Our Virtual twins and language development

I have been doing some interesting research on Virtual twins. Virtual twins is defined by psychologists as 2 children who have no genetic connection, who are less then 9 months apart, and grow up in the same family from a young age.By that definition are little Russians are virtual twins.Psychologists have done a number of studies to see how environment vs genetics plays out.From what I have noticed is that virtual twins is much like rearing fraternal twins. I have noticed some interesting twin like behaviors in our munchkins. What I find interesting is they have only known each other for a little over 4 months and yet they appear to have a very deep connection to one another and have some very classic twin behaviors.It will certainly be interesting to see their relationship in a few years.Would love to hear from any ones experiences with virtual twins.
On the subject of language development, it has been fascinating to see both Brock and Milana switch their primary language so quickly.Four months ago they only spoke Russian words to one another but understood a lot that was spoken to them in Russian and now they will only use English and Swiss words . They are now putting 3 to 4 words together.It is often a combination of both English and Swiss words but, it is so interesting that they do not use Russian words to speak even though still understand it. We have a couple people we know who speak to them often only in Russian and they clearly still understand it by their actions.Just interesting to see how many changes can take place in such a short amount of time.
They are certainly keeping us busy but we would not have it any other way !

The things we share

One of the things I feel very strongly about is to document our lives through pictures,journals,letters,life books,blogs or any other way we can.I so appreciate those who wrote about my life before I came to the US. What I cherish now is that my adopted children and I share more then one may think. We do not share genetics but, we share some history. One of those things I have been trying to do is document as much as possible about the lives of adopted children in their life books.They each have a their own story before they entered our lives and hope that some day their families will appreciate it too.The top picture is of myself and brother 40 years ago in Warsaw Poland. The bottom pic is the day before we left Russia to come home with our children.

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.