Today Ian turned 22 months old. I can't believe that my baby is nearly 2 years old. Wow...it just doesn't seem real. The last 11 months have been a blur but they have been filled with so much excitement and love. I can't imagine life without this sweet boy. Charlie and I look at each other sometimes and try to figure out what we did before we had Ian. He is such a perfect fit for our family and he brings such joy to our lives.
He does, however, have quite the temper. He's in a hitting phase. Partly because I think he's bored at daycare. He seems to hit more when he's bored or really tired. It's a rough phase, but I know we'll get through it.
Ian and Charlie have had this yucky virus that's going around. I'm hoping and praying that they don't pass it on to momma.
I guess I need to start planning Ian's 2nd birthday party....yikes! In between we have Valentine's Day (we left for India last year on Valentine's Day) and then February 17th is our Forever Family Day (or Gotcha Day). So the next couple of months will be full of celebrations.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
FINALLY....It's Official
At 2:30pm today, Ian's adoption became final!!! Woo, Hoo!!!!
Charlie and I picked Ian up from daycare around 1:15pm and headed to the courthouse. I cried the almost the entire way. I was just so emotional. Finally it was our turn. We went in the courtroom...and of course the ceiling fans were on...so Ian was fascinated by them and quite vocal about both the fans and the lights. As we were taking our oath, the tears started flowing again. So, the judge passed a box of tissue to me. I took two out, so I gave one to Ian. Then, the precious little one that he is....reached up with his tissue to dry Momma's tears. How sweet was that? Even the judge was a bit choked up with that one. Needless to say, I needed another tissue. They asked us a couple of questions and the judge said a few words to us and then....poof...adoption granted.
Donna and Ryan joined us at the hearing. It was so special having Donna there. The Haverty's and The Conner's started the adoption journey about the same time. We both attended the Dillon Adoption Workshop on the same day and then kept bumping in to one another at other Dillon functions. They received their referral of Ryan in May 2005 and brought him home from Korea in August. We received Ian's referral just one week after that. Ryan is 3 weeks older than Ian. They are a wonderful family and we're so happy to call them friends.
Of course, Brad was there as well. Brad and I have been friends for about 16 years now. We've been through a lot and he seems more like my brother than just my friend. He's such an important part of our family. Ian loves his Uncle Brad...or "Bad" as Ian says.
This evening we had some people over for a celebration. Lots of wonderful friends were here to share in our happiness. We had a wonderful time.
It was a fabulous day!!!! Ian is now officially "Ian Everett Kushal Conner"...and an AMERICAN CITIZEN. Yippee!!!
I'll post some pictures from today in a separate post.
Thanks to all of you who celebrated with us and those who also prayed for us as we went through this part of our journey.
Charlie and I picked Ian up from daycare around 1:15pm and headed to the courthouse. I cried the almost the entire way. I was just so emotional. Finally it was our turn. We went in the courtroom...and of course the ceiling fans were on...so Ian was fascinated by them and quite vocal about both the fans and the lights. As we were taking our oath, the tears started flowing again. So, the judge passed a box of tissue to me. I took two out, so I gave one to Ian. Then, the precious little one that he is....reached up with his tissue to dry Momma's tears. How sweet was that? Even the judge was a bit choked up with that one. Needless to say, I needed another tissue. They asked us a couple of questions and the judge said a few words to us and then....poof...adoption granted.
Donna and Ryan joined us at the hearing. It was so special having Donna there. The Haverty's and The Conner's started the adoption journey about the same time. We both attended the Dillon Adoption Workshop on the same day and then kept bumping in to one another at other Dillon functions. They received their referral of Ryan in May 2005 and brought him home from Korea in August. We received Ian's referral just one week after that. Ryan is 3 weeks older than Ian. They are a wonderful family and we're so happy to call them friends.
Of course, Brad was there as well. Brad and I have been friends for about 16 years now. We've been through a lot and he seems more like my brother than just my friend. He's such an important part of our family. Ian loves his Uncle Brad...or "Bad" as Ian says.
This evening we had some people over for a celebration. Lots of wonderful friends were here to share in our happiness. We had a wonderful time.
It was a fabulous day!!!! Ian is now officially "Ian Everett Kushal Conner"...and an AMERICAN CITIZEN. Yippee!!!
I'll post some pictures from today in a separate post.
Thanks to all of you who celebrated with us and those who also prayed for us as we went through this part of our journey.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Ice, Ice Baby
The frozen tundra....that's Tulsa. I've never seen so much ice. Actually, I haven't even been outside since Friday afternoon. We have about 2 inches of ice and it's supposed to get down to 8 degress tonight with a high tomorrow of 20. I've got just a wee bit of cabin fever. I'm going to work tomorrow and Charlie is staying home with Ian (his daycare is closed). Since my office was closed today, I was home with Ian and Charlie worked. I'm so thankful that we have understanding employers.
Ian is going a bit stir crazy too. This afternoon, he'd had enough. He walked to the front door and began pounding on it and crying. He really wanted to go outside, but it's way too cold. Especially since he's just getting over a cold. He's not used to being couped up in the house for 4 straight days. Maybe we can take him out sometime tomorrow. Hopefully his daycare will be open on Wednesday.
One Dillon family left today (from Ohio) to get their little boy, Micah. They are the first family to travel since last June. Isn't that crazy? Several families are now waiting on passports and about 9 families are still waiting for their guardianship papers to be signed by the crazy judge. My heart truly goes out to these families. We didn't have the problem with guardianship that these families have had. Of course, our problem was with his passport. All of the families that are still waiting on guardianship are supposed to have their cases heard this week. So, please say a quick little prayer for them. These children need to come home and be with their families.
As I posted a few days ago, Friday is our big day. That's the day we finalize Ian's adoption. Woo, hoo!!! We're very excited that this day is finally here. As vocal as Ian is, I can only imagine how the court appearance is going to go. I'll be sure to post pictures of the momentus occasion.
My boys are sleeping soundly, so I'm going to go to bed now and get some rest before I tackle the roads tomorrow morning.
Ian is going a bit stir crazy too. This afternoon, he'd had enough. He walked to the front door and began pounding on it and crying. He really wanted to go outside, but it's way too cold. Especially since he's just getting over a cold. He's not used to being couped up in the house for 4 straight days. Maybe we can take him out sometime tomorrow. Hopefully his daycare will be open on Wednesday.
One Dillon family left today (from Ohio) to get their little boy, Micah. They are the first family to travel since last June. Isn't that crazy? Several families are now waiting on passports and about 9 families are still waiting for their guardianship papers to be signed by the crazy judge. My heart truly goes out to these families. We didn't have the problem with guardianship that these families have had. Of course, our problem was with his passport. All of the families that are still waiting on guardianship are supposed to have their cases heard this week. So, please say a quick little prayer for them. These children need to come home and be with their families.
As I posted a few days ago, Friday is our big day. That's the day we finalize Ian's adoption. Woo, hoo!!! We're very excited that this day is finally here. As vocal as Ian is, I can only imagine how the court appearance is going to go. I'll be sure to post pictures of the momentus occasion.
My boys are sleeping soundly, so I'm going to go to bed now and get some rest before I tackle the roads tomorrow morning.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Brrrrr....cold
There's no doubt about it...winter is here. We have about 2 inches of ice everywhere. We're expecting more tomorrow. The temps are in the low 20's are are expected to dip into the single digits on Monday night. Brrrrrrrrrrrr. We've been confined to the house. The roads are too bad to go out. It's been a pretty fun day of playing. Tomorrow promises to be more of the same.
Just a couple of new things in the past day or so. Ian put his first words together last night...or at least the first that we understood. He said to our dog Molly "go pee" (which is what we say to here when she goes outside to potty). We'd probably better watch what we're saying, hmmm? Charlie reminds me of that on a pretty regular basis :)
In one of the crazy, non sleeping moments last night I realized that he was attempting to climb out of his crib. He was mad and sleepy. That's the first time I've noticed it though. We'll see how much longer we can keep him in the crib.
He's still the greatest kid ever and we look at him each day and know just how truly blessed we are. Our adoption finalization is set for Friday (January 19th). Woo, hoo!!! We'll be glad when this is over. We will celebrate "Gotcha Day" (the day we actually picked him up) in just about a month (February 17th). Looking forward to celebrating that milestone. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year. My, my time flies.
Maybe more tomorrow if I'm still confined to the house with my two wonderful boys.
Just a couple of new things in the past day or so. Ian put his first words together last night...or at least the first that we understood. He said to our dog Molly "go pee" (which is what we say to here when she goes outside to potty). We'd probably better watch what we're saying, hmmm? Charlie reminds me of that on a pretty regular basis :)
In one of the crazy, non sleeping moments last night I realized that he was attempting to climb out of his crib. He was mad and sleepy. That's the first time I've noticed it though. We'll see how much longer we can keep him in the crib.
He's still the greatest kid ever and we look at him each day and know just how truly blessed we are. Our adoption finalization is set for Friday (January 19th). Woo, hoo!!! We'll be glad when this is over. We will celebrate "Gotcha Day" (the day we actually picked him up) in just about a month (February 17th). Looking forward to celebrating that milestone. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year. My, my time flies.
Maybe more tomorrow if I'm still confined to the house with my two wonderful boys.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Bad Day Forgotten
Today was a miserable day for me at work. Just lots of stuff going on. I was stressed and tired and in a pretty lousy mood. I talked to Charlie on the way home and prepared him for my rotten mood. When I walked into the garage, the door opened and there were my boys...Charlie and Ian. Charlie said he thought it would make me feel better. He gave me a quick kiss and then said..."now you can really feel better....go get Momma Ian." Ian promptly ran to me and held his little arms up for me to pick him up. The moment I held him, my lousy day was forgotten. Amazing. The innocence and unconditional love of a child can make all of the stuff that I stress about at work seem to disappear (maybe he just needs to come to work with me). Plus...what a sweet and thoughtful thing for Charlie to meet me at the door with a kiss and an amazingly adorable baby. My boys are awesome!!!!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year
Happy 2007!!!
2006 was an AMAZING year for us. For those of you who have followed this blog, you know all of the details and how many ups and downs we have had. At the close of 2006, we have so much to be thankful for...but the best of all is our sweet Ian.
The year began with us waiting, not so patiently for Ian's passport to be issued in Kolkata. There was a snag, of course and we were the last ones in our group to get travel clearance. It was grueling for us. Then, finally on Valentine's Day we left for India to meet this incredible baby we had only seen in pictures and video. The trip was long and tiring. When we arrived in India it was beyond description. Kolkata was simply overwhelming. On Friday, February 17th we met the child we had prayed for...our amazing Ian. It was the most incredible day. After 10 days in India we returned to the USA. It was so good to be home.
Of course, being home brought all new challenges for us first time parents. We struggled at the beginning, but all in all...it was better than we expected it to be. Through the year we battled ear infections, colds and the like with Ian. Charlie battled two staph infections. Except for colds and such, I've been pretty healthy. Thank goodness. Ian has adjusted to day care beautifully. Ian has grown from around 18 pounds when we first got home to 25 pounds now. He's developing beautifully and his hydrocephalus is not an issue at all. Ian's buddy, Mia arrived in Oklahoma City just 15 minutes before her first birthday in May. What a wonderful experience to be a part of their homecoming. We have been able to get the two of them together a couple of times since then. We're hoping to see the Tuckers later this month.
The most frustrating thing for us this year was the inability to finalize Ian's adoption in 2006. It's a long, long story and we're extremely irritated. Hopefully we'll be able to finalize sometime soon.
As we head into a new year, we pause to give thanks for a remarkable 2006. We pray that 2007 will be filled with love, laughter, fun and health for all of us. We pray that the families that are still waiting to get guardianship and passports to pick up their children in Kolkata will hear good news this week. And, we pray for all of you...May God continue to bless you and hold you in his loving arms. Happy New Year!!!!
2006 was an AMAZING year for us. For those of you who have followed this blog, you know all of the details and how many ups and downs we have had. At the close of 2006, we have so much to be thankful for...but the best of all is our sweet Ian.
The year began with us waiting, not so patiently for Ian's passport to be issued in Kolkata. There was a snag, of course and we were the last ones in our group to get travel clearance. It was grueling for us. Then, finally on Valentine's Day we left for India to meet this incredible baby we had only seen in pictures and video. The trip was long and tiring. When we arrived in India it was beyond description. Kolkata was simply overwhelming. On Friday, February 17th we met the child we had prayed for...our amazing Ian. It was the most incredible day. After 10 days in India we returned to the USA. It was so good to be home.
Of course, being home brought all new challenges for us first time parents. We struggled at the beginning, but all in all...it was better than we expected it to be. Through the year we battled ear infections, colds and the like with Ian. Charlie battled two staph infections. Except for colds and such, I've been pretty healthy. Thank goodness. Ian has adjusted to day care beautifully. Ian has grown from around 18 pounds when we first got home to 25 pounds now. He's developing beautifully and his hydrocephalus is not an issue at all. Ian's buddy, Mia arrived in Oklahoma City just 15 minutes before her first birthday in May. What a wonderful experience to be a part of their homecoming. We have been able to get the two of them together a couple of times since then. We're hoping to see the Tuckers later this month.
The most frustrating thing for us this year was the inability to finalize Ian's adoption in 2006. It's a long, long story and we're extremely irritated. Hopefully we'll be able to finalize sometime soon.
As we head into a new year, we pause to give thanks for a remarkable 2006. We pray that 2007 will be filled with love, laughter, fun and health for all of us. We pray that the families that are still waiting to get guardianship and passports to pick up their children in Kolkata will hear good news this week. And, we pray for all of you...May God continue to bless you and hold you in his loving arms. Happy New Year!!!!
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