Another Busy Weekend and a Small Progress Report

Troy had a few days off this past weekend and we were able to enjoy four days together with Daniel.

Friday with my mom's help we planted eight tomato plants, lots of green beans (Daniel's favorite), onions and lettuce. I also planted 16 dianthus plants in my walkway garden to the front porch. I am trying to cover a long area and am slowly adding in each year, plus the plants come back up every year and bush out. It's my favorite flower and the only one I've found I can grow!

Sunday we went to Discoveroo, a family music festival, which is put on by the Virginia Discovery Museum. I won a family pass for 5 tickets so we took my sister in law, Amber and my nephew, Parker and made my brother in law Stephen pay his way! There were bands, tables with crafts, drawings, and a man on stilts, among other things.

The funniest part of the day was watching Daniel with the man on stilts. While my nephew Parker was the least bit perturbed by this abnormally tall man, Daniel hung back quite a bit, eyeing him. At one point all the children were running in between his legs, like going through a tunnel, and Daniel just kept hanging back. Before I go on you have to know that my son is fearless, (or was), then finally he got the nerve up. I wish I had the video camera because once his mind was made up, he took off, kicking in turbo speeds, went under the stilt walkers legs, and then kept right on going, never looking back. Troy and I were in stitches!! At any rate, the boys had the best time and so did we watching them!

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I wanted to also give everyone a small update on Daniel's developmental progress. This will be short, but I wanted to list some things for myself as well as others.

Eating: Still doesn't eat much meat, will drink very small quantities of milk, doesn't think we should have meal time, especially when playing motorcycles or watching Elmo, stuck at 31 pounds.

Sleeping: Great – still needs a nap. He may not think so, but if not, somewhere between 4 and 6, in the words of Becky his evil twin arrives. He won't let us rock him completely to sleep anymore, but instead insists we come back to check on him after a few minutes and then waits for us. Is also trying the whole, "I need some juice" or "I need to go pee", stuff to avoid bedtime. Are they supposed to start that already?!

Speech: Daniel puts together paragraphs for us now, including very long sentences. We can hold a pretty normal conversation with him and he is now playing with his toys and having them talk, etc. Great imagination!

Attachment: Great! He does think it's okay to talk to strangers but he doesn't touch them and stays back far enough to keep an eye on us. The moment they make a move for him he bolts to us. Before you panic – we are standing very close by. For example – in the home store the other day he was about 5 feet in front of Troy and I and a lady came to the aisle and Daniel said to her that he was wearing a hat and she made to look at his hat closer and he bolted for me. A second example was after the Discoveroo event and he went walking a few feet ahead. Eventually he was walking with a group of teenagers not realizing it and suddenly he looked up and very quickly returned to my side. Again I was only feet behind him. Each time we explain that he needs to stay with Mommy and Papa and in our sight. Also, we always hold hands in streets and parking lots. Occasionally, like on these two occasions, there weren't many people around and we were within arms reach, so we let him explore his independence a little. We will however continue to work on the fact that not all strangers should be spoken to, especially if Mommy and Papa are not in sight.

This Morning: Daniel decided he didn't like the shirt I picked out for him to wear. He's never cared before but he ended up going to school in the blue pants I put on him and then he chose a bright orange shirt. I wonder if this is the first of many very interesting outfits!

I suppose that's about it. Hope every one is having a great week! I'll leave you with photos from the festival of Daniel and Parker. Pay particular attention to Daniel's distance from the man on stilts!

Time Flies

Six months ago today we were nervously getting dressed for court in a hotel room in Izhevsk, Russia. We had gone over our speeches about a million times. We could barely eat our breakfast and we had even practiced our speeches in the little café while we tried to eat.

We were escorted to the Russian court and ushered into a bland room with small benches for us to sit on and small tables for the orphanage director, the social worker, the prosecutor, the clerk, and podium for the Judge.

I spoke first talking about our family, our home, our finances, and everything in between. Troy spoke about our jobs, our hobbies, our lives. We were asked many questions. Troy was so quiet and nervous that they had to keep asking him to speak up. Finally in answer to one of the Judge’s questions, Troy simply said “Because we love him.”

After four hours, we were finally announced Daniel’s parents. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the smile plastered on my face. It was one of those you just can’t wipe away and the kind that hurt because you can’t stretch it any farther. I remember looking at the social worker and orphanage director, who we really, really liked, and seeing their big smiles also.

What a day. What a change to our lives and the life of a little boy from Russia. I think that day will always be one of the most remembered and one of the best days of our lives. Daniel is a true joy. He makes us laugh, his personality fits right in with our family. There have been tears and frustration too, but the smiles and laughter far outweigh them.

As an update on attachment I thought I would list a few things that have happened recently.

1. At the library I was sitting counting his jumps on the trampoline when he got off and started toward a table with play-doh. Halfway across the room, he stops suddenly turning, so fast he falls. He gets right up, finds my eyes, and says “Come on, Mama”.

2. We had guests for lunch a couple of weekends ago including his beloved Granny and Grandpa and Troy’s boss. When he was done, he fussed to be out of his chair so I picked him up and sat him in my lap facing away from the company holding him on my shoulder. He actually stayed in that position, laying his head down for a few minutes, letting me hold him, without feeling the need to turn around and be in the middle of the conversation.

3. Daniel and I went to Burger King and after he finished his lunch, instead of the normal, crawl under the table back and forth and see what everyone else was into, he sat down and put his head on my arm and let me hold him against my side while I finished eating.

The last two things are not only good attachment signs since he feels comfortable and secure but they are showing us that Daniel is not as overwhelmed anymore as he initially was when we would take him out. He’s becoming quite the little shopping companion for me (must to Troy’s chagrin) and I love it!!

So without further ado – These are photos I have posted before, but I think they show the real changes we have seen. Here is Daniel six months ago and then today!

Chat 'n Play at the Library and Progress Report (long)

Today we went to our first Chat 'n Play at the local library. This is something, along with Mother Goose Time, that I have been wanting to do for some time. The programs just started back up since school is back in session so today was our first day. I wasn't sure what to expect so off we went. I was pleasantly surprised by the room we had to play in. There was a mat with lots of soft shapes to build things with, a tunnel to crawl through, cushions to tumble on, books and a rocking chair, a trampoline with handles for the child to hold on to, blankets with toys, tables set up with puzzles, ink stamps and paper, and my personal favorite, shaving cream. What a great idea. We smeared shaving cream on the table and used popsicle sticks to draw in it, and of course our fingers too!! It was loads of fun. Daniel played with several children and I got to talk to several moms and just be a regular mom myself. With me being the fabulous mother I am, I forgot my camera so at the end of the post you'll just have to settle for pictures from the other day!!

As for progress I thought I would try to list out some areas of improvement.

Attachment:

Just today at the library Daniel fell backwards on the mats where we were all sitting and right into another mother's lap. She instantly put her arms around him and swung him side to side being playful and he started arching his back pointing at me going, "Mama, Mama". They all thought it was sweet (and so did I), but also secretly I was cheering him for only wanting me. He also backs away from other women now when they want to hold him unless he knows them (family).

Speech:

"Fantastic" is his new favorite word and mine. He is starting to initiate conversation now for basic needs and to tell me something he sees. He still doesn't understand the concept of answering a question (just repeats the last few words I say), but we are working on it. Just today I pointed at something and said "How about that?" to which he repeated the same words perfectly! We also taught him how to ask for help with something by saying "help, please" instead of crying when he wanted something. Now he'll run around the house saying "help, please, help please." It's pretty amusing!! We are still working on colors and numbers but we think he's come a long way.

Potty Training:

We've just started and so far we are not getting anywhere very fast. He will go when we put him on the potty to which he gets an M&M, a sticker to put on his chart and he gets to (are you ready for this) flush the toilet. Flushing the toilet is great incentive. Of course the M&M seems more important because when I ask him if needs to go potty he instantly says "M&M?" Wish us luck!

Sleeping:

Still a good sleeper although we're figuring a few things out. The biggest thing is he hates to be woken up. Talk about not a morning person!! I only wake him up on the days I have to go to work and even then I try to bang around and make alot of noise so he'll technically wake up on his own. He likes to wake up and play then he's ready to get up. If he isn't totally awake and done playing when I go in there, he pretty much gives me the evil eye and crys when I take him out of the crib. I guess it's too bad for me, who is a total morning person!! His naps are getting shorter but still decent. I usually have a couple of hours to get a few things done in the afternoon.

Eating:

Hmmmm....this goes back and forth. Since trying the tea with milk I've been able to transition him to just milk at mealtime and he drinks it!! Although he drinks it slower than juice it still goes down and he tends to eat a little better. We still have days where he decides he doesn't like anything. We're also having days where he just wants to play with his food. I don't mind a bit of playing but lately he's been banging his fork alot and squishing his food up. Yuck!! Table manners are cinsidered an ongoing learning process and of course he is only 2!

So there it is! The update I've been wanting to post for a while but just had not gotten to it!
The pictures below are of Daniel on our new play toy that I picked up a yard sale for a whopping $10.00~~I was so excited to find it and couldn't believe the price when I saw it. I even had to go home, get Troys truck, go back load it up, tie it down, get it home, spray it off and then I put it back together again all by myself!! I don't think before becoming amom that I could have done all that!! It was worth all $10.00 and then some!!

Attachment Part Two and Gardening Fun

This weekend we had tons of fun!! We visited Granny and Grandpa (Troy's parents) and had a great time. Troy's dad recently had both knees replaced and we were amazed at how well he was moving around! We had lots of fun swimming in the pool and had lots of good food!

I need to say a special thank you to Granny (Troy's mom Barbara). She loves, loves, loves children and we knew it would be especially hard on her to not be able to run to Daniel if he cried or pick him up if he fell or give him snacks if he was hungry as we needed to be the ones to do that in order to help Daniel understand that Troy and I were his parents and we would be his providers. In the pool this weekend, I would swoosh Daniel to Granny and he would start to fuss and instantly look and reach back for me. Granny let go every time and even spoke about how thrilled she was to see Daniel acting that way. I know it had to be hard though!! I do know once my little daredevil was laying on a raft that Granny was able to tip him over and into Papa's waiting arms and we had lots of giggles!! Barbara - we're so proud of you and don't you worry Daniel loves his Granny or as he says "nanneeeeee".

On Sunday we played around outside with our tomato plants. Last year we planted them against one whole side of our house because we dug out some other plants we didn't like and stuck the tomatos in for fun. Well, they grew like crazy so we did it again this year. We have the biggest darn tomato plants I've ever seen in my life. We also got our first red tomato!! Daniel loves to help us water them!!

Here I asked Daniel to look at Mama and say cheese and instead

I got this...when I squealed it became an all out war as he thought

it was hyterically funny to spray Mama!!
Not too sure about payback though!

Helping Papa tie up those huge plants.

Do you see how big the tomato plant is behind me? I mean seriously

it's so big I can't see the top of it!

Attachment Strides

This past week and weekend has really opened our eyes to some strides Daniel has taken in the attachment area. Each morning this week for the first time after I have dressed Daniel he has run into the living room and called for Papa. Then I have to take him by the hand and show him Papa isn't sleeping or in the bedroom and that he has left for work. Daniel seems okay with it, but will ask for Papa more often now. He also has started talking on the phone to Papa. Before he would hold the phone and not say anything but now he is babbling back and always says "I luv luuu" (I love you) back to Troy when he says it.

As for me the past two weekends have really shown me that Daniel is bonding with me well. At one of our July 4th BBQs, he got a 'boo boo' and when my cousin leaned down to check on him he backed up and ran straight to me. The same thing happened when my aunt held out her hand for Daniel's dirty napkin. He looked at her hand and then ran it over to me. Just Friday night we were out and I walked away to go to the bathroom and Troy was sitting with Daniel and for the first time Daniel yelled out "Mama!" after me. He also made the hand motion to "come back!" I was so excited. While he would always look for me, he never actually called out after me. Lastly we stopped by a farm with horses (I know, I know but you can do that in the country) and asked if we could pet the horses. The older gentleman grabbed Daniel right up and actually took us into the ring where the horses were eating and let us rub them. Daniel was amazed by how big 'horseys' really were. But the more amazing thing was he wouldn't really pet them because he was too busy twisting and turning in the man's arms to see me more than anything else. I explained to the gentleman what was going on and he handed him right over and we proceeded to pet all the horses! Fun times. Troy has a few pictures on his cell phone and if we transfer them over, I'll share!

One other thing we have noticed about Daniel is that his little personality and his understanding of everything is really coming out. He wasn't eating his lunch the other day and I started being silly saying "Scoop, scoop, whoop, whoop, scrunch" and making the gestures and of course a big loud "scrunch" for eating and he looked at Papa and then at me and started laughing and then waved his hand at me and shook his head as if to say "Mama, you're so silly" and Troy and I just got a big kick out of it. But guess what - he ate all his lunch!! It's neat to see how far he has come!!

Lastly a few photos...

Another Week Gone By

This past week was a very busy week for our little guy and I am hoping this week is a little quieter. As you already know we had our International Adoption Clinic visit which went very well (as did the Burger King stop afterwards!). We also made our first ever big grocery store expedition. Papa went along for this one. We have run in to the store before but this was one of those the cuboards are bare, need to shop desparately moments and it took a little over an hour. Daniel was so good. He sat in the cart and his Papa pushed him all over the place while Mama threw things into the cart. We were so pleased with how he did.

We also found out that our boy will eat almost anything. And I do mean anything!! He was fussing at me in the kitchen the other night while I was making salad for Troy and I so I gave him a piece of the dill pickle I was cutting thinking he would take one bite and spit it back out. Troy and I stood there waiting for the funny face we expected and instead we got a hand stuck out for more. He loves dill pickles!! He definitely gets that from me!!

One of the most endearing moments of the week was when I was rocking him to sleep for his nap. He had his head on my shoulder and all the sudden he leaned up to look at me and patted my face softly and said "Mama" and then gave me the best ever lip kiss. All this out of the blue with no asking and I just about cried in the chair. It was truly the most sweetest thing!!

We had a nice Mother's Day as Troy got up and made breakfast for all of us. Then we headed to my sister-in-law, Amber's house and had a play date with Daniel's cousin, Parker. They had so much fun and also a lesson in sharing. We think they did pretty well. Amber took some great pictures, which I'll pass on once I get them!! We even have an adorable one of Daniel sitting in his Uncle Stephen's lap and Parker sitting in his Uncle Troy's lap helping them play Wii together!!

Here are two of our funnier moments this week!

Can we say I'm cute?!?!

Can we say future plumber?!?!

We Made It Home!!

We made it home to the airport Saturday night at 11:36 p.m. We then had a two and a half hour drive home. We were so happy to pull in the driveway. Our little man managed to only sleep an hour and 45 minutes on the 11 hour flight and then ran us ragged for a 6 hour layover in Atlanta before finally sleeping on the 1 hour 44 minute flight to Dulles. He only threw a few "I'm almost two, cutting all my molars and I am independant" fits on the plane. Sorry to anyone sitting near us!!!

Since we have been home he has pushed his limits, tried everything and purposely goes for anything we have previously said "no" too.

He is sleeping fairly well, although not nearly long enough. He is wakingi n the middle of the night and crying very dramatically. He will go right back to sleep when I rock him but as soon as I set him down, he cries again. I spent an hour and a half getting him back to sleep this morning at 4:45 a.m. Then I had to wake the little bugger up at 8:30 because he was sound asleep!! Go figure. He's napping now, so I am trying to get laundry done and a few other things.

In the world of attachment - things are going well. He finds our eyes constantly and he knows his mama and papa. My sister Cat came over last night and I was giving D a bath and when I lifted him out I put him in Aunt Cat's arms with his towel and he immediately turned and reached for me. It was most precious.

He does have an appointment with the pediatrician tomorrow as he has a rash on his face which started when we picked him up from the baby home and has gone through phases of getting better then worse. We think it is a form of dermatits and stress triggers the rash. It seems to get worse after he cries, and when he gets hot, but we don't think it is a heat rash. Hopefully it is something we can remedy quickly.