First Days at Home

We are all getting settled. Alex is getting comfortable at home and we are understanding how to deal with his temporary melt downs. So much about the whole transition is understanding. Over the last two years I have read extensively about the bonding and attachment issues and the issues you face once these little people come home. I can honestly say with all the theory....nothing prepares you for the 2-3 hours of screaming. Emotional support from family friends and a very supportive husband help get you through it!! In the short time we have been home.....Alex is making so much progress. He is such a happy and loving little guy. The experts tell us that their tantrums are the inability to process their emotion. We have gone from having lots of tantrum's to maybe 2 or 3 a day... Usually something small that sets him off.......More the actions of a three year old...Like turning the light switch off before he could.....just little things.
So we feel fortunate. You all ask....How is he eating sleeping and basically doing? He is doing great! He slept with me for the first 2 weeks and then we put him to sleep in his bed and I have a twin bed beside him! After he wakes up the first time in the night....usually around 12:00-2:00...we go upstairs and sleep. I usually don't have a cuddle bug until the morning hours.......and then we play musical beds.......
He eats almost anything and loves fruits and veggies.
Adam enjoys having this little guy around. Alex screams with delight at the sight of a school bus and screams ADAM!!!!!He has a football tackle approach to hugs when he sees something he likes.....Tanner and Dusty, Adam or Dada.
He is learning so many words.....Momma is now Mom and Pappa is now Papa or Dada...Tanner and Dusty, Doggies, Potty, Hello,Bye Bye, Hi, 1,2,3.......Tractor,Rocky the turtle. Hot,cold and Yes, No......He still speaks in Russian and sings all the time in Russian. We have a resource that can help us with what he is saying....that helps a bunch. He loves to give fish kisses and is very much a cuddle bug......He loves cars,tractors and anything with wheels.
He loves to ride in the car......Is learning to stay buckled......and avoids naps like the plague.....The comfort is anytime he gets in a car...he falls asleep and he is going down easier at night!
Right now he is playing in a water table we have set up on the back deck....He loves to play for hours in the water. I knew I had another water child when in Moscow he stepped in every puddle possible. Adam was the same way!
All in all, we are adjusting to this whole New normal and the struggles are starting to be easier.....so we are encouraged and hopeful that the good things continue.

WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't begin to tell you how glad we are to be home. SO glad to be here instead of a hotel and glad to be done with this process and the paperwork and the flights and the constant craziness!!!!!!
The plane ride was a nightmare. I knew it would be tough....At times I just wanted to cry.....Alex got up at 4:30 on the morning we were leaving and it went down hill form there! By the time we hit JFK....I was fried! Starbucks helped!!!!!!
We are back in the states and couldn't be happier! Alex seems to be doing well. It is just an eye opener to how much your house is not prepared for an active three year old. Every drawer and everything is a new discovery. But all in all Alex is very happy. The nap melt down has gone from 2 hours to about 5 minutes.....I am thankful and hope it continues. We have our little daily issues. Just is so different having a three year old into everything!
Adam gets to find out all about a little brother that is into everything he has! He is mostly excited.......He also is very good with him.....It all will just take time. They are both resting now.....time to relax and get used to this time zone!

Final Day in Moscow!!!!!

WHEW!!!!!We have had a whirlwind since I last posted! We have been on the run with a very active three year old! We flew from Novo to Moscow late Thursday night. Our plane was delayed so we had a 4 hour wait in the airport. We then boarded the plane where Alex had a complete melt down over the seat belt. After a good twenty minutes of screaming, crying and kicking and throwing.......he fell asleep. Then two seconds later the seat belt sign went off and the Russian ladies including Natasha came to reassure him. Which set us up for twenty more minutes of kicking,screaming and crying.On the landing I opted to not use the seat belt!!!!
We then had to fill out all our paperwork for the Embassy. It amazes me that the Translators do everything at their convience and don't consider the first flight with a three year old that has never flown........
But we have done some fun things in Moscow. We rode the subway and Scott figured out how to get us to Gorky park. It was fun for Adam to ride the roller coaster. Since all the rides are in Russsian and all the ticket information is as well. They could only figure out how to get tickets for that ride. Alex enjoyed the carmel corn!
Alex has no issues with the food, potty and most things. However Naps are tough! Thanks to Chris and Celeste they are managable!!!!!
We got Alex's passport and his visa from the American Embassy. We get his registration tonight and we can go home! We leave in the morning! Our flight leaves at 12:00 and goes through JFK. Then home!
We have two boys with colds! Adam thinks he got his from the plane......Alex got his form somewhere. Lots of kisses and hugs shares the love everywhere.........
We are excited to be heading home. 6 days in Moscow is a bit long!
Adam placed the camera in the seat pocket on the planbe and forgot to tell me when we landed. so our pictures are limited to cell phones!No luck with the lost and found. When you call to ask for someone who speaks English....they say Nyet and hang up! So we have had the ladies from the desk call...No luck! Bummer....it was a great camera!
I will post more pictures when I get a chance....We are headed for one last McD's for lunch! This child will think all we eat is Mc Donalds!!!!!!!We are going to enjoy one last sunny day.....most have been rainy.......