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!!

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!!

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!

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!