Please check out our new home Thank you for sticking with us at Russian to Noah's Place.  We started this blog in December 2004 to chronicle our journey through adoption via Russia.  On February 27, 2006 our path took a sharp left when we received a Miracle Phone Call and subsequently lead us to our son, who is home grown. It's funny how life leads you down so many paths.  This was God's Plan for us in His time.  We were not "in the know" until the last minute and couldn't be happier to be a family. This blog served us well, even after Noah's arrival.  We have met many bloggin friends and hope you will all continue to follow our blog in it's new location: In Our Own Backyard. We are so happy about our new start in life.  We enjoy following the blogs that have become daily "must reads" and finding new blogs that pique our interest as well. Hope to see you soon In Our Own Backyard.

15.5.06 21:02 Permalink / 3 Comments / comment

Happy Mother's Day Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothers-to-be that I know and have come to know through blogging.  Mothers are a special breed...ones with eyes in the back of their head, the ability to heal all boo-boos, the one always available to give a hug, lend an ear for your troubles and be tough when need be. I love my mother dearly and the more I grow, the more I become just like her - in looks and actions.  I can not be prouder to have her as my mother and hope I can become the person she is.

14.5.06 02:59 Permalink / 2 Comments / comment

Our first few days without Daddy... Noah and Mommy are on day 3 of our first week alone.  Daddy has gone back to work after 10 weeks at home.  We miss him terribly while he's gone and are so happy when he's home.  Daddy feels the same.  Our schedule hasn't changed much, but now Mommy is on her own, so running up the stairs to calm Noah cannot be shared until Saturday and Sunday.  Who needs a gym membership???  If I want a real workout I go to the rec room and then there's two flights of stairs to climb. We are trying to get into a routine of walking in the morning.  Usually the morning nap is a bunch of cat naps strung together...hence the workout.  So after about an hour or so of this, we go for a walk.  at least Noah has a solid 45 minutes of sleep.  Usually we get back before lunch and during the afternoon nap, which is generally a solid 2-3 hours (quick someone knock wood), Mommy can shower, make bottles, tidy up and prepare dinner.  That's our day.  There aren't many community programs this time of year on account of it being summer (or almost summer) so we are trying to fill our time.  We have made plans to visit with V and little K every Tuesday morning...a little adult coversation can't hurt us.  K loves Noah.  I think she's happy to finally be bigger than someone.    Back to my workout...almost time for that walk!

10.5.06 15:13 Permalink / 4 Comments / comment

I think it's time for a change We've been thinking for a while about changing our blog name.  We started this blog to write about our experiences as they related to a Russian adoption.  The name was a play on words (if you hadnt noticed).  As it turned out, we there was no need to be "russian" (rushing) anywhere as Noah's Place was right here.  So what's an appropriate name?  Here are some thoughts: Noah's Place In Our Backyard God's Plan In God's Time One Miracle Phone Call Away Together Forever Our Fuzzy Bunny (this is what we call him...we don't know why) I don't know.  These are just my thoughts as I type.  There is also: Sir Toots (or Poops) A Lot Will This Laundry Ever End???   We are also looking for a new home (for our blog).  We were first exposed to blogging through our current site "My 20six", but it doesn't allow enough freedom for pictures.  Most blog sites have a few packages.  The first is free and then there's a charge as you want to add features.  The "free" My 20six doesn't allow enough space.  The next size up is 3 pounds per month.  I'm not sure what that is in CDN $ but I ain't paying!  I have checked out the lowest version of Blogger and it's the same capacity as the second tier of My 20six.  HMMMM. We have had exposure to - Blogger and BlogSpot...your feedback on these.  Any others out there worth looking at?

10.5.06 14:20 Permalink / 6 Comments / comment

Letters to Noah...Our first meeting Day 3 (continued): Wednesday March 1, 2006 Mommy & Daddy met at home around 6:00 PM.  We were both so excited about going to meet you!  We made sure we had the camera and went to Canadian Tire to buy some batteries...we did not want to run out of batteries on such a momentous occasion!  As we drove to the hospital we wondered what you looked like.  We were both so excited to meet you!!! We met the lawyer in the lobby of the hospital a little before 7:00 PM.  As we walked to the maternity ward, he was telling us which way to turn and what elevator to take.  I hoped Daddy & I would remember this the next day when we were on our own.  When we got to the nursery, we found that you were in the NICU (only because there was no room in the regular nursery).  Before we could go in, we had to wash our hands.  We couldn't see you yet, but we were both wondering which crib was yours. Then Mommy & Daddy entered the NICU and were introduced to you.  We can't describe the feelings we had.  We were both so happy and choked up with tears (of joy).  Mommy & Daddy both walked to your crib and said 'hi' and touched you for the first time.  You were GORGEOUS!!!  It was love at first sight!  How lucky we were to have you! We were then introduced to the nurse...she said she was so excited to finally meet your parents.  She asked your name and when we told her, she said he looks like a Noah.  We thought so too.  The lawyer left us with you and we were able to start to get to know one another. You were ready to be fed so Mommy changed your diaper...it had been a while since I had changed a baby's diaper.  Then the nurse gave us a bottle and we sat in the rocking chairs side by side and Mommy fed you.  After your feed, Daddy held you too.  It was so wonderful to hold you and kiss you and smell your sweet baby smell.  We took lots of pictures and some video. We were only able to be with you a few hours because we had to go out and buy you a car seat and some necessities for your travel to and stay at the foster home.  We were very sad to leave you the first evening, but knew that we would be back the next day to see you and take you with us.  After lots of holds and hugs and kisses (and pictures) we said goodnight to you, our son. After Mommy & Daddy left the hospital, we went to Wal-Mart to buy the things we needed.  We raced around as the store was closing soon.  We got the stuff we needed without any trouble.  We did keep asking the sales clerk questions.  I'm sure we were delaying her from going home, but she was good to help us with everything we needed. After Wal-Mart, we decided to get some dinner.  We ate at Wendy's (in the parking lot).  We decided to make a few more phone calls to tell some people about our son.  We had already called Granny and Nanny & Grandpa to tell them about their grandson.  We then called our close friends (S&R and V&T).  We were supposed to go away on the coming weekend to a cabin up north, but when we told them about you, the were so happy that we were cancelling! After trying to get a few more outfits and things for you at a few more stores, we went home.  Mommy & Daddy were so happy...all we could talk about was you!  When we got, Daddy put your car seat together and secured it safely in the car, while Mommy washed your new outfits and packed your suitcase for your time in foster care.  When we finally went to bed, we downloaded our pictures from our first meeting and sent an email to the small group of family & friends that knew about our GREAT news!  Mommy & Daddy definitely had our best day ever!

1.5.06 16:35 Permalink / 2 Comments / comment

It's my party and I'll SLEEP if I want to... The party circuit is officially over, except for a family BBQ at the end of June.  There have been 4 parties/open houses/baby showers for Noah...yes, I said 4!  He is very popular and everyone wants to see him.  They don't care much if Craig or I are even there.  At the last party, we came in, my aunt greeted us, grabbed Noah and took him into the crowd.  Noone even greeted us!  We took him home about 5 hours later, neither one of us had held or talked with him the whole time.  It's great for Noah as he has his best sleeps at parties.  He puts on his "cute & cuddly" act (as Craig calls it) and gets passed around from one person to the next, sleeping the whole time.  We (well, Noah) has taken in quite the haul in the last few weeks!  We have been truly spoiled!  We had cleaned out a dresser full of clothes for an 18-month old (Russia) and filled it with gifts of clothes for an infant!  We have all the modern conveniences any new parents could ask for - a bottle sterilizer, a bottle warmer, feeding pillows, monitors...and the list goes on.  We are very appreciative of all the gifts we have received, that's for sure. The best part of having a party/baby shower after Noah's arrival was sharing him with our family and friends...letting him be loved and hugged and kissed and held...we really enjoyed that part. Now that the party circuit is closed, we are back to trying to keep (I mean establish) to routine...Noah, Mommy & Daddy can't hold you just so you can nap...that's what beds are for.  I'm sure this will come, Party Boy!

28.4.06 19:33 Permalink / 5 Comments / comment

I've Been Tagged... I've never been tagged before, but as I understand, the premise is to list 6 wierd things about myself in this post...EASY!!!  The other thing I have to do is to tag 6 other bloggers...more difficult, but I'll manage. 1. I play soccer and I'm a "keeper".  For those of you who follow soccer, you would say being a keeper is wierd all on it's own...we're a "special" breed.  But the wierd thing about this is I have to warm up the same way for every game, I have to where the same t-shirt under my sweater and the water bottles - mine of those of others on my team HAVE to be on the right side of the goal, lined neatly side by side and if a drink is taken out of any of them, the bottle has to be put back in the exact position it started in. 2. I smoke cigars....I know, wierd for a female.  I don't do this regularily...only about 5 or 6 times a year...mostly in the summer at the cottage.  We got into it a few years ago on our first trip to Cuba and it's something I really enjoy. 3. I can't step on the cracks of a sidewalk...don't know why. 4. My favourite movie is "The Breakfast Club".  I have seen it about 1000 times and I love it every time I see it and I always cry during the scene when the crew is sitting around telling about how they got detention...Michael Anthony Hall's story is the one that does it to me. 5. I love my Saturday morning flyers.  We get three local papers - one on Wednesday and two on Friday.  On Saturday morning, with my first coffee, I sort through the papers and take out the ones I like to ready.  I then sort them in order of least favourite to most favourite.  Zellers is always my favourite and the drug store or electronic flyers are my lease favourite.  I do this EVERY Saturday and won't let my husband read them until I am finished.  If we are travelling for the weekend, I take them with me.  One time, I dropped a flyer and in an effort to "catch" it, I knocked a cup of coffee off the table and it hit the wall above the fireplace, got on a picture which was a wedding gift signed by the artist, ran down the fire place and hit the carpet in front.  The painting had to be re-matted and the carpet is still somewhat stained...bright eh? 6. I can't do anything without a list.  I have a terrible memory for starters and I love to check stuff off...it's very satisfying. I could go on but am only required to do 6...you're lucky. You've been tagged (hope for the first time): Are we there yet: http://www.20six.co.uk/arewethereyet Gaye: http://www.linsadoption.blogspot.com (when you get back) Kim: http://russianadoptiondiary.blogspot.com Melissa: http://woodstokaz.blogspot.com Adam: http://adamhiscox.blogspot.com Young Mummy: http://www.20six.co.uk/youngmummy

22.4.06 02:26 Permalink / 6 Comments / comment

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