Saturday, February 18, 2006

Oh, I hope he doesn't get my...Oops. Nevermind.

A few weeks ago Ivan and I had a play date with some former co-workers of mine. We were all sitting around watching the kids play and talking about this that and the other. J commented about how nice Ivan's teeth look (very straight and very pearly white). I started to say "Oh, I hope that he doesn't get my teeth because I had to have braces." Before I finished the thought, I realized how absurd that would sound considering that Ivan has none of my genetics! I laughed to myself and then confessed what I was thinking to the group. Everyone laughed as I explained what a wonderful moment this was for me.

When we first arrived home I felt like a fraud. Here I was with a 16 month old and most Mom's of a child this age have a clue as to what to expect from their child. I didn't. I had only known him for a month- how could I! Then there was the time this fall when Ivan was hugging his aunt L goodbye and I stood there looking at him and thought (for a split-second) "What a beautiful little boy, I wish he was mine". Then I smacked back to reality and realized HE IS MINE!

So, this innocent thought at our play group was a wonderful moment for me. It showed me that I no longer have to remind myself that Ivan is mine and this is real! I know it now, with every fiber of my being. He is my son and I am his Mom and no one or anything can change that.

Sigh...after so many years of waiting for the fulfillment of my prayers, he is here and I am so happy.

Friday, February 17, 2006

One year ago today...

It was one year ago today that J and I first saw the face of our son for the first time. We received a video tape of him from when he was two months old. He was to turn eleven months old the very next day. It did not take us long to realize that we were looking at the face of our child-to-be. The following week was a whirlwind of prayers and emotions, but one that I am so glad we were able to experience. Had anything gone any differently, Ivan might not be here today and that is something I can't even imagine!

J and I took that leap of faith that all International Adopters talk about last February. When we did, we never could have known how GREAT the landing would be.

Thank you Lord for the blessing that is our son.

Monday, February 13, 2006

The Moon...

Last night I took Sherman out for his evening constitutional. While we were strolling up the street I noticed the moon. It was the same glorious moon that J and I saw every night while we were in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. It was so bright and silvery...it shimmered!

J and I would sit out on our balcony almost every evening while we were in Ust and stare at that glorious moon. J would usually smoke a cigar and I would just sit there and try to process the events of the day. It never failed that one of us would comment on the silvery moon at least once.

That moon became a sign of real hope and peace for J and me. It represented the final stage of our long road to building our family. We were finally there! Once we reached Almaty we no long saw that silvery moon. We had Ivan with us and there was no time to sit on the balcony.

I've seen the moon plenty of times since we returned home, but last night was the first Kazakh moon that I have seen since we left Ust in July. It was a real treat.

Life is good.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Mommy Brain...

Enough said.

Birds, Pumpkins and Trucks...Oh My!

Ever since we arrived home with Ivan six months ago...yes, six months ago January 30...he has fixated on different objects. The first two months he was all into birds. Birds, birds everywhere. Everything he saw a bird he would get excited and about jump out of his stroller.

Then as we moved into late September and October it became pumpkins. Good timing kid because they were everywhere! We were still getting out almost every morning for a 30 minute walk at that time and he was able to spot a pumpkin from 50 paces with no problems.

Then the pumpkins began to disappear and our walks drew to a close as the weather began to get cooler. Sometime shortly after Christmas Ivan discovered trucks...all trucks and any size of truck elicits the same excited "DAH, DAH!" from the back-seat. We had an unusually warm day a couple of weeks ago, so Ivan and I headed to the park for an hour or so after his nap. While he was swinging he spotted just about every truck that passed by the park. He was delighted and it just made me giggle. I have never made any kind of deal over trucks and neither has J. It seems to be a boy thing I suppose. It's cute really. Heck, everything about that little guy is cute, if I do say so myself.