A Little Bit of Everything

It certainly has been an eventful week. I went and signed Colby up for swimming lessons through the town PAL (Police Athletic League) program. He'll start June 22 and go Tues and Wed afternoons for half an hour each day. I think they will help to lessen Mommy's anxiety around water anyway. Colby is almost fearless with water. He has always loved his bath and the first time he saw a pool he jumped right in. The same with the ocean, he walked right in up to his neck. At least he'll take a few lessons and hopefully learn how to keep himself afloat and swim.

This week we also gave up our dog Misha. She is a 90 pound black lab. Sweet as can be but full of energy. She loves people, especially kids and that became the problem. She would jump up on them. The neighbors kids were scared of her and Mike was worried something might happen. It isn't fair to keep her cooped up inside when they come over. Also, we hope to get away camping this summer and go to my parents' house in New Hampshire and we can't bring her. She really needs to be on a farm where she can herd animals, not kids. She was starting to nip our heels to "herd" us. So, Mike called the SPCA where we had gotten her and they have found her a new home. Hopefully it was the right thing to do. I don't know. I didn't want to do it. I really miss her. But I guess it is for the best.

This weekend we have a birthday party for my nephew Keith. He is just 2 months younger than Colby. The boys love playing together and there will be lots of other kids there. It should be really fun.

And on the potty front: Colby has been in undies for months now, with no issues! What a big boy. He loves his Mater and Race Car undies. The only time he wears Pull Ups is at night, for bed. I really wasn't sure how to handle night time. Colby is a real sound sleeper. He has slept through the past couple bad thunderstorms. But every night this week, he has woken up at night, asking to go potty or for us to fix his blankey. Thankfully, the door is on Mike's side of the bed! So we are getting woken up but Colby is staying dry all night! WOW! Now, when will he learn to go potty on his own and not wake up Mommy and Daddy?? I really am proud of our big boy!

Finally, it has been just over a month with Colby wearing his glasses. Thankfully he is very good about them, wearing them all the time. He sometimes forgets after nap but then he'll remember. Our last eye doctor visit the doctor asked us to patch his good eye to help the left eye get stronger. That has been a struggle and Colby really can't see well when we do it, but he is keeping the patch on for about 20-30 minutes a day. We head back to the eye doctor mid-July. We'll see if it has helped. I really hope so. However today, Colby and I were running a couple errands, post office and to Staples, and when we got home: NO LENS! He popped a lens out of his glasses already! And I have no idea where it is. Thankfully the glasses are getting fixed but no glasses for a few days. UGH!

I promise photos next time. My mom sent a few cute ones of Colby and Grandpa at the air show from a couple weekends ago. And I'm sure we'll have some from the party tomorrow!

We're Home!!!!!

We did it! We are home. I never knew just how comfortable our own bed felt. Boy did we sleep well last night.

We arrived in NYC around 7:30PM and made it through customs fairly well. Everyone was tired and ready to see all grandmas and grandpas. However, we did have to wait a little while getting Colby through customs. The guy who stamped our passports brought us and all of Colby's paperwork into a separate waiting room is order to pass immigration. There were at least 2 dozen people in there waiting to get through. We just had to wait. Luckily, it was a little confusing in there and a new person came in to help out. She picked up one set of papers and put them down only to pick up Colby's. Maybe she noticed it was for an adoption of a baby. Perhaps that is easier to deal with or she just felt sorry for us but she picked his up and we were out of there within 10-15 minutes. Both Mike and I were ready to run out of there. Then we had to pick up our luggage, 3 big bags and the 2 carry-ons plus a tired, squirmy, little one is not easy to carry. I had Colby in my arms and Mike was stuck dragging the 3 suitcases. The line through security was a little long but we got through. We had called my mom to make sure everyone was waiting for us. They were!

As we rounded the corner there they were. After such a long trip, seeing my mom's face was the most beautiful sight ever. I went around the barrier and just burried my face in her arms hugging both her and Colby. We were both crying. The journey was finally over. What a relief!!! We hugged and cried and laughed and all grandparents were beaming. They were so happy to see their grandson.

As we walked out of the airport I stopped and said, "This is it kid. You belong here," and I put him down placing his feet on the sidewalk outside the airport. Colby was, then and there, a U.S. Citizen. We did it! My mom was laughing. Colby did really well with meeting his grandparents. He let my mom hold him for a little while and was eventually smiling at everyone. Then he fell asleep on the car ride home.

When we got home, everyone helped us bring our bags inside and then watched as Colby explored his home and especially his room. He played with a few toys and then everyone left. I was worried that he wouldn't sleep last night since his routine was goofed up and the time change was so drastic, 10 hours ahead in Ekat, 8 hours ahead in Moscow. However, after a little fussing he snuggled in my arms as I rocked him to sleep. He was in bed and so were we by midnight. We all slept soundly until 6:00AM this morning.

I must say, that through all the changes and upheaval that we have put him through, Colby is doing very well. He seems to really like Mike and I. He falls asleep snuggling with me and looks for me in the morning when he wakes up. He loves playing with Mike and has a great big belly laugh. We trully are very lucky to have this little guy home, safe and sound. He even likes his dog, Misha. We picked her up from Mike's parents today after going grocery shopping. There was a little crying since Misha does get overly excited but now they seem to be friends. Misha has quickly learned that a high chair = food dropped for her. I took a really cute photo of them which I'll have to post soon.

Well, great-grandma, Mamie, is coming over for a visit. Naptime is almost over. Mommy needs to check the laundry. Too much to do. When is Mommy's naptime?