Precious In His Sight

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Happy Birthday Jordan!

Well, we now have two 2-year olds, heaven help us!! Jordan was nothing but smiles at her cake and presents. She's not sure what it's all about but she knows she is the center of attention, exactly where she thinks she needs to be. We did not make a big production of her birthday since she is still not great with crowds, but the celebration with our family was fun for everyone. The chocolate cake was a definite hit. Jordan had no problem passing out for her nap afterward, but Jackson is still upstairs in his bed singing "Happy Birthday Sissy "Jonder", all fall down". That's not our version of the song, but he has his own way of doing things.

Gifts included a barbie doll, barbie clothes, cell phone (not a real one yet!), dress-up clothes, play vacuum cleaner, dancing mat, and
much more. Jackson got a new monster truck as well.

Jordan's network is expanding, as she is now very very comfortable with her big sister and her "Mimi". She even had her first sleepover away from home last night and did great! After all, she's two now.

Next big event for Jordan will be a few months away. She will become a big sister herself on or about May 8th, when baby Sister Julie is due to arrive. Lots of responsibility for Jordan just around the corner. No doubt she will make her baby sister proud!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Happy Holidays!

Nobody sat on Santa's lap this year, but on a positive note, there were no tears either. Jackson's only request was "I want those candy sticks over there". Both kids gave him a hug, too. Santa did deliver, and there was much more than candy sticks. The holidays were great for both kids. Jordan did pretty good with all of the hooplah, but goodbyes were very hard for her.

Jordan has progressed so much in 1 month. She and Jackson still have their moments, but they have certainly bonded. They look out for each other as much as they squabble.

Jordan still faces many challenges in the upcoming months. She has surgery next week for ear tubes and adenoid removal. Potty training is just around the corner. We are working on catching up her language skills. She has to see the pediatrician in 2 weeks for many many many immunizations. She's getting caught up to American standards very quickly.

We just received the Certificate of Citizenship for Jordan declaring her an American citizen. There was a letter with it from the White House that would make anybody proud to be an American. Topped off an already wonderful Christmas Season. Next up: Jordan's 2nd birthday, January 31st!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Two Peas in a Pod

Well, it's not all grins and giggles at the Roberts' house these days, but those are the only memories we care to preserve. Jackson and Jordan are practically inseperable. They mimic each others' every move. They are both learning their boundaries with each other and with us. Jordan's meltdowns are fewer and shorter, but still we have several a day.

She is very smart, a worthy challenger for us. It's frustrating, but you've gotta give credit where credit is due. Funny story (have to laugh or else we'll cry): I brought home chicken nuggets and fries for both of them Thursday night. Jordan, like Jackson used to, dove into the fries and ignored the chicken. When we couldn't get her to eat the chicken, we took away the fries...meltdown #1, timeout. Then I picked up a nugget and tried to feed it to her: mouth glued shut, straight to timeout...meltdown #2. When the screaming stopped, Robin actually got her to open her mouth and take a bite of the nugget. She slowly chewed, looking at him like he was the devil, and once it was all chewed up, nothing. She would not swallow. How do you make a kid swallow??? Timeout. timeout again. timeout again. 30 minutes later, the food was still in her mouth. No dinner for Jordan that night.

Saturday has been much better. The kids got up and had breakfast together, after donning their "Roll Tide" attire. No major meltdowns to this point. After breakfast, they burned off their energy playing with anything they could find. Sharing can still be a problem. Our house is like the toy department at Wal-Mart, but they both need the same toy! We're working on it, though. For some reason, Jackson loves pushing around Jordan's baby-doll stroller, but he likes to push her in it. She just laughs.

After lots of play-time, it was time to go get the Christmas Tree. The kids went crazy running through all of the trees. Finally we picked ours out and loaded it up. Jordan passed out on the way home, and Jackson was not far behind. They are now in bed for naps and we are resting up for round 2.

We are having a blast. Jordan has had no problems at all bonding with her family and with her nanny. She absolutely loves Lindy; cried when she left. A little discipline and a lot of love, and this little girl will be the cutest, sweetest, smartest little girl in the whole world: that's our daughter!!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Jordan meets Jackson

I have no photos to share today, but I have to try to describe this moment. ( we have video, but no luck uploading yet). We walk in the door. Robin has already gone in and picked up Jackson. I'm holding Jordan. Jackson has the biggest grin on his face and proclaims "Sissy Jordan!" As I come closer with her, Jackson says "I hold Sissy Jordan." She's grinning ear to ear as well. They both reach for each other like long-lost lovers. Hugs and kisses like we have never seen. We put them down, and they hugged and kissed some more before they frolicked off to play. Forever etched in my mind. Then the biting and fighting started, but for a brief moment...
Now, we have some work to do, on both of them. There is still that bond between them though.

She did so great on the plane. In fact the last 48 hours with Jordan before we got home, she was really coming around. The fits were much less seldom and much shorter. She was happy with either or both of us. She really made great strides. She is having a set-back now because of the changes. I really believe she thinks we are giving her away to her next parents every time she meets another adult. She has no problem flirting with everybody on the plane and in restaurants, but they are not there for personal contact. I think a week at home and she will realize this is for keeps. She is such a smart little girl.

I will try to get some photos of them posted soon. There just has been no time yet, and I'm already back at work today. Check back this weekend.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Packed and ready!!!

We are packed and ready!! Condensed down to 2 checked bags and 2 carry-on's. Don't ask me how. That's half the checked bags we came with. It will be so good to see Jackson, and to have him meet his "Sissy Jordan". We miss him so much, he just may get to sleep with us tomorrow night.

Today was uneventful. We had one errand, then had our daily nap (still not straightened out on the time change), and went to dinner. We were actually eager to come back from dinner and start packing. This trip back is such a relief because we know it is the last. No more visas to apply for, no more paperwork to round up (ok, some post-placement stuff, but nothing like before). It will be a long 15 hours, but a 15-hour sigh of relief as well. Tylenol and Benadryl on board.

Jordan is playing her heart out with Robin. Wonderful to hear her laugh. She's a tough girl. He can be as rough with her as he is with Jackson, and she just chases him for more. We're letting her stay up a little later tonight in hopes of extra naps tomorrow. May backfire; we'll see. No luck with the video I wanted to share. I'll try again once we get home. It is precious, Robin and Jordan going at it.

Nothing more for now. Please throw a few prayers our way for the long trip. Can't wait to be back with our friends and family. Thank you so much for your support along the way.

Ready to come home!!!

Same old Moscow here. Sorry to have missed a day, but nothing new to report. Jordan is having great fun chasing and tickling Robin, as well as running from him. This is new. The first couple of days, she did not get the concept. We'd try to chase her or run from her, and she looked at us like we were crazy. I've been trying to upload a video for you but no luck yet.

Jordan has been pitching some fits of epic proportions lately. We have some work to do. Our interpreter told us that her caregivers had said that she was the most clever and the leader of the group. They called her a "champion". This is trouble for a parent. She is used to getting her way, and these new rules don't sit well. Fortunately for her, she is just as loving as she is obstinate, so we will keep her around. Good luck, Lindy!!!

We have to go sign a piece of paper today, and that's about it. The visa and passport are done and ready. Get to pack tonight!! I'll try to post this evening again. Maybe the video will be uploaded to google by then.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Mission Accomplished

Finally made the obligatory journey to Red Square. I understand there is an audio tour, but we did not see an English speaker to find out how to get it. We walked around for a little while, took some pictures, and called ourselves done. Jordan had another good day with a few pouts thrown in there, but no more than any other child would. McDonald's fries still a hit.

She played with Daddy a lot today, but still is only comfortable with him when I am in the room. She so loves his tickles, high fives, and kisses, though. That comfort will come soon enough, when we get home, and I go straight to work the next day. Then it's all Daddy!

Bath time has become a delight to Jordan. First night she trembled at being put in a bathtub and would not sit down. Second night, we pretty much forced her to sit down, and she did, but again trembled the whole time. Third night, she kept running to the tub wanting a bath. She sat right down, started playing with her toys and splashing like it was the most fun she had ever had. I'm having to tell her "no" all the time now when she runs for the tub because I'm not doing bath time 8 times a day.

Tomorrow is our appointment at the American Embassy for an interview. This is a formality in order to get Jordan's Visa into the United States. The Visa should then be ready on Tuesday. She is not an American citizen until we get back to Atlanta. I think that is almost our last hoop to jump through before we leave, aside from getting to the airplane, a daunting task in itself. We are so ready, though. Can't wait to bring her home.