cmWe're here - arrived yesterday and woke up to a winter wonderland today (which, by the way, was not forecasted!). This will be a quick one because both boys are napping and I intend to join the relaxation.
We had a good appt with Arleta this morning. I love her! I love that she is helping our family to be healthy and whole. I love being here / in her fun little office. I think Cleveland is my happy place. How many people can say that about Cleveland?!
Anyway, she sees good progress in our little guy - both on the bonding front and developmentally. We are thrilled that she sees this, too. There are still a few arenas in which we have much work ahead of us. But, overall she sees him connecting to us much differently than he did 3 months ago. Feels good - hopeful.
Grandparents - we got the go-ahead to start fostering N's relationships with you 4! Good news, right? We'll talk with you more about this, but the 4 of you will be able to start holding him now and we can leave him alone with you - in our house initially, but with the goal of allowing him to come have some alone time at your houses down the road. This makes us happy. We know it will make you happy.
We go back tomorrow, then trek home - if the roads are okay.
Chao for now.
cm
Nicholas came home 6 months ago today - became a US citizen when we landed in Chicago and became a forever family boy in the Indianapolis airport.
6 months!
It's a flash really. In such a short period of time we have seen him make so many cool strides. We're so proud of him.
One year from now Nicholas will have been a family boy as long as he was institutionalized. I think that will be a pretty cool milestone for us.
cm
Nicholas is in the lazy boy, on his belly, butt up - snuggled under one of his giraffe blankies. 
Christmas with Mimi & Grandpa
He loves his table and chairs - just his size!
Overstimmed at the Father Frost party (look at those vacant little, orphanage eyes). It was good to see him in a snuggly moment with his Daddy in the midst. Sweet, sweet Nicholas.
We spent the entire holiday season trying to remember what exactly we did last year. It's a blur. I think Matt and I spent the 2nd half of December '07 in a depressed fog - having just learned that our return to Ekaterinburg would be significantly delayed. Joy was so hard to find.
What a difference a year makes. December '08 was been a whirlwind in its own right (some of which I will fill you in on along the way - some of which will remain ours).
One year ago we really were just beginning our wait - we were still ~6 months from our reunion. And, here we are - just 5 days from our little guy's 6-month anniversary of arriving home. So much has happened in the past 6 months - it's almost head spinning tonight.
All of it is still so emotionally palpable. I re-read some of my more poignant adoption entries tonight - don't know why tonight - just did. It's left me wondering if the intensity of emotion behind each of those memories will truly fade. I'm thinking not. I certainly don't process it on a daily basis; but, it's not at all difficult to conjure - at a moments notice really.
I continue to read blogs of those still waiting. Some have been waiting SO SO long either before or between trips. My heart breaks for them. For those of you reading along here - and waiting for your child - please know that you're on my mind. It's so unspeakably painful, difficult, unbearable, blurry.
I pray that 2009 is your best year yet.
cm
I wanted to pass this invite along to you local readers. It sounds like a ton of fun. We will be there - though I'm completely clueless as to how to dress my child. Any suggestions?
cm
-----
KidsFirst is having a New Year Party of the most Russian kind!!
The party will be held on Jan 11, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Hotel located at 86th and Michigan Road in Indianapolis. Start time is 11 am. Please be on time as there is a program.
Here is a short description of the fun:
* Children will come dressed in their dressiest outfits or character outfits.
* The Russian Ballet Academy will present some Russian dances.
* Yummy Russian snacks.
* Children will call for Father Frost who will later do lots of games with them, sing songs and play the accordian.
* Children are encouraged to prepare a verse or song ahead of time if they want ot perform. There will be prizes.
* Each child will receive a goody bag.
This event is free of charge and everyone is welcome. Please invite other people and your kids friends to come learn and have fun at this great celebration. The event is geared for children under 12, but all are welcome.
Please join the biggest and most fun Russian holiday party. KidsFirst is hoping to make this an annual tradition.
If you have any questions regarding the party you may contact the KidsFirst office at 317-843-2300.
See you there!!!!!!
I keep forgetting to post that we have initiated speech therapy for Nicholas. His therapist came for the first time last week and assessed him ~18 months. Matt and I were pretty pleased with that given he's only been exposed to English for 5 months.
We're having her come 2x / month just to help us better work with him at home while he catches up. She doesn't anticipate Nicholas will need her very long.
We've noticed an explosion of language use on his end the past month. He babbles, makes lots of noise, parrots darn near everything we say, and is using language to get his needs met.
In fact, this morning he woke us up with this:
'Hey you! Awake. Up? Daddy, up! (Giggle)'
We're thinking Nicholas has a lot to say. We can't wait to hear more!
Happy New Year, all. 2009 is promising to be an exciting year in the Morgan household!
cm
