We're Home!

Hi everyone!
Yes, we made it home! We are trying to adjust to the 8 hour time difference (among other things), so our sleep schedules are rather strange right now. Today Gerry went to bed at 5:30 pm - yippee - this is much better than 3:00 pm on Friday, and 5:00 pm yesterday. Hoping to slowly move it to 7 or 8 pm. I don't like getting up at 2:30 am with a wide-awake, energetic 2-year-old! I am not posting any photos tonight - sorry! The camera is somewhere around here, plus I have two cats on my lap. They need some extra loving care - not only did their "mama" leave them for 6 weeks, it is hard work keeping out of the path of a mobile toddler!
Plus, I want to include some pics of Gerry and Grant. I'm looking forward to Grant being home later tonight (he was on a trip for work over the weekend). I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay awake until he gets home at 10 - but I'll try!
Gerry is doing very well considering his entire world has been turned upside down. He got to go to the doctor yesterday - had to get him some antibiotics. He either has a sinus infection or ear infection, or both. What a way to spend 11 hours on an airplane - poor kid (he only slept about 1 1/2 hours on the flights). We lucked out because our family doctor was the doc manning the acute care clinic at our doctor's shared practice office. He is a great doc to work with, plus he was the one that was so wonderful about filling out all of our physical forms for the adoption. It was fun to show off Gerry :)
Gerry is definitely two! And he is now very comfortable showing his displeasure at limits and being told "no." I'm having to really concentrate on setting the "ground rules" while balancing these with the fact that he is experiencing so much change, is sick, and is sleep deprived. And my brain is a little foggy from jet lag and lack of sleep, too. Phew! But we'll get our routine down soon - I hope!
Gerry just loves the cats, and is doing a good job at being gentle. The feeling is not mutual yet, but at least there wasn't any hissing today. He just gets sooo excited every time one of them passes by, and he wants to hold them so badly - that won't be happening any time soon! But they have allowed him to pet them quickly - with a little help (and holding down) from me.
He also loves that we have two flights of stairs. He'll soon be a pro at going up and down all by himself - uh oh, we better get that gate up!
Food textures are throwing us some curveballs. Anything that requires much chewing at all is not his favorite - unless it's a cookie. I think that most of the food that he was given at the orphanage must have been pretty mushy and/or soupy. But every day I get more creative with what I can mix into oatmeal and yogurt.
Well, I better get going. Starting to doze off. I promise I'll post m0re updates and some new photos soon!

18 Hours to Go!

We're almost packed up and ready to go! U.S.A - here we come!! 18 hours before our flight leaves. We have a layover in Munich, Germany. Hopefully the storms in the U.S. won't cause any delays for us.
Gerry just woke up from an early nap and we're going to check out the local market. No more room in or bags so we won't be buying anything :)
See you soon!

Mom knows how to pack light - these are all of the clothes she is bringing home!

First Word

Gerry signed his first word today - "drink"!!! He has been holding his hands out and up for "where" for a while now, but "drink" is the first real word that he has signed. He has also been babbling a ton more in the last few days. Mom is right, when he does start talking, it is going to be non-stop! Oh yeah, it doesn't matter if he is from halfway around the world, he is a male, and he loves the remote! And no, he doesn't want the one without batteries in it. :)
I will be so relieved when we can get him to the achondroplasia specialist in Milwaukee. It is awesome that one of the best doctors in the world for children with dwarfism is so close to us. I sure hope that the doc will have good ideas on how to help Gerry breathe easier - it is so hard to hear him struggle to breathe at night.
Some of our last photos from The Land of Far Away:

We are glad to be back in the capital city, especially since we are in a pretty nice apartment this time, and everything is in bloom.

Taking time to smell the flowers.

“Look Mama, ants!”

Steps – he has to go up and down each one every time we come and go.

“I love this ramp and I have to do it by myself!”

Chicken legs on the counter? Hmm, does this meet health department code?

Sorry Papa, he is a messy eater - but he sure has fun feeding himself. I've decided that mealtime attire includes only a diaper! Can't wait for spaghetti! For those of you traveling soon, packets of oatmeal are great! I've been able to disguise jars of babyfood chicken, carrots, and cauliflower in apple oatmeal. Once we get home, I will be able to cook real food, but I figured the safest and easiest bet for meat here for a child comes in a baby food jar. And keep trying - Gerry's first run-in with the noodles in chicken soup didn't go so well. But by the second time, he loved them. Hmm, for mac and cheese, he just keeps shaking his head "nyet, nyet, nyet."

Fun Times! Day 37

Today we had our first U.S. Embassy appt. (I think it took longer for Security to go through our bags than it did to complete the paperwork!) and Gerry's medical (not at the Embassy). Nothing too shocking. Did we know that he could end up a dwarf with his "condition"? Um, yeah, that would be a yes. Gerry sure is a trooper and did very well considering we were on the go until 1:30 (way past his nap time!). It still makes me cringe every time I get in a car with him and . . . no carseat! Hmm, I wonder what he will think of being strapped in a carseat once we get back to Chicago?
Tomorrow is our last day of paperwork - woo hoo!!! And we don't have to be at the Embassy until 2:00. So I get to sleep in! Oh wait a minute, that would be a "no." Have I mentioned yet that I am ready to come home? :) I will be relieved when I can finally take Gerry to the doctor and see what we can do for his sinuses and chest congestion. The poor kid can hardly breathe when he sleeps. His snoring and tossing and turning even keeps me up at night - and I can usually sleep through anything!
Here are some photos of the fun times we've been having. This really is the fun part now.

For cheap entertainment, buy a 40 cent loaf of bread and feed the pigeons!

Plus, there is lots of free entertainment to be had – just open up those cupboard doors! (some of the stuff you might find is pretty sticky here, but exposure to germs builds immunity, right!?)

And who needs amusement parks? Just hop on the magic sweeper ride!

Just beware, when its tentacle gets stuck under the table, it could be a little frustrating.

So just ditch that darn hose and go go speed racer!

Who needs the zoo, when you have a monkey blankie with which to play peek-a-boo!

Just a Regular Kid . . . .

No more orphanage for me. Now I'm just a regular kid - who loves sunglasses, playing with trucks, and taking a bath (my first tub bath was so much fun). See you soon!
Love, Gerry
P.S. My mommy says to tell you that we survived the 15.5 hour train ride to the capital city! Embassy appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday and home on Friday! Yahooo!

Guess What I Get To Do Tomorrow?! (On Day 34)

Yep, you guessed it! After a whirlwind of paper chasing, I get to pick up Gerry from the orphanage tomorrow morning - woo hooooooo!! And just in time for . . . Mother's Day! How cool is that?!
We will be headed to the capital city on Sunday afternoon (15.5 hour train ride with a two-year-old - now that will be a fun Mother's Day - but at least I have my mama with me!). Two days of Embassy paperwork and more hoops, and then back to the good ol' USA on Friday - Eldon at Golden Rule is working on getting our tickets as I type. This year, Friday the 13th is our lucky day :)
Ok, I'm wiped out and I need to get ready for life with a two-year-old starting tomorrow, so I better get going.
I can't wait to see everyone - Ahhhh, I'm getting excited, excited, excited!!!
Here are a few pics - I hope! The internet has been very busy today (since it is a holiday here - I think it would be easier to count the days that aren't holidays!).

"My favorite car to ride!" This one breaks my back to push, but once he sees it, no other car or stroller will do! The other day, one of the days when I was paper chasing, Mom went to visit him. She arrived during his "outside time" and he was in one of the quadruple baby strollers - sitting just as nicely as can be for the caregiver. Hmmm, I think I've been duped - he NEVER sits in a stroller when I take him outside. He must have known I'd be a pushover and went straight for the cars! And, today when the doctor was going over his schedule with me, I learned that when I've been taking him outside to play, it was supposed to be his "sleep outside time." Yep, double duped! :)

Yep, we'll be bustin' you outa here soon!

It's time to go - Mama needs a new pair of shoes! (well, slippers) But hey, they match the furniture here!

And just when we found our favorite restaurant, it is time to leave. This place is downtown and has WONDERFUL food and desserts. And coffee. And tea. And milkshakes! And where in the U.S. can you get an omelete for $2.50?!
And I leave you with:

"mmm, candy!"

Such a Sweet Boy! (We're Already at Day 28)

Mom and I have been having fun visiting Gerry (we still are calling him by his birth name when we see him – that is what he is used to and what he responds to. It feels a little strange to me to call him something else, and since he has had so many changes lately, and is in for a lot more – I think it is best to ease him into being “Gerry.”

He really is a HUGE water bug! On Saturday it is quieter at the orphanage, and we had the playroom and break room to ourselves for over an hour – woo hoo (there is some gross motor equipment in a small room next to the playroom, but there is also a desk and a couch and a teapot in there for the staff)!! So in the break room there is a sink – with water – the perfect place to make a mess! Gerry is so cute – every time we go in this room, he is always “asking” (pointing mixed with an unintelligible noise) to wash his hands – he would wash his hands 20 times an hour if I’d let him. No, he does not have OCD - he just wants to play in the water! Last week when he was “washing his hands” he stuck his head in the faucet a tiny bit a couple of times – what fun! Well, on Saturday, he stuck his head under a little bit, then a little bit more, then a little bit more – until finally almost his whole head was soaked and water was running down his back. Of course, he was laughing and looking over at me with big grins the whole entire time. I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure if this would be frowned upon if we were “caught” – plus, when you dunk your head under the faucet and are laughing, it is hard to keep the water out of your mouth! Remember the mantra here: “don’t drink the water, don’t drink the water, don’t drink the water.” But how could I say no to such joy! I can’t wait for our neighbor, Kim, to show us the kid-friendly water fountains in our town – such fun we will have this summer!

This kid has empathy already – and shares! Whenever other little ones are crying, he stops what he is doing and has to check it out. The other day after coming in from outside, I was helping him take off his layers in the changing room. There was a little boy sitting on the floor, waiting to be unbundled, and he was not a happy camper. He was younger than Gerry, and just not able to move around that much. Gerry climbed down from my lap and went over to him and pulled off his hat and tried to take off his shoes for him – so thoughtful. Then on Saturday, a little girl was playing in the playroom and started to cry. Gerry had just sat down to eat his snack and had one cookie in his hand. I handed him another cookie and said “let’s give her one, she’s so sad.” He immediately knew what I meant and got down from his chair and walked a cookie over to her. And this from a kid who will hold four cookies in one hand – yes, it is possible, I didn’t think so either! – and reach out his hand for more if he sees that there are any left in the bag!

Today he learned a new trick – doing belly flops on top of Mama! Where he learned this, I haven’t a clue – but boy did he think it was funny! Just wait Papa – you are in for a treat!

I love it that he has been so snuggly lately – ahhhhh! He loves hugs and kisses - and zerberts on his belly! And he likes his back rubbed. And I found his most ticklish spot – the one that produces lots of giggles! These little things are just so much fun to discover. I also think it is great that he is starting to “test” a little more lately, too! I have to try my best to keep my face stern while telling him no (he definitely knows what this means) but sometimes it is all I can do to keep from laughing because he gives me this sly little grin. What a little booger!

On Friday and Saturday, Mom and I got to spend some time with the Reynolds family before they left. They adopted two of the cutest little girls with the help of Reece’s Rainbow, too. We are so lucky that we had a chance to meet them while they were here. It makes a huge difference in the trip when there is another family that you can visit with and have real conversations with! Plus, they are two of the nicest people – and so funny. We will miss their stories!
Check out their blog for some videos of the wonderful driving conditions around here (if you can handle Blair Witch Project type videos, as Ezra called them!)
http://ezraandkelly.blogspot.com/2011/04/bad-babushka-14232011.html

They were headed back to the capital city this weekend and will be back in the U.S. shortly. It was so amazing to see the difference in their girls after only a few days of being with Mama and Papa full-time. I am looking forward to the day when Grant and I will be able to enjoy the same! Grant should be arriving home in a few hours – only a few more weeks for us!

Look how green everything is getting!

He always has to find the loop on the towel and hang it on the hook when he is done. :)