One Year

How can 365 days pass so quickly?!  We've had Louba in our arms for one, whole year. It was about this time, a year ago, we were sitting in a hotel in Vladimir, Russia getting ready to make the hour drive to the orphanage in Gus-Khrustalny. We would see her care givers for the last time. See the only home she knew for three and a half years (1279 days, 110,505,600 seconds, 1,841,760 minutes, 30,696 hours, or 182 weeks). Many of you have followed our journey here, on Facebook and Instagram, or in "real" life. We're so lucky to have our village helping make sure the next years of our journey go as well as this year has. 

To recap this year:
December: a Forever family!!!
January: just adjusting to a new life; told mommy she loved her
February: First American Haircut; still adjusting
March: Started pre-school
April: Meet some new friends at our LPA regional in Huntsville
May: A great 1st Birthday party!
June: attended VBS; was a flower girl in a wedding; spent LOTS of time at the ballpark
July: Family vacation to Chattanooga, first day of school
August: Fun at the Splashpad and roasting hot dogs
September: School days and learning all about pre-K
October: A trip to the beach
November: Her first Thanksgiving
December: A visit with Santa

Our plan for Louba's Day tomorrow (December 6th) is to eat at one of her favorite places (Fazoli's, Margarita House, or McDonalds) and to listen to her sing in her first Christmas program. 

Thank you to all of our wonderful friends, both near and far, who have loved on Louba this year. We're so lucky to be her (and her bubba and sissy's) parents.

Birthdays

Our kids celebrate birthdays within weeks of one another. Louba's is at the end of May, Jules is just a couple weeks later in mid June, and JD has a birthday at the beginning of July. (Emma, my niece's birthday is just a week before Julianne's). We didn't have parties this year because we have been spending so much time at the ballpark with JD's travel team. We had some small family gatherings and the kids got to choose where they wanted to eat. For Louba, she wanted pizza and slip and slide; Jules wanted Mexican; JD wanted Buffalo Wild Wings. And, of course, I made cakes that they picked out. Louba wanted a barbie cake with a pink dress, Jules had a beach themed cake with candy shells, and JD wanted homemade oatmeal cream pies. We didn't go overboard with gifts either. The each received a new bike from us, and a few small things or money from everyone else. All-in-all, I think they still had a good birthday.

First Days of School

Today, Louba went back to school (a couple weeks before the other two go). I have to go back to work a couple days this week, and the big kids are spending those two days with Mom and Dad. These past few weeks have been so busy (more on that later).

Here's our annual first day of school picture of Lou (I'll post the others here in a couple weeks when they start). Louba will be in the pre-K class at her daycare, Jules will be a 2nd grader, and JD will be in the 4th. It's hard to believe I have one that's only two years away from middle school.

Louba loved school today. She was a little apprehensive about going into a new classroom, but went in and did great. Her teacher is the same one JD and Jules both had when they went to the pre-school she's at. She'll have to sign her name in every morning from now on. She told me she learned stuff but didn't know what she learned. She did say she got to play outside which is HUGE for her. (Hopefully, one day we'll have those bangs grown out and loose the 80s ponytail hair-do.) 

"She's PERFECT"

When we decided to adopt a "waiting child" we knew there could be problems. When we found Louba and knew her know diagnosis was achondroplasia, we expected some doctors visits. We have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams with her health. We knew achondroplasia could lead to spinal compression issues, bowed legs, spinal kyphosis (which is a spinal curve), among other things. I'm one of those who really trust my doctors. I can research all day long, but they have spent years in medical school. My thought is, I don't like non-teachers telling me how to teach, I shouldn't tell doctors how to treat. Yes, I do ask questions and voice my concerns, but ultimately, I trust my doctors.

We have been to a geneticist (Dr. John Phillips) at Vanderbilt who said she's perfect. He still wants to see her in six months (or October now) to discuss the BioMarin study in more depth. We're still not sure what our role will be in the study, but know we want to be part of it to help other children born with achondroplasia overcome some of the medical issue associated with this genetic disorder. He took spinal and hand x-rays and said everything looked exactly how it was supposed too.  He did some neurological assessments and said she did everything the way she needed too.

We've recently seen an ENT and today her orthopedic doctors.  The ENT (Dr. Wanna) said her hearing was perfect too (she has slight loss at extremely high frequency). He also doesn't need to see her again, but recommend her hearing be tested by our pediatrician in a year.

Today's visit was to the orthopedic doctor at Vanderbilt (Dr. Green). I LOVE HIM!!! He made the kids feel so at easy and joked around with them the whole time we were there. He showed me the x-rays from our April visit and said, "She's perfect! I don't think I'll be seeing her again." Her spine has NO curve, her legs are not bowed (for an achon), her back is the exact shape it should be for achon.

So, we've paid money for doctors to tell us what we already knew, she's PERFECT!!! Our God is so good! We head to the dentist, eye doctor, and regular pediatrician in the next couple of weeks before school starts back.  Our girl is a smart one too. I'm glad we stepped out of our comfort zone and brought this one into our lives. I can't imagine living this life without this fireball.

If you are considering adoption, consider a waiting child. Talk to adoptive parents who have adopted from waiting child lists (the Browns, the Hoods, the Overstreet, anyone on Reece's Rainbow website--these are just a few of the families we know who have adopted from the waiting child lists from various countries). Special needs doesn't always mean lifetimes in hospitals or doctor's offices. SN kids are just kids who need families to love and nurture them to their fullest potential.

Why Me?

I ask this question a lot. Not for pity from anyone, and not that I am angry at anything or anyone. But why did God choose me to parent three of the most precious children in the world? I am not the kindest, gentlest, or even most compassionate person. I am selfish, needy, and like to be left alone. But He gave me three of the most amazing things in the world.

My first born. My all-star. My sweet little man. I love this kid. I love his kind heart, his dirty knees, and the way he holds his sister's hand when she is scared. I love how he gives everything 110%, no matter what it is. I love that he still holds my hand and gives me kisses. He is a helper. He wants to help others. He is learning to serve alongside his daddy at church and that just makes me smile.

1 Corinthians 15:58

So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don't let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.

My princess. My dancer. My softball sweetheart. She is FULL of personality. I see so much of me in her and it scares me. She has the most beautiful blue eyes. I love how she tries new things. I love how she makes up songs and belts them so loud. I love that she tries to teach her little sister how to pose for pictures or what she should wear. She is growing up way too fast (and frustrates me beyond belief). She is growing in God and I see how he is truly working on her heart to lead her to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

My Russian. My unexpected surprise. My smile in the morning. This girl is amazing. She surprises me everyday with the new things she's learned. In four short months, she has learned English, gone to school, and left everything she ever knew to join our family in the US. She loves. She loves to get attention by asking everyone she sees, "What's your name?" or "Whacha doing?" or "Where you goin?" She loves to give me hugs and kisses even when I don't ask for them. She loves her bubba and sissy. I am excited to see what God does with this little one. I know she is going to move mountains with her personality and like-ability.

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 


I am blessed to be the mom of three beautiful children. I am still in awe that my God has given me this amazing gift, one that I am so not deserving of. 

First Day of School

Today, Louba started daycare (or Louba school). I go back to work on Friday, and this was what we decided to do. She's used to being around lots of kids (hello, she grew up in an orphanage). We were a little nervous that she would think we were "taking her back" to the orphanage, because the school is very institutional looking when you first walk in. We visited the school a couple of times to get her used to walking in the door and realizing that we weren't going to leave here there. We've talked about her going to school for a while now. We've really built it up, in hopes that it would get her excited about school. When we turned onto the road that the school is on, she ask, "Are we going to Louba's school."

"Yes," I said.

"YEEESSSS!!!" fist pump from the back seat. I think she was pretty excited (she told Eric she was cited last night about school).

I picked her up after lunch today to ease her into going and being away from mom. She even ate while there (two servings of cereal for snack, and two servings of peas for lunch). When I walked in, she finally saw me and I got the biggest smile. She immediately  began telling me that she got to use scissors today.  Before we even got out of the door she said she wanted to go back tomorrow. We may try nap time at school tomorrow.

Two Months Home

We've been home two months!! The whole family is doing great. Louba still won't try a big variety of foods. She loves anything with peanut butter (apples, bananas, crackers), french fries, especially fast food fries, sour kraut, chips and pasta.
She speaks almost no Russian anymore. We do listen and watch Russian cartoons and CDs, but her Russian is almost all gone. She still says a few words in Russian (pee/poop, girl/boy).
Louba sleeps in her own room and goes to bed with no problems anymore. She turns her own light out, crawls in bed, and we say her prayers.
Cute (or maybe not so cute things she says): "Stay in tha Be-ad," "Louba do it," "Brusha your teetha," "I go see _____ (everyone we know)," "I told you."
She got her first American haircut this month. We had to get rid of the mullet that she had going on. Now to work on the bangs. Trying to train them is hard. She sat super still and did great, and now wants to go back and have it cut again.  

Growing up... Her Superman was Adopted shirt (get yours here)

 Hanging out while the big kids are at school...

 Louba and Daddy

 This girl would take a bath 3 times a day if we would let her.

 She also LOVES lasagna.

Over a Month Home



Where has the month gone??? It seems like yesterday that we were stepping off the plane to see all our family and friends, and here it's been over a month since we brought a little three year old home. Some things from this past month:

• about four weeks in, Louba started going to bed without crying any!!! She would lay in her bed and play with a doll for about 20 mins then go to sleep. About a week ago, she started getting out of her bed. Never being loud enough for us to hear, but out playing with things in her room. When we would check on her, she would run and jump in bed, pull the covers up tight, and squish her eyes closed as tight as she could. Our routine is this, we talk about going to bed for about an hour, she puts on pjs, turns off her own lights, turns on her sound machine to the one she wants, and gets in bed. We tried having a "better" routine with bath, and books, and brushing teeth, but it just put her in a terrible mood. We also started napping when the big kids went back to school on January 4th. Sometimes she just lays in her room, sometimes she sleeps. She sometimes cries out in her sleep, but quickly goes back to sleep.

• She loves french fries, mashed potatoes, sataka (spelling? It's a pickled cabbage, pepper mixture we got from the Eastern European store in Nashville (Alesky's)), cookies, m&m's, pickles, chef=boy-r-dee, nutella, juice boxes (aka capri-sun). She still won't try meat. Maybe one day she'll give up that control too. We don't force food. For breakfast and lunch she can eat what she wants, but for dinner she has to take one bite of whatever we are having. She usually ends up eating at least one of the things on the table.



• About two weeks ago, she slept alot one day. 12-13 hours that night, woke up and snuggled on the couch for a couple hours, a 2 hour nap, and 12-13 hours the next night. Talking to other adoption parents, it may be a way for her to deal with her grief.
• She loves Backyardigans (but just the opening sequence)

• Loves Playdoh
• Her hair has gotten noticably thicker in the past month. We started her on a gummy vitamin right after getting home since she's not eating a big variety of foods, and it has made her hair and nails thicken up.
• The girl LOVES baths and would take two a day if I would let her (or we had time).
• She's super happy when she wakes up. All smiles and kisses.
• New words:
• "That's enough"
• "Come here"
• "tickle ears...belly...feet"
• "brush your teeth?"
• "go to school"
• "no balloon" (she's terrified of a remote control shark balloon JD has)
• "kisses" and "I love you" go together. I know she doesn't completly know what she's saying here, but she knows you get a hug and kiss when you say it.
• "good morning"
• "cheerios and milk" her favorite breakfast and snack
• car, fork, spoon, plate, cup (she can identify each in English)

Week one

We've been home a whole week now, and Louba and the others are doing great. It's been a huge learning adventure for us. Yes, we have two other kids, but having one that doesn't speak your language, or really understand it is a bit of a challenge. But, we're working through it. She so funny. She'll do anything for a laugh. She absoulutely loves her brother and sister and asks for them if they aren't around. Overall, we've had a great week home. I can't wait to see how she changes as she learns more English, and gets into a better routine.

Some things she says and does:
"Be nice!" while pointing her finger at you.
"whoa Melly!" for anything, but especially when she falls down.
"Ups please"
"Come here."
She calls John David, Brat and Julianne, sistra or Jules. Emma is Yemma.
She loves to ride in the "machine-a"
It only takes about 10-15 minutes to get her to bed. She cries hard, but sleeps all night in her own room, by herself.
She is a drama queen. She can turn on the tears like a faucet and turn them off just as fast.

She loves to be tickled, and will ask you to tickle her.

She loves bananas, biscuits, pizza, cookies, apples, juice, pickles, and cole slaw.

She knows that she is cute and loves having her picture made.

Time outs seem to work (at least right now). We've only had a couple a day.

she's potty trained and will tell you when she needs to go. We still have accidents at night, but none during the day.
Upstairs in our house is her favorite and only asks her "Pappa" to go. She never asks me.

She loves to sing and talk (ALL. OF. THE. TIME).

She can name all her facial features in English.

She can count to five in English.

She gets upset if she can't do something and usually has a small tantrum.

she can dress herself.

I've gotten an "I love you" a couple of times.

She'll climb on anything.