[angelkisses0102]

I know we have quite a few families that have come home in the past year and I would love to hear some updates...as would others I am sure. I also know there are many of us 'old timers' who still hang around...who could also update. And of course, all the newbies who are in process (yay for you all!) who could update....soooooo...

HOW ABOUT UPDATING US!?!?! The more details and photos...the better! And if you don't have kiddos home yet...please share you fur-babies or any other photo you would like!

Come on, you know you want to show off your little (and not so little) ones and share all the details of your 'quest' to adopt a Russian beauty.

SHARE! SHARE! SHARE!

Karen

[angelkisses0102]

I'll start with DD...she is doing AWESOME ever since we decided to medicate her for her ADHD!!!!! Vyvanse is a true miracle drug at our house.

DD is 7, completing second grade this week and was adopted at almost 11 months old from Tomsk...she had kidney/bladder issues as a baby and was wayyyyy below the growth charts for her first three years home. Today she is still tiny but way SPUNKY!

Last month her I met with her teacher to discuss her progress this year (DD struggled in Kindy and first grade due to the ADHD and being emotionally and socially immature.) Here are some of her comments;

"...is always happy."

"She has the qualities needed to be a good, caring friend..."

"A is continuing to make progress in all areas. She is developing self-esteem and she definitely has the confidence..."

"...her ability to stay self-directed and motivated is appropriate for her level..."

"I see her becoming more independent in the classroom daily."

She closes with (and confided she does NOT add to the other reports)

"It is such a pleasure working with A and watching her grow as a student. Her progress this year is incredible. She is a delightful young lady."

What a great experience! I was beaming when I walked out of the classroom that morning...the principal happened to be right outside the room and gave me a huge grin (she was very familiar with DD and participated in her child study.) My kid finally has self-esteem and friends. Academically she is improving as well...even though she was always at grade level(or higher)...she's doing even better.

Earlier this month...her teacher called to update me on DD's standardized testing score (SAT)...I was a tad nervous since she called but. ... The reason she called was because DD's score jumped 17 points...this is huge. The norm is to remain within a few points of last years score...a 10 point change is a standard deviation...so a 17 point change is...amazing. And this was with only medication...we made no other acommodations for DD during the testing...something we could have done.

Finally this past week the kids school recognized the kids for reading...DD got the max awards...two medals and five certificates for reading 75 chapter books, reading over 5000 minutes at home and reading specific books chosen by the district. Can you say one proud momma?!

This all from one of those 'high risk, tiny headed referrals!' And is she adorable or what to boot?!

Thanks for letting me continue to share and brag here. Here's some shots from a recent 'mommy photo shot.'

[momofMikhail]

Our ds has been home for 14 months now (wow I did not realize it had been that long). He is doing wonderful, his speech has blossomed like you would not believe. He loves to say NO! And to see dd and ds together you would think ds has been in our lives forever. Ds loves to sing, dance, and jump all over our house. He hates bugs, and seeing people upset. Ds has turned our lives completely upside down, and we are loving every minute of it.

The first photo is of DD and DS right after we got home from a wedding about a week ago. The second is at an easter egg hunt in April, and the third is from sometime in March.

[angelkisses0102]

Now onto my 'baby' who happens to be almost six ...home since he was eight months old and born in Samara. This has been one he%# of a year for my boy...certainly not what we would have ever guessed.

DS started Kindy this year as a very young five year old...if he had not had an IEP there was no way we would have started him this year. But he has done so very, very well this year...even though he is repeating Kindy (at our request not the school's) he is doing great. He has kept up with his 'typically developing' peers even though he has many other struggles...including his biggie this year...juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He is also probable FAE...but boy oh boy is this boy amazing.

He is am emerging reader, knows 75 of the 100 sight words they learned this year, can tell you (on a calendar) what today, tomorrow and yesterday are, he can count our three coins from a cup of pennies, nickels, and dimes, and write out and solve a math word problem (Jimmy has 4 red cars and Timmy has 5 blue cars...how many cars do they have together...or 4 + 5 = 9) and of course...read!

This year he also got glasses (in April) because he was almost legally blind....and of course April brought us the JRA poly-arthritis diagnosis. He has struggled with this dx. Some of these pictures show him and his drugs and in his arthritis walk tee and shirt! (Support your local arthritis foundation chapter!)

But how adorable is my 'baby' boy these days?! Again thanks for letting me brag and share...please feel free to do both as well!!!!

[Pinkie]

Old timer here with an update....

Antonina and I moved to the UK last July which of course was a huge move for the both of us but I can honestly say the best move...we have both settled well I managed to enrol her into a small village school which has a total of something like 58 children aging from 4 to 11. She has excelled both academically and socially...well she never had a problem socially (he he). I'm going to be honest and say that the last 3 years I have dreaded Antonina's school report but this year I am looking forward to it! I cannot praise Antonina or her school enough.

Her activities at the moment are ballet every week which she enjoys, I wouldn't say she loves it but she is comfortable with it and the other classes she does on the same day, I think its jazz and acrobate. The class lasts for one and a half hours and we always have a take out supper of some description and sit on the couch together with the tv on (big treat). She is taking a course on eco-art for eight weeks which she adores. Everything they make is from re-cycled goods and the work she brings home is amazing. Another 8 week course she is doing at present is street dancing which she does with her best friend and they have a blast!

Generally speaking Antonina is doing wonderfully but every now and again we have a set back, nothing major but...well.... just something to remind me that she has had trauma in her life so I hooked up with my local post-adoption services group and they are not only a good support group but I think I'll make some nice new friends aswell.

Since moving back to the UK Antonina celebrated her baptism back in December and then she celebrate her First Holy Communion just last weekend. I think I've also posted a shot of the two of us at the local fair back in October or November (we had a blast), a day trip we had in February where she is pretending to be eaten by a crocadile...I hope this shows her good sense of humour and fun and finally a shot of her and some of our animals taken in May when she went on her first school trip that involved a night away from home!!

[kretzklan]

Well...oldtimer here as well. We've been home three and a half years and the kids have come a long way. Due to things happening in our lives - I am no longer posting pics (which kills me) or using their names online...but here is info on what is going on with us.
DD just turned 10 and she is still a little peanut. She finished third grade a week ago and I can not believe that 4th is around the corner. She is an excellent tumbler/cheerleader and we are biding our time to jump back into competitive cheerleading teams. It's a big time committment. She is still training with a coach in cheer and tumble privately. She plays rec softball and it's getting going. She is funny and sweet most of the time!
DS2 just turned 11 and finished 5th grade...he's getting so old - but not so big...still a peanut as well. He did well in school this year and actually enjoyed it...an avid reader and accomplished artist - he can keep himself busy whenever needed. He is running competitive track this summer and LOVING it. He does not shy away from training and his first meet is this coming weekend! He'll run the 100, 200 and 400 and his coaches feel that he'll be a great competitor.
DS1 (bio) is going into 8th grade and my first (oh so close) teenager! He's well and busy as always...focusing on baseball most of the time - and girls!
Both DD and DS2 were diagnosed with attachment disorder about a year ago. It's been a tough road. Our family suffered through a long time of not understanding what was happening and it's tough on everyone...but we are on the healing road now with a great therapist and meds that are really helping. I'm proud of learning new ways of parenting for my children and I'm human and mess up a lot! I do see great strides with both of them! I've gotten hugs and kisses from a true place in their heart...that's awesome!
I've been blessed to be able to reach out to others through writing - and am now 'on staff' with an adoption ezine as their attachment gal (not expert...) and I'm loving it! I don't know if I can post the site here...
Can't wait to hear more...

[TweetyMom04]

Another Oldtimer here. We've been home a little over 5 yrs.

Both the Boys are doing well and have settled into school nicely.

Since their Surgery for removal of Tonsils and Adenoids and insertion of Grommets, DS-G has been removed off the SALT and Hearing lists. DS-L was being evaluated at school for SALT, but no reference for problem was given, thus he is off SALT. He was discharged from Hearing in late Winter.

Since their Grommets are out, they can go swimming. In treated water, i.e. pool, tub, shower, they don't have to wear plugs and head wrap. In non-treated, i.e., ocean, lake, etc., MUST wear plugs and head wrap. Neither know how to swim, but are progressing nicely in the neighborhood pool. Arm floaties and/or life vests help and they are doing well, no panics, having a great time.

Both are doing very well academically and are strong in areas where their other is weak and vv.

Their self-confidence level is improving and trusting of their own hearing and responding.......sometimes appropriately.

We will be doing Summer School over the summer, writing, reading, math. Between educated in England and now American, they've had to re-learn different way to write and now learning math. So its a helper course and give them a jump-start for the Fall.

Next year they start First Grade.

They recently tested for their Green Belts in TKD. Award Ceremony is Wed., so we'll know then.

We were home at 8 months of age and they will be 6 in a month!!

[Kasey]

Great to see how wonderful everyone's kiddos are doing! Time flies, can't believe how big they are!!

[Drazil]

Old timer here as well. DS has been home almost 5 yrs (in a couple of months ) and is completing kindergarten this week. He was 6 years old this past December and is turning oput to be quite the little man. He is very smart (rec'd an award for his 2nd grade reading level) and is a mastermind when it comes to taking things apart to reinvent them. He is going to his first week long camp in a couple of weeks, Camp Invention and is very excited as you have to be at least 6 to go (wanted to go so bad last year). He has come such a long way from that very scared 18 month old we brought home. He is an amazing kid and the true light of my heart !

[MamaChinch]

Wow, even if we've posted pics recently of the kids, they just keep growing looking like wonderful little people!! he he!!
K- A just has the most memorizing eyes! Glad to hear she is doing well! And so glad to hear DS is doing well, too! Handsome guy, always smiling!
Pinkie! Great o see pics of you guys! Those are awesome photos! Antonina looks so much like you! And you are both lovely!
Glad to hear everyone is doing well, especially the Krez kids!

Well, am I an oldtimer? Home almost three years now, Delaney finished her first year of pre-school and loved it! She would get so upset if she had to miss! She loves swimming, dance and gymnastics. She loves to sing and play the piano. She can read three letter words and sound out others, and tells me she likes math! Wow, okay.....( right brained Mom here!)

My little Siberian hasn't skipped beat since leaving her BH at 18 months ! It's like she just flipped a swtich and never looked back. She's proud to be Russian and we have been trying to learn new Russian words daily. But she is speaking excellent Spanish, thanks to my aunts and grandma. I speak Spainsh to her but a lot of times I forget!

She is MORE than I ever dreamed being a Mom would be, for Mother's Days they made a bulletin board of "I love my mommy because.." and she said, "Becasue she's the best Mom that came and got me!" Her teachers said that made them cry! Everyday she tells me she loves me at least 50 times! How great is that?

Of course, she is four, and brings all the four year old stuff with her! he he! But we work on things and she is so receptive and she tries so hard.

She is heading to the Summer Fun program at her school and we just got a pool, it's not quite ready yet but she was planning her swim day today!

Everyday she asks me for a baby brother or sister, and hopefully is about to get her wish. I think I narrowed it down to two agencies, but it really saddens me to not use my old agency, which was great. I have a conference call this week and will make up my mind after that....so.....stay tuned.....

[MamaChinch]

MomofMikhail ~ How do you not squeeze that little boy yo death every day? he he! Your daughter is very striking! how old is she?

Oh, I forgot my most shocking update!!! FLIPPIN' size 11 shoes now!!!! 10's were too big just a couple months ago! Holy Boat Feet !!!! I am living at the shoe store!

[dlhall]

Another oldtimer here! We've been home with DD for almost 7 years now (July will be 7 years); she'll turn 8 in July and is doing fantastic. She's finishing second grade, but reading at a fifth grade level. Her favorite activity is reading (just like mom!). She is also in gymnastics and softball.

We've been home with DS for 3 years now. He's doing well. He turned 4 in February and is an active boy. He also is involved in gymnastics and t-ball. He just finished preschool for the year and is already missing his friends and teacher.

If I did this right, you should see a picture of the two of them at my DD's First Communion.

Liz

[MominPA]

I guess I am a really old timer. This month is will be our 10th and 3rd year aniversary for bringing home our sons.

Josh who was adopted at 19 months old is will be 12 in the fall. He will be starting 6th grade next year. He is doing great in school although he has the tween attitude. He plays football, basketball and baseball. This year he made the Odessy of the Mind team for our school. He is in band playing the drums.

Adam who was adopted at 3 years old turned 6 early this year. He will be going to first grade next school year. He is doing very well acedemically, but I am concern about him going to 1st grade due to his maturity. I already know what teacher he is getting since at work at his school and I am happy with it. This year he started with sports. He is now playing tee ball. I am debting whether or not to let him play football this fall.

The boys get along most of the time, however Josh complains that Adam is annoying but is very protective of him especially in school.

[Bcelli]

Yesterday was our 5th "Ohana Day' for Luke (home at 2.5 years old). And Friday was Clay's graduation from 5th grade and his 11th birthday (home at 5.5 months) - a busy day. Luke's reading grade is lagging just a bit behind everything else, but otherwise he's making straight As. Clay's goal was straight As for the last grading period - we'll have to wait to see how he did. Well, I think. But Clay took a reading comprehension assessment at the beginning of the school year and scored a 7.3 (7th grade, 3rd month). He took it again at the end of the year and scored PHS (Post High School!). The boy can't spell for squat, but he is almost never without a book. They are both doing exceptionally well and we couldn't be prouder.

[momraine]

My Russian Princess is away at camp. I sure miss her.
She will get back from camp just in time to celebrate nine years since the judge said she was ours. Here are two pics, one was the moment I fell totally in love with her. I visited her in the orphanage and she was sick and fell asleep in my arms. (of course once we got her she did not sleep for three days and cried if anyone but me held her) She has been such a joy, coming through surgeries and learning to use prosthetic legs with such determination. There are some videos of her dances on my blog you can get there from my sig.