Bird Bath

Roman's Baby Shower

My parents place was filled with friends and family all gathered to celebrate our baby Roman.  There were birdie cupcakes and kisses, gifts and well wishes.  

From Baby Bird to Chubby Chicken

I came across pics from the day I brought Roman home and was shocked at the wee little bird looking at the lens.  I really didn't think that he was that small though the doctor told me he was in the bottom fifth percentile for weight.  This is normal for children coming from an orphanage and I knew he would grow but am blown away by how quickly it has happened.  It's amazing what large servings of love, whole milk, fish oil and a lot of snuggles can do.
Six weeks later this is my Baby Bird transformed into a Chubby Chicken.

First day home

Six weeks home- check out the belly :)

and the chubby thighs

and the length of those kissable legs

oh and I had to include this... 

My unconventional family bed

We have a night time routine.  Roman goes to bed around 8-8:30pm usually after a bath and always after a few rounds of going up and down the flight of stairs.  He seems to need a little stair climbing before slumber, who am I to question it.  I put on his lulaby music, rock him a bit, sing a bit, then lay him in his crib.  Then Jack and I hang out in his room until he falls asleep.  Jack often nestled under his crib and me on the chair.  Once he is in dream land we leave.  When I am ready for bed, we return to Roman's room, scoop him up from the crib and transfer him into my bed.  Jack really just accompanies me for this portion though I;m sure he would help more if his puppy paws would allow.  I have a side rail now on my bed so Roman can flail and roll and not fall out.  Jack and Roman though small in size manage to take up most of the bed and I contort my limbs around them.  I get to start my day with my little man's  face as the first thing I see in the morning and Roman wakes up beaming.

This arrangement works for us.  So much better then the zombie walk I did several times a night down the hall to Roman's  room every time he woke up.  Instead of waking up to his cries, I wake up to his beaming little face and it's such a great way to start the day.  It wouldn't work if there was a man in the bed but I am not currently burdened by that obstacle..lol

Before Roman came home I had to take sleeping pills to get any sleep and I when I did sleep my dreams were often stressful and sad.  Now, my bed is occupied by a terrier and a toddler and I sleep like a baby.

Taking out the garbage

I dreamt of a man who would take out the garbage.

Dear Roman

Dear Roman,

Today marks five weeks since we got off the flight from Moscow and arrived home.  In this time you have amazed and delighted your new family way every day.  

You are the most curious child I have ever  met.  You love to explore every inch of your new world and keep us busy keeping up to your boundless energy.  You love doors, specically opening and closing them and now you do a little skit where you wave goodbye before you open a door and disappear to the other side then delight in reappearing to a warm welcome.  Your favourite song is itsy bitsy spider and you do the itsby bitsy finger motions with me when I sing.  Next in popularity is "When your happy and you know it" and "Twinkle Twinkle"

You can climb stairs and do at least a few flights every day, usually after dinner.  We follow close behind but it's completely self taught.  You can scramble up those stairs at a breathtaking pace.  You are into EVERYTHING. No cupboard, drawer, lamp, plug, table or shelf is off limits.  Well we try to keep them Roman safe but its a bit of a hopeless pursuit because you are smarter then all of us combined.

You have gone from eating purees to eating some solid foods with your four little teeth.  Ham is your favourite finger food and when it's time to eat you squeel with delight.  You have gained two and a half pounds since we arrived home and drink two bottles of milk and three meals a day.

Night time baths is always a fun and wet experience for all involved.  You love to play with the tap and try to catch the water.  You don't mind water on your face and can play peek a boo with the washcloth endlessly without ever losing an ounce of enthusiasm.

Mama never knows how bed time will go.  It is always a surprise.  Some nights you want to be rocked until you fall asleep, other nights you like to roll and stretch and poke your feet through the crib slats until you are overcome by sleepiness.  Sometimes you like to "read" a book or listen to me read and sometimes you babble to yourself.  Two fingers go into the mouth and the other hand over your eyes or scratching your head.  Sometimes you are asleep in ten minutes and sometimes it takes over an hour.  Whatever the activities, what never changes is that we stay with you until you are in dreamland.
You are home now sweetheart and when you need us, we will always be here.  You still wake up in the night and since mama wasn't a big fan of doing the half asleep walk down the hall in the middle of the night I pick you up from your crib when I go to bed and we spend the rest of the night sleeping in my big bed.  I get to wake up each morning to your sweet smile ready to start your day.

You love our dog Jack.  You nuzzle your head into him, kiss him and always want to cuddle.  His ability to lick is fascinating to you and you have learned to mimic him and do your own little puppy tongue.  Clearly Jack is your BFF even if the love may be slightly one sided. ;)

You "read" one book called "Peek a Boo" with flip pages that over the last few weeks you have learned to flip the pages and look for the babies.  Your favorite part is the last page with the mirror.  You delight in seeing your image and kiss the page in delight. 

Your dance skills are just developing.  So far it's head nods, hands slapping and a one armed swing.  Just like everything else you do it's full of enthusiasm.

Baby boy you have a magical smile that lights up your whole face and whoever is lucky enough to see it.  You continue to say mama and have shortened sometimes to a very clear "Mom" and each time you call to me you melt mamas heart.  I have waited my whole life to hear that word and every moment of the wait was worth it to hear it in your adorable little voice.
 

I'm not usually a morning person BUT......

Roman started doing this during breakfast and I think it made me a convert

The days before poo

Poo pick up is a big part of my daily existence these days. Roman and Jack create a lot of poo and I clean it up. Along with my lovely family of assistants I should add. There was a time in my life where my own disposal was all I was responsible for but metaphorically I had plenty of other crap to deal with. LOL....

Fringe Benefits

There have been some unexpected perks that have come with my new life assignment as Mom.

• Weight loss
• ten pounds had dropped off me since starting the adoption process.  These ten pounds refused to budge when I consciously tried to shed them but have melted away on my mom mission.
• Ideal wardrobe 
• I've always dreamt of a job which would allow me to wear track pants and a hoodie every day.  My wish has been granted by mamahood.  My Fall fashion almost exlusively consists of Campus Crew.  Currently I am sporting a lovely orange pair which is such an it colour for 2011 according to City Line.
• Haven't plugged in my alarm clock
• There's no need for this device anymore.  It's Roman's biorythms that tells me when to get up. Chronological time has very little relevance to life with my little Roman.  Good-bye artificial digital display.
• Permission to act like an idiot
• I`ve always been a clown but now it`s good for Roman`s development so me and my whole family have been delighting in dialing it up a notch and fully being our silly selves.
• I always have a date
• No more solo dinners.  Actually no more dinners at all but I always have a plus one wherever I go.  We go to all the hot spots together... indoor playgrounds, parks, grocery stores, friends houses.
• New home designer
• I used to watch HGTV and checked in with my favourite shabby chic blogs but now there's only one question when it comes to design choice.  Is it soft enough that he will not injury himself when he falls on it?  So far we have replaced the cool log coffee table with a round soft ottoman, the grasscloth rug with a soft berber with stainguard and installed several shelves and hooks to hide most of what we own that isn't edible.

   

"The wheels on the bus......"

and other adventures at the indoor playground. Mom and I took Roman to an indoor playground and he had a blast. His favourite toy was a toy schoolbus. He particularly enjoyed the big wheel and his reflection in the side mirror. He exudes such joy as he is exploring his new world and we love being along with him for the joyride.

Giving Thanks this Thanksgiving

Gratitude is effortless this Thanksgiving.

What am I thankful for?
I give thanks for my son and the entirety of his being. I am grateful for every strand of his blonde locks, all four of his teeth, the crinkle between his nose when he smiles. I am grateful for every moment we have spent together. For every snuggle, every poopy diaper, every mealtime, every giggle and each and every spectacular smile.

I am grateful for the opportunity to grow and the intensity of this experience.

I am thankful for my family both by blood and by choice. I am thankful that sometimes you can choose your family and grateful for the choices the Universe has sent me.
I am thankful to Russia. She is magic.
I give thanks for the bounty of the harvest and the perfection of a honeycrisp apple,
I am thankful for the opportunity to share my story and for media that still wants to share good news.

I appreciate the adversity that creates character but am so thankful for the break in this moment. The abundance this Thanksgiving makes my gratitude effortless and for that I am grateful.

CBC Interview

CBC.ca | Metro Morning | First Thanksgiving

I was up at 5:15am this morning and not for the usual diaper change, bottle, rock, cuddle reasons but because fame and fortune awaited.   Cat and I are were expected at CBC for an interview at 6:30am.  I hope the green room  has the non sparkling imported mineral water I specified in my contract..

While Roman slept at Grandma and Grandpa's house Mom and Auntie were downtown in the Big Smoke.  The streets were empty other then the club goers still up and the hot dog vendors still hoping for customers.  We were caffeinated and at the studios by 6:15am which if you know Cat and I is a miracle in itself.

They did not have sparking water nor a surprise makeover but better then that I got to go on air and share with  the CBC listeners our story.  My five minutes of fame happened at 6:50am.  The host was lovely, the producer gave me a hug and the studios were super cool.  

This was a Thanksgiving Monday to remember just like so many awesome moments this year.  I hope a woman was listening that knows in her heart that she is a mother but maybe not the path that will lead her there.  I am thankful this year that family can be a choice, love is infinite and life expands as you become more of who you were meant to be.

    

Cutest pumpkin in the patch

Sunny Day