Loving the slide (and climbing up on it - Zina helping him go up)
Enjoying the swings:
Having a snack after all the workout:
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Vanie loves the playground
Here are a few pix from us in the park:
Loving the slide (and climbing up on it - Zina helping him go up)
Enjoying the swings:
Having a snack after all the workout:
Loving the slide (and climbing up on it - Zina helping him go up)
Enjoying the swings:
Having a snack after all the workout:
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pix with the grandparents (Moscow - Dec 09)
My mom and dad with Vanie
Proud grandparents with bundled up Vanie outside
I can't find any pix with my sis so i will have to ask her to send some b4 i can post them.
The long awaited Moscow Updates (A month late)
Vlad-Moscow Updates (12/27-12/30) – LONG POST
So, here are some of the events you missed because we were both sick and then I was too busy chasing Vanie around the houseand just being a mom. I have to admit I don’t really get the chance to get much done while I am with him…
Flight to Moscow:
Vanie was great and didn’t cry for most of the flight except at the end. The problem was that he only slept for 30 min’s while waiting for take off on the plane and then for about 20 min’s on decent and landing. He pretty much stayed awake the entire 9 ½ hrs flight. I didn’t really get to eat anything and only got to use the restroom once about an hour before landing. Vanie had a seat but didn’t really use it and was in my lap for most of the flight. The seat was a lifesaver when it came to putting all his gear somewhere.
Some of the other flight highlights:
• Getting on the plane: We had to take a bus to the plane, not a big deal, except we had to wait in the freezing cold outside to get from the bus on the plane. From what I saw, Russians are not exactly used to letting people with children go first. After 2 minutes in the cold and Vanie screaming with freezing hands (although he was pretty bundled up), I had to use my Bulgarian manners to get in front of the line. No one really helped me with the luggage. They just looked at me trying to carry a baby and two bags up the stairs. I was pretty pissed off.
• The drunk Ukrainian: We had a crazy Ukrainian across the aisle from us who was already drunk when he got on the plane. Although he was nice to us and even entertained Vanie a bit (and told me a hundred times how proud he is of me – most probably the alcohol speaking), he ended up drinking even more and throwing up all over his seat… I am just glad he was on the other side of the aisle. Needless to say he slept for the most part of the flight after that.
• The other helpers: There were two Russian families flying from Vald. to Moscow and then to Sofia (going to Borovez for a ski vacation). We became friends quickly after they found out that I am from Sofia and that Vanie was just adopted. Vanie even played with their kids. Both moms helped me during the flight.
• Vanie’s entertainment: He spent most of the time in my lap playing with the remote control of the individual TV screens we had. The playing was more like banging the remote into the seat, or just drumming with anything he could find. I was really surprised no one complained.
Overall, everything was ok during the flight except that Vanie continued to cough and sneeze and was getting worse than the day before.
Moscow:
We were expected by Lena from the agency and had no problem getting to the hotel. Vanie fell asleep in the car. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, just a few steps from the Kremlin (which we didn’t even see while there).
The hotel and our room was really nice and we got a crib for Vanie. Only minutes after checking in my parents and sis arrived. I was so happy and excited to see them but also so exhausted, I couldn’t even cry although I really wanted to. I have to say that I wasn’t really who they were looking for. They saw Vanie and just grabbed him out of my hands. They didn’t let him sleep for quite a while. I think it was love at first sight for all of them. :-)
In the same spirit, here are the highlights of the stay in Moscow:
• Vanie: He behaved most of the time and loved spending time with his grandma, grandpa and antie. His cold and cough got worse. Lena even helped us get him to the US embassy doctor who told us Vanie just had a cold and is teething and just has to get through it. We all know that it turn out to be much more serious after that. Vanie had fever twice but we had OTC US and Bulgarian meds to bring it down. I had to promise my mom that we will go to the doctor as soon as we land (which we did). Vanie also became pretty comfortable walking in the room and also behaved in the stroller when he was with my parents.
• Getting the US visa: We had to go to the US embassy to pick up the immigration visa on a really cold and snowy day. Lena and my sis came with us but were not allowed in so I had to carry Vanie alone. Three were a few other families and kids there and Vanie was one of the youngest and most “active” ones there and didn’t stop moving around. He kept throwing pretty smiles and long lashes at the lady who was processing his file and before we knew it we got his passport with his immigration visa.
• The crazy loving grandparents: What can I say, I just love them and I am soooo glad they were there to meet their 1st grandson and to help me with him. They brought Vanie so much stuff that we had to return some of it with it due to lack of luggage space. I arrived in Moscow with one big and one small suitcase and ended up leaving with 4 big suitcases and my carry-on and most of the stuff was toys and cloths for Vanie. My family absolutely fell in love with Vanie and just wanted to take him with them to Sofia. There was one additional bed in my room and they were fighting every every who would sleep in our room (vs their hotel) or who would hold him. The constant thing I heard (from my dad the most): “ok, I think he had enough of nap now, let’s wake him up and play!” :-) I saw my parents turn into kids and they just seemed genuinely happy.
We didn’t really get to see anything outside of the hotel room or the embassy and a few stores (our of necessity) b/c Vanie was not feeling well at all but it was still the best trip ever as I got to see my parents and they got to meet their 1st grandson.
See the following post for pix with the grandparents.
The flight to LAX:
We ended up spending good 2 hours at the airport with my parents as we just couldn’t part. My dad was let inside with us to help us check in the luggage. Remember how we couldn’t figure out how heavy Vanie is b/c the Vlad doctor’s scale was broken? Well, problem solved. There was a luggage scale at the airport and we used it to weigh Vanie. He was about 8.6 kg (19.1 lbs) at that time. All went well except that the coughing continued and Vanie didn’t want anything but formula. It was a long flight, 14 ½ hours with boarding and taking off, and I am very proud that Vanie behaved very well pretty much the entire time. He slept for about 6 hours and fell only once from the chair when he kept turning around.
• Aeroflot: Did you know that this airline serves free alcohol only with the food and all other alcoholic drinks have to be bought? Even with that the flight was full of drunks.
• The plane: We had two out of three seats on the very last raw of the plane, right next to the restrooms and kitchen. Sadly enough, we were on a older Boeing and there was only one restroom with a changing table and it was at the very front of economy class so we had to walk through the entire plane every time we needed to do a diaper change.
• The helpers: There was one family, American husband and Russian wife with their 7 yr old daughter who were nice enough to help me during the flight.
• The accident: I was running out of toys for Vanie and ended up giving him a mustard pack (like the McD ketchup packs) to play with. Of course, he lost interest after 2 mins and just dropped it on the aisle floor and I didn’t pick it up just because. Guess what happened next! Yes, the flight attendant walked over it with the drinks cart, punctured it and sprayed the old lady on the other side of the aisle (who was already unhappy every time Vanie would cough or cry out). It was hilarious: she was so mad, mumbled something in Russian and started cleaning up her pants. It was pretty bad. Her entire leg, purse and table were covered in mustered spots. I felt bad and yet couldn’t stop snickering. C’mon, it was really funny!!!
• Landing in the US: We were sent to the immigration desk (as expected) and had to wait there for at least 30 minutes. For some reason, there was some kind of Pilipino immigration invasion and they were all lined up at the immigration desk, waiting to be processed. We were let in front of them b/c of Vanie but the officer was not familiar with the paperwork so it took some time to get everything processed. After we were done, we asked for someone to help us with the luggage and off were to go out and meet Jason who was waiting for his 2 most favorite creatures to finally come home. You know how the rest of the story goes….
So, here are some of the events you missed because we were both sick and then I was too busy chasing Vanie around the houseand just being a mom. I have to admit I don’t really get the chance to get much done while I am with him…
Flight to Moscow:
Vanie was great and didn’t cry for most of the flight except at the end. The problem was that he only slept for 30 min’s while waiting for take off on the plane and then for about 20 min’s on decent and landing. He pretty much stayed awake the entire 9 ½ hrs flight. I didn’t really get to eat anything and only got to use the restroom once about an hour before landing. Vanie had a seat but didn’t really use it and was in my lap for most of the flight. The seat was a lifesaver when it came to putting all his gear somewhere.
Some of the other flight highlights:
• Getting on the plane: We had to take a bus to the plane, not a big deal, except we had to wait in the freezing cold outside to get from the bus on the plane. From what I saw, Russians are not exactly used to letting people with children go first. After 2 minutes in the cold and Vanie screaming with freezing hands (although he was pretty bundled up), I had to use my Bulgarian manners to get in front of the line. No one really helped me with the luggage. They just looked at me trying to carry a baby and two bags up the stairs. I was pretty pissed off.
• The drunk Ukrainian: We had a crazy Ukrainian across the aisle from us who was already drunk when he got on the plane. Although he was nice to us and even entertained Vanie a bit (and told me a hundred times how proud he is of me – most probably the alcohol speaking), he ended up drinking even more and throwing up all over his seat… I am just glad he was on the other side of the aisle. Needless to say he slept for the most part of the flight after that.
• The other helpers: There were two Russian families flying from Vald. to Moscow and then to Sofia (going to Borovez for a ski vacation). We became friends quickly after they found out that I am from Sofia and that Vanie was just adopted. Vanie even played with their kids. Both moms helped me during the flight.
• Vanie’s entertainment: He spent most of the time in my lap playing with the remote control of the individual TV screens we had. The playing was more like banging the remote into the seat, or just drumming with anything he could find. I was really surprised no one complained.
Overall, everything was ok during the flight except that Vanie continued to cough and sneeze and was getting worse than the day before.
Moscow:
We were expected by Lena from the agency and had no problem getting to the hotel. Vanie fell asleep in the car. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, just a few steps from the Kremlin (which we didn’t even see while there).
The hotel and our room was really nice and we got a crib for Vanie. Only minutes after checking in my parents and sis arrived. I was so happy and excited to see them but also so exhausted, I couldn’t even cry although I really wanted to. I have to say that I wasn’t really who they were looking for. They saw Vanie and just grabbed him out of my hands. They didn’t let him sleep for quite a while. I think it was love at first sight for all of them. :-)
In the same spirit, here are the highlights of the stay in Moscow:
• Vanie: He behaved most of the time and loved spending time with his grandma, grandpa and antie. His cold and cough got worse. Lena even helped us get him to the US embassy doctor who told us Vanie just had a cold and is teething and just has to get through it. We all know that it turn out to be much more serious after that. Vanie had fever twice but we had OTC US and Bulgarian meds to bring it down. I had to promise my mom that we will go to the doctor as soon as we land (which we did). Vanie also became pretty comfortable walking in the room and also behaved in the stroller when he was with my parents.
• Getting the US visa: We had to go to the US embassy to pick up the immigration visa on a really cold and snowy day. Lena and my sis came with us but were not allowed in so I had to carry Vanie alone. Three were a few other families and kids there and Vanie was one of the youngest and most “active” ones there and didn’t stop moving around. He kept throwing pretty smiles and long lashes at the lady who was processing his file and before we knew it we got his passport with his immigration visa.
• The crazy loving grandparents: What can I say, I just love them and I am soooo glad they were there to meet their 1st grandson and to help me with him. They brought Vanie so much stuff that we had to return some of it with it due to lack of luggage space. I arrived in Moscow with one big and one small suitcase and ended up leaving with 4 big suitcases and my carry-on and most of the stuff was toys and cloths for Vanie. My family absolutely fell in love with Vanie and just wanted to take him with them to Sofia. There was one additional bed in my room and they were fighting every every who would sleep in our room (vs their hotel) or who would hold him. The constant thing I heard (from my dad the most): “ok, I think he had enough of nap now, let’s wake him up and play!” :-) I saw my parents turn into kids and they just seemed genuinely happy.
We didn’t really get to see anything outside of the hotel room or the embassy and a few stores (our of necessity) b/c Vanie was not feeling well at all but it was still the best trip ever as I got to see my parents and they got to meet their 1st grandson.
See the following post for pix with the grandparents.
The flight to LAX:
We ended up spending good 2 hours at the airport with my parents as we just couldn’t part. My dad was let inside with us to help us check in the luggage. Remember how we couldn’t figure out how heavy Vanie is b/c the Vlad doctor’s scale was broken? Well, problem solved. There was a luggage scale at the airport and we used it to weigh Vanie. He was about 8.6 kg (19.1 lbs) at that time. All went well except that the coughing continued and Vanie didn’t want anything but formula. It was a long flight, 14 ½ hours with boarding and taking off, and I am very proud that Vanie behaved very well pretty much the entire time. He slept for about 6 hours and fell only once from the chair when he kept turning around.
• Aeroflot: Did you know that this airline serves free alcohol only with the food and all other alcoholic drinks have to be bought? Even with that the flight was full of drunks.
• The plane: We had two out of three seats on the very last raw of the plane, right next to the restrooms and kitchen. Sadly enough, we were on a older Boeing and there was only one restroom with a changing table and it was at the very front of economy class so we had to walk through the entire plane every time we needed to do a diaper change.
• The helpers: There was one family, American husband and Russian wife with their 7 yr old daughter who were nice enough to help me during the flight.
• The accident: I was running out of toys for Vanie and ended up giving him a mustard pack (like the McD ketchup packs) to play with. Of course, he lost interest after 2 mins and just dropped it on the aisle floor and I didn’t pick it up just because. Guess what happened next! Yes, the flight attendant walked over it with the drinks cart, punctured it and sprayed the old lady on the other side of the aisle (who was already unhappy every time Vanie would cough or cry out). It was hilarious: she was so mad, mumbled something in Russian and started cleaning up her pants. It was pretty bad. Her entire leg, purse and table were covered in mustered spots. I felt bad and yet couldn’t stop snickering. C’mon, it was really funny!!!
• Landing in the US: We were sent to the immigration desk (as expected) and had to wait there for at least 30 minutes. For some reason, there was some kind of Pilipino immigration invasion and they were all lined up at the immigration desk, waiting to be processed. We were let in front of them b/c of Vanie but the officer was not familiar with the paperwork so it took some time to get everything processed. After we were done, we asked for someone to help us with the luggage and off were to go out and meet Jason who was waiting for his 2 most favorite creatures to finally come home. You know how the rest of the story goes….
Random pix from last weekend (01/24/10)
The only pic of the 3 of us since we got home.
Even the new monkey made it into this picture.
He likes to touch the ground/surface after he falls, he does it every time... and then he sticks his fingers in his mouth (yuck)!!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Our new word
(old pic but i like the face he is making)
It’s official – Vanie’s new word (one of very few) is Zorro. Well, it sounds more like “Zoho” or even “Ooho” but he definitely means “Zorro”. Ok, the letters “z” and “r” are not exactly easy but the little guy is really trying, He even woke up with that word this morning. I have to admit that Zorro it pretty much his only buddy right now and the rainy days are not helping. We’ve been to Ikea like 10 times in the last week.
Here are a few other updates about Vanie:
• Doesn’t stop walking and carrying things around the house. Tried to “help” me fold the laundry the other day - it took me a while to find a few socks after that. :-)
• Can bend down to pick up a toy and get up without having to sit or fall down with the toy in his hand.
• Loves to talk to him in baby talk. He tries really hard to say things to us but doesn’t know how to do it yet. It’s tough being a 1 year old one…
• Can no drink out of a sippy cup and a straw cup – took a few days but now he likes it.
• Loves to eat bananas and Cheerios and small pcs of bread as long as he is allowed to put them in his mouth on his own.
• No more dog food or water incidents (yet). I think he’s lost interest for now – YAY.
• Started deliberately pressing certain buttons on his musical toys to get the music to pay so he can dance. I will have to make a video of him “dancing”.
Other:
• Still dislikes eating out of a spoon and throws a tantrum until he gets the bottle even if the food is quite a solid puree. I will give him a chance to feed himself with a spoon one of these days to see if that would work but have to figure out how to minimize the disaster he will create. I know he will get there like with everything else.
•The daily naps are getting shorter and shorter. He now only has two half hour naps making his total sleep around 12 hours – that just isn’t enough especially after all the daily running he does every day.
• No potty training yet (I know everyone at work is getting a kick out of this one). Yes – I have officially decided that he is not ready yet and needs some time to get used to all other new things he is learning. I know, I know, I am getting soft. What can I say, the little guy is getting to me and has made me just a little bit softer of a mom than I expected to be.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Still sick (me)
Vanie seems to be doing ok but I am still coughing so I had to go to the doctor again this morning. They gave me a prescription cough syrup. Let’s hope it helps b/c no one here can sleep from my coughing.
Yesterday was a day of mishaps. Vanie got into all kinds of trouble.
Fist of all, only had one nap that was less than an hour.
THEN he kept opening all kinds of and kitchen cabinets (getting these locked today) and tried to pull stuff out but didn’t really mange to get anything out or brake anything.
THEN he kept playing with the stove’s door, opened it and fell (have to figure out how to secure that one).
AND THEN…I caught him playing with Zorro’s water AGAIN (after catching him numerous times trying to play with Zoro’s food). Vanie was all wet and the water was completely spilled but I really hope he didn’t drink any of it. After all, he was there for just a second.
I think Zorro is now worried about his food b/c he ate all of it once he saw Vanie near it for the 50th time. I am running out of ways to say the words “no”, “not allowed, “can’t” and can’t touch or do that”.
On the good side, we made some progress with the food: had blended chicken soup out of the bottle for lunch and liked it, had about ½ banana – little bites between all the walking trips in the house, and had pieces of pizza beagles. I had to keep Zorro and Vanie apart on the pizza beagles, had one of them on each side and was giving them bites. This used to be one of Zorro’s treats in the past so we will have to see if he can handle sharing with Vanie.
Zorro update: he is sick of eating Vanie’s dropped Cheerios and doesn’t like to pick them up any more. My walking vacuum is broken. :-(
Time to start dropping some meat!!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Random Pix
Vanie and Zorro socializing - Vanie doesn't even play with that car any more - natural walking is preferred
This is how Jason was preparing Zorro for Vanie's arrival :-)
Our curls – without those we are pretty much bald
Enjoying my morning coffee
I was going to start my post with “Vanie is sleeping past 7:30 AM for the 1st time since we came back so I am enjoying my cup of coffee before the little Tasmanian devil starts today’s storm” but then I heard him turning on one of his music toys in his crib. Still not bad. He got up just around 7:30 and I DID enjoy my coffee quietly. The good thing, he didn’t wake up crying. Lets hope the smiling continues for a while. He is right next to me drinking his breakfast bottle while I am typing this. Yes, still on the bottle. With the exception of Cheerios, solids are still a problem for now. I keep mixing other things with his formula so he gets some solids in his tummy but it’s all out of a bottle. Other than that, he loves fruit flavored yogurt. I think it’s time to try feta cheese soon.
The only events from yesterday:
DMV – had to renew my license before it expires next month. I couldn’t believe how long we waited. The wait to get a number was about 45 minutes and then about 90 minutes to get processed. That was pretty much the entire afternoon for us.
Vanie – he woke up cranky yesterday and had a 45 minute nap as early as 10 AM. I think there is another tooth coming out as he started drooling again. He only had one other 30 minute nap around 1 pm and that was it. He spent the rest of the day walking, walking and WALKING. He loves his new super capability and keeps practicing.
What that means for me: running after him non-stop as he keeps going where he is not supposed to be. Poor guy, I think the word “ne” which is “no” in Bulgarian is what he hears the most during the day.
He walked the entire time we were at the DMV, too.
After the DMV, we went to Balboa Peninsula, had to bundle him up like an Eskimo as it was really windy, and there he walked while pushing his own stroller. He is something.
My new obsession – mopping the living room floor like 5 times a day. We even washed Zorro’s paws after yesterday’s walks b/c of the mud outside. I don’t know how people keep their houses clean enough for a walking/crawling baby when there is a dog involved. I can’t restrict Vanie or Zorro from staying put in one place…
I think I keep calling Jason at work like 20 times – I am starting to miss adults around me.
Ok, off to another day at home. I wonder if I will be able to get anything done around the house…doesn’t seem to be raining so we may be able to go to the park.
The only events from yesterday:
DMV – had to renew my license before it expires next month. I couldn’t believe how long we waited. The wait to get a number was about 45 minutes and then about 90 minutes to get processed. That was pretty much the entire afternoon for us.
Vanie – he woke up cranky yesterday and had a 45 minute nap as early as 10 AM. I think there is another tooth coming out as he started drooling again. He only had one other 30 minute nap around 1 pm and that was it. He spent the rest of the day walking, walking and WALKING. He loves his new super capability and keeps practicing.
What that means for me: running after him non-stop as he keeps going where he is not supposed to be. Poor guy, I think the word “ne” which is “no” in Bulgarian is what he hears the most during the day.
He walked the entire time we were at the DMV, too.
After the DMV, we went to Balboa Peninsula, had to bundle him up like an Eskimo as it was really windy, and there he walked while pushing his own stroller. He is something.
My new obsession – mopping the living room floor like 5 times a day. We even washed Zorro’s paws after yesterday’s walks b/c of the mud outside. I don’t know how people keep their houses clean enough for a walking/crawling baby when there is a dog involved. I can’t restrict Vanie or Zorro from staying put in one place…
I think I keep calling Jason at work like 20 times – I am starting to miss adults around me.
Ok, off to another day at home. I wonder if I will be able to get anything done around the house…doesn’t seem to be raining so we may be able to go to the park.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
2nd week home
We are doing much better and getting back to our normal schedule.
Now I understand what mothers mean when they say that taking care of a child is a full time job. I don’t even have the time to take a shower during the day not to mention to do anything else. Well, ok, I was able to do laundry yesterday but that’s about it.
One of the things we had to do as soon as possible is to register Vanie with the Russian consulate since he is a Russian citizen and Jason sent out documents to our adoption agency (PfA) yesterday.
A few things on our agenda for the upcoming weeks:
Vanie:
1.Register with Russian consulate – done 1/11
2.Get a SSN – arrived in the mail yesterday
3.Get a US passport (and better passport pictures, he doesn’t look his best on the ones we got over the weekend)
4.Try out new foods – mashed potatoes wasn’t really a success story yesterday
5.Read more books
6.Become more talkative (more human talkative not Tarzan talkative :-)
7.Learn to give kisses
8.Have a full medical and blood exam – scheduled for 02/01
9.Go to the park and beach and explore
Mom:
1.Renew driving license – hopefully today
2.Buy ticket for grandma/mother-in-law so she can take care of Vanie when mom goes back to work
3.Go to Bulgarian consulate to pick up her and dad’s new Bulgarian passport
4.Find out if and how and when Vanie can become a Bulgarian citizen (not sure how feasible that is since he will have to give up the Russian citizen and I don’t think that’s possible)
5.Finish Vanie’s room – right now we just have the basics but no real baby room decoration
6.Post and sell the living room coffee and dining tables
7.Redo the living room: get rid of all cables (almost done), new rug (on the way), new and more Vanie friendly coffee and dining tables (hopefully soon, have to sell the old ones first)
8.Secure all drawers and cabinets – Vanie opens ALL of them
9.Finish organizing our bedroom so there is even more space for Vanie to run around
Enough with the to-do-lists.
Here are a few pictures of the last few days:
Reading Snow White with mom.
Ok, mom’s reading it, Vanies is more like chewing on the book.
Loving bath time (i would not have believed that 15 days ago). Vanie runs screaming to the tub as soon as the cloths come off. - don't know how the flip the pic.
Playing and making faces with daddy.
Now I understand what mothers mean when they say that taking care of a child is a full time job. I don’t even have the time to take a shower during the day not to mention to do anything else. Well, ok, I was able to do laundry yesterday but that’s about it.
One of the things we had to do as soon as possible is to register Vanie with the Russian consulate since he is a Russian citizen and Jason sent out documents to our adoption agency (PfA) yesterday.
A few things on our agenda for the upcoming weeks:
Vanie:
1.Register with Russian consulate – done 1/11
2.Get a SSN – arrived in the mail yesterday
3.Get a US passport (and better passport pictures, he doesn’t look his best on the ones we got over the weekend)
4.Try out new foods – mashed potatoes wasn’t really a success story yesterday
5.Read more books
6.Become more talkative (more human talkative not Tarzan talkative :-)
7.Learn to give kisses
8.Have a full medical and blood exam – scheduled for 02/01
9.Go to the park and beach and explore
Mom:
1.Renew driving license – hopefully today
2.Buy ticket for grandma/mother-in-law so she can take care of Vanie when mom goes back to work
3.Go to Bulgarian consulate to pick up her and dad’s new Bulgarian passport
4.Find out if and how and when Vanie can become a Bulgarian citizen (not sure how feasible that is since he will have to give up the Russian citizen and I don’t think that’s possible)
5.Finish Vanie’s room – right now we just have the basics but no real baby room decoration
6.Post and sell the living room coffee and dining tables
7.Redo the living room: get rid of all cables (almost done), new rug (on the way), new and more Vanie friendly coffee and dining tables (hopefully soon, have to sell the old ones first)
8.Secure all drawers and cabinets – Vanie opens ALL of them
9.Finish organizing our bedroom so there is even more space for Vanie to run around
Enough with the to-do-lists.
Here are a few pictures of the last few days:
Reading Snow White with mom.
Ok, mom’s reading it, Vanies is more like chewing on the book.
Loving bath time (i would not have believed that 15 days ago). Vanie runs screaming to the tub as soon as the cloths come off. - don't know how the flip the pic.
Playing and making faces with daddy.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A day at the beach
We are starting to take full advantage of the nice Cali weather now that Vanie is not contagious any longer.
Vanie looking at all the surfers and dogs and what not at Huntington Dog Beach.
My 3 guys at HDB.
Vanie with dad.
Vanie "enjoying" his car seat.
Vanie looking at all the surfers and dogs and what not at Huntington Dog Beach.
My 3 guys at HDB.
Vanie with dad.
Vanie "enjoying" his car seat.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Making Progress
Last night was a bit better. We stuck to our regular daily routine and he fell asleep at 8 PM as soon as we put him in his crib. Didn’t really wake up until 2 AM, then he played in his crib for a bit, no crying, and fell asleep again. Woke up around 3 AM, stayed all quiet until around 4 AM and let us know (not so nicely) that he is awake, needs a diaper change and food. We played and cuddled on the sofa until around 5 AM when he fell asleep again. I moved him to his bed and he didn’t wake up until 8 AM. I can’t complain i just hope he sticks to this and only gets better.
By the way, this little boy is just learning how to hug, cuddle and kiss. I thought that was natural for all babies but now that I think about it, how could it be? If no one ever cuddled him to sleep during his 1st year, how would he know what that is? Picking him up and hugging to him equals playtime!
Another item on our learning list: kissing. He is to the point where he presses his face against his stuffed animals but doesn’t know to kiss them or us yet. I was able to teach him to give me “High 5” but the kissing is taking some time.
Aaah, I read all these articles and books about parenting but in a lot of cases they don’t even really apply to us just because of these basic things I just listed.
Regardless, I am still very proud of how much he has learned over the last month with us!!!
By the way, this little boy is just learning how to hug, cuddle and kiss. I thought that was natural for all babies but now that I think about it, how could it be? If no one ever cuddled him to sleep during his 1st year, how would he know what that is? Picking him up and hugging to him equals playtime!
Another item on our learning list: kissing. He is to the point where he presses his face against his stuffed animals but doesn’t know to kiss them or us yet. I was able to teach him to give me “High 5” but the kissing is taking some time.
Aaah, I read all these articles and books about parenting but in a lot of cases they don’t even really apply to us just because of these basic things I just listed.
Regardless, I am still very proud of how much he has learned over the last month with us!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The screaming is still on
If anything, it's getting worse. He is an angle during the day and the devil during night. Can someone explain to me how that’s possible?!? How can he change so drastically the moment we landed in America? Hmm … so many comments come to my mind right now but I will hold my sarcasm since I want him to read this one day.
We figured if he is going to drive us crazy during the night then we should drive him crazy during the day and make him stick to his daily routine which only includes two 1 hour naps. The funny part, he seems to be more persistent than us. Still, with only 2 hours of sleep during the day, he only sleeps from 8pm to midnight and starts the screaming after that until the morning. There is no other way, he has to eventually give in.
He pox are getting much better and pretty much all of them are healing but I am sure that molar we have coming out is also keeping him up at night.
I am still sick (bad cold) and to the point where I completely lost my voice yesterday. The coughing is not going away and I look like I have been tortured for days. Scary! Thank God I don’t have to be at work right now! I don’t even know how Jason is coping with this. He stayed up with Vanie until 3 AM this morning so i can sleep and then he had to get up around 6 for work. At least it’s Thursday so he can try to rest a bit during the weekend.
Other than that, here are some updates: Vanie loves taking baths now. It’s actually funny, he likes to walk into the bathroom and if I turn on the water he tries to climb into the tub. :-)
Much more walking between the rooms and I think he will be independent soon.
Not much up to playing on his own in the new playground we built him in the middle of the living room (which is pretty much ALL of our living room) but he is getting there.
Ok, off for another nap while he is napping otherwise I don’t know if I will survive the day.
We figured if he is going to drive us crazy during the night then we should drive him crazy during the day and make him stick to his daily routine which only includes two 1 hour naps. The funny part, he seems to be more persistent than us. Still, with only 2 hours of sleep during the day, he only sleeps from 8pm to midnight and starts the screaming after that until the morning. There is no other way, he has to eventually give in.
He pox are getting much better and pretty much all of them are healing but I am sure that molar we have coming out is also keeping him up at night.
I am still sick (bad cold) and to the point where I completely lost my voice yesterday. The coughing is not going away and I look like I have been tortured for days. Scary! Thank God I don’t have to be at work right now! I don’t even know how Jason is coping with this. He stayed up with Vanie until 3 AM this morning so i can sleep and then he had to get up around 6 for work. At least it’s Thursday so he can try to rest a bit during the weekend.
Other than that, here are some updates: Vanie loves taking baths now. It’s actually funny, he likes to walk into the bathroom and if I turn on the water he tries to climb into the tub. :-)
Much more walking between the rooms and I think he will be independent soon.
Not much up to playing on his own in the new playground we built him in the middle of the living room (which is pretty much ALL of our living room) but he is getting there.
Ok, off for another nap while he is napping otherwise I don’t know if I will survive the day.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Record crying time
Another sleepless night. Poor boy just had too many changes within the last week, not to mention the discomfort he is in from the ear infection and the stupid pox. We had to give him another oatmeal bath at 4AM today to help the pain and itching. Except for the bath time (which he now loves), he cried and screamed for over 4 hours starting at 3AM this morning. Holding him didn’t really help the 1st few hours so we gave up and figured he just needs to cry it out. Let me tell you, he is one persistent and stubborn kid. He is in his crib right now but not sleeping, just waiting to spot me so he can start his “crying for attention” routine which he mastered over the last few days. It’s been 5 long first days of 2010. I hope Vanie gets better soon and goes back to being the cheerful kid he actually is.
In the mean time, here is a short video or Vanie trying to talk (don’t mind the mess at home and me speaking Bulgarian).
In the mean time, here is a short video or Vanie trying to talk (don’t mind the mess at home and me speaking Bulgarian).
Sunday, January 3, 2010
[Not so?] Happy New Year!
I haven’t posted anything for a few days for a reason. Vanie and I arrived in the US sick and went straight to “Urgie Kids” since it was after hours. We were both put on antibiotics for ear infections.
After 2 days on the antibiotics, Vanie developed what we thought was a rash from it. The doctor warned us that rash and diarrhea could be side effects. It all seemed to fit. We went to the same place on Saturday morning to change the antibiotic … What we thought was a rash turned out to be (most probably) Varicella (chicken pox). :-(
It takes about 14 days for it to develop once it’s contracted which means he got it in Vladivostok. And now that I think about it, one of the families there mentioned that the orphanage their son was at was under quarantine for Varicella. So, Vani must have gotten it from him/ them.
The Varicella vaccination is usually done around 12 months of age and Vanie didn’t get it. Based on what the embassy doctor wrote in his vaccination chart “not routinely available”.
The poor kid has completely changed his sleeping schedule b/c of the time difference. Sleeps during day and screams from pain and itching at night. I don’t think I have been up after 2PM for so long since I was a teenager. Welcome to parenthood, I guess!
I just feel bad that we may have exposed so many other people and kids to the disease as we were on 2 planes and did go out to a few stores with Vanie b4 we knew what he had.
Ok, off to pick out a pediatrician as we are supposed to go see one tomorrow morning!
I will post again when I get the chance. Whish us luck and let’s hope Vanie gets better soon. I know he will, he is our little Temujin after all! :-)
After 2 days on the antibiotics, Vanie developed what we thought was a rash from it. The doctor warned us that rash and diarrhea could be side effects. It all seemed to fit. We went to the same place on Saturday morning to change the antibiotic … What we thought was a rash turned out to be (most probably) Varicella (chicken pox). :-(
It takes about 14 days for it to develop once it’s contracted which means he got it in Vladivostok. And now that I think about it, one of the families there mentioned that the orphanage their son was at was under quarantine for Varicella. So, Vani must have gotten it from him/ them.
The Varicella vaccination is usually done around 12 months of age and Vanie didn’t get it. Based on what the embassy doctor wrote in his vaccination chart “not routinely available”.
The poor kid has completely changed his sleeping schedule b/c of the time difference. Sleeps during day and screams from pain and itching at night. I don’t think I have been up after 2PM for so long since I was a teenager. Welcome to parenthood, I guess!
I just feel bad that we may have exposed so many other people and kids to the disease as we were on 2 planes and did go out to a few stores with Vanie b4 we knew what he had.
Ok, off to pick out a pediatrician as we are supposed to go see one tomorrow morning!
I will post again when I get the chance. Whish us luck and let’s hope Vanie gets better soon. I know he will, he is our little Temujin after all! :-)
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