Thursday, March 27, 2014

One Year Ago Today...


We arrived home with Hannes...


It was the beginning of the rest of his life...

In the year since we have been 
home with Hannes

he has had his congenital birth defects
corrected

he is healthy now!

Healthy!

In his orphanage he was isolated in the infirmary
due to his heart defect

he spent most of his time in a crib...

this was for his benefit, so that he wouldn't get sick
by being around the other children...


So he has spent this year
catching up

learning to laugh




learning to play

learning to eat
 

living his life...



Smiling...
 


 one of the boys...



Kissable...


messy...
 

out and about in the real world...


or busy at home...
 

being a brother...
 

exploring this world...
 

gaining skills...
 


water... swimming... LOVE...
 

playgrounds!  sliding is fun!



Christmas with your sister
is fun!
 

It has been a wonderful year
Hannes!

We are so grateful you are in our lives...

Happy One Year home Hannes!!



Monday, March 17, 2014

Happy 3rd Birthday Hannes!






Happy Birthday Mr. Hannes!

You are 3 today...

Our little Ukrainian Leprechaun!!


Born on St. Patrick's Day



 You have come a long way in the last year...

You didn't use to like touching anything remotely "icky"

and tonight you made a BIG mess with the 
cake and frosting...

still wouldn't eat it,
but we are thinking maybe next year!




Last year Daddy was with you, 
 Mommy had gone home but was traveling back to you

This year we were all together
your first birthday at home!



 We have LOVED this year with you Hannes
and we look forward to many, many more!!



Friday, March 14, 2014

Happy 6th Birthday Julia!!


 It's hard to believe
that our princess is
six!

You are our
beautiful
joyfilled
full of life
little girl
and we are so glad
to have you
in our 
family!

And for a special birthday surprise...

Captain America came to visit!





Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Happy Adoption Day Hannes Ruslan!!


A year ago on March 6
a judge declared
that Hannes
was our son.

So much we have been through
this year -

Hannes has had open heart surgery
to repair his congenital heart defect
which turned out to be 
just a bit more than we had anticipated...

Hannes has had many months of 
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Feeding Therapy
Speech Therapy
Pediatric Cardiology appointments
Pediatric Urology appointments
Pediatric Dentist appointment...
Urological surgery to correct a 
congenital defect
which turned out to be 
just a bit more than we had anticipated...

But through it all
he has grown -
5 inches
and
5 pounds -
and he has
advanced a year in his 
cognitive functions
and he is slowly learning
what a family is
what love is
what security is
what fun is
exploring his world
exploring relationships
learning
growing
figuring out how to love...
a year ago
he was an orphan
but this year
he is loved and cherished
a son
a brother
a nephew
a grandson
he has a place in the world
he belongs
and we love him so!

Happy Adoption Day Hannes Ruslan!