Six months loved

Six months ago today Lucas awoke at 3am to begin the day-long journey of leaving his birth country and flying to his new forever home in the US.

Every moment of that day is still very clear in my memory...from not sleeping at all the night before; the eerily quiet and traffic-free trip in the pre-dawn from our Moscow apartment to the airport; nearly passing out when the ticket agent said we did not have a correct passport for Lucas and waiting for the customs official to slowly review all the adoption paperwork and deem it allowable for us to go; being teary-eyed as the plane lifted off the ground (teary-eyed now too); eagerly awaiting any service on the plane, not because we were hungry but to provide new 'toys' to occupy a 15-mo old; holding Lucas close as the plane touched down in Boston and he officially became a US citizen; being wonderfully welcomed by friends and family; watching the sweet first meeting of Alexander and his new brother; and finally arriving HOME!

I really can't believe it's been 6 months. In some ways it feels so much longer...hasn't he always been here? And in others we are still doing the dance of becoming a family of 4. Although it seems Lucas has always had an easy-going, go-with-the-flow and calm personality, there is an amazing and definite difference from 6 months ago. Of course, he is older and bigger! 21 months now and has grown 2 1/2 inches and gained almost 6 lbs. But he is also much, much more expressive - both when happy and not! Before he wouldn't make a peep...rarely did he fuss (except for obvious ouchies and going to sleep). Now, he is quite insistent when he wants something and we are really working on losing the 3rd language he's picked up - whining. He laughs so much more easily and frequently now...sometimes I'll catch him sitting on the floor with a toy cracking himself up. His language has also exploded recently..he's using 2 words together now and picking up new words almost immediately. In the past week he has also started saying his name and really recognizing himself in pictures. He pulls on our legs and says 'come' when he wants to show us something...and he turns his head to make sure we're immediately following him! He's a cheeky one too...he has definitely learned to put on his charms and bat his eyes when he wants something and has mastered the fake cry and scrunched up face since he knows the real stuff usually has me hooked.

As far as attachment, he's exactly where he should be. He knows we're his parents, comes to us for comfort and loves, hesitant with strangers, etc. These have been there for a while but what has changed in the past month or so is that he has definitely relaxed into this...no longer does he struggle or cry at bedtime...he's content most of the time to snuggle and rock for a while...wants to be picked up more than let down and is always seeking us out to play and read whereas before he seemed to be a bit more comfortable to play on his own. Which has made dinner preparation in the past few weeks literally impossible unless he's in the ergo on my back! And speaking of reading, I am thrilled to say he is finally sitting through a short book now AND asking to have it read over and over again!! For the longest time he would just flip through the pages and look at pictures but not really interested in the words...but now I can't even count the number of times I've already read "Moo, Baa, Lalala". "Barnyard Dance" is a close second :).

Alexander is still adjusting...it's been a huge change for him...but now that Lucas is communicating more I am starting to see a difference in their relationship. Alexander can ask Lucas something and he'll do it (uh oh huh?) and they love running and chasing after each other.

I can't even begin to imagine what changes and growth the next 6 months will bring and I can only wish that the time passes slower than the last 6. We love you Lucas and so thrilled that you are part of our family!

On the plane leaving Moscow....

Landing in Boston...
And now...

Settled

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! It's been a busy month but happily busy with just the usual day-to-day life.

We are all *I think* settled into our new routine...a routine which likely won't change until next summer. Lucas has been in school for over a month now. There were tears for about a week but he has since settled in so nicely and usually starts saying 'play play' when we pull into the driveway of school. He's there 3 days a week and it seems a good balance of time with kids his own age and fun activities and being at home with family.

Lucas has changed so much in the last month. He had his 18-mo check-up in early October. Since he's been home he's grown nearly 2 inches! His weight has stabilized but that was somewhat intentional as I slowed down on the butter, avocado's and formula :). He still eats like a champ...with cottage cheese, fruits and veggies still his favorite foods. Although 'cwackas' (aka crackers) are not far behind. The whining that started at exactly 90 days home has not disappeared...if anything has increased...especially when he wants something he knows he can't have. He is also more stubborn, vocal and pushy (physically) when he wants his way! Ah the sweet, easy-going laid-back kid who came home over 4 months ago has finally become comfortable enough to exert his own demands :)

His language development has kicked into high gear lately as well. He seems to understand everything we say now...much to our dismay as we forget the need to spell sometimes. He is communicating very well now, with a large vocabulary and attempting to say SO many words. We're starting to get multiple syllables now and it's been so fun to watch this progress. He has also finally mastered the names in our family :). For the longest time we were all 'mama' but now he consistently names and calls Paul 'Papa' and Alexander is 'Ala'...so cute!

Oh and one last Lucas update...this kiddo has become a climber. For Alexander a chair was a chair and a table was for eating...for this little guy they are Everest and K2. The other day we caught him climbing up the front of his highchair, carrying his legs over and getting right in. Oy. Can't keep our eyes off of him for too long anymore.

Alexander is getting into the groove of kindergarten. His afternoon crankiness has decreased as he's become more accustomed to the schedule and intensity of his days. He's making friends and even said this morning "I love kindergarten" (definitely an improvement from a couple weeks ago when he classified it as 'medium'). But it is so different - even for us. Daily papers from school, events to attend, fundraising, etc. He doesn't have homework yet thank goodness.

Alexander seems to have also grown up a lot lately. Kindergarten will do that to you I'm sure but he says the most mature things every now and then ("that's OK Mama I can wait until next week for us to go get more graham crackers" - he LOVES graham crackers) and is also into imaginatively building things...whether legos or lincoln logs or kinetx...he's really into making 'creations' lately. It's so great to watch. But my sweet and sensitive child is still there...he burst into tears at the end of a Land Before Time movie the other day.

Here are some photos from the last month - enjoy!

LauraAsleep after a long day with friends in Maine...Paul and Alexander at the Topsfield Fair...a day with just the 3 of us.Lucas giving us his "mad" face

Love...glad you're here

There are many things adoptive families worry about with their new child...weight gain in malnourished kiddos, developmental delays, parasites, and/or unknown (or known) medical issues. Another major area of worry...for some bigger than all the above...is attachment. Will this child become bonded to our family? Will they learn what it means to be truly loved? Will they forego the attention of strangers..which may have meant how they survived before...for just that of Mom and Dad? A LOT of adoptive forums and books address attachment...how to nurture it, how to recognize the signs when it's not going well, forms of therapy, etc. However most of these discuss the child's attachment and few touch on the parent's attachment. But why should they? After going through everything that most adoptive parents do to adopt...of course they will love the child immediately, right?

I didn't. Neither for Alexander nor Lucas. I was very surprised when this happened with Alexander. We went through hell to bring him home and yet it took months before I felt this little boy was my son. Prior to that I felt affection but more so that I was babysitting someone else's child. Some adoptive parents fall in love immediately with their child and I was often jealous when hearing these stories. I also felt quite guilty about these feelings until I realized that parents with biological children have about 9 months to start bonding to their child and even then in some cases takes a while afterwards to make those deeper connections.

When we met Lucas I thought well maybe this time it will be different. Here's this ADORABLE, sweet and calm BABY. What is not to love? But no...I guess I just don't give my heart away that easily. However, almost 4 months home, I am happy to say that I love this little guy with all my heart. What was the exact moment? I'm not sure there was one. But I find myself staying in his room at night watching him long after he has fallen asleep...his cries tug at my heart much more deeply than before...I absolutely love making him smile...and I can't imagine our house without his laughter and sounds of "uh-oh".

As for Lucas' attachment...it is going well. He's appropriately upset when we leave and happy and excited when we return. He has a little more anxiety with my leaving than Paul's but I think it's lessening. He is shyish around strangers...for a couple minutes anyway...and then starts to turn on the smiles but always near us. He readily accepts comfort and is affectionate with kisses and hugs. We still have ways to go but I'm not worried.

So far all of you who are still waiting to bring your kiddos home...don't put too much pressure on yourselves in the beginning. Attachment is a 2-way street...but love will come.

Changes abound

Changes all around in the Knight household...for each and every one of us.

Paul's Fall semester of classes has started (he's finishing an online program for an Information Technology degree). No more watching The Rachel Maddow show together for a while and a few weekends where I'm "on duty" so he can do homework but Paul has been working hard towards this and I'm glad it's not me this time! (I did my MPH part-time while working full time...no-way no-how these days).

I started back to work part-time this week. Although I was working from home over the summer, I'm back in the office a few days a week. I would much prefer, of course, to stay home longer with Lucas BUT I have to say I am glad to return to doing my work AT work. If I could have changed anything during my leave it would have been to find a way not to have worked, even minimally, from home over the summer. It was just way too much and tiring to fit things in during naps and at night when I was most needing a break. Now when I leave the office I can leave it all where it belongs.

Alexander started Kindergarten last week and has been doing great! The first few days he was so exhausted when I picked up I thought he'd barely be able to walk the 2 blocks home. Not that he went to bed any earlier but he didn't have his usual evening energy. He seems to be adjusting well to the new routine of going to school M-F and loves getting out earlier in the afternoon than he did in preschool. This will really be great when it's winter and DARK at 4:30p. He's making friends quickly and it makes my heart swell to hear him talk about playing with his new BFFs at recess and hear them all say bye to each other in the afternoon. Some of these friendships may last a long time!

OK - those where the 'easy' ones...

Lucas has had a BIG couple of weeks! Two weeks ago we went away for our first overnight since he's been home to Storyland in NH. We stayed overnight at a family-friendly inn and let's say Lucas wasn't too crazy about being away from home. Who can blame him? He had a very hard time going to sleep and then proceeded to wake at 4am and then stayed awake...he had enough sleep at the point where his discomfort at his surroundings outweighed his need to sleep more. He was then up for the whole day, sleeping only 45 min on the car ride home. The very next day, his 3-month anniversary home, my easy, happy, go-with-the-flow little guy started a whole new set of behaviors which exist still. He started whining and easily crying when he needs/wants something and he began exhibiting separation anxiety from me for minor separations (e.g., going upstairs, to the bathroom, etc). He's also been much harder to put down at night now...really resisting sleep. OK so in hindsight the trip to NH wasn't the best idea, but at some point we needed to bite the bullet with a change to our schedule and handle the repercussions. Also with 2 kids every once in a while you'll do something for one that is probably not so great for the other and vice versa.

Oh, I know...let's add part-time school to the mix! Last week we gradually started him at the Montessori school and all-in-all things have gone well. The staff was very accepting of how we wanted to transition and has been just wonderful and caring towards us. We started with a joint visit for an hour, then the next day I left him for about an hour and the following for about 3 hours. Both times I left him he didn't cry (which was odd considering his separation issues at home) and they said he quickly became involved with all the activities. This week though he's been in for two full days (until 3p) and there were tears (his and mine) in the mornings and today they said he had a bit of a hard time in the morning and at naptime. They said he felt better after looking at the photo album we left for him - I am so happy they remembered to show it to him! It will take a while for it to settle in that we'll always be back for him and for him to relax and feel completely free to have fun. I wish there was a way to have him know that now and save him from these unknown feelings and fears but alas trust is to be earned.

I'll leave with a few photos from the past couple weeks. Happy Fall!

Laura

Bamboo shutes at Storyland

In 'jail'

Tired of playing peek-a-boo...

First day of Kindergarten...

Brother love...

Anniversaries...out of sorrow comes joy

One year ago on Saturday, September 6th Paul and I prepared to board a plane to Russia. We had started the journey to adopt our second child in October 2007 and had initially requested to adopt a girl to even out our family. From the time we started more and more families were requesting girls from Russia and thus the wait became very long. Alexander was growing older and I didn't want him and his sibling too far apart in age. After about 9 months we decided we really didn't care about gender and switched our request to be open to either. Of course that really meant we were now pretty assured of adopting a boy. Also over the course of that time many issues were cropping up with our agency - frequently changing coordinators, rumors of issues in our region, cancelled first trips due to lack of relatively healthy referrals (even for boys), etc. We were getting nervous but had invested not only money but time and the road had been long and hard with Alexander's adoption and they had carried us through before. In mid -August we got news that we had a referral and would be leaving on Sept 6th to hopefully meet our next child. The next two weeks were excruciating as we got news that another family's trip had been cancelled the day before they were to leave and ours was also in jeopardy. We also learned, just days before our departure date, that our 'potential' referral was actually a young girl with a cleft lip/palate and how did we feel about that? We felt totally fine with that...but of course thrown for a loop of what we were now expecting our family to be.

One year ago on Saturday, September 6th we were extremely nervous of what the upcoming week was going to bring and how we were about to possibly change our family forever. One year ago we got to the airport but did not get on the plane. We were devastated and heartbroken. It was not our agency or Russia but an issue we should have addressed long before that day, which became known as "Black Saturday". It's still somewhat sensitive so I won't post the details but many of you know and/or can ask offline. One year ago I thought our dreams for a second child were completely destroyed. In the coming days we saw no other road...other countries or domestic scenarios did not feel right in my heart nor in some cases what we could do for numerous reasons. After what occurred I know many thought we were done with Russia and potentially adopting another child and I know a few thought we should give up and move on...this was just not meant to be. But we were not ready to give up just yet and painfully worked long and hard to get back to square one (including switching our home study and adoption agency along the way which was no small task). Little did we know that EXACTLY 9 months later to the day (June 6, 09) that our now beloved Lucas would be arriving on US soil to a welcoming crowd of friends and family.

Today marks Lucas' 3 month anniversary of coming home and the beautiful and perfect completion of our family. But it also marks the one year anniversary of a very painful day that is now part of our history and Lucas' story. Who knows what things would be like today if we had boarded that plane one year ago and who would now be sleeping upstairs but it was not meant to be...Lucas was...and so I am forever thankful for Black Saturday.

Last week

This is the last week with Lucas and the schedule we've enjoyed for most of the summer...for those of you who have yet to bring home your children - no matter how much leave you have it's not enough. I can't believe 12 weeks have gone by so d@#* fast. September 10th is when Lucas will start Montessori school 3 days a week while I go reluctantly back into the office. I know I shouldn't complain...I am thankful that we can get by with my part-time schedule and it's the best of both worlds.

This is the last week Alexander is in preschool. His *toddler* days of nursery and preschool are coming to a close and we embark on the Big K. Next week is a mix of an evaluation by his new school, orientation and then we are heading to Storyland in NH for Lucas' first overnight away from home. Kindergarten starts on the 8th.

This is the last week of August...always bittersweet as I love the summer and although Fall here is absolutely beautiful, August is the last of summer and September starts the approach to winter for me. BUT September is also the month that the Ministry of Education in Russia starts back to work after months off (yes I said months) and I know of sooo many families that are chopping at the bit for news in September. I can't wait to follow their stories!

The boys have been doing great...Alexander I think is over the big issues with having a new brother. There is the usual "he can't touch X" or "he drooled on the blanket and now I can't use it", etc but that will be par for the course for - oh I don't know - another 20 years? Paul and his brother I think still have their moments and they're...well...um...older.

Lucas has made a few strides...he has a few more words but no major explosion yet. We've had Early Intervention for a few weeks now and they are impressed with how much he is learning and picking up. He has started running which is so cute...he gets going especially fast when I chase him around the house and surprise him around corners. He just squeals and runs away...I love it. But by far my favorite recent thing is that when he wants us to show him a book he will walk backwards towards us, whether we are sitting or standing and bump into us. If sitting he plops right down into our laps and if standing he looks up and keeps nudging. He also sometimes goes beep beep as our car does when it backs up! So sweet!

Laura

"Uugs"

Lucas' receptive language seems to have exploded in the past week or so...he seems to be understanding so much. We'll ask him to close a drawer or put something back or go to another room...and he does it. It is so amazing to watch this progress. By far the best thing is the hugs! I asked him for a hug last week and he goes "Uug" and came on over. And he gives me hugs in the Ergo when we're walking as well which is so darn sweet.

Lucas has also started saying "Mama"...about a week ago it started when we were trying to get him to repeat 'mama' and 'papa' as he has been doing a great job of mimicking words and sounds lately. So he started saying 'mama' and was really getting the meaning. I would point to myself and say 'who am I?" and he would very clearly say 'mama' and smile. He also recently has started to say 'mama' when he wants something and usually says mama when making the sign for more or help. But he's also calling Paul and Alexander 'mama' even though he clearly knows that they are called something else. We gently correct and say their names but this is exactly what Alexander did for a while. He would call us both 'mama' and then after a while called us both 'papa' and then finally after a few weeks differentiated. We'll see how it goes with Lucas :)

A few more words to added to his vocab:

- close (as in close the door or drawer)

- home (especially when we pull up in the driveway or walking back from a walk)

- down

- up

- nose

- boom

Lucas is now also off formula...he still gets a bottle of whole milk twice a day before nap and bedtime (sorry any dentists out there...) but he's now just about 23 lbs and his thighs are getting quite chunky :) ! I'm off the 'fatten up Lucas' plan and now he's pretty much eating what the rest of us eat...especially as he's now getting the last of 8 teeth that have come in since the beginning of June! Oy... He's having a fun time crunching different foods...though any type of fruit remains his favorite.

I am also happy to report that Alexander seems to be settling in now and is a much happier kid. No doubt he still has his moments - he is 5 after all - but since his birthday we've seen a marked difference in his mood. He's generally happier, more agreeable AND seems to enjoy getting Lucas involved in a silly game or to show him how to do something (though a common term heard now around the house is "No Lucas!"). I spent a lot of time with the boys this past weekend as Paul is finishing up a class and there were some really sweet moments. Hopefully we'll stay on this path...

The pics above are from the past few days and our trips to several parks...luckily tuckered them out enough that they both took naps (Alexander rarely does anymore).

Laura

My 'baby' is 5!

Ok...this is starting to get tough. Who said Alexander was allowed to turn FIVE?!?! Hard to imagine the little 13-mo old BABY we first met (just the other day it seems) wearing a green and white striped shirt, orange shorts and lime green socks is now this tall, skinny KID. Although he has changed in oh so many ways, there are definitely numerous aspects of his personality that remain. He is still very sweet and incredibly sensitive to many things... He is gregarious and friendly but anxious with strangers if you look closely enough... And he is still very much attached to my hip, figuratively and often times literally.

We had a birthday party at a local farm on Sunday jointly with a close friend who is also turning 5 in a few days. It was a great day and Alexander seemed to relish in the attention and goofing around with his friends. There was a hayride through the farm, jumping on haybales and tormenting chickens (through a fence LOL). And, of course, there was cake! The highlight of Alexander's day. We did a bookswap instead of gifts and that was GREAT! Alexander had another bday celebration today at home with us where he got to have more cake and open his presents from us.
We had his 5 year physical and he is 90% for height and 75% for weight. Tall boy! I'll start saving up for basketball camp :O. Otherwise super healthy and aside from screaming through his last 2 shots until he's 12 he did great at the doctor's (considering he used to start crying when we pulled into the driveway).

And since he is now 5, he'll be starting Kindergarten in a little over a month. Time for school supply shopping! One of my favorite activities when I was a kid and I hope he enjoys it as well. He says he's not nervous but excited for K and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this new milestone in his life will be a positive during his "Lucas" adjustment.

Happy 17th!

Lucas is 17 months old today! Time just keeps on ticking along. In some ways I wish I could speed it up but mostly to slow it down. In just 6 weeks Alexander starts Kindergarten and Lucas will start Montessori a few days a week. Where is the time going??? It's not like we're having spectacular weather and doing things all the time. This weekend was nice though...Kalima came down from Maine late in the afternoon on Saturday and we went to a park and then had yummy take-out from a local Indian restaurant. But the main reason she came down was that for our anniversary Paul had obtained tickets for us to go see Rent in Boston. However the date of the show was Sat night and I balked as the show was at 8p and way, way too soon to leave Lucas with a babysitter, even Grandma, who would have had to put Lucas to sleep. So we sold the tickets and instead, once the boys were asleep (and once asleep Lucas has never woken up before 3:30a), Paul and I went to the local movie theater and saw Harry Potter. It was great and everyone was fine (although I was checking my cell every 10 minutes). Not that we'll do that again for quite a while as I don't like to chance it that Lucas would wake to not find us at home. Then on Sunday we mostly hung out at home and went to the beach in the afternoon. We primarily went to play at the park and maybe have Alexander throw rocks into the ocean...so we didn't bring swim gear...but nonetheless ended up with both Alexander and Lucas fully soaked and L's cloth diaper full of sand! Lucas was a madman and was at several points crawling into the ocean and not fazed at all by the crashing surf in his chest and face. Wish I had brought the camera!! But I did have the camera for his funtime in the inflatable pool on Saturday...see below.

The parts I'd like to speed up are Alexander's adjustment...it seems to be getting a little harder as it's really hitting home that Lucas will be around for a while and that he needs a lot of attention. Also, as Kali mentioned, Alexander is trying to figure out what it means to be a brother...especially to this baby who doesn't do much with him except steal his parent's time. Alexander is truly a sweet and gentle soul so it's been a little scary for me to see the amount of anger that's coming out at various times and for the oddest things. He's also exhibiting new insecurities about leaving the house unless I'm coming along...but we made a small step forward on Sunday when he left with Paul (after a lot of cajoling) to drop off the car for some work. Weekends are definitely the hardest times...during the week school provides him with a needed break from the new way of life at home. I know we need to continue to support and love him and give him special time with us but it is hard to see him struggling.

Well a little update on the little one... Lucas' expressive language seemed to have really taken a back seat for a while there for lots of other growth but since Thursday it's like a switch went on inside his head that said "OK this is the week we start trying to talk again". Here's the new list of words in the past 6 days! OK, not all are perfect pronunciations...but he's trying and getting closer each time:

ball

car

more (together with the sign)

milk

clap (while clapping)

toes

twinkle twinkle (when requesting me to sing the song with signs)

moooo

no-no (when going towards something he knows he shouldn't touch - hilarious)

do-do-do (when he wants me to hum or sing a song)

He also now will indicate what he does not want to eat at meals by frantically doing the 'all done' sign, is refusing most of the mushy foods we initially gave him in preference for crunchy foods now that he has most of his molars, and signs when he wants to eat which is huge! Yay - no more wondering if he is hungry and great to see him exhibiting some preferences. I'm trying not to indulge him too much between meal/snack times but usually just giving him a couple bites of fruit or something small...but he's hard to resist :)

All for now...

Laura

More pics

Alexander snacking at the beach...

Pure silliness...

Loving watermelon!

Alexander's drawing of our family

Dancing to the tunes

Picking peas from our garden :)

Sorry...I've been trying to post video for a while but no matter what I try it's not working. It'll just have to be pics for now. Have a great weekend everyone :)

Keeping track

I realized the other day when I was struggling to remember and relay to someone everything that Lucas now does that I need to keep better track of his milestones (and setbacks). So this is a current update of what's he learned in the past couple weeks.


1) When we put out the changing mat and diaper he *usually* comes over and sits on it and waits for us to say "Yay!"

2) When I say it's time to eat he waddles over and makes the sign for eating and says 'um-um'

3) When I say let's go 'upstairs' or ' downstairs' he boogeys over to the gate.

4) He crawls up the stairs (kinda did this from 2nd week home) but now also 'scoots' down the stairs on his bum (with assistance of course). He's watched Alexander fly down the stairs on his butt!

5) He now says (or closely approximates) ' vroom-vroom' when playing with cars and moves the cars back and forth and "quack-quack". He still calls all new animals 'arff'arff"

6) His two upper canines have come in which has led (I think) to some cranky times lately and I swear his bottom molars are close behind.

7) When I say time to put on shoes he'll go into our foyer and try to sit on the little wooden chair - it's so cute!

8) He has become quite fussy with certain foods and will actively push it away...hmm wonder if related to teething...

9) He's on again/off again with going to sleep at night...some nights asleep on the bottle, others screaming for a while in the rocking chair. But I think last night was a revelation...he was crying for quite a while after the bottle when Paul asked if we should do another...he fell asleep after the second one. Hmm maybe we'll have an extra ready just in case :). And then he slept until after 7a today.

10) When I say I need to go use the bathroom when we're home alone, he'll run on in before I close the door to be in there with me. He's a little fascinated with the whole toilet process.

11) He signs for 'help' now and tries to say 'help' but comes out more like 'uf'. He tends to confuse help and more but usually gets it right.

I'm amazed at how much he is understanding and doing just 5+ weeks home. Keep going baby!

Busy week

We've had a busy week here and it's only Wednesday! On Sunday evening Alexander and I went to the fireworks and had a fun time...although Alexander spent most of the time throwing rocks into the water with a friend and I'm not sure how many fireworks he actually saw. But I liked them. Lucas had gone to bed pretty late that night but took a 3-hour nap on Monday...yikes I thought he would never go to sleep that night but sure enough 8p out like a light. Monday afternoon we had our intake with Early Intervention (program that gives speech, motor or other support for any kids under 3 who are delayed) and than on Tuesday afternoon Lucas had his 2-hour evaluation with 4 therapists in our little living room. He was pretty hesitant at first and sat on my lap and a couple times tucked his head in my shoulder (very sweet to see). But boy, once he got comfortable he put on a show! He was thrilled to have an audience for all his 'tricks' but it was amazing to see that he wouldn't get too close to anyone else and when one of the evaluators lifted him off the ground when he fell, he came running right over to me and gave her a look. He did GREAT! His cognitive skills were above his age level and everything else but speech was again on target. He does qualify for services based on speech so we'll have a speech therapist come once a week to help him in this area. We're trying to get the same therapist as we had for Alexander as she is simply amazing and wonderful but even if we don't I am sure it will be very beneficial for all of us.

Lucas might not be needing the services though for too long as he's quickly piling on the words...bye bye, huh (close to hi), up, uff uff for his dog and any dog he sees on our walks, rbb rbb for ribbit, wow, mama and papa (we think he's getting close to actually using these in context). He's also 'pretending' to get hurt to get hugs and kisses...silly boy - don't you know you'll get those whenever you want?!?

Today I checked out a local Montessori school that has a great part-time toddler program that Lucas will start in September. I'm so thrilled they had space as I really like the school and had planned to transfer Alexander there about a year ago but ultimately decided he was fine where he was (is).

And I'm also planning Alexander's 5th birthday party the beginning of August...oh and yeah trying to work in between all of this LOL!!

And one final note...Lucas is measurably growing in height...want to hear our very scientific method for knowing how? Well our refridgerator is one with the freezer on the bottom so the main fridge door opens about 29" from the ground (yes, we measured :)). Well for the past month Lucas' head just clears the door when we open it while he's playing with the fridge farm. We always open it slowly when he's there and sure enough today the door hit his head! I checked and no he wasn't wearing shoes :). He also feels heavier to me too...

Laura

Happy Independence Day

What a special day today...Lucas' 1st Independence Day as a US citizen and it was Alexander's 4th! And the sun, that wonderful sphere of warmth in the sky, was finally shining. Our section of town has it's own 4th celebration with a parade and festivities for kids at a local park. I still remember vividly Alexander's 1st Ryal Side parade and how he sat in the stroller looking quite overwhelmed. He was only home a couple weeks when we had subjected him to that :). Lucas has been home 4 weeks and also had that "what is going on here?" look. Once we walked to the park and he got a balloon and a pinwheel he was back to his usual self. We kept him in the Ergo the whole time and he did fine. He also fell asleep the last few minutes of the walk home - great timing kiddo! Alexander truly had a blast...we decorated his bike and he participated in the kids bike section of the parade. He also ate 2 hotdogs, went into the bouncy-bounce, played in the playground and had a pony ride. We also brought Lucas' to his 1st cookout this afternoon. It was a small gathering and everyone gave him his space. He mostly stayed close to Paul and I but started venturing around a bit towards the end. We finished the day with getting some ice cream. Needless to say they are both zonked out right now and I'm getting there soon. Photos below!

In addition to all the fun, Lucas has been putting in some hard work lately. He has learned a couple new words....'up', 'uff uff' (for dogs) and we think he said 'hi' today and has been vocalizing mama and papa but not exactly towards us or even when we're around. Though I swear he went over near Paul today and said 'papa'. He has been signing very consistently for 'more' and 'eat' for several days now and we think we saw the 'all-done' sign tonight at dinner. He's also back to having some struggles going to sleep at night but I think is starting to realize that I'll stick through while he cries and not leave him. He had a doozy of a time last night but finally was able to settle and looked at me while I rocked him to sleep.

Alexander is also working some things through. I won't go into detail because some of what he said is personal but let's say he's vocalized some fears in the past couple days that blew us away. Thank goodness he is comfortable and open enough to share his thoughts and since then he's seemed a lot more like his old self. The good definitely outweigh the hard times, but it's still only a month since Lucas' has been home and Alexander is probably feeling the adjustment the hardest. He and I are going to the fireworks tomorrow, just the two of us, and it will be fun to have this memory with him.

In addition to the 4th pics I've included a few other pics from last week or so. Enjoy :)

Laura