1 year home update

Well December 8th made 1 full year since we landed in the USA!  Also (on a sad note) the 9th anniversary of my dad's passing .... it's nice to have something good happen on a day when our family is so sad.

Olesya is doing very well.  She is growing and learning more every day!
She is a happy, healthy, smart, beautiful, curious, funny, caring and loveable little girl!  We couldn't be more happy with her and her progress.

She has a cold right now and a bad ear ache.  It is a pretty bad ear ache... she cried for almost an hour... poor little baby... I took her to quickcare and they put some numbing drops in her ear... and she finally settled down.   This was the first time she'd cried for such a long period of time.... I knew it had to hurt.  Thanks to grandma we caught it right away.  I'm not sure if she picked it up at daycare or if it is this crazy weather.  It's been kind of crazy here in OHIO... warm and rainy.

She spent the night at grandma's Saturday night. It was her first night away from us since we brought her home.  I missed her, but grandma said she was fine, of course. 

We love her so much and can't imagine her not being here.  We can't wait until Christmas this year. 
Last year christmas happened all too fast.  I'm not sure she remembers much from last year.  So many changes for her... from an orphanage (where she'd been since she was released from the hospital as an infant at 1 month 15 days) with children around all the time, to car rides (that she loves), train rides (that she hated), airplane rides (thank heaven for the Russian ladies on the plane that spoke English to us and Russian to her-singing nursery rhymes and telling her stories), to a new family and being an only child.  I'm not sure I could have handled that much change in such a short period of time as well as she has. She is a trooper!

December 4, 2012

She makes everyone she meets fall in love with her.  She is so very special!

December 9, 2011 - her first day at home!

I say a prayer to everyone else out there waiting to find their child or finalize their adoption or have dreams of adoption in their hearts.  A special prayer for a friend who needs our government and judge to be on the side of the child that needs parents that care for her.  FAITH, LOVE AND JOY to them on this special Christmas holiday. 

November 15, 2012 - HAPPY ADOPTION DAY!

There are children everywhere that need a family of their own, Whether it is in the same town, same state, same country or different country.   We followed through with our decision - it took 2 1/2 years but we learned alot and are so very happy and would do it all over again in a minute!  It wasn't easy - but the best things in life take hard work and dedication.  I hope our adoption story helps other make an informed decision about international adoption or adoption in general.

I've had a great pleasure of meeting wonderful people in another country who just want the best for children.  They ran around like crazy, getting papers signed and making sure everything was in perfect order.  If we could just get the governments to agree then maybe adoption would be more affordable and less complicated.  Every child deserves a family!

WE ARE SO BLESSED EVERYDAY TO HAVE OLESYA HOME WITH US - WHERE SHE BELONGS!  OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED SO NOW I PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE THE SAME DREAMS AND WISHES! 

Here she is shooting her a deer!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!
THE LEWIS FAMILY 

10 months home tomorrow.....

I can't believe it has been 10 months since we brought our little bundle of energy home with us.... it doesn't seem like it has been that long.  She has changed so much in such a short period of time.  We are so very happy with her progress.  She is learning more and more every day. 

We aren't sure how much of everything she remembers.. sometimes she will just say things out of the blue that you know she's heard us say but isn't really sure what it means.  The other day while we were driving home... she says, "you got me from Russia?"  and I said yes... we got on a plane and went and got you and she said "you had a meeting?" and I said yes... the judge and us met and the judge said you were ours and we could take you home... and she said "humm"  like she was thinking it over.  I know the pieces of the HUGE puzzle will come together for her one day.  We just hope we can be good parents and give her a good life so that she will know how much she was loved and wanted. 

She has a little cold today.... her nose is running like crazy and it's suffed up... and she has a little rash that showed up on her forhead on Thursday... it doesn't seem to be going away.... last night I decided a little Children's Benadryl couldn't hurt her.. and gave her a little again this morning... I'm hoping the little bumps go away soon, or I'll have to take her to the doctor and see what they say.... I'm sure it's a allergic reaction to something...but to what?  who knows.  She's only had a couple of other colds so I think that isn't too bad for 10 months...

So I've yet to leave my little girl overnight... but the 18th I have to go out of town for work for one night and so I'll be leaving her for the first time.  Daddy's gonna have to take care of things. 

Steve's Local 80 dinner dance is the 8th of December.  We are planning on going to this and so I've got a hotel room in Charleston for the night... this will be the first time in 1 year that we've been apart from each other.  December 8, 2011 we arrived in Columbus, OH with our package of JOY!  We didn't know what we had gotten ourselves into!  December 8th is a special day - good and bad.... Bad because my daddy passed away on December 8th, my mom broke her shoulder on December 8th one year later and good because we landed with Olesya in the USA on December 8th. 

We are extremely happy with her progress... She's like a little sponge and just picks up on everything good and bad.

She is happy, beautiful, intelligent, curious, talkative, inquisitive, funny, lovely little girl.  She loves everyone and wants to know what everyone's name is... the WHY finally has subsided. (thank heavens!).. now she just walks up to everyone and says "WHAT'S YOUR NAME?"  They tell her and then she says, "what are you doing?"  She doesn't answer people back yet (when they ask her what her name is) unless I prompt her to.... but she is getting there.  She's too busy thinking up her next question.  She is very funny.... and when you laugh she says "what are you laughing at?"  which is even funnier... and makes me laugh even more.

We can't imagine our lives now without her and even though she takes up all my spare time.  I love every minute of it.  I LOVE BEING OLESYA'S MOM!

Well my baby just woke up from her nap... gotta go.

8 month update!

I am extremely happy to report that Olesya is doing well.
Better than we could have ever hoped.  With all the adjustments she has been through these past 8 months, we can't believe how well she has adapted.  Grandma have been watching her on Monday's Wednesday's and Friday's (with Aunt Mary filling in as needed) and on Tuesdays and Thursdays she has been going to daycare at the Betsey Mills Club for some socialization and fun time with kids her age. (while daddy and I work).

She actually loves daycare aka "school".  She tells me all kinds of stories.  She just jabbers all the time - I'm not sure where she gets it from (sarcasm)!

She has been speaking really well and doesn't seem to be having any trouble keeping up.  She is in the "why" stage right now... so everything is why, why, why......because mommy says so - now she has me sounding like my mother! 

I haven't gotten any bad reports from daycare yet (knock on wood).  But they also know her history so maybe they have been taking that into consideration as well.  I don't want to use her past as a crutch or an explanation for her behavior forever, but for the time being it does need to be considered.

She sings her ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle and Ring around the Rosey -- they aren't perfect by no means, but she is getting there... I'll have to post a video of her singing one day soon.

Steve is now being called "daddy" and I'm mom or mommy... I think Steve is going to miss her calling him PaPa - but it is all for the best.

Our friends go back next month to get their twins.  Their court date 7/26/12 was a success, however it was an all day event... and almost ran over to 2 days... (ridiculous!)  How absurd!  The children are waiting and the courts think that they need more than a day to decide what is best for them?  what?  it isn't best for them to grow up in an orphanage!  that is for sure!  omg - I could rant on forever about this... but that is all I'm going to say for now...So Russian adoptions need to stay out of the news for awhile - at least until they get their babies home.  the twins will be 3 in September....!  We, of course, want to go visit with them in Long Island sometime so the children can play together again.

We are going to Steve's grandma's 90th birthday party on Saturday.  We are excited for her to see Olesya again.  She hasn't seen her since April. 

Olesya grew over 6 inches in 6 months - I haven't measured her lately.. but she seems longer everyday... I told her to stop growing the other morning and she told me "but I want to grow mommy" and I told her to just go right ahead then!  She's only gained about 1 1/2 lbs though... We are feeding her...she is just going to be a tiny girl... that's all.

We tried gymnastics last month, but her attention span is not ready for this yet.  I was totally embarrassed - she was running all around the place - not listening - being really bad... if I could have crawled under the bench - I would have!   We thought we'd wait another couple months before we try it again (maybe daycare will help her learn to follow instructions better).  I don't think she got a nap that day either - so it was a really long day for her.

She has been taking swimming lessons at the Betsey -so far she can blow bubbles and kick her legs... well she could do that to begin with -- so I'm not sure what she is learning....I might have to try something else.  I'm not really happy that she hasn't progressed and the teacher has cut the 40 minutes back to 30 minutes.. so we aren't getting what we paid for... I spoke up last Sunday and might have made the life guard upset with me... but I am upset with her.. I paid for 40 minutes... I want 40 minutes ... not 30! 

Here is a picture from Cedar Point - it was my company's picnic day!  She had fun "riding the horsey"!

Here we are at the indoor waterpark in Columbus... She was tired and ready for bed!  See she is holding her "bubby".  This is a stuffed dog that her cousin, Christina gave her for Christmas.... She thinks she needs it all the time.  She loved the waterpark and didn't want to leave.  Now she thinks every hotel has a waterpark!  She says - stay at hotel -go swimming... all the time!  LOL

This is from the 4th - she was looking back at me.... she is so adorable - even when she isn't smiling!

This picture shows just how rotten she is!  The orneriness just oozes!  LOL

Here she is from the Zoo in Cincinnati - The elephant had just made the triumphant sound and it startled her.  I just love the sparkle in her eyes in this one!

Well I'll stop with the pictures.. but I just had to share some of my favorites!

We have been taking her lots of places and she has been having a great time.

This month we have Steve's company picnic at Camden Park in Charleston, WV and then we leave on 8/31/12 for a week vacation at the Outer Banks, NC... we can't wait for her to see all the sand and water at the beach!  It should be a fun time for us all!  I am not, however, looking forward to the 10-12 hour drive... we think we are leaving around midnight.. that way she will sleep most of the way.

Family portraits are scheduled for October... can't wait to finally get some nice photos of us all together!

More adventures to come.

Love to all!
The Lewis's



7 month update

Olesya is doing very well.  She is going to daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays and she is taking swimming lessons on Sunday afternoons for the next few weeks.  She loves the water and is just too brave!
We watched fireworks on the 4th of July, she wasn't too impressed.  She met a bunch of extended family on the 4th and seemed to enjoy her day. 
Our friends Dennis and Darlene will be returning to Russia (finally-they leave next week) for their court date.  Keep them on the twins in your prayers.

Isn't she just so adorable! 
Night-time is much better.  Most nights we rock and she goes to sleep pretty easily.  She likes it to be dark outside, so the summer months seem to be harder, because it stays daylight longer.
She is very friendly and says "hi" to everyone she meets.  She is the class "greeter" at the daycare.
We are going to Cedar Point on Saturday, that should be fun.  I hope there are lots of little rides for her. 
She has grown a total of 6 inches but has only gained about a pound.  She is so tiny, but so strong.  We tried gymnastics, but I think she needs to have a longer attention span before we try that again.
She is very flexible so I think she would be great at it, if she could ever pay attention long enough.
More to come.
The happy LEWIS family!

6 month update - CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

Well, it has been 6 whole months today.  Olesya is doing well.  She has her moments, but all 3 year olds do.  Steve wondered out loud tonight how many words she knew and I said at least 300-400.  She repeats everything you say, even the bad ones that you don't want her to. 

She is doing well with day care, the only problem is nap time (which is no surprise - because we still have issues at home with nap and bedtime).  I'm sure it will all work out. 

We are going for our first overnight camping trip soon... that should be interesting.... she's very excited about it."Ride 4-wheeler" and "play in mud" she says!  LOL  She's such a tomboy!  It will be her first night away from home since we got her to the USA. 
Our friends from Long Island are still waiting for a court date for their "waiting twins".... please say a quick prayer for them.  They are working with a new judge in the same region we got Olesya, and the judge is being, shall we say, more than thorough.

We've been doing 'time outs' with her and she has the hang of them... the other day, she was throwing food at the table so I pulled her away from the table and told her 3 minutes. - she says to me "time out - 3 minutes" --- she was right of course.... so after 3 minutes I say " I put in you time out because you were throwing food" and she says to me "no throw food, promise, sorry, hugs"  and just smiles at me... the little one has already figured out TIME OUT!  I'm not sure how effective it is, if she knows what I'm going to say and says it before I do.  We had 2 time outs tonight for throwing food at the table... it's the only thing I know to do at this point.  I'm trying to teach her a little bit of table manners.... she doesn't do well when we take her to restaurants.  I don't know if she is just overwhelmed by all the people or she is just showing off. 

Here is a picture from May 27th.

Isn't she just adorable!

We are very happy to report that she is doing very well!

We couldn't be happier with her progress.

THE LEWIS'S!

5 months home

Well, we are just past our 5 month mark.  We just completed our first homestudy post placement update.  Everything seemed to go okay.

Here is one of the pictures in the report.

I just had my first Mother's Day.  It was special to finally observe the day and not be sad.  My baby girl was finally with us and we were all happy.
May 18th is approaching... it will be a year ago on that day that we got information regarding a little girl in Russia.  Did we want to proceed?  OF COURSE!

so ornery!

she's got daddy's pinky!

and momma's heart!

June 1 - will be the anniversary of the first time I ever got to hold my baby girl!(above is the picture of our first day together!)  She had just turned 2 and wasn't really talking(boy has that changed!).. but she smiled continually and had us wrapped around her finger in just a matter of minutes.  I will never forget that HOT day an the darn HOT hotel!  The grass at the orphanage was so high, Steve wanted to mow it, but there wasn't a mower available.  It is such a great memory... she is such a special little girl!  She is growing up fast.  The past 5 months seems to have flown by.  I still can't believe that I made 3 trips to Russia last year... me -- a small town girl - now world traveler!  (LOL)

I just love this photo... I titled it A CHILD OF RUSSIA because she just looks so innocent.
I was never so happy as I was on that day! I was never so scared either - scared of losing her.. scared that it wouldn't work out... scared she might be sick... just plain SCARED of all the unknowns!  But - we pushed forward...our dreams were about to come true.  We just didn't realize it would take another 6 months before we'd have her home to be with us for good.

Ton's of paperwork later - she was finally ours!  NOW WHAT?  who knows really?  But she seems to have adapted to the adjustment very well. 
I am about to embark on another change for her.. "day care"  just a couple days a week to give GRANDMA a break and so she can play with other children her age and get some structure to her day.  I worry what she will think.. .we will have to see how it goes.  I'm going to take her in on May 29 and let her check it out... see how she does..Got to have faith!

She is now trying to sing "ring around the rosey", twinkle twinkle, ABC's...

She is learning something new everyday... we were doing flash cards last night... and she got one wrong..... about 1/2 hour later... I asked her what it was again and this time she got it right... she is really going to be a quick learner. 

Here is a picture from June 2... the day we had to leave her until we went back to court on November 15!... She looked really sad... we tried to put on happy faces... but it was hard... and as I look at this photo it breaks my heart to know we left her - if only for a little while...It was what had to be done. 

Enough sadness!  She is home and she is ours forever!  No more sadness little one! 

another photo from post placement report!  Just look at that SMILE!

WE LOVE YOU!
Momma and Papa Lewis!

4 months!

Well - it is past time for our 4 month update.  Can you believe it?  We've been home 4 months now.  Olesya is growing and learning more every day.  She is amazing.  We just celebrated her 3rd birthday, although I am sure it was her first birthday party ever!  She had a great time and so did we.  Our family has been so great... and she is so special to us and to them. 

She enjoyed Easter and the Easter Bunny... She loves chocolate.. but we  had to cut it out for a little while... she wasn't going to sleep until late... (we think it was because of the caffeine in the chocolate)

She is officially potty trained. 
She counted to 11 the other day.  She is so smart!

We've had our first trip to the emergency room... for a head injury.. but she is fine and it was just an accident playing with her cousin.  It just scared momma!  LOL 

She's been to the dentist... Everything looks good.
She's been to the eye doctor... maybe a little far sightedness.. but nothing too bad yet.

She loves books and wants us to read to her all the time.  She still isn't interested in TV and hasn't sat and watched it for any amount of time, but does talk about the one cartoon "Caliou" on PBS

She loves to build sand castles and spend time outdoors.  She loves animals; dogs, cats, horses.  She talks about them all the time and Chloe and her get along great. 

We are a HAPPY FAMILY and are happy to report all of this great news.

Our friends Darlene and Dennis are still waiting for their court date...to adopt twins and were told last week that they'd have to redo a bunch of the paperwork.  Our hearts ache for them and for their "waiting children" who they saw last in November 2011.  Hopefully they will hear of something soon and Russia will start moving on adoptions. I am anxiously awaiting a court date for them now so that they may have their happy ending as well.  Prayers are needed for our LONG ISLAND friends. 

Thank you everyone for your continued support.

With all our love
Tamra & Stephen Lewis

3 months home update

Hello everyone!
Olesya is growing up so fast!  She is learning things very quickly.  She counted to 4 tonight all by herself.. and has used the big potty a couple of times.  She is easier to put down to bed at night now.  We just have to have the security items.. for some reason we have to have a "watch" (maybe it's the ticking sound), Katia (the doll we took to her on our Court and 2nd visit to Russia), "Bubby" (the stuffed dog from  Christina at Christmas)... and then I rock away.. she drifts off usually within 1/2 hour.  Oh,... and don't forget the music (lullaby music plays in the background and I let the whole CD play every night.   She seems to like it.

Grandma has a record time of 5 minutes.. she has the TOUCH!

She has been singing about the easter bunny - hoppin' down the bunny trail.

She tries to sing Twinkle Twinkle little star. 

She is doing so very well.  We are very happy with her progress and hope that since the weather is warming up, we can start spending more time outside.  She loves to be outside and on the pretty days it's hard to get her back in doors.

I told Grandpa that I had a tomboy and she said "Olesya is a tomboy"... lol.. it was too cute.

She wants to be included in conversations now.  It's great - she learns more everyday.

We are SUPER happy and are enjoying our new family.

Update on Russian adoptions... we have heard that the judge has been freezing court cases. 
We are very sad about the families who are "waiting" for their Russian child to complete their family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the little ones that are waiting.
We hope the government and judges decide to move forward with court dates soon so other waiting families can be as happy as us.

Our thoughts are with our friends Dennis and Darlene who are waiting for their court date for the TWINS!  good luck - hopefully things will start moving forward for them soon.

THE HAPPY FAMILY - THE LEWIS'S

2 MONTH UPDATE

We have been home over 2 months now... almost all the Russian language is gone, which is sad, but what must be for now.. she is talking really well.. no trouble at all understanding her.  She is doing great! 

Cardiologist specialist appointment went well in January and we got the "all clear" that they won't need to see her again until between Age 4 and 5.. YEAH!  We are so happy that she is doing well... healthy and happy...
She randomly said "happy" the other day... I said are you happy and she said "da"... (yes)... she still says DA for yes... we are working on changing that now.... it really is one of the few Russian words that she still says.

We are so happy with our little one.  We couldn't have asked for things to be any better.  She fits us like it was all meant to be.  God had a plan.... everyone who was praying for us knew this... even when things were taking too long... it was all part of GOD's grand plan for the LEWIS FAMILY.

I am so thankful for our family and friends who have welcomed her into their lives with open arms and she is such a special little girl.  She loves everyone... doesn't know a stranger... she gives hugs and kisses... is very loving... I don't believe we had any real attachment issues (which was a worry of ours after reading all the books on toddler adoption and attachment disorders)... she is so giving and loving!  She is a joy - the best thing we ever did.  I could not imagine our lives now without her.  She smiles all the time and seems very happy.

Her birthday is 4/10/09... so it won't be long until we get to have a birthday party!  I am so looking forward to it!

Here are a couple photos I took on Valentine's Day - Our first valentine's day as a MOM and DAD and Olesya's first valentine's day as part of a family. 

would you just look at that smile!

the happiest family in the world - THE LEWIS FAMILY

Olesya Dawn Lewis - 1 month in the US update

So here is our little angel :)  She is so sweet and so ornery.  She is doing well.  She is learning english very quickly and will repeat almost everything you say... she said "see you later" to me this morning when I dropped her off at Great Aunt Mary's house.  I think she keeps Aunt Mary on her toes!  I know she does us.  We are so very happy that we are at the end of this journey and that we have our happy ending... and now are embarking on a new journey as parents.  We hope to be able to give her all the love and happiness that she gives us and help her learn and grow into a wonderful person. 

Now Post Placement reports for the next 3 years.. before we are completely done with this process.. but these should be easy in comparison to what we've already went through.

We want to thank everyone for following along with us on our journey and for their support along the way.  Everyone's comments and suggestions have been very helpful and we are extremely proud to have family and friends who are so supportive and understanding.

Russian to English conversion:
She no longer says "saboka" she says DOG or doggie or Chloe (our dog)or Molly ( Mary's dog)
she no longer says "koita" she says EAT - momma eat, papa eat, Olesya eat, Abbi eat!
We don't say "bye bye" to go to sleep now we say NIGHT NIGHT  - bedtime has gotten so much better.. last night - just a little fussing then right to sleep around 8:00 p.m.  - then momma to bed of course.
KaKa is still #2 - it is so cute we are keeping it!
PSSSS is now Pee Pee
She says her name is "Olesya Dawn" - I keep trying to tell her Lewis - but she isn't picking that part up yet.
When we get to where we are going or when she is done eating she says "all done"
She was trying to sing EIEIO this morning on the way to Mary's house she's getting there.
She was trying to sing ABC song the other day as well... still working on that one too.
When she wants down from her chair or out of her car seat - she says " I stuck"
"NUMNUMS" is still food... or something good.

For those of you who are adopting - things that might help you:
She loves music to play while we are getting ready for bed and while we are rocking to sleep.
She likes the room to be really dark.  - NO LIGHTS
She loves to ride in the car and will fall asleep...YEAH!

She is not eating the best... but we have found a few items that she likes:
Hot Dog
Beef Sticks
Chocolate
Bananas
Yogurt
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Pretzels
Oranges
Mashed Potatoes
Grapes!!  she says "GET"
Chips
Corn
Peas
Cheese - sometimes
Cherry pop tarts
all kinds of cereal and milk

I will continue to post on the website for awhile to update everyone on her progress.

Love to you all.
The Lewis Family!