...Break Out....May 15, 2009 to 1 Year Later... May 15, 2010

One year ago this week, we took the ride of our lives over the pond, then across Russia, to our LM... To bring him home... In some ways it feels like yesterday. I remember each day so clearly -- I remember how my heart and mind and soul felt. And I wish for that feeling yesterday for every single family still waiting for their dream to come true. In the year since, each day has been filled with joy, smiles, love, and in all due honesty, the trials of new parenting, especially new parenting of a competent toddler from a baby home... My heart, mind, and soul shine so loudly with the happiness that this one little boy has brought to our lives...

...See Ya Later, Kirov-gators...
THANK YOU so much everyone at the Baby Home...
We know we were loved...and you got us ready for our forever families!

Our LM only ate a buckwheat porridge, kiefer/thick yogurt drink, and cabbage soup with bread loaded in it when we met him -- as far as we knew... Our first days were spent helping him learn to trust us through things like learn to eat and share meals together with good eye contact and smiles (LM figured out how to be with us and trust us that we'd give him meals pretty quick, but it took many months to get him onto all table foods, and we are still working on self feeding, but you are a champ LM!!).... how to go to sleep (ok, that also took months, but now he's a total snuggle bug and a love at nap and bedtime... we'll not talk about how you are still apt to wake up at 2 or 3am LM!! :).... how to play... and that it was safe with us outside the walls of the first place you lived...

Then...

Eating in Moscow

For the first couple months home, we had our LM sit on our lap -- many might find this was a bit much, but for us, we wanted to regress him back a bit and have the opportunity to feel nurtured with holding and food paired... it's the attachment gone wild side of me, but knock on wood, it seems to have helped.... And now, he is all about fun food and sharing meals together! See here...

And Now...

Starting Break Out Day Right!
Breakfast Burritos While Out on a Sunny Boat Ride!

It is incredible to me to see some of the changes....

Then....

...Getting Ready to Bust Out...

And now... Growin Up, and Lookin Out at the World...Quackin it Up!

We thought a great day of fun should be had on break out day... so we headed into the city to do a "Philly Duck" tour -- it's an amphibious vehicle that does a full philly tour of history, then drops into the Delaware River... In between fun history facts, they play rockin music & everyone QUACKs... LM LOVE LOVE LOVED it...

Then....

Traditional Family Photo in Red Square, Moscow

And now....

"Independence Hall", May 15, 2010
(fitting, eh? Smile)

...Quackin Fun Family...
No comments from the peanut gallery please.

Then....

Walking with Papa...
You were so very small!

Waiting for the Flight at the Airport in Kirov

Now...."It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" Home 50 Weeks

LM, LM -- you were so so very brave last year -- I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for you -- Two people, practically strangers to you, coming and whisking you away from everything you knew -- people you knew, food you liked, a language you heard all your life... Tossed in a jet plane, walked all over Moscow (I sure do miss those long days and quiet times with just you in our hip hugger, and your papa!), fed new foods, talked to in a new language, given a bath (gasp!), taught new games.... you were so very brave, and you took in every little detail. To this day, you do not miss a beat -- you know English as if you've heard it all your life, you know and love family and are so so very loved by so many people... You love to tease us... You love to sing, dance, fish, read, play with your dog...You are adventurous, fun, and silly... You are amazing... And we love you so very very much. Thank you for finding the strength and fortitude in getting on that plane with us and leaving Kirov to come home with us and be our son. We can't imagine life without you....