I'm Alive.. Really

I'm Alive.. Really I am

Yes.. we're still here. I'll try to bring you all up to speed. Perhaps by the time I update this blog my absence will make sense?

~

First of all Tamara is great. She's a fully bonded happy, healthy little girl. We were at the pediatrician today for a shot and she's gained a total of 10 lbs and grown 5 inches since last June. That's a pound a month and an inch every two months. She is now caught up according to the growth charts. Still small for her age but age appropriate. She wears a 4T now. Mind you last June her 18 month clothing was dripping off of her. If you remember we had issues keeping the 18 month pants up. My little girl is growing up sooo quickly. It's like watching your kid grow in time lapse photography.

~

After Tamara's Birthday we like many in the north east and around the USA had to deal with all the lovely winter weather. It seemed to snow just enough to ruin plans and keep us from venturing outside. Numerous ice storms resulted in cancelled preschool sessions and rescheduling fun events. But in the midst of all the ice and snow we did manage to have fun with our little girl.

~

Below Tamara feeds her My Twinn doll breakfast.

Mommy reminding Tamara that she too has to eat breakfast.
Such a kill joy... I know. Tamara colors with her doll.Tamara feeds her Dolly
Motion no sound

~

February also brought about change... perhaps not the type of change many Americans had hoped for. But change is what we got. I guess it's true what they say.. be careful what you wish for.. you might just get it. The stock market became a roller coaster ride. Unfortunately a few friends are facing hard times financially due to the job market changes and the housing crisis. It's hard when people you care about struggle. It does suck the wind out of you. So while I attempt to keep up with current events world wide. Yes I still do that. I find you really need to.. to understand it all. I find myself torn. How could they mess it all up so badly in our life time? And I'm frustrated as I see mistakes being made on a daily basis and there's nothing I can do about it. Oh if only I found a trillion dollars in my mailbox. Honestly I think I could have fixed it with a TV remote and a laptop. Anyway... I don't mean to depress anyone but I thought I should mention it in my blog as someday Tamara will wonder why her generation will be dealing with a multi-trillion dollar deficit. At least now she'll know that we personally didn't contribute to it but yes we will be paying for it for years to come.

~~

On a brighter note.. my friend Sandi is in Kazakhstan to adopt her daughter Finley. They met today for the very first time. Finley faith is a beautiful 7 month old with sandy blond hair, pretty blue eyes and eye lashes that can touch the sky.

I met Sandi through our Kaz agency. We started at the same time with them. It was our 5th agency. Sandi's 1st. We dropped Kazakhstan because of adoption law changes in that country that restricted adoptions to parents over 50. Sandy being somewhat younger..ok significantly younger.. lol.. kept going. She traveled this time last year and returned within a week without a child. The agency soon went out of business. Sandi after a short break to regroup retained yet another agency and yes persistence does pay off. She held her Finley in her arms today. I am so proud of her. The inner strength she has shown this past year has been absolutely inspirational to so many adoptive parents. And through out this past year Sandi has cheered so many of us on as we managed to complete our families. Which I'm sure was not always easy for her but she did it. I know she will make an excellent mom. A wonderful role model for her Finley Faith.

Congratulations Sandi ... are you out there yet? Sandi will be in Kaz for a very long time. I imagine if she gets bored enough she'll start reading blogs.

Don't forget Sandi .. play date at Disney. Lucky kid ... Finley will practically live down the street. "Welcome to America.. Oh yeah your new neighbor is Micky" LOL Hope you have a season pass. Talk about a play date. ;o)

See Ya Soon