This Sunday (February 14) marks one year since Charlie came home. I still say, without hesitation, that his homecoming day was the best day of my life. I can't describe how torturous it felt to leave him in Kazakhstan and what an enormous relief it was to have him home.
All this week, I've been thinking about the events of last year. When we left Kazakhstan, I knew that Charlie would be safe and well cared for, but I also knew that he would be confused by our absence. He looked forward to each of our twice-daily bonding visits -- he would break into a smile and bounce around when he saw us. On our last day in Semey, we missed our morning visit because we were in court. When we came to the afternoon visit, the caregivers told us that he had cried and cried when other adoptive parents came to see their kids but we did not show up. Just a few hours later, we had to say goodbye to him for a two-month separation. This time, it was me who was crying and crying. I just felt as if I could not hand him back to the caregivers that night. I still cry like a baby just thinking about it.
At this time last year, I was so READY for us to be a family. No more adoption paper work, no more hurrying up and waiting, no more jumping through hoops. Instead, we would finally be able to spend our time doing normal family things like scattering toys throughout the house and changing endless diapers! I have to tell you that none of this has grown old. I wake up every day excited to be a mom. I can't wait to see Charlie in the morning, and I even feel a little sad when I say goodnight to him in the evening.
I think about the ways that he has changed and how his transformation could not have happened if he were still in the baby house. Charlie is, by far, one of the most enthusiastic, energetic, excited, robust little creatures I have ever known. He is LOUD. He is VOCAL. He is HIGH ENERGY. He is NON-STOP. This kind of behavior isn't exactly tolerated at the baby house. Whether it's a cultural thing or a baby house thing, the children in the orphanage always seemed to behave in an orderly fashion. Logistically, this may be the only way to maintain safety and accomplish the tasks of each day, but that kind of environment is certainly NOT Charlie's cup-o-tea.
During the past several months, we hired a "searcher" and made contact with Charlie's birth family in Kazakhstan. We exchanged letters and pictures. We hope to continue to maintain some connection so that Charlie may have a better understanding of his birth and adoption. Now, when I see his face, I also see the faces of his birth family looking back at me. It is amazing what a letter and a few pictures can do.
It has been a year of discovery. For Charlie, there have been so many things to discover and to love! And to think, chocolate shakes on weekday afternoons with MaMaw and PaPaw are only ONE such thing. I think if Charlie could have just this one thing, he would be more than satisfied. But, of course, there are countless other new pleasures in his life -- taking baths, new sandles to wear to Florida, kitties and doggies, cousins doing somersaults just for his amusement, balloons, the moon, chocolate candy, cucumbers in tart italian dressing (a new favorite), Baby Einstein videos (they may not have been proven to make a baby smarter, but they sure do make Charlie a happy little man!), the endless joy that is otherwise known as Grandma Cookie and Poppy's house, and of course, Mama and Dada.
Now for some updates on what is new with the little guy ...
He has learned most of the alphabet. He can say the letters when we show them to him. He also knows a few numbers. Colors are next on the lesson plan.
He likes to say, "I got it!" or "I did it!" He also loves to say, "Oh man!"
He. jumps. everywhere. he. goes.
Choo choos became a huge obsession, although he now refers to them (more maturely) as trains.
He loves salad -- lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, croutons, and cheese, all mixed in a little Garlic Expressions italian dressing.
He has figured out how to get out of his crib. We haven't exactly figured out what to do about it.
Christmas was fantastic. He loved the tree, particularly his Little Einstein's ROCKET ornament from Grandma Cookie. We cut down the tree ourselves at the Sugar Pine Tree Farm.
On New Year's Eve, he stayed up past midnight and drank an apple-juice toast with Moe and Owen. We stayed at a hotel, and he slept like a ROCK in between Stan and I on a king-size bed.
Books have finally made their way onto Charlie's radar. He especially loves Goodnight Moon and On the Night You Were Born.
Either (1) his arms grew, (2) he got taller, (3) he developed Cabin Fever and needed new entertainment, or (4) his bad self just got badder, but all of a sudden, he can reach everything on the dining room table, kitchen counter, and dresser top. If we thwart all of these activities, he moves on to other no-nos such as opening the garbage container, pulling on the tablecloth, or browsing our CD collection.
When all else fails, he brings out the dare devil. The dare devil likes to climb onto the arm of the armchair and balance precariously on one foot, stand on the window seat while opening and closing the record player, stand up on the piano bench and reach for picture frames, or (on one special night) dive headfirst out of his crib.
When I last posted, "Mama" was a new word for Charlie. It is now one of his favorite words, and he always says it SOOO sweetly. I turn to goo every time.
Happy Gotcha Day, Charlie!!
