Fate and an Anniversary...

It's Saturday night. Alex, Tatiana and I are in a hotel, celebrating a weekend of adoption with the annual Lighthouse Adoptions picnic. I LOVE this gathering. Wouldn't miss it for the world. And this weekend, it's even more of a celebration for Tatiana and I. Tomorrow marks the EQUAL point of days spent IN the baby home/hospital and days with mama. This is always milestone in adoption as it's nice to think that time can heal some of the wounds that were opened in those early days, alone without a mama.

I can't believe how time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday I was just making contact with Lighthouse. Just yesterday I was thinking about the little one I'd bring home. And tonight? I am getting ready to celebrate my daughter's equal time out of the baby home mark. Hard to fathom!

The road to this moment wasn't always smooth, and it wasn't always picture perfect. However, I truly believe that fate took a hand in putting Tati and I together. Three years ago this summer, I was waiting for a little boy referral from Moscow. In my heart I always wanted a little girl, but I also have the patience of a gnat. When first speaking with Lighthouse, the wait for a little girl was long. Russia was just slowly getting back up to speed with adoptions after the "Great Re-accrediation" of 2008, and there were LOTS of families in line for little girls. For little boys? Not so much. So knowing that I couldn't control gender if I was giving birth, I figured, sure, why not! A little boy would be dandy.

Suddenly that summer Moscow City closed to singles -- and another door opened. Vladivostok. FAR, far away from Moscow. Heck -- I couldn't even pronounce it correctly for about the first 3 weeks. While out to dinner one night, my mom brought me a magazine she received in the mail. The magazine had NOTHING to do with adoption or travel, but had a map inside with 1 major city highlighted - VLADIVOSTOK. Surely, it was a sign.

So off to Vlad it was. My referral for a little guy came in and I traveled in October of 2008. All the gorey details are in the blog from during that time -- and I don't hide anything that happened, but suffice it to say, the sweet face that came in my referral was not meant to be. The IA doc who analyzed his file pointed out a "yellow flag" that could turn into a "red flag" but unfortunately more information was needed to judge that. The kind of information that you'd likely need to find out in person. And I did. Heartsick, I was told there was another child at the same baby home that I could see if I was willing to consider a girl. Willing? Ummm sure! Before I knew who she was, I saw her on the playground and fell in love instantly. When I was told that was her, I think my friend Rhonda cried harder than I did, but I knew instantly that we were a match. Without that sweet "yellow flag" referral, I never would have gotten to Vladivostok to meet my little T. Some say circumstance. I say fate.

While we've our bumps and bruises along the way, I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you fate!

The "house" (or family) that Lighthouse built!!

Tatiana - playing at the Lighthouse picnic

Party in the hotel! New jammies from Gramma and Grampa!!

When the Livin is Easy...

We've had a busy couple weeks... so much so that I'll use this as my excuse as to why once again I am behind on updates. Yup! That works. Busy!

I LOVE summer. The weather has been divine: hot, hot and more hot. The perfect weather for days at the pool. My daughter the fish seems to have picked up my love for summer as well. She could live in the pool, so I guess that would lend itself to a passion for the heat! It's not that I don't like fall, spring and winter; I really enjoy living where we have 4 distinct seasons. I am not sure that I could have it any other way. Life without a white Christmas? I think NOT!

So other than hanging out at the pool, we've enjoyed Saturday mornings at the library for story time, grilling out and now the onslaught of fabulous fresh fruits and veggies that have started pouring into the Farmers Market. Summer life is GOOD!

July was a busy month - specifically for Alex and mama. Alex got his 2nd haircut, applied for and received his social security number, opened a bank account and got MORE vaccinations. We also took his Russian Birth Certificate and Adoption Certificate to the County Courthouse and filed a "Delayed Registration of Foreign Birth". This is Michigan's version of re-adoption, in a way. Translation: After a 15 minute court appearance with a very nice judge (the same that did Tatiana's!) on his FINAL day of work before retirement, we have the paperwork to send to the state to get his US Birth Certificate. Necessary? Not 100%... however, when you show people a Russian Birth Certificate they tend to look at you like you have 5 heads. This will make things like Little League and school registration a little easier. Additionally, if it's ever lost... I don't have to wonder how I'll get back to St. Petersburg, Russia to replace it.

The last step will be to apply for his US Passport. Does an almost 2 year old need a US Passport right now? When you live 30 minutes from Canada -- pretty much! Plus... it WILL be necessary when we go on our CRUISE next spring from Tampa to Cozumel! You read that right! Mama and the two kidlets will be cruising next spring! We're going with my friend Yvonne and her two kids, Rhonda and possibly Rhonda's daughter and ANYONE else that wants to cruise with us! We got a GREAT deal for the week after Easter (Thursday - Monday) on a Jr Suite on Carnival - who is known for their kids club. My friend Sara's daughter ranks her cruise HIGHER on the vacation scale than Disney. Seriously! So a cruising we will go!

Tomorrow is Gramma Darlin's Birthday. If you ask Tatiana, she'll tell you how old Gramma is -- because she'll ask ANYONE she meets, "how old are you?". It's her question of the past few months - replacing, "What's your name". This question came to a slow when we started discussing not talking to strangers. However, the challenge now is that she'll announce to someone, "You're a stranger". Makes for interesting conversation in the grocery line... let me tell you.

That wraps up our July. Now for the part you've been waiting for... pictures!!

Spaghetti!!!

Waiting to go to court for "Delayed Registration of Foreign Birth"

Tatiana came up with this outfit all by herself... we call it Cinderella Easter Bunny

Guess who is 22 months now? Yup! Alex!

Ashley, Riley & Tatiana at the Lexington, MI Harbor

When the tub is too scary... the sink might work!

Music in the Park: Ashley and Tatiana waiting for the ABBA Tribute band

Little Miss Fish - in the pool as usual!

Alex's first cake -- Gramma's birthday cake!

Like Grandfather.... Like Grandson?

I shared this recently on facebook... on the left (obviously) is Alex and on the right is my dad. See any resemblance?

First Fourth & Fabulous Fun

As usual, I am way behind in posting. And as usual, I have written and rewritten this post 10 times in my head. In my head, I am much more eloquent, by the way.

We had a FABULOUS first Fourth of July for Alex. Technically, I prefer the words "Independence Day", but it was much more fun sounding with a bunch of "f's". I LOVE Independence Day. Next to Christmas, it's one of my favorite holidays. There's SO much to do! The trouble with Independence Day is that there is TOO much to do. We had to pass up a couple of invites that I would have liked to have participated in, but alas there is only so much time in the day. Additionally, I just wasn't ready for the full on road trip with Alex. Even though it seems like he's been here forever, yesterday was only the marking of the end of month #2. Hard to believe!

We: watched a great parade, swam a ton in the pool, watched some nice fireworks, grilled steaks on the grill, played with cousins and friends and generally wore ourselves out. Alex made HUGE strides at the pool this weekend, Gramma Darlin got him to sit by the side and splash his feet around without crying!

Post Independence Day, I seem to have caught a lovely summer cold/sinus troubles. I woke up Tuesday morning feeling literally like a truck ran over me. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. Thankfully Alex and Tati seem to be avoiding mama's germ path.

Also, like many of you, I have been following the Casey Anthony trial, closely. I have always been fascinated by "true crime" and the "whodunits". However, this case hit a little closer to home. Three years ago, when little Caylee Anthony went missing and the story first unfolded into the press, I was waiting for Tatiana to come home. It was so hard for me to watch, knowing I was fighting to bring this beautiful girl home from the other side of the world - and here this girl couldn't even report her daughter missing. I am horrified and deeply saddened by this week's outcome. But enough of that...

On to the picture parade... and yes, before you say it: they have WAY too many "Red, White and Blue" outfits. But when you have two non American born citizens, can you ever have too many celebration outfits?

Alex @ his first July 4th Parade...

Two American Citizens, sister & brother

Reading with her "Tag Jr" reader...

Gramma and Grampa sent me this outfit...

Even my cup is Red & Blue, mom! Enough!

Riley and Tati jumping into the pool - two fishy cousins...

Alex's preferred pool position... relaxing in the shade

Queen of the swings

Suddenly this little boy looks like he's getting big!

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