Two oclock on Christmas morning the boys awoke.
We had to re-direct them after many cries of glee back to their beds.
At seven am, mom and dad agreed that it was time to see what Santa had left:
Nail polish (her number one request), a Dora vanity, and Leapster for Oksana
A Digital camera, razor scooter and a GI Joe for Nikolai
A Razor scooter, GI Joe and a new 18 speed for Vitaly
Assorted Bengal gear, jeans and a new hammer (broken earlier in the summer by Vitaly) for dad
Fry Skillet, muffin pan and a yearly Christmas cold for mom
After a wonderful brunch with Larry's family, it was time to unwind and give thanks for the gifts and the birth of Jesus.
On Saturday it was a balmy 68 degrees in Ohio! We opened our windows and played outside. Saturday night, mom spent a few hours catching up with a dear childhood friend. Sunday, we ventured to my Aunt's house in Columbus. We had an awesome time! My dear cousin is pregnant and as we were talking, Miss Oksana was listening in.
I turned to her and said, Ms. C was having a baby! Oksana's eyes and mouth flew open in awe! Then she turned to me and asked in complete wonder...
"How does the baby get out??!!"
Oh the questions of a four year old in a room full of people~
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I will post some pictures of the past few days soon!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A Christmas Story
I dont know about you ....
but the last movie shot of the couple in a Christmas Story watching the snow fall and the kids asleep with a glass of wine relates to me
the perfect ending of a Christmas day...
Peace and good will to all!
but the last movie shot of the couple in a Christmas Story watching the snow fall and the kids asleep with a glass of wine relates to me
the perfect ending of a Christmas day...
Peace and good will to all!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Recovering
It just seems a bit surreal right now.
To think that on Monday night I celebrated 19 years as a wife, and on Tuesday, I could have been a widow with three small children.
Larry is doing extremely well. He is adjusting to his new lifestyle. He is advoiding foods that before were second nature, as a meal. He is not over exerting himself. It is weird to know that my very strong, tall and athletic husband will no longer be shoveling snow or helping my father with his hay baling, during the summer. It is a new adjustment that is for sure.
Maybe, allowing Vitaly the opportunity to mow the grass on his own was definitely a good thing!
Our friends, family, and blogger buddies have been sooooo supportive! Thank you for the flowers and food. Thank you and God Bless you all!
To think that on Monday night I celebrated 19 years as a wife, and on Tuesday, I could have been a widow with three small children.
Larry is doing extremely well. He is adjusting to his new lifestyle. He is advoiding foods that before were second nature, as a meal. He is not over exerting himself. It is weird to know that my very strong, tall and athletic husband will no longer be shoveling snow or helping my father with his hay baling, during the summer. It is a new adjustment that is for sure.
Maybe, allowing Vitaly the opportunity to mow the grass on his own was definitely a good thing!
Our friends, family, and blogger buddies have been sooooo supportive! Thank you for the flowers and food. Thank you and God Bless you all!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
How life can change
How life can change in a day.
Larry has been feeling ill for a few weeks now.
Typical upper respiratory symptoms of chronic cough, ache, wheezing, pain etc… Over Thanksgiving he went to an Urgent Care who gave him some antibiotics and sent him on his way. Still, he just didn’t feel like he was recovering with pain in his chest and arm. Thinking he probably had pneumonia he went to our family Physician on Monday. They took a chest xray, mentioned his blood pressure was higher then typical and ordered some blood work and a stress test in the next few days.
On Tuesday morning predawn, he awoke me saying he needed to go to the hospital. Thinking the pneumonia was the cause of the panic, I packed up the kids and drove to the closest hospital. After letting him off at the ER, I parked and brought the kids in to see how he was doing. He was having tests run and he said bye to the kids, so I could take them to school. I returned to the hospital to find out that he was suffering a heart attack; and would be airlifted to another hospital with a Heart Cath Lab.
Oksana and I said good-bye and left to meet them at the next hospital.
His procedure was successful and they were able to fix him.
Noone saw it coming. Not even our family Physician, who called in complete disbelief.
He is 43. He is active. He is barely overweight. He has never smoked. He eats his veggies and fruits and has a varied diet. He doesn’t look like a heart attack waiting to happen. But, it did.
He has been the model patient and luckily will be going home very soon, and healed.
Wake up call!
Larry has been feeling ill for a few weeks now.
Typical upper respiratory symptoms of chronic cough, ache, wheezing, pain etc… Over Thanksgiving he went to an Urgent Care who gave him some antibiotics and sent him on his way. Still, he just didn’t feel like he was recovering with pain in his chest and arm. Thinking he probably had pneumonia he went to our family Physician on Monday. They took a chest xray, mentioned his blood pressure was higher then typical and ordered some blood work and a stress test in the next few days.
On Tuesday morning predawn, he awoke me saying he needed to go to the hospital. Thinking the pneumonia was the cause of the panic, I packed up the kids and drove to the closest hospital. After letting him off at the ER, I parked and brought the kids in to see how he was doing. He was having tests run and he said bye to the kids, so I could take them to school. I returned to the hospital to find out that he was suffering a heart attack; and would be airlifted to another hospital with a Heart Cath Lab.
Oksana and I said good-bye and left to meet them at the next hospital.
His procedure was successful and they were able to fix him.
Noone saw it coming. Not even our family Physician, who called in complete disbelief.
He is 43. He is active. He is barely overweight. He has never smoked. He eats his veggies and fruits and has a varied diet. He doesn’t look like a heart attack waiting to happen. But, it did.
He has been the model patient and luckily will be going home very soon, and healed.
Wake up call!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Happy Anniversary
Today is my anniversary.
Nineteen years ago, I walked down the aisle and married my husband, at the tender age of 23.
It is amazing that nineteen years have now passed.
It has not always been an easy journey.
There are so many memories good, bad, happy and sad.
We have been each other’s strength through the loss of our mothers. Hand in hand we have walked the Caribbean beaches, skied the slopes, attended football games and traveled throughout Europe together. We bought our first home and dog. We have held each other, as we cried over the loss of our beloved dog. We have met many friends and watched over the years, as some of these friendships slowly faded, and others emerged. We have known years without children and the freedom of doing what we wanted, as a couple.
We have traveled to Ukraine in hopes of building our family. We have known the pain of the possibility of returning home childless; and the joy when our prayers were finally answered. We have known the elation of arriving home with our first son, on our ten year anniversary! There was never a better gift to have received. We have shared the excitement of meeting our other children for the first time halfway around the world.
We know that each year is a gift and a blessing, and we have enjoyed them together for nineteen years with many more adventures ahead.
Nineteen years ago, I walked down the aisle and married my husband, at the tender age of 23.
It is amazing that nineteen years have now passed.
It has not always been an easy journey.
There are so many memories good, bad, happy and sad.
We have been each other’s strength through the loss of our mothers. Hand in hand we have walked the Caribbean beaches, skied the slopes, attended football games and traveled throughout Europe together. We bought our first home and dog. We have held each other, as we cried over the loss of our beloved dog. We have met many friends and watched over the years, as some of these friendships slowly faded, and others emerged. We have known years without children and the freedom of doing what we wanted, as a couple.
We have traveled to Ukraine in hopes of building our family. We have known the pain of the possibility of returning home childless; and the joy when our prayers were finally answered. We have known the elation of arriving home with our first son, on our ten year anniversary! There was never a better gift to have received. We have shared the excitement of meeting our other children for the first time halfway around the world.
We know that each year is a gift and a blessing, and we have enjoyed them together for nineteen years with many more adventures ahead.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Results
Well the results came in for Nikolai's growth hormone testing and the verdict....
He is destined to be small.
There are no abnormalities that they can locate to explain his height deficiency, therefore qualifying for growth hormones. Now the only way he could get the growth hormones is if we pay for them ourselves without any assistance from insurance. That is not a possibility. I have heard the cost is in the thousands.
I feel for him. I have been very short all of my life, so I know the challenges he will face.
I know it will be harder for a boy.
Thank goodness he is such a nice, funny and beautiful child and can light up a room with his gorgeous dimpled smile! Besides he doesn't really want to be a basketball player, he would much rather be "the Paralyzer" and cause havoc on the football field!
He is destined to be small.
There are no abnormalities that they can locate to explain his height deficiency, therefore qualifying for growth hormones. Now the only way he could get the growth hormones is if we pay for them ourselves without any assistance from insurance. That is not a possibility. I have heard the cost is in the thousands.
I feel for him. I have been very short all of my life, so I know the challenges he will face.
I know it will be harder for a boy.
Thank goodness he is such a nice, funny and beautiful child and can light up a room with his gorgeous dimpled smile! Besides he doesn't really want to be a basketball player, he would much rather be "the Paralyzer" and cause havoc on the football field!
Monday, December 8, 2008
I still remember
I still remember the smell of Ukraine
I still remember what I was wearing
I still remember the weather
I still remember the smile on everyone's faces at the announcement
I still remember what it felt like when I was officially announced a parent
I still remember my husband's smile
I still remember that I cried
I still remember that it was the most amazing moment of my life
I still remember that I will never forget it
It was the day I became a mom for the first time...
Eight years ago today
Happy Gotcha Vitaly!
I still remember what I was wearing
I still remember the weather
I still remember the smile on everyone's faces at the announcement
I still remember what it felt like when I was officially announced a parent
I still remember my husband's smile
I still remember that I cried
I still remember that it was the most amazing moment of my life
I still remember that I will never forget it
It was the day I became a mom for the first time...
Eight years ago today
Happy Gotcha Vitaly!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Home Sweet Home
I have been on working on a project for work out of town all week and just got home today.
Traveling is definitely hard work but part of the position.
Luckily, this time it was in driving distance and I didn't have to fly. I had my van with me to hit the shopping/dining spots after the work groups so I was not hotel bound!
So, when do those miles finally add up that is what I want to know!!
Home sweet home!!
Traveling is definitely hard work but part of the position.
Luckily, this time it was in driving distance and I didn't have to fly. I had my van with me to hit the shopping/dining spots after the work groups so I was not hotel bound!
So, when do those miles finally add up that is what I want to know!!
Home sweet home!!
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