Celebrating one year home

Yes, I know I'm posting this early, but RP and I will be visiting her godparents out of town tomorrow, which is thoroughly exciting to me! A year ago at this time we were climbing into bed (keeping in mind that Moscow is 9 hours ahead of us!) and trying to get a few winks of sleep before a VERY long day of travel. As I recall I didn't sleep a wink, and therefore was up for over 24 hours before I stumbled into my house, and RP refused to sleep in her crib that night. Therefore, I laid in bed with her on my chest, where she woke up every half hour or so just to check if I was still there and pinch my cheeks like she was confirming for herself that I was really real.

So many "best laid plans" went by the wayside on the trek home. RP had her own seat paid for, but sat on my lap for all but about 20 minutes of the ENTIRE journey, and slept for maybe an hour of it. I really wanted to get pictures on the plane, at the airports, and coming through Customs and Immigration, but couldn't get to the camera, nor had the presence of mind to even try. RP fell asleep about 5 minutes after meeting Papa and being strapped into her car seat, and woke up when we got home, only to be greeted by two crazed puppies who literally were howling and jumping up and down to see us after I had been gone for two whole weeks.


I still vividly remember the "holy crap - NOW what" thoughts going through my mind when we walked in the door. The luggage sat in the kitchen for almost two whole days, and I scrambled to find something for RP to eat, since she barely ate anything on our flights and looked as if she was about to scream bloody murder at any moment. I remember finding oatmeal in the cabinet for her and feeding her, changing her, and putting her to bed, and then I barely remember anything else for the next week or so - it's all still such a blur!


Today I can't imagine life BEFORE RP came home. While it sounds cliche', I truly believe she has been in my heart since before I even saw her picture, or knew of her existence. The road to our becoming a family wasn't short, wasn't easy, and was full of detours, but in the end we are the family we were always meant to be. Never has a year been so full of change, nor has one gone by so quickly than this past one, and I wouldn't change a moment of it for the world.

Asleep in the car after a long journey home

First meal home - oatmeal! (and doesn't she look thrilled?!?)

Same outfit, bigger size - one year later (and all smiles!!!)

My little Russian princess

Gotcha Day - One year later

I can hardly believe that one year ago today I picked up my little RP and we walked out of the orphanage in St. Petersburg for good. So much has happened in the last year, yet the memory of that day and time is still so fresh that it is almost surreal to me. I have never wanted anything more, yet more nervous and anxious about anything in my entire life. My family and friends could not possibly have been more supportive, or more excited for us, and I remain thankful every day that RP and I have them in our lives.

Today I took RP to get her one-year adoption pictures taken, along with her third birthday pictures. I had been gearing her up for the picture appointment, and god love her, she was VERY excited about the prospect - not because she likes having her picture taken (she doesn't), not because she got to wear her pretty new "princess dress" (which is doubling this year for her Easter dress), and not because we were headed to the mall to shop (she hates sitting in the stroller and wants to walk around). Nope - she was excited because posing for pictures, and doing a good job, means a handful of M&M's.

Imagine my surprise when I walked into her room this morning to get her up and lo and behold she was already up and VERY excited about something. She kept jabbering on and on about pottying, and I, naively, thought that perhaps she had a dry night and wanted to get on the potty right away. THEN I stopped to listen to what she was saying. "No pee-pee on Mommy's floor, Mommy - ME potty." She then grabbed me by the hand and led me around her bed and pointed to the floor. I think all the potty training is starting to stick because apparently before I got up little Miss RP woke up and discovered she had to go to potty. Apparently not wanting to wet an already wet pull-up she took off her pajamas AND the wet pull-up, peed on the floor, then redressed herself, happy as a lark at her accomplishment (and also apparently not truly understanding my messaging about "NO pee-pee on Mommy's floor"). I couldn't help it and laughed out loud, even despite the fact that I had quite a mess on my hands to clean up.

After that we took showers, got dressed, and headed over for pictures where RP did a GREAT job cooperating with the photographer. I would have posted the pictures online except that in my excitement of seeing all the prints I completely forgot to ask for the picture CD with all the prints on it, which means we have to head back to the mall before I can post them. On February 24 last year I was in Russia and spent the day going from the hotel to the orphanage, to the airport, on a flight to Moscow, and then trying to settle in to a new city over there with a scared and less-than-happy toddler. This year I woke up to "Hi Mommy!" and a big snuggle (followed by cleaning up that big mess!), pictures, shopping, and lunch with my munchkin, followed by playtime, story time, and more snuggles as she got ready for bed.

I won't lie - I broke down several times today for no reason at all other than feeling so grateful and so fulfilled at having RP in my life. Yes, there were times I never thought this would actually happen. Yes, there have been days I have been at my wit's end, and yes, I anticipate there will be many more. A lot of people today have commented as to how lucky RP is and I can't help but think that it is actually just the opposite - I am the lucky one, lucky that she is in my life and lucky to have her call me "Mommy." There has simply been no greater feeling in the world.

So yes, to sum it all up - today was a good day. A VERY good day....

Jedi Mind Trick...

I didn't get to see much of RP today as she went to pre-school this morning, then spent the afternoon at her grandparents so I could get some errands done. I am happy to report that I FINALLY took care of getting RP a social security number - AND that it only took me a 10-minute visit to the Social Security office to do so (I had allotted HOURS to the process and was pleasantly surprised by this turn of events!). By the time all the errands were done, it was time for dinner at Nana and Papa's house, which then led to RP and I coming straight home and her pretty much going straight to bed.

The past few nights RP has wanted NO part of going to bed. Last night she talked, played, and sang in her bed until I finally took away her favorite toy of the day - a toy school bus (or "bool-bus" as RP calls it), which then led to almost 20 minutes of screaming, crying, and carrying on until she wore herself out and fell fast asleep. Tonight I was prepared for more of the same, but RP chose a simpler route...

RP (standing at baby gate in her room talking to me while I worked on the computer which is directly outside her room): Me no sleepy Mommy.

Me: Yes, you are sleepy RP. Get that tushie back in bed.

RP: Otay Mommy. (Heads back to bed...)

** 30 second pause in the drama**

RP (back at gate): Me no sleepy Mommy.

Me: Yes, you ARE sleepy RP. Get back in bed... now.

RP: No Mommy - me no sleepy.

Me: Yes you are RP. Get that tushie BACK. IN. BED.

RP: Otay Mommy. (Heads back to bed...)

RP (yelling from bed): Me still no sleepy Mommy. Me pay now (pay=play in RP-speak).

Me: No, you will NOT play now RP. You need to go to sleep. You are sleepy.

RP: Otay Mommy.

You get the idea. This went on for 20 minutes until I finally smartened up and went downstairs, where she proceeded to yell down to me every 3 minutes that she wasn't sleepy yet, until I finally threatened to remove all of her books and toys from her room unless she closed her "pretty brown eyes" and went to sleep. This led her to inform me that Mommy has blue eyes, Nana has green eyes, Papa has blue eyes, and RP has brown eyes, but after getting that out of her system, she toddled back off to bed and finally fell asleep.

On the plus side here, at least everything was "Otay Mommy" and not "Otay guy..."

The countdown begins...

I can hardly believe that a mere 24 hours from now RP and I will be "celebrating" our first "Gotcha Day" anniversary! I still remember being SO anxious to get to the orphanage and walk out with her as a family, yet SO scared about what would come next. For as long as I waited and anticipated that day coming, I was also really sensitive that this would be a life-altering event for RP, disrupting the only life and only home she had ever known. I remember packing and unpacking her stuff for the trip, packing and repacking my suitcase in an attempt to keep myself busy (and hold on to what was, by that time, left of my sanity!), and worrying about our flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow. I am surprised that the outfit she wore out of the orphanage that day didn't have huge holes in it because I swear I held it, folded and refolded it, and just stared at it a million times while I waited to go and get her.

Today RP and I spent a "girls-day-out" at the mall, shopping for a dress for her. Thursday (our Gotcha Day anniversary!) I am having her one-year adoption pictures taken as well as her third-birthday pictures. For her one-year adoption pictures I actually found the exact same outfit she wore home to the US in her size, and I can't help but marvel as to how much she has grown. The original outfit she wore home was a size 6-9 months (yes, she was 22 months old at the time!) and the outfit she is wearing in the pictures is a size 24 month. For her third birthday pictures I wanted a really girly dress, so it was off to the mall we went to find the perfect one (which, by the way, will also serve as her Easter dress this year - yay for multi-purposing!). We found a beautiful pale pink silk dress that I call her "princess dress" and I can't WAIT for her to wear it, although I will have to be sure that she partakes of her "picture day M&M's far from this dress if I have any hopes of her wearing it for Easter in April. The dress is actually a size 2T which both thrills me (because she has truly thrived since arriving home with me) and saddens me (because I really can't call her my "baby" anymore - no more shopping in the baby section!).

Gotcha Day will be spent snuggling with RP and cherishing the day we truly became a family - not just on paper, but being together and growing and developing as a family unit. This year we are doing pictures on that day, and probably a nice lunch/dinner out along with lots of one-on-one time as a family. This is such a special day for us that I want to set the precedent, even before she truly comprehends what it means, that we spend this day reflecting on what we have, cherishing our time together, and relishing the fact that we found one another and can celebrate our love as a family. After all, that's what it's all about!

Getting closer to Gotcha Day!

Five short days from now will be the one year anniversary of my "Gotcha Day" with RP. Time is so very weird that it seems like forever ago, yet hardly possible that it has already been a year.

That being said, a year ago today was my final visit with RP before our Gotcha Day. I remember being excited to see her, but at the same time hurt and annoyed (okay, angry really) that I had to be in country for two weeks, yet only could see my baby two times in the first week and a half, let alone having to wait five days between our final visit and the day that I could walk out of the orphanage with her as a family.

Our final visit was actually the best one ever, and if I had to wait the five days, it was an incredible way to start that wait. I remember the music teacher coming in and having our own personal "concert" with her and RP. RP was shy yet adorable, and was truly the center of the universe for the hour that we spent with her. This day also stands out for me because it was the first time I ever heard her speak - and her first word to me was "Mama."

Walking out of the orphanage every visit was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but this visit was by far the hardest. After 13 months, 50,000 air miles, and confirmation of the finalization of the adoption from the court, I was ready to start our life as a family. It was of little comfort at the time that the next time I arrived at the orphanage it would be for the last time, and that RP would finally come home with me to start her life with me as a family. I remember choking back the tears over the next several days, but truly unwilling and unable to do much other than wish the time away and count down the hours until I held her in my arms... for good. This was truly one of the times that I was thankful for the fact that no matter what else happens, time marches on!

February 19, 2010

February 13, 2011

Thank goodness for "normal" days

Is there really such a thing as "normal?" If so, I think today was it. To get ready for our big family vacay to Disney I have been tanning (I know, I know...) and today I dropped RP at her grandparents so I could enjoy 20 minutes of fake sun and music blaring on my iPod. RP was actually really good today (minus the "let's see what happens when I take a handful of dirt out of Nana's plants" moment...) and she loved playing Lego's with Nana and snuggling with Papa while watching Mickey Mouse. When we got home this afternoon she took a decent nap and played quietly while I did the same. Follow that by a good dinner, a tea party in the middle of the kitchen, and before you know it, it is time for bed. All in all a good day, and I was only "hey guy!" a handful of times today. Woo-hoo!

In the midst of all this normalcy I received my first real bite on my resume. I don't want to jinx anything by posting too much detail, but the recruiter was great and was super excited to get my resume over to the hiring manager, so I was pretty excited as well. Couple that with RP AND the puppies being quiet and behaving so I could go through the phone screen, and we can chalk up a great day today.

Ahhh... is it too much to hope for that these "good days" last AND that very soon I'll be back in the land of the employed? Here's to hoping! :)

"Hey guy!"

No, this isn't a desperate cry for attention from me - this would be my child's new favorite catch phrase. A few weeks ago during a visit to my brother's house for the twins' birthday I noticed that RP kept referring to both her aunt and her uncle as "Hey guy" when she was trying to get their attention. Giving her the benefit of the doubt (since she hadn't seen them in several weeks) I gently reminded her of the names of her aunt and uncle and let it pretty much pass.

YESTERDAY I noticed that my delightful little princess kept calling "Hey guy!" when she wanted to get my attention. I corrected her a handful of times and soon we were back to "Mommy" or Momma (or yes, even the dreaded "MOM!" - dreaded only because it sounds WAY too grown up for a two-year old) and life went on. Imagine my surprise (nay - horror!) that today when she was with her grandparents she kept referring to THEM as well as me (again!) as "Hey guy!"

I have no idea where this came from, but now RP either thinks it is funny or she is asserting control over calling us whatever pleases her. I reminded her (not so gently this time) that we all have NAMES and that she needs to use them to talk to us, but to no avail. At one point today she even summoned me by saying, "Hey guy - get my white pillow!" as she pointed upstairs toward her room. When I failed to follow her direction, she glared at me, repeated her "request," and jabbed the air in the direction of her room, while she settled back on the sofa looking oh-so very proud of herself. Needless to say, this was short-lived as not only did I NOT go upstairs and retrieve the pillow, but RP found herself in the naughty corner pondering what put her there and the proper way to address people.

Perhaps I am making too big a deal about this. I know a lot of what is going on right now is about control - she is becoming more independent and is eager to show this independence in everything she does. She wants to dress/undress herself, use the potty on her own (well, for the most part - and, yay for this one!), climb up into the van and buckle herself in, and dozens and dozens of other things. I also know I can be hard on her, and sometimes I am afraid that I am TOO hard on her, and that I spend so much time worrying about her discipline and development that I fail to truly enjoy what is going on right now and live for the moment. I told her time and time again today that calling someone "guy," especially when you know their name, is rude and disrespectful - clearly not necessarily concepts she can completely grasp yet. Hopefully we have ridden this out today and it won't be an issue tomorrow, but if so I think the game plan is changing to one of ignoring the request until she can address it properly.

I just hope I'm ready for whatever battle of wills is coming up next!

Another video montage - our first six months home!

Yes, this is quite a bit delayed in coming, but I just finished the montage for our first six months home. Now, to work on the next six months!

Just a warning that this one is long - over 30 minutes! :)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sometimes change is remarkable...

As I alluded to in earlier posts, February is really a time of reflection for me, and there are going to be a lot of "one year ago" posts this month since so much happened to finalize RP's adoption and complete the journey that was 13 months in the making.

Below is a picture from my visit to RP at the orphanage on February 17, 2010, followed by a recent picture (I didn't get any of her today, so it's from the 15th, but you get the idea). While I'm posting this on the 16th, technically it is already the 17th in St. Petersburg, so it truly is a "one year ago" moment.

I love looking at these pictures side-by-side because I think they illustrate the fact that RP is an entirely different little girl just 12 short months after coming home. The picture on the right shows my beautiful little girl as I remember her most from all of my visits - serious, shy, and VERY tentative around me. While the bonus in this picture is that she wasn't crying and did spend some time during this visit interacting with my Mom and I, she tended to focus solely on her toys, answer questions from the interpreter, and sneak peeks at us to see if we were still paying attention or trying to play with her. Fast forward one year and she is silly (hence the fact that she is wearing snow boots in the house and playing in a cardboard box despite the rooms full of toys that she has!), talks up a storm (and then some - sometimes I swear my ears are going to bleed, but gosh darn it, she is incredibly funny and animated when she talks - wonder where she gets THAT from???), and always has to be on the go-go-go!

While the differences and changes are pretty hard to miss, I think I should also note that there are some things that HAVEN'T changed about RP in the last 12 months. The first time they brought RP into the room to meet me, she let it be known that she wasn't happy and had a complete and utter meltdown - crying, screaming, the whole nine yards. While this was due to fear of the unknown, I have to say that there are times when this temper still shines through, and she is VERY clear about what she likes and doesn't like, and still has quite the healthy set of lungs to express those feelings with! I was also told that she liked to color, draw, and sing and dance, and those things also have not changed. Right now her favorite "toy" is a pencil and notebook which she carries around with her almost non-stop and "colors" on a regular basis. Painting, drawing with markers, and pretty much anything crafty is a surefire way to keep her busy and entertained for hours, as is anything musical - she turns almost anything and everything into an instrument and loves to sing and dance for Mommy (have I mentioned that she does a wicked "I'm a little teapot?"), and often entertains herself while putting her toys away by singing a "Clean Up" song (which literally consists of singing "Clean. Up. Clean. Up." over and over and over) and lets me know she is done with her meal by singing "Allllll Donnnnneeeee" and throwing her arms over her head in dramatic fashion.

It goes without saying that I love my little RP - for all she is, for all she "was," and all she will become. Despite any and all challenges, I'm really looking forward to seeing who that will be!

High expectations, followed by reality

As I have posted at least three times in the last week, today marks one year since RP's adoption was finalized. I can hardly believe it has been a year since the court in St. Petersburg signed off on her adoption, and one year ago today I arrived in St. Petersburg tired, overwhelmed, and antsy... ready to scoop up my child, bring her home, and start our life together.

As such, I really wanted today to be a special day. Originally we were going to spend the day at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, but weather and other circumstances have postponed that outing for a later (and nicer weather!) day. I was actually fine with this, and was looking forward to a day spent with RP, just hanging out and enjoying time with her, especially since I wasn't with her on this day last year.

Have I mentioned lately that either the "terrible two's" have shown a late onset or the "trying three's" are rearing their ugly heads exactly two months early? This last week RP has truly been out of pocket - public temper tantrums, talking back, refusing to listen... the whole nine yards. A SMART Mom would have realized this and planned for something simple, especially when her last nerve was shot on Saturday when, during Mass, her almost-three year old started screaming at the top of her lungs "I WANT CANDY" while thrashing, kicking, and crying loudly. Clearly, I am not a smart Mom, as I set up RP's easel and new finger painting set, camera in hand, fully prepared to watch her child enjoy the simple joy of painting.

Yeah. Big mistake. RP enjoyed painting all right - by scooping huge handfuls of it up, squishing it between her hands and fingers, then rubbing only a smidgen of it on the paper so that she can save the bulk of it to swirl in the bowl of water meant to rinse her hands in. There was paint EVERYWHERE (surprisingly even on the paper!), while I meanwhile kept reminding her where the paint was to go, how the paint was to get there, and NOT to try to make a mess (remember, NOT a smart Mom today). Painting came to an abrupt end when the bowl of multi-colored water, complete with large clumps of paint, went crashing to the ground, spilling almost EVERYWHERE in the kitchen. I lost my mind (something I'm not proud of, but it happened nonetheless) and RP ended up in her room, in her bed, painting time over.

Painting, BEFORE "the big spill!"

While I am NOT a smart Mom (especially today!), at least I was smart enough to realize that the way the day was going, we were going to forgo any other "special plans" and just let the day evolve. Nana and Papa came over and dropped off an early birthday present for RP - a little table and chair set which she absolutely loves - and we spent the rest of the day just hanging out, so it ended MUCH better than it began!

I'm hoping this is all just a phase and am trying to keep things in perspective. Overall, she is a sweet, loving little girl who is testing her boundaries and discovering her independence and her personality. A year ago she was a shy, quiet, almost angry little girl who never smiled and kept to herself. To see the changes and how far she has come in only one short year is nothing short of a miracle, and despite our challenges today, I am SO thankful for the blessing of her in my life. No matter how trying today was, I'll take it over being where I was last year, just starting the journey and not knowing where it would all end up. My daughter is my world, and I'll take whatever challenges may come (although yes, I'm hoping for a quick end to this current "phase" she's in!)!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay, so by the title of this post you might think I'm a huge fan of this holiday. Truth be told, I'm not. While I think it's nice in theory that you make a special effort to show those around you that you love them, in practice shouldn't we be doing this EVERY day? Do we need Hallmark to tell us when, and how, to show others we care? Sorry... getting off my soapbox now.

Valentine's Day will always hold a special day in my heart because this is the day that I boarded a plane in the United States for the last time as a "single woman." My mom and I left for St. Petersburg on February 14 of 2010 to go over one last time, finally pick up RP, and process all the paperwork to bring her home... finally. This signified the true light at the end of the tunnel - then ending of one journey, and the start of another. I still remember how nervous and excited I was to finally become "Mommy" to my little RP, and I packed and repacked that suitcase about 40 times in the 11 days I had between trips 2 and 3.

RP enjoyed Valentine's Day (or should we say "Valentine's Weekend?") immensely. Her godparents, along with Nana and Papa, brought her candy and presents, while Mommy was a bit more practical in providing presents (no candy - she's sugared up enough on the M&M's she's hoarding from potty training!), and she loved making Valentine's for everyone under the sun (including the puppies - yep, it was cute. Really cute...). We traveled to Wisconsin yesterday for her cousin's piano recital, and today we went to dinner with some close friends of ours, so our Valentine celebration lasted over the last few days.

As we approach our one year anniversaries - tomorrow, February 24, and February 27 - I am reminded how quickly time passes. It hardly seems possible that this is our first Valentine's Day together and that only a year ago I was making that final trek to Russia to finally bring my baby home. It hardly seems possible that a year ago I wasn't truly a "Mom" anywhere except on some paperwork in the Russian court system. It hardly seems possible that I have been blessed enough to become a Mom. Just goes to show you that anything truly is possible.

"Mommy! Look what I got from Nana and Papa!"

Mommy's sweet little Valentine!

Rapidly approaching

February is usually a cold and dreary month for me, but this year I have so much to reflect on and celebrate during the month. A year ago today was my last day of work before FMLA kicked in, and I was a complete basket case as I tried to wrap up all my work responsibilities and pack for being in Russia for two solid weeks, picking up RP and processing her out of the country. My mom and I left for St. Petersburg on Valentine's Day, and while my court date was February 2, RP's official adoption date in February 15. After that we have "Gotcha Day" as February 24, and we FINALLY arrived home on February 27. Whew - I'm tired just thinking about it all! What a whirlwind, and I won't lie that much of February, 2010 is a complete blur to me.

Although it has only been a year, I can't remember (or imagine!) life without her! She drives me crazy some days as she is silly, active, and yes, sassy, but I wouldn't have her any other way. She makes me laugh, she keeps me on my toes, and she absolutely melts my heart, especially when she says something completely loving out of the blue. Last night, for example, after we went through our bedtime ritual of brushing teeth, washing our face, getting a drink of water, saying bedtime prayers, and then reading her story, she followed me to the gate in her door, arms up and jabbering for something pretty insistently. It took me a minute to realize she was saying, " 'nuggle Mommy, one more 'nuggle." Yep, she wanted one more snuggle... which I happily obliged!

Movin' on...

It looks as if RP is really on track to be "movin' on" from diapers/pull-ups, and I couldn't be more excited (or more relieved). After a really rough start to potty training, she has been doing REALLY well with knowing when she needs to potty, then taking care of business. Don't get me wrong, she still has accidents (today she had two of them back-to-back, go figure!) and we still have to use a pull-up if she is going somewhere in the car, going to be somewhere where we can't readily get to a bathroom for her, and at night. I think I am most impressed that today was her first day at pre-school since we started "potty training boot camp" and while she didn't actually use the potty at school, she went in there twice, on her own, to at least try. Yay for small victories! I would love to say that this is all due to me being home with her 24/7 but I think the truth of the matter is that she has developed quite an addiction to M&M's and simply decided this was the easiest way to get her M&M fix on a regular basis. Am I a bad mother because my attitude to this is that I'll take it???

I have also decided that I need to be "movin' on" in terms of my career and came to the conclusion (finally!) that I want to try to go back to school. One of the local universities offers a one-year full-time program that would allow me to have my teaching certificate in hand for the 2012 school year AND graduate with only one course to complete a master's degree. My application goes out in the mail tomorrow and then we'll see if I'm even accepted into the program. Of course, while I'm waiting I am still looking for full-time employment and I really am taking the attitude I took while going through RP's adoption process - whatever is meant to be will be and I need to be open to opportunities and changes as they present themselves.

This all being said, I couldn't be more excited for tomorrow's planned "Mommy Day." RP is spending the day (and then the night!) with her grandparents while I get a TON of things done - eye and doctor's appointments, taking the dogs to the groomer, getting the taxes done - you know, fun stuff. I'll miss my RP terribly but I know she'll have a blast with Nana and Papa and it would be really boring to drag her along to all this stuff, so it's best for her too. However, next time I plan a "Mommy Day" I really want to try for something more relaxing - like a day at the spa... or the beach!

Sick of being sick...

I have to say that **knock on wood** I have been extremely lucky that RP has been so healthy since she came home. A few colds and one sinus infection has been the worst of it, and in almost one year she has had ONE prescription medication which was the goopy pink antibiotic which is a childhood standard.

That being said, about two weeks ago RP came down with a mild case of the flu. She didn't throw up, but was weepy, clingy, and just not her normal cheerful self with some very messy diapers (sorry if that is TMI - I tried to keep it vague!). After she was done with the flu bug, she gave it to me for about 36 hours, and then I gave it to her Nana - y'know, just to keep it in the family! RP has still had a runny nose and congestion but given the sub-zero temperatures and 20+" of snow we had this week, that's to be expected.

Yesterday my throat started killing me something fierce, but I tried to suck it up and deal with it. Today, RP started complaining of a "boo-boo" in her mouth, but after questioning her it seems as if it is her throat and not her mouth, so now I'm fearful we both have strep (yep, it hurts that bad). Looks like a trip to the Quick Care is in our Sunday-morning list of to-do's, which I'm not looking forward to as I'm hoping my insurance stuff is all fully COBRA'd now and there won't be any mix-ups.

It was pitiful to have my little princess crying for me tonight knowing there really wasn't anything I could do for her. I gave her some over the counter ibuprofen and considering she jabbered for an hour after going to bed I don't think she was in enough pain to warrant a trip to the ER, but just seeing her uncomfortable until she fell asleep and knowing there wasn't anything I could do for her felt terrible.

In the midst of all this, RP has decided that she LOVES wearing her new Minnie Mouse underwear and is actually doing really well with potty-training. She's had a few accidents but for the most part is sitting on the potty taking care of business and is oh-so excited with herself when she is done, although I have to say that the first thing she does after leaving the bathroom is beeline for the stash of M&M's and "remind" me that she gets "tree Nem-en-nem's Mommy" and then counts them for me: "eight-nine-two." Yeah, we still have some work to do on the whole counting thing, but hey, she tries!

Hanging in there...

Yes, RP and I survived the great "Snownami of 2011" (or so I've been calling it!), none the worse for the wear. I have a HUGE case of spring fever right now, and if I don't get outside soon, or some warmer weather, I might go postal.

My faith in mankind is renewed as yesterday two guys from the neighborhood - I don't know who they are - magically appeared in my driveway and used their snow blowers to clear out my entire driveway. I would love to have paid them, or made them some baked goods (I'd offer coffee but since I don't drink it, I'm not the best at making it!) but they seemed happy with a smile, a wave, and a hearty "thank you!" I have no idea how much snow we actually got, but I have 5' drifts in some places, with bare ground in others. Good thing RP and I had stocked up on provisions beforehand, as literally everything was shut down yesterday, which NEVER happens in this neck of the woods!

In the hubbub of the snow event yesterday it completely slipped my mind that it was exactly one year ago (yesterday) that I went to court to officially adopt RP. ONE year ago - wow! Officially I have been RP's Mom for one full year, which still makes my head swim since for so long I thought it would never come to fruition. So much has happened over the span of one short little year, and thinking back on it all, I am reminded to never take things for granted, and to always follow your heart as it will truly lead you on the right path. I know mine did!!!

Snowpalooza (or, in other words, the Blizzard of 2011)

We are getting hit with a MASSIVE snow storm tonight and I have been glued to The Weather Channel for practically the last 24 hours (minus the time that RP convinced me that we needed to watch "The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" on the DVR and two fascinating episodes of "Arthur!"). I spent Sunday down for the count with the flu, so RP spent the day with Nana and Papa so I could rest and recuperate, and I have to say that while the physical symptoms of the flu are gone, I still feel completely run down and totally lifeless.

Thank goodness RP didn't get sick (although, now that I think about it, I think I actually got the flu from her. She was fussy and had just awful diapers which I will spare you the details of the previous weekend, and didn't eat well again for almost a week - right before I came down with the flu) but it pained me to ask Nana and Papa to come and get her. It was the right thing to do, but apparently she thought I was coming to pick her up and was saddened/confused by the fact that she spent the night with Nana and Papa and came back home Monday afternoon.

This snowstorm is something like I've never seen before and apparently is on track to be one for the record books. For this reason alone I am thankful to have no where to go tomorrow (RP was supposed to go to pre-school but I checked their website and they have already decided to close tomorrow) but tomorrow is when RP starts potty-training in earnest. It was supposed to be today but I had to run errands this morning to get prepared for being home bound due to the storm and frankly potty-training slipped my mind today - whoops.

For some reason RP, who understands the concept of potty, DETESTS sitting on the potty. Sitting on it. Looking at it. You name it. She was "potty-trained" when she left the orphanage, so I really didn't think this would be a big deal, but it seems that the potty training process was traumatizing before and now she just doesn't want any part of it.

That being said, come tomorrow I'm not sure where the bigger storm is going to be - outside in the blizzard, or in the house with an almost-three year old who wants nothing to do with the potty.

Ugh.