One year ago today we met an angel....

Unbelievable. I can recall the brisk weather in Ekaterinburg, the dirty cars, the good breakfast at "The Park Inn" and the once in a lifetime anticipation of meeting our little angel for the first time. We were so excited, nervous -- everything! That was one year ago today.

While most new parents get a first glimpse of their little baby either moments post-birth or all swaddled up in a blanket, our little baby was wearing a white dress with red flowers and looking at us tentatively as she walked up to us to play. Just in case, I was prepared for the "you may not fall in love immediately since it takes time" situation...but that was out the door the moment we laid eyes on Kristina. She looked at us, interacted with us, and we were in love.

All our prayers for 12 years to become a family were being answered. Some friends and family members remained "cautious" up until the moment we got custody of Kristina 8 months later. But after holding her, kissing her, seeing her smile and staring into her eyes, we just knew that God had lead us in the right direction. We never would have thought that we would have to travel across the world to bring our daughter home, but He knew.

A year ago, the only pictures we could post were those "sneak peeks" - either a body part or a headless child. For the first time, I share a glimpse into the excitement we felt and the beautiful little girl who entered our hearts forever.

First picture with Kristina: Moments after the Orphanage Doctor brought Kristina in to meet us!

I helped Kristina up the slide only to learn a few minutes later that she could climb up herself!

Kristina loved the stacking cups and rattle ball we brought her.

Kristina with Dr. Khouloudis, the pediatrician we flew in from Moscow to examine Kristina and read her medical charts. Best investment of the entire adoption process!

One of our very first family photos taken, September 24, 2008

Some quiet time and first time we saw Kristina sucking her thumb. September 25, 2008

We sweat it out each day trying to get Kristina to smile. JD got close here!

First thing we fed Kristina...Animal Crackers! September 26, 2008

Cracker in one hand and a box of BandAids in the other. We discovered Kristina loved anything that was like a sticker or tape!

Tending to Kristina's cold...looks like some things don't change!

Love, love, love this photo of Kristina looking into Papa's eyes! September 27, 2008

Mission Accomplished: First giggles from Kristina ~ took 4 days!

A very sad moment ~ when the caregiver came in to take Kristina away and we didn't know when we'd see her again... September 27, 2008

One year later...tired and all of us are battling bad colds but we've never been happier! September 24, 2009

The 4-Month Mark

No worries...I won't be counting the months until she's 18 years old. I just feel the first few months home are so critical for attachment, new learning, language development, etc. that I feel compelled to keep track and document where Kristina is in all aspects of our lives together.

I may have mentioned before that I'm not a scrap-booker. No time, no creativity! This blog is, in essence, Kristina's scrapbook. At some point (probably at the 1-year anniversary of being home), I'll close down the blog and turn it into a book for Kristina. All the comments left by dear friends and family and virtual friends will be documented for Kristina to read. For this reason, I thank every single person who has left a message here on the blog!

OK --- on with some updates in various aspects of our life with an angel...

Health
After having a fever a few weeks ago, Kristina now has a cold/cough and has been generous enough to share it with us. But how could we not get it from her? She feeds us our food using her utensils, gives lots of loving kisses, coughs on me in the middle of the night after waking up (usually between 2-4am), stumbling into our room and crawling into our bed along with her baby doll and blanket... We were doomed ~ but you know what? I'm so fine with it! She's a smart cookie and won't take any medicine for her cold symptoms but she hasn't figured out yet that I've been doctoring up her "ice pops" with cherry-flavored medicine. YUMMY!!

Nothing like a good ice pop before going to bed...and a dose of "Kipper the Dog" (yes, that's Kipper's reflection that can be seen in the glass sliding door!)

School
Kristina is doing great at school. Since the 2nd week, there have been no more tears when dropping her off. I guess she now realizes that, yes -- we will be coming back to get her. This week, she started full-time Tuesday through Friday (previously she was going 3 days a week in the am only). When I arrive at 5pm to pick her up, she's usually running around on the playground and driving cars -- owning the playground with her signature "strut". The funniest part is when she then yells "Bye" to everyone and then "Bye School" accompanied by her version of the "Queen's wave" as we walk out. The hugs she dishes out to me are priceless...

Our little dear Kristina loves to pet the fake deers that "guard" the school.

Eating
Up until 2 weeks ago, this has been a HUGE struggle with us. Kristina's diet since coming home consisted primarily of oatmeal, yogurt, milk, peaches, turkey meat, cherrios and then the occasional "treat" such as chips, cookies, chocolate chip morsels. When we saw the International Adoption Pediatrician (IA Ped) 2 weeks ago, he told us that if we want her to eat chicken, for instance, place the chicken on a plate in front of her with something she LOVES just beyond the plate which she can eat only after she eats what's on the plate in front of her. OMG....I'm sure every parent out there knew this trick except for us....it really works! This past week, she has expanded her diet to steak, chicken, cheese, spaghetti with olive oil, macaroni and cheese...just to name a few. Maybe now she'll put on a little weight!

Sleeping
This was a challenge up until a month ago but now Kristina falls asleep within 1o minutes of putting her down. I'm still in there on the floor (ignoring her pleas for "milk," "PT [bathroom]," etc.) as she'll cry if I leave but I'm starting to work my way slowly towards the door little by little. As for coming into our room between 2 and 4am, we have no problem with this at all --- at this time. She's not too bad of a wiggle worm but she certainly loves to cuddle. I usually end up on the very edge of the bed hanging on for dear life but hey --- it's worth it to watch her sleep!

This is my usual view of Kristina as she goes down for a nap or night-night. I lay down on the floor next to her bed...at times holding her hand at her request.

Language
Every day, Kristina increases her vocabulary which leaves us in awe. Guess we really have to be careful with our word choices! Even though the IA Ped recommended a Speech Therapy evaluation, I haven't called them yet. Maybe this next week - just to see what they say. Tonight on the phone, she started singing Happy Birthday to my mom. I got it on video but haven't been able to upload it yet. (Yes, mom -- I'll be sending it to you asap!!!) It's the 3rd time she's heard us sing this song since we came home and it floored us that she picked up on it.

Current phrases heard daily:
* Mama work
* Papa work
* No school (oh, yes --- even on days there IS school!)
* Where'd it go?
* Turtle night-night
* Tee-Tee Eat
* More Cookie/More Milk
* Mama's car/Papa's car/Tee-Tee's car
Plus a whole lot more.......

Attachment
We have been blessed. No other way of looking at it. JD is on his last week of Family Leave and will be returning to work next week. The last 6 weeks that JD has been with Kristina has been invaluable. They are buds. She now reaches out for JD, sits with him at dinner, and is very generous with kisses and hugs -- whereas a few months ago, all of her attention was soley towards Mama and she would, at times, push JD away. It was hurtful to him and hard for me to see. I know we're not out of the woods yet, but I think we've made some really good headway as a close-knit family. As for the house...it's Kristina's and it looks like a hurricane has been through it daily. I think JD has a greater understanding why I didn't get a ton of things done when I was on Family Leave. Difficult to do with a 2 year old attached at the hip!

Papa and his Princess.

So this is our snapshot at 4 months. She is our angel but we don't want to candy coat anything - she is definitely a 2 year old with determination to get her way as much as possible, manipulate her parents with love to get what she wants, fake cry for attention in a very dramatic manner (yes, Joy - just like Anna!), and throw things when she doesn't get her way. As for "Time outs?" She sits on a little bench that faces our fireplace for 2 minutes. Although she attempts to get up at times, this is a work in process. It appears to us that she actually "likes" Time-Out! Funny thing: after the 2 minutes, she gets up, turns the bench around so it's facing the correct direction and replaces the stuffed animals that usually sit on the bench. Hugs and kisses are followed by doing whatever we told her to do in the first place. Hmmmm, wonder how long this will last????

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

Hi Grammy!

As you celebrate your birthday today, I wanted you to know that we are sending you long distance hugs and kisses and wishing that we could be together. Mama told me that you are coming out here in January when I turn THREE -- I can't wait! Let's share cake together then, ok? I LOVE cake.

Happy Birthday!!!!

Lots of love,

Your granddaughter,

Kristina DeAnn xoxoxo

Three generations of LOVE!

Remember the day...9/11

Much of this blog captures the happy moments that our family has endured...from the anticipation of meeting Kristina almost one year ago to finally going to Russia in April to seeing her blossom as she completes all her "firsts" here at home.

Last month, I joined Project 2996 --- a project designed to remember all the lives lost on 9/11/2001. When I signed on with this project, I was randomly assigned to remember one of the lives that was cut too short on that fateful day.

So today, I take this opportunity to put a face to a name from a group of innocent lives lost on that day that none of us will ever forget.

Jennifer Lynn Kane

Jennifer was born in Plymouth, MA - the daughter of George and Faye Kane and sister to Matthew and Timothy. In High School, Jennifer was involved in Lacrosse, swimming and soccer as well as plays, yearbook, and a lifeguard at summer camp.

Jennifer graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Accounting in 1997. As a CPA and living in Fair Lawn, NJ, Jennifer began working for Marsh & McLennan Cos. Incorporated on the 100th floor of the World Trade Center, Tower #1. Jennifer's office afforded her the opportunity to see Central Park on most days unless blocked by low-lying clouds.

On the morning of 9/11/2001, Jennifer was 26 years young. She lost her life along with 295 of her Marsh and McLennan colleagues. We pray for all 2996 lives lost on that day and I'm thankful for the opportunity to introduce you to Jennifer ~ an angel in heaven.

3-Month Follow-up with International Adoption Doc

After numerous attempts to get in to see Dr. Feldman (International Adoption Pediatrician), we finally got a last-minute appointment for today as a 3-month follow-up to see how Kristina is progressing physically, emotionally, cognitively, motorically, etc.

Before heading over, we stopped at Joan's home...a dear friend who is an Occupational Therapist in Pediatrics. She receives referrals from Dr. Feldman -- talk about 6 degrees of separation! Kristina wasn't too thrilled with meeting Joan's baby -- her dog, Winston, but we'll work on that next time when we have more time. Joan is heading off to Russia (for work) this weekend so we wish her nothing but the best and request that she send Russia our regards.

Kristina's sporting a fat lip after a bathtub jumped out in front of her...but smiling with Aunt Joan nonetheless!

Dr. Feldman's appointment lasted 90 minutes. Overall, Kristina's on target in many areas and ahead for her age for gross/fine motor and self-care. The only area he feels she's "on the cusp" is SPEECH. He's not very concerned considering she's only been home for 3 months and still learning English but he's referred us to the North Los Angeles Regional Center for a Speech Therapy Evaluation and let them determine if further treatment is necessary.

Here is Kristina with Dr. Feldman in May (left) and today, Sept.1 (below):

Kristina was checking in at 32.6 inches tall in May and now measures 34 inches tall ~ grew almost 1.5 inches!

Weighing 27.3 lbs. in May to 27.7 lbs. in Sept.

I can now hear Auntie Erin (my sister-in-law and Speech Language Pathologist) in FL saying "If you lived closer, I'd give Kristina all the Speech Therapy she needs!!!" I know, I know... ;)

Dr. Feldman's not too worried about Kristina not eating much but we'll keep an eye on it and keep trying to introduce new foods daily. She's just extremely picky only liking oatmeal, yogurt, canned peaches, raisins, turkey meat, and carbs (Cheerios, toast with BUTTER, potato chips, nilla wafers, oatmeal raisin cookies, and pretzels). Can't seem to get a vegetable into her except for an occassional carrot bite. She'd drink a gallon of milk daily, if we'd let her. If anyone has any tips, please share!