baking soda & vinegar

A pinterest inspired project designed to fill 30-45 minutes of afternoon time...

-baking soda (I buy giant bags of it at Sams Club, I also use it for washing cloth diapers)
-vinegar
-droppers
-a tray
-cups (we used ramekins)

the set up

fizzing

ooooo red & yellow makes orange

let's make more orange

after 20 minutes

eventually it all turns brown, the fizz stops,
 and we dump it in the sink

valentine project

A simple pinterest inspired snack that we made for Oliver's teachers to enjoy during their staff meeting. 

What you need...
-pretzels
-hershey kisses
-m&ms
-cookie sheet
-parchment paper or a silpat (we had neither this day, which made it a little challenging to remove from the cookie sheet)
-oven (200 degrees)

put your pretzels out on the cookie sheet  

top with hershey kisses (we used hugs)

all lined up
bake at 200 for about 4 minutes

remove from the oven and press an M&M into each chocolate

We popped them into the fridge for faster cooling, which leads to faster consumption!


2years!! happy family day!

Two years ago I walked into Oliver orphanage, changed his clothes, dressed him warmly, and said goodbye.  He became a son, and Jim & I became parents. 

Here are some photos of our second year together. 

march



may

birthday morning

birthday party time

july, maid of the mist

august, first day of preschool

october, boo at the zoo

december, becoming a big brother

january, playing marbles together

To celebrate our special day as a family we simply ask Oliver what he wants to do.  His request "Let's eat pizza at the pizza place next to the ice cream shop."  Will do buddy. 

We mention Russia and adoption often, but we take a little extra time these days to look through pictures of Russia, the orphanage, and our journey to becoming a family. 

Last year's family day post can be found right over here. 




Small rant...
A few days ago I learned that Oliver's adoption agency has closed.  Most of their income was generated by Russian adoptions and now that Russsia has closed so have they.  See The Russian government has managed to screw over families adopting from Russia and from other contries.  Congratulations.

2 months!

Sadly back at month one my blog was struggling through some techinacal difficulties and was unable to load photos.  Lame.  So you're going to have to view the month one and month two photos at the same time.  A hardship for you, I'm sure.

Lydia had her two month appointment on the 4th.  She checked in at 9lbs, 12.5oz and 23.6 inches tall.  The 75% for height and the 25% for weight.  The doctor said she is looking great and in perfect health, which is the most important. 

As for sleep, we don't keep a strick daily schedule..she sleeps, wakes and eats as she pleases.  At night she is a bit more scheduled.. gets changed, wrapped up, and nursed around 10pm and is off to dreamland around 10:30.  She sleeps in a pack n play in our room until about 3am, eats for 20 minutes, goes back to sleep until 6am, eats some more, then snuggles in bed with me until Oliver wakes around 8:00am.  I get Oliver ready for the day and she usually wakes again around 9am.  It seems to be working for us. 

Lydia is good at following objects and faces, her favorite things to admire are black and white prints, even if she is crying she will calm right down when I show her some high contrast black and white stuff....so funny.  She is also trying to smile, but it takes a LOT of work to get it out of her. 

All in all things are going great a we couldn't be happier.

Let's see those photos side by side



What a big girl!

food

Today I cooked, well I cook most days, but today I cooked stuff that I had pinned on Pinterest.  Anytime you get something from Pinterest into real life is reason to celebrate. 

First I made tomorrow's dinner.  I've made it before, and it's delicious.  Get on it.

Pastitsio

Next I made tonight's dinner

P.F. Chang inspired lettuce wraps

Lastly

Peanut butter granola bars

All items were delicious and I recommend you give them a try!

marble painting

paper hearts, a box, marbles, paint

globs of paint

roll them around

keep rolling

admire

"Lydia wants to play too"



2 years post court

Two years ago Jim and I sat in a little Russian court room and managed to convince a judge that we would be suitable parents for this little guy....

Add caption

I love reading my blog entries written while in Russia, it was such a special time.  Go search around January 2011 if you want to re-live the crazy. 



judge said yes!



 Now, stop and take a moment to pray for families waiting in limbo for their babies and babies waiting for their families.  A few families that passed court before the shut down are starting to make it home, pray they all do.  Then if you want to go above and beyond pray for a miracle...that the ban would be totally lifted sometime soon.