Reunion and a Gingerbread House

Last year at this time Mike and I were extremely exhausted as we landed at the airport on our long trip back to Ekaterinburg. We had had no sleep and were hungry. But we still had one last trip to go. It was about 5AM Ekat time on Jan 30th (about 7PM Jan 29th our time here) that made it about 27 hours since our dinner at Olive Garden. And airplane food isn't that great.

We were met by Svetlana at the airport and we made the drive in the dark to Kamensk-Uralsky where we would be staying until court. The judge requested that we visit with Colby each day until court on Feb 4th. I was thrilled with that idea. Since Kamensk is a 2 hour drive from Ekat, we would be staying right near the baby home and would visit almost all day. Great for bonding!

The little log house we stayed in was very cute. I'm sure we would have loved it in the summer. Colby looks at pictures of it and calls it his gingerbread house. It was a little camping type place. However, no phone, no computer access, and very little heat. There were space heaters in the house but they hadn't been turned on. It was FREEZING! It was so cold that the water pipes actually froze later that day.When we arrived we had the chance to clean up and change clothes. Then we would go see Colby.

I was nervous seeing Colby again. I wasn't sure if he would remember us. But, everything went well. We met with the director of the baby home again and she was so happy to see us. She caught us up on how Colby was doing. When they brought him in. Colby did cry and was a little chy but he wanted to be held by both Mike and me. We played with some familiar toys and looked at a few books. We had about 3 hours to play and get reaquainted. We fed him lunch and then left to get our lunch. I'm not sure what we ate but I was thankful to eat. Then we went back to our little house and rested before going to see Colby again from 3-5:30.

I am just so thankful and a little in awe for everything that happened that day. I knew I had the piece of my heart back that I had left in Kamensk for those 7 months. I was again complete. It was not a perfect day. We did have the water pipes freeze so I couldn't eat or shower until very late that night. We were exhausted from our trip. We did freeze in that little house for a couple days until the heaters finally kicked in. But we were all together, finally. We were reunited.

Plane Ride Last Year

On Jan 28, 2009 Mike and I were frantically making sure our bags were packed and everything we needed was in its place. Our Visas were set, 3 bags had been packed and repacked, new clothes had been washed, the few gifts bought, Misha was all set to stay at Mike's parents, and travel plans were all done. The day was so long. I just wanted to leave. Get the show on the road, or in the air I guess you could say. Mike's parents were driving us to the airport around 3. I was a bundle of nervous energy. I didn't really think this was going to happen. And to top it all off, it was raining, sleeting, snowing, all of the above. It was such a gloomy, yucky day. We did leave early for the airport just in case.

On our way, we stopped for an early dinner at Olive Garden. My absolute favorite restraunt. Mike and I knew it would be the last really good meal for a while. The trip would take awhile. It was the same flights that we had taken in June. Late night flight to Frankfurt, Germany with a 6 hour layover, then the flight into Yekaterinburg. We also knew, from a phone call just two days before that our plans had changed and we would be staying in Kamensk, right near the baby home so we expected the 2 hour drive there right away. Ugh! So I enjoyed my chicken alfredo pizza, salad, and breadsticks, and then we were on our way.

We used Mike's Dad's new GPS to get us to the airport. However, in setting it up, somehow I chose the "No tolls" route and we seemed to skirt around NYC, backtracking a lot. I was getting worried but we made it to the airport with time to spare. We said our goodbyes and then headed for security. No problems and then the wait. Unlike June, with its bright sunny weather, our plane was on time for Frankfurt. Interesting.....terrible weather, plane on time....beautiful weather and the plane was 2 hours late! I guess you just never know!

And so our final journey to Colby began. Amazing how far we have come since then.....

Ugh!

Ok. I must confess. We are not doing well with sleeping lately. Is it a two year old thing? Is it Colby being a little stinker? Is it an adoptive thing? Not sure but it all started somewhere in the midst of the holiday season. Thinking it was the holidays and COlby was just over excited, I didn't think much of it. Now, I'm going crazy. Most days, he refuses to nap. Yes, he is tired. Yes, he is cranky without it. But no, he won't give in and go to sleep. He is in a toddler bed and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to keep him in it. There is no major tantrum. He comes out to peek at Mike and me to see if we are still there. Just checking I guess. At night this can go one for well over an hour. We have tried it all. Laying with him in our bed, sitting on his floor, leaving him alone. Ugh! Nothing works. He has said he's "Afraid dark". Not sure. So this leads to yesterday....

Mike and I sat with Colby and tucked him in for his nap after lunch. He had been very fidgety at church but he looked tired. We hoped for a good nap. No such luck. Mike sat with him for a little while and then came out to the family room. Colby peeked out a couple times and we sent him back. Colby got up once and went to the potty. Mike went in and praised him for that. Then it was quiet for quite awhile. We thought he had fallen asleep. No such luck. Mike went to check on him and what a mess! Colby had reached up on the dresser and grabbed the tube of Diaper Cream. Yes, I know, I should have put it away. We haven't used it in forever. Colby is now potty trained so why is it out? He squeezed the cream everywhere on the floor, the dresser, his bed, and the area rug. That stuff not only smells but is so sticky. Mike and I had to scrub the rug but it is still there. On the bright side, we wanted to clean it pretty good before we have company this weekend. The dog sleeps on it and it was a mess. But, ugh! Everywhere. Now what do we do? We had just praised him for getting up by himself and going poops on the potty, and now this? Ugh! And then of course, he wouldn't lay down again and threw a fit, crying and screaming, begging for a snack. A SNACK!!! After that mess. No way! So, last night, exhausted he fell asleep with little fuss. And today he did take a nap. We shall see about tonight!

Colby Says.....

Here are some of our favorite Colbyisms. I can't believe how much Colby has learned this year, and continus to learn. Amazing! His vocabulary and witty comments certainly keep us on our toes.

Nah (Thankfully we got that rid off quickly. For about a week it was Nah...no!)

No Mom. Stop it. (Yes, I am often not Momma or Mommy anymore, just Mom. Yikes! He often tells me to Stop it when I am singing with him in the car. Around Christmas time I was singing with the group "Lonestar" to the song "Little Drummer Boy". Colby proceeded to yell at me, "(No Mommy. No Parum Pum Pum Pums. Stop it.)

Okay. No poblem. (When we ask him to do something, we often get told no but we just as oftem hear Ok or No problem.

Tanktin Mommy/Daddy. (This is Colby's way of saying thank you.)

Love you, back moon. (My mom alsways said this saying to me, "I love you all the way to the moon and back". I guess Colby loves me to the moon way in the back!)

Oh no goodness (I take the blame on this one. I will say Oh my goodness when Colby coughs or yells loudly. Now he says it to us. However, COlby has also said "Oh no God." I guess that one slips now and then too.)

Can't see you/me. Can't hear you/me. (When I ask Colby to do something, I often end with, do you hear me, if he seems to not be listening. THen I get told, "Can't hear you" when he doesn't want to listen. Ugh!)

Hush Misha. No barkin.

Hibary peas. See Miss Marget (Colby and I go to storytime at the Library. He loves going and seeing Miss Margret.)

Colby do...or Colby try... (Yes, my son speaks about himself in the third person. We are working on pronouns! Slowly we are now hearing "I do that.")

What a mess (Yup. Colby knows when he makes a mess. But he also knows how to clean it up. He hates having his hands dirty when he eats.)

Tickle peas (Colby loves to be tickled and actually asks us to do it.)

Bein Ridiculus (I guess Mike and I have told him a little too often that his whining is ridiculous. He says this to the dog but also when he knows he is being silly.)

Baketball (He likes watching UCONN girls play basketball with Mommy.)

That way (He has become quite assertive with what he wants and often points out which way we should walk or drive.)

Button peas (Not what you think really. Colby has now learned how to turn the TV on and off with the button. He asks for the "button" to let us know he wants to watch TV in the morning, Mommy and Colby snuggle in bed in the morning to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Special Agent Oso.)

DVDV (When he wants to watch a movie he'll ask "Movie peas" or he will bring it to us and say DVDV.)

We are still being serenaded with Jingle Bells along with Colby banging on his new drum. Colby has been humming and singing a lot more lately.

He also points out everything along our journeys in the car. Water, McDonald's, firehouses, tractors, even the post office!

In stores Colby will see writing and point to it saying, "ABC's Mommy!" And then proceed to count the letters. He loves to count everything! Wow! I think he's pretty smart.

I know there are more sayings to come. Hope you enjoyed these though.

January 14

On this date:

Lat year: It was a long day. I was substitute teaching and the kids were being crazy. Mike was working with his dad. We had already updated all our paperwork, which included 2 papers on Christmas Eve. We were hoping to hear something very soon. When would the phone ring? When would we go? Mike came home and was starting dinner. Spaghetti. I decided to pass the time by checking emails and catching up on my fellow bloggers. Fellow blogger Joy had received great news the day before. Maybe we would be next. But it was already after 5 so I didn't expect anything. But there it was.... an email. We received an email stating that our court date was set for February 4th! Oh my gosh. My jaw dropped and I yelled for Mike. He read it and we couldn't believe it. Dinner was all but forgotten. We forced ourselves to eat and then ran down to his parents' house. We called my parents. The whirlwind of preperations began. We hadn't even decorated Colby's room. Thankfully my mom and sister had a baby shower planned for me within the next couple of days. We didn't have much.

Today: I spent the day with my little man. We played with his trucks and tractors. Mike came home and we all went to the bank to work on paperwork for Mike's business. Another change- Mike is taking over his Dad's remodeling business. Amazing! Now I am headed to tutor for a few hours. Then we are going to Mike's grandparents for dinner. Mike's Uncle Steven is coming from Utah for the weekend with his daughter Eva. Colby spent much of August with Eva and her brother Jack. So dinner tonight- probably pizza. Then I will cuddle with my little man and watch as he sleeps, totally in awe of how my life has changed within this past year. Wow!

Another Stepping Stone

It has truly been an amazing year this year. Colby has been home almost a year now and we have done so many new things together. So many firsts. The beach, holidays, birthdays, meeting new friends, the list goes on and on. And today, another first. I can't believe it but today Colby and I went to register him for pre-school. He will be in the 3-year olds program. Right now he is scheduled for the morning. Wow!

My baby truly is growing up. He has become an independent little boy. Very outgoing, smart, and yes, strong willed. Since he came home, I have been so fortunate to be able to stay at home with him. We have been together almost constantly. Except for a few times when I went to interviews, out with Mike or other family, he is always at my side. Just recently I began tutoring part-time and am now gone for a few hours on Tues and Thurs after school. But even then, Colby is with Mike. Having him go to school will be a whole new experience. I know it is a necessary milestone in his development, but I am a little sad to see it come so soon. I'm sure he'll be fine but I think I will be a wreck that first day in the fall. But, no matter how big he gets, Colby will always be my little boy.

A Wonderful Visit

This week Colby and I ventured to New York. We went to visit our friends Christine, Stephen, Roman, and Max. Christine and Stephen adopted their boys from Russia as well. They also came from Yekaterinburg. They came home in November of 2009. Our little group is growing bigger all the time!

We had a wonderful visit. Roman just turned 3 and Max is 1 1/2. Roman and Colby got along great. It was like they were always buddies. They played with the two dogs, Lucy and Happy, and all of the toys. Colby loved the ride on train. While he rode it around the house, Max rode the dump truck and Roman dragged another dump truck around. It was very cute. The three boys also wanted to play outside. It was cold but they didn't care. They mowed and shovelled the snow, took turns pulling or riding in the wagon, and drove their car. And we had a wonderful lunch, mac and cheese with hotdogs for the boys and chicken Ceaser salad for the big kids!

Christine and I had a wonderful time too. It was nice to talk in person. We have been chatting through emails and Facebook for awhile but it was our first visit together. Having the boys close in age, it was nice to compare notes and talk about things. Colby has been home longer so we chatted about his growth and attachment. Roman is older so we chatted about how he is doing now. He is picking up English very well, but it was interesting to watch him and listen to him speak a few words in Russian. Colby wasn't speaking at all when we picked him up. We also chatted about our trips to Yekaterinburg and our coordinator there, Svetlana. But, all too soon it was time to go. I am now planning a big get together with all our Russian friends for the end of the month. It will be great to see all 5 boys together. Let the good times roll!