Jan 2006
Baby room renovation complete- gender neutral Pooh
24th Referral received….It’s a Girl... Yes, yes, yes…. The day had arrived but it came in an email and not the infamous call I had been expecting. Travel would be quick and its brutally cold in Russia.


Feb 2006
Hustle, Hustle to get everything ready for Trip One… paperwork and more paperwork.
9th Metcha- I went to meet her all alone as John was really sick with a stomach virus
10th Metcha again- John was well enough to come
flights cancled due to ice on runway... we are stuck in siberia a few extra days.

March 2006
More paperwork, doctors visits and trips to get everything done in time. Not a moment to spare
14th- court – 10 days not waived ( we thought it would be)
21st- Family/Gotcha day
30th Home

April 2006
Where did all this Poop come from?
Jet lag, jet lag and more jet lag
Livi's first Doctor appt
Poop, poop and more poop ( Giardia)
Our first Easter Together
Help me grow evaluates Livi’s development
Livi gets her first pictures taken

May 2006
3rd-I take John to the Emergency room, its our Third Wedding Anniversary and he is admitted to the ICU in serious condition with Hep A (contracted in Russia or from our daughter who also had Hep A)
still dealing with poop
Trying to be really consistant with her schedule

June 2006
Livi has her first trip to the ER- dehydrated & fever
John is home...Everyone is on the mend
I first start to suspect sensory issues with Livi
still having poop problems

July 2006
Enjoying our Summer
I start researching attachment & sensory issues
Reading all I can on attachment & sensory issues

August 2006
Livi gets a swingset.. Papa puts it together.
Livi starts Mama shopping
I talk to some attachment people on the best way to handle some issues that are cropping up
I start being consistent with HT and see results
using time ins for behavior
Livi has her first firm poop... Im such a proud Mama


September 2006
Mama gets a blogging gig
Our local paper features a positive story about our adoption


October 2006
Halloween & Fall Fun
Livi is showing really good signs of attachment
Livi starts having more and more tantrums


November 2006
17th Livi turns two
I call Early Intervention for help with sensory issues

December 2006
Livi is evaluated by Help me grow and receives a referral for OT ( Jan 9th is our evaluation)
Livi starts pulling her hair and lashing out at Mama.
Still consistant with HT
Introduced the naughty bench and 2 minute timer

Image credit