1 year Anniversary with Matthew!

You can call it "GOTCHA DAY" anniversary or "FAMILY DAY". Which every way you slice it, as of May 16th Matthew has been officially ours for 1 year! He will celebrate his 1 year as an American Citizen on May 24th.

He has grown so much! He looks nearly double in size since he toddled off the Aeroflot jet at LAX. He no longer a baby, almost not a toddler. He's a little boy now. He has accomplished so much in the past year.

• He talks constantly (unless he goes into his fake shy mode briefly)


• He climbs, runs, jumps, somersaults, walks fast frontwards and backwards


• Lives on his bike, scooter and in his sand box


• In the morning he nows gets up and plays in his room, no crying or calling Mommy. Not sure if I like that one yet.


• Has the motor skills of a 4 year old


• Loves to draw, paint and make things. Very artsy so far.


• Loves to give hugs and kisses


• Will "high five" with the guys

He's doing well in Nursery School/Day care. Denise taught pre-school for many years so she knows when the little guys are ready for a challenge. She's wonderful with the kids and Matthew just loves her. He does however get plenty of "time outs", the Russian temper is alive and well inside him.

We had our 2nd Post Placement Report (PPR) done recently (4 are required by Russia) and our social worker thinks Matthew is doing just fine too. I couldn't believe Matthew would barely open his mouth the entire time. Became a total chatterbox the moment he left.

Not doing so hot on the potty training front. He was off to a good start on his own determinism but when he went in for surgery on April 13th (now fully recovered) he really had no interest afterwards. We'll get him going again. I'd like to have him telling me more BEFORE he goes instead of telling me AFTER. I'm traveling to Texas with him alone the end of June (Barbie Convention) so I'm hoping he gets more into it.

Time to go make him crepes with fresh strawberries. I'll try to update more often, I've really slipped lately.

Love,
Debi, Brian and Matthew aka the little monster

Mother's Day

Wow, my first Mother's Day. Missed it by 2 days last year as we were flying from Moscow to Siberia so at least I was closer to being a Mommy then than I was in 2005.

Matthew and Brian took me to brunch at my favorite cafe here in Castaic, Lollie's Bakery. The owner loves Matthew so thankfully we don't get snippy looks when he decides to run around into the kitchen or rearrange a section of the restaurant.

By the way, Matthew thinks he's a little rock star when he wears his sunglasses or has he calls them "gees".

I have many more fun Mother's Days to look forward to in the years to come.