Sunday, August 22, 2010
And so, we are finally "home"
I don't know if anybody is following my blog anymore, as my last entry was in May. I didn't even know if I would ever write again, but I figured someday, Brody would like to read this blog and I should at least try to end it appropriately.
Tomorrow, on August 23, 2010, Brody Marat will be entering his fifth month of being declared an official part of the Cargill team. The last five months have been hectic to say the least. Brody has traveled to Buffalo, NY to meet his great-grandparents, Helen and Earl. He has traveled to Rainbow City, AL to once again spend time with his grandma Sharon. He has visited Raquette Lake, NY (in the Adirondacks)where he met Christy and Ken and their kids. He has visited Washington, DC where we all reunited with our friends from VA, Michelle and George and their adopted son George, also from St. Petersburg Russia. Brody has ridden on airplanes, jet-skis, boats, canoes, Ferris wheels, swam in pools and did I mention? He had his second birthday on May 25, 2010. This kid already has a lot under his belt.
Brody puts/says three words together now, peels his own bananas and navigates stairwells alone. He has gained four pounds in five months and oh yea, just got over the dreadful coxsackie virus. Shall I continue? Brody is truly amazing. Now, he isn't perfect....did I mention his tantrums? his stubbornness? his "Stop it Mama!" on a regular basis? But he is amazing.
When I look back over my adult life so far, I am really not surprised that I am here today. When I married Scott, he told me that we would lead a "life uncommon" and he was damn right.
I didn't expect to travel to Dubai or Argentina before I turned 40..but I did.
I didn't expect to stand in front of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and watch smoke pouring from windows before the towers collapsed....but I did.
I didn't expect to ever complete a triathlon (tiny as it was) this year...but I sure did.
I didn't expect my Dad to die three weeks after I returned home from Russia with my only son...but he did.
And I sure as hell didn't expect to live in St. Petersburg, Russia in March 2010 and on the very last day of that month, bring home a boy that I barely knew and become his mother, for good or bad, better or worse..but here I am today.
I am grateful for who I am and who I am yet to become. Bringing Marat home has been another part of this journey. I don't know why we became a family, but it was meant to be. I firmly believe that everything in life happens for a reason. The planets collided, the stars aligned, well, you get what I mean....we are all where we should be, be it as it may. At this very moment, this is where we are in our journey. They are not always easy or perfect lives, but somehow our lives became entwined forever and for that, we can be grateful and that will get us through the most difficult of times. I love you Brody Marat. Thank you for coming home.
ps. Happy Birthday Dad. You would be 69 years old today. I know that you watch over us every day and that you too, wherever it is you are, are home.
Tomorrow, on August 23, 2010, Brody Marat will be entering his fifth month of being declared an official part of the Cargill team. The last five months have been hectic to say the least. Brody has traveled to Buffalo, NY to meet his great-grandparents, Helen and Earl. He has traveled to Rainbow City, AL to once again spend time with his grandma Sharon. He has visited Raquette Lake, NY (in the Adirondacks)where he met Christy and Ken and their kids. He has visited Washington, DC where we all reunited with our friends from VA, Michelle and George and their adopted son George, also from St. Petersburg Russia. Brody has ridden on airplanes, jet-skis, boats, canoes, Ferris wheels, swam in pools and did I mention? He had his second birthday on May 25, 2010. This kid already has a lot under his belt.
Brody puts/says three words together now, peels his own bananas and navigates stairwells alone. He has gained four pounds in five months and oh yea, just got over the dreadful coxsackie virus. Shall I continue? Brody is truly amazing. Now, he isn't perfect....did I mention his tantrums? his stubbornness? his "Stop it Mama!" on a regular basis? But he is amazing.
When I look back over my adult life so far, I am really not surprised that I am here today. When I married Scott, he told me that we would lead a "life uncommon" and he was damn right.
I didn't expect to travel to Dubai or Argentina before I turned 40..but I did.
I didn't expect to stand in front of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and watch smoke pouring from windows before the towers collapsed....but I did.
I didn't expect to ever complete a triathlon (tiny as it was) this year...but I sure did.
I didn't expect my Dad to die three weeks after I returned home from Russia with my only son...but he did.
And I sure as hell didn't expect to live in St. Petersburg, Russia in March 2010 and on the very last day of that month, bring home a boy that I barely knew and become his mother, for good or bad, better or worse..but here I am today.
I am grateful for who I am and who I am yet to become. Bringing Marat home has been another part of this journey. I don't know why we became a family, but it was meant to be. I firmly believe that everything in life happens for a reason. The planets collided, the stars aligned, well, you get what I mean....we are all where we should be, be it as it may. At this very moment, this is where we are in our journey. They are not always easy or perfect lives, but somehow our lives became entwined forever and for that, we can be grateful and that will get us through the most difficult of times. I love you Brody Marat. Thank you for coming home.
ps. Happy Birthday Dad. You would be 69 years old today. I know that you watch over us every day and that you too, wherever it is you are, are home.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Bringing Marat Home to this?
I would love to write and say that things have been wonderful and cheery since my last entry, but far from it. Bringing Marat actually HOME has been the easy part.
Three weeks later, on April 23, 2010, my dad passed away. He had heart problems that had become exacerbated in February, but nobody expected his death so soon.
On April 24, 2010, Scott, I and Brody once again boarded a plane (Delta again, who would have thought?) to Atlanta and made the two hour drive to Alabama to be with my mom. Over the course of that week, Brody met even more people, ate in more restaurants than most 2 year olds have in their life and once again, slept in a different crib. On top of all of these changes, Brody had a somewhat incapacitated mother as I have never experienced sadness at such an intense level. But somehow, we got thru the week and Brody, despite all the ups and downs, weathered the storm.
Yesterday, May 7, Brody had his first surgery. He had a clogged tear duct that desperately needed to be opened so we made the tough (but necessary )decision to have him sedated with general anesthesia so that the doctor could open up his ducts. Again, he got thru this with flying colors and is currently sitting on the couch with his cookies, watching Baby Einstein videos.
Does Brody Marat wonder what adventure he will wake up to tomorrow? Does he wonder what the hell is going to happen next? I doubt it, he just goes with the flow...and that amazes me, i wish I could do the same...he is certainly a tough and inspirational kid...and btw, all of those books on raising adopted toddlers? Or just raising toddlers? OUT THE WINDOW...because i havent found a manual yet on how to bring home a 22 month old from another country, have him attend his first funeral and then have eye surgery all in 5 weeks. I think Brody Marat is figuring it all out just fine.
Three weeks later, on April 23, 2010, my dad passed away. He had heart problems that had become exacerbated in February, but nobody expected his death so soon.
On April 24, 2010, Scott, I and Brody once again boarded a plane (Delta again, who would have thought?) to Atlanta and made the two hour drive to Alabama to be with my mom. Over the course of that week, Brody met even more people, ate in more restaurants than most 2 year olds have in their life and once again, slept in a different crib. On top of all of these changes, Brody had a somewhat incapacitated mother as I have never experienced sadness at such an intense level. But somehow, we got thru the week and Brody, despite all the ups and downs, weathered the storm.
Yesterday, May 7, Brody had his first surgery. He had a clogged tear duct that desperately needed to be opened so we made the tough (but necessary )decision to have him sedated with general anesthesia so that the doctor could open up his ducts. Again, he got thru this with flying colors and is currently sitting on the couch with his cookies, watching Baby Einstein videos.
Does Brody Marat wonder what adventure he will wake up to tomorrow? Does he wonder what the hell is going to happen next? I doubt it, he just goes with the flow...and that amazes me, i wish I could do the same...he is certainly a tough and inspirational kid...and btw, all of those books on raising adopted toddlers? Or just raising toddlers? OUT THE WINDOW...because i havent found a manual yet on how to bring home a 22 month old from another country, have him attend his first funeral and then have eye surgery all in 5 weeks. I think Brody Marat is figuring it all out just fine.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Bringing Marat Home
And so today, is a simple day.
Today, Brody Marat Cargill woke up in his crib in NJ, as he has done for the last week in a half.
Today, me and Brody Marat Cargill went to run errands, like dropping off samples at a lab and going grocery shopping.
Today, Brody had lunch (meatballs and cheese) and he laughed and he yelled and he threw a few tantrums/fits. Today, I finally let go of some of my anxiety and got my appetite back.
Today is Day #12 since we returned from Russia on March 31, 2010. Scott and I were very sick when we returned (ear infections, bronchitis) Brody was very tired and overwhelmed when he returned. We had all jet lag when we returned. And we all struggled to find out what the next day would bring and if we could figure it all out. Its a process, but we are learning about each other and learning what happens next.
Today is the second week that Brody Marat Cargill lives in NJ and is an official US Citizen.
Today, I am happy to finally write that we have finally brought Marat home.
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