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Today is Michael's first birthday! As much as we would have loved to be in Kazakhstan right now to celebrate this milestone with our son, it was just not in the cards for us. However, we will soon be together again. Takeoff for Kazakhstan is in 7 days, but who's counting? People have been asking us if we are anxious to see Michael again. I don't even think the word anxious can adequately describe the restless anticipation we are feeling. We just want to be there, already! Even James is getting anxious. This morning he saw Michael's picture up on the computer screen, so he climbed up on our desk, kissed the screen, and gave it a hug, saying "I'm giving Michael a hug and a kiss." He's just as ready as we are for Michael to come home.
We are running around trying to get things done, all the while trying to remember where in the house we stored the baby gear - "Where's the Diaper Genie?" "Don't forget to pull the high chair out from the attic!" "The Ergo baby carrier - where did we bury that thing?" We are going to attempt to be mostly done with packing by the end of today, so we'll hopefully only have just a few things to add to our luggage before takeoff.
The photos in this post were taken by our travel partner, Cindy Kaplan, who had stayed behind in Karaganda to "wait out" the waiting period, and we are very grateful that she was able to capture a few pics for us after we came home. Cindy and her daughter, Neve, have since moved on to Almaty, and will soon be traveling home. The flight home with Michael ought to be interesting. Memories of how James as a baby fared on that flight from Kokshetau to Almaty back in 2007 are starting to come back. It was a tough plane ride. If Michael's reaction to the plane ride is anything like James' was, I feel sorry for the other passengers who will be on that flight with us!
So, again, Happy First Birthday to our little Michael! Hang on baby boy - Daddy and Mama will be there soon...
Neve and Michael strolling around the Baby House. Michael's not sure what to think of the stroller!
