October Happenings

Ok. I'm terrible and haven't posted in a month. But, I have good reasons. We have been very busy with school, work, Fall stuff, and parties. I can't believe my last post still had us swimming and enjoying the lake. Now we are watching the leaves change so many brilliant colors and yes, even frost on the grass. I am so thankful that I now have a garage and my husband was so sweet and cleaned it up so my car sits in the garage at night! No waiting to defrost my car! Yippee!!!

Ok. Off topic. Lots of fun photos to post. I'm not sure where to start. Fall started with my mom, Aunt Doone, and I taking 3 little boys to a corn maze and pumpkin picking. Colby and Keith are both 5 and Jaden is 4. They had a great time and we didn't even lose my Aunt's phone in the maze this year! (2 years ago we actually were lost for a little while in the corn maze and when we finally made it out Aunt Doone went to make a phone call and noticed she lost her phone. The boys all looked upset and asked if we really had to go back in the maze to find it. So now every year the boys remind her to hold on to her phone. They are so funny!) We also enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride and apple cider donuts. Yum!

The next few weekends have been full of parties. My Aunt Doone and Uncle Gordon celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a surprise party given by their kids. Aunt Doone was so happy she actually cried. We had a luau with an actual pig (yes, head and all) and lots of goodies. Colby wasn't so sure about the pig, especially after my dad told him to check him out, that it was winking at him. Thanks Dad! Last weekend Colby went to a school friend's birthday party. It was a Halloween birthday party and the girl is in his afterschool program but a different Kindergarten class. This terrible mom totally didn't think and didn't dress him in his costume. But, easy-going Colby didn't seem to mind and most of the costumes came off as the kids started going on the swings and jumping in the jump house. It was nice for me to get out and meet some of the other moms though. It is tough trying to meet new friends when they all seem to know eachother so well. Hopefully we'll continue to meet more people. And this weeked coming up is another birthday party. This birthday party is for Sean, another little boy adopted from Russia. I can't believe the boys are 5 already.

As for me, work is going well. I am settling into a routine and enjoying working with my kids. I have also started taking yoga through the park and rec in town. It is really great. I'm not so sure about the restfulness and calmness part but the stretching and exercise feels great.

Ok. Long enough. Much more to say but this is getting long enough. Enjoy the pics!

Quiet Days

After so many crazy days, it has been nice to have a week or so of "normal" quiet days. We actually had little snow fall here Wednesday into Thursday which gave us an early dismissal from school. But it has been a crazy, snowless winter thus far. Besides the freak snowstorm in October we haven't had much else. When it has snowed, it quickly turned to sleet and rain just making everything dreary. Dull days of winter I guess. Thankfully spring is arriving soon.

Colby is enjoying school and doing well. I will have to post a video soon of him reading his books. Yup, he's Reading! Yeah! He has always loved books and now loves rhyming and even spelling words. Totally amazes me. As for me, I head into the dreaded days of March- state wide testing time. Ugh! Ours are called CT Masters Tests, or CMTs for grades 3-8 and then high school version is CAPTs. Not much fun for my kiddos as school. When Colby is in 3rd, they will be replaced my nationwide standardized tests. Can't wait....not! So, instead of taking my reading groups I get to proctor tests for the next 3 weeks. First grade 6, then grade 4. Double yuck!

But, on the positive side, it is March Madness. Can't wait to watch my UCONN girls play int he Big East Tourney tonight and then hopefully watch them win the NCAA tourney. Might be difficult this year but they will sure try. I'd love to see them play Tenn though.

In other news, looking towards a busy April and May with Easter, Mother's Day, and lots of family birthdays including someone's 5th birthday and registration for Kindergarten! Oh, and someone else's unnumbered birthday on Mother's Day. And still looking at the posibility of moving, adding to our family, or just keeping things how they are. Still not sure. I know what my heart wants but still some things stay out of reach.

Promise pics and videos to come. Just had a few moments before we head out to celebrate Grandpa's birthday.

Happy Easter...and Some News

Ok. A little late but we want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter. We hope you all had a good one. Ours was busy with lots of family and fun. We celebrated with Mike's family on Saturday and mine on Sunday. We also celebrated Colby's birthday with both families. We had a nice ice cream cake with Mike's family and Colby wanted a fire truck cake with my family. So in the midst of making pizza gain, coloring Easter eggs and visiting the Easter Bunny with Auntie Trisha, Mommy made the fire truck cake. My first venture in decorating cake. It came out ok if you ask me, but if you ask Colby it was "Cooly Mommy, look at the ladder. But where's the fire hydrant and the fire man?" Ugh! But I'm glad he liked it. Auntie Trisha was in from Ohio so along with spoiling Colby for his birthday, we took him to his first movie at the theater. We saw Rio and it was great. So, busy here....and yes I have some news but that can wait. For now...enjoy a few Easter/birthday pics.

Fun Happenings

We have been quite busy lately so it was nice to have last weekend home with no plans. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great Saturday, very windy. Thankfully Sunday was beautiful. Colby had fun playing outside with the neighbors, Vanessa (Nessa) and Christopher. Nessa is 8 and Christopher is 4. Nessa had two friends with her that live on our street as well. Brooke is 7 I think and Senta is 9. All five kids were playing in our yard on the swing set. Mike adn I were doing yardwork. I am trying to get my garden ready to plant. Some perennials and annuals but we also plant a few vegetable. Any suggestions? It was a nice afternoon watching the kids, even having to step in to patch a few quarrels. It seems the girls don't always share. At one point I just stepped back and watched and the thought came to me that, yes, I am the mom. I know odd thought since Colby's been home over a year. But this was the first time we had neighbor kids over. It just felt nice.

We are also now done with birthday, celebration season, for now. We celebrated Colby's birthday, then it was Mother's Day, and then my birthday. We are definitely caked, goodied out. My sister Kristin had bought Colby baloons for his birthday when we celebrated it on May 1st. Most of the balloons deflated by the next day. This one balloon kept going and going. It stayed up forever. Just the other night Mike, Colby, and I were playing with it. Colby was trying to pop it and just couldn't. It was one tough balloon. I had him jump up and down on it, stand on it, sit on it, but nope. We played with it for almost an hour hitting it back and forth. At one point Colby held it to his stomach and ran towards me like a charging bull. Still didn't pop! Eventually, it was time for bed and Colby asked Daddy to pop it. It took Mike with his work boots on to jump with both feet onto it to finally pop it. But boy was it fun! Even Misha got in on the fun!

This weekend we are heading to Harkness Park on the beach to a Wide Horizons event. Our adoption agency has different cultural or adoption group events. The CT one is this weekend. It is a kite flying and picnic event. I can't wait. I know of one other family that we know and a couple we know who are waiting for their referal that are going. It should be a lot of fun. And I hope to get lots of pics and meet lots of new friends.

More Happenings

The past two weeks certainly have had their ups and downs. It was a busy time here, both good and bad. We had the funeral and get together for Mamie on Thursday. Although it was a sad time, I did get to see many people that I haven't seen in a long time. And they finally got to meet Colby. We left him with my sister-in-law, Jocelyn, during the church service but then Mike brought him up to Mamie's house for the dinner.

Last Tuesday was my mom's birthday, age kept secret! On Monday night, most of my aunts and uncles, a few cousins, and my brothers, Mike, Colby, and I went out to dinner to celebrate. We went to "On the Border" a great Mexican restraunt. It was nice to get together again to just relax and have some fun. It was Colby's first experience with Mexican food and he loved it! He ate his whole dinner- soft taco, rice, and refried beans!

I have to admit that last Tuesday was not a pleasant day. Colby and I did call my mom to wish her a happy birthday. However, the rest of the day was awful. Colby was a little more mischievious that day, getting into everything. Spilled milk (a whole cup worth), toys everywhere, climbing in the closet and tearing it apart, and of course not wanting to go down for his nap. I was so tired and frustrated. Naptime became a crying fest. I broke down. I guess after a week of running around and keeping busy, by then it truly hit me that Mamie was gone. I laid down and just cried. Colby was crying because he was overtired but wouldn't nap and I was just crying. The one good thing, Colby stopped at one point and came over to me. He threw his arms around me and said, "Love you Mommy!" That snapped me out of it and we just hugged for a long time. Thankfully, Colby and I both calmed down and he went for a short nap. I tried to nap too.

Saturday we had two parties. My brothers and sisters and families all went to our parents' house to celebrate September birthdays. It was my sisters Kristin and Karin, my sister-in-law Jan, my nephew Alex, and my mom's birthdays. Wow! We went there for lunch. Then we all went to my Aunt Doone's house to celebrate my cousin Jason's wedding. He and Linda had a quite ceremony together at Mamie's house by her garden. Then everyone went to Aunt Doone's house for a picnic to celebrate. Colby had a great time at both parties playing with his cousins Max and Alex and many other kids. And we were able to get a good photo of Colby with his four cousins at Mom's house.

Yesterday the excitement continued! Mike came home around lunch time. I was trying to clean the front closet, with all my craft supplies and games (job to continue), Colby had finally gone down for his nap, and Mike was outside mowing the lawn. Next thing I knew, Mike came running in the house and said he was going to wake Colby up. I hadn't even heard the sirens. We hear them at least once a day so I guess I had tuned them out. Well, there was a small house fire about five houses down our street. We have a fire hydrant in front of our house so one fire truck parked right in front of us! There were about five trucks in all, a police car, ambulance, and lots of flashing lights. Colby was amazed! It took a minute for him to wake up but once he did his eyes opend wide! He wasn't sure where to look first. We walked down the street to check out the trucks. The fire was already out when we got there. Most of the firemen waved to Colby and a couple of them came over to say hi. Colby was even invited to sit in one of the firetrucks! He was awestruck I think. I asked him what he was doing and he just said, "Touching firetruck." Of course, after all the excitement he wouldn't go back for his nap and wouldn't relax. It was a tough night, throwing food and a broken glass included. I really enjoy seeing Colby experience new things but the excitement seems too much for him and he becomes overwhelmed.

So, now it is nap time and I finally have the chance to update my blog. Hopefully the rest of the week be calm. This Saturday we have another birthday party. Always something fun to do. I'd also like to bring Colby to a corn maze and there is a Halloween costume to buy. Busy, busy, busy!

Happy Birthday My Little Man

Happy Second Birthday Colby!

Being 2 is very tiring!

Today is Colby's second birthday. It is his first with us. I can't believe how big he is getting. The little baby I met in late June last year is growing into such a little boy. And so darn cute too! He has come a long way from Siberia to Connecticut and he is learning more and more everyday. Now we enter the realm of the terrible twos. The independent streak has always been there but it definitely is getting stronger. And his communication skills still amaze me. For a little guy who heard only Russian for more than half his life, he is understanding English so well and every day he says more words. His favorites still are: Dada, Daw (dog), Mama, Juice, Cheese, and No no. I think some of his tantrums do extend from his frustration over us not understanding him. We head to the pediatrician tomorrow for his 2 year old checkup so we will see how much he has grown but I do know from going to the adoption specialist at Yale Medical that he has gained a pound and grown an inch. I'll let you know the exact numbers soon. But, for now here are a few then and now photos. The first two are from late June 2008 at the baby home and the last two are from Colby's birthday party at our house on Saturday April 25th.


Mike, Colby, and me at the baby home in Kamensk. 6/08
Colby on the swing at the baby home.

Colby and Grandma (my mom). He just blew out all of his candles. 4/25/09










Colby going down his slide at our house.

A Busy Week

I can't believe I haven't had the chance to update my blog in over a week. Then again, we have been quite busy around here. So, I warn you, this is a long update. After babysitting my nephew Keith, Mike and I took the time to do some Spring cleaning. We organized some paperwork and just about completed our taxes. Last year, we had our taxes done and our rebate back by now. Yikes! I am so far behind. We have also started planning Colby's 2nd birthday party. With such big families, I'm not sure what we will do. One party or two?

Last Saturday we took Colby to my parents' house. He hadn't been there yet and my dad hasn't seen Colby much so we stopped in to say hello. We ended up bringing my mom to visit her mother, Mamie. Mamie now lives with my Aunt Linda and Uncle Brian. Their daughter Heather also lives there with her son Corbin. Corbin is now 8 and a sweetheart. He always has a hug and kiss for me and a high five for Mike. He was so excited to see Colby. After we brought Mamie out to lunch at Friendly's Corbin wanted Colby to play with him outside on his swingset. It has 3 different slides and 2 towers to climb up. Everyone went outside and the boys had a blast. My mom and Mamie enjoyed the swings and Mike and I took turns sliding with Colby down the big slide. Corbin also took Colby down the slide. He and Colby played really well together. Mamie then surprised everyone by climbing up and going down the big slide! She looked so cute. I couldn't believe she did it. Luckily Aunt Linda loves to take photos, like I do, and she took some great ones. She promised to give me a CD of them so when I get them, I'll be sure to post some great pics! We had to leave then because it was way after naptime and Colby was getting tired. After a nap and some more outside time with Daddy at home, we were asked to go out to eat with Mike's parents. Mike's dad had built a rocking horse for Colby and he gave it to him today. It was going to be for his birthday or Easter but he couldn't wait to see Colby play with it. THe horse came out great and Colby loves it. What a busy day.

On Sunday Mike brought Colby to his grandparents' house. They live just down the street, night near Mike's parents. His grandfather, Poppy, loves seeing Colby. They played together in the morning and of course, Poppy gave him jellybeans. Poppy loves jellybeans. In the afternoon, Mike went to Lowe's to buy Colby's new swingset. His grandparents and a couple of his aunts wanted to buy it for Colby and so on Sunday we decided which one. Unfortunately it was raining so the swingset would have to wait to get put up.

The terrible part of the weekend is that I was REALLY sick. I have no idea what hit me but I fought off a 101 degree fever, really bad sore throat, cough, and even the upset stomach. Luckily I was ok while visiting with my family but by Sat night I felt terrible. Thankfully it was the weekend and Mike was home to look after Colby. I am still not 100% but I am on the mend. No more fever, YEAH!

Monday brought us to Yale Children's Hospital to the Adoption Clinic. Our pediatrician and Wide Horizons recommended having Colby be seen by someone in the medical field familiar with International Adoption. Colby did very well, even when they took the blood for his blood tests. What a big boy. I am so happy that Mike was able to take the morning off from work to go with me. I was still feeling crummy and we supported eachother through it. Thankfully everything looks great and it seems Colby grew about half an inch and gained about a pound. We are now at 33 inches tall and 24 pounds. No big issues. YEAH!

Tuesday brought the first really bright sunny, warm day and Colby and I went with Mike's Aunt Jo to a park nearby. Colby enjoyed going down all the slides and playing with the other kids. We brought lunch and walked down the hiking path to a waterfall to eat. Another late nap but Colby had a blast and when we woke freom his nap he was surprised by his own playset almost ready for him. It is up and working but not yet set in the ground. He LOVES it! It is a small set with one platform to a slide and 2 swings and a bar swing. My parents had an airplane shaped toddler swing that we put up and it is perfect for Colby. I'm not sure if he likes the swing or the slide better.

So, much happening here. Hopefully I will be completely better soon. This weekend we need to go shopping for Easter and a birthday party looms. So much to do! And we are enjoying every moment with our little man.

More Family Birthdays

Yesterday was another bust Saturday. Mike and I went to my grandmother's house (Mamie) to put in her new cabinets in the kitchen. She just got a new refrigerator and it is smaller than her old one so my dad ordered new cabinets to fill in the gap. They actually match the old cabinets pretty well. So Mike was asked to put them in and I helped him. While we were there one of the miniature horses was loose so I had to put her back in the corral. We then fixed the fence, a temporary fix, as well. Once we were finished we brought Mamie to my mom's house for more family birthdays.

This month is Mike's birthday as well as Steve's. He is my sister Kristin's boyfriend. It is also my nephew Teddy's 13th birthday. I can't believe he is already a teenager! November 1st is my sister-in-law Ally's birthday so we were going to celebrate her's as well but she is still in Texas for her work. It has been really nice having all my brothers and sisters and their families get together about once a month. I just can't believe we have so many birthdays to celebrate.

So, now it is Sunday and a new week will begin soon. I wonder if we will get any news this week. I think the hardest part of this wait is the not knowing. We haven't heard anything about our paperwork but I could deal with that if I could hear something about how Colby is doing. Why can't we even get an update on him??? Maybe soon......

Happy Birthday Mike

Today is Mike's birthday. We had a rather quiet day. After running a couple errands, we went to get a sandwich for lunch. Then we took Misha for a long walk at White Memorial. It is an animal sanctuary with a museum and lots of walking trails in the woods. We went to a different area than we have been before and walked along a fairly big pond just enjoying the different colors in the trees. Fall is definitely here. I love the dark yellowy, orange colors in the leaves. Then tonight Mike's parents brought us to TGI Friday's for dinner. I guess it is also Jocelyn's birthday. She is David's (Mike's brother) wife. I am not sure the exact date. Now Mike and Misha are snoozing on the couch as I play computer games and check up on the other blogs I love to read. I guess it is just another day.

We did get an email from the agency on Friday, but it wasn't anything important. I guess Svetlana (the coordinator in Yekaterinburg for our agency) needs another copy of the power of attorney paper. I am not sure why but we had to print it out and bring it to the bank this morning to get it notarized. That was the easy part. Now we need to wait for the goverment to open up on Tuesday to get it apostilled. It stinks because only the one place in Hartford can apostille papers and they take forever. I have brought a couple papers there myself but they don't like to rush through apostilles. I think my sob story worked to get them done, otherwise you need to send them through the mail and wait about a week to get them back. Goverment at its finest..... I don't think we can get to Hartford on Tuesday so I will have to overnight it and just wait. YUCK! I hate waiting.

Other than that, no news. I am slowly resigning myself to the fact that the holidays will not be fun. That the government in Russia will close for their holidays in January. And that I will not see my lovely little boy until at the earliest, perhaps February but most likely March. Once the government opens up again, the judge will want updates on paperwork so that will take most of February. Boy I hope I am wrong but that is what I think will happen. We just better get back before Colby turns 2 in April. Otherwise, I will go back anyway.

Ok, enough of the negative attitude. It was a hard day today knowing that I couldn't give Mike what he really wanted, that phone call from Russia. Hopefully good news will come soon.

A Quiet Day, Lots of Birthdays, and Fellow Blogger Updates

Today was a nice quiet day. The weekend has had beautiful weather. You can tell that Fall is coming. It has been rather chilly in the mornings. Today I went with my mom and my Aunt Doone to a craft fair in Deerfield, Mass. Ever since I can remember, I have gone with them and my cousin Carmen (Aunt Doone's oldest daughter) to craft fairs and other shopping excursions. It was nice to go again today. We had a nice ride up there and walked around. We didn't buy much but the day was great nonetheless. Then we went down the road to the Yankee Candle Factory and had lunch and walked around. I really enjoy spending time with my mom and Aunt Doone but we haven't had much time together lately. Everyone is so busy. When we do get together it is always lots of fun, talking, laughing, and just enjoying eachothers' company. A nice day all around!

I also want to mention a few family birthdays. September is a busy month in my family. My sister (in-law) Jan had her birthday on 9/2. My sister Karin's is 9/15 and my sister Kristin's is 9/17. They are actually a year apart but Karin is older, so on 9/16 they are the same age. My mom's birthday will be on Mon 9/22 and my nephew Alex's is on 9/23. Lots to celebrate. I can only hope that Colby will be here next year to celebrate with them.

A congrats go out to a few fellow bloggers. One family is in Ekat visiting with twin daughters who will be adopted in just a few days. Another couple is travelling to Ekat tomorrow to see their daughter for the first time. Wow! Congrats to everyone. I love reading the updates and either gathering insight into our future trip or helping out those on their first visit. I look forward to all the updates.