I Don't Have a Clever Name for This Post

We have a little problem. Everyone "forgot" to give us Grace's baptismal certificate and crucifix on Gotcha Day (after asking 3 times for it). We were shown it the day we met Grace, so we know it exists. We were told they would get it to us when they went back to the same baby home. Well fast forward 4 months and this is what I've done to try and get the certificate:
* Called our priest to discuss a baptism blessing and explained that we didn't have the certificate
* Learned that Russian Orthodox babies are baptized, receive first holy communion and are confirmed all at birth
* Priest tells me you ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT BE REBAPTIZED OR RECONFIMRED
* Start my mission to get certificate to see what sacraments Grace received
* Emailed our agency twice who forward emails to our driver. Heard he would get it when he went there again.
* Asked for his personal email so I could contact him.
* Sent email to driver begging ...for fear of it being thrown away!
* Learned that a family was in Russia and brought back Grace's crucifix (Thanks so much, Jackie!)
* Excited to have that, but WHERE IS THE CERTIFICATE????
* Emailed driver again and learned that the baby home said they didn't have it and that they don't know if they ever had it.
YES YOU DID! YOU SHOWED US!!!!
* Emailed russian orthodox priest in philadelphia trying to see if he had any connections or ways of contacting the church in Moscow. No reply

Now I am lost. Our priest needs it and I don't know what to do now. Any suggestions???? I'm going to try and send a letter to baby home with another family asking for it. We were told that the "social worker didn't know where is was". Well, the orphanage doctor is the one who showed us. I'm frustrated because I need to know what sacraments she received! Anyone else every have a similar problem?


Gotta love Benadryl. Before you all think I gave it to her for the purpose of sleep, I should mention we realized that Grace (whose birth name means "strawberry") is allergic or at least sensitive to strawberries! Brad gave her a strawberry fruit bar and strawberries for breakfast. Lunch time included a strawberry yogurt. Then big raised hives broke out all over her stomach.

The girl loves a popsicle! Her bib is on backwards, so I'll tell you what it says... "My mom is hotter than your mom".


Grace's Baptismal crucifix.

Bedhead. And this isn't as high as it was when I first took her out of the crib :)

Sorry for all the high chair pictures, but I was very impressed that our 17 month old figured out what we all know is true....the inside of the double stuffed oreo is the best!

Keeping Busy...

*Grace is doing awesome at the gym nursery. I've taken her 3 times so far and not a single tear or whimper! Just smiles :) I make sure I go in the morning right after the nursery opens so she will have more one on one attention from the teacher. Also, so there aren't tons of kids that overwhelm her or kids that she can bully :) I don't stay long either, just about 30 minutes. You know, so she can adjust. It has nothing to do with my laziness!

*Grace said "hot dog" the other day! More like "ha daw". I was so excited! She also has some sounds she makes for her chocolate milk (still giving her that since she wants no parts of plain milk). No one else but me would understand what she means, but that is ok!

*She has slept through the night for about a month now with no wakings. The best part is, she goes to bed at 8:30 and sleeps until 7:30! We finally figured out a schedule for her that works for me too. We kept waiting for her to act tired before we put her to bed. But that would backfire and she would get really hyper. Now it is bedtime at 8:30 and she actually goes right to sleep!

*We went to a local church's Peach Festival this weekend. They had a petting zoo, moon bounces, games, peach desserts and much more. Grace had the best time seeing the animals. She walked around clapping and waving! I have to tell you though, taking a thumb sucking toddler to a petting zoo nearly sent me over the edge. There was no way I was able to keep up with keeping her hands clean. She pets, she sucks, she pets, she sucks! That didn't sound nice, but you know what I mean!





Grace's first time in a Moon Bounce. Not my first, but hopefully there won't be many more times for me :)

Hug-a-polooza! The boys and I came home from church and they went to give Brad a hug (they were being silly) and Grace got jealous of course and had to join in on the fun.


Grace loves Chinese Lo Mein. Here she is sucking it off the back of her hand! She is such a little lady :)

Firsts...

Well, the boys are back at school and the routine has returned. Nate and Aidan both have great teachers and had great first days! Nate is a safety this year and so excited about it! I tried to get a picture of him with his bright orange belt but he wouldn't let me! They are already off today due to Rosh Hashanah. Grace is doing great! I really thought we would have a setback with Brad and boys all being gone again all day. But she hasn't been clingy or misbehaving. We have her on a pretty set schedule and that seems to be making a huge difference. I am already a routine kind of girl, but Grace is on a tight one! She is now going to bed at 8:30 and sleeping until 7:30! Heaven!!!! She's napping about 2 hours each day also. If she doesn't wake by 3pm, I wake her because that will mess up our bedtime routine. She is so funny! We love her facial expressions and squeals! She says "hi" to everything!!!! It doesn't even have to be a living object :) If it has a face, it gets a hello! Whenever I get out of the car and walk to her side to get her out, she waves and says "hi" with a huge smile on her face (like we haven't seen each other in a while)!

The boys weren't the only ones with a "first day". I toughened up and took Grace to the gym nursery with me. I was terrified to do it. I did not want to hear her cry and I knew I would pick her up and leave. But I have been physically falling apart. Putting on the pounds and lots of back and leg aches. I'm not a huge exercise person, but I have gone to the gym for the past 7 years. I try to go at least 2-3 times a week, so all the inactivity since April is catching up with me. I feel like a saggy, soft mess. Anyway, Grace did great!!!! I took her two times prior and stayed in the nursery for her to get a feel for it. Yesterday, I left her for 20 minutes and there were no tears! The teacher there really made the effort to take her on the playground and distract her. When I returned, I expected her to see me and get weepy like "where have you been?". Not at all!!! She smiled and kept chewing the toy horse :) Now I just have to get over the germ factor again. It's been a long time since one of my kids chewed other people's stuff. I am going to keep going and see how it goes. I don't do well exercising on my own, so I really need to gym. But if it causes stress to Grace, we'll take a break again. And I'll just be a softy. Good thing for winter clothes :)

Happy 4 months Home, Gracie!!!!!





Great first day!

Nate trying to outrun the camera!

Grace and one of her BFFs, Maggie the Pug!

Grace LOVES Chloe and doesn't really give her much personal space!

Beach Vacation

We are back from our last vacation before school starts on tuesday. We had amazing weather and I'm so sad to see summer end. I'm not ready for homework and packing lunches!

We had a wonderful time at the beach! Grace did awesome with sleeping and even put herself to sleep 3 times for nap! We are finally getting somewhere! She loved the beach and ocean and really exhausted Brad and I :) She doesn't slow down or sit for long. We hit the beach every morning, went back for nap and then the boardwalk in the evening. She loved the rides and nightly ice cream. I really think she just loves when we are all together. I'm sure she will be sad on tuesday, too when the boys get on the bus. We can cry together :) She is really starting to become a daddy's girl, but won't let him put her to bed for some reason. I don't think he sings the right songs :)


Getting a family picture was not easy! Getting any pictures of Grace isn't easy!!!!









Aunt Denise and Uncle Andy came for a visit.


Finally gave in and bought the hermit crabs! They started stinking within 3 days and no one remembers to feed them, but me! When will I learn????

Grace loved the water! We had to really watch her because she would just charge and run into the waves.

She cooperates so well.....





Mimi and Poppie came for a visit!


Just look at them.....my cup runneth over!

Grace loved to do this looking for seagulls. I think she was the only one on the boardwalk who appreciated the seagulls.

My three handsome men!

Get out of her way!!!!!


Grace really enjoyed the rides and the boys loved being able to go on with her!

Grace LOVED the frog ride!

Aidan and his boobs!!!

Grace in her race car!