Stairs finished (almost)!

Eric is building a beautiful staircase that goes from our 2nd floor (living level) to the roof deck. The treads and risers are recycled southern yellow pine (former high school bleacher seats), the silver maple pickets and handrail came from my aunt and uncle's land; the hemlock newel posts have been in the "collection" on the first floor (wood shop & play room) so long we can't remember where they came from. That's our thing, with all building projects - using everything we can that is salvaged, misordered, left over, moved from a different part of the building, gifted, etc. For example, to complete this bookshelf unit Eric used 4 old shelves from a toy store, 2 mistakes from a cabinet shop (cheap) and the glass shelves were in the bar of this building from the American Legion years.

A Community Waiting

Eric and I live in a wonderful little town that is also waiting anxiously for our boys to come home. Quite frankly we are looking forward to hunkering down with the boys and getting to know our town together, as we are currently commuting a ridiculous amount (both of us) and haven't spent much time here. We will each have time off from work to travel and begin bonding, with help from Melissa's mom (who is traveling with us) and many, many other family members and friends, no doubt.

The photos are of the local elementary school; the playground is within walking distance (even for little legs) from our home. The mighty Penobscot River flows through town, and the small village (no stop lights) has a gas station and the famous Winterport Pizza House (far right).

Handsome Boy

After a comment I made to our social worker about the little guy always crying in photos, they sent an employee in India back to the orphanage to try to capture a more "relaxed" moment. Well, he's not crying, but he sure looks like he may at any minute. I am thankful they will have regular contact with the boys until we arrive. I know I can't possibly be objective, but I think he sure is handsome!

New Photos!!!

We received these photos from the agency today! They were taken last week at the orphanage in Pune and show the boys with the birthday gifts and cards we sent over last month. Unfortunately, the little guy does not seem as cheery as his older brothers, nor as impressed with the stuffed animal!

Mother's Day nesting

Although I am not quite officially a mother, today I was seriously nesting and (mostly) finished the older boys bedroom. The teddy bear is concealing an open electrical outlet, the door needs another coat of paint and the windows are still being "detailed," but it was good enough to unpack some clothes we've "inherited." Thanks everyone! Also, we should mention the floors were re-finished courtesy of Don Dickel Wood Floors of Winterport, ME , the quits were made in India and came from an awesome shop in Amherst, MA called The Claw Foot Tub, carpentry by Eric and painting by Melissa. The boys will sleep in the toddler beds until they are ready for the bunks, which are very, very tall!

The Older Boys

I've been reading about twins lately, trying to understand what special care or concerns we may have with the older boys. It is clear from the photographs and the reports from those who have spent time with them that the older boys are close. They have also been described as "active, energetic, and mischievous" by the social worker. The boys are enrolled in pre-school for the fall; I have to admit it was strange talking about "our boys" before we meet them, but the program is nearly full already so waiting was not an option. The teacher says there is another set of twin 4-year-old boys in the program - should be interesting! See below for highlights of the latest reading - Chapter 24: Parenting the Toddler, twins section:

*avoid calling them "the twins;" instead call them by name or refer to them as the boys or the older boys
*make sure you and everyone else can tell them apart (our guys are fraternal so shouldn't be a huge deal)
*let them make individual fashion statements, don't dress them in identical outfits (occasionally okay)
*provide each twin with his/her own toys & other possessions
*treat them equitably but not always the same
*spend time alone with each child
*beware of comparisons and other-sibling rivalry

The Little Guy

The little guy has a birthday this week and is turning two! This photo, taken last summer, is the only one we have of him by himself. Poor thing, already suffering the "3rd child" syndrome! We are expecting new photos soon, as another agency family will travel to the orphanage to pick up their child later this month. We will likely take photos for others during our trip as well as drop off gifts for children in the orphanage. I will be posting a list soon of items we are collecting to give as gifts while we are in India. We would like to give a gift to each child in the orphanage as well as to the caregivers.

What & When?

I assume some of you are wondering what exactly we are waiting for and when we will travel to pick up the boys in Pune, India. Obviously, given the choice we'd be on a plane tomorrow; especially since we know the boys have been told they are being adopted and have seen photos of us, our families, pets, home, etc. That means the boys (at least the older boys) are also waiting now. Now they are saying we will likely travel in June or July, which would be ideal, since I am a teacher and have some "time off" in the summer months. What we are waiting for is the approval of a local level "scrutiny committee" (we already have approval from the Indian government), a guardianship court appointment (a lawyer appears on our behalf), the actual issuing of guardianship (more waiting for a paper), ICPC approval (an INS thing), issuing of the boys passports and making travel arrangements. Although this sounds like an enormous list, we are not worried about any of these milestones because they are all basically red tape items. In addition, we are so busy preparing the house the time is passing quicker now!

*The above photo is our dog Henry, who is seven years old and in for quite a change as he will no longer be an "only child." We found him napping on one of the toddler beds we have received from friends and will set up for the older boys until they are ready for the built-in bunk beds.