One year ago

I have tears in my eyes as I type this. I looked back at the posts from last February and it brought it all back. How emotional that time was. How exciting. How memorable. So many emotions and to think it's been one year since we met Julia and Jameson! A year ago today we said good bye to them, not knowing when we would be back, not even knowing for sure if the adoptions would be completed at all. We were exhausted, happy, sad and trying to imagine the wait, and our future as a family of four. When would it begin? What was in store for us?

Well, it's been almost a year since Julia and Jameson have been home and it has been incredible! We could never have imagined how they would grow in so many ways, so fast. They are the light of our lives and we could not imagine life without them. They are both loving, fun, energetic, full of life, explorers and funny. Julia looks like a different girl, barely recognizable. She is a beautiful toddler with a ready smile and a strut that only she can pull off. She is just as curious as she was when we met her and doesn't miss a thing. Jameson is a flash of lightning with a smile that lights up a room and energy for two. He doesn't look too different from a year ago, except for the extra 10 lbs. He's not interested in strangers, strange places or strange food. You couldn't find a more cautious child...except when he's playing! He's a madman with no fear. A typical boy with a love of jumping and bumps on his head. He is a lean machine, and my "handsome devil".

You have all shared in this journey with us and we are so happy you did. It's been quite a year-so full of firsts, fun, anxiety and sleeplessness! We have had the opportunity to talk to many pre and post adoptive parents in the past few months. It's great sharing our journey and hearing about others. Everyone's experience is unique, just like every family. No two kids are alike and we are glad ours are no different! It is funny when people tell me how "different" they are. Of course they are!

It's hard to believe they will be 2 soon. It's really hard to accept when they have only been with us for 1 of those 2. We have seen so much and we have missed so much. But now we look forward to a new year of firsts, fun and sleeplessness! I am excited to celebrate their 2nd birthdays with them and look forward to the warmer weather. Can you believe this is them?

Merry Christmas!

Well, it's just about here! As you know this will be our first Christmas together and we are very excited. We've had many firsts this year-from meeting our children to bringing them home and watching them learn and grow. Seeing all of their firsts has been an amazing experience. We have certainly been blessed.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Dave, Ann, Julia & Jameson

Season's Greetings!!

My first "Ears"

Hi Everyone,

All is well and Jameson loves his new hat from Disney along with the talking Eeyore who flaps his ears to the beat. Thanks Jill! We hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and are getting ready for winter and the Christmas season. We are so excited to have our first Christmas together! Concerned about the tree, but excited!

I want to congratulate my friends Brenda and Tim on the recent adoption of their beautiful daughter Kristen. They all arrived home from Russia just in time for Thanksgiving-how appropriate. We are very happy for you all!

"In my heart I always knew, A part of me was meant for you.
I think how happy we will be, Once I adopt you, and you adopt me."
--(c) 1997 Terri Harrison

Our first Halloween!!

For Aunt Melissa

Julia struts her stuff...

I took this picture especially for you...Julia is wearing her first pair of Calvins. I couldn't wait until she was 12 could I??

Love

Julia tickling her brother

Jameson and his cousin Sophia having a deep conversation about life on her 1st birthday

(actually they were seeing who could make the longest lick on the screen door)

Photo update

Here are some recent photos of us. Getting us together in one picture is not easy, but here we are!

Below you'll see Jameson in his first pair of big boy sneakers and getting his first haircut-Thank you Dawn!

Julia-well, I think you'll get the idea of what her day is like!

A day in the life of me...Jameson

A day in the life of me...Julia

We have been a family now for over 6 months. It's not something we acknowledged on the day but today Julia is 18 months old and it's hard to believe how time flies. This past week I have been thinking a lot about the past 6 months. How great they've been, even with sleep deprivation, and how much Julia and Jameson have changed in such a short time. These months have flown by, which is really something considering some days seem to never end! I look at pictures from March and April and then ones I took recently and I'm just amazed at the changes. Then I think about their words, their actions and their abilities and it's all just overwhelming. They have adjusted amazingly well and are already using their RI accent with ease ("ri in ca")?

Julia is so aware of her surroundings, where everything is and what I'm doing at all times. She doesn't miss anything-ever-and never leaves my side unless Daddy is available. Then I get the wave goodbye. She asks lots of questions with a simple noise and has lots to say either babbling with hand gestures or talking on her "cell phone". She is a girl when it comes to chatter, but she does love to play in the dirt!

Jameson goes on his merry way most times and comes over to check in every few minutes. His vocabulary is growing by the day as of 2 weeks ago and his smile still lights up a room. His laugh makes me laugh and his kisses are frequent. He takes Gymboree classes and as fast as a flash. He loves running, climbing and the slides. He was so excited at his first class I guess he couldn't understand why some kids weren't as active as him so he would go over to them when they were just sitting and kiss them. It was very sweet but Bobo the clown has his affections now.

We are having lots of fun and I'm having a hard time remembering when they weren't here. Watching them explore and discover, seeing them do things (or try to) for the first time is really fun and every new word is a celebration. They are starting to acknowledge each other now and are more aware of what the other is doing. Last week we were in the kitchen and when I put Jameson down, he went right to Julia and kissed her. She then kissed him and this would have kept going if it didn't take him so long to get into position and not head butt her. She gave up and walked away but the whole thing was very sweet. Of course they push and tackle each other also but no more than they play together and show affection!

It's getting harder and harder to spend time on the blog (which many of you have complained about) so I'll do my best. There is so much to tell but my time and attention span is short! I recently learned there are a lot of readers I wasn't aware of so I'm feeling the pressure!

Gotta go...Here are some pictures for now

comments

Hi Everyone! Someone posted a comment on August 13th saying they couldn't wait to see the kids but I have no idea who it is. Please send me another message if it was you!

Have a great week everyone!

Newport is different now...

Not that I expected it to be the same or easy, but Newport is a whole new experience with babies. Now I get "family friendly vs. non family friendly" more than ever-especially restaurants. Last Sunday we decided late in the day to take a ride and we ended up in Newport, a favorite place of ours. After unloading the "equipment" necessary to get through a few hours and balancing it all so the stroller didn't tip over if someone let go, we headed down Thames St. Since they had been sitting so long we stopped at a park so the kids could move around. When we tired of saying no to both of them trying to eat rocks, pick up trash or walk in places they shouldn't we put them back in the stroller "washed them" and decided to find a restaurant. One without a wait, 2 highchairs and a friendly looking crowd just in case. No Black Pearl or 22 Bowen if you know what I mean. Considering it's a beautiful day, big vacation week and Newport in August how hard could it be?!
We decide on H2O (the former Sabina Doyle's for you Rhode Islanders), set them up, plan a strategy, pull out the jars of food, slow them down with pieces of bread and crackers and look around every once in awhile to see who's really looking at us wondering when the kids are going to lose it. We're wondering too!
But this is when it hits me. I bring Julia to the ladies room for a change and the 2 stall room is so tiny if both are taken you have to wait outside the door. I have to go back a day though and tell you about my experience at 99 restaurant. I brought one to the LR, pulled down the changing table, quick change, out the door, get another one, back in the LR, change another diaper and back out the door (yes, I washed my hands). No problem, just a few stares with all my trips. Back at H2O I'm standing outside the LR and someone just walks in ahead of me. By the time I realized what happened I just looked at Julia, decided I wouldn't do what I would have 6 months ago and waited. The girl was young, she has years of standing and waiting ahead of her so it will happen to her. Anyway, I get in there and the sink area is so tiny there is no way I can change a diaper AND it's soaked with water and soap AND there aren't any paper towels. Knowing it's not going to get any better I say a quick prayer that the handicapped stall will have what I need. Nope. Back out to the restaurant where I explain to Julia that it doesn't get much better over the years so pick your places wisely.
Upon leaving the restaurant we were greeted with the most beautiful sunset over the bay. It was a great day.

Beauty

Hi Everyone!

Julia and Jameson are officially walking! Julia for 3 weeks now and Jameson for 1. They think it's great and we are just amazed at all the changes in 4 1/2 months. They are eating like crazy and love to go outside and in the car to explore new places. If they see a pool or even a puddle, they want in. They took their first trip to New Hampshire last week and the week before that we explored Chinatown in Boston. Jameson finally ate rice! A big deal for a kid who would only eat pureed food. He's at the point now where bottles aren't what he wants so we have to find foods to replace the formula and milk to get him to fatten up. He's still a great sleeper and quite the flirt around the ladies. They both have lots of teeth coming in and I swear have gotten taller in the past 2 weeks. Here's Julia last week

Have a great week!

Update

Yes, I'm in my pajamas again!

Hello Everyone!

It's been awhile since I've posted so I'll try and update you all. Julia and Jameson are doing fantastic and are two happy babies! We are so lucky and we're having a great time. The summer is moving quickly so we are trying to do as much as possible. It's not easy working around Jameson's naptime! Today we went to the pool and we lasted about an hour. Jameson was turning blue and they both were pruned up. They do love splashing around so they have lots of fun.
Julia has caught up to Jameson in weight since she discovered table food. Mostly bread right now but she'll try anything. She also started walking on Sunday so we're in big trouble! She is still extremely curious so keeping up with her will be a challenge. She isn't too steady right now but 3 steps on Sunday has become about 7 today. Jameson is perfecting the perfect standing position so I guess he'll be right behind her. I have never seen any child so determined to do something-he must fall down and get up a 100 times a day.
On Saturday their cousin Isabelle turned "big girl 4" so they attended their first birthday party. Next year they'll be participating and I won't have them next to me on a blanket!
Julia has started a music class since she has showed so much interest in it. I certainly don't want her learning singing or dancing from me (or Dave) so once a week her and I go to a class with other children her age. She is just watching right now and not participating much but she is fascinated by everyone else. Jameson starts a different type of class soon so I'll keep you posted.
They are both so much fun I can't believe how exciting everyday is. Yes, they're still one and all that comes with that but I am amazed at how well they are adjusting to everything. Everyday they show me something new -Jameson is so proud he can say "hi" and do peek-a-boo-Julia now knows many words and gestures and of course the walking. She lights up when her Daddy walks in and can't wait to wake him in the morning. She kisses him hello and kisses me good- bye!
That's our update. Between the zoo, cookouts, playtime with cousins and visits with grandparents we are having a great summer.
They'll soon get to meet their cousin Chris who is on a military break next week...we can't wait!

We couldn't wait to get in!

Hi Everyone!

Our new pool was set up today but we didn't wait for it to be filled! This is so much fun!
Hope you're all having a great summer!

Love,
Julia & Jameson

Happy 4th!

Just us

Aren't we cute?

Here is an update on us-

On Monday Julia decided it was time to do something new so she grabbed onto the shelf of the changing table and pulled herself up! Ta daa! Dave and I were sitting on the floor with them and just watched the whole thing, shaking our heads saying "oh no". She continued to practice and is looking for help in walking more and more. The walker isn't as much fun now that she has people to hold her hands!

Tuesday we came home from the doctors and Jameson crawled over to his walker and pulled himself up! Yikes, we're in trouble. He's been practicing for weeks so it was a great accomplishment. His hard work paid off.

Last week was a slow week due to the after effects of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella shot from the week before. We had 2 very needy babies with slight fevers and the need to be held at all times. Poor things, they just felt yucky for days.

Julia and Jameson are getting great reviews from their doctors and continue to amaze us.

This week we have to add some new fattier foods to their diet and we're working on more textured food so wish us luck!

Happy Birthday Gianna!

Today we celebrated Gianna's 2nd birthday! With her and Jameson celebrating only a few days apart and so much going on every weekend we took a ride today and exchanged birthday gifts. Wait til Daddy sees the picture of Jameson on Gianna's new pink 4-wheeler.

Anyway, I'm posting a picture with Jameson in his new favorite position...laying in my arms, and still sucking his thumb. This is a boy who barely wanted to be held a few weeks ago. I'm in trouble now!

Happy birthday kids!

I'll get that candle!

Me and Daddy trying to figure out what to do with that candle. I'm not interested at all in the cupcake but my birthday was so much fun I was first to go to bed...again.