Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All! We hope this message finds you all healthy and happy!

Wow - what a difference a year makes! Last year at this time we had just received the referral for the boys and were frantically putting paperwork together to mail off to India! This year we enjoyed the holidays with close family and friends and our three sons! Needless to say, the boys thought Christmas was fantastic! They got bicycles (and Owen a tricycle) and stockings with presents from Santa Claus; legos, Playmobile and a book from Mommy & Daddy, and many wonderful gifts from family & friends! Overall the kids did very well with the hustle and bustle of numerous house guests, meals with many folks and disrupted schedules we have worked so hard to maintain (no naps got a bit ugly by the end of the day yesterday). Despite all the fancy things, the favorite items for all the boys were the 88 cent flashlights Santa packed in the stockings and 3 apples from Daddy's friend Randy - go figure! We're really enjoying our time off with the boys, no doubt it will make going back to work tough. That's all for now - here is the first batch of photos - from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I should have more in a day or two from another family event - hope you enjoy them! Love & Hugs & Peace to All!

Christmas is Coming!

They don't know exactly what it is, but they know it's good and it is happening soon. The older boys keep questioning - "Christmas is coming?" I know they sense the excitement and keep talking about Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, gingerbread and more! Grammy helped us decorate the tree last weekend and they still point out the lights every time we turn it on. Owen's new favorite word is "yite," which he happily screams during our pre-sunrise commute as we pass by homes and businesses with holiday lights. Sam and Charlie have been coloring (they are getting so much better) candy canes and reindeer and pushing all the noise-making ornaments at relatives' homes. We are trying to keep the gift giving to a minimum, since they still get over-stimulated with too much stuff, but no doubt they will be showered with love this holiday season. Everyone is doing great! Sleeping and eating well, and adjusting better than expected to the new daily routine. We made it through my first three weeks back to school, juggling schedules- babysitters, preschool, Grammy, daycare and Daddy's afternoons - as well as chores, driving, shopping, working and, oh yeah, giving each boy the time and attention they crave and deserve! I am a bit sleep-deprived (so is Eric), but other than that happy! I have two weeks school vacation, then back to class. I am having a great time at work; we have a good group this year - curious and mostly kind - I see 85 6th graders for social studies everyday. Eric is busy at work, but building in Maine has slowed down considerably, like everywhere else in the U.S. He spends two afternoons a week at home, starting at noon with the preschool pick-up. Owen has been going to daycare 2-3 days a week and is thriving there. He is socializing well, very physically active (8-10 boys in the program) and is now becoming upset because he doesn't want to leave when I come to pick him up (to be fair, no one can compete with an indoor, elevated sand table). I guess that's all for now, off to bed and can't wait to sleep in! Hopefully...

Finally, an update!

Okay, I know it's been a ridiculously long time since my last post, I hope you understand since I am back at work now. The schedule and hours are insane, and keeping everything and everyone organized has been a huge challenge, but I think we're going to make it through this hurdle! The boys are being troopers, and certainly letting us know when it's all too much; unfortunately there have been a few times we have not been able to change the plan for them. This past week, only my second week back, I had student-led/parent-teacher conferences and was away two nights in a row (not good). But, I also took today off for a doctor's appointment for Owen (pesky ear infection, beginning second round of antibiotics, just to be sure) and we visited with Grammy and Nanny (grandmother & great-grandmother) and went out to lunch. It turns out, it was a snow day anyway! so I won't loose a sick day. Owen has finally broken 20 lbs.! I know, still so small, but he really is growing! Since he's been with us (just over 3 months) he has grown nearly 3 inches taller! He is going to daycare now 2-3 days a week and is doing quite well there. The other days he's with Grammy who is spoiling him rotten, but also getting to see some of his recent, typical 2 1/2 year old behaviors. Sam & Charlie are doing okay with the new schedule, although they are not listening to the morning babysitter as much as we or she would like. She's a sweet college student who comes at 6:30am-8:30am , so I can't really be too hard on her for not being tougher. Each of the boys has had one pretty terrible day at preschool, luckily that seems to be subsiding. I think the hardest part on Daddy is probably the extra work (he already does a lot!) and losing two afternoons a week on the jobsite. Of course the upside is more bonding time with the boys. Mommy is facing several new challenges, the most difficult of which is leaving a child behind saying "Mommy, no work!" or the first time Owen cried (real tears) when I left him at daycare. Staying up late doing laundry, packing lunches and backpacks is a breeze compared to that.

We have had several new fun firsts - like the first Thanksgiving, first snow and first girlfriend (Sam)! Owen spent his first night away (at Grammy's, GeeGee was in Florida), we met Santa Claus for the first time - at another first - the preschool Christmas production - where Sam & Charlie were the only kids who did not stay in line or for that matter on the stage! I would like to say Owen has taken his first steps without assistance, but it hasn't happened yet. However, he is cruising! Climbing up on everything (chairs, couch, on top of the desk, and the bunk bed ladder- which has now been removed). He walks holding on to things and with only one finger, but hasn't taken that first solo step! Any day we think!

Photos are:
Owen & Mommy at Thanksgiving (forgot the booster seat - rookie parent mistake)
Sam & Charlie with Uncle Willy (yes, I also noticed the knife in Charlie's hand - danger!)
Hanging with the cousins on the bunk bed - from left Owen, Charlie, Sophie, Joey, Sam
First snow! Sam (red) and Charlie (blue) love it!
Preschool Christmas show - Sam (yellow) & Charlie (blue)
Owen with "big boy outfit" and fancy new boots
Sam & his special friend: "my Hailey"
Owen & Daddy - first snow!
Uncle Allan & the older boys
3 boys in a box - it now contains all their winter clothes, boots, shoes, etc.) - notice names on shirts

Trial Run

The babysitter called about 7am - "Sam won't eat his breakfast, he's pushing his cereal and juice away, what should I do?" Oh no, I think, only 20 minutes into my first day back at work (actually I was driving to work) and already a crisis. "Put him on the phone," I say, and in a serious mom tone (which I've nearly perfected) I firmly state the facts to him : "Sam- no breakfast, no preschool." He didn't respond on the phone but the babysitter left a note saying he ate his breakfast and both boys were "great." By the way, I know this is terrible parenting; obviously, even if he hadn't eaten the cereal he would have been dropped off at school because the babysitter had to go to class! Luckily, they love school so much I can still bribe them with it, but I'm sure my days are numbered.

Owen also had a big day - his first full shift at daycare - he did great! Mommy did well to only call once, okay twice, but the second time was only to find out if he was still sleeping because school was over. The facility is great, in an old elementary school where they have use of the gym in the morning. I've known one of his teachers over 3 years so I didn't feel like I was dropping him off with a stranger and they reported he ate well, played hard - loved the sand table - and even managed to nap for about 45 minutes (he's generally not a good napper). He'll be riding with me two or three days a week to go to daycare and the other days he'll have "Grammy time," or occasionally Eric or I will take a day off. The time has flown by, I can't believe it's almost been 3 months! I also can't believe how far the boys have come in such a short amount of time - physically bigger, major progress with the language, begining to understand family life and the concept of "home." It's wonderful! That's all for now - too tired. New photos next time, I promise.

Fun with the Elders

Well, I've been sitting on these photos for over a week so it's time for an entry; I am finding less time to post these days and wonder if I'll manage at all once I go back to work full time after Thanksgiving. The childcare plan is coming together; next week we'll have a practice day when I go to work to observe/get to know the kids. I'll let you know how it goes...

The boys have been having a blast visiting the grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins! Nanny (great-grandmother) cruises around on her scooter as the older boys hang on. At Grammy & GeeGee's playing in the leaves outside and building block towers are fun! The only thing better than GeeGee's moustache is wearing shades on his lap.

Owen is pulling himself up on everything! He's standing, walking sideways on furniture and gates and loves walking while holding on to a grown-ups fingers. He is very pleased with his progress and naturally becomes grumpy when he's shut out of once open areas. Sam & Charlie are speaking more in phrases and sentences as well as learning new words daily. English is so fun with confusing issues like "bottom" for butt as well as the bottom drawer. Owen is also making huge progress with communication (mostly in single words) and growing daily!

The older boys finally got a real haircut - their first since being in the states. As you can see by the photo, Sam loved it (even got gel) - Charlie - not so much. Sam & Charlie had another first today - they attended their first birthday party. I was worried they might get disturbed when another child opened presents, blew out candles, etc. but we had no troubles. There were so many other kids and toys there they barely noticed the event itself. Of course they did not want to leave the party - the good news, no tantrums (only mild whining). Well, that's all for now-

Two Poohs and a Pumpkin

Luckily, the afternoon before the preschool Halloween party (and two days before Trick-or-treating) Mommy found the boys affordable, practical and adorable costumes that fit (second hand store on Hammond St. - under $20 for all 3)! Although Owen probably didn't appreciate the whole trick or treating experience as much as the older boys, he does like to indulge in the 'tocolat."

We all raked leaves today, even though the trees are still 1/2 full. Sam & Charlie love to help Daddy do everything; they especially love to go for rides in the truck and were quite disappointed today when there was no trip to the dump after putting leaves in the trailer.

Owen is making huge progress daily - he's standing now for long periods and walking sideways (while holding on to something). He is also "walking" and jumping while holding our hands; this is a big deal because until this week he has never shown any interest in doing this - we used to hold him in the walk position and he would fold his legs up away from the floor. It is wonderful to see him smile - he is so proud of himself with his new mobility and often claps with us after a big new experience!

Hockey season is back! We follow the University of Maine men's team and share season tickets with my folks. Even more exciting than the games (won last night, 4-1) is the fact that we have an excuse to go on dates! We expected to loose most of our "alone time" after the kids came home, but I don't think we knew how much we'd really miss it!

October Update

Owen is standing! This photo was from his very first day upright.

The older boys are "exploring" the lower bunk; no one is sleeping up there yet, but Charlie is interested - Sam, not so much. Looks safe, eh?

Henry has rejoined the family, mostly full-time; sometimes he gets too hot upstairs as we've been cranking the woodstove to keep the floor creepers warm. He thinks taking naps in the play tent is fantastic and he guards the boys doors when they are napping.

The rocking chair full of love is what I'll be leaving when I go back to work soon!; things are falling in place with the schedule, caregivers, etc. We are so lucky to have support close by; aside from Grammy and other family members the plan will likely include a morning babysitter/transportation person, and an additional facility for Owen a couple of mornings - to hang out with kids his own age. Tomorrow I'm checking the place out and Thursday interviewing the babysitter.

We have contact!

Very exciting news, the boys have touched the pets! Yes, it's true. All three boys have actually petted Pretty Kitty (pictured here; sadly, we lost our cat Luke last week to cancer). Owen continues to be the most brave, with Sam a close second. Charlie is still not excited about the idea, but with assistance has also pet the critters, even our very large dog Henry. This is a huge step since they were all terrified of the animals when they arrived home.

We have also been pumpkin picking, "helping" Daddy fix some things in the bathroom, and dressing all the same (not a regular thing). Not pictured: Sam & Charlie helping Daddy stack wood, Owen going to library groups for reading, making music & hanging out with other little kids, many visit with aunties and uncles (in one case Sam unbuckling his car seat while underway-he can't reach the ones in our car), and generally good eating, sleeping, and yes, pooping. We have also been collecting and raking a lot of leaves, which are falling rapidly this week.

On Sunday we went to Belfast to look for "boats and boots" (the letter B this week at preschool). We found both, although Owen didn't get boots (do they make snow boots for baby size 3 or 4?). The older boys were excited at first; however the next day they were disappointed when they weren't allowed to wear them to preschool. I can't wait for snow - I can't imagine what they'll think!