Temple Day

This past weekend we had the great blessing of having our little adopted children Milana and Brock sealed to our family for time and all eternity. We had the sealing at the Los Angeles Mormon Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.It was a wonderful day to be surrounded by family and friends who have supported us through our adoption journey. We are so grateful for the blessings of the temple and know we can be together forever.It was a beautiful day despite the cold 40 something degree weather that we had here in Southern California last weekend. I know we are so spoiled in that regard. We are so happy our little ones are now forever ours !

Then and Now 3 months ours !

Our little ones have been ours for just over three months now. It is so AMAZING to see the changes in them. I started organizing the pictures of our trips to Russia and getting their stories in an adoption/photo album book.That is a BIG job!!With this comes the reality of how our little ones have changed in such a short amount of time.It has been so sweet to look at pics with our little ones and have them look at pics of their little orphanage friends and kiss them through the computer.Every time we have looked at pics of Russia Little Brock says " Bye Bye Russia" then climbs on me and says " Brock Mama " and snuggles in.Little Milana especially had a special friend that was adopted at the same time.Every time she looks at a pic of her friend ( who know lives in the U.S. too) she screams for joy !! Sometimes I just tear up to think of all that they have had to go through in their short life.In less then a month we already start our first post placement report. Now that they are home time is just flying by so fast.We love our busy little blessings so much !

Making Progress !

Certain things are no longer on my to do list since the kiddos came home.We have been busy !

We have seen several doctors.We have had pretty positive news regarding their health status. Milana has already made it on the growth chart for both weight and head circumference. She is 2 and a half and is now 25 pounds. Two pounds in weight gain so far.Brock is still not on the charts but, is growing and is up to 26 pounds.Other then an ear infection and cold they have been doing really well. They have been really troopers in regards to getting blood work done. We have been very fortunate that the sweet gal at the lab is Russian and she speaks Russian to them and makes the experience less traumatic.Their language skills are also continuing to explode with words.Brock loves to say "OH MY GOODNESS" and Milana always says "BYE BYE CAR".She is a go go go type of little girl.
Besides medical stuff, we applied and received their social security cards. We also got our passports stuff done as well. Our little ones are now proud citizens of three different countries.
The next week or so we will see if they qualify for any speech or OT.I will try to push for it but, with budget cuts I do not know.
Our little ones are becoming so much part of our family and each day I think of the miracle that they actually made it home !!

5 weeks home from Russia

The children are doing great. They are growing and learning so much.I am amazed at how much they understand already and are beginning to say in English and Swiss. Each day we are thankful they are home and belong to us !! The stress of our adoption journey is SLOWLY beginning to fade as we grow to love them more each day. Yes, of course there are things we are working on with them being toddlers and having lived in an orphanage much of their babyhood but, we expected them to go through an adjustment period and learn to be part of a family. Our journey to bring them home was one of the most difficult experiences with all the uncertainties of not knowing how the story would end however, we have now moved on to our new journey to teach them our family values and learn of their great purpose as sons and daughters of a loving God.It is the most sweetest thing to see them fold their arms and bow there heads to pray.The feeling of completeness has arrived for our family and we are so grateful.

We just love them !

We are a very busy family these days. Milana and Brock are doing well.Brock is mellow and charming and Milana is a firecracker and full of endless energy and very stubborn! They are picking up english very quickly.Brock is still having skin rashes probably due to allergies we are still trying to figure out but, getting better.Both are eating very well and have stopped hoarding food so much.Milana has already gained almost 2 pounds.I think she will catch up very quickly. Brock is still the same but, eating well.They are the same size so most people think they are twins.They are picking up english very quickly and are obviously liking all the attention they recieve from their siblings.They have enjoyed wagon rides, looking at christmas lights and running around outside without being bundled up like little russians in December.They are becoming little Californians and getting their vitamin D .Having two little toddlers is an adjustment again but, we are just so happy they are here.

We are HOME HOME HOME !!

After a LONG 28 hour journey from Russia we are finally home with our kids !! Getting through the airports was bit challenging at times but, all considered they did pretty well. We are used to traveling internationally with children when we go back to my homeland Switzerland with the other kids so,I knew to just get through it.The kids are settling in nicely.The main issue right now is their sleep. Both are having a hard time letting themselves fall asleep. This will take some time. Miss Milana has already started to test her limits with all the over stimulation at home too. Parenting has already started.One of the most wonderful things however, I have seen is how Brock and Milana who NEVER met each until Gotcha day(since they were in separate orphanages 3 hours apart) have been a wonderful comfort to one another. Most people think they are twins because they are the same size even though Brock is 8 months older.Both kids are small but, I can already see some filling out.They have really enjoyed all the attention from all their older siblings. The first night home all of their 5 older siblings and auntie gave them a bath. They loved it !! The next few weeks will be really busy with appointments plus all the Christmas stuff !!I am not sure how I am going to get it all done but,now that I am the mom of 7 I know sometimes some things may just do not make it off the list so prioritizing will be in order.I can finally say this 3 year long and difficult journey to bring our children home has ended and now we can begin our new journey together !!We will have lots of stories to tell since we can also say now we made it through court with the SAME judge as the women who sent her child back to Russia and almost halted Russian adoptions! That was an experience !! I am just SO HAPPY TO BE HOME WITH OUR CHILDREN !!!!

Our first week together

We have gotten through the first week !! Overall we are adjusting pretty well although it is exhausting doing this pick up trip on my own with two little ones.I will be glad when hubby comes to pick us us for the trip home! Personalities are already starting to emerge and some orphanage behaviors as well. Nothing that I was not prepared for just hard to see.Both children EAT EVERYTHING and eat it very fast.I have noticied the last couple days they are finally slowing down the food intake just a bit.It is funny trying to teach them to use a sippy cup because they already drink from a regular really well.Miss Milana is a good sleeper so far but, Little Brock is definitely NOT.
The last week we have been busy getting Passports,Visa's and new birth certificates.Yesterday we went to the US embassy so, all that is left is for the courier to get back from Moscow to register children.It has been relatively nice weather here for this time of year so I have been able to take the kids for walks. Although that all changed last night and it is now very snowy and Cold.After 4 trips to Russia this year I am so happy to go home on Monday ! When we return home we will be having our own Thanksgiving feast !!