The Cleavers Wouldn't Be THIS Late...

As many of my fellow adoptive bloggers know, a few weeks ago, another blogger with a really great name (Amy) had the idea for people to share some of the darker side of adoption -- the stuff you really don't like talking about... the HARD days.

I am really thankful that so far both of my adoptions have had MANY more happy days than the rough days, but I will admit that we're NOT perfect. Far from it. Most of the issues have been MINE vs. theirs. It's not as easy as it looks to suddenly be thrown into parenthood of a 2.5 year old who has never truly known love and affection.

My dear friend Sherry (and my big sister from my sorority!) is currently in Vladivostok, waiting out her "10 day wait". Her blog post today talked a little about the roller coaster of these first few days together. Even though Alex's & my first few days together weren't that long ago, I also remember Tatiana's first few days with me like they were yesterday. They were some of the hardest days of our transition. Looking back, some of it was likely the fishbowl that is the hotel, and lots of it is the overwhelming emotions that sweep over you after FINALLY achieving what you've worked so hard for. For months and months I dreamed of this little girl and our great life together. Suddenly, it was all complete and it wasn't exactly as I planned!

With Alex home now, I was looking back at old blog posts of Tatiana to see how much she's grown. I found this post that talked about those first few days and the ugly truth. If it helps someone now feel like they aren't alone... then I will be overjoyed. For those getting ready to adopt, or those just getting custody... don't get down on yourself when your reality doesn't match up to the "dream"... it rarely does!

And now back to some of the happier moments... another reminder of my first days together with Tatiana came in the form of a visit from Lisa, her mom Boo and adorable son, Sacha. You may remember Lisa from trip #2 to Vlad... she and her husband Andrew and I spent our days passing the time at the Vlad Motor Inn. Out of the pack that was there during our stay, they were the only other family that did NOT have custody during the magic 10 day wait. I almost forgot how much fun she is!! Hopefully our next gathering won't be another 2+ years later.

Tatiana and Sacha - Vladivostok, March 2009

Tatiana and Sacha - June, 2011

One Month Home, Already!!

Uneventful week... not much to report, so I'll try to keep your interest and not be TOO boring.

This week, Alex crossed the "One Month Home" marker. His adjustment has been so smooth that it's hard to believe that he's only been home for a month. It seems like it's been so much longer!!

Alex's eating still has it's ups and downs. He'll generally eat almost any "snacky" type food (small crackers, etc), all fruits - especially applesauce and bananas, and really likes yogurt. However... any typical source of protein, well... that would be one of the downs I mentioned. I can sometimes get him to eat hotdogs or even hamburger, but usually only if it's drenched in ketchup. Compared to Tatiana, he's such a picky eater!

Speaking of T -- according to the scales at Gramma Darlin's house, she FINALLY crossed the 30 pound marker today! This girl will eat almost ANYTHING. Truly there aren't many foods she honestly doesn't like. However, she could care LESS about food. Combined with that, and the metabolism of a fruit fly, she just doesn't pack on the weight. I suspect she'll look like a Russian gymnast most of her life.

The weather here has been crazy. Tuesday and Wednesday we were in the high 90s, followed by Thursday and Friday with 50s and 60s. Today was in the 70s after an early morning rainstorm, so we went to play at a large playground about 15 minutes from our house. Both kidlets had fun -- as proven below! Enjoy!

Dinner... what will I eat tonight? Your guess is as good as mama's!

Alex thinking he'll climb the playground ladder like sister!

Little Miss Monkey...

Alex found the toddler area!!! Slides are fun!

A picture of them both? No way!

More sliding!! Check out that smile...

In action!!

Climbing at the playground...

Wait for me!

More monkeying around...

Sweet, Sweet Summertime

First a huge thanks for every one's two cents and thoughts after my last post. Your encouragement/common plight/comments helps more than you know! Funny story, I must have (by accident) turned off the email copies of comments option - because I thought I had no comments, and I thought -- "wow, crickets on that last post, maybe it came across too whiny!". Imagine my surprise when I saw all the comments by random one day!

So far June has brought some wonderful weather! Tatiana, aka water baby, has been enjoying the pool AND any backyard fun that includes water. She invites herself over to our neighbors kiddie pool, and constantly is begging to go to the big pool. It's hard in the evenings though to get to the pool all the time when things like dinner/clean up/baths etc get in the way! I think this girl was made to be in the water... she loves ALL things water related. Tonight's distraction from the big pool: SPRINKLER.

SPRINKLER!!

Alex has gotten MUCH more used to bath time. THANK GOODNESS. Now we're basically down to just whining and fussing when it's time to wash his hair - but the heart of the problem is that he doesn't like to seem to get his face wet. I am trying to show him how to put his head up/back to let the water run down his back vs. his face, but he doesn't seem to want to grasp that concept yet. I did get him into the pool this weekend for the first time -- and... the verdict is still out. Translation -- he screamed bloody murder. HATED it. I'll take him in again in the next week or so, but we'll let him slowly get used to it. I may also invest in a cheap plastic pool for him to help get used to the idea.

Now, I'll hush and get on to the good stuff -- PICTURES!!

Hanging out - covered in chalk!

Water baby - relaxing between sprinkler runs

Tatiana and Alex with Lizzie (our neighbor) - coloring with chalk