Home 3 months... It seems like he has been with us forever...

Garrett is adjusting great to life with us in south Florida. Everyone that has had a chance to meet him would surely agree that it seems like he has been with us forever. We continue to take account of all of his "firsts" and the list goes on. We have been through first steps, first words and first molars... But we have also been through first diaper blowout (in Publix), first jammin dance moves (we dance a lot here) and he has even learned how to spit (thanks Jordan). But most significantly, he has learned that his bottle comes first thing in the morning (and he reminds us when we are late), diaper changes come pretty quickly and hugs and kisses are endless.

For fathers day this year we spent the day at the beach. It was Garrett that kept leading us back into the surf as we spent several hours yelling "OVER... UNDER" as the waves came crashing in. Jordan is always eager to join in and loves that her baby brother shares in her sense of adventure.

I spent my first weekend away from the gang at a friends wedding in Burlington, Vermont while Jordan and Garrett had the pleasure of entertaining 2 stellar babysitters at their beckon call. Aunt Gail and Uncle Kevin spent the weekend with our gang while Chris had a work function.

Jordan has experienced a "first" recently as she finally agreed to get her hair trimmed. For those of you that know Jordan personally, you will agree that Jordan has her own timeline of doing things. Of course the fast food lunch, ice cream, lollipops and merry-go-round ride may have played a small role in the bribing process. Mom even purchased a few things for herself as a little "reward." It was a long day.

We are taking a few trips this summer to Hawks Cay. One as a family and one trip with both sets of our parents. Chris and I are hoping to escape to do some diving and snorkeling with Jordan on our second trip. Garrett is already able to be independent in the pool with his floaty. He could "swim" before he could walk... Go figure. We are also crazy enough to take this gang camping (tenting) in the Keys at the end of July. It should be interesting tenting on the beach in the blazing sun in the middle of a Florida summer. Anyone care to join us?? The cooler is the first thing we pack up.

In the end though... You can find us cooling off in our pool, taking wagon rides around the neighborhood or at the beach. Makes it seem like we don't work huh!

Happy 4th of July!!! What a great day to celebrate being an American!! We sure are....

Home 2 months already...

I know it isn't difficult adjusting to the warm sun, plenty of attention and a lot of loving. Garrett is now 17 months and taking more control of his surroundings. It truly amazes me to watch him develop into this little explorative toddler. We just recently celebrated mother's day and I couldn't have gotten a better gift from him. I looked up from my book just long enough to spot Garrett walking toward me. His arms were flailing and his silly laughter resonating throughout... But he did it out of the clear blue and was so proud of himself. Where is the camera when you need it. Truly a great mother's day!!!

We have been spending our free time in the pool and heading to the beach. School gets out this week and we have been getting ready for some weekend trips we have scheduled. Garrett and Jordan have a lot of fun playing at the beach. We often pack a picnic dinner and head down late in the day so that Chris can meet us after work. The car is usually very quiet on the drive home with 2 sleeping kids in the back. Bonus!!!

Won't deny that we haven't been spending our time watching a few games. Keeping our fingers crossed for the big win in the end, but win or lose... We will always wear our "B" with pride.


Jordan spends most of her days in the pool or in any body of water. We think she is part fish and she calls herself the mermaid. Speaking of fish... Jordan caught her first fish off the beach this past weekend. Poor fish. Everyone that walked near us got an introduction to dinner. She was equally interested in catching the sand fleas for bait. We were grateful we didn't have to go through the "why" series when we couldn't bring them home as pets.


As for Garrett... Well he has has reached the 50% for height and weight... Far cry from when we brought him home and he wasn't even on the charts. His hair is growing in fast and we are amazed that it is so light in color. We thought he had black/brown hair when we first met. It didn't take too many baths to reveal the blond locks. Who would have known!

He still eats a tremendous amount of sand at the beach and keeps the diaper changes interesting. It is very difficult keeping him out of the water. He is
a true water bug. This has amazed us most because of his initial response to the tub and water in general.

The days we spend at the beach... Or hanging out by our pool... It is hard to not smile. I have so much catching up to do... I want to do it while I can!! I never take my time for granted.

In the mornings when Jordan comes into our room and we hang out and watch Clifford and have our morning sippy cup and I have my coffee... Garrett is now joining us in our morning ritual... He is a bit more active. Always trying to distract us and make us laugh... But the energy fills my heart and makes me realize NOW the road I was suppose to be on. The road that was so difficult to find so long ago... Has finally lead me to the happiness I now receive. How lucky we are!





Go Sox!!!

Home a few weeks...

We have been home for a few weeks now and are finally settling in. There have been a lot of "first" for Garrett, but he seems to have taken them all in stride. The first few days home, he was pretty content sitting on my hip and hanging out. Slowly he gained his comfort zone and is now off exploring on his own and with his sister. Boy is he FAST! Jordan and Garrett get along great and the transition went better then we could have ever hoped for.

In 3 weeks, he has grown some hair, gained 5 lbs. And is rarely without a smile. We happen to have a Russian neighbor over last night helping us translate his medical report. There was a section on his disposition while in the orphanage. As she was reading, "calm, very quiet...." I looked over her shoulder at Garrett playing with Jordan and some other neighborhood children, belly laughing and blowing slurburts in the air. Without skipping a beat, my neighbor asked, "do you think you have the right medical here?"


The week after we got home, our neighbors put together a "Coming to America" party. It was a wonderful way to show off Garrett to everyone. They couldn't have made us feel more special. My girlfriend in the front made a disc of Russian and USA music and of course we ate russian food... mexican style. (As you all know, I have eaten enough borsch soup to last a lifetime.) It was a fantastic night!

He is very close to walking and I feel fortunate to be able to witness his first steps. As much as he seems so ready to take off, I could use a few more weeks to catch up.

One of the best "firsts" we did this week was go to the beach. We set him in the sand, he looked at us and then after a long pause, he broke into this huge smile and naturally, like most, started eating the sand. He had a blast... Even in the water jumping waves. We are grateful he loves the water... He has been in the pool every day and we plan on starting some swimming lessons in the upcoming week.

Jordan has really loved having Garrett around. She will often be found sitting on the steps outside his room waiting for him to wake up in the morning or from his naps. She is the one that can get him to continuously belly laugh and eat his food. Jordan is very protective of her little brother and has become a great helper to me. It amazes me to see how quickly she adapted to having a new member in the family. I think she is beginning to understand that we did not pick him up at at the grocery store... Something I heard her tell someone the other day. She is also learning very quickly that hugging tight... is good, But not so tight that you want to pop someone's head off. So there is "firsts" going on all around us.

So... We start our adventure of family of 4. I wake up in the morning and feel as though we have been this way forever.... Only now, I have Jordan's right hook across my neck and drool on my face and I hear softly in the monitor... Well, maybe not so softly... Mamamamamamamama!!!

How lucky we are!!!