Working on: political questions from my 7th graders, we're doing a Q&A on Wednesday. Uploading pictures of new nephew.
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I can't say whether I was just too crazy the first few months home, or if love for a child grows with each passing day, but I am so in love with Roman now. I can say honestly, this summer I enjoyed him but my feelings were more of a... "responsible for him" love. Recently I have found my heart just bursting when I look at him. He's making such efforts and strides in his understanding of the world and his language. I am so proud of him, and so glad he's ours.

Now that he's a smidge older, I also reflect from time to time on where he would be if he still lived in Russia. I mean, I watch him play in the sandbox at the park, or diddle around with his toys, and I think - WOW. If you could have only seen & smelled the orphanage, or worse yet, if he hadn't been given to the orphanage in the first place....

He will be 16 months old tomorrow. He is very bright. He loves being outside, even in the cold air. His nose will be pink and his hands cold, but he'll be grinning and tromping across our neighbor's yard on the way to the park. He has friends at daycare; he and Alvin have a secret little language they speak in after naptime. When we arrive and the kids see him, they all start yelling "Roman! Baby! Roman! Roman's here!" and wave furiously. Roman, when he sees them, starts waving back and calls "Hi! Hi!" It's the funniest thing I've seen.

I am amazed that we have been allowed to guide and watch this child grow up.