A little more info

We spoke with our agency today regarding yesterday's one sentence email update. Our file has just arrived at the MOE and there was no indication of how long it might take from here. Thus we are still anticipating the average 1-2 month timeframe which means we should hear something between mid-December and mid-January. Christmas is as up in the air as it has been all fall!

Our agency requested Almaty as our location (unbeknownst to us) for several reasons. First, as I mentioned yesterday, it's a modern city with conveniences not found in other parts of the country. Second, one of the better coordinators is located in Almaty, according to our agency. Third, and perhaps most important, there is a Canadian doctor located in Almaty who can perform the requisite medical. If we were located elsewhere, the doctor would have to travel to us and that often results in a delay. At this point we're still not clear whether Almaty is a sure thing. We get the sense that it is, but are hesitant to start counting on it.

While in Kaz, we will live in an apartment if one is available. Apartments are cheaper than hotels, so they are always the first choice. We will have a driver and a translator/coordinator available every day. I think they are ours exclusively as long as we need them.

Here's an brief overview of what transpires during our time in Kaz:

• There is a 15 day bonding period during which we spend approximately 2 hours per day with the child at the Baby House.
• We arrange for a medical exam performed by a Canadian doctor. The exam is sent to London to be approved by Canada's High Medical Commission. We can also send the exam results to any other doctor(s) of our choosing for medical opinions. Ideally, the medical exam is approved before the end of our bonding period.
• Upon approval from the High Commission and the conclusion of our bonding period, we apply for a court date in Kazakhstan. We think this takes about 2 weeks.
• Following the court date, the processing of the child's travel paperwork begins. He/she will get a Kazakhstani passport and documentation of permanent resident status in Canada. This takes about 4 weeks.
• Once the paperwork is complete, we are free to leave Kazakhstan with our child.

For anyone who wants a peek inside the lives of an American couple who are currently in Astana, Kazakhstan, check out their great blog at http://kazmoadoption.blogspot.com/. They are nearing the end of their bonding period and it's fun to read their daily updates and see the pictures of their very cute daughter.