Hot Summer Days

On a hot summer day, there is nothing better than...

A Hose

The Kiddie Pool

A freeze pop

And, a beautiful daughter.

Celebrating A Year Home

One Year Ago Today...

You ran through the door of the recreation room for the last time,

And into our arms forever.

Mama nervously got to change you for the first time.

We shared our first meal together, in your stroller!

You enjoyed your first tubby complete with toys and bubbles.

Papa proudly took you on your first stroller ride through Bryansk. You looked at us with eyes that held many questions and doubts. And all we could do was look at you and smile.We spent our first night together, sleeping on a make-shift crib put together by two arm chairs.

A year ago today...We said goodbye to your past, And started a bright future as a family of three.

Thank you, Angelina. Nothing could bring us as much happiness as what you brought to us a year ago today.

Happy Belated Independance Day!

I remember a year ago on the fourth of July, my stomach was a ball of nerves. Just a few days from that point, Ken and I would be making our second trip to Russia to face a judge and ask her for the greatest gift any couple could receive…a beautiful, healthy child.

This fourth of July was just as memorable, but, gladly, for many different reasons! To celebrate this holiday with Lina, who has been an American citizen for less than a year was amazing! I could not help but beam when she was holding her American flag while strolling to the fireworks. I held back a tear when she laid on me while watching her first fireworks in amazement. Though I know she did not feel the same pride as I, I am excited to one day share with her just how significant this day was to us as a family!

Of course, this holiday would not be the same without the great food we ate, the glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets and strawberry shortcake. All of which were alive and well at our celebration!

Camping in the White Mountains

This past weekend, Ken and I took Lina to one of our favorite places. We have been going camping at Russell Pond in the White Mountains for a few years now, and just could not wait until the day we would be able to bring our child.

Thankfully, the rain only came at night and we were able to spend the whole weekend outside. Lina had a blast, and did mostly well throughout the weekend. She swam in Russell Pond itself, and we took her to another popular swimming hole along the Pemi River. The water was freezing but that did not stop her from playing in it all afternoon!

I think, for the most part, Lina had fun while camping. She enjoyed roasting marshmallows (of course!) and also liked helping make the camp fire. She did great sleeping in the tent with Mama and Papa, and 24 hours of fresh air wiped her out so much that Ken and I had a relaxing Saturday morning until 8:30!

We were so happy to share camping with Lina. It truly is one of our favorite pastimes, and we hope that it will soon become one of hers too.

Here are some pictures of the weekend…

I love this picture of Lina relaxing in her bag chair and looking over the fire...

Picnic in the Park

This past weekend, we met our good friends for a picnic in the park. Lina had a great time playing in the park with her friends whose parents we met through our adoption agency. I will leave the details below in pictures:

First, we played on the playground equipment.



And, the best part of the day was when Lina got to play in the water fountain!

I am so excited that the end of school is almost here. In less than two weeks, Lina and I will be home together for the summer. I have grand plans for us, including potty training and transitioning from a crib to a big girl bed! Also, we are hoping Lina will love camping as much as her mama and papa. Our first weekend camping trip is planned for next weekend...stay tuned for a camping trip post!

Lina's Language Development

Since March, Lina’s language development has really sky-rocketed. It is quite fun and interesting to see what is going to come out of her mouth at any given time.

Here is an example of Lina’s bedtime routine as told by her play by play commentary:
“Papa put lotion on”
“Lotion on bug bites”
“Diaper on”
“Put jammies on”
“Mama in chair”
“Mama rock Lina”
“Papa put music on, Papa close door, go downstairs”
“Lina go to sleep” “Pakonah Nocheee” (Spokoinoi nochi…Russian for good night)
“Love you mama”

Of course I would not be telling the whole story if I did not include the following:
I will yawn and Lina will say “Mama tired.”
Lina will pass gas and will have to inform me that “Lina Parted”

Oh there is never a dull moment at bedtime!

Besides bed-time, Lina has been using 2-4(sometimes 5) word sentences. She is really coming a long way and it has been intriguing to see her make the connections in her head and come out with what is happening around her. For example, if the dog is drinking water, Lina will say “Honey Bear drinking water”. When she wants to drink something herself, I ask her to use good words and she will ask “May I please have some water Mama?” I ask her to use “good words” instead of “manners” because if I just ask for manners, all she will say is “Water please”. Little Devil. Every morning on the way to day care, Lina will say “Going to Karen’s” then she will list off the 5 other children’s names that also go to day care with her.

I truly enjoy conversing with my daughter and I can’t wait to see what the next few months have in store for us in this part of her development.

My favorite line currently is her answer to my question: Where did Mama and Papa adopt Lina from? “Russssa” Priceless.

A Letter To My Daughter

To My Dear Lina:

It feels like only yesterday that we met you in the Karachev Baby Home in Bryansk. I remember not getting much sleep the night before our big day. Even though there were two very small beds in our hotel room, I snuck onto Papa’s bed as I was so nervous to meet you that I did not want to be alone. On our way to the office to get all of your information, we were told that our new child (you) was a girl. I wish I could have taken a picture of Papa’s face. He was already in love with you at that point! I think I even saw a tear in his eye. On the other hand, my face had the look of complete fear! I looked at Papa and said, “A girl? I can’t even braid hair!” He laughed at me and told me not to worry.

Driving through the town of Karachev made me sad. The houses there are run down and the people that live there are poor. Though, when we pulled into the baby home’s driveway, we noticed that lilac trees lined the way and there were beautiful tulip gardens on the grounds. When we first walked into the baby home, the smell of boiled cabbage filled the air. This was a popular food for you and the other children, though I don’t think I’ve made it for us since you have been home.

I could tell that even before we met you that you were a very special child. I knew that all of the baby home caregivers really loved you. When they would talk about you, they would smile, and though your full name was Angelina, they affectionately called you “Galina” for short. We were nervously sitting in the baby home’s recreation room when your favorite caregiver, Valentina, brought you in. Immediately, you ran to me, took my hand and started to dance. For an hour we walked and danced around the room. You smiled; we smiled back and took lots and lots of photos. From the moment you walked into the room, I knew that you, Papa and I were meant to be together forever. It was time for your nap, so they took you away from us. You left the room as happily as you came into it, and I knew how truly lucky Papa and I were.

That night after meeting you, Papa and I had a celebration dinner at the Italian restaurant in the center of Bryansk. We talked and talked about you and our plans for the future. We were so excited. I don’t think I slept for the remainder of the trip. I did not cry for you until we were on the plane back to home. I cried many times on the plane. They were tears of tiredness, relief, and (most of all) tears of true happiness.

I can’t believe how much you have changed our lives over this past year, Lina. You have brought Papa and I so much joy, and a happiness unmatched by anything or anyone. With you came the most precious gift a couple could get, the gift of a child, and we treasure you each and every minute. It is such a joy to be your Mama, and I only hope that I can show you endlessly how much you are loved and appreciated.

Before flying to Russia to meet you, Papa and I were told that there was a child waiting for us who they felt would be a “good fit” for us. I’m not sure how they knew the three of us would fit so well together, but I am thankful for this and for you.

I love you,

Mama

Lina's Database Photo...from a few months before we met her. I pulled it off of the website before they took her off after our adoption.

A few of my favorite pictures of the day we met Lina. The one with her and Ken at the top of my post is my absolute favorite photo ever!

A few pictures of Lina now.