Lives were changed today…

To be sure, lots of effort, emotion, desire, and provenance preceded this moment, but tonight it is all in the past, for tonight Nurai shares a bed with her mother and father.

Imagining all the things that Nurai is experiencing for the first time, it truly breaks your heart.

The reunion at the Baby House was without fanfare save for one older caregiver, Rosa, who was very happy for Nurai and asked about Tougy.

Nurai was brought up the steps in a blanket and, without first letting us see her, was moved into a separate room to be weighed and measured.  A few minutes later the caregiver came out to ask us for clothes and then retreated back into the room to dress Nurai.

When the door opened again, Nurai was brought out and handed to us, and that was basically it.  We asked a few questions of one of her doctors and took our leave down the stairs and out the door to the car.

In those few brief moments, everything about her world and ours was irrevocably changed, and yet for those around us, it was just another moment in time.  I don’t know how I imagine it should have felt different, but I was alternately saddened and elated.

So begins Nurai’s second year of life.

We love you Nurai and are so overjoyed to be your family.

8am flight from Almaty to Shymkent.

Following the mountains and looking into Kyrgyzstan.

Our apartment building from November.  We went in the blue door on the right and were on the second floor on the back side of the building.

Caregivers bringing Nurai up the stairs to meet us.

The final presentation.  Nurai was not at all sure what was going on.  The green around her nose is a crazy tincture that they apply for most everything.  In this case it was a sore nose from a cold/runny nose.

Getting reaquainted.

Caregiver Rosa.

In the getaway car and headed back to the hotel.

Settling in and looking to mom for reassurance.  About to leave Shymkent on her first airplane.

Farewell glance upon Shymkent as we climb.

Sound asleep on our hour long flight from Shymkent to Almaty.

The many face of Nurai

Looking strong Nurai.  Lots of growing lies ahead.

Take Care.