Gotcha Day

Two years ago on February 8, 2008, we walked out of the doors of baby home #3 in Novosibirsk, Russia with Bryson Aleksandr in our arms. As I sat here going through all the pictures from both trips, it brought back so many memories and feelings. On one hand I was scared because I just became the mother of a 15 month old in the blink of an eye, but on the other hand, this was the moment I had been waiting for so long. I was actually a mother. To me, the gift of being a mother is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. We were truly blessed to have such an amazing little boy enter our lives and change it forever. I almost can't remember what life was like before Bryson came along. I now know why we had to go through that long, hard path of infertility that eventually led us on the road to adoption. It's because our son was in a crib in baby home #3 waiting patiently for us to arrive. When I watched Dr. Drew interview the girls on Teen Mom last week, he said that there is no love in the world like the love a mother has for her child. It immediately brought me to tears because it's so true. I didn't know it was possible to love another person the way I love Bryson.

When Bryson woke up this morning, we gave him his newest Nesting doll, Bob the Builder and he proudly added it to the shelf of others. After work, we took him to get ice cream and told him many times it was his "Gotcha Day." Then on the car ride home he told us "my gotcha day." Yes, I almost cried again. Motherhood has made a very sensitive and emotional person.

1st trip:

2nd trip:

To watch Bryson change and grow every single day has been both amazing and such a blessing. He went from this serious little baby to this little boy that is almost always seen laughing or smiling. He has so much personality and spunk. I can't wait to see what the futures hold for him! Regardless what his path is, you will always find me by his side. I will forever be his biggest fan!

Life has gotten busy for us and I just don't feel like I can keep up with this blog anymore. I have been waiting for his gotcha day to post our final post. Thanks to everyone who always followed and commented on the posts. I have made some wonderful and life-long friends through this journey.

Favorite Photo Friday #90

Bryson likes to lay on the ground and watch his bowling ball go down the lane.

2 years ago today...

A judge in Novosibirsk, Russia said "dah" to us becoming parents of Bryson Aleksandr. A day that changed our lives.

Favorite Photo Friday #89

Daddy & Bryson watching a show at Disney World this past weekend

Favorite Photo Friday #88

Favorite Photo Friday #87

Bryson doing one of this favorite things...bowling

Favorite Photo Friday #86

An update

I suppose it's time for an update. Tonight our social worker is coming for our 2 year PPR. It's really hard to believe that in a little over a month, Bryson will have been with us for 2 years. Where has the time gone?!? Bryson is doing amazing. I truly feel blessed to be his mother. He is the love of my life and I just can't remember what life was like before February 8, 2008.


Potty Training

Well, we have not gotten very far in this department. We attempted it again in November, but did not succeed. He would only go potty (#1) when we put him on the toilet, but not initiate it on his own. We tried M&M's, new underwear, toys, but none of that seemed to work. Last month I gave up on it and plan to try again in the near future.


School

Bryson still goes to school full time, Monday through Friday. He absolutely loves his teacher! So much so, that he asks about her on the weekends. I tell him no Ms. Becky on the weekends because that is mommy/daddy time. He has several best buds in class that he talks about. If he gets a boo boo, he can't wait to go to school to show Noah or TJ.


Speech

Though Bryson is still behind, he has made so much progress. He tries to copy most of what we say (yes even a few curse words). I actually feel like I can have a conversation with him now and they are usually pretty cute. There are still many words he says that only I can seem to decipher. The other day he crawled up on the couch next to me with his bag of cheetos and one of our dogs Angel was laying at my feet. He said "No, no Angel. Cheetos are yucky." I could not stop laughing that he was telling our dogs he cheetos weren't good thinking that would stop her from eating them. I tell Bryson "in a minute" a lot and he has now started telling me it in return. Oh the joys!


Eating

We still struggle in this area. We have been seeing a behavioral specialist for a little over 2 months now. We had high hopes, but have recently regressed.

Every other thing

My son loves sports and anything to do with a ball: golf, bowling, baseball, soccer. We can't say bowling or golf in our house unless we want him to pitch a fit to go do it, so we just spell it. He loves to play with other kids. He loves to go grocery shopping with me so he can get a cookie and ride the car cart. He loves to go to the mall so he can ride the merry go round. He loves to be the center of attention. He is very good natured (most of the time). Someone can take his toy away or knock him on the head and he will still smile or laugh about it.

He has brought so much joy to our lives and being a mother is everything I had hoped it to be and more!

Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas. Bryson was at such a fun age this year and he understood the Santa deal better. All month he has been asking for Santa to bring him a bike. It was a great bribe we used when he wasn't behaving. Now I have to find a new bribe.

School Christmas program

The week before Christmas, Bryson's school had their annual Christmas program. This year his class song was Jingle Bells. We were so excited to see how he did on stage since last year he really got into and was dancing all over the stage. This year most of the kids in his class just stood there in shock, but it was still cute to watch.

Favorite Photo Friday #85

Since I haven't been keeping up with my Friday pictures or updates, I thought I would include several of my favorite pictures from the month.