Almost 3 months home with our Aloysha (Logan)

As we look back over the last 3 months watching some of our videos and talking with Logan, we see how much he has grown (almost 4 inches since we have had him) and how much he has developed. But mostly, we see how much we have fallen in love with our little boy.
The moments when we are so tired we can barely lift an arm and he is asking us to run down the hall and chase him just one more time, we do it or the moment when he has just thrown the entire spaghetti plate on the carpet, we ask the dog to come over or when he has put on mom's shoes (dad's are too heavy) and a big hat and glasses, we laugh with him while he giggles across the floor attempting to walk, or when he races down the hall looking at us and we are after him trying to get him to stop looking at us and watch where he is going before he runs into the wall he is heading into, we give him hugs, all in all, through laughter, new experiences, tears, and his first romp in his snow boots, we are so happy to have been given this amazing little boy.

We could not have done it without the help of Partners for Adoption and I have never been more relieved and satisfied with our agency and the people we spent a year with working towards bringing our child home.

This is a great fear and a risk with hope entering adoption and it is a heavy decision and as I look back now that we have been home for 3 months, I see it was the best decision of our lives.

Dancing Logan

Trailer for 2nd Video

Wow, have I lagged or just been so busy chasing around our little guy?!

Our experience was incredible in Russia. We were very lucky to meet other families, one of which is like family now with their two beautiful girls (Logan's cousins), hehe.

Since we have been back, it has been go, go, go with our Logan from the pumpkin patch picking out pumpkins, falling off furniture, walking backwards, running everywhere he can get too, first car seat rides (that takes time to get used to he says), stroller rides (another getting used too), lots of hugs and kisses and tons of smiles. He is a tough little cookie, endures falling in the grass about 50 times and keeps going. His balance is amazing and he practices quite often haha.

He is up to 7 words now: Dada, Mom, No, Thank you, Dog, Yah and can give the peace sign, thumbs up, high five, down low etc. (We have had some influences hehe).

He just got his new hockey set for the wood floor and a tricycle, which he rides around. He dances in circles and boogies down when music comes on. Loves big beats and the bagpipe. For some reason right now he is so into Irish jigs and bag piping. He is climbing stairs and coming down, although not without strict observation.

He cleaned up his room the other night. The only time but surprised the heck out of Mommy as she just watched.

If he doesn't get his way, his bottom lip comes out and he pouts a bit. It is kinda funny as he puts on a game and then smiles when ur not looking.

He loves apple juice, however more special loves green tea, peppermint tea and sips of Mommy's latte. Yes, just sips, nothing more, however it was good when we had to withdraw him from the black tea in the baby home hehe.

Court went really well. We were in there about 20 minutes. Simple questions and confirmations.

Transition was difficult in hotel room, a bit tiring for the parents as he had to get through the grieving of a new place, change and we of course were still in limbo at the hotel. The airplane ride went ok as from what I hear 3 hours of crying on a 10 hour flight isn't bad. Although I did cry a bit myself haha. I think it can be a bit overwhelming but with Michael taking over and walking him up and down the plane, it was a serious help! The flight attendents were amazing to and helped in anything we needed.

When we got him to his new house, it was like he knew he was home and he knew what his room was his. Since then he has been running around non stop and I mean non stop. He sleeps through the night from about 11pm to 9am. Then has an hour to two hour nap.

The adjustment once home has been great with him, however I will admit, parents be ready as it is quite an adjustment on you. I am on 24/7, which basically means I am getting used to only working when he lets me right now and I am thinking it is just that he needs extra attention as he is in the "I am so attached to you, I am not going to let you go" stage.

If you have a significant other, have a break word as it is so important for you to know when u need a break and let urself have one. You may need a few breathers and that is OKAY. Totally ask for help if you need too. I know it is difficult as I have a hard time asking for help, however the adjustment can be trying until you get into the rhythm.

Take date nights too!!!! Need them, oh my gosh, do ya.

I cannot stress enough our experience was amazing mostly due to our agency, Partners for Adoption. It is a heck of a journey as you all know and it makes a huge difference when you have the right people to help you and support you in and out of country.

I will post again, but my little one is calling.

Jet Lagged

Hello All-

So much to say, so much advice, however it will have to wait a couple of days. Big jet lagged and running around after an excited little boy who just knows he is home and loving it.
XOXO

In Vladivostok and have our Little One

Hello All,

It has been awhile since I have posted due to the hectic journey here, court and picking up our little one. The Vlad Inn is a really great place, by the way for any of you having to travel here.

Our little one is adorable: He has had a difficult transition, however we hope with each day it gets a bit better. He is down to 1.5 hours of crying today. When he is not crying, we are walking around the hotel, inside the room, and he is an amazing little guy at feeding time. He turns "on" shall we say when it is time to eat. He said, "Hi" this week and Michael taught him how to high five and ten it. The headbutts from him are the most endearing, painful but a huge love at the same time as that is his way of planting a big one on us.

He is Mama's boy right now, barely leaves my side for two seconds, however Michael finally got him asleep on his shoulder today from pure exhaustion. He did touch the chairs, tv, tables and windows today in our room, which is a huge stride forward.

At 15 months old, 9 month old size clothing, he is doing fairly well. We just need to help him get rid of his constipation and he should be feeling better. This has been very difficult for all of us and we have tried prune juice, walking, fiber cereal and massages. Hopefully, we can get him to have a BM in the next day so he feels better.

He is seriously cute though. A real ladies man!

Well, if it wasn't for Tom and Christi, the NYers as the hotel knows them as haha, (Everyone knows their names ;), we do not know what we would do. It is so wonderful traveling with another couple. I mean it makes all the difference. We can talk, vent, and talk more about our little one's and no one tires of it! lol. They have been a huge support. LOVE YOU GUYS.

We did see our little one go down a slide today, of course with mama and papa's help but still, another step.

I will update more. Have to put in a little work while he sleeps.

One Day to Go

Breathe----------- Okay, breathe--------------hold------------------9 seconds-----------------breathe.

That is an example of the mini breaks I am taking through out the day as I prepare for this HUGE transition we have been so looking forward too.

I think as a friend of mine Jennifer mentioned, when we get back, it will all sink in as to what it has taken to get to this point and bring him home.
I just got done translating our photo album and lemme tellya, it was difficult seeing the pictures of our little one. We can't wait to see what he looks like now. MISS HIM SO MUCH it hurts.

We are very excited to be traveling with two other couples. One being the Wallaces, hooray, they are awesome.
Now, if only I can get the rest of our clothes in our bag!!! HAHA. We are at 2 suitcases, one small carry on suitcase, and one computer bag and my bag (looks like a fashionable one color carpet bag).

So far, we are just about ready and we are looking forward to seeing our family who is flying in while we are in Russia to take care of the house and get things ready.

It is amazing as our family and friends have done a lot to get us through this until now. Thank you All big time. Without you, we may not have kept the sanity one so hopes to keep in this long, challenging process.

Back to packing. . .