Judge rules in our favor! One step closer.

We were able to squeak in a visit with Quinn this afternoon during the 2-4:00 slot. (Note his huge teeth in this photo). His caregiver said Quinn cried around 10:00 wondering where why we weren't there.

We are looking forward to Gotcha-Day which will offically be 15 days from tomorrow on November 23rd. The next 15 days is a final appeal period and then we will be given custody of Quinn Tamerlane. We will then spend about one more week in our sweet apartment with Quinn while the US Embassy prepares his documents. Once his documents are ready we will travel by plane to the US Embassy in Almaty, the largest city in KZ. The Embassy visit should take around 3 days. Then we will fly home to GRR!!!

We are outside the courthouse after the positive ruling.

We are in the court room with a representative from the Department of Education who spoke on our behalf.

Kerry and Dan had an awesome visit with Quinn T today. Quinn was a really fun and an active little guy who demonstrated balance and flexibility that simply amazed us and made us giggle! Quinn loves to watch birds. This rainy afternoon we are gearing up for the 9:30 a.m. Wednesday court date with some homemade chili.

On Saturday afternoon we ventured out to the flying saucer which permanently houses the Astana Circus. For almost 2 hours we were on the edge of our seats as we cheered and gasped at the unreal acrobatic feats. A team of horse riders dressed in Genghis Khan regalia provided the heartstopping grand finale. Dan managed to video tape most of it for Quinn to get a slice of Astana life when he is back in West Michigan.

Kerry fed Quinn for the first time today. Officially known as Temerlan at the Babyhouse, he is also addressed as: Timo, Tima, Temosha and our favorite: Temoski. The caregivers use these nicknames when they are trying to keep him focused on eating huge amounts of semolina. He almost ate this entire bowl.

After feeding him and cleaning him, including a fresh diaper, Quinn hung out and watched the 4 other families in the playroom, (Saturday is a busy day for visits). Later, we dressed him and took him outside for a stroll.

We spent a lot of time outside today.

Quinn and Kerry tumbled in the ultra hot playroom today. Quinn pulled sticker's from Kerry's nose. They also danced to a singing apple and looked at eachother in the mirror. Dan was a little under the weather and stayed home, clear of babies. It did not prevent him from keeping his hair appointment with Svetlana this afternoon. To celebrate his ultra-KZ hairstyle Dan and Kerry took a walk in the gorgeous sunshine.

A study of teeth.
Quinn now has 4 top and 2 bottom teeth.

He is so strong and active. He is all BOY!!!

To mark Halloween in spooky KZ fashion, the atmosphere has been a soupy fog all day.

Happy Halloween to all of you ghosts and goblins (cheerleaders and prinesses)!

Thank you everyone for your blog notes and the traditional emails too. They have kept us going and are something we look forward to each day.