Update 3/6/2006

Happy birthday, Ciarra! Here we are a year later and still working on getting our baby home.

We are closer than last year, though. Our paperwork is being sorted and then will be sent to the translator which will take approximately 2-3 weeks. After this is completed the dossier will be sent to the Kazakhstan Consulate in New York.

I have started making our baby registry and buying supplies such as wipes (can't have too many of those!)

We are going to wait to pick out any names until we have our child.

I have decided that so many people are having troubles with the Yahoo! Group that we will try using the Blog instead. Other families say that this is more convenient method for families to keep their families and friends informed. I don't think you even have to sign up to read or comment to the blog.

Update 2/13/06

Hello everyone! I thought I would give you an update on our little boy.

Right now there is not alot to share other than our paperwork status. We have sent our completed dossier to the Texas Secretary of State for the apostille. The apostille is the paper required by other governments which tells them our notary has the right to sign our documents verifying our signatures. After the dossier comes back, we will FedEx it to our agency which adds a couple of papers to it and then sends it on the Kazakhstan consulate in DC for translation. Once the document is translated it will be sent overseas to Kazakhstan. Then we will be officially waiting for the PHONE CALL!!!

Also, my mom has begun working on the baby's room. I placed 3 pictures of the most gorgeous bumper pad you will ever see at the bottom of this message. Prepare to be impressed by the most talented mother in the world! We are having fun planning and buying for our little boy.

Love, Michael & Kirsten