Honorable discharge

Today was our last IA doctor follow up appointment.  The only thing Corbin needed clarified was, "Doctor, I don't need pokes today OK? I'm not sick and I don't like pokes"  Little does he know that next week is his last round of immunization catch ups... there will be tears... there will be pokes and there will be a slurpee (I promised).  We were in and out of the children's hospital escaping the dreaded pokes and honorably discharged from their program with no recommendation other than see your regular doctor in 20 minutes. Final measurements taken - the doctor completing her fellowship checked the numbers twice and said, "good job big guy!" with a high five for muscling through 11lbs and 6 1/2 inches in one year from 25percentile ht/wt to 65%...  I no longer worry about if he's eating OK :)  I asked about pre natal / post natal nutrition possibly affecting his adult teeth and they dismissed that saying appears to have caught up nutritionally and should have no problems.  I know I'm lucky - we're lucky.  He's healthy, he's on track physically, emotionally, intellectually and behaviorally.  There has been a lot of heated discussion on the adoption boards these days on the risks associated with Russian Adoption and I am thankful every day that my boy is perfect for me.  He may not be perfect and Lord knows I am certainly not but... we're pretty perfect together.  For fun, we did a "given your child's current stats, how tall will he be at 18 years old".  At 6 feet tall he'll be big enough to keep me in line that's for sure!

First drink from the hose

Insert screaming like a 5 year old HERE... followed by uncontrollable giggling

Here's some pictures from the weekend in the backyard splash about.  My neighbor caught my attention over the fence to tell me, "I could listen to the sound of children's laughter every day" and I answered, "me too..." just when he caught me dead on with the hose... and I squealed like a 5 year old and he laughed until he fell over in the water.  

The Amazing Nanny Diaries

Today "Miss Adi" has been with us for 2 months.  I keep joking with people that I completed 2 international adoptions in one year: one Russian, one Peruvian :)  It's similar in some ways because I worried about how she would make the transition, how she would handle all the changes in language, food, and culture and most of all how she would deal with being so far away from the people she loved.  On a personal front, I worried how I would handle having someone in my home.  I hesitated knowing how particular I am about certain things and worried a lot about handling being someones "boss".  I also ruminated about personal space and laundry... did I want someone else washing my "unmentionables"?  Well, in short, the first time I came home to find my undies folded neatly into tiny little packages and my socks color sorted into sections in my drawer... well... I got over it.  Adi is the perfect addition to our team. She LOVES Corbin and has the kindest, warmest, most welcoming personality that any parent could ask for.  She beams when Corbin gets excited and has struck out on the bus and C-train to take him swimming and to the local amusement park.  She takes note of the small things and is diligent in everything she does.  Corbin is happy, my house is tidy, the dog is walked, the laundry is done (the laundry fairy heard my prayers!) and she cooks AMAZING Peruvian meals.  My life would not be as smooth, fun, focused or easy without her here.  Corbin is learning Spanish and does fun educational activities / games every day.  I wake up and can focus on getting ready and him without worrying about the details that are simply a part of life and when I come home, I'm all his.  To those single Mama's (or families) contemplating life with a nanny, I vote whole heartily for it.  For me and for Corbin it is 100% the right choice.
In other news, I'm still paperwork fatigued and avoid it at pretty much all cost... which has resulted in my having to get Corbin's US travel visa since I haven't had much jump in my step to complete his Canadian Citizenship / passport.  I picked it up tonight and will be booking our vacation to Boston to visit another Adoptive Mama and her boy who have been home from Russia for almost 3 months.  I can't wait to see Boston, the Cape, and Martha's vineyard where Steph has strategically located access to vacation properties fully equipped with welcoming friends to visit with (and boats and beaches).  We also will get a quick trip in to Saskatchewan to see friends and family at our family reunion.  Corbin is thrilled to be going to see "Mushie and Baba GG"  Other than that, the summer is rolling along in fun fashion!  Soccer is done and Corbin had a blast.  Corbin experienced his first Calgary Stampede last week and we both had so much fun.  Corbin got to see all sorts of farm animals, the grand stand show complete with fire works, eat corn dogs, pancakes, learned to yell "YA HOO!" and wear a cowboy hat.  Mama got to spend time with friends at a fancy party, see Sugarland and Kenny Chesney in concert, eat corn dogs, remember why hangovers hurt so much :(  and wear a cowboy hat... we had a blast!  All in all, we're having a great time and looking forward to the rest of the summer ahead.  Corbin continues to roll along.  His final IA doctor appointment is next week where I expect we will be discharged from their program.  My favorite thing these days is bedtime where after he ensures that all of his "GUYS" are safely tucked in he hugs me tight and tells me he's glad I'm his Mama.  He told me tonight that the Baba's promised him I would come back and he would go to a new house to live with me forever... and that he's happy I brought him home.  So am I little dude... so am I.
Good night!  Spa-coina-nochey!  Buenas Noches!

He shoots... he scores!!! U4 "power turtles"

Miss Adi and a backyard wiener roast with friends

I can't explain this... except for mmmmmmmmm

Such a good pair (watching Canada day fireworks)

Cousins - how much difference a year makes. We have the same pictures from last year.  6 1/2 inches and  11lbs...

Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys...

first corn dog... so good!

Now he wants a horse AND a motorbike. Oivey.

Living inside the frame for a moment

At the end of the day, he's surrounded by love