Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker

Saturday, August 30, 2008

15 months old

Our Eli is 15 months old today!

This past Thursday (Aug. 28) was R's birthday, his first as a father. Since he had to work, we just had a nice celebration at home. It also marked 1 year since Eli entered the orphanage in Kolomna. We hate that he had to spend 8 months there before we were able to bring him home. We are so thankful to God that he is no longer there, and that he is safely home with us.

We have been home for 4 months now (as of Aug. 22), and he continues to adjust. Some of my favorite moments are when he laughs (he has an amazing laugh) and when he puts his head on my chest for a snuggle. He'll only do that for a few seconds at a time, but he is initiating it, and that is so huge. We love our precious boy so much!


He's been walking for 6 weeks now. His balance is much better.


Love that smile!


Playing with Daddy


The Karen Katz books (with the flaps to lift) are his favorites right now.


This flag that was flown over the capitol the day we came home from Russia and he became a citizen, April 22. (I'm so glad that I requested it from our congressman's office.) We ordered the case, and I love how it turned out. We put it in his room, and it looks so good.



He has started using a spoon to feed himself, which is right on target for his age. And notice, he's using his left hand. Our son is left-handed!




1st taste of chocolate cake!
We were celebrating my sister Allison's birthday. He seemed to like it ok, but wasn't crazy about it.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

slavic gospel association

Normally, I don't post anything political to this blog, but in this case, I decided to make an exception. This evening, I received an email from the Slavic Gospel Association regarding the conflict in S. Ossetia.

(We have been supporting SGA for the last year. I was originally drawn to them because of the work they do in orphanages. We wanted to do something to help the children who would be remaining in Russia and who would not have a family. )

Here is more information on the SGA's aid efforts in the region if you are interested.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

attachment progress

This afternoon, we had a family trip to Walmart. Eli was riding in the cart, and R was pushing. Eli enjoys the cart as long as you keep moving at all times and don't stop to look at anything! We tried to keep the trip brief, but by the time we were almost finished shopping, Eli was definitely ready to go. He started fussing, and then crying.

The best part was that he wanted me to take him out of the cart and hold him. He reached for me! I took him out of the cart and held him, and he actually stopped crying! He let me console him! I was so happy! It just made my day to know that he is starting to feel comfortable enough that I can be source of comfort to him. YAY!!!

Monday, August 11, 2008

6 months

6 months ago, on Feb. 11, 2008, we met our beloved Eli for the 1st time. It was cold in Moscow. Anton drove us to the MOE, and we received our referral. When we realized that Eli was born on our wedding anniversary, we knew before we even saw him that it was God's plan for him to become our son. We are so blessed to have him in our lives, and we love him so very much.

This is the 1st picture taken of the 2 of us together.

Friday, August 8, 2008

today's accomplishment

Eli used a spoon to feed himself today. He also held the sippy cup for the 1st time! We had tried several different cups, but he seems to like the Nuby cup the best.

Tomorrow he'll have a fun play day at Grandmama's house, and Mommy and Daddy are going to take some time for each other and go out to lunch together.