Tyler Bing

My nephew, Tyler (pictured above). . .affectionately known as Tyler Bing--because, you know. . .has Swine Flu. He's an asthmatic. His mother, my sister, called me from the pharmacy to say she was getting him Tamiflu. . .Thanks be to God! Get well, Tyler Bing!! We love you and this song is for you. . .

On that note, Aidan, who has been coughing and wheezing all week, is not really any better. He is scheduled for the H1N1 vaccine tomorrow. Hopefully, he won't get the flu before then! Other than ice skating lessons, we're going to keep him quiet until the parade, which means skipping the Caps for Kids Halloween party. Next time. . .

My Prayers

There is so much going on in the world today. Sometimes it is overwhelming. People just seem hunkered down and waiting for the bad to be over. Sometimes, and especially now, I think about how fortunate I am and then I realize that I am not just fortunate, but actually blessed. Blessed from God. Sometimes, I wish I had more; could do more; could be more. There are so many things I pray for:

I pray my husband is happy in his life/job/family;

I pray my son remains healthy and well;that his cough will go away again;

I pray our neighbors children will get better from the flu;

I pray that my heart will continue to grow with the warmth of love a mother feels for her child;

I pray our story might touch one person, just one!, so that that person would feel the call to adopt a child from an orphanage--any orphanage, the need is so great.

Thank you, God, for always answering my prayers. . .thank you for not always giving me the answers I want. . .thank you for blessing me.

I listen to my son making funny comments while watching a movie and I smile. . .and that smile warms my heart for days. And then I smile more, before the warmth of the last smile has diminished, and so on and so on and so on. . .I will never be cold again, just from thinking about that smile.

Unsuccessful. . .

We were unsuccessful in getting our vaccination. . .I was disappointed, but not unhappy. Here's what happened:

We got to the Loudoun County Health Department at 8:30 yesterday morning. And the line was on the third side of the building already from the entrance!! Yikes!! The clinic didn't open until 9:00 and there were already hundreds of folks in line!! Most people had young children with them. We parked and got in line as quickly as possible.

While waiting, we found that most folks there were there because of the children. They all had some health condition or another preventing them from getting the nasal vaccination, primarily being given in the schools, or, like us, they were too young to be in school and couldn't get the vaccination anywhere except at the pediatricians office. And so, we all waited together, sharing blankets, toys, games, snacks, hot coffee, and stories about our children while we watched them play.

About 45 minutes into our wait, we found out that there were 100 injectible vaccinations and 500 nasal vaccinations. . .maybe some of the folks in front of us would take the nasal vaccine. . .

About an hour into our wait, a man came around with a form for the person getting the vaccine. . .we were #278. . .yikes!!! And, yet, maybe some would get the nasal vaccination. . .

After more than 2 hours of waiting, we finally reached the point where we could see the door in. . .and then the injectible vaccine, the one we needed, ran out about 5 people in front of us. So, we were turned away without our vaccine. We did get on a list to be emailed in case they get more, though! Also, the folks we were in line with were awesome. Under the circunstances, we were all there together and hanging with our kids. . .what better time spent???

When I dropped Aidan off, I found out that two children had called in sick due to fever and had been diagnosed with the Tpye A flu . . .I think this is H1N1. . .

When I got back to the office, I called and checked and found that Fairfax County didn't have any more injectible vaccines either and then called the pediatrician to see what else I could do.

When they called back they said that we had exhausted all of their info. . .and I was further informed that they would not have the vaccine until mid-November, pretty mid when our current epidemic is over. They said to keep trying. . .and, oh yes, Type A flu is definitely H1N1 Swine flu. . .great. . .if he's going to get it, it probably will be this weekend. . .

I KNEW we were behind the curve on this!!

H1N1

No we don't have it. . .thanks be to God! However, it is rampant in our area. Schools are reporting incredibly high numbers of children out, all due to H1N1. The Seasonal flu has not even hit yet!

And now, many folks at my work have children at home with it. . .with one of my co-workers staying home today due to the suspected H1N1.

Aidan and I have had our Seasonal flu vaccine (Pat is supposed to get his this week at work), but I have been waiting, somewhat patiently, for the H1N1 vaccine to come in at the pediatrician. I did have Aidan on a priority list, but nothing yet.

I have been checking the pediatrician website and there hasn't been anything posted. So, on Monday, I called to see what was up. All I was told was that they did not have it and that they did not have a projected date. Now what? I waited. . .and then found out on Tuesday about the children of co-workers who were down with it. So, on Wednesday, I emailed our local Health Department and asked if they had any advice. I was told that they are having two clinics a day for as long as they have the vaccine.

Today, I called the pediatrician again and confirmed that it will be okay for Aidan to get his first vaccine at the Health Department and then, when they finally get there's (now projected for a month from now), I can take him to get his second vaccine. So, off to the Health Department we will go tomorrow morning. . .barring anything happening overnight!!

Doesn't it just feel like we're behind the curve on this??? What's up with that???

What's in a name???

Names sure are funny creatures. . .even if a name is given in love, and really fits, the original, if one exists, always seems to hang around.

Aidan's given name, in Russia, was Stepan Vladislavovich Nosov. Obviously, once the adoption was complete, the last name was going to be changed. I was not really crazy about Stepan--not that it's bad, just didn't hit me, you know? He was called Steopa in the orphanage, which I didn't really like. And I really didn't like Vladislavovich. I kept thinking about Vlad the Impaler. . . not at all a good start in a new family!!

And so, we chose Aidan because we really loved it for it's celtic nature and Josef (Eastern European spelling on purpose) in honor of the man who made it possible to complete this adoption.

Call me sick if you like, but I have periodically asked Aidan about Steopa. At first we called him Steopa Aidan, while he was still in the orphanage to help him get used to hearing Aidan. Then, when he came out of the orphanage, we just called him Aidan and didn't bring up Steopa at all. He adapted really quickly and seems to have really liked the change. He started calling himself Aya almost immediately and that evolved, eventually, into Aidan. (I miss Aya, though!)

Anyway, after we came home, I started asking Aidan periodically about Steopa. At first, he would point to himself when asked where Steopa was; then he would point away--like Steopa isn't here!; then he started looking at us like we were crazy. Finally, we stopped asking. He seems to have been happy that we did. . .

About a couple of weeks ago, for the first time since just before last Christmas, I asked Aidan where Steopa was. . .here is what was said:

Aidan, where's Steopa?

Where's Steopa?

Yes, where's Steopa?

He's with Ellie.

With Ellie?

Yea, he lives there with her.

I was stunned. . .I think he connects Steopa with Ellie somehow. . .Ellie is the little girl Aidan came out of the same orphanage with in Sosnovoborsk. . .little minds are so amazing! It freaks me out a little.

However, I don't think I'll ask about Steopa again. . .The elf named Stepan will be enough of our little connection to the old Russia days. I'll reserve the next Steopa discussion with Aidan for when he's an adult, or at least old enough that I can discuss the entire process with him intelligently, with love and understanding.

Our call came two years ago today. . .

Two years ago today we got the call about a child. We were only told all of the negative potentially lifelong health issues. We were not told if it was a boy or a girl and we were not told where this child was located. When we called the next day with our "yes, we are interested in this child. Very interested!" then we were told it was a boy and that he was in the Krasnoyarsk region of Russia.

I can't believe it was two years ago today!!

And to celebrate, we had some dear friends come over to dinner. . .during the preparations, a yellow jacket had gotten into the house and stung me on the neck!! Man, that hurts. . .but the memory that comes of the excitement felt two years ago makes it okay. . .

Prayers requested for an IA family

Please say a prayer for this family. . .it just breaks my heart what they have just gone through. . .International Adoption is a miracle and a joy, and can sometimes just break your heart.

http://nrbfamily.blogspot.com/

That Sneaky Mama. . .

So, here we are at the end of another week. . .and what have we been up to???

Well, Mama has been a little sneaky. . .

First, here's a sneak peak at Halloween:



I just have some handstitching to do on the velcro attachments to keep them on and add some eleastic on the ankles to raise up the feet a bit.

And, I have gotten Aidan an invitation to a Halloween Ice Skating party being given by the Caps. . .he's going to meet Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin!! Autographs please!! (Amy, you thought you were a stalker?? : ) )

And finally, Mama has also been planning Christmas. . .now you all might groan "Christmas!!" I hear you! But, really, you gotta plan when Santa is involved! I "arranged" for an elf to come visit us from December 1st to December 24th. . .his name is Stepan. . .yes, that was Aidan's Russian name and I specifically asked for a red haired elf named Stepan. He watches all the children of the world and tells Santa if they have been good or bad:



He will play pranks on Aidan while he is with us and he will also have tasks for him to do (call Nana on her birthday, leave a Christmas message on our Answering Service, take food to Interfaith Relief. . .). I think it will be fun! You can check out other details of the Elf at www.northpolemagic.com

And, for a couple of funny Aidan stories:

Mama: Aidan, what do you want for dinner tonight?
Aidan: White pizza
We don't have any pizza. . .
That's okay, Mama. The guy can bring it!

hmmmmm. . . .

And:

I want a forewheeler, motorcycle, jeep, cool beep beep, guitar hero. . .

Well, Aidan, what if mommy and daddy or santa can't bring you all of that for Christmas??? What are you going to do???

Ask Grandpa!!!

Be forwarned, Grandpa!!

No Training Wheels video

And here he is!!! Riding his bike without training wheels. And Daddy is getting a good workout, too!

One thing I should note: We gave this bike to Aidan for his birthday, May 15th. At the time, he could only touch the pedals if he stretched his legs out as far as they would go, and then only with the tips of his toes. Now, he can reach the pedals, still not the ground (so he won't be going solo for a while) and he is off!! He's growing so fast. . .

To Sharon W

Hi Sharon,
Yes, please do email me. I'd be happy to talk to you about our experiences with Baby House #5 in Sosnovoborsk--the Director there is absolutely wonderful. She really really cares about all the children in her charge. When you email, in private, I can give you our phone number.
Stacy

Going Without Training Wheels

After a week of an accident nearly everyday (I think he is just too busy and happy with what he is doing to think about going) today we were dry. And, today, we also decided to go without our training wheels:





And so we're off and running, literally, after our kiddo to make sure he doesn't go out to King Street which is incredibly busy!!

In other news: Aidan is signed up for his next set of ice skating lessons. They begin in the morning on October 31st. We're all excited! Aidan is looking forward to getting back on the ice. Funny, too, he was also invited to a Halloween Party being given by the Caps for just kids. Maybe we'll go!

Tomorrow is picture day at Aidan's school. I agreed to Aidan's request to wear jeans, but he has to wear a nice shirt and sweater vest of Mama's choosing.

Finally, I got a recent and strange email in my comments on a post I did last March. I'll write about it soon--after I have a chance to think it through.

Creative Imagination

We finished up our first session of swimming lessons last Saturday and will begin our second session this coming Saturday. The instructor, after watching Aidan a bit, said to me, "Aidan is doing really well. He is ready to go into the class without a parent." Me: "You think he's ready for that?" the instructor, "If you are!" And so, that's the thing. . .we'll do our last session with Mommy and next late winter/early spring I'll enroll him in the class he does on his own. . .my baby is growing up so fast!!!

When I went to pick up Aidan at school today, I found that he had had an accident during nap time. Big time. It happens. . .but then I had to do laundry when I got home. I don't know if the accident was the reason or what, but Aidan was a little booger all the way from his class and then half way home. No matter what I said or did, it was wrong. Did he turn 15 and I didn't realize it?? Anyway, all of a sudden he lightend up (again with the 15 year old behavior!) and asked me what beach we had gone to this summer. There were two of them, so I told him: Kitty Hawk with Daddy and Emerald Isle with Nana, Aunty Amy, Uncle Todd, Kendall and Tyler. He said he wants to go back to Kitty Hawk. . .okay. . .

About a minute later, Aidan informed me that the police men at Kitty Hawk hunt for monsters. Really, Aidan? Yes! And they catch them with fishing poles! uh huh. And the monsters have big teeth and look like sharks! oh my. how did you hear about that? I just know it, Mama!

And so, there is absolutely nothing wrong with his imagination. . .I think we could even characterize him as creative. . .

Opening Day

It's Hunting Season again. Today is Opening Day for Bows. Daddy left last night to help finish setting up the Hunting Camp. He took eggs, cheese, chili, a Jimmy Dean Skillet, beer, and an assortment of other snacks and goodies. And, you ask, this is about hunting??? Absolutely. He tells me he is after the big bear. . .oh man! I don't really like bear meat. I'd much rather he stayed with the deer. We all like the venison and we use it a lot throughout the winter.

Aidan wasn't too happy that Daddy was leaving him at home. So, Mama let him skip bath, pick his own dinner and pick out a movie. All seemed pretty happy with that outcome:



Mosby even seemed to enjoy being around Aidan for a change. Usually it's Maggie who hangs all over him!

Thankfully, today all we have on our schedule is swimming lessons. I am hoping Aidan will sleep late--so far, so good!--and then take a good nap today. He's been over tired lately and the sleep will be good for him.

Fall, Fair, Flu, Fun!!!

Fall is definitely here! It's October now, the nights are cooler with consistently going into the upper 40's--great sleeping weather!--and the days are really nice in the upper 60's and low 70's. Today may be up to the mid-70"s, but still really nice. The leaves are beginning to change, pumpkins and Mums are everywhere and I even saw a Wooly Bear Caterpillar the other day while on my lunch time walk. Awesome!! Except that Aidan really doesn't like wearing long sleeved shirts. . .I have to talk and coerce him into it every day. . .at least he likes wearing his jeans!

The Waterford Fair opens today. It is one that I have always loved: crafts, wreathes, candles, Revolutionary War and Civil War Reenactors, Carmel Corn and apples. I work in Waterford, which is the town next to where we live. It was founded in 1733 and the houses are mostly from the late 18th century and early 19th century, with a few slightly older thrown in for good measure. It's very quaint. The entire town has been placed on the Virginia Historic Preservation list. It gets a little rediculous at times with what you can and cannot do, but I still enjoy walking around the fair and seeing all the talent people have in what they make. I usually pick up a Christmas present or two as well as restock my candle supply while I munch on the popcorn! Hopefully the weather will remain nice all day, and all weekend for the folks who put so much into this fair.

The flu is beginning to really hit around here. As of yesterday, two children are down with the Swine flu at Aidan's school--neither in his class, and one with a stomach virus, who is in his class. Hopefully, the flu shot he got will protect him from what is in his class and, I pray, that he won't get the Swine flu. . .I really want him to get that vaccine before it really hits!

And finally, Go Caps!! We off to a great Hockey Season start. . . : )