you have to do...right?? We started out on Monday the 18th, after we left the baby house we went straight to the SOS clinic where they poked and prodded my little sweet pea. They mentioned that she had rickets, vitamin D deficiency...first I heard of that. After that we went back to the apartment to settle in. Stella just took it all in stride. She loved the car ride and later we met up with Galina (interpreter) to walk to Tsum to get more Internet minutes. Seems my phone minutes expired on the same day the Internet expired.

On Tuesday we had such a nice day, we decided to go to the grocery store near Tsum...the minute we walked in Stella started screaming...if you have ever been to a Kazakh grocery store you will notice people following you around, it's a very strange feeling. Do they think I am going to steal something or just trying to be helpful? I still don't know. So there is no baby food that I want there...what I do want is wine...here I am with Stella in the stroller and a hand basket with wine in it...I have to adjust everything to pick Stella up, then she stops crying..... BUT...I have to check out...so I put her back in the stroller and she screams away...we have become surrounded by every Kazakh young girl in the store!! They must think I am a very awful mama, they are touching her skin and saying something....I was trying to explain to them that we were just getting to know each other...they didn't understand a word I said. Oh well.

On the morning of the 20th, we had our "roommates" show up. The French lady adopting from Karakhstek. Stella and I had an appointment that day for the US embassy. We got home and took a nap. We woke to screaming...it was the French lady with her 2.5 year old boy that she just "got" from the Baby house. He was not having it. I guess the poor little guy had thrown up on the long trip home. Later on that night, one of the Mama's of the Taraz 10 showed up to spend a couple of nights also. Our roomy 2 bedroom turned into a very small one room for me and Stella....something I would not do again. Somehow it is NOT fun to make the mistakes with your first child on the first few days of your life together in front of strangers. What was I thinking!? It is also not fun to feel like you are staying in someone else's apartment because they stayed there many times before. However the two kids got along quite well for two babies just barely out of the Baby House.

I think that covers our stay (my 4th trip) in Almaty. Oh, we never got out again....we spent Wednesday and Thursday holed up and poor Galina had to bring us food. It was getting cold and rainy and just not easy to lug everything down the stairs to go out. At this point I have never wanted home so bad in my life!

back tract to October 15

Wow, time has just flown by...so I thought that I would just go back and post as I remember instead of all in one post. I arrived in Almaty on Friday, October 15. For some reason I can't even remember my flights. Oh wait....lets see on Continental I got lucky and used a pass to get me in business first..it was very nice. My friend Pam who worked the flight gave me and Stella two lovely gifts that she made. A bib with an airplane on it and a needle point pillow with her birthdate and foot prints on it. So so sweet! Oh now it's coming back to me. I was also upgraded to business first on KLM...there was hardly anyone up front and it was such a nice treat. I ate and slept in style. I think I've said before...Stella means star and she is my lucky star!

I had expected to take custody of Stella on Friday but my coordinator had different plans...thank goodness! I was exhausted and fell asleep at 7 pm. I did get to see Stella that day and she was just as sweet as ever, however in the first of our visit she seemed a little angry...is that possible? I saw her also on Saturday and we took back where we left off. So Monday was to be our "gothcha day"!

October 18, 2010. I had an outfit in mind for the day but it got a little chilly so I had to scramble to find something warm enough. We got the baby house around 10 after we shopped for cakes and candy. I also had my gifts I purchased for the chief doctor and the care givers. I was so nervous! I gave the visiting nurse, Batima, Stella's outfit and waited....a few minutes later they brought in the sweetest little girl in her "gotcha day" attire. What a sweetie...we all couldn't help but laugh. I topped it off by adding a nice set of pearls for the occasion.

We left the baby house and went straight to the SOS/International clinic. Stella cried huge tears as they poked and proded. What a trouper! After that we went the apartment and got to know each other a little.

That evening Stella would have nothing to do with the pac and play so in the bed she went. I can't even tell you how important that bonding time was for us. Several times she woke just to touch me or to smile and then slide right back to sleep. In the morning she layed there for about 20 minutes just smiling and looking at me and taking it all in. If I wasn't already in love with this little bit...well that was the icing on the cake!

Enjoy the pictures, they are a little out of order. Stella was in the same outfit, 4 months later that I met her in. So to Stella...I promise you, no more silly outfits or silly hats...more later.....

on my way....

I have butterflies in my belly....I am waiting for my sister to pick me up, then I am on my way to Kazakhstan to pick up my sweet, precious baby girl!! Is this really real? I keep having to pinch myself! Wish me luck!

Stella and I should be home forever on October 23rd! Paka for now.....

Stella's story

First and lasts

first bonding day of first bonding trip in June

I was thinking about things this morning...today is the first day of my 49th year. While some others my age are grandparents, I will becoming a first time Mama. My 30th class reunion is coming up on the 30th of October and I was thinking of taking Stella and just going for the social hour and dinner. I remember kids being there in years past then I realized that that was 25 years ago!! Really? Am I that old? Or are they that old?? LOL!

Lasts....To start with, this is the last delay, I pray...I was supposed to leave Sunday but my passport/visa won't be back until tuesday. I leave on Wednesday to go back to Kaz.....Tuesday is my last day here without the sounds of a child in my house. That will be my last day that I will be missing my girl and wondering what she is doing in her baby House. That is my last day of being independent. And you know what I say to this?? Bring it on!!

what a day....

What a crazy couple of days! Fall is in the air and it has been nice and a bit cool at times. My sister hired me yesterday to do some fall decorating shopping for her...fun! It's always nice to spend someone elses money. This morning I went over to put everything together...pumpkins, gordes....wreaths. I realized I had forgotten a pot at my house just a mile away. Jumped in my car and went around the corner only to hear...thump thump....I had forgotten to close my back hatch! Ha ha.....3 pumpkins were rolling down the country road! I managed to save two out of three....and just for effect...I had to leave the one. Now I know how that happens. It's usually watermelons I see on the sides of roads! LOl!

After being over at my sister's house and decorating I decided to go home and get lunch....as I have been doing for months...I checked my email for anything from Erin. It was titled "Good News"!!!! I am going back to Kaz to get my little sweet pumpkin!! Stella's passport should be ready and I have appointments lined up for the International clinic and our exit interview for October 18th and 20th!! We should be home on October 23!!!!!! I can hardly believe it. It is really happening! the longest I had gone without seeing Stella since June was about 20 days....this time seemed so much longer, it's been about 43 days so far. You start to think that it was a dream and that it was never really going to happen. It is and I am going back to get my baby girl!

just thinking out loud......

Yesterday was Miss Stella's 15 month mark...I met her at 11 months so 4 since I met my little lamb. I wish that I was with her. I miss our time and can't wait to start our full time life together. I have that weird feeling in my stomach right now...not sure what it means. Originally I'd be on my way to Kazakhstan around October 1, just 10 days from now. With the passport slow down I am just not sure when I will go. I was lucky enough to get a double entry visa but it expires on October 12. I am thinking about a couple things to do:

1. renew my visa in DC now so that I won't be scrambling last minute

2. Go now for a visit, come home then back again

3. Stop in AMS on the way to renew my visa and head on over to Kaz and take custody and wait it out

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Beth who, was with the same team, I met in June, is there now finishing up with her little one, it took her 8.5 weeks to go back and the couple before just 6 weeks. So it does look like it will take longer. Who knows? 8.5 weeks puts me there around October 18 but my visa will be expired by then....then there is a big party that my family and friends are having for Stella on October 29. What to do???

In the mean time I have been dolling up Stella's room......do you remember my dream about the baby bed and spiderman toys? Miss Becki remembered and I got the sweetest gift in the mail last week! Love love it!!!

my name is Lisa.....

Hi, my name is Lisa....I visit this blog often just to get a glimpse of this sweet little star Stella. I can not get enough. I dream of the day that I can whisk her away on a multi colored rainbow to a land that exists of milk and honey...of green grass to roll on, of puppies and kitties to play with, of endless treasures to discover, of love that is never, never ending. I yearn for my life with Stella. My family who didn't exactly understand what I was thinking, asks daily..."now when can you go back and bring her home? She needs to be home....it's time...."

It is time...I have dreamed of this child since I was in my 20's or was it earlier? This child that is not of my loins but of my heart. My heart is bursting to kiss those chubby cheeks and to see that smile explode on her face! I need to be with her.....I wish to go take her away today....is she being shown affection at all...God I pray so. I know that her needs are being met, she is well cared for and well fed....but love......does she know what that is yet? Does she miss the lady that would take her to play, with more toys and attention that she has ever known? Does she miss the attention and the kisses? I miss it all. My heart is with Stella and it always will be.....I miss my girl. God bless my girl and keep her safe. God speed little one.....I am saying this with all my heart...please hear me.....please let her know that I love her and that even though I have left her 3 times already, that I will never, ever leave her again. Love you Miss Stella.......Mama is trying to get back to you....very soon.........................

Stella playing with her new purse from Tina and Rattle from Lou Ann!

Home sweet home again

Wow...what a fast paced few days...this was trip #3 and court. I left on august 11th and sat in coach on Continental, stayed over in AMS with a friend who was laying over close by (saved money on a day room) and then KLM upgraded me to Business Class! My lucky Star shines again for me. On my 3 trips, 12 flights, I have been upgraded to business class on 1 leg out of two on each trip...very lucky!

I arrived in Almaty on Friday, stayed in yet another apt which was a very nice one bedroom located very close to the Silk Way Mall. That afternoon we walked to the Baby House to see Miss Stella. She was shining in her usual way. She recognized me and came to me right away, she loved her new pink toy purse I got her and she is sitting totally unassisted AND trying to pull up to stand! Shine on sweet girl!! I got to see Stella 4 of the six days I was there.

Court was Tuesday. It was tough. I stood up most of the time and felt I was grilled endlessly. I was dripping with sweat by the time it was all over. One because of the heat, and two because of the Judge. They said he liked me and he did tease me but the comments and questions were unmerciful! Here is a sample of what I can remember......Can you have your own child? I don't know.......Is that because you like yourself too much to suffer? No.....There are banks in the US with sperm you can buy, why didn't you do that? Because I wanted to help a child that was already here....Did you choose Kaz because it is a quick program? (WTF!!!!) No, it took me over 3 years to get to this day. If you were Muslim you could be the third wife to a man. Maybe I could have 3 husbands? Will Sabrina be a flight attendant some day? Maybe she will fly the plane? Where is the hardest airport to go through? Really you want to go there with me?? Okay I didn't say that but come on! Needless to say when I got the YES, I was beyond thrilled!! Oh did I forget to mention that part....I got a YES! I have a daughter and her name is Stella Sabrina Schultz!! Amen!

They tell me it will be about 45 days before I can return. 15 days for the waiting period after court, then they will start her passport and her new birth certificate with her new name and my name listed as her mother. I still can't believe it and I am so happy! There is a new Schultz and a new Mama is born!

When Stella was very, very small.......

Love love this!! Thanks Jane...I have never heard of this...I am going to have to buy the whole series for sure!

I leave tomorrow for my court trip...I still can't believe this is finally happening for me!!

Signs

Stella Sabrina shining!

Sabrina on bonding day 1

I just had to post these pictures...I can talk all day long about how my Stella shines. But when I look at her pictures of the first bonding day back in June...I can hardly believe it's the same child. I met Sabrina and knew immediately that she was "there" but it took me a good day after talking to so many of you...that I needed to give her a chance to shine. She is my Stella and boy does she shine!

If you read my posts from Looking for Sam, you know that I believe in signs and all sorts of kookiness ! In the end I know it is because the big Guy upstairs had these plans for me all along but for me it's entertaining and interesting. Sometimes it is motivating and makes me feel as if I am on the right path. I wonder about all the signs I had for the little guy. What did those mean? Did someone know me so well that they had to use the little guy to get me to Kaz in order for me to meet Stella? Maybe? I am stubborn and I was on course to meet a little boy.

Want to hear my latest signs? Way back, a psychic had told me that the little guy would be called "little sunshine" Stella means "star" which is a little sunshine. When I chose the name for her, I didn't know that. The other day for my blog I chose a song called "shine on", I had never heard it before then...it just seemed to fit for Stella. I was in a Claire's accessory store and while in there I heard "shine on". The tv was in the living room on Friday and the announcer was talking about something and said 'shine on". Last night I was watching a movie, I think the movie with Helen Hunt about tornadoes and on the ending credits they played a different song with the chorus....shine on!!

I can't wait to see Miss Stella, my lucky star, to see what surprises she has in store for me. I don't know if I will get to see her other then after court. WHEN...I get my big YES!!! Praying for a big YES!! I think it depends on the Chief doctor and she is by the book so maybe not. I will be leaving for Kaz on the 11th and arrive there on the 13th, court on the 17th, home on the 18th. I have packed clothes for Stella and things that I think I will need on the last trip. My interpreter has been gracious enough to let me leave things there for the remaining two trips.

I am going the apartment route again...I saved so much money even though it is not the most luxurious way to go. I spent over $4,000 on the first trip, (the trip that didn't count) and a lot of that cost was the $150 a night hotel and the team fee. Ouch! This apartment is only on the 3rd floor but it doesn't have A/C. It looks like it's in the high 80's and 50's and 60's at night so it shouldn't be as bad as that HOT week on my 2nd trip. That was HOT!! Cost per night is about $41 US a night. I can do anything for a week...right??

Wish me luck! Paka for now.......

order in the court!

Just found out I have a court date...it's august 17th!! Yay...but wait.... so much to do!! I am still awaiting my FBI prints as the first set never got back to me and I finally just today got an appointment with USCIS/NBC to update my prints....wonder if everything will get back to me before the 11th...when I am set to leave for Kaz? I wonder what will happen if they don't?? I also had to rearrange my work schedule and have training for work on Saturday. Oh the stress! I am not even thinking about the stress of the court date yet. Just that I have it and that's good enough for me!

Today I started going though clothes that I have recently purchased...that aren't for a boy...for some reason I have gotten all these clothes in size 12 mo....what was I thinking??Stella wears a 6 to 9 month....hmmmm....more shopping in my future.....it is a bitter sweet thing...want to buy clothes for sweet Stella but need to think about paying for my next two trips to Kaz......I have hardly worked since May because of the visa and the two trips........it's that responsibility thing again.......OK, so I discovered Etsy.com...and also the pillow case dresses....I ordered one for $10 and I think that if I can figure out how to make them, then we are all set! Maybe for the summer.

Oh, this song that I picked a few days ago...I had never heard before, it just sounded right for Stella. Today I went into a store and they played that. I wanted to cry in the Claires but somehow I felt they would look at me funny......

Paka for now!

this is weird......

Ok, this is weird...remember my post about the orbs and angels? Well I had my photos from my trip open and was browsing them really big....I get to these shots of the studio apartment in Kaz....look...more orbs! I haven't seen them on any of my other pictures so far....I counted 8 on this photo.....and I think that weird shape is a reflection........
I found about the same number on this photo...........hmmmmmm