Bringing Home Bryant: October 2013

Happy birthday to my sweet boy. He is 3 today. Not sure where the past two years have gone. It seems like yesterday Jeff and I met him in Moscow. I vividly remember the day and will never ever forget it. We sat waiting anxiously in the children's music hall of the orphanage staring at these odd rather scary looking stuffed animals when all of a sudden the orphanage worker burst in and literally threw Bryant at me, no introduction just a flying baby. A flying baby in a gray and white striped one piece outfit and ugly brown wool socks. I was completely surprised and remember thinking how lucky I was that I caught him. He immediately smiled at me with this big toothy grin. At that one moment he was mine. All mine. I will never forget that connection between us and the look on his face. It was as if we both knew it was meant to be. I don't know how to describe it but it was right, all right.

On this visit, Bryant acted like a one year old but was the size of a five month old. I remember how pale his skin was and how brittle his fingernails appeared. Regardless of his poor health he had this big smile on his face and this adventurous spirit, which he still has. We left just short of his first birthday. It makes me sad to think of how he celebrated his first birthday. For the girls we went all out and had a big party to celebrate the big day. I just hope Bryant got a hug or maybe even a kiss from someone who cared it was his birthday. Amazing how things have changed.

This weekend he had his first big birthday party with friends and family. There were 35 kids and numerous adults there to celebrate with him. A far cry from his first birthday in Moscow. It was a costume party at the local park. Little man was a pirate. He perfected his "Arrgh." He was so excited about the party. He loved every minute of it. It was crazy chaos with lots of sugared up kids running around in costumes having a blast.

Tonight we celebrated again with Papa and Nana. They brought Bryant his favorite french fries and Sprite. We had a cupcake (icing only for the birthday boy)and sang again. Bryant likes to sing "Happy Birthday" to himself. Papa and Nana gave him a Chuggington train which he adores. The girls gave him a Sponge Bob pillow that he asked for. Cacky and Poppy gave him the Woody from Toy Story. He got a special spider man gift from his best buddy Maks. He is one happy happy boy.

Today, as with last year, I have found myself thinking about his birth mother. I can't help but wonder the circumstances surrounding his birth. I wish I knew but then again it may be too painful to hear. I find myself wondering why she gave him up and asking many questions that I honestly don't normally think about. I think for me Bryant's birthday is a celebration of not only him but of his mother's choices. She made difficult decisions but she made one right one and that was to give birth to this little boy. I can only imagine there were other options available. I thank her for that decision to give Bryant life. She may not have been able to care for him but she gave him the gift of life. Today I find myself praying for her. I pray that she has peace in her heart about her decision to leave her baby at the hospital. I know any female who has carried a child has an emotional bond regardless of external factors. That being said I believe she, or any mother who gives up a child, grieves for that child in some way or another. I sometimes wish she knew how great he is now and how much he has overcome. I wish she knew how thankful I am of her and her decision. Without her I would not have my little boy.

Bryant I wish you the happiest birthday. I love you with all my heart.

Love, your Mommy

Bryant - 3 years old

My sweet boy- then and now

Pinata time - the lefty at bat

Searching for candy

The birthday party gang minus a few

SK & Macie

Amelia and Hutson at the birthday party

Ahoy Mate

Blowing out candles with Papa

Woody from Cacky & Poppy

Yes I am a slack blogger. Way behind. Life has gotten in the way of my blogging duties. Every time I sit to write I am either distracted by the kids or I have brain drain. Since school started the pace at our house has really picked up. When Amelia and Bryant started preschool a month ago I began working 3 days a week until 1pm. I love my kids but I also love my career. So I thought I would try adding two more work days to my schedule . It might not seem like a lot but all of the things I did during the day are now done after 10pm. Hence no time for blogging. I am always playing catch up. I know it is not a great excuse but you will have to cut me some slack. I am finally adjusting to the new schedule and hopefully back on track with my monthly posts.

I think back to this time two years ago. Jeff and I were packing and getting ready for our first trip to Moscow to meet our son. We left on our first trip on October 22, 2010. We saw Bryant's face on October 25, 2010. I remember how busy and chaotic life felt. My mind was racing with to-do lists and itineraries from our adoption team. I remember this night two years ago I had a complete melt down over leaving the girls. I wept like a baby. I wrote them all letters to say how much I loved them. I knelt down and prayed a prayer, a mother's plea, to keep my girls safe while I was gone and to bring me back home to them. I was overcome with fear, anxiety, stress and excitement at the same time. As I prayed I accepted for the first time in my life that I had no control. It was all in God's hands. I learned the meaning of full trust and faith in God. I felt his spirit in me. I knew he had my child way across the world and he intended me to go get him. Today the little munchkin has now grown in to the biggest Mama's boy ever. I couldn't imagine him not being mine. I know in God's eyes he was always mine.

The kiddos are in full school schedule mode. All after school activities are in full swing. Sara Kathryn is training for gymnastics team at least 16 hours a week. It has been exhausting for her with the increase in homework. She is working hard and learning the valuable skills of time management and multi tasking. She starts competition in a month. She amazes me at how well she handles the pressure of her sport and school. Underneath her sweet spirit is one tough cookie. Macie is playing soccer on an all boys team. I was a little worried how she would do this year as the boys at age seven have become stronger and much more aggressive. Macie has stepped up to the plate and shown us her true skills. She loves playing with "her boys" as she calls them. At the first game she scored two of the four team goals scored. Jeff and I are so proud of her. She asked me if she could be on the soccer field every day. She really has the passion and drive to excel at this sport. Macie is taking gymnastics too. She just got her standing back walk over and is super close to her back handspring. Last week she lost her two front teeth. The tooth fairy left her a whopping $20. It was a high rolling tooth fairy who never has change. The money is burning a hole in her pocket. She wants to go to the toy store soon.

Amelia is loving her new preschool. She has her best buddies Caroline, Savannah, and William in her class. She couldn't be happier. Last week she had a field trip to the local farm to pet the animals, pick a pumpkin and ride the tractor hayride. She and I had lots of fun. We had a special lunch date and some shopping time too. Jeff is coaching Amelia and my nephew Hutson in soccer. They are so adorable running up and down the field. Amelia's favorite part is handing out snacks. Her southern hospitality shines through. She is also taking gymnastics. She has perfected her cartwheel and handstand. With three girls taking gymnastics in our house I believe they are standing on their hands more than their feet. Every time I turn around they are in a handstand position and I am staring at feet. They love to pretend play gymnastics class and Bryant is the student. Poor guy gets talked into doing everything they tell him to. If he doesn't they will make him run laps or do push-ups. They told him he has Olympic potential. He did a front handspring the other day. Hilarious.

As for Bryant, he is doing great in school. He loves his teachers and classmates. He uses the potty, participates in all activities, goes to music, chapel and his favorite the playground. I worried so much about him when I started work and he had to eat lunch at school. He is doing a little better at lunch bunch but it is still a daily struggle. The teachers are very helpful and encourage him to eat. Two weeks ago he had to have three crowns on his teeth and three cavities filled. We have been so good about brushing his teeth and taking him to the dentist for fluoride. However, we can't reverse the malnutrition he suffered as an infant and the ill effects of apple juice while in the orphanage. The dentist trip was no fun. He was sedated for the entire thing. They said he wouldn't remember it however afterwards he told me he cried a lot when he was in the back at the dentist and it hurt. I think he may remember. Breaks my heart. He now says he the crowns on his molars are his pirate teeth. Recently he had a screening for the state preschool program. We just got the results this week and he scored in the normal range for speech, motor and cognitive skills. We are thrilled. He does not qualify for any services. His cognitive score was in the 96th % tile compared to other children his same age. I m so proud of him. We are going to re screen him for speech in 6 months to see where he is at then. I requested this because I want to keep an eye on his word formation. He talks non-stop but his clarity is not where the girls were at this age. He is communicating effectively but I believe the earlier you catch speech issues the better off you are. So far no delays. Incredibly thankful for his amazing progress.

We are planning a pirate party for Bryant's 3rd birthday. It is a costume party. Should be a lot of fun.

Two years have past since we first met our son. There have been many challenges but one thing is for certain my love continues to grow for him and the rest of my family. I am a lucky girl.