New Photos!

We had some outdoor family photos done recently - we got lucky enough to plan a day that it actually didn't rain! I don't have web versions of them but you can see our photographer's slide show with the link below. I hope everyone is having a great summer!

http://www.photobiz.com/slideshowbiz/slideshow.cfm?slideshowID=70732&photographerID=2041

1 year and refinalization!

June 2nd marked our 1 year anniversary with Aaden. It seems crazy it has gone by so fast yet I hardly remember our days with out him! Here are some photos:

June 2, 2008 - Bryansk, Russia

June 2, 2009 - Home

Today we refinalized Aaden's adoption in the US Courts. He will officially have a US birth certificate now! It was surprising how quick it was (about 3 minutes!) but it was great to have my parents there to share in the special moment:

Grandpa, Grammy, Mommy, Aaden, Michael, & our judge

After court, we brought Aaden to the park to see the ducks and ride the carousel and then out to lunch:

Aaden hanging with Papa Duck and baby


Aaden and Mommy

Aaden sitting on the duck (a fake one of course!)

Daddy and Aaden

Aaden's first carousel ride!

March 18, 2008

Then and now...

It was one year ago today that Michael and I walked into the Klintsy Baby Home and met our son for the first time. We didn't know much about him and we had no idea what to expect or how we would feel. The first meeting was complete chaos as the orphanage director was out and they really didn't want us there. We only had about 20 minutes with him and he changed our lives forever. We fell in love with this blue eyed little munchkin that loved to hold our fingers so he could run across the room. He giggled every time Michael lifted him into the air. And he actually snuggled with me which totally surprised me. He melted our hearts and made us more sure than ever that he was our son.

It would be another 2 1/2 months before Aaden came home but this was the day he became part of our family. Now he's a very active 2 year old who loves his independence but is still happy to snuggle with his mommy or daddy before bedtime. He still has that charming personality that won us over the first time we met him and makes it hard to ever get mad at him (and believe me he's learned to use it to his advantage!). I can't believe how far we've come since that day and how happy he has made us.

Some Updates

We moved into our new house the first weekend in January and time has flown since then. Aaden adjusted very quickly to the new house, better than we ever expected. He loves all the extra room to run around and places for his new toys he got for his birthday and Christmas. Here are some new photos from January:

I think he forgot we had a cat. She hid in my parents basement the whole month we were there!

We went to the Children's Museum with 2 other babies born in Bryansk. It was so fun to see everyone and catch up. Aaden had a great time!

Nicholas, Angelina, & Aaden


Aaden playing in our yard. He looks happier in the pictures than in real life. He's not really into the snow. He'd rather play in the driveway or under the porch where it's clear.

Aaden helping us unpack

2 year photos

Aaden had his 2 year photo done the week before Christmas. Here are some of my favorite shots. I can't believe how grown up he looks. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Aaden had a great time yesterday and enjoyed opening his gifts this time unlike his birthday last week. This red car that Santa brought was his favorite and he spent most of the day in it. I hope everyone enjoyed their day yesterday. Here are some photos of Aaden's first Christmas at home:

It's the little things...

that many moms may never notice that strike me at times. Aaden is a child that is not easily scared or hurt. He's a brave little guy and rarely cries. One place he is always scared is the doctors, he hates anyone restraining him or poking around at him. Since I've never been a mom to a young child it seemed normal when he was scared at the doctor's that he would wiggle and squirm to get away from everyone and try to get out of the room. Two weeks ago when I brought him in for a sick doctor's visit (a cold and conjunctivitis) and then today for his 2 year doctor's visit, it was very different.

We hadn't been to the doctors for a few months now which was out of the ordinary compared to when he first came home. For the first time 2 weeks ago and again today, instead of trying to wiggle out of my arms when the doctor tried to look into his ears, listen to his heart, etc he clung to me for dear life. That may seem like a normal thing for most moms but Aaden had never clung to me for anything before. I didn't realize we were even missing that bonding experience. Yes, I hated that he was scared and I had to make him go through that for his own good. But I had tears in my eyes too because I was so touched. He finally trusts me enough to cling to me and turn into me when scared instead of trying to get away from everyone. He doesn't want to get away from me anymore, instead he wants me desperately. What an amazing feeling that I didn't even know existed. That is the best present I will receive for Christmas this year!