Welcome to Rob and Candy's Blog

We are going PINK- we are adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. We'll be sharing our journey to adopt our daughter!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Igor's Birthday, camping and the lake

Saturday we celebrated Igor's 7th birthday! Babushka order a cake with Igor's picture on it and I made pizza. Igor invited a few children from the neighborhood and they had a blast.



Sunday after church Papa, Igor and Rob went camping! Henry wanted to go camping too but he'll have to wait a few more years. This was Igor's first over night camping trip. They hiked a total of 10 miles. Igor did great!

They are going camping again next week. June 27 is National Wildlife's Great American Campout! Check out the link to see how many families in your state will be camping out this weekend.

Today we went to a local lake. This is Henry's first lake experience. Both boys had so much fun. Henry loves to put his head under water which is a little scary but he does the same thing in the bath tub. I think Henry will be swimming soon.


Friday, June 19, 2009

another tooth gone


Igor lost his sixth tooth on Wednesday night! My little boy is not so little anymore.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Igor

Igor at 3 1/2 years old at Pechory Orphan House.


I have waited three and a half years to say this.... Today, Igor has been part of our family longer than he was in the orphanage! Three and a half years ago a Russian judge granted us custody of Igor. We traveled from Pskov to Moscow on an over night train. In Moscow we went to the US Embassy to submit our final paperwork and then we flew home!
This is my favorite picture from the train ride.

We love you Igor!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

backyard fun!

Last summer Igor and I had the freedom to go to the pool, playground, a museum, etc whenever we wanted to. This summer our daily schedule revolves around Henry's naps. Since Henry doesn't get up at the same time everyday his nap time fluctuates from 9:30AM-11AM. This is prime playground time since it is much cooler in the morning. We have several playgrounds within walking distance from our house but none close enough that I would let Igor go by himself while Henry is napping. So, Rob and I decided to invest in a play set for the boys.

The boys love it! Henry wakes up early so he enjoys playing outside while Igor is still in bed. (remember sleeping in during summer break?) Igor enjoys playing outside while Henry is napping and we all play on it before or after dinner.

I asked Igor what he wanted to do for his birthday (this weekend). He said he wanted to invite the neighbors two doors down over and play on the swings. I asked, "Do want to invite any other friends over?" No. "Do you want to have a scavenger hunt?" No, just the K's, play and eat cake and ice cream. Okay, I can make that happen.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Operation sleep

Recently I posted that Henry was getting up between 3:45 and 4:30AM and did not want to go back to sleep. After a few weeks of sleep deprivation I implemented "Operation Sleep". Operation sleep eliminated Daddy and Henry's 5AM walks. Daddy was not allowed to get up with Henry when he woke up. If Henry needed to go to the bathroom at 3 or 4AM I took him to the bathroom then I put him back into bed. I explained it was still time for sleeping. Henry could sleep with me or by himself. Some mornings he would not go back to sleep with me in the room so I left him in his bed. He would cry but I knew he wasn't hurt, he just wanted to play. I know it sounds cruel to leave him in his room crying but honestly I could not take another week of getting up at 4:30AM.
Operation sleep is going well. Each day has gotten better. This morning Henry woke up at 5:15AM. He sang some songs then went back to sleep until 6:05AM. Ahhh, glorious sleep! I am not claiming victory yet. We need a week of 6:15AM wake-ups and then I will be able to say- Mission Accomplished!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Life

School is out for the summer!! On the last day of school Igor came home with this very cool t-shirt. It has a picture of Igor's Kindergarten class on it. Igor loves his new shirt and insisted that he wear it all day over his t-shirt he wore to school. It was 91 degrees yesterday but he didn't seen to notice.




Igor being silly in his class picture shirt.

Igor, Henry and I are creating a new daily routine. Henry is a little off because he isn't use to napping with Igor home. Henry would rather play....


Igor and Henry being silly together.

Yesterday we met with the social worker for Henry's 6 month post placement visit. Igor is always asking when he can play with the social worker's daughter. This visit both of them were out of school so they could play while the adults talked. The kids had a great time. Ciara and Igor played together while Issac and Henry played.

Henry has added a bunch of words to his vocabulary. His favorite word is DADDY! He also likes to say; "where dad?", "doggy", "wet" (when he wants to take a bath), poo-poo, what dis? (what's this?) or what dat (what's that?), Pa-pa and Baa (for Babushka).

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

5 MONTHS!


On January 2, 2009 we landed in the USA with our adorable son Henry!

We've been home 5 months.

We love you so much Henry! We cannot imagine life without you.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Busy, Busy, Busy

Being in a sleep deprived state Saturday morning - I promptly backed over Henry's scooter as I was racing out to Shari's shower. I should have looked but when did we start parking scooters behind my car? After running over Igor's sandals later in the day I am now LOOKING behind my car Before I get in it.

Shari is one of our Ethiopia adoption pals. She and her husband are adopting a little boy and a toddler girl from Ethiopia! I had a great time her adoption shower. Susan and Jill, who also adopted from Ethiopia, were also there.



Saturday afternoon we had a VBS registration event at the church.

Henry pushing the WOD (wheel of death).


Igor getting his face painted.

Sunday morning I had the clippers out to cut Rob's hair. Henry saw the clippers and sat in Rob's lap so I cut Henry's hair first. Henry did not cry and seemed perfectly content with me cutting his hair. I think the barber shop does a better job of outlining his hair but overall I think it looks good.


Sunday after church we went to a fair. Henry went on his first amusment ride!


Igor at the petting zoo


Today we picked our first tomato! yummy!

Rob and I are exhausted. Henry is now getting up between 3:30 and 4:30 AM each morning. He will not go back to sleep and he yells, "MAAAAMAAAA" or his new favorite word "DADDY" until we get him. Some mornings he will yell for an hour. This is not restful! Please pray that Henry would sleep until 5 or 5:30AM.