Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours

Playing while looking for the perfect tree



WOW, That's Our Tree

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Jeff, I hope you had a great day :), I know your days at work right now are long with the Holidays.

Happy 3 month Anniversary to us, I cannot believe it's been that long since we became a family of 3 instead of two, yet it seems like Logan has always been here. It has been so UNBELIEVABLY JOYFUL (and stressful) watching Logan change from this frail little "Chicken Man" into this beautiful little beefcake(he was just as beautiful then). He amazes me everyday at the things he does, he is definitely trying to say words now, the newest Papa. I am going to have his speech evaluated with the school district some time after the New Year, it's a free service until they are 3 and it will be great to just have a scheduled activity. I think that is the only thing he is delayed in, I get a toddler tracker from babycener and he is doing all of the things others his age besides words. His speech delay is not from just hearing English for the first time a few months ago it is from lack of communication and face to face contact, believe me Logan understands just about everything you say to him now.

I also want to say Happy Birthday to Tania, you are truly a GREAT friend and I couldn't have made it through the last couple of years without you :)!

Happy Birthday to my Mom tomorrow the 23rd, your support through all of the crap since we have been home has been wonderful.

Photo Shoot!

I wanted to share these pics, Logan was Hilarious, I really thought I would only get one shot with him squating down in front of the tree. We put his stool in front of the tree and I just sat him on it and he went to town. It turned into this big shoot, as you can see, I must have 30 pics. It really was sooooooo funny, I said Logan go get Teddy and he did, we just rolled with it, We had so much fun.

He is getting so big, 6 pounds and 2 inches, it's gotta hurt growing that much in 11 weeks. Every day is different mostly happy and affectionate but still some whiny and distant days. When this happens I carry him and hold him more than normal and believe me I carry/hold him all the time, it really helps. I think this past week there was so much crap going on it made him a little cranky. I am sure he misses his old home, care-takers and friends. We need a play date with some kids soon, anyone available?

He still does not call me Mommy, he knows if you say take it to Mommy or look at Mommy he will. I know he know's my name is Mommy but I wonder how long it will take before he calls me Mommy? I do not think he knows what a Mom means yet but we are making strides. He still has trouble making eye contact when I rock him with his bottle to sleep, I am really working on that but man it's a hard thing for him to do, I know he will get there. He is starting to snuggle and lay down next to you and showing many other positive signs of attachment but just like anything it will just take time.

Daddy showed Logan how to smile

What a ham

I Love My Teddy, thanks Deb, Jay & Alec!



Kissing Elmo

My Blankie

Welcome Home!

I got Logan's pictures back, I think they turned out really cute. These were taken about 4 weeks ago, Logan has changed so much since then, that's the only bad thing about Walmart it took that long to get them back.

8 Weeks, WOW, What A Difference!

I cannot believe it has been 8 weeks since we picked up Logan, he has changed so much over such a short time. He has went from not liking books to LOVING them, it is the first thing he wants to do when he wakes up, well after turning on his music box :) He can get on the couch all by himself now, he is not so anxious anymore when I walk out of the room, none of the 12 month shirts fit him, he is now in a 12 month pant. He has 4 new teeth and now weighs 24 pounds and that is just a few of the things. Everyday I look at him in amazement of all the changes he has made physically and emotionally, how well he is doing for such life changing events that have taken place in his short life. I love him more every day, I didn't think I could love him any more than I did yesterday :)

On Friday I put him in this outfit that he wore in Russia, I couldn't believe it, it fit him perfectly. Everything I brought to Russia was WAY to big, poor baby, nothing fit, we had to go buy him shoes, we made do with the clothes but he was swimming. This inspired me to do a couple of comparison pics from our time in Russia to 8 weeks later, enjoy and smile at the difference, I sure do!

Oh ya, Logan painted today for the first time, he had a great time as you can see from the pics, thank God for non-toxic paints.

Our visit before court and Chix Pox

Our Gotcha Day, poor "little Chicken Man"

I cannot believe the difference


Full blown Pox!



I'd rather paint my arm!

I'm hungry Mom!

Masterpiece's

Finally!

OK, Logan's Passport finally came back from the Russian Embassy. I did not mail a return envelope with all of the documents and the pre-paid way bill, they called and told me I needed to send an envelope. I guess it is to hard to ask the Fed Ex driver for a free envelope when they are picking up or dropping off. I sent it to them at the beginning of October but they said they never got it so I sent it again, they got it this time and sent it right away. All they did was put a stamp in his passport, it is nice that we finally have it back, I finally got to go and apply for Logan's SS#. he has to have a number before we could claim him on our taxes. I was at the SS office for about an hour, I went there as soon as they opened so it wasn't that bad.

Logan is doing really well, what else can I say besides I am amazed at the changes I see in him everyday.



This picture reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas movies "A Christmas Story" is he not the cutest thing!

Just A Few Pics!

I just found these pictures on my Camera, I took a few pics without my memory card in the camera so these were stored in the internal memory. I forgot about them until I did it again the other day, I forget to take the card out of the computer and put it back in the camera, oh well!

These pictures are of our apartment in Moscow, we stayed right on World Famous Arbat Street, what a view we had and we were up high enough all of the traffic really didn't bother us. This apartment was great for Newlyweds(or if you don't have a child w/you), singles or if you picked up a hooker/stripper, check out the pics and you will see what I am talking about :)(you can click on the picture to make it bigger). We really did enjoy having a kitchen and our own space. This was the last apartment available when we were traveling so we took it, I thought it had a washer/dryer, it didn't but still the KITCHEN, nothing like it when you are traveling with a Toddler or your husband.

You will notice Logan in our bed sleeping and not in the play-pen, it is because he blew out his diaper and it smelled something awful. I tried everything to get the smell out but nothing would work, I scrubbed it w/soap, sprayed it with odor-eater at least 5 times and then used Purell on it to disinfect it. I just could not put him back in it, I swear nothing as cute as him should smell that bad. :) Thank God that was our last night in Moscow. I really feel bad for the next kid that gets put in it :)



Notice the shower right behind the bed, it was surrounded by mirrors and windows and right in the middle of the room, this is where the stripper/hooker comes in.



View from our apartment window.

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!






We decided this year to lay low, we did not pass out candy and we did not take Logan out. I thought it would be way to much stimulation for him and I was right. We went by my Mom's house, they were passing out candy and Logan was loving all the kids that came to the door. Well before you knew it he was walking in circles not knowing what he wanted so we packed it up and headed home. He had a hard time going to sleep tonight but he is out now.

I had to take the picture of Logan's Certificate of Citizenship off of the blog, I did not notice that it says no pictures or copies can be made of it, it is punishable by law, OOPS!


I just like this picture (besides the ugly jammies) :)

One More Piece of The Puzzle

Today in the mail we received Logan's Certificate of Citizenship, it is really cool so I thought I would share it. There are only a couple of things left to finish. We have to get Logan's SS# but we have been waiting on this certificate to do that so it looks as if I may be going to SS this week to apply for it. We need it for taxes, we cannot claim him until he has a number. We have sent his passport to the Russian Embassy to register him with the consult, Logan has dual citizenship and this is one of the steps that the Russian government require, hopefully we will get it back soo

We are also planning on re-adopting him here in Michigan so that way he will have access to a Birth Certificate if he ever needs more than just the original. We only have one and if it ever gets lost or he needs multiple copies we will have to get it from the Russian Government and who knows if that would happen.

Logan is doing well, I know he feels a little more comfortable everyday. He has started to engage play and bring his books to me. He is so cute, he has not wanted me to read to him but I have done so any ways. He would come over and try and close them, I wouldn't let him and would keep reading, now he knows that I am going to read if he likes it or not. It seems like he is paying no attention to me and then when I am done with the story I will say The End, he comes over takes the book from me puts it back on the shelf and sometimes hands me another. He has started coming to us for hugs and kisses, He likes to be held when he first wakes up and has started playing in his crib before falling a sleep and when he wakes. Every day I notice he climbs on me a little more or just wants to sit on me, AHHHHH, it's so nice. I know some of you may not think these things are big deals but believe me they are.

The changes I have seen over the last month are just amazing. He is so intelligent, funny, smart, bright and just so darn adorable. Jeff and I took him to the park the other day he loves the slide, so Mommy got to go down them with him, boy it's been a while. Logan gets cabin fever so we have to something everyday, usually a walk will do the trick, if not we head to the store, he loves to shop :)






I took this last picture today. Logan and I were going for our daily walk and my friend Jennifer was out so I asked her if her and Blake wanted to go. I used her props to take a couple of pics. Logan loves Blake and he got so excited when Blake walked around the corner, I am so glad I got his excitement on film, he loves kids.



We took him to have his pictures taken today, we tried Babies R Us but they all turned out yucky. He was all smiles until they tried to take his picture. So on our way home we stopped at WalMart and guess what, they did a great job and got some great shots. I cannot believe we have to wait until Nov. 25th to get them back, it will be a long wait. I will post one when they come in.

4 Weeks!

I cannot believe it has been 4 weeks since we picked up the little "Chicken Man". The changes that have taken place over the last 4 weeks blow me away, look at these pics the change in his face is incredible. He hated baths now you can't get his clothes off fast enough, he starts to climb over you to get in. He has figured out that if he does not like something he does not have to eat it, there will be something different. Logan has really started to bond with Jeff and I, he loves to snuggle when he first gets up, everyday he becomes more attached to his yellow blankie. Just 3 days ago he really wanted to play by himself but he wanted me to watch, now as of yesterday he has really started to interact with me and engage play, handing me books and pointing at the pictures. I read to him everyday whether he likes it or not, he usually tries to close the book as I am reading but I don't let him and I keep reading. It was the greatest yesterday he dished out at least 30 kisses to me, He has started to hold my hand, I know some of you may be thinking "big deal" but it really is. He held my hand and we walked around the house twice pulling his new toy, I was in heaven.

Sometimes I sit and stare at Logan and I want to pinch myself, it's hard to believe that this funny, beautiful baby is my son, it was such a long journey for us to find each other. I cannot imagine having any other baby as my son, bio or adopted, I guess there always is a plan even if it takes a while for us to get there. :)

Our First Day Together


Having Fun in Moscow


Like My PJ's, My Dad sure does :)


On the Plane Leaving Moscow


Check Out My Cheeks, Home 4 weeks!


I Love My Blankie!!!!!

Some Pictures, Finally

A Long Awaited Reunion

Picking Up The Chicken Man

Finally a Family

St. Basil Cathedral

A US Citizen

How Cool Am I

Growing By The Day

I Finally Like My Bath

How Cute Am I!