What's That Hiding in My Trees?

Why, it's a Colby Monkey!

Happy Halloween!

Well, I guess I am behind in updating this. I honestly have no reason, no excuse, except to say that I have just been enjoying the past few fall days. The weather has been holding out and it hasn't been too cold. Colby and I have just been enjoying the days. Mike has also been coming home early so we have been spending a lot of time together as a family.

Colby's first Halloween was hectic but very good. I was very worried how he would react to all the stimulation, being up late, dressing up, and getting lots of candy. We had read many Halloween books and he learned very quickly to say "Trick or Treat" and "Happy Halloween". From our trips to the store I knew that Colby didn't like masks so we stayed clear of them.

We started the night around 4:30 going to Mike's parents' house. His brother and his wife, David and Jocelyn, brought their new baby, Lizzy, over as well and we had a nice visit. Lizzy was the most adorable bumble bee ever! We ate dinner with them, pizza. Then everyone went to Mike's grandparents' house down the road. Colby walked with his grandpa but Mike and I drove since we would be leaving from there to go to my parents' house. On the way, Colby and Grandpa stopped at a neighbor's and got some candy. Mike's grandparents' gave him more candy and some cupcakes too. Enough to share with Mommy and Daddy!

Then off we went to my parents' house. More candy and an apple and lots more hugs and kisses. It was getting late but my Aunt Doone had asked us to stop by so we went there next. More candy and a little play time. I was worried by then because it was getting late and we had now bounced from house to house. I was hoping to have Colby do a little actual "Trick or Treating". Thankfully it worked out great. A few minutes after getting to my Aunt Doone's her oldest daughter, Carmen, knocked on the door with her two kids, Isabel and Julian. They had been trick or treating with her brother, Jason, his wife, Linda, and their 1 year old Jaden. Jaden was done but the kids wanted to go to a few more houses so we went with them. We went to about 5 houses, in the DARK . When we were done we were tired and wet. It had been drizzling but it really started to rain. But Colby loved riding in the wagon with Julian the Pirate and he had a great time trick or treating. He even remembered to say thank you! What a great night it turned out to be!

New Faces and New Things To Try

This past week has been full of new faces and new experiences for Colby. We have certainly been very busy. This is the first chance I ahve had to really sit down and write about some of our fun and excitement. Hopefully the little man will continue his nap just a little longer.

Last Thursday night, Mike, Colby, and I went to visit with Kathleen and Jim. Kathleen and I went to school together since elementary school. She and Jim now live in Virginia. They were on their way to visit with his family in New Hampshire and they always stop and her parents' house over night. They also always stop for some ice cream and a local farm, Rich's. It is in Oxford/Southbury and the ice cream is amazing. You even get to eat it while you watch the cows in the field. All their ice cream is made on premices. Well, Thursday night it was raining but Kathleen and Jim were nice enough to get us some ice cream and we enjoyed it at her parents' house. It was late but Colby had a great time. It was the first time Colby has seen a piano also. And he LOVED it! Kathleen played a song for him and then he took over. He really looks like he knows what he is doing. I will definitely end up paying for some sort of music lessons! We had a great visit. I loved seeing Kathleen again. We had the chance to get caught up on things and she and Jim really enjoyed seeing Colby.

Kathleen, Colby, and me. Kathleen, Jim, and Colby.

Kathleen and Colby play us a tune. Colby shows off some new talent!

Friday Colby and I went to visit a fellow adoptive family. Jill and Nick also adopted their son from Russia, through the same agency. Little Nicholas also came from the same region as Colby. When we went to get Colby in late January, they were on their first visit to see Nicholas. Now Nicholas is home! He came home about 3 weeks ago. Nicholas is almost a year younger than Colby and such a little cutie! They really enjoyed meeting eachother. They played together and chased Jill's dog, Junior. Poor dog didn't know where to hid. While we were there, Jill's sister, mother, and two nieces stopped by. They were really nice. They even brought us lunch- Wendy's delivery. It was great. Jill's nieces are 2 and a half and 5, I think. They loved playing with the boys. Colby was even chasing the girls around the house. A lady's man already! Jill also has a piano so he was able to show off his playing talent. He is so cute. While he plays, he sits and hums along or just keeps saying, "Dancing!". Anytime he hears music he says that and starts to do his little dance. The kids had a great time and so did the adults. We can't wait to get together again and include Sharon when when she brings Sean home from Russia too.

Colby and Nicholas share some yummy Gerber treats. Nicholas plays with a cymbal.

Colby and Madison play a tune. All the kids enjoy the piano.

Well, the little man is starting to stir. I might have time to add some photos but I will continue with our busy weekend update soon. More to come!

Milk, Snuggles, and A Happy Birthday

I am so thankful for all of the kind words and wonderful words of encouragement from all of you. It means so much to know that other people do understand my feelings and have gone through the same things that Mike and I are going through now. Someone had asked about giving Colby milk and if the orphanages give the children milk. I don't think Colby ever had milk. When we fed him he always had a little mug of juice or tea which he drank up quite quickly. We did feed him snack on day and he had a mug of something that looked a little like milk but was more creamy. More like a runny yogurt type of drink. I think they call it kefir. Mike and I stuck with juice in Russia but after a couple days home we started giving him whole milk, mainly at breakfast and right before bed. He doesn't drink much of it but he seems to like it. Otherwise we drink lots of juice, mostly apple although we are introducing other flavors. He really likes the Srtawberry-Kiwi. We haven't tried orange yet.

To update on our snuggles: We have had great days lately. I'm not sure what has caused the change but beginning yesterday Colby has been more snuggly, almost clingy. I really hope that it isn't due to a cold coming on. Perhaps his teeth are bothering him. He is cutting 4 teeth right now. I certainly haven't minded the snuggles at all. Last night Colby cuddled with me in our lounge chair as Mike and I watched American Idol. He wasn't laying down to sleep so I snuggled with him there. He fell asleep after a little while and I just held him, for almost the whole 2 hour show. What could be better than having a sleeping child in your arms? What a great feeling. Mike and I have also encouraged Colby to give more hugs and kisses. He loves to blow kisses so we do that often. We have also started hugging and kissing eachother more in front of Colby so he can see what it means to love someone. He thinks it is funny. He gets a huge smile on his face when we hug and starts giggling. It is really cute.

Yesterday Colby and I had a great day visiting with Mamie and Aunt Doone (my grandmother and my aunt Lorna). Mamie had already seen Colby the day after we came home but Anut Doone had yet to see him. Aunt Doone and I are really close. She also adopted her 3 children so she can understand how I feel. I wanted Colby to meet her before we go for the big party on Saturday. Mamie is turning 90! The whole family is getting together and that means over 40 people. My mom has a big family and I love it but it just might overwhelm Colby. I wanted him to get used to Mamie's house and see my aunt so he knows a few people when we get there. Well, they hit it off. Colby loved Mamie's house and all the things that little fingers can get into trouble touching. Aunt Doone loved playing with him and it was a wonderful day. Unknowingly, I had forgotten that it was Aunt Doone's birthday yesterday. I remembered later. She was so happy and I am glad that I could give her such a great birthday. Colby even gave Mamie and Aunt Doone a hug goodbye all by himself. He just toddled over and threw himself in Aunt Doone's arms first to get a hug. Then to Mamie. It was so amazing, I almost cried again. Tears of joy!