Jul 31, 2010

21 Months and Tubes in both ears

Life is busy, busy, my brother and his wife were in from Boston so our evenings after work were spent with family and I didn't have a chance to post about Samara turning 21 months old on Thursday. I know I'm such a slacker, and yesterday she had tubes put in and was a BIG trooper.
I am hoping and praying that having the tubes will really start to help with her speech, balance and development as a whole, along with better health of course.
For those of you who know I have volunteered to help with an event that Cincinnati Children's Hospital puts on every year for the IAC to help raise money for programs and needs that the IAC has. The IAC at CCH is such a great resource and I feel very privileged to be a part of it. It is in November at the Oscar Event Center and it is for a great cause. I got a call this week and was asked if they could use Samara's picture on the front of the invitation to represent Russia. I thought it was so sweet for them to have thought of our little girl. The invitation is going to be a globe and they are going to have several children's faces representing their countries. Very cool!

Also at this event they have a fashion show and it is put on by all the adopted kids. So I think I am going to have Samara in it. Not sure how she will do but I will try. :)

I also want to talk about my boy.....my little Ethan is growing up and looking so mature these days. I cannot believe how quickly it happens, he is so handsome. He is also a rotten stinker but so handsome. :) He loves his little sister and can be so good with her sometimes and it melts my heart. Other times not so much but hey they are siblings and it's not like they are going to be hugging and kissing each other all the time! :)

I am going to try and take some more pic's and post them soon.

Jul 18, 2010

Some Pic's from Today...Looking so mature these days!!!

Here we go again with the picture taking! Come on Mom!!
OK, Here's a smile for ya!

Absolutely Stunning Baby Blues!!! Look at those features....We are in so much trouble when she gets bigger!!!


" Seriously how many pictures are you going to take mom"?


Smiling Pretty!

Dancing in the Kitchen

Signing "More"...ready for a snack...that was a long shoot!!

Look at those fine motor skills!!!

Jul 14, 2010

3 Month Check Up ...BIG PROGRESS..WHOOHOO


Monday was Samara's 3 month Check up at the CCHMC IAC and even though her growth in weight isn't that big her growth in development is amazing to me.
She has gained 2lbs and grown 2 inches. Whoohoo....for those of you who know how hard our first 8 weeks home were with her lack of eating know that her gaining 2 lbs is an act of GOD.
When she was first evaluated her Development was as follows:
Gross Motor: 12 mos Language: 8 mos Fine Motor:12 mos Personal/Social: 12 mos
Now they are: (Look at this improvement)
Gross Motor: 17 mos Language: 17 mos Fine Motor :17 mos Personal/Social: 16 mos

I am so happy at her progress. She amazes me all time....I wish you could all hear her when she is just babbling up a storm or when she says the words Baby or Bubbles...she has the cutest little voice.

As far as her sensory processing goes she still has some things that she does and has a hard time with but these are becoming less and less.

The doctors were very impressed. In fact even a bit shocked at all the improvements in our girl in just 3 months.

Her head even though still small has grown and more importantly has changed shape. When the Doc was feeling her head she said her head is so different from the first time. This is apparent by just looking at it.

We look forward to watching her change and blossom over the next months and years to come.

Her 2nd Birthday is in October and I have already been thinking about what to do. Even though it will be her 2nd Birthday it's her first with us and we will make it so very special.

I will add some pic's soon.

Jul 4, 2010

3 MONTHS HOME and HAPPY 4th OF JULY

So I am a couple days late on the 3 months home mark. Where does the time go. I cannot believe it's been three months already.

Samara is doing so good and is really coming out of her shell, we see a little more of her personality shine through everyday. She is such a beautiful little girl. Somedays I just cannot stop kissing her. Both of our children are such a joy and we are so very blessed. Samara has her 3 month check up at the IAC on the 12th. I am really looking forward to this appointment. I think the Dr's will be astonished at her progress.

Today is America's Birthday and it's also My mothers and Justin's nephew Eli. We went to my mom's to celebrate her Birthday and all of us kids grilled out and made the food for her. We also got her a really nice spa package so she could get pampered. She deserves it, she loving takes care of all our children for us. She is a saint.

We will celebrate Eli's Birthday next weekend. We are going to Bardstown Ky with Justin's family. His uncle from Arizona is in and they are playing golf. Should be a good time.

I have posted a couple pic's from today in our festive July 4th outfits. The pic of Ethan and Samara is the only one that was half way decent. Samara does not like to sit still and well Ethan doesn't either. So this is all we could get. :)