Memories

Memories...

Thought I'd pop out a few more photos of our trip to Tbilisi.

Seems like so long ago.. Hard to believe it's only been a few months.

Below is the first time we saw Tamara in person before I scooped her up. The toy she's holding is the one we sent her months before. Still her personal favorite toy. ;o)

1st visit .. 2 nd scooping up.
Someone was in the bathroom. Tamara wanted in.. still does that.
Bruce taking video in the older part of Tbilisi.

Tbilisi's newest and grandest church. Visible from pretty much the entire city. Unfortunately we never managed to get there. The one day we were scheduled a wicked storm kicked up out of no where.
Mommy and Tamara strolling in the park in Tbilisi.

Just an old house.. but we liked it.

BLT in Tbilisi... together at last.

A craft type market in the old section. Bought a Banjo looking musical instrument from a 180 year old woman. She claimed to have made it herself and played a song for us so how could we not buy one? lol

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TP in Tbilisi

TP in Tbilisi...

Today was a fun day. Cousin Anna came over for lunch. When she first arrived Tamara started to cry.. I mean really cry. Then it occurred to me that other then my parents no one has been here. Tamara has met a lot of friends and family but never in our home.

Hum.. we'll have to change that. It also occurred to me that although she is very good about sharing other children's toys at their house we have no idea if she'll willingly share hers when the time comes. Hum...

Anyway it took about 20 minutes for Tamara to warm up to Anna. And then they were best Buds. Of course the tower of gifts didn't hurt. lol.

Thanks Anna.. you have excellent taste and now I know who to call for baby sitting...lol.

You game?

~

After dinner we went for ice cream. I've mentioned several times how much Tamara loves to watch people. Well the ice cream shop was packed as was the outdoor sitting area. You can see by her expressions that she was just amazed by the people around her.

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TP in Tbilisi...

This is a video clip I thought you'd enjoy. It was taken in Tbilisi. Unfortunately we couldn't get it (videos) to work in Tbilisi and then misplaced the video program disc we needed until today. Now that we have it once again and are on a high speed connection things should get more exciting / interesting.

Put your sound on and enjoy. She is a piece of work... no doubt about it. ;o)

One of the interesting things about Tbilisi that we never did figure out is why 95% of the toilets we visited in country lacked TP ? Seriously how / what do they do?

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Finally heard from the Dr's office today. Most of her tests came back.. still waiting for a few more. Hopefully tomorrow.

Our agency told us to have her checked for parasites as the last 4 families children and or family members had an issue. Happy to report we're clean!!!

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Blood work .. the Titers

Antibody titer Definition:
A test that measure the presence and amount of antibodies in blood. These antibodies may be against a particular type of tissue, cell,bacteria, virus, or other external substance.

Why the test is performed:
The antibody level in the blood is a reflection of the body's past exposure to an antigen, or to something that the body does not recognize as belonging to itself. The body uses antibodies to attack and eliminate the foreign matter.
Every living cell has different protein markers on its surface. The body's immune system identifies those cells that are not part of itself by these surface proteins.
Occasionally, the body makes an error and begins to recognize its own tissue as being non-self, or foreign. This leads to an immune response against that tissue type, cell, or substance that is part of the body. This is known as autoimmunity.
Levels of antibodies in the blood (also known as the antibody titer) are measured to determine:
the strength of an immune response to the body's own tissue in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune disorders.
the need for a booster immunization
whether a recent vaccine administration caused a strong enough response from the immune system, bringing your antibody titer against a particular disease up to a preventive level.
In some situations your health care provider may check your antibody titer to see if you had a natural infection in the past (e.g., chickenpox) or to decide which immunizations you need.

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Happy to report the Titers came back showing she's up to speed on all her shots accept Smallpox which we will address shortly. So glad she doesn't need all those shots again. Especially being that they are so controversial these days. Hopefully we can get her all ready for the Fall. We would like to have her attend pre-school for a few hours here and there this Fall. Needed proof of the shots for school enrollment.

*** I would highly recommend that other adoptive parents order this series of tests. So much easier and safer for the child.

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I have a lot of catching up to do...

I have a lot of catching up to do...

My in box has over 10,000 emails. About 80% are spam. Which means about 2,000 that are worth reading. As I was sorting through them today an email came through that was sent the day we were in court in Tbilisi. It was to inform me about Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter's tragic death. I couldn't believe that he lost little Maria. Such a sweet little girl. Such a heartbreaking accident.

For those who aren't familiar with his work put your sound on. Mr. Chapman has written several songs which have inspired countless parents to adopt both internationally as well as domestically. We were introduced to his music when we attended our first agency's international orientation meeting some 3 years ago. The majority of adoption blogs feature at least one of his songs as they really do hit come.

"When Love Takes You In" is a personal favorite.

Please turn your sound on.. say a little prayer for the Chapman family .. if your not the religious type send happy thoughts their way. ;o) ok?

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Below is a comment I left on Mr. Chapman's personal blog... yes I do leave comments on others blogs. Although he hasn't posted since the tragedy (understandably) I'm sure at some point he will return and see my comment. Perhaps it will put a smile on his face for a moment to know he indirectly has helped us find Tamara.

"I have over 10,000 emails in my inbox that I'm sorting through and I just found out about your daughter's tragic accident. When it happen we were in The Republic of Georgia adopting our 3 year old baby girl and I'm still trying to catch up. We actually met our daughter the day Maria passed. Kind of strange? Even stranger Maria and I share a Birthday 5/13. Anyway.. I just had to chime in and tell you that our thoughts and prayers are with your family. And Thank You for the work you do to help the orphans around the world. Even though your primary focus seems to be China.. you helped to bring our baby home as well. Through your inspirational adoption / child related music you gave me strength to see our 3 year journey through. Can not Thank You enough!!!Wishing you and yours only the best always,

Lee "

~

This is the attachment I received. An article worth reading as it will remind us all of how fragile our lives truly are.

Little Maria is sitting in Steven's lap. One of 3 little girls the Chapman's adopted from China.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.


The girl, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.
"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.
Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
In a statement, Velvet Kelm, a publicist for Chapman, said Maria was the Chapmans' youngest daughter.

Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children.
The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.
The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing -- our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site.
"We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'
The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father titled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess." He has won five Grammy awards and 54 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to Kelm.

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10,000 emails to sort through.. no kidding. As I struggle to get through them in my spare time.. which usually means late night or early morning with an occasional nap time thrown in. She's only 3... you wouldn't think she would demand so much attention. lol. But she does and we're happy to oblige. Tamara is doing very well. And these are the days to cherish... so we are. Every moment, hour , day is very special and unique.

But...I have a lot of catching up to do... ;o)

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Did you put your sound on?

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Up..up and away..

Up..up and away...

Today we headed out to the Balloon Fest in Readington, NJ.

Below is a picture of the ascension. They had over 125 balloons that were supposed to take off together. However due to high winds about a 100 never made it off the ground. :o(

A real shame as tomorrow their last day at the Fest is supposed to be pretty rainy.

Oh well maybe next year?

Tamara watching the balloons take off.
The twin bees. At least that's what I called them. I'm sure they have a name.
Held at the Solberg Airport in Readington... it was packed. Just a sea of people and cars.
Tamara eating her first ever funnel cake. She loved it.

I learned something today.

Mommies shouldn't order funnel cakes (which come smothered in powered sugar) especially when wearing black on a windy day. Eeek!!!

Tamara snacking in her stroller. We brought a blanket with us but Tamara wanted to be strapped into her seat? OK?

All in all a fun day. Tamara loves to watch people.

Hum??? Maybe she's become a shrink someday?

~

OK I hear thunder... see ya or as Tamara would say Nite! Nite!

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Oh Ducky.. she says BLUE!

Oh Ducky

Tamara loves her Rubber Duckies so much.

She especially loves her bath robe and slippers.
Cute no?

This week she's been getting more independent. She's trying to do more herself. Now she sits on this wicker bench / toy chest while dressing. Honestly she is capable of doing 90% of it although she does still like Mommy to help her. My baby is already growing up... sniff, sniff :o(

It's a delicate balance between giving her the toddler Independence she craves and the mothering she never had before. Although many "experts" will say do everything for them for the sake of bonding. I'm pretty confident Tamara is happy here and is bonded pretty well. Each day holds a surprise.. each day she has another first moment.

Today's word was blue. Blue crayon... Blue berries (which she loves)

Can't wait until tomorrow.

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My Pet Zucchini

My Pet Zucchini ...

Today we went to check on my parents gardens and fish pond. It's hard to believe 2 weeks have already flown by since my family left for Croatia. Wow.. time does fly when you're having fun. They'll be back before we know it. I am a little disappointed though.. you'd think that one of them would have set up a blog so I know what's going on? LOL

Oh well...

This weekend is my cousin Martina's wedding so I'm sure they're all having fun.

Congratulations Martina & Steve. We'll have to celebrate when you get back home. Yes they live in New York but their wedding is in Croatia. Talk about a destination wedding. And you all thought I was crazy when we got married in Wisconsin. ;o)

OK.. I'll get serious.. here are today's pictures.

Daddy and Tamara walk down to feed the fishies...

Hi Mom
The fish are jumping ...
We're going to do what?
I fell on my butt in the Zucchini patch... now Mommy says I have to stay here and watch. She said Karen needed to see this picture. Something about my hair?
Mommy is looking for cu-comebles. She keeps saying ouch! She says they have thorns but I think they bite her.

Daddy found some huge Zucchini in the garden. This one I keep.

It's a little heavy but I think it will make a good pet.

No you can't have it Daddy.. it's mine now.

I like Zucchini Mommy... Can we keep him?

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Oops...

Oops..

Almost forgot these photos. They were taken 4th of July week.

Between my bruised knees and I guess I forgot to mention the hand pain. I was unable to kneel very well so Tamara and Daddy potted some planters for me.

The hand pain actually started before I fell. I was warned several moths ago to be careful lifting Tamara as while most biological parents start with a 7 pound baby and work their way up. When you adopt a 25+ pound toddler you don't have the strength / muscle tone built up in your hands. And a adopted toddler does insist on being picked up and carried alot. Especially in the first few months. So for the past few weeks I start my day popping 3 Tylenol which seems to do the trick for the rest of the day. Just though I'd mention it as I know there are other soon to be adoptive parents out there. Perhaps passing on the warning will help someone else?

~

Below Tamara & Daddy start potting some Geraniums for the back deck.

At first Tamara thought Daddy was crazy when he told her what they were going to do for fun. She doesn't like getting dirty so playing in the dirt seemed insane to her. I dressed her in a comfy washable outfit and gave her.. her gardening gloves, knee pad and gardening tools and she seemed more interested.

All her gardening equipment is designed for small children. I bought the smallest size and as you can see the gloves were still way too big.

After about 15 minutes she was really into it. Filling up the pots with potting soil, adding plants, filling in, patting down the soil and then watering. She's a natural.
Below.. Tamara gets upset as her brand new gloves were getting "dirt" on them. lol. It took a while but she finally accepted that it was "ok" to get a little "dirty" gardening.

"Mommy my gloves got dirt on them."
Too cute.

She takes gardening very seriously.
Tamara hates getting her picture taken.

I think I was getting on her nerves with the camera.

Tamara fills in around the Petunias for the front porch.

"Would you stop with the pictures?"

Daddy and Tamara place the planters on the rail.

OK.. Daddy lets get more...

Wait for me...

Since I didn't get a chance to do much planting before we left and certainly not since our return it was nice to at least have the planters done.

Thank You Bruce and Tamara ;o)

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Below Tamara plays with her Vintage doll pram in the upstairs hallway. There's a 64 ft stretch for her to stroll her Dolly.

Road Trip. Tamara loves her Britax Boulevard car seat.

It's actually pretty amazing she doesn't have a problem with harnesses. Considering she had never been in one in Tbilisi it's amazing. Loves the car seat, stroller and swing. No problem with seat beats in shopping cart or high chairs.

Here she's eating Mac and cheese crackers. Something new... she loves them.

"We're back"

Tamara returns with Daddy after one of their walks.

" Mommy.. you sure all the girls wear their hair like this?"
"Who's Pebbles?"
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