[angelkisses0102]

A while ago I posted an old timers update thread. So now how about an update from you folks who have come home in the recent past...up to a couple of years ago (if you didn't update on the other thread.) Oh and save those before and afters, if you can...I am thinking it may be time to do that again too since hopefully adoptions from Russia will start increasing soon.

So, how about sharing the good, the bad and the ugly? Maybe share how the reality of adopting was verses your expecations. What would have made it easier for both you and your child? And of course share pictures of your cuties!

[votemom]

well, we definitely qualify as newly home. today is 10 days home. it's amazing to me how well the girls are doing. they seem so relaxed and happy. just pictures a week later are telling.... it's really remarkable how they endured the brutal trip home, were dropped into a very big and noisy new family, and are just settled in and coping so well.

i know, it's the honeymoon period, but i'm certainly thankful for how things are going so far.

they sleep 11-12 hr/night and nap 90 min to 2 hrs each day. they eat well. we have to visit the "time out rug" here and there, but they respond well to it and we are seeing good behavior overall.

today i learned a lesson about too many visitors. my 13 yr old son had two friends over, and i had 2 different friends visit in the same time span. it was too much for K. nothing huge, but i could just tell she was on overload. now that it's just us in the house again, she has relaxed and is happily playing.

here are pix of the girlies taken yesterday.

[tigger44]

Votemom: your girls are beauties! Congratulations!

[lnussbaum]

votemom, how old are your daughters? They are adorable!

[votemom]

they will both turn two years old in august. thank you - we think they are beautiful too!

[lovestruck]

We have been home from Kaz for about six weeks now with our 10 month old daughter. For those that are new and wondering why I am on the Russian boards, well we were adopting from Russia for over 18 months when we switched agencies and countries, but I stuck around due to the friendships I made here.

Anyway, things have gone remarkably well for us so far. I had my daughter with us for two months in country so I know that made our transition home much easier.

The biggest challenge we have faced has been the carseat! She hated it so much so she made herself vomit all over herself and scared me to death. We are making progress, but some days the car rides are still a little difficult. I try not to go anywhere I don't have to go.

[MamaChinch]

We are coming up on our one year anniversary Aug 8th officially, Aug 9th Gotcha! and Aug 16th home! Delaney is now 2.5 years and running the show! I had no idea how wonderful it would be to have this amazing child in my life, adopting was an amazing expereince for me and I have wonderful new friends form our journey! She is healthy, funny, smart, beautiful and makes me laugh every single day! It's as if she just flipped a switch inside and said okay, these are my people, this is my house, this is how they talk...I"ll play! Delaney had a blast sight-seeing in Moscow and called me Mama on our second day together! She speaks way above average for her age, remembers everything and signs and speaks Spanish.

That said.....she is TWO! And an "excellent" one I might add! She defenitely wants her way and is very strong willed. I've tried many and have to keep changing my methods with her! Everyone loves her, she has such a charming, magnetic personality. I want to cry watching her because as she sings and dances and skips her way around the house, I know she is happy!
And she has her days when I want to ring her little Russian neck! The worse part for me is going to work, the other day she said, "Mommy, no go work, stay and play with Delaney!" I wanted to cry, again! Oh, and I hate that she is at the age where she has to touch and grab everything! ugh!!! She goes down without any fuss for a nap and bed, and sleeps all night! She actually LIKES going nite-nite and will even ask to! Perfect for a single, tired, mom! I am utterly and blissfully the happiest Mommy!

The pics are: professional protraits, 4th of July, and something that happens when you let a 2 year old dress themselves!
http://ramsellfamily/blogspot.com/

[amyfk]

We will be home with our baby daughter Joanna 1 year on Oct. 21.
We have been very lucky with her so far. She has brought a lot of joy and happiness to our lives. We were one of those childless(and I emphasize childless ) couples before Joanna came.
She is very bright. She says many new words, and she understands even more than she says. She has a very happy go lucky nature and everyone is crazy about her. The only concern I'm having is that she's having digestive issues. We are taking her to a specialist this Fri.
Otherwise, she's so great to have around.
Amy K, NJ

[GCS]

the kids are all so beautiful!!!

[angelkisses0102]

Thanks so much for sharing! And I KNOW there are more of you out there...come out, come out where ever you are. I do remember a few who adopted two at once, so you all are probably very busy but we would love to hear from you.

votemom...just so you know...DD slept like you girls since day one. I can honestly say she has awakened during the night less than a dozen times in the past 5 years...so fingers-crossed.

ALL OF THESE KIDDOS ARE JUST TOO ADORABLE!!!

[Ebadge90]

We brought our little boy home on November 16, 2006. He will be 2 in September. I know, I still have not posted any pictures. They are all too big, or that is what the webpage keeps telling me.
I cannot even remember what my life was like before we brought him home. He has changed our lives totally, and always for the better. He is a little delayed verbally, but the comprehension is there and all the "experts" say the talking will catch up.
With all due respect to my wife, adopting Jimmy is the best decision that I have ever made.

[dlhall]

We've been home almost 1.5 years with our son Peter and life is a whirlwind. He is sooo different than his sister--especially how active he is. He wears me out, but I love him to pieces!

He's a little verbally delayed, but in the past couple months we've seen an explosion of new vocabulary. We can't always understand him, but he tries really hard to say the words. He's really big for his age (2.5). He's already 33 pounds and 38" tall.

Liz