....Ready to Rock n Roll...off to Gamma's For the Day
It is hard to believe that 1 year later this very little boy is now an energetic, happy, engaging, silly, joking, loving, cuddly, observant, smart, compassionate little boy who has the best belly laugh I've ever hear is the very same little boy we met 1 year ago....who gives love and flirtations anywhere he goes...
...Was once the little shy, cautiously reserved with his smiles, little boy we met... April 12, 2009...
One year ago, we sat outside the baby home in Kirov, Russia in a van -- Holding my breath... Waiting to exhale.... We had made it that far, and yet getting out of that van was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. I kept praying, "please please let this be our little boy".... Jeff, my rock as always, pulled me out of my mantra trance and said "let's go meet this little guy"...
The moment we walked into that building, our lives changed in ways we never ever could have predicted would be so good. I don't know that I've ever told publicly the story of our meeting him. Our LM lived in a room with 8 other kids, the building itself had somewhere around 100 kiddos under 3. 100 kids under 3.... Sigh.....
As we waited, first came in little Slava, our travel mates' little boy -- a whipper snapper little blonde bombshell who wow'd us all with his smile and energy from the moment he came in!
Then, I don't even think my heart was beating, I felt such a pause in life like never before. After what felt like a lifetime but was probably only a few minutes, we hear the door open again, and in comes a very caring looking lady with a little boy clinging for dear life to her, crying crying crying. Our first view of our LM was this incredible head of curls.... his "please do NOT hand me over to these people" wailing broke my heart for him... We had the memo for years we were looking for him... He had no idea....and I was done before I even saw his face. But, oh, when I saw his face --- Beautiful round little face with glimmering gorgeous dark brown eyes, long dark eyelashes glistening in tears... I look back, and I realize now, the way I felt, right at that moment, was exactly how I felt with the moment I opened the door to Jeff's knock some 12 years prior.
Only with Jeff I didn't recognize it... With LM, we knew.
It was as if a shroud of peace and finally the future we'd hoped for were placed upon us. We were gratious and beyond words happy.... I imagine seeing the below, and "knowing" him now via this blog, you can see why... :)
...First Photo...They handed him over to me, and I just held him closely as he cried -- I am not sure exactly what I said to him, but I recall it being something like this, "I know, this must be so scary -- I am so sorry for that... We'll make up for all of this don't you worry...".... I looked at Jeff who looked at me... and We knew... "I am your Mama, LM... and this is your Papa... It is SOO nice to meet you".
Yup, before we met with the orphanage director. Before we got our medical information. Before we reviewed anything with our IA team... We were smitten...
Yup, before we met with the orphanage director. Before we got our medical information. Before we reviewed anything with our IA team... We were smitten...
... Our Brave LM trying to "Get it Together"...We played with him cautiously, helping him feel safe and hoping he'd warm up to us... At first, he was very hesitant with Jeff... Jeff, of course, responded with understanding and respect for the little guy, knowing that babies often find men scary early on...
..."Nice to Meet You"...For those of you who know Jeff, and that he is both a big kid himself and also incredibly approachable, it wasn't too long before they were buddies...
...Papa Gets some Early Smiles...
Day 2 --Cautious again... Do you remember us?? 
...Showing us he'll fit right in at the barn...
Heading Back to the Room as we Leave (sigh) from our Trip 1I will be forever grateful to those who got us to that place in time, in our lives, in Russia... You all should know who you are by now!! :) And, of course, Our agency, Adoption Options, and our in country team were amazing amazing amazing. Andrei and his team made it happen that we spent a over 6 hours with our son that day. Unheard of in all the work I've done -- people get an hour, maybe 2 on the first meeting; same on second. But we got there at 9:30, left at 1pm for "lunch" then were back at 2:30 and did not leave until after 6... The same was true for Day 2... It was an amazing trip -- A dream to match a dream coming true...I wish there was some way that all those in Russia who knew him and cared for him, and helped him stay safe, and supported him so that he was READY to become part of our family... Oh how I wish they could see him now...
...First Family Photo...
LM -- April 12, 2009
"It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" -- Home 45 Weeks! and.....We ARE the TRUTH...
LM -- you light up our lives. You are incredibly sweet -- you are compassionate -- your papa taught you how to give hugs and now you say "big hugs" and do just that... We can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to us -- you are the light in our world. Just don't tell your furry brother...
And, to our LM papa -- An aside to boast and thank you, my awesome handsome husband and knight in shining armor -- not only have I found a love I never knew could be so deep for our son, but in this past year, a love and respect for you and your incredible self greater than I thought possible. It has not always been easy this "shared parenting' thing started with our 17 month old bundle of joy, but your calm and steady approach to each of our parenting lessons are so appreciated....and your joy in our LM warms my heard every day -- I smile inside when I hear you two giggling together, reading a book together, fishing together, etc... you are an amazing papa! THANK YOU for making me get out of that van!
Children adopted from Russia and all around the world are loved, thriving, and their families can't imagine their lives without their little angels... I not only live the joy of adoption in our own home every day, but I get to be a part of families becoming families through adoption every single day in my job... We are not alone. I hope that the governments look around. The TRUTH is all around us... And please, I thank you in advance, for doing all you can to assure that children like our LM have the chance to find their way into homes where they will be loved, nurtured, and have the opportunity to feel special with parents who love them more than life itself. Because what child doesn't deserve that?
7 comments:
Beautiful! xo
I wish this entry could go on the front page of Russian newspapers so they could read of the love that most adoptees receive, Amy. It might heal their fears & help more children find their forever families. I myself am misty-eyed reading of your joy & seeing from the pictures how far dear LM has come in a year. You are truly blessed! Love, AN
What a wonderful blog, Amy. I was so excited to see those first glimpses of your son. I can just imagine your drive to the orphanage, and your wait inside the van. I remember similar feelings -- those moments changing our lives forever, for the better.
He is beyond precious, and just so CUTE. Wow!!! And I agree with Norine -- I wonder if you can share/submit this post somehow. Very well said, and you write so true and from your heart.
Jackie
beautiful post! I remember anxiously awaiting to hear the news and was estatic to hear from your mom that all was well, all was perfect! Though, I knew that this was meant to be, all the help you gave us with Alek and then Maks, it seemed to be fate that LM would be from the same region as Alek. Two little boys from the same town in Russia, half a world away now growing 15 minutes away from each wtih their dads having been friends most of their lives. I knew this was it for you, it just seemed fitting.
It has been amazing watching him grow and change over this past year, he is such a gift and such an incredible little soul. It also has been fun watching you guys wade through the parenting rollercoaster this past year. I look forward to lots more fun!!
Congrats on your one year metcha day anniversary!!! And as always thanks for all you do for adoptive families!!
Once again, well said, Amy. It's hard to put feelings into words but you did a fine job of it and, along with Aunt Norine, I grew misty eyed (no surprise there) reading this post. As anxious as we all were for you two, we could not even begin to feel what you were feeling in that van. But from the moment you showed us LM's referral photo, I felt he was the right one but, with past experience, we were all too scared to have too much hope. I will never forget that Skype call after your first meeting (I grew gray hair just waiting) or the first sighting of him at the airport in Philly. What a year it has been! He has grown from "who are you and what's going on" into such a fun, loving, intelligent, happy little guy and I credit all the love he gets from you two and those around him and your incredibly patient parenting. If only the reporters would stop "making" the news, stop focusing on the negative and start reporting on all the successful stories, like yours and Kris and Kevin's and everyone else whose blogs I read. Perhaps these stories would get the government types off their bums so more little kiddos could find such loving families. We are ALL blessed by having LM in our lives. Love, M
Great photos! He is just adorable and so happy.
It is incredible experience that's for sure and the moment's you describe taking him into your arms for the first time.
Oh...so touched by this post! Some day LM will read this and just know how blessed his is to have you and Jeff as parents.
The photos of the first few days together are precious...capturing the most life-changing moments in your family's life.
We are blessed to have been a part of your life right from the first week together as a family!
Hugs,
Laura
P.S. Bleep, bleep from AOTA!!
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