Snow day!

It finally looks like days of old around here! We were just hit with 2 feet plus this past snow storm. So, what better to do on a snow day or two?

Play outside! Thankfully no one got lost in the snow.

And bake! I'm not so sure Daddy enjoyed our new song, "We're making.....brownies!"

Two Years

This week we have been very busy. Colby had to visit the doctor for a flu shot and we had a visit to the eye doctor. Both went well. We also had to go to Hartford to the adoption agency. We filled out paperwork for our 2 year post-placement report. The reports used to be just a quick phone chat and we would send the required ten photos but new requirements mandate the adoption agencies must see us. So on Wednesday night we went to chat with the social worker and we had the opportunity to share our story with couples at an initial informational meeting. We did this early in 2010 as well. It is a little strange standing there talking to them and remembering how we felt when we went to that initial meeting in September 2007. Boy how that day changed our lives. The couples looked so unsure but they had lots of questions and seemed to like the photos we shared. I left my information for them and I really hope that they call or email. I received some amazing help while we went through our adoption and I love helping others too.

So, almost 2 years ago we brought this little baby home. Now he is such a little man. How did he grow so fast? Although I love eery minute of it, I wish I could keep him little forever (well, maybe without the temper tantrums!). Colby has now been home a little longer than the time he spent in the baby home. I think that is a huge milestone. He's almost 4, loving preschool, learning more and more everyday, and becoming such a loving, caring little man. I guess I can step back a little and be proud. Wouldn't you?

June 2008 February 2009

December 2009 December 2010

Christmas 2010 Recap and a Big Wow (edited for the Big Wow)

Better late than never, right? We all here would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope the new year brings everyone much happiness and love.

Our Christmas was hectic but fun. We enjoyed spending time with both families. Thankfully everyone is nearby so our travel isn't very far. We spend Christmas Eve with Mike's family and Christmas Day with mine.

Christmas Eve we went to Mike's parents and then his grandparents'. Colby loved playing with Lizzy and her toys. And Lizzy loved Colby's toys too! He received an amazing hand-made book from Grandma Laurie. It is all about animals with a fact for each jungle animal and a cute saying about Colby and his family. It is something we will definitely treasure forever. He also received an Alphie, a cute learning robot that some might remember from our childhood. I know I had one but they certainly have updated them. At Nana and Poppy's he received a couple things but his favorite is his Hess Truck and Jet. Of course the jet is motion sensored so it goes off constantly!

Christmas we had fun opening our presents at home. Santa and the reindeer ate the cookies and apple (sorry, the carrots were bad), and the milk and water. Colby actually woke up late. He has been exhausted. He woke up and wanted to crawl in bed with us. I'm not sure he really thought it was Christmas. But after seeing the presents he was ready to go. Santa left him some dinosaurs, a LeapFrog Tag reader with books and a U.S. map (ok, yes, I am showing my teacher side), and a digital camera. He also left a remote control F-150 for Mike and Colby to share. Mike also got parts for his HO Model Train set and I got a new lens for my Canon digital camera. Colby made me a cute red apron and chef hat. We went to my mom's house for a late brunch with my brothers and sisters. Grandma Donna couldn't wait to give Colby his Cars Guitar. Yes, a guitar!!! Grandma's was followed by a trip to my Uncle Lou's to have dinner with my mom's family and of course more presents.

I'm not sure Colby knows what to play with. He is so excited about everything. He seems to really enjoy Alphie, the Tag reader, his GeoTracks, and of course the Hess truck. Thankfully the holidays were lots of fun and Colby loved playing with all his cousins. However, this post is late because I proceeded to spend Sun and Mon on the couch with a wicked migraine headache. Thankfully that has finally gone away and I can now spend my vacation cleaning, running errands, and trying to catch up with school work. We have lots of reading testing coming up and of course CMT's (CT Mastery Tests) to get ready for. Ugh!

But for now, here is the little man enjoying his Christmas and the blizzard we had the next 2 days after Christmas.

Ok. I posted this a couple hours ago and just came back to check on things. I noticed my timeline at the top of the blog. It has been just over 22 months since we brought Colby home. He has now been here for as long as he was in the baby home in Russia! Simply Amazing!

Christmas Fun 2010 in Photos

I really could write a lot. We have been very busy enjoying this holiday season. With shopping, decorating, visiting with Santa, and just having fun together. But, for now, I'll just leave you with some great photos. Enjoy!

Our Christmas Tree

Making some star ornaments

Yum! A very pretty gingerbread house.

Check out this entry I found on Shutterfly Holiday Photo Contest.

Check out this entry I found on Shutterfly Holiday Photo Contest.

Big Boy Bed

Well, here's the change I elluded to before. On Friday we spent the day as a family rearranging Colby's room, oh and finishing off the new windows in our family room. Colby has grown so much lately. He was out of his crib pretty early and now he has become too big for his toddler bed. Mike and I had planned ahead and the crib we bought actually converts from the crib to a toddler day bed to a full size bed. However, we didn't buy the rail conversion for the full size bed. Ugh! So not so easy. Mike had a metal frame for a full size bed so we are using that and he is going to make brackets to put the headboard and footboard on it. But we found a nice bed set with a sports theme, although now the main color is blue. It did come with matching valances but not full curtains so I need to work on that. So, it isn't complete but it looks pretty good. What do you think?...... My thought.....he is growing up way too fast!

The second photo is Colby with his cousin Keith. Keith came over for a playdate and Colby showed him his big boy bed and where he will sleep when he stays over. Too cute!

Thanksgiving Take Two

We had a really nice Thanksgiving this year. Colby loved spending time with his cousins, although he did miss his cousin Keith. We had dinner at my parents' house and then dropped in at Mike's Aunt Karen's to see his family. Thankfully everyone lives close by. But, here are a few photos. When I took Colby's photo in the morning I later realized I still have a couple on the camera from last year's Thanksgiving. So, thought you might like to see the comparison as much as I did. A bit of a shock for me. He is definitely growing up way too fast.

Oh and just a teaser..... losts of changes for the big boy. Photos to come when everything gets organized again.