IAC 198 Results

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 198 which was held on 10/26/11:

1) Norwegian dossier from August 2008 referred a female child aged 1 year and 6 months

2) Italian dossier from February 2010 referred two female children, twins, aged 6 years and 5 months

3) Italian dossier from April 2010 referred a male child aged 7 years 6 months

4) Italian dossier from June 2010 referred a male child aged 8 years and 5 months

5) Luxembourg dossier from March 2011 referred a female child aged 2 years 11 month with peculiarities in health status

6) U.S. dossier from April 2011 referred a male child, aged 9 years

7) Italian dossier from May 2011 referred a male child aged 9 years 6 months, failed because of a requested change in characteristics of the child

8) Italian dossier from July 2011 referred a waiting child (#1362) with a profile on the MOJ site

9) French dossier from October 2011 referred a waiting child (#1360) with a profile on the MOJ site

10) U.S. dossier from October 2011 referred a waiting child (#1444) with a profile on the MOJ site

11) U.S. dossier from October 2011 referred two waiting children (#775 & #776) with profiles on the MOJ site

Too Much Feasting?

I know I am posting this a little late, but here's Rex on Thanksgiving Day after the big meal. Do you think he might have had a little too much of all the delectable delights?

Emilia - One Week Home

Emilia has now been home with us for one week. In this very short period of time we have seen her come out of her shell in a major way. She walks all over the downstairs of the house and is beginning to find toys and experiment with what they do. She is a very open, sweet and loving child who showers us with smiles and physical contact. She is already reaching her arms toward us to be picked up and she comes over and takes our hands when she wants to be bounced or tossed into the air. Her rocking and thumb sucking have decreased noticeably already as she is finding other activities to fill her day. Unfortunately, she has been sick with some fever and a sinus infection which have been holding her back a bit, but she’s on the mend now and I just can’t wait to see what this little girl has in store for us when she’s 100 percent healthy.

The biggest challenges thus far with Emilia have been the things that have always been Rex’s strengths: sleeping and eating. As far as sleeping, I know the jetlag was/is really difficult for her along with that bad cough and high fever for a while, so Craig and I haven’t actually slept through a single night since coming home. The first few nights she also needed feedings at night (again jetlag), but that seems to be tapering off now. My much bigger concern is her eating. I was told repeatedly at the orphanage that Emilia can only eat pureed food, 300 grams at a time. I haven’t paid attention to the grams, but she definitely will only eat pureed and she is picky at that. She only weighs 17 pounds at 29 inches tall, so it worries me. She has a BM almost immediately after every meal. My guess is that she has some kind of GI issue. We will have it checked out soon. One saving grace has been that she loves chocolate Pediasure and, as we discovered on Thanksgiving, organic eggnog. I don’t care how I get the calories into her at this point, and if it’s eggnog with her daddy who also loves that yucky stuff, so be it. Once we realized that she prefers to drink thicker liquids, we tried a smoothie made with banana, pear and chocolate milk and that was a big success as well, so now we know how to get fresh fruits and veggies into her.

Of course, it goes without saying that Emilia has orphanage delays. We are still discovering what she can and cannot yet do in all the different areas. The more active she is becoming though, the more skills we see emerge. Her social-emotional development is ahead of Rex’s in many ways. She makes beautiful eye contact and seeks out adult attention or help. I guess girls are good at this stuff. In terms of attachment, Emilia’s greatest gift to us at this point is that she has made it very clear and obvious to us just how far Rex has come in this department and how far we have come as parents bonded to our son. I know we will feel the same way about her soon. Attachment really is a process which consists of work to be completed and certain experiences to be had by all parties involved.

Rex - Seventeen Weeks Home

Yesterday marked seventeen weeks home and nineteen weeks out of the orphanage for Rex. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of change for him and for all of us. Rex has really handled everything in comparative stride. He was an amazing little traveler on the way to and from Bulgaria, he held up well while we were in Eastern Europe, and he settled back into our home life with ease. We have seen a few expected regressions, including one major rage of two hours in Sofia, but it’s not been anything we can’t handle.

So, Rex is growing… I mean really, he seems bigger every day. He weighed in at the pediatrician at 30 pounds. Developmentally, Rex has finally learned how to operate ride-on toys. When he was first home, he did not want to straddle anything, but now he rides around on those toys despite being a bit too big for them at this point. I was also so very proud of Rex for another first: he sat on my lap fully awake and let me cut his fingernails without any tears or fussing. He was so cooperative that I don’t think it even took a minute to accomplish this grooming task.

Bonding seems to have made a big leap forward with increased eye contact for Craig and me as well as lots of permissible cuddles. When we first had Rex, he would not allow us to touch his face or hold his hands. Now he lets me cup his cheeks into my hands and kiss him. I can also run my finger down from his forehead across his nose and lips to his chin and he enjoys it. Lately we’ve seen a few occasions where Rex has checked back visually with Craig and me before he proceeded with an activity. Moreover, he is just barely starting to hold on to our hands while walking in certain public situations.

Of course, the biggest challenge of the last two weeks has been the arrival of Emilia in our family. Rex is still a bit tentative about her, but we are very pleased that he has shown no aggression or any other negative behaviors toward her. Both kids are still in the parallel play stage, so we don’t expect any interactive play yet. We’re happy that they have locked eyes a few times and exchanged a few brief touches. I think once Emilia gets a little more settled, her sweet spirit will eventually win over her stubborn big brother.

Our Little Pilgrims

Tired, poor, homeless and yearning to breathe free they arrived in America anno 2011 in search of a better life.

Happy first Thanksgiving, little ones! Daddy and I are so grateful you are finally here.

And Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who continue to follow our journey.

IAC 197 Results

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 197 which was held on 10/14/11:

1) Italian dossier from July 2008 referred a female child aged 2 years and 8 months

2) French dossier from September 2008 referred a female child aged 4 years and 8 months

3) Spanish dossier from October 2008 referred a male child aged 3 years 10 months

4) German dossier from November 2008 referred a female child aged 2 years and 8 months

5) Spanish dossier from December 2008 referred a male child aged 3 years 1 month

6) French dossier from November 2009 referred a waiting child (#1013) with a profile on the MOJ site

7) Italian dossier from December 2009 referred a male child aged 7 years and 1 month

8) Italian dossier from April 2010 referred a male child, aged 6 years and 11 months
to overcome health problems.

9) German dossier from September 2010 referred a male child, aged 2 years and 6 months
with treatable health problems

10) Italian dossier from October 2010 referred a male child, aged 8 years and 6 months
with treatable health problems

11) Italian dossier from July 2011 referred a male child, aged 9 years and 9 months
lags behind the NDP and specificity in health status

12) U.S. dossier from October 2011 referred a waiting child (#1287) with a profile on the MOJ site

13) U.S. dossier from October 2011 referred a waiting child (#1348) with a profile on the MOJ site

14) U.S. dossier from October 2011 referred a waiting child (#578) with a profile on the MOJ site

Bulgaria Recap

As promised, I will give a recap here about our week in Bulgaria. It will likely be too much detail for most, but I am trying to preserve it for Emilia.

11/11 Rex, Craig and I boarded a plane to start our journey to Bulgaria. We were a bit apprehensive about how Rex would handle the travel, especially the transatlantic flight, but he was a super trooper. I remember waking up at one point on the plane from Dulles to Vienna and looking over: Craig was asleep and Rex was sitting in his seat between us and quietly and happily playing with his toys. I couldn’t be more proud of this child and how far he has come.

11/12 We arrived in Sofia in the early afternoon and were taken to a hotel for one night. It was the Art'Otel on Uliza Gladstone and I can highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to stay at a hotel. They have modern rooms, a great breakfast buffet and the staff is very helpful. We tried to take a nap, but Rex had other ideas, so basically none of us got any sleep. We called the Boyds and went over to their apartment to meet them for the first time. Picked up some dinner at a little grocery store on the way back to the hotel, ate, and then basically passed out.

11/13 All three of us woke up at a normal morning hour, got ready and headed for breakfast. After that we went for a walk with the Boyds and saw Alexander Nevski Cathedral and some other sights. Lunch at Subway because it was there. Then we had to hurry back to the hotel to be taken to our apartment which was literally a minute walk from the hotel. We loved the apartment, very nice location, very clean and just about any amenity you could want. Headed to the supermarket with Stephanie Boyd in the afternoon to stock up on supplies and then had dinner with the Boyds and the Mussers who were also in Bulgaria to pick up their daughter.

11/14 Four months to the day from when we took Rex out of his orphanage, I left Sofia at 6:00 am to be taken to Dobrich by car to pick up Emilia. I was ride-sharing with a very nice Italian couple on their way to meet their 10 yo son. We got to Dobrich about 1:00, I met with the social worker and doctor, offered my donations and gifts, and finally Emilia was woken up and dressed and brought out to me. She was so precious in her too big clothes, smiling at me and stretching up her arms to be held. Just before 3:00 pm, Stefan (our driver), Emilia and I headed back to Sofia. It could have been a terrible six hour drive with a screaming or scared toddler, but it wasn’t. Emilia played with me, then slept. When she woke up, it had gotten dark and she spent the rest of the ride looking out of the window at the lights. She never shed a single tear. We arrived in Sofia around 9:00 pm to a very excited Craig and a sick Rex who was running a high fever. I gave me little guy some loving and then we all headed to bed.

11/15 After burning up all night, Rex’s fever finally broke in the morning. It didn’t take long for him to perk up again and start taking food. Emilia was incredibly scared when she woke up in a strange environment to strange people, but she came around quickly. She and I were picked up at 10:00 to go to the police station to apply for her passport and then to the clinic for the embassy medical exam. I met another family, the Wasingers, there with their new little 4 yo girl. Emilia and I got back home just after 1:00 pm. We had some lunch and a family nap and then met the Boyds for an evening walk.

11/16 We had the day off and took a walk to an underground “mall” with the Boyds in the morning. Got some nice souvenirs there and saw a few more sights… only from the outside, of course. The kids were holding up okay though we were starting to be ready to get home and into a more normal routine again, especially for Rex who needed it, we could tell. We took it easy in the afternoon and stayed put.

11/17 We had the US Embassy interview at 3:00 pm. It was a very easy process and didn’t take long at all. We enjoyed one last pizza dinner with the Boyds at our apartment before their departure the next day. We were so thankful that they were there when we were, just a block or two away, to spend the idle hours together and provide support to each other.

11/18 I started to pack our suitcases and we headed for a walk on Vitosha Boulevard in the afternoon. We wanted to spend our last Lev, so we bought some souvenirs and gifts for Emilia. Emilia's passport with her visa and her USCIS immigration package were delivered to us in the evening. We put the kids down very early which, surprisingly, worked. They slept all night until it was time to wake up and they did so in a happy mood.

11/19 We were picked up for the airport at 5:45 am. We were ready to go. The first flight went fine, Emilia slept and Rex just sat in his seat. We met up with my mom at the Vienna airport for the remainder of the trip. Rex was rather restless on the transatlantic flight. He wanted to be moving about, so we walked the aisles, we played, we sang, we had snacks… and managed to keep the tears contained to just a few incidences. Emilia was quiet the whole way and slept a lot or played with her toys. We were thankful for a very smooth immigration and customs and re-check process at Dulles. The last leg of the trip to Cincinnati, both of the kids just slept from sheer exhaustion. We got home around 8:00 pm.

Next I am going to post some photos from our trip which should be more exciting than this entry.

Introducing

More love and joy, our Bulgarian blessing, our daughter Emilia.

The four of us arrived back at home last night and are doing well. I will write much more about our time in Bulgaria after we get some real rest and relaxation.

November 12, 2010

One year ago today, I held my little boy in my arms for the first time and shortly therafter, this photo was taken.
My heart has been overflowing with love ever since.

Blessings Abound

It feels like the last few months have brought us many wonderful blessings (other than our son and daughter, of course). In no special order, I want to list some of them here as a reminder that they happened and an expression of my gratitude.

1) I usually pack Craig’s lunch every day, but in the last several weeks he has had many free lunches at work which has saved me some time and effort in the mornings. It’s been so nice to have those five or ten extra minutes that I could stay cozy under the covers.

2) I have found a fantastic young woman who comes to our house for two hours a day now just to play with Rex and work on his skills. She is Montessori-certified and doing a great job with our little peanut. The two hours she is here are so invigorating for me as I can be very productive with tasks around the house.

3) Craig’s co-workers had a great baby shower for us and presented us with more than enough money to buy a second Ergo carrier for our daughter. Being the thrifty shopper that I am I was able to get one new on Ebay for $40 under list price and then also buy a Ju Ju Be Prepared diaper bag in immaculate used condition for $105 under list price. I am so excited about both of these purchases. We are two steps closer to being ready to pick up our little girl now.

4) Good friends who started their Bulgarian adoption journey around the same time we did, but whose child has been home for a year now sent us the Leva they had left over from their second trip and told us to buy ourselves something beautiful or donate the money to the orphanage. I promise it will go to good use.

5) Rex has been home for almost four months and I haven’t had to buy a pack of diapers yet. Amazing how diapers have just continued to show up for us from various sources.

6) Presents and cards for Rex and his sister keep arriving from family and friends around the world. Thank you all for showering us with your love and generosity. I honestly had no idea our story had reached so far and is touching so many hearts.

7) Beautiful hand-me-downs have been passed on to us by other parents. Rex and his sister will be stylin’ through the winter and next summer, too. I am so grateful.

8) We have found wonderful therapists to work with Rex. He is making great developmental progress due in large degree to the work they are doing with him. It’s nice when you have people who get it on your team.

9) Readers of this blog, you have given me a lot of support, a reason to chronicle this journey, and a certain kind of motivation to pull myself up by the bootstraps and move forward even on the bad days. I know at some point when things settle down I will re-read my entries and be happy to have them as records of our lives. And maybe when our kids get older they will value them as well.

Rex - Fifteen Weeks Home

Rex has now been home with us for fifteen weeks and out of the orphanage for seventeen. Life has been good, except for that darn time change which has been rough on our little guy. Rex is gaining weight and I think height, too. His onesies are getting tight in the crotch all of a sudden and the size 5 Pampers is on the horizon. Plus, he’s been sleeping a bit more lately and eating quite a lot of food. Seems like a growth spurt to me.

Developmentally, Rex is climbing all over the place, so nothing is really safe anymore. He pushes chairs up to counters to get what he wants and is reaching higher shelves in the pantry, like I mentioned a few days ago. When we forget to close the gate, he’s up the stairs in no time flat. He has started stacking when we make him though I don’t think he likes it one bit and he is beginning to open and close zippers. We are doubling up on OT sessions now as they are doing such wonders for him. We are also working very hard with Rex on verbal requesting. For example, he knows how to blow raspberries, so when he wants one of his buzz toys, he must blow a raspberry to get it. Or when he wants out on the deck, he must produce a G sound (guh=go). If he cannot or will not (he’s a stubborn little guy), we sign “go” hand over hand with him.

Rex keeps working in waves on attachment, always two steps forward and one step back. He actually will sit in our laps now for longer periods of time and he lets me guide his hands in a very rudimentary version of the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Previously, he would squirm and scream away from this activity, but now he sometimes asks for more of it. Eye contact was way up, but now he’s pulling back from it a little bit again. Craig has taken over bath time which involves even more play, so that’s going much better. I don’t know how far away we are from an actual sit down in the water bath, but I take the giggling standing up over the screaming standing up any day. The nightly teeth-brushing is going well as are haircuts. Even the most recent trimming of his nails went better than ever. Naps are wonderful these days. Rex rarely fights them now and usually as soon as we lie down on the bed, he snuggles up to me and then stays glued to me the entire time he sleeps. If I move, he moves to remain close. I love it.

Rex continues to try out new foods. I don’t remember them all, but popcorn, spicy beef taquitos, pepperjack cheese, hummus, salami and homemade German potato cakes (he eats them with salt like Craig and most of my family though I prefer them with sugar) were a hit while marinara sauce is a definite no go. He wasn’t sure about kitkat at Halloween. He’s not a candy and sweets kind of guy unless it’s something homemade.

A while ago I mentioned Rex’s daily quest to bring the deck chair into the kitchen. He finally did it:

Let’s see how the next two weeks go. Lots and lots of changes ahead.

IAC 196 Results

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 196 which was held on 10/07/11:

1) Cyprus dossier from April 2008 referred a female child aged 3 years and 5 months

2) Cyprus dossier from May 2008 referred a female child aged 1 year and 5 months

3) Greek dossier from June 2008 referred a male child aged 2 years 10 months

4) Spanish dossier from October 2008 referred a female child aged 2 years and 1 months

5) Spanish dossier from March 2009 referred a male child aged 4 years 10 months

6) Italian dossier from April 2009 referred a male child aged 6 years and 2 months

7) Spanish dossier from November 2009 referred a male child aged 2 years and 6 months with features in health status

8) Italian dossier from December 2009 referred a male child aged 8 years 3 months

9) U.S. dossier from October 2011 referred a waiting child (#1307) with a profile on the MOJ site

New Minister of Justice In Bulgaria

The current Bulgarian Minister of Justice, Margarita Popova, was elected vice-president in Bulgaria's October elections, so a new Minister of Justice will be announced next month. Let's hope that the switch in officials does not delay or affect international adoptions which are overseen by the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria.

You can read more about this story here:

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=133611

Did I Do That?

Well, Rex has figured out how to reach the second and third shelves in the pantry. The potato bin apparently makes a perfect step stool once it's discovered as such. On Sunday evening, before I could intervene, Rex had grabbed a bag off a shelf, opened it and... see that all over my kitchen floor? Who needs mulling spices anyway, right?

National Adoption Month - Meet Mariah

Meet ‘Mariah’

(DOB 10/09/2004)

Sweet Mariah is a favorite of the staff at her small orphanage, described by all who know her as a kind, charming, and inquisitive little girl. She enjoys school and eagerly completes her homework each day. Mariah is bilingual in English and her country’s native tongue. She has been diagnosed with spina bifida (lumbar region) and was placed with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 2005. Mariah uses a wheelchair to get around. She is under the care of a nephrologist due to diagnoses of neurogenic bladder, chronic pyelonephritis, vesiculoureteral Reflex IV degree. Mariah is a gorgeous, intelligent girl whose best friend was adopted a few years ago. Maybe Mariah can join her in the U.S. soon. She would make a wonderful addition to a family willing to give her a chance. Please contact info@hopscotchadoptions.org for details.

National Adoption Month - Meet Olivia

Meet 'Olivia'

DOB 09/06/2002

Olivia is nine years old and has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome with no corresponding physical ailments. She is reported to be an affectionate and empathetic child, particularly towards children and adults with whom she has formed a close bond. She enjoys playing with dolls and will often take on the role of mother caring for her “sick” baby. Olivia recently began attending school and is quickly becoming acclimated to the new school environment. She likes to look through books and reacts happily when there is a picture or scene she is able to identify. Olivia often accompanies her caregivers on walks around town, giving her a chance to learn more about the world around her. Olivia is a gorgeous girl who can be adopted with just two short trips to her country.

Parenting Perk #1

Surprises that make me laugh out loud when I discover them:

National Adoption Month - Meet Hope

Meet ‘Hope’

DOB 02/01/2009

Beautiful Hope was born with spina bifida and stunning brown eyes. Although unable to walk, she can sit up on her own. Hope loves books and music and “dances” when hearing it. She gives kisses easily and says bye-bye when people leave. She knows caregivers and other children by their names. Hope can tell you who is not in the room and her vocabulary is growing by the day. She likes mobile phones, toys, snack time, and strolls outside. Hope resides at a very small orphanage that is run more like a home with a great ratio of caregivers to children. Photos, updates and video are available by emailing info@hopscotchadoptions.org.

National Adoption Month - Meet Christian & Karson

These two sweeties are very special to me because I met them in person and interacted with them several times. I think about them often and would be thrilled if both were to find their forever families. Please consider them or pass on their information to those who would.

Meet ‘Christian’ - DOB 04/02/2009

Sweet Christian was born with Down Syndrome and a heart condition. He is easily engaged and loves to play interactively when given the opportunity. When I played with him, it looked like he was thinking, “Cause and effect… yes! Let’s see how many times I can get this lady to pick up the ball for me. I must have her wrapped around my finger.” Christian gives lots of smiles and rewards attention with cuddles and interaction. He can pull himself to stand and cruises. And he’s very handsome with light brown hair, brown eyes and beautiful eyebrows. Christian is loved very much by his caregivers. Photos and video available at info@hopscotchadoptions.org.

Meet ‘Karson’ - DOB 11/30/2008

This little guy has brown hair, big brown eyes and Down Syndrome. Karson is very active, makes eye contact, grasps toys and is interested in his surroundings. When I met Karson, I was struck by how very handsome and loving he is. He enjoys being held, smiles and interacts easily. Additional information is available via info@hopscotchadoptions.org.

Counting The Days...

... to being with her again.

National Adoption Month - Meet Gavin

Meet ‘Gavin’

(DOB 2/16/2009)

Gavin was born with a genetic condition called Ichthyosis vulgaris, a skin disorder which is commonly known as 'fish scale disease.' This skin disorder causes dry, scaly skin which can be treated but not cured. The disease has a substantial incidence, affecting one person out of every two hundred and fifty people. When looking at Gavin, it might be difficult at first to get past the appearance of his skin, but it’s important to remember that he is otherwise a fully healthy child with normal development. And he is cute with light brown hair, brown eyes and a sweet smile. Plus, his skin will look much better with proper care and treatment in a family. Gavin is appropriately cautious of strangers, but interacts easily with other children and caregivers. Gavin enjoys running about and expresses curiosity in others and toys. Additional medical, photos and video are available by contacting info@hopscotchadoptions.org.

National Adoption Month - Meet Annalise

Since it is National Adoption Month, I would like to advocate throughout the next week for several beautiful children who have waited for forever families for a long time and deserve a chance at some publicity to help find their parents. I cannot disclose where those kids are located, but you can be sure that they live in a country near and dear to my heart. I encourage you to pass this information on if you know of anyone who might be interested in these little sweethearts.

Meet “Annalise’

(DOB: 8/16/2003)

This energetic, vibrant, 8-year-old little girl was born with Down syndrome and is ready for an active family with lots of structure. Annalise has dark brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. She can understand and speak two languages, including English. In 2003, Annalise had surgery to repair a heart defect and has required no additional treatment since then. Annalise is beaming with sunshine and loves cell phones and cameras, like all curious little girls! She enjoys being the center of attention and is very smart!

Even though I did not meet Annalise in person, I know she resides at a wonderful, small orphanage that is run more like a home. She has seen many of her friends be adopted and always seems to wonder when it will be her turn to have a family. Hopefully she will not have to wait much longer.

If you are interested in learning more about his special little girl, please contact Hopscotch Adoptions at info@hopscotchadoptions.org.