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| Thursday, August 31, 2006 |
| Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue? |
Okay, the boys really like to sit for school like the other kids. They love their desks and supplies. They love their preschool workbook. They are doing great with counting and love to sing the ABC song. They have so far learned how to write an A and a B. However, we seem to have a major color barrier. I know they know their colors in Russian, but when it comes to English, it has been a major task.
"What color is it?", I say, holding up a blue crayon.
"Yellow?", "Krasni?", "Orange?", they answer.
"No, it's blue," I say patiently.
"What color is this one?", I ask, holding up a red crayon.
"Blue!", "Yellow!", "Orange!", they yell out, beaming with pride and anticipation that I will say, "Yes, that's right."
Every once in a while they luck out and guess the right color. L gets yellow right pretty consistently. We've gone over and over them in school, while we are eating, in the car, while we are playing, when we get dressed in the morning, and any other time you can think of. I guess they may just be having overloaded brains right now. They can certainly remember "popsicle", "cookie", "drink", etc. We've even tried colors with the popsicles and drinks.
Oh, well. I guess it will come in time. If you have any suggestions or just plain ole advise, please feel free to share.
**Congrats to Tina who is about to get on a plane with her two new daughters to go through the final steps of bringing them home. Congrats to Jamie and Suzanne who are new parents officially. Congrats to Derek and Lisa who are only a few days away from finishing up their long and painful journey to parenthood. Congrats to anyone else who bears with this process daily. You are incredible. |
posted by 6blessings @ 1:56 PM  |
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| Friday, August 25, 2006 |
| First Day of School |
We had our first day of school Thursday. This will be my fifth year to homeshchool. Before anyone gets offended, we are not against public schools or anything like that. Our original reason for homeschooling was because of H's demanding gymnastic schedule and the distance we lived from the gym. When we moved last year, we considered public school again, but felt the kids had already had enough transition to deal with over the summer. Then this year we really talked long and hard about our educational options and how far I could be stretched. We decided that we would continue to homeschool and foster the sibling bond that was forming with the new children.
H is 11 and in the 7th grade this year. E and Z are 8 and in 3rd grade. J is 6 and in 1st grade. L and El are five and doing preschool. Therefore I am schooling 6 kids in every subject in 4 different grades. My one exception is that D is doing H's science this year. We also got her history curriculum on the computer. Her math has a CD that teaches each lesson before she works her problems. This was my one requirement before schooling this year- help with H's curriculum.
So now my day is filled with schooling, cooking, cleaning, being mommy and then going to work at the gym every night. I slept so hard last night! The kids are doing really well. So far, so good. El and L really like their books and have learned the letter A and the colors red and blue. They knew their colors already, but are now learning them in English. They can also count to 10 in English.
The pics above are of our schoolroom and the kids' new school stuff. Yes, we go to the classroom and don't leave until work is done every day. H has her desk in her room right next to the schoolroom. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 9:13 AM |
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| Wednesday, August 23, 2006 |
| Medical Issues/Deep Emotional Pain |
I think that I posted before about L having had many medical problems. One problem stems from the fact that he ingested some kind of chemical sometime in the past that burned his esophogus and stomach. He has a scar on his belly (old fashioned stitching) and a hole too. The doctor in Moscow explained the treatment he had. They ran a tube down his nose and out this hole in his belly. On it was a plastic ball. They pulled it back and forth in his esophogus to "stretch" it back out. He had this procedure done on several occasions.
After we saw the pediatrician several weeks ago, he made appointments for the boys with several specialists. L had an appointment with a GI doctor at Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City. It was for September 5. They told us if he had trouble to call and they'd get him in sooner. Well, Saturday, he had trouble. It was the scariest thing I have ever experienced with one of my kids. I consider myself a fairly seasoned mom, ready for many things. I was not ready for Saturday.
We were eating lunch. Everything was normal. I looked around and L was staring at me- kind of that dazed out look kids get. D and I talked and said he looked really tired. Everyone was tired. We planned for an early bedtime for everyone. Then I looked back at L. He was looking the same. The only difference was his eyes were following me. All of a sudden I realized something wrong was happening. I jumped up. About that time he spit up some apple he was chewing, but it wasn't over. He continued to have trouble for 15-20 minutes. We took him to the bathroom over the toliet. He had saliva coming up. He was making a terrible struggling noise. D called it a gurgling noise. He was breathing through his nose, so we didn't rush him anywhere. We tried several things and finally it started calming down. I called the pediatrician's office and they had a nurse at Children's call me. She said she thought he had a piece of food lodged in his esophogus and because of the damage, he had gone into esophogial spasms. She said to call and get an earlier appointment.
I did and we went yesterday. The doctor was wonderful. He said that he probably had a total obstruction on Saturday. We discussed future episodes and what to do. Then he scheduled a barium swallow later in the afternoon. We registered with the x-ray department and then ran home for a few hours. We later went back and had the swallow done. The doctor wanted to see us afterwards. We went back to his office and waited on results. They were good. They had suspected that his airway was closing in again, but it wasn't. He said it looked normal width. It did confuse him as to why he had a total obstruction. Therefore, he is scheduling an endoscope to see what the inside surface looks like.
Now, throughout this experience, we got a small glimpse into the boys' past pain. We'll start with L. First of all, the boys hadn't been separated since we returned home with them. Yesterday, D watched all of the others and I took L by himself. L seemed a little confused, but was fine. He talked and listened to his music all the way there. However, once inside the hospital, he figured out where he was. His hand immediately went cold. His face and eyes dropped. He got really quiet. Fear was all over him. You see, we were told that he had been in the hospital many times. He had sometimes spent weeks and months there. He never had a visitor! He had been completely and utterly alone. Even grandma and sister, who lived in the same town, had never come to visit. In the office lobby, I was able to interest him in a book, but once inside the examination room, he went cold again. He clung to me. We waited in there for 20-30 minutes for the doctor. I tried to interest him in several things, he didn't want them. He wrapped his arms and legs around me and buried his head in my chest. I cannot explain the pain in that child's eyes. I felt like my insides were going to break in a million pieces watching him. The hurt was so deep.
Now, before we left that morning, I had explained to El that L needed to go to the doctor. That's why he was the only one going with me. I didn't realize what impact that would have on him. When I returned, I found out that he had cried for an hour after we left. They said he would scream really loud and then whimper. This cycle continued. When we got home, El didn't run to Mama like usual. His eyes bugged out, a huge smile came across his face, and he ran to L. He hugged him deeply over and over. I'm assuming that in the past, when L went to the doctor, he didn't come back for long periods of time. I guess when we left that morning, El thought that he was left alone and wouldn't see his twin for a long time. The hurt was so deep.
My heart breaks and the tears flow every time I think about these things. How long will it take to erase the hurt or at least ease it? When they start speaking English, will they be able to talk about their hurt and share their feelings? There are so many questions. As a mama, I just want their hurt to be gone. I told L over and over again yesterday that Mama was with him and it would all be okay. I told him I would never leave him. Did he understand? I doubt it. He doesn't yet know how deep the love of a mother goes. Hopefully one day they will both understand. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 6:58 AM |
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| Sunday, August 20, 2006 |
| One month ago today... |
One month ago today. . . L and El became American citizens when our plane touched down in Atlanta, Georgia.
One month ago today. . . L and El met the rest of their forever family when everyone met us at the airport.
One month ago today. . . I cried because their beds were no longer empty.
Today. . . they went to church, which by the way, they absolutely love and beg to go to every day.
Today. . .we sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" for the millionth time.
Today. . .they had muffins for breakfast, Arby's for lunch, and leftovers for supper-three meals with fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Today. . . they drank at least 3 large glasses of milk (their favorite).
Today. . . they played outside on their bikes, jumped on the trampoline, swang on the swingset.
Today. . . they fought with their brother and sisters.
Today. . . El got upset, hit L(an innocent bystander), and was sent to his room. He threw a fit, but soon was helped to calm down by Mama and finally went to say "sorry" to L. (This is a bigger step than most realize.) By the way, he said it in English- another milestone.
Today. . . they jumped into their mama's arms and got bear hugs several times.
Today. . . they said, "Schmatee(look/watch)", for the billionth time because they wanted us to see something new they had just discovered.
Today. . . L said a complete sentence in English, "More drink please."
Today. . . L busted his chin open, blood gushed everywhere and he had a mama to bandage him up and rock him and tell him everything would be alright.
Today. . . they took a shower and put on the Buzz Lightyear jammies that are 2 sizes too big for them, then posed for the silly picture above.
Today. . . they were smothered with goodnight kisses and hugs.
Today. . . they went to bed with Papa at their side, holding them and telling them he loved them.
What a difference a month makes. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 7:40 PM |
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| Friday, August 18, 2006 |
| Bloggy Movement |
There's a lot of movement in the bloggy world recently. It is so exciting! All of the new life reminds me of the flowers I purchased from Margaret that are just now blooming as in the picture above.
D & L (http://unexpectedmiracles.blogspot.com/) got the court date that they have waited so long for and are leaving in ten days to go get Pickle. Jamie and Suzanne( http://jamieandsuzannegotorussia.blogspot.com/) are heading over in about five days to go to court and bring home their two kiddos . My friend, Tina(http://onesontwodaughters.blogspot.com/), is in the air right now on her way to get her 2 girls, ages 12 and 7. We are from the same agency and we met on the first trip. We really only spent a short time together because our kids were on the opposite ends of the Krai, but our bond is really strong. She called from NYC before take-off today. It was so good to talk to her one last time.
Kay and Dan (http://brouillette.blog-city.com/) are wrapping up trip one. They got to spend so much time with D. What a blessing! Margaret(http://closeddooropenwindow.blogspot.com/) is on the verge of Boy Wonder. We're all crossing our fingers. Debbie and Dave(http://russianbrown.blogspot.com/) and Tricia and Michael(http://adopt2fromrussia.blogspot.com/) are getting that paperwork going.
Rhonda and Brian(http://rhondaandbrianwaiting.blogspot.com/) are getting closer and closer to their court date to go get Bonnie and Clyde. Pineapple Princess is waiting for Jennefer and Mike(http://threesons.clubmom.com/) to get their court date. Suz is also awaiting the all important court call (http://russianadoptiondva.blogspot.com/). I just know all of these families will be reunited soon.
I'm sure I've not listed nearly everyone. This is just what I remember off the top of my head. Right now in my life, I'm lucky that I remembered that much! :-)
The verse I clung to throughout our journey was Psalm 68:6, "God sets the lonely in families." This verse is truly being played out in the families above. Thank you God for bringing Your special children into our lives.
(Sorry for the links being the way they are. I am so computer illiterate. I don't know how to do all of the cool linking stuff you expert bloggers do. Please bear with my inadequacy.) |
| posted by 6blessings @ 6:33 PM |
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| Wednesday, August 16, 2006 |
| Look, up in the sky! . . . |
. . . It's a bird! . . .It's a plane! . . . It's three Tsupernans (That's Superman for the English-speaking world)!
Anyone need to be rescued? Any damsels in distress? Any crime that needs to be stopped? I've got the superheroes to do it! No job is too big or too small!
They expect no payment for their labor, but they may tell you, "Ya hachoo popsicle, " or, "Ya hachoo peet please pazhalsta" to refresh them at the end of their work. As you see, they are bilingual(to an extent), sometimes repeating the same word in both languages.
There's no better crime-fighting trio than these heroes. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 12:04 PM |
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| Sunday, August 13, 2006 |
| SopaPILLOW? |
Yesterday was my birthday. My parents came down Friday and stayed overnight into Saturday. They took us all out to eat on Friday night. I craved Mexican food the whole time we were in Russia and since our return I had only had Taco Bell. Therefore, I picked a Mexican restaurant.
This was really the boys' first restaurant experience besides a lunch at IHOP. They were really into it. Everyone had their own bowls of salsa and cheese and the boys really loved it. Eventually, they just picked up their spoons and ate the cheese sauce like soup. Then the real food came. The boys were pretty full by then, but sampled some of several things- enchiladas, beans, guacamole, Mexican rice, etc. L was by me and when he was done he kept asking to go sit with babushka and dedushka. I kept trying to distract him from that endeavor until we were all done. Everyone finished eating and my dad ordered sopapillas. This is where it got funny.
The waiter brought out 10 sopapillas, one for everyone. He went around the table setting them in front of each person. L was one of the last to receive his. He looked at it, smiled, and said, "Padushka". I immediately started laughing. This is not a Russian word I might typically know, but after an experience we had in Moscow, I knew what it meant. "Padushka" means "pillow". He proceeded to pick up the sopapilla and act like he was going to lay his head on it. I caught him before his head hit it and proceeded to take a bite of mine to show that it was supposed to be eaten. After realizing this fact, he thoroughly enjoyed his sopaPILLOW. Who knows? The name may stick. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 5:40 PM |
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| Friday, August 11, 2006 |
| It Has Arrived |
Just thought I'd share the good news:
Our FedEx package that we OVERNIGHTED on JUNE 13 officially arrived in Stavropol on AUGUST 8! WOO HOO! Now we can go adopt our kids. Oh... wait... we already have our kids...In fact, we've gone to Russia, been to court, waited 10 days, spent 5 days in Moscow, come home, and have been back in the States for 3 weeks.
I can just see our in-country coordinator's face and hear his questions:
"Didn't these people already adopt two kids last month?"
"Are they already coming back for more?"
"We're going to have to tell them they have to start again because these kids were adopted out already."
"These medicals will have to be redone because they expired on July 11."
"What are these papers for?"
HA! HA! HA!
I emailed our agency about their arrival. I got an email back. It suggested that they have all of these now useless papers sent back to me via FedEx. If it takes as long to get back to me, they suggested I frame them for the holidays! Very funny! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 11:14 AM |
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| Tuesday, August 08, 2006 |
| Reality Issues |
Lately, my posts have been very upbeat and that is how our life is most of the time. God has truly blessed us with a beautiful family and the boys are so precious. However, I know many of you are waiting to go to court to bring kiddos home. I am aware that many of them are not older like ours, but I still felt a need to post some reality issues. I am not posting these because I am an expert. I am posting them just to inform. Believe me, I am definitely NOT an expert. I feel like I stumble through my days just doing the best I can and trying to make it through to the next day.
Preface: Not every adoption is the same, not even close. Therefore, I am just sharing some of the things we are experiencing.
1. Night Terrors, totally different from nightmares.
The boys had these most of the nights we were in Russia and for a few nights once we arrived back in the States. They would bolt upright in bed screaming. They would push us away, practically beat us off out of fear. It was horrible to see. The pediatrician explained the difference between nightmares and night terrors is the awake factor. A child will wake up from a nightmare. They will still be asleep in a night terror. In the case of the latter, he said to wake them up and calm them down. Most of the time, if we could just get ahold of them, they would melt in our arms and continue sleeping peacefully.
2. Aggression
The first few days, L was a little aggressive in play and just casually. He would hit at my face. I simply told him no and took his hand and made him rub my face. I would speak softly saying, "Gentle to Momma, Love Momma". Within a few days, he would start to hit and then stop his hand. He would begin stroking my face and talking softly. I think he was somewhat mocking my voice, but it worked.
3. Fits
There are several different forms of these. However, the ones we have experienced most is not getting their way. They do not like being told "no". They seem to think that if they want something, everyone should give them whatever they want when they want it. Sounds like any average kid, huh? Their reaction however is to stomp off and go hide somewhere, sometimes whimpering, sometimes crying. We have handled this by standing our ground, letting them pout for a few minutes and then going in and loving on them.
4. Rejection/Hurt
They feel rejected if they do anything wrong or think they did. For example, L spilled his milk at the table the other night. He immediately had a look of utter fear sweep across his face. I talked calmly and proceeded to wipe it up, talking softly and letting him know it was okay. He looked as if he was about to cry and ducked his head in shame. I hugged him, gave him more milk, and sat down to resume the meal. He seemed suprised that I was not upset. A few minutes later, he spilled it all over his plate. His reaction was much better this time. Another example was when L, not knowing what he was doing, started to try to pick up H's 3D puzzle she had worked very hard to put together. I had a knee-jerk reaction and quickly said, "No, stop." I was not angry, but the sense of urgency in my voice sent him running and hiding. In Moscow, E wet his bed one night. The next morning, L came to us, but E didn't. I called to him, but he wouldn't come. I finally went to him and within a few feet I smelled why he did not come. Apparently he had gone early into the night because everything except his clothes were pretty dry. I held him and told him it was okay, but he wouldn't look at me for a long time.
At these times, the boys will duck their head and turn away. They will generally go hide somewhere, usually in a corner or behind a door. It is absolutely pathetic looking and tears my heart in two every time. For the first week or two, they would simply pout and whimper. Now, they sometimes cry. Sometimes there will be tears with no noise. Sometimes there will be noise with no tears. When approached, they will turn away in shame and rejection. We will pick them up and they will cling to us tightly. I usually will rock them for a while, sometimes a long while, and they will be okay. They are just beginning to understand they should come to me if they are injured, although many times they do not.
5. Potty training regression
Generally, this area has been good. We seem to experience an accident every couple of days or so. They will not tell anyone. They will just stay in their wet clothes. I'm not making a big deal of it. I simply ask them if they've gone in their undies and then we go change. They carry their laundry to the hamper and then it's over. We have had only a few night instances and I think they were just incredibly tired.
These are just a few of the things we have been experiencing, take them or leave them. Some days are mostly good with very little instances. Others are filled with fit throwing and hurt feelings, like yesterday. I spent more time in the rocking chair or running interference than anywhere else.
Overall, everything is good. I feel very blessed with all my children. I couldn't have asked for a better 6!! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 8:26 PM |
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| Saturday, August 05, 2006 |
| New Tastes |
 First McDonald's- Moscow- E really liked the Chicken Nuggets and fries. Both boys were really excited about the toy- a "machine"(car). It helped to kill many hours in the apartment waiting.
 E is enjoying Baskin Robbins ice cream- YUM! It was pouring down rain outside on Arbat Street so we detoured in for a treat before finishing our shopping.
 At home, spaghetti, garlic bread and applesauce. All big hits as you can see from the saucy smiles!
 L loved the ice cream so much! When he scooped out all he could, he then tipped it up and tried to pour the melted bit out onto his spoon. When that didn't work, he just stuck his whole face inside. He's my kid- can't leave a drop of something so yummy behind!
 L with his first Happy Meal. He didn't know there was food inside. When D first set it down he reached out and hugged it. I guess he thought it was something to play with. He was really suprised when we opened it up and there was stuff to eat and play with inside of it.
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| posted by 6blessings @ 11:04 AM |
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| Tuesday, August 01, 2006 |
| Random Tidbits |
Everyone else has done a random tidbit post, so I will take my turn.
Remember that FedEx package that I overnighted for $136 on June 13 that carried last minute medicals, etc.? Remember how 2 days before we left we had to redo them all because the whole FedEx flight had been retained? Well, guess what, they're STILL in Moscow!!! I'm so glad we didn't wait on them or chance that they would make it. FedEx is reimbursing our $136, but we had to file a claim for our loss of value on the paperwork. I doubt we'll get that back.
H finally had her appointment for her back today. We found out she has kyphosis. What's kyphosis? It's kind of like scoliosis, just a different direction. The spine is bowing outward. She has to attend physical therapy several times a week for 4-6 weeks and then will be put on a home program. We go back in 4 months and recheck. If there is little or no improvement, she will probably end up in a brace. Pray for her. She is a precious, tough 11 year old girl who has been through the wringer with her body. She's spent more time in an orthopedist's office and in therapy than most of us see in a lifetime. She would like to return to the sport she loves, but right now, chances are slim.
L & El's bloodwork came back clear. Praise God!! No Hep B or other things. L has an appointment in Sept. with the gastrointerologist and will have to have an endoscope done to check on his esophogus burn. Both boys have cardiology appointments in October for the possible heart problems. I'm hoping they are minor or nothing at all.
Language acquisition is going slowly. Right now, I think we have learned more Russian than they have learned English. My oldest four are spouting off Russian phrases left and right. They understand when the boys need drinks, don't like something, or need to use the restroom. They even speak Russian to us on occasion. Every once in a while the bwins will mix Russian and English. For example, the other day one of the gwins asked for ice cream. With bright eyes, the boys said, "Ya hachoo ice cream." Translation: I want ice cream. Last night J donned his cape and they were chasing him around saying, "Tsupernan"(Superman). We also bought new "bruss er tees" at WalMart. What is this you ask? Toothbrushes. Every day and night we tell them, "Time to brush your teeth" or "Go brush your teeth". After our trip to Walmart, they proudly showed Papa their new "bruss er tees".
Well, enough random tidbits. The pic at the top is one of my favorites of the boys and me. It was taken at the orphanage during our waiting period. Everyone says they look like me. In fact, the stewardess on the plane from Moscow to Atlanta didn't realize they were adopted until she heard them speak Russian three-fourths of the way through the trip. I guess I just had to go to the other side of the world to get kids who looked like me. Ha! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 2:27 PM |
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