Ottoman or Chair?

So this is how I found Logan when I went to get him from his nap today and yes he is sleeping on the glider ottoman. His body fit perfect and from the knee down he was over the side.

And this is how I found him tonight when I went to check on him a few minutes ago. Of course I put him back in his bed : )


Logan has been in his Toddler bed since the beginning of November and has pretty much stayed in it until this past week. He has decided the past 4 days to sleep on the floor at nap and bed time, He always starts out in his bed but then has ended up on the floor. Well today this was the scene, I think it all goes with he feels comfortable/safe now in his surroundings and feels like he can step out of the box a little. I always tell him to stay in his bed and I have talked to him about this. I am not sure how I feel about it yet, is it just a faze or should I try to nix it now? I really think in a few day's it will end so for I now I think I will just let it go and see what happens in the next few days.

Attachment Parenting

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802200304

Here is a link to an article from the paper that my Step-Dad pointed out to me last week on "Attachment parenting" It is everywhere, this article is more about Bio-kids than adopted but it just goes to show you if you are thinking about it and people tell you "I didn't raise my kids that way" and you start having doubts do what you want. I have said it before and I will say it again who cares what ANYONE thinks, do what YOU feel is best for YOUR child. I feel that it is very important for adopted kids just coming home to have only the parents do any care taking or showing affection for the first couple months until you get to know your child and they get to know you, after all we are complete strangers to them and vice versa. Here is a quote from the article "It sounds like a throwback to good, instinctual parenting," says Larry Ro-Trock, a psychologist and family therapist in Kansas City. "Kids and parents need to be connected before they separate. A lot of adults who have problems didn't have a sufficient parental bond."

Logan has been home for 17 months and I truly believe that his attachment has just recently went from an anxious attachment to a more secure attachment. I believe that all along he was attaching, but for him it was steps forward and then steps back but all part of the process. I have read many times that it take an infant 10-12 months to form a SECURE attachment to their mother from birth. I have read many times that a secure attachment usually takes as long as the child has spent in an institution. So for Logan it has been a little less, he came home when he was 18 1/2 months old.


On another note, one thing that Logan has been doing is playing on the computer, he loves to type on it. My Mom got him the Fisher Price Easy-link for Christmas and he loves it and so do I. I don't have to be over his shoulder making sure he is not where he shouldn't be, like one time he was on the lap-top and I looked up and he was trying to install a printer, UH-OH. Thank you easy link he can not do that when hooked up to you : ) So about 3 weeks ago I hear him spelling his name and then he says "look Mama" so I look up and he typed his name, OMG he is not even 3 yet, he amazes me everyday!

I took Logan for a hair cut the other day and if you noticed in the last pictures I posted was the awful BUZZ cut, it is Winter for Gods sakes. Last time she did a great job this time she used the clippers, I thought that is what Jeff told me she did, he took him last time and before I knew it was to late to stop her. She did put the longest blade but still it's way to short and we were supposed to go for his B-day pics so I rescheduled them and it's a good thing because of the wall accident the other day. His hair is so short I hope it grows a little before next Thursday.

Here are a couple of pics of Logan in his Frog towel that I got him for Valentines Day, he was funny he told me yesterday to put them on the computer so we could look at them online. He is way to cute : )

My Siberian Prince Snow Baby!

Logan LOVES the snow, he really cannot get enough of it. I on the other hand am done with it. We have had sooooo much snow this year and I just do not like it. As I am getting older I hate to drive in it, I get very nervous, not because of myself but because I look around and see 100 year olds and 16 year olds and I just want to get off the roads, LOL!



Logan is doing so well these day's, I know I said this a few post back but he has changed so much since Christmas. His behavior, his speech, his ability to process things. The way he hugs, holds hands, plays and his all around affection has changed so much. It is such a nice feeling to have your child come to you for a hug and kiss instead of always asking for it. I swear a light bulb went on in his head and I think he just knows now no one is going any where and there are no more revolving mommies, just one, me : ) I am so happy for him that he has made this revolution he all around just seems so much more happy and content, his eye contact is wonderful. He has always woke up really fast as I entered his room and jumped out of bed, not any more he lays there rolls around a bit wants to snuggle, he is just so much more comfortable, I LOVE IT FOR HIM. One BIG thing that he has done was to fall back to sleep in my lap, that has NEVER happened. When we were still in Russia he fell a sleep on me a few times but not since coming home, he has dozed off at bed time while singing songs but woke up as soon as I put him in bed. The other day I got him from his nap and he fell back to sleep in my lap for about 30 minutes, it was great :)


Logan is not very steady on his feet when he doesn't take his nap I noticed around 5/6 he starts to get a little wobbly. Well this is what happened yesterday he ran into the kitchen slipped on the tile and crashed his head right into the corner of the wall, OUCH!


I went to the Bon Jovi/Chris Daughtry concert the other night with my aunt, my cousin and one of her friends, we had a great time. I was a little bummed that Daughtry only played like 4 songs and we missed them all, he went on at 7;45 and was over by 8:10, what the heck that is really why we all wanted to go but Bon Jovi ROCKED as usual and put on a great show. The last time I seen him I was 18, OH MY GOSH what a reality check half my life ago :( That was the first time someone other than Jeff or I have put Logan down for bed so I was a little worried but he did great and has been fine, YAHOO!

Nap Time and A Day Trip

So when Logan and I went to Florida he didn't get to nap at his normal time a few days because of our travels, usually I put him down at 1 and I wake him at 3:00. I have only let him sleep past 3:00 a few times (unless he was sick) and after 2 hrs 45 minutes I woke him fearful that he would not sleep at night. I always questioned if I should be waking him but it always worked for us and it didn't bother him. I have since read a few different articles that say they only should be napping 1 1/2 - 2hrs, that they do not need more than that. I have also read that it only takes missing a scheduled nap 1 or 2 times and that many children will just not nap any more. OK, any ways he even didn't take a nap one day down there, he played happily by himself in the room for 1 1/2 but never slept and only slept 30 minutes the next day.

Well since we came home he has happily went up to his room and most days has napped but at least once a week he is not sleeping. Instead relaxing and playing. I am leaving him up there for at least 1hr 15 min to 1 1/2. Logan is being well behaved right up until bed time and then he is getting a little cranky. I think the new plan is to not let him sleep longer than 1 1/2 hours because when he is napping for 2 hours he is starting to stay up late playing in his room. He does not have any toys just a few stuffed animals and books in his room but he finds ways to entertain himself. I always knew the day would come that his naps stop but I think at least until he is 4 we will have down time. I hope he still sleeps most days because I know he feels better when he naps.

Not only is Logan napping less he has been waking up about an hour earlier than he usually does. It's killing me, I have never been a morning person, I am a night owl and always have been. Logan has always gotten up around 8-8:30 so I get up around 8 and get going a little before he gets up. Well with him waking around 7 its killing me, I know poor me right.

Jeff and I took Logan to Frankenmuth Saturday. It was a nice day trip, we spent about 3 1/2 hours up there. Logan had a great time, we went to the Bavarian Inn and played some games and Logan finally got to play Putt-Putt, the poor kid has been asking for months now. I can't believe the pool wasn't an issue, he LOVES the water, he did ask a few times but we just said not now and he was good with that. He was such a good boy, another day without his nap and he did great. He did get a little crabby as we were getting ready to check out but no bug deal. I thought he would snooze in the car for a few but nope. We went to Bronner's, a kid surrounded by Christmas, of course he loved it.

Happy Valentines Day!

We hope you all have a nice Valentines Day.

Play Date Wounds, Elmo and Some Funnies

My friend Debra and I took our boy's to see Sesame Street Live today, neither of our boy's have had the theater show experience before so we weren't really sure how they would react. I don't think Debra or I could take our eye's off our kids for the first 10 minutes, they were both in AWE! I loved watching Logan's expressions. He was so excited about going this morning that's all he kept saying once we got dressed. He did not want to wait for them to get here he just wanted to leave and we left at 9:30 this morning.

We were supposed to go last weekend but Alec got the Flu, I really wasn't feeling all that great and Logan had a runny nose. I called and asked the theater if there was anything we could do and they said as long as we got there before OUR show started we could exchange our ticket's, how cool is that. Debra was really happy about that so her and I took a drive down last Saturday and exchanged our tickets for today : )

The funniest thing just happened tonight, LOL!!!!!!!! Logan is in bed and I can hear him talking to his stuffed animals, basically just winding down from the day. He starts calling me and usually I give it a minute but I could tell in his tone that he needed me so up I went. He tells me he has to go potty so in we go and I notice he as socks on his feet. I know that he should not because I took them off as I was tucking him in, he does not like socks on his feet at bed time. Then I notice he doesn't only have one pair on, I start to peel the socks off and there are 3 socks on one foot and 2 on the other. I just started laughing, it was so funny. Then of course I told him not to play with his clothes, blah, blah, blah it's night night time. 10 minutes later he was out, I am not sure if he even moved after I tucked him back in.

Logan and I were at the craft store picking up some supplies and he had asked about 3 times to go and I kept telling him in a minute. The next time he says to me "Mom we need to go before I get grumpy" I almost died and so did the lady next to us. Where on earth did that come from and how funny is that.

Logan got his first wound from playing with another kid the other day. He got socked in the eye with a Weeble Wobble and man those things are hard and heavy. I am not sure why because they have played together well for a long time. I felt so bad for Logan, he has never gotten hit before (I spanked his butt a few times a while back but it really didn't work for either of us). He is not an aggressive kid at all so to see him come running and then notice a swollen eye and redness I was upset. He had just walked back in the room and turned around and ran out screaming. I have tried to take several pics but it is just not showing up. He has a little black/blue under his eye and a little bruise right on the bone. His friend felt really bad once she realized that she had hurt him she even cried so that was good I think she really realized what she did. I don't think she meant to hurt him but she meant to hit him (make sense?). I guess we can't protect them all the time but that was a first to watch my baby get hit like that I didn't like it at all :(

I've had this dang cough forever it seems, the past 2 days it has only been first thing in the morning after I wake up from laying there all night. I feel 99% better, my throat is a little scratchy, I know that is because of the cough but I can deal with that. Logan only got a runny nose, it was for about 5 days but he never got anything else along with it so that is good.

In the TMJ news my jaw is still locked up, although I can force it open with only a slight pop now. It has been opening on it's own in the mornings for several days now but as soon as I start talking to Logan and then have breakfast it locks up again, EERRRRRR!

This Cold Is Killing Me!

I have been in bed for days from this dang Sinus infection. Jeff even took the day off yesterday to take care of Logan. THIS IS A BIG DEAL, Jeff has not missed a day of work in 22 years. I was so bad Weds morning that he got out of the shower and told me he was staying home. I have not been able to sleep because I have been coughing so hard, I am depleted of all energy and patience. Thank God I am starting to feel better today, I have a little energy and my cough is starting to subside. I actually slept from 11:30 last night to 3:30 woke up and took some more of my cough syrup w/codeine and went back to sleep until 8:20 when Logan woke up. I have been sick for over a week now, it's got to end soon, my whole mid section hurts from the coughing.

My jaw is still locked up, I can pop/force it open now as it is only my right side being effected by this now (always has been worse on my right) but every time I do that I am causing damage to my ligaments and to the bone itself. I guess it fits in place like a ball and socket (kinda like a hip) so every time it snaps it cause wear and tear so to speak. I haven't been able to sleep w/my bit because of this dang cold, I will try again tonight and see how it goes.

Logan is doing great he came out of his before Christmas funk a totally loving little guy. He has always been sweet but it is a a totally different level now. He has always came to us for affection and given it but now he gives it out like he has always been here. There are no reservations or being scared, he hugs tight and often and he comes and sits in our laps on a daily basis. He craves affection and I love giving it to him. He has for the most part stopped trying to control things, he still does but it is more like a typical 3 year old not like he has to be in control or he is going to lose it. His potty issues are completely gone, I don't think he has wet his pants since just before Christmas.

Any ways, I need to rest a little before he gets up from his nap although I don't think he is going to nap today he has been up there a little over an hour just jabbing his jaws to his animals so I may just go and get him.

Thanks for staying home Jeff, I really needed the rest or I was never going to get better : )

I wanted to include this link I got off of a blog that I follow, thanks Murial for posting this, you certainly do your share of giving back :) I do not know anyone who's child(ren) have Autism but I did read a lot about it when researching International adoption. I was shocked to learn how many children are being diagnosed w/Autism and that there is no known cause or cure. I am amazed how the insurance companies can pick and choose what is covered and what is not. There is an alarming rate of children being diagnosed EVERYDAY. Please watch the video and see for yourself it is only 3 minutes and every click is helping raise funds for Autism research. Copy and paste the link and make a difference : )

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214=20

Florida Trip

Logan and I took off and went down to Florida to see my Dad and Step Mom for a few days. It was a spur of the moment idea and when I checked flights they were only a $150 each for round trip, how could we not go. We had vouchers from our 4 1/2 hour delay in the airport last summer that I applied and it only cost us $73 for both of us. What a great deal : ) the car ended up costing more. We left late Sunday afternoon and came home Thursday. Jeff did not go, he can't just up and go like that with work, he has to schedule time off in advance.

om.

I planned on taking him to play Putt-putt, he has been asking to go for a month now and there is just no place open around here this time of year. We went to play PP on Monday and it was no longer open so Logan still didn't get to play : ( There was a County fair going just down the road so we went there instead. I have not seen a fair that big in a very long time. There were not very many animals but tons of games, rides and "freak- shows". I could not believe the amount of food booths, we had fun, won Logan a few prizes and had some carny food for dinner, YUMMY!

Tuesday we went to Downtown Disney, Logan got to play in "Lego-Land" for a bit where there is a replica of St Basil's Cathedral, that was really cool. He loved seeing all of the figures they have down there as you can see from the pictures. I took him in the world of Disney store and let him pick out one thing, it's the Mickey in most of the pictures. He was funny there were a few things that he said he wanted and I kept saying "are you sure, you only get one thing" he finally picked up that Mickey and that was it he was not changing his mind.

We had dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe, they have a BBQ wrap that I love, I hardly ever eat there so that is what I got. When we walked in he was excited and said "Mom in the jungle" he did get a little scared when it started to storm, he said "Mom lets go to the bathroom" I'm not sure where that came from besides we just came from there and it is the only place he seen without the jungle going on. It was getting late and we were parked at the other end of the complex so we took the water taxi back, it was his first boat ride and he loved it. We had such a good time down there and the best part about it was it was not packed : )

We had planned on doing either Sea World or Cypress Gardens. I didn't want do any other of the parks because they are so big, and I don't think that Logan is old enough yet. He is not into rides or really getting close to the characters yet. He wants to see them from a few feet away, although he did give Chuck-E-Cheese a high five when we were there a while back. I want him to have great memories of his first time meeting Mickey Mouse, who he LOVES.

Wednesday we didn't do anything besides go for a walk down to the lake. Logan woke up crabby and misbehaving, we had been on the go since Sunday and we needed a break. We didn't end up doing either park we had planned on but I think what we did do was great and just enough for Logan. I started feeling like I was coming down with something Wednesday afternoon and when I woke up Thursday I felt horrible. It was not a fun day to travel and I felt bad for all the poor people around me but what could I do I needed to come home. My only symptoms are in my throat so unless I talked you would never know. Logan was ready and really started asking to come home Weds night.

He did great on this trip, he was so much better behaved than when we were in Myrtle last summer. He was a GREAT boy in the airports and on the plane especially on the way home when he knew I wasn't feeling good. I am so proud of him for listening so well and helping the way he did in the airports with us traveling alone. He was good the whole time down there until Weds and he was a lot better in the afternoon when he came out from the room from his nap. He didn't fall a sleep, he just laid in there and chit-chatted with his Mickey so I am surprised that he was in a better mood. He always falls a sleep so that was weird but who cares he came out in a much better mood.

We had a good time, it was nice to get away from the freezer we are living in. It was 12 degrees when we left and was cold all week Jeff said. We had great weather down there, when we left Florida it was 78 degree's and sunny and we came home to a high of 22 and snow on the ground, YUCK. I am still not feeling good and just laying around taking it easy.

*TMJ update* My jaw is still locked up, it has been 12 days, ouch!

Suffering from TMJ

I have been unable to open my mouth further than about a 1/4 inch for the past 3 days now. This happened to me about 2 1/2 years ago for the first time. I will never forget I was chewing a Milk Dud and my jaw popped, a few days later my jaw locked up and it freaked me out. I had no idea what the heck was happening. I went right to my Dr. and they sent me to the dentist where he fitted me for a mouth piece to wear while I was sleeping. It was about 4 days before I could open my mouth all the way. I was never told how debilitating this can be in so many different ways.

I have had some minor medical issues since all of this stuff has been going on with my jaw. Besides my jaw locking up and popping all the time I have suffered from Vertigo off and on for years now, NOT FUN! There seemed to be no reason besides there was always fluid in my ears and the Dr. always said that it had nothing to do with my TMJ, but my symptoms go on and on and have gotten worse over the years. I always thought that they did go hand and hand because when ever I was feeling really bad my jaw was tight and popping and I had fluid in my ears. I have never had ear problems not even as a kid but now I have clear fluid build up all the time.

When my jaw locked up this last time I started doing some research on-line. I cannot believe I was never informed about how debilitating this condition can be and how many negative effects it has. Here is a list of symptoms, if there is an X by it I have it. There is no known cure or there very many experts in this field. A Dr. knows nothing about it and most Dentist know little. There are very few treatments and I definitely don't want to have surgery on my jaw but man I am only 36. I cannot live the rest of my life like this and a mouth piece is just a temporary fix. The dizziness alone is driving me crazy. I have found a few people online selling their mouth exercises and they say it works. I am thinking about shelling out the $50 bucks and going for it. Any of you lurkers out there have any advice on this subject?

Eye Pain and Eye Problems:

X Bloodshot eyes
X Blurring of vision
Eye pain above, below and behind eye
Pressure behind eyes
X Light sensitivity
X Watering of the eyes

Head Pain, Headache Problems, Facial Pain:

Migraines
X Forehead pain
Cluster headaches
X "Sinus Type" headache
Hair and/or scalp painful or sensitive to touch
X Headaches at the back of the head, with or without shooting pain

Teeth and Gum Problems:

X Clenching during the day or at night
X Grinding teeth at night (bruxism)
Tooth pain
Sensitive teeth

Mouth, Face, Cheek, and Chin Problems:

X Discomfort or pain to any of these areas
X Pain in cheek muscles
Uncontrollable tongue movements
X Jaw and Jaw Joint Problems
X Limited opening
X Inability to open the jaw smoothly or evenly
Jaw deviates to one side when opening
Inability to find the correct bite with teeth
X Clicking or popping jaw joints
Uncontrollable jaw movements

Ear Pain, Ear Problems:

X Hissing, buzzing, ringing, or roaring sounds
Diminished hearing
X Clogged, "stuffy", itchy ears
X Feeling of fullness
X Ear pain without infection
X Balance problems, vertigo, dizziness

Throat Problems:

* Swallowing difficulties
* Tightness of throat
* Sore throat with no infection
* Voice fluctuations
* Laryngitis
* Tongue Pain

Neck and Shoulder Problems:

X Neck pain
X Tired, sore neck problems
X Shoulder aches
X Back pain (upper and lower)
X Arm and finger tingling, numbness, and/or pain
X Stiffness

As you can see I have MOST of the symptoms listed. The neck and shoulder thing I have had for many many years. The only thing that it has not effected is my throat.

Random Stuff!

Can you see the ears, this is Logan's Mickey Mouse pillow, it came as a set with a sleeping bag that is pretty light weight and designed for a little one like him. I think this is by far Logan's favorite gift he got from Santa. He lays in the sack and on the pillow everyday, he hugs on the pillow all the time, he is so adorable with this.

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. We have been on the go lately, last week was a busy one. We had a play-date on Tuesday w/my friend Renee and her son Tyler. Then on Thursday we met some friends at Chuck E Cheese for dinner and to let the kids play. We had friends over on Friday for dinner with 2 of their 3 kids. Their girls are older but very cute and Logan was loving Emily who is 12, my boy is such a flirt with young pretty girls. I noticed this on our first trip to Russia. The first day when his care taker came for him, he just clung to me and didn't want to go to her. She was an unattractive older lady. The next day was a whole different story when a young pretty lady came for him, he reached right out to her. We found it funny and Jeff and I have joked about it many times, well he is still very much that same way but now he will always choose me : ) no matter how young or pretty.

OK, back to what I was saying we then had a play-date with my friend Debra and her son Alec on Sunday. Logan and Alec get a long very good and play really well together. I am sure they are going to grow up to be life-long friends. Debra and I are taking the boys in Feb. to see Sesame Street Live, I can't wait they are going to love it. We were supposed to do something with Renee and Tyler again tomorrow but I called Renee and asked to switch it to Thursday or Friday my boy needs a break.

I SUFFER from TMJ. I have been doing some research on it lately because my jaw has once again locked up, I can only open my mouth about a 1/4 inch without pain and not at all past maybe 1/2 inch. I cannot believe I was never informed about how debilitating this condition can be. I was fitted for a mouth piece to wear when I sleep and that was it. My next post is going to be on this subject because there is way to much to say on it.

We went and seen Busia and she made a wonderful meal and we had a really nice visit. Logan got a little radio and head phones along with some money for his piggy bank.

Jeff, Logan and Busia


Jeff and Logan, not afraid of any animal skull, YUCK!

A Look Back on 2007

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Happy New Year!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful blanket of snow which our Siberian baby LOVES, he is definitely from Russia : ) He really cannot get enough of playing in it. I am glad that ii is kind of warm so we could enjoy it. We have had snow a few time already this Winter but this is the first time we were able to pack it to make a "Snow-man". Logan's first "Snow-man" was a success, even the neighbor boy came out to check it out, Jake does not like the snow, LOL.

Any ways, I hope you all had a great celebration last night.

Happy New Year from our family to yours and I hope we all have a wonderful 2008!

Getting Back to Normal

I hate to even talk about it because it always seems like I jinx myself but I think our little man is getting back to himself, whew. Logan has went through some difficult times in his adjustment here and there but over all he has done remarkably well. He usually will be OK within a few weeks if the blues come on and it seems to have been a pattern of every 3/4 months he would have a bad week or 2 and then be fine. Well the past 6 weeks have not been good, I know a lot of it is just your I'm almost 3 and I am the boss but man I'll tell ya it is a hard thing when your child is pushing you away.

Well, I am happy to say that as of a few day's before Christmas he settled back into himself : ) : ) and has stayed that way through the Holiday rush. I am so relieved for him to be feeling better. He has been so happy and loving, a far cry from 2 weeks ago. I am so thankful that that funk is over, it was very hard on all of us. I almost didn't want to do anything over Christmas but stay home and "cocoon" because he was starting to feel better and I didn't want all of the stimulation to get him all out of sorts again. How do you cancel Christmas? He has been great and we all had a lot of fun visiting.

Any ways, my Mom had said to me a little while before Christmas that she would like it if we got the Grandkids together for a picture sometime. Well of course I rolled with it for a gift, what was I thinking, LOL! 2 different studios, 2 different days, 3 different photographers and five hours of our time we finally got a good shot of the 3 of them. My niece and nephew are 15 and 12 so they weren't the problem. My cute little man just did not want to take a picture with them. He was OK for the 2 by himself (kind of) but he didn't want to sit with them. What a STINKER! Thank you Amber and Austin for being good sports. My poor nephew looked crazy in a few of the pictures from holding his smile for so long, LOL!

HO! HO! HO!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This was the best Christmas ever! Logan enjoyed himself so much, I just enjoyed watching his face as he opened his gifts. He got way spoiled by everyone and we still have 2 more visits before the festivities are over. Christmas day is usually the last of the gift giving and visiting but this year we had to make a visit today, we have another planned to go and see Jeff's Grandma on Friday and then we are going to celebrate with my Dad and siblings this coming Sunday. It just didn't work out that we could all be there at the same time so we had to wait until after Christmas. Oh well, more good food and visiting with family, sounds kind of fun to me.

Last year Logan had fun but it was all a bit over-stimulating for him, he had only been home a few months and was still very much adjusting to being in a family. I remember the first gift he got for Christmas a few day's before. My friend Tania came over and he really just didn't know how to open it, this year was way different. He new exactly what to do and enjoyed doing it.


It's hard to tell what he likes the best right now because there are so many new things he just keeps going from one to the next. I can't wait for a couple of weeks to put some things away and start rotating toys again. He got the "Bounce and Go" inch worm from his Nanny and Papa, I asked my Mom to get him this. I knew he would love it and we couldn't get it put together fast enough for him. Santa gave him the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and he loved that, he is really into Mickey and friends right now. He also got a Mickey pillow with a sleep sack that he LOVES. Time will tell what he keeps playing with and what gets left behind so to speak.

Jeff and I really had such a good time this year, last year there was A LOT of stress with some family issues we had going on and it was hard to enjoy ourselves. This year we have found a way to move past it and start our healing. It was a long road to get here but we are doing it. I have to be honest it really ruined a lot of things for us, it was the most heartbreaking, sad thing I have ever been through in my life and I think Jeff would agree. We had enough stress of Logan coming home with his transition and us adjusting as first time parents, we surly didn't need any of that added onto it. We needed to focus on Logan no one else, we needed support and we didn't get it from some. Any way's, it was a huge Jerry Springer mess that I have never fully gotten into here because that dirty laundry is best left alone, so I will end it with that.

Any ways, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, we sure did. I am looking forward to the New Year and all that it will bring, more positive things I hope : )

Merry Christmas!

I don't think I will have much time over the next few day's but I wanted to say Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday. I know this year is going to be so much fun. We went for a visit today at Jeff's Aunt Chris's house. It was really nice, we had brunch and Logan got spoiled with some cool gifts.


Our cousin Jennifer is in town from New Orleans and she got to meet Logan, he really liked her. Her brother Ricky was there also and he was the one who cooked. He made two different types of quiche, they were both yummy, Logan even liked them. It really was a very nice visit and I am glad we got to get over there to see them all.

Any ways, we have lots to do the next few days and I am so excited to see Logan's face Christmas morning, I hope to post some video Christmas morning. Last year he was only home a few months and it was all a bit much for him, this year is a whole different story all though I think he will be a bit over-stimulated he will be able to handle it better. I remember last year on the way home Christmas Eve he sat in his car seat screaming at the top of his lungs letting it all out on our way home. He wasn't screaming because he was mad or throwing a fit it is his way to get it all out. He still does this every once in a while but not near as often as he used to.

Happy Holidays!
P.S. Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Happy Birthday Jeff, I hope you enjoyed your day! Logan and I baked Jeff a cake this morning and then we frosted it when he got up from his nap (daddy also took a nap). After we frosted it he ran and woke Jeff up, he couldn't wait to sing Happy B-day. It was so cute, he was SO EXCITED. Jeff could have stayed sleeping but he was a good sport and got up.


We laid pretty low today, I told Jeff what ever he wanted to do was fine. He hunted this morning, took a nap when he got home. We were going to go out to dinner but we were all full from the cake so Jeff went and got a carry out a bit later than we normally eat. Logan was bouncing off the walls, he had a major sugar overload from cream cheese frosting from Jeff's cake so we really did not want to take him out either : )

I had a pumpkin walnut bread/muffin mix from Tastefully Simple so that is what we made and I am glad I did, you have to try one of these, yummy! I made the bread cut it in half after it cooled, frosted the center, put it back together and then frosted the whole thing. I don't even want to think about the calories and fat in that one piece, LOL but it was so good, we all enjoyed it.

Snow, Snow and More Snow!

We got a bit of snow over the weekend as you will see from the pics. The weather center was saying 10-16 inches we got about 7/8 other area's got more but I think most of us got about the same. Logan loves the snow. Last year he was so small to go sledding but we played in the snow every time. Yesterday we went out for about 10-15 minutes, we had a lot of fun and I can't wait for it to get out of the 20's so he can go down a little hill. We pulled him around and let him slide down the drive with one of us on the other end, HE LOVES IT!

Logan also got to try Hot Chocolate for the first time of course with mini marshmallows. He loved that to. He does not like choco-milk so I didn't think he would like it but he did, who doesn't like hot cocoa?


First time on a sled

Bless You!

Baking Cookies










Logan's vocabulary is blooming beyond belief. I am actually amazed how well he talks from just a few short months ago. I love it that we are having full conversations, it is so much fun. He pronounces his words very well and says some pretty extravagant ones.

A couple of weeks ago as I was leaving I gave him the usual hugs and kisses and I love you and his reply was "love you Mommy, BE CAREFUL" OMG, I melted and got teary eyed, no tears streamed but man moments like those are priceless. He usually says I love you, but never be careful : ) what a sweet boy!

Tonight he was taking a bath and we were pouring buckets back and forth and I sneezed, he said "bless you Mommy", how cute is that. Logan repeats me sometimes when I say that to him but he has never just said it. It is amazing how he just all of a sudden is this smart, funny, beautiful little person he is no loner an adorable baby. I LOVE it that he is saying things in the appropriate way and time.

I try my hardest not to swear in front of Logan but I am human. I usually just ignore it if someone else or I swear in front of him and repeats it. It has not been very often but it has happened of course. Well Today he said dam it, I wasn't sure if I heard him right or not so I asked him what he said and he told me again so I told him that ws not a nice word and we don't use it. He then says it about 10 more times, LESSON LEARNED I will never acknowledge he saying a cuss word again and he got time out. The funny but not so funny thing about it was that he said it when he slipped climbing in the chair.

Any ways, I am way excited about Christmas this year, I can't stop buying him presents. It seems like all of Logan's toy's are just to young for him. They are all like for under 2/3 or he has had them for a long time and has mastered them all and he is bored with them. He definitely needs toys for 3 and up now. I went though his presents and I have a lot of little stuff but only 1 semi big gift. I keep debating whether or not to get him the Mickey Mouse talking clubhouse, his friend Alec has one and he always plays with it when we are there. I think maybe I will wait and see what he get for Christmas from everyone else before I do that. He is going to be over whelmed any ways so I will start rotating his toys again.

I have also been thinking that come the New Year I am going to get more structured with our day. Logan and I always do some type of learning daily but I want to add like an activity also. I am getting some ideas from other blogs. I love blogging and reading others, it has helped my family in so many different ways.

Christmas Wonderland

My Mom and I took Logan out to this really fun place for some Christmas browsing. As soon as we walked in L was in awe, I knew he would like it. A whole lot of Christmas trees and animation all around. He really loved the Snow White scene they had besides the mirror. I am not sure what the heck they were thinking but that evil thing in the mirror kind of scared me. We must have watched Snow White 10 times but he only looked at the mirror the first time and then would walk out of view of it when that part started.

We had a good time, nothing got broken but this tree ended up spinning really fast, LOL! This is not the greatest pic but this tree was like 12 feet tall and I wanted to show you all the actual tree. We had walked half way through and we had stopped and were just looking around and talking when I start hearing ornaments clinking together. I looked up and the tree was starting to spin really fast, I had to look around to find out what happened, Logan was right in front of me. Well right there you could just turn this dial. L had turned it up to about 7, Thank God I got to it before it really started flying. I can't imagine how much that would have cost me, although I would have probably argued about that since the dial was just right there, not out of the way or covered at all.

We have had some issues lately going on with Logan. He is being a little stinker again and that is an understatement. He is really distant with me right now but also very clingy at the same time, it is strange. He only wants me for EVERYTHING if I am around and of course I always am because I stay at home with him. He really has not wanted affection from anyone but me lately and he really doesn't want that either. I have been trying to hold his hand more, carry him more and having him sit in my lap also all of which I do all the time any ways. He has not wanted hugs or kisses from anyone but Jeff and I and sometimes he doesn't want us either.

He is moody, clingy and cranky and has been having potty issues on and off for about a month now. Logan has not worn a diaper besides at night since the beginning of August and I am about ready to regress him into them if I have to keep changing pants 3/4 times a day but then other days he doesn't have one "accident". I do not think they are accidents at all because sometimes he doesn't even try to get to the bathroom and he will even tell me that he doesn't have to go and 5 seconds later his pants are wet. What the heck, it usually happens after leaving Nanny and will last for a few days and then stop. I think maybe he is having feelings like maybe she may take him or I am leaving and not coming back. Nanny is the other lady in his life and I wonder if it has any thing to do with that.

He is such a funny kid and it stinks to see him sad. He is definitely going through something right now. I just try and reassure him that He nor we are going anywhere, that we are family and his parents forever and that we love him very much. I tell him all the time that he is safe and that this is his house and his things. He has been talking a lot about Russia and I think even having dreams about it. He told Jeff last weekend when he woke up that his deer was from Russia, so I think he must having been dreaming something because he was half a sleep. I am not sure what or how much he remembers about it though. I am sure he remembers some parts he was 19 months when he came home and it must have been so traumatic for him. Even though it was all for the best he surely couldn't understand that.

He will tell you that He was born in Russia and Mommy and Daddy came and picked him up and we flew on a plane. We talk about Russia and we tell him that he was born in Russia but we never have really gotten into the details about how we got home and stuff. I was pretty taken back when he said that to me the first time. I love it that he tells ya that he was born in Russia and Mommy and Daddy came for him, way to cute!

I know with all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays he is a little over-stimulated. Just the tree for the first few days got him all wound up. I think the next couple of weeks before Christmas we are going to lay low and cocoon a little. We need to get close again, he seems so far away and I don't like it at all and his behavior shows neither does he.

Fun in the Snow!

Jeff and I have always went and cut down our tree, this is something we have always done since we have been together, almost 10 years. WOW, I cannot believe it has been that long. Any ways, it is soooo much fun to experience it with a child. Logan just loves it, he liked it last year also but he was only home a couple of months. This year he was running around in the tree's, enjoying the snow and just having a good old time. We had such a nice family day, we went Friday morning. It was cold but the nicest out of the weekend. As soon as we turned down the street of the place it started to snow, the timing was priceless. For the past 5 years it has been so warm when we go, we are usually in jeans and sweat-shirts. Not this year year, it was about 35 degrees with some wicked winds, BURRRR. The tree's were very disappointing, bad color, not big enough or way to big. So we ventured down the road about a mile to another tree farm that we have visited before and found the perfect tree.

Finding the PERFECT tree always takes me longer to do than Jeff really likes but he is a pretty good sport about it and he really doesn't have a choice any ways. Of course he picks on me about it. We will drive around the farm up and down rows for an hour if that's what it takes. This year I love our tree, nice job finding it this year Jeff :) It is this nice big fat thing, not as tall as I like but it is so FULL, there is not a spot that you can see the trunk. It really is beautiful

I cannot believe it took me 2 days to get it all done, I could have kept going and I do need to buy a few more ornaments to finish it. I buy an ornament for Jeff and I every year, last year I got a family one and one just for Logan. I found one for Jeff and I but not for our family or Logan's special one. I want him to have these for his tree when he has his own later in life. The majority of our ornaments are special, not just bulbs, they came from someone or somewhere and I love all of them.

Any ways, we have been busy around here decorating for the Holidays, play group and all kinds of other fun stuff. I have stocked up on arts and crafts that should get us through the year. I had to give Logan some Christmas presents today, we got snow and he wanted to go out and play so I had to bust out the snow boots and heavy winter coat that I had planned on giving him for Christmas, oh well. He LOVED his boots as I knew he would, I just told Jeff that those were going to be his favorite present. They zip on both sides and his foot slides in/out very easy, he can put them on/off all by himself.

We bought a new computer and I have been trying for the last few days to get it up and running. We asked for money for Christmas from my parents to get one and I found a great deal at Best Buy Thanksgiving morning so we just went ahead and got it. I gotta tell you I am not liking the Microsoft Vista at all. It seems like I need to do a driver update or a patch from just about every piece of software that I have along with my 3 in 1 printer. It has been a real pain in the butt and I really don't think the system is working right at all and of course HP is telling me pretty much to just do a recovery and start from scratch again. That of course is going to be a pain since I have already did software patches and driver updates for days now not to mention loading all of my software onto it all of which I will have to do again, EERRRRR!!!!!! Getting a new computer is a lot of work :)
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