CQ and her friend V + PLUM TREE STUDIO

YOU JUST CAN'T GET ANY CUTER THAN THIS!
This is CQ with her friend V. V is from Kirov, Russia and is an amazing little girl. Her mom has been a great friend of mine for quite sometime. Actually her mom worked for the agency that we adopted our kids from and she played a very important role in getting our little guy home 3.5 years ago. Little did she know that she would get to experience the wonderful world of adoption, but she did and I am so happy for her and her husband. Creating your family through adoption is a rocky road, but all worth it in the end. I didn't ask for permission to use her photo, so Miss C. if you read this, give me the ok and I'll post the other REALLY cute one of the two. :)
UPDATE: PERMISSION GRANTED!!! :)
MORE CUTE PICTURES FROM KF PICNIC:

On another note, with some relavance, V's aunt is a designer of FABULOUS t-shirts (in California) and has sent CQ 2...THANKS! example of 1 of the shirts

Her blog is: http://plumtreestudio.blogspot.com/
Get on this blog and check her out. She works very hard and is sooooo talented so maybe some of you could give her alittle business....remember....she's the aunt of a Russian Princess, need I say ANYMORE? You all will love her stuff, so just check it out!

BAHAMA TRIP, PASSPORT BLUES, AND OUR ANNUAL KF PICNIC
Ahhhh!
What a great time that Jason and I had in the Bahamas.


The kiddos would have gone w/us, but Budda's citizenship papers for his passport didn't arrive in time. Actually, they haven't arrived at all. It's amazing how long and difficult the process can be. So, IF YOU DIDN'T GET YOUR CHILD'S CITIZENSHIP PAPERS, b/c they didn't give them out before 2003, you will need to apply to get them OR you will not be able to get a passport for your child AND for those of you who have not had the pleasure of dealing with what a HUGE mess the passport agencies are going through right now...good luck. We paid over $200 to expedite CQ's passport and we still waited 5 WEEKS!!!! I was very sad seeing other kids w/their parents there, b/c our little guy didn't get a chance to get his passport and they did. HE IS A CITIZEN TOO! I can't get myself started again.
The day we got home, they announced that they are waiving the passport rule for now. OF COURSE THEY ARE! My luck.
Anyway,
if anyone is interested in getting citizenship papers AND/OR passports, e-mail me and let me know how I can help. Trust me, I'm an expert now. Remember, if your child has just come home in the past 2 years, or so, you automatically get their citizenship papers.
FYI: Citizenship Form for Adopted Child: http://www.rapidimmigration.com/usa/
(FORM N-600)
We did, however, enjoy ourselves. I have never left CQ, and only left Budda when we went to Russia to get CQ, so that was difficult. Thanks to my mom and dad who stayed at our house and kept things consistent. It's going to be a tough few weeks getting CQ back on our interventions that we were trying. We had come so far with bonding and just overall behavior, so the guilt is definitely there. The eye contact with me was almost non-existent for the 1st day back, but the second day, things have gotten alittle better.
Last week when we went to our Adoption Agencies Annual picnic, CQ did great. Didn't beg to go to others, actually wanted me to hold her alot! It was just absolutely incredible to see what beautiful children our Agency has brought home. All of them so vibrant and full of life. That's what it is all about.

More Birthday Pics + 1st Haircut for CQ + Attachment Stuff

On CQ's birthday, I decided to trim up her locks. It was time!

Brother got a haircut too! The finished product looks fabulous! After, we went to the toystore and bought a Dollhouse for CQ...a huge dollhouse. Very exciting. Now BROTHER has another toy. She could care less! :) That's just how she is. She would rather play with shoes and socks anyday.
Here are a few more pics of her b-day...Dinner at Mankeo Neko (our fav.Japanese rest.) and cake with just us.


We decided against a party after listening to our own common sense that told us..."she's just not ready for that yet".

On another quick note, I went to a seminar of Dr. Federici yesterday. He specializes in attachment issues and internationally adopted children. A-MAZING! I took down some notes on my laptop and will try and write an overview very soon. Everyone that internationally adopts should hear this guy. Really, it's a must for everyone!!! Maybe in the meantime some of you could look his info. up on-line at: http://www.drfederici.com/
It's soooo worth it!!!

Happy Birthday CurlyQ!

I can't believe you are 2 already! It makes me so sad that I didn't get spend your 1st birthday together, but Mommy and Daddy WILL MAKE UP FOR THAT!
As your mommy, I want to tell you how much I love you. You are the sweetest little girl and such a trooper for making the adjustment of your life these past 5 months.

I LOVE YOU...
I love when you hug me, I love that you are independent, I love that you are emotional about everything, I love that you are potty trained,
I love that you like to shop, I love that you like to take walks, I love it when you jabber about nothing I understand, I love that you think you are beautiful, I love that we brought you home from Russia on Christmas Eve,I love that you are such a good sleeper, I love that you are caring to other babies, I love when you pretend that you are talking on the phone like mommy, I love it that you like having hair brushed and putting clippies in your hair, I love it that you love to wear sunglasses, I love that you were born for me, I love that you are spunky, I love it that bathtime is sooo much fun, I love that you love all 3 of our doggies, I love that you tolerate your brother when he isn't being so nice and/or sharing, I love that you light up a room when you enter, I love your breath...even in the morning after sucking your finger for about 12 hours, I love that everyone says that you look like your daddy, I love that you love your daddy and that everything and anything you do melts his heart, I love it when you dance to any and all music, I love it that you are so smart, I love that your smile is infectious, I love that you try me with your hard-headed attitude, I love it that you make me work so hard to the be the best mom for you, I love it that you are mine forever and ever, I love that you showed me that loving another after your brother was EASY, I love it that you are happy, I love it that I found you, and my love for you grows each and every day. Happy 2nd Birthday!

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, I spent some time with my children, and spent time with my own mother. I am so happy to be a mom. It was so hard getting to this point, but in the end, I thank my lucky stars every day for my beautiful children. I know that all of you feel the same way! :)