I’m Mom Enough Too!

My friend Trisha posted about the super charged Time cover.  Since the article really isn’t about breastfeeding at all, it’s about attachment parenting, this is something many adoptive parents are interested in.  You see, we don’t have 9 months of growing a baby in our tummy.  Many of us missed the first year and the second.  Some even more than that.  Because of that, it is so important that we find ways to encourage attachment between us and our child(ren).

Everyone has ways that work for them.  For me, there was a lot of one on one contact, endless rocking and cradling, talking, singing, massage, sensory play, soft words, carresses, affection and lots of motherly nurturing and encouraging.  For me it worked and continues to work.  Thank Goodness.  I am lucky it’s not always so simple.

Trisha, being the awesome blogger she is (BTW she cooks and blogs about it, she also  bakes and always has great fun kid ideas to share) challenged us in a fun way, her friends, fellow bloggers, to list what made us mom enough.  And so, here is my list:

I am mom enough to:

• take the time to make sure my kid is polite and grateful
• love a little girl a lot of people in another place didn’t think was worth it
• say it’s just water so it’s not really a mess
• stop on a busy day when my girl asks to snuggle on the couch; I do and we both take a well deserved nap
• let my child dress herself in mismatched clothes and shoes and head out to the store or the park or to Nana’s house
• not even care when my child wants to where sunglasses everywhere we go including restaurants, parties and doctors offices
• run to her and hold her tightly and reassure her the train she hears in the distance is not coming for her (that is the ONLY sound we have not gotten past and I often wonder if it is because the orphanage was near train tracks)
• admit that sometimes I fib and says its 8:30 when really it’s 8:20

Anyone else want to play and say what makes them Mom enough??

Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!!

 

 

 

7 Months Home

Well we just passed the 7 months home mark.  Life is just cruising along and knowing we have just passed the 1/2 year mark amazes me.  I just did a Vera update a couple of posts ago, so I won’t do any sort of list.  What I will say is that the past 7 months have gone quick.  They have been full of love and joy.  I have been blown away at how the whole transition for her and for me was so different, for the better of course, then I had imagined

Vera and I spent this weekend just hanging out together.  I did spend most of Saturday editing a wedding, but I paused many times to hang with Vera.  We even managed to play on her trike, scooter and walk to the park and play.  She ended up not napping, so after bathtime, she was ready for bed.  She crashed at about 7 and then slept until 9.  Someone was exhausted!

What else, Oh, I have a client whose wedding in Jan 2013.  I met up with the mother of the groom a little over a week ago to secure the deposit.  Well, come to find out, she is from the Ukraine.  She was VERY nice.  She actually owns a gymnastics studio.  They start children at 3 there so Vera can’t go yet but she will when she is old enough.  We were talking and I was saying how I wish there was a Russian immersion preschool nearby.  I know of one in SF but that is way to far for us.  Well she told me there was one locally.  She couldn’t remember the name, but after some searching on google, I found it.  Vera and I toured there and we both loved it.  The hardest part was deciding on a campus since they actually have two.  There is a waiting list, but I am hopeful we will make it in in a couple of months.  The school has a very strong academic curriculum as well as arts (music).  It is taught in Russian as the majority of the students and their parents are Russian.  All the teachers are Russian as well.  They also have extra curricular classes (dance, theater , gymnastics, language, etc).  They have regular recitals and its just an amazing place.  I was able to connect with several moms in Vera’s age group so I am very excited.  I know Vera had fun the day we were there.  I know it will be different when she is there without me.  I am sure the day I drop her off there will be many tears.. from both of us.

I will say that making choices, like preschool… WAY harder than I ever would have thought.  To say I lost a little sleep is an understatment.  I mean I worry about separating from her.. sending her to someone who isn’t my mother.  Who is farther than a 3.5 min drive from my office.  I worry the other kids will be mean to her.  I worry I will set her back and confuse her language skills.  I worry that she will think I abandoned her.  I worry she will be behind since everyone else started when they were two.  UGH.  EVERYTHING makes me worry.  Just typing this makes me worry.  But I guess that is motherhood right?  Worry Worry Worry.

But I also know it will help her learn to socialize with other children.  It will help her trust other adults since really she only ever wants me.  She does tolerate my mother and she enjoys my sister and aunt as well.  But if I am there, she only wants me.  I think in ways it will help her language skills.  I know academically it will be good for her.  I know she will love the extracurricular dance and/or gymnastics.  We will make friends, in her age group.  Something she doesn’t have at the moment.

In the meantime, I leave you with a picture my little love.  She is such a fun happy girl….

 

 

Water Fun Days

Well the weather has been crazy.  I mean no rain all winter and then pouring rain, lightning and thunder storms in April.  SO crazy.  But, the regular CA weather decided to show up last week.  On Sunday we headed to the indoor recreation center with my sister and her kiddos.  We ended up joining.  It gives us access to the indoor pool (year round heated swim) and the outdoor aquatics center.  It also gives us a gym membership and with it kid zone care at no charge when I want to work out or maybe just lay out and read for a bit. YAY.  We hit the indoor pool and Vera stayed very close and just took it all in.  We called it a day after 2.5 hours and headed to the park and then home.

Monday my niece had swim team practice at the cabana club.  The cabana club is a private pool (well they have 3 pools and a spa), tennis court, playground etc.  My mom is a member.  We spent our whole childhood there having so much fun.  Anyway, Ava is on the swim team there.  She has practice each day from 4-5pm.  Vera likes to watch so she goes with my mom and I pick her up at the pool.  Since the weather was good on Tuesday, I introduced her to the baby pool.  It is a small pool only 1.5 ft deep.  Day one.. liked it and after 30 min was having a great time.  After 45 min it was time to go and she did NOT want to get out.  It was the first time she actually cried when we had to stop doing something.  Sorry, she didn’t cry, she had a FIT.  It was literally her first all out FIT.  She was so mad!  But we left and life went on.

The next two days she played each day and got more and more comfortable.  Day 3 she was having a blast and enjoying every minute getting more and more confident.  Here is a little video:

The weather report called for sun and high temps on Sat/Sunday.  So, that meant on Sat, we were going to pack up the car and head on down to the beach!  Vera went one time before.  But it wasn’t really a beach day and she didn’t get to play in the sand.  But this time…. This time was an all out family fun day!

I packed up some food, supplies and drinks and then woke Vera up.  We got ready and headed over to my sister’s house.  Of course I shot this pic of her as we left:

Between the Z family of 5 and Vera and I, it called for a two car trip.  The beach is about 40 min away.  Over the hill and thru a small town and BAM you are on Highway 1 and the coast and soon the beach!  Soon as we got out of the car and Vera saw the ocean she was SOO excited.  Side note, she did get a little car sick on the way there.  Poor Baby.  Anyway, we got to the beach and walked about .25 mile to find the perfect spot.  She walked nicely next to me and could hardly stop chatting and staring at the ocean.  It was the cutest thing ever!  We had a great time playing in the sand and in the water.  We left after about 3.5 hours and headed home.  She was out about 3 min after we got in the car

Here are some pix of our day:

Sunday we stayed home and cleaned up the yard and then ran to Wal*mart for the basics.  It was a super mellow day.  This coming up weekend we have my niece Ava’s bday party on Sat and then I have a photography client meeting Sunday.  Luckily it is with my brother in law’s cousin and my sister is coming and we are bringing all the kids   The following weekend, TAHOE!

In Vera news.  Here are some highlights:

1.  She is 90% potty trained.  She will always tell me when she has to go #2.  She needs to be reminded to go #1.  Or maybe she is able to hold it, but I ask her about every 40 min to go potty and she does.

2.  She is also asking for what she wants using words now for her needs. Juice, Snackie (she will tell you what snack), Toy, nap, nite nite,  etc…

3.  She likes to go to her room for bed at about 8:30.  She will ask to go nite nite.  Sometimes she falls asleep right away and other times I lay her down after we rock and nuggle and she falls asleep.  Other times, she will want to lay quietly in her bed relaxing with her pacifier.  I will then return 30 min later and ask if she would like me to hold her and rock her and she will then say yes and fall asleep.

4.  She LOVES her cousins.  She is always asking about Avie (her nickname for Ava) and Ryan and Nyah.

5.  I just filled out and dropped off her preschool application to start in September.  It is a T/TH 8:40am until Noon.  It’s a great preschool and I am super excited.  I think it will be SO good for her.

6.  Photoshoot for her 6 month home (really closer to 7 now) will be FRIDAY.  The outfit I got is ridiculously CUTE!

7.  She loves Bessie (our dog).  She is always looking for her and wanting to play fetch with her.  It’s so cute.

8.  Vera is starting to try to sing songs and it is so very cute to hear her singing to her dolls or self while she plays.

9.  Vera is getting baptized on May 19th.  Funny story that has NOTHING to do with this.  At church last week she saw the fountain of holy water.  It is on the floor and we were sitting very very close to it.  She wanted to go play in it so very bad and watching her refrain actually made me giggle.

10.  Vera is an expert fork user and knows to use her napkin and not wipe her face with her arm.  To see her daintily pick up the napkin and wipe is super cute.

That’s it for now!  Have a great weekend everyone!

 

6 Month Post Placement

Hard to believe it was time to file the first post placement!  I sent it off to get apostilled and it arrived at my agency with the necessary seals the other day.  The last part was for me to send photos.  I was hoping to have taken Vera out for a 6 month home photo shoot, but alas, the etsy outfit isn’t done yet.  So, once it comes in we will head out.  Probably end of the month.

I got my tax refund back with the adoption credit.  Super easy and much more quick and non eventful than I had anticipated.  I filed my taxes myself.  Using the suggestion from a fellow AP (thanks for emailing me that Mary) I included a spreadsheet that outlined the adoption process with dates and descriptions.  The spreadsheet matched the receipts.  I also included currency converter for every russian receipt.  I submitted well over the required but I wanted to be thorough.  Anyway, if anyone wants my spreadsheet as a template, let me know and I am more than happy to share   First thing I did with my refund  was pay my mom back the $$ she loaned me for the adoption.  There wasn’t much left after that, but I did get my kitchen lighting fixed and I will be putting the leftover in savings for summertime fun.  My sister and I have been planning the summer and have lots of day trips planned.  Zoo, Marine Animal Park, Dairy Farm, etc..

Easter was non eventful as I was SUPER sick.  I felt something coming on on Saturday.  But, I had to finish the painting I had started.  Saturday night I spent with my mommy friends and then Sunday, BAM.. SICK mama here.  Vera and I stayed in, went for a walk and my mom, aunt and uncle dropped by and brought over ham and treats.  Today Vera woke up calling for me.  Usually she just wakes and begins chatting with herself and I come in.  But today it was, “Mama” “Mama” “Nose Stuck”.  Which translates to she has a stuffy nose.  Sure enough when I got there she had a face full of crusty boogie and a stuffy nose.  I cleaned her up and cleaned her nose out.  After that, I rubbed her down with some vicks, got her dressed and she was a happy camper!

Oh here is a link to the picture of my Vera tattoo if you want to see it   http://thisyearthismoment.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/march-6-2012/

And last but not least, a little picture collage from the past 6 months of Vera

 

 

This and That

Well lets see… the past several of weeks have been a blur. Lots going on. Visitors, Parks, Photography Sessions, Weddings, Tattoo’s etc. But boy we sure have had a lot of fun!

I will start with the tattoo. Mine obviously not Vera’s I wanted something for Vera. Something visual to see each and every day Something others would see and ask what it meant and what is was for. Some women give birth and have a C-section scar to look at and remind them of what they went thru … I wanted to get some ink. So I did that. I got some ink on my inner left foot. I got the words Faith * Love * Trust. Vera’s name in Russia was Vera. I kept her name because I thought it was unique and beautiful and I wanted to keep that connection with her culture. The word vera is an actual word in the Russian language meaning Faith. Sort of like if you had the name HOPE. Hope means hope . If you were in Russia and said vera it means Faith. So Faith is there for her and because it took A LOT of faith that dreams come true and mine did. Love is for the intense love I have for her. She is my world and I love her so so much. I know she loves me too. Finally, Trust. Trust because Vera trusts me. I know this. When she is scared she comes to me for reassurance that it is okay. She trusts her Momma will never hurt her. I threw in the two butterflies and two hearts. One for each of us

As I have mentioned before, I am a natural procrastinator. Now that I am a mother, it is even easier to procrastinate on what needs to get done and I admit, I am falling behind on a lot. I have so much fun with her and I hate missing out on time with her. My goal for the next 5 weeks it to get things done! I have a very long list of “stuff” to do by May 1st. I want spring to be here and the worry and stress I feel on the long list of “to-do’s” to be lifted. I will be posting my progress!

In Motherhood and Toddler news… which is probably what you all want to hear about anyway, things are great! Vera is in need of haircut #2 and we will be going in for that this weekend. I think I may do a list style again just because it helps me to documents it all. Here we go!

1. Vera is cutting THREE molars. Yesterday morning I was flossing her teeth and I was surprised to see one new molar had broken all the way thru. Then I looked around and two more are just cutting the gums. My sweet girl has not been fussy or sick or anything. She is such a trooper and I am SO SO blessed! As the day went on, I realized that maybe this is the reason she has started putting EVERYTHING in her mouth again. She did this when we got home. There were no teeth coming in then. I chalked it up to bad habit and her wanting the pacifier all the time. The habit broke itself eventually, and last week reared its ugly head again. I hate saying “take that out of your mouth” 500 times a night and wonder if I should just let her have the paci. Currently I only allow her the paci to fall asleep, when I pick her up at my moms she gets it from me and can have it til we get home. Sometimes, I make exceptions like if she is clearly nervous around someone but anyway… Thoughts?????

2. Vera LOVES to watch videos of herself on my iphone or ipad. She giggles and laughs and always runs over to show me what she is watching. She is also addicted to a russian cartoon I found on the utube. She watches it over and over and loves hearing the russian piggy. She also tries very hard to say some of the russian words. To my surprise, she remembered several. Here is the link… It’s so cute.. Not sure what it’s about but my guess is the animal parents are not wanting their kids t play with him because he’s a piggy but in the end they all get along and become friends???

Russian Cartoon

3. In addition to learning shapes (which she learned like after a couple of months home) she now knows her colors, numbers 1-9 and a few letters of the alphabet. She knows A, B, C, E, I, S, X. She is also learning emotions;; happy, sad, excited, etc. Very cute to watch her look in the mirror and show the expression for each. Oh she knows all the major animals and the sounds they make.

4. Vera now LOVES taking pictures. She sees a camera and its “cheese”! No matter who is holding it. Even if it is a mom in dance class wanting to take a picture of their daughter.. Vera is there to smile for them! LOL

5. She continues to be a very neat and tidy girl. I mean, she is a tornado. Like literally, she can make a mess in less then 2 minutes. But when it is time to clean up, she will. No complaints. She also knows where the toys go and how to organize them neatly. For example in her room, bracelets go in one box and necklaces in another. When she puts them away she puts them where they belong. My mother says Vera takes after her!

6. Vera will now tell me she has to poop. We will take off the diaper and sit on the potty. Sometimes it doesn’t happen but Vera knows it is there so she will either sit on the potty and wait or get up, play and run run back to potty. The point being, she knows the feeling that SOMETHING is headed out and that means we are close to being potty trained. I am going to take off a week in June and we will get it done

7. Presently, Vera believes everything she touches, likes or see’s is her’s. Typical toddler behavior.

8. Vera is still very much a momma’s girl. When I leave her sight she is calling “mama” to find me. When I go to pick her up she hears my voice, stops, yells “mama” and comes running. She still hates when I share affection with Ava and Ryan but it is getting better. We still enjoy our nighttime bottle and rocking time. I am nowhere near ready to give it up, regardless of what the dr’s say.

9. Vera FINALLY learned to jump and take her feet off the floor without holding onto something. Even though the dance class is like a simon says, it has been very good for her. She watches closely and has learned how her body moves and we will continue to go and go as it is building her confidence and I love seeing that. And, all the moms think she is the sweestest little thing. I have to agree

10. She is starting to chain words together. For example, “help you” which can mean.. help you or for me to help her. She will tell the dog no if bessie is staring at Vera’s snack. She will say “Bessie. No! Mine!” She says Thank You when given something and is starting to get the Please concept.

11. Vera would like to get what she wants at the moment she wants it. For example, if its bathtime she wants me to head up there with her asap before clearning the dinner table. We are working on patience. She is starting to get the “lets wait patiently” concept. I know for any toddler that is hard and will take a while …..

12. For the most part Vera can ask for what she wants. She will ask for a snack, or grapes or juice or my bracelet or hairclip. Sometimes the words can’t be found and she gets frustrated, so I will ask her do you want this or this or this and she will say Yes or No until we figure it out.

13. Vera still sleeps in her big girl bed all night no problems. I can’t even tell you how awesome this is and how PROUD I am of her. She loves her room and feels safe in there and even though momma still has to put the baseboards back up, she doesn’t care. (its on my list to get done by May 1!) On the days I have to work I wake her about 7 or 7:15 so we can spend some time together. On the days I don’t have to work I let her sleep. Some days she wakes up at 7:30 and others its 8:30 or 9.

14. Vera loves to go for walks. Like real walks for exercise. She holds hands and we stroll the neighborhood or she rides her trike. She also enjoys stroller rides and is happy and content to check out the world. When we dine out, she is great about sitting and enjoying the food and experience. I often bring the ipad but she doesn’t need it. She is content to play with the few toys I have brought. She still LOVES slides. Everytime we drive by one, she is sure to mention it!

15. When we get in the car, she immediatly asks for her music to be turned on. I bought this little people CD when she first came home with kid songs. She didn’t really like it so we didn’t listen to it much. Then two weeks ago I put it on again and she LOVES it now! She has her favorite songs and will ask for those to be played. It’s very cute.

16. Bessie the dog is into everything. She is always searching for something Vera has dropped or sniffing out cheerios. I must say “Besssssieeee!” alot because Vera now does it. Vera found some string on the floor and picks it up and yells, “Besssieeeee” hahahhaha.

That should do it on the Vera front for today. hahah In mommy news, I just love being a mother. I am more tired than I have been before but each night I am SOO grateful for Vera and the life we have. Being single and living alone for the past 12 years, I spent a lot of time just hanging out and watching TV or goofing on the internet. Now, I hardly watch TV and well I still goof on the internet But my point is this. My life has changed a lot. In all the ways I imagined it would. I am so happy. The years of waiting on motherhood… well they sucked and they were filled with a lot of sadness. But, if I had to do it over again I would. Because I have Vera and she is worth all that sadness and pain of cycles not working and miscarriages. I know not everyone in the IF world feels this way but I do.

Six month home pictures to come!! Along with a few other things … Awesome fundraiser link, Vera videos and more!!

P.S. It took me two or three days to finally hit publish! See what i mean about procrastinating!! Lol

 

A Little Treasure

What a treat I got yesterday.  My agency called and left a message so soon as I got a chance, I called them back.  After visiting with them they let me know that there were some videos of Vera online.  As you may or may not know, Russia tries to find Russian families to adopt children first.  Apparently they go to great lengths.  What was located was a website that hosts available children.  Clearly they are behind in who is and is not available.  Anyway, the videos are of her with one of her caregivers, a summary from the dr and what appears to be her and a social worker interacting to show her skillset.  There were 5 videos in all and  I don’t understand ANYTHING that is being said, but it was so great to see her prior to my meeting her.

So, here is what to do…  First off, get google chrome.  As a browser it has a special ability to automatically translate the website from Russian to English.   The website is www.videopassport.ru.  Once you are on the site, it has some little intro.  From there you select a region.  I had Vera’s web  ID number as my agency gave it to me so I was able to get right to her video.  There were lots of videos of other kiddos as I looked around to see if I saw anyone familiar…

Vera’s video was shot in 2011 (according to the website).  You can tell it is winter so maybe Feb-March?  I got her referral in June.  It is interesting because she is roughly 15 months or so in the video and she wasn’t even walking.  During my trip in July, she was a very wobbly walker.. I bet she hadn’t been walking long…  Anyway, I was able to download the videos.  Maybe I can find someone to translate them for me one day.  But the best part is that I have them   It also makes me feel happy to see that Russia thought that maybe if they did these videos.. and they are not junky videos.. they are really done nicely) that she may find a home.  Lucky for me that home was with me in America!

Anyway, just thought I would share… maybe some waiting mommas can get glimpses of their little ones…..

 

 

A Momma’s Love

FIVE months.  It has been 5 months since the day I stood there, explaining my love for Vera and my hopes for her to a Russian court.  Those words, those thoughts, that love that I professed that day…  It has multipied by the hundreds.  I never ever knew love like this.  She makes me laugh each day.  When I rock her to sleep and sing and whisper to her, she relaxes and feels safe in my arms.  When something frightens her she runs to me for protection.  I know she loves me as I love her.  Vera has the sweetest laugh and prettiest smile.  She gives the best snuggles and most gentle hugs.  She is such a great traveler  and an eager learner.  She is learning her manners, colors and numbers.  She listens (95 percent of the time) to what I ask her to do whether it is lets eat, please come here, lets go take a bath, time for a nap.. whatever it is.  She loves water and any chance we get we are playing in the fountain at my moms, or in the play table in our yard.  I can’t wait to see how she does in swim lessons next month.

She is such a loving child.  She amazes me each day.  I know I have said it before but I am so proud to be her mother.  She has lots to learn to catch up to the other 2 year 4 month olds, but I know she will get there.  Each day her verbal skills improve and each day she surprises me with something she knows that I didn’t know she knew.  Soon at 3:50 comes at work, I am packing up my things and rushing to my moms to get my girl!

A couple of weeks ago we went to a gathering with the local adoption agency that did my homestudy.  It was so great!  So much fun.  Lots of families there that were created thru adoption.  I met another single mom of a russian girl (4.5) and she has a friend who has a daughter Vera’s age so we are all going to get together.  I also learned there was a Russian immersian preschool in San Fran.  If San Fran wasn’t 1.5 hours away I would be ALL OVER THAT.  But, we have joined the mailing list so we will know if they have special events or classes   Vera got to meet Jeanetta.  Jeanetta is Russian and she is the contact we worked with at the agency here.  They had a clown for the kiddos at the end but  Vera was most interested in playing with the balls the clown brought.

Vera got sick two weeks ago.  I would say it is her first sickness since she got home.  She had a very bad cold when I brought her home and it lingered for several weeks, but after that, she hasn’t been really sick.  Since then she has had a few sniffles here and therebut nothing I would classify them as sick.  But this was all out fever, throw up, tears, extra cuddles.. the works.  I stayed home on and we rocked and cuddled and read books and played.

Friday we went to dance class.  This was the first week of a new 6 week rotation.  ahhhhhh all the kids listened.  Vera was a little unsure.  Partly because I think she still wasn’t feeling good and the other part, a new group of girls to get used to.  With a little extra reassurance from me, she particpated and she floated, galloped, spun and ran.  Someone asked me if she was mine and I said yes.  They said she was very cute and that she reminded them of a precious moments doll.. I never thought of that before, but she does!

The development specialist that we met with when we got home… well his office called to do a 6 month follow up.  So I made that appt for April.  I have to say, our insurance carrier (Kai*ser) has been amazing with regards to Vera and making sure everything is A-OK.  So we will see the pedi in April and the development specialist.  I am sure the speech therapist will call too for a follow up and that will be all that we need to do.  We hae our first post placement that is to be sent to Russia coming up.  The social worker will be by in March to do that meeting.

What else.. Oh I haven’t really been into my camera the past few months, but I got bit by the creative bug and I brought it out and I think next month will take Vera to do some 6 month home shots.

That is about it.  In the meantime, checkout my photo blog with one picture a day by clicking HERE.  Lots of pix there of Vera.  Promise to post some here too next time!

 

 

Four Months Home

Well it surely is hard to believe that we have been home for just over 4 months now.  Since we have been home I have noticed a couple of things.  The first is that I share less with strangers now.  What I mean by that is this.  When we first got home, I think I told every person I came in contact with that we just got home from Russia and that Vera was adopted.  Part of it was the excitement.  The other part was I was probably making sure they knew why she didn’t talk or communicate as well as their kids.  Also, she was very attached (still is) to me.  But back then, it wasn’t like it is now, a “I prefer my momma vs you” it was more of a fear and she relied on me to protect her from all the strangeness.  Which of course I was very happy to do.  So, what I mean by this is that we now know how the other operates, thinks, feels and loves.  Don’t get me wrong.  Each day offers new insight into who Vera is and who she is becoming.  I love that.  I guess I don’t feel like I need to share how I become her mommy now with everyone.  They just see me as her mommy and I love that.  I love her.  More so than I ever imagined and more each day…

The other thing I noticed is that I LOVE following along with others who are in the beginning stages, middle stage and after stage of adoption.  I was very sad the other day when one of my favorite blogs that was a source to come across and follow along on other Russian adoptions shut down.  My new task is to track blogs down and  build my sidebar.  Anyway. the reason I love following along is because I miss Russia in a weird way.  I used to think that I wouldn’t want to take Vera there until she was an older teen.  But I would love to go back and visit in a few years.  If it wasn’t on the other side of the world I would probably go back this summer.  But it is and we won’t but I do miss it…

I signed Vera up for a creative dance class.  She really seems to like it.  She follows along and smiles and laughs a lot.  Last Friday I was a little worried.  There are 8 other girls in her class.  5 of them pretty much decided to not listen to the teacher and to run around the room, hanging on ballet bars, turning off lights, running, laying on the floor, etc.  The teacher asked them no less than 5 times to stop and follow along.  Hanging on the ballet bars is prohibited and of course the lights.. but anyway, finally the mothers came in and they too asked their kids no less than 5 times to pay attention.  Had it been me, I would have excused Vera after my 3rd warning and she certainly would not have received a sticker at the end of class.  At the end of class, one of the mothers came up to me and told me Vera was such a good listener.  I assume that was a compliment.  So I smiled and said Thank You

This weekend we are going to a get together for families that used Adopt International.  They are the local agency that did my homestudy.  They have an annual Love party and Vera and I plan on attending.  For my adoption I used European Children Adoption Services (ECAS).  I wish they were closer so I could pass by and hug each of them!

Lets see.. some Vera updates.  She currently thinks that mirrors are the most fun.  She loves to look at herself and make funny faces.  Each face cracks me up more than the previous.  She loves to be outside.  We go to the park and she slides and laughs and then we head over to the pond to watch the ducks, then back to the playground   She gets frustrated easily if she can’t make a toy work immediately.  Vera continues to learn more words though she still isn’t stringing more than 1 together very often.  But I keep reminding myself it has only been 4 months.

Vera loves coffee so I need to be sure not to leave my cup lying around as she will drink it up.  She also drinks water all the time and every once in a while will have a glass of apple juice or one of those water coolers by capri sun.  She has grown quite a bit and it will be interesting to see the stats when we head to our 6 month home visit with the pediatrician in a couple of months.  Her hair is so much healthier now and she just got a trim last week.  The first one since we got home and it looks fantastic.  What else….. oh she finally realized I have a tattoo on my lower back.  It’s a scottish lion.  As I was doing yard work last weekend, she decided to join me up on the little hillside in the yard (it’s a glorified planter box really).  Anyway, as I was reaching across the rose bushes to trim them and my shirt rose and she saw the tattoo.  She began petting it.. it was too cute!  LOL.  She was like “lion momma.  lion”.  hahahah

Well that is about it!  Have a great rest of the week.  I will leave you with a little picture of my little Russian beauty….

 

 

A few of my favorite things

Just wanted to write down a few of my favorite things. I wanted to document who I am here in January 2012.

1. Italian Cream coffee creamer by International Delights. Yum!

2. The sound of Vera sleeping on the monitor. When I hear her rhythmic breathing it puts me right to sleep.

3. Dr. Pepper. Not diet.

4. Taking pictures of Vera. Currently trying to master the art of iPhone photography.

5. My car. Bought a new/used Tahoe last April and I still smile every day when I get in it.

6. Rocking and singing and cuddling Vera before bed. Best Craigslist purchase was that glider!

7. When my nephew Ryan randomly blurts out.. “Aunt Trace, I love you”

8. When I pick Vera up after work, I walk in and her face lights up, she stops whatever she is doing and runs over to me with a big grin and arms wide open.

9. The idea of giving up cable and just having Hulu plus and Netflix. Now to actually DO IT.

10. Rainy weekends. Supposed to have one this weekend and I can’t wait to go puddle jumping with Vera!

11. Safeway electronic coupons.

12. The sound of Vera laughing when I tickle her.

13. My family. They are simply amazing and loving. They rock.

14. Texts and phone calls from my Godson whose living it up at UCSB! Very proud of him and the good grades he is making!! Managing fun and hard work are important

15. When Vera calls for me. “Momma?” Right here going potty my love! Lol

16. My awesome pinterest wardrobe. Now, to lose 40 lbs and make that wardrobe a reality!

17. Days when my sister is in the office! She comes back from her leave on Feb 7th!!

18. Finding new blogs.

19. Twilight Moon lotion and shower gel.

20. Hearing Vera say a new word/words and associating it correctly. Yesterday we walked outside and she looks up at me and says, “cold outside”. And she was right! It was 30 degrees!!!

 

Vera Top Twenty

Here we are mid January. Let’s talk about Vera shall we? I’ll bullet point this post because making it into paragraphs would make it really long…

1. Vera got her SSN in the mail yesterday! Yay! Now to work on the readoption next month.

2. Vera is an amazing traveler. Every time we have gone somewhere new, she has been amazing on the drive. Not only that, as long as Momma is there she feels safe and you can tell. She plays no problem. Come bedtime, we repeat our home routine and she lays down on the bed and falls right to sleep.

3. Vera loves jewelry and music still. When we return from being away, whether out of town or at my sisters for a couple of says, she runs to her box and immediately puts on all her jewelry She loves to dance and will follow my directions, for example, touch your hard, shake your hands, turn in a circle, stomp your feet…. I see dance in her future!

4. Vera and my niece Ava LOVE to play together. They chase, and play dollhouse, and run and laugh. They are 5 years apart and I wasn’t expecting this so it sure is a wonderful treat!

5. Vera often times wants to spend the entire evening in my arms cuddling and reading stories.

6. Vera loves to visit the park and since we have had zero rain this winter we do this often.

7. Vera is saying a lot of words. Sometimes she puts two together but not often. It’s amazing how quick children pick up language.

8. Vera does not like when any other child is in my arms or lap. This goes for her cousins as well. I am her mommy and my cuddles are hers only

9. Vera is starting to sing the ABC song. She really only says like the first 4 letters and then its just babble. But it sure is cute!

10. Vera still uses both hands for coloring or tracing letters. So I don’t know if she’s a leftie or a rightie yet.

11. Vera is a great helper and listener. When I do laundry she will pick up the fabric sheets and throw them away and she will put the pairs of socks away in her sock drawer

12. Vera enjoys long walks. In Tahoe this weekend she joined us on a little hike and walked it all! Granted we slowed everyone down but hey she did it!

13. Vera now enjoys play dough. She smashes it and we are working on using the cookie cutters for shapes.

14. Vera gets very mad at herself if she is having a hard time doing something. For example, she was stacking her stacking cups…when she got three or four high the fifth might wiggle and it all came crashing down… This makes her upset!

15. Vera has eye hand coordination but I need some activities where we do this more as I know it’s something I don’t do… Any suggestions??

16. We have an indoor pool in town and the pool is heated. They have swim lessons there. We will be doing those in April.

17. Vera loves to look at herself in the mirror. On Monday she discovered her tongue. Sticking out her tongue while looking in the mirror makes her laugh and laugh!!!

18. Vera has finally moved to a size 3 diaper! It’s still big for her but we moved up..yay!

19. Vera is very mothering to her dolls and it’s the cutest thing to watch.

20. Vera will try anything food wise. She has a diverse menu. Her favorite food is fruits for sure!!

We are almost at 4 months home. I feel very connected to Vera. I know she is connected to me as well. She knows I will protect her. If she is ever unsure she will look to me for an ok and a hand hold or a reassuring hug. She often wants me to just hug and rock her. It’s the best feeling in the world. She is eager to learn and loves to laugh. The first day I met vera, she was very scared. The caretakers told me, “just wait til you see her smile, it’s a beautiful smile”. They were right. Every time she smiles and laughs and feels love and fun, I feel happy and blessed.

Here are a few of my favorite pics from the past couple days and a silly Vera video …..

And a little video