Well folks we have an official 2 year old. Today will be Graeme’s first Birthday home and birthday party complete with a Masha and the Bear Birthday cake.

You can not imagine what it means to us that Graeme is home for his special day. This is something I hoped and prayed for during our process. I did not want him to have another birthday without a family and stuck in an orphanage.

In the short time Graeme has been home he has grown leaps and bounds. He is an extremely smart little boy. He observes everything! Chris and I are in big trouble.

Graeme is amazing us with all the words he has picked up in the short time he has been with us. Of course my favorite is momma and when he tries to say I love you.

He loves animals. Especially woof woofs(dogs)

His favorite food is bananas

He LOVES Masha and the Bear

He loves books

We cannot wait to see what this next year brings.

Happy Birthday precious boy🐳 We love you more than all the fish in the sea🐳

XoXo,

Tia

We have been home for 3 busy weeks. I have been trying to find the time and the words for this post. The time has come but I am not sure I have the appropriate words.

I am still in awe of our little man. When we left Ukraine is when I was finally able to completely process what Chris and I had done.

We gave Graeme the everlasting love of a family. He was born to be a son, our son. He is worthy to live a fulfilling life. A happy and healthy life. We will make sure he gets the proper medical care he needs.

When we first met Graeme there was an instant connection. It’s like he knew who we were. It’s always been easy.

I am not exactly sure when it happened but I love him with every fiber in my body just like I love Morgan.

When I look back on that first encounter to today that big bright light in Graeme’s eyes has only grown bigger and brighter. Graeme is amazing. He has a very special soul that is truly hard to find these days.

I could never imagine our lives without him. Our family it truly blessed. We needed Graeme as much as he needed us.

This is not the end of our story. We have only just started…

XoXo,

Tia

Graeme’s passport arrived Monday evening. Which meant we could finish up with Graeme’s final Embassy appointment and go home.

Tuesday morning we went back to the US Embassy to get Graeme’s visa. After our appointment we went back to our hotel and finished packing. Our flight was booked and we were leaving Wednesday morning.

Wednesday morning we got picked up at 4am and headed to the airport. We said our goodbyes to Vitaliy and to Ukraine. As we boarded our first flight it was a very humbling emotion. Chris and I were leaving with this little angel from Ukraine. Graeme did extremely well on the flight once we were moving.

We gate checked our stroller in Kiev expecting it to be waiting for us in Vienna. To our surprise we found out our stroller was checked to our final destination. This is not what you want trying to carry a squirming 2 year old and navigating through an airport.

As we boarded our flight from Vienna to Newark I was concerned how Graeme would do on this 9 hour flight. And I was also concerned with how we were going to manage getting through customs, collecting and rechecking luggage and going through security all while holding a baby and only 1 1/2 hour layover.

Our long flight went better then expected. Graeme slept and played. About 6 hours into the flight he got fussy. But really for his age I think that’s normal. Chris got up with Graeme and walked a little bit. I was blessed with having to learn how to change several diapers in that teeny tiny bathroom. That was a lot of fun to say the least. Graeme really did well Chris and I were both surprised.

Our flight to Newark was late arriving. Passport Control was crazy busy. Let’s talk about how much fun it was trying to hold Graeme waiting in line since we had no stroller. There was only 4 lines open so it took a while to get through the line. By this point Chris and I knew there was no possible way we would make our flight. Once we got through the line and collected our luggage we got booked on the next flight. By this point we were all overly tired and just wanted to be home. Our new flight was actually leaving the time we were supposed to of been home.

By the time we got on the plane Graeme was just over all of it. And honestly who can’t blame him. Poor thing had a huge meltdown before take off then passed out. Chris and I were not long behind. Our flight got in about 9:30 pm. Then we had an hour car ride to get to our house.

All of our luggage arrived but the stroller.

Chris and I had been gone for 23 days.

We waited for Graeme’s passport 17 days – 11 business day there was a holiday in there.

And Graeme had been with Chris and I for 17 days before getting to his forever home.

We are all extremely happy to be home as a family of 4.

XoXo

Tia

Last Thursday night we arrived in Kiev by train. This was Graeme’s first train ride. We had our own cabin which was nice so Graeme could get crazy in. He literally went from 100 to zero in no time. He enjoyed looking out the window and watching the world go by. By the time we get to Kiev it was late so we went to our Apartment and straight to bed.

Friday morning we got up and went directly to the US Embassy. People were lined up outside the Embassy to get in. I am not really sure what I thought the Embassy would be like. The only time I have ever seen the US Embassy in another country is what I have seen on tv or in movies. The doors to the Embassy are extremely thick steel and extremely heavy. You have to go through security then head to another part that reminded me of the DMV. You take your number and they call you. We were lucky number 815. They actually called our number pretty fast. It helped that we were prepared and I already had all the necessary forms filled out. So our 1st Embassy appointment was pretty fast.

After our Embassy appointment we went to Graeme’s Medical appointment. The medical appointment is nothing but a physical. Graeme got weighed and measured. Then the doctor did his exam. Our almost 2 year old only weighs 22lbs. He is a tiny little one which is okay me. Just means I can baby him longer. Once the medical exam was completed we ate lunch at a lovely restaurant with Vitaliy then went shopping.

Saturday we decided to go explore a little. We went to a mall then had an early dinner at an Authentic Ukrainian Restaurant.

Sunday was fun we went to the Park of Eternal Glory and met up with another family. Graeme and his new buddy Asher were both listed on Reeces Rainbow. They are only a few weeks in age apart. Asher walked up to Graeme and Graeme just wanted to hold his hand. It was adorable. The boys had a lot of fun playing on the playground together. This was the first time Chris and I have been able to watch Graeme play with a child his age. Graeme wants to walk and play with the other kids so bad. He kept pulling himself up. As a parent it makes you sad to see your child can’t do what others are doing however I will tell you this little boy is determined. You can see his determination by just watching him. This precious boy will walk! If there’s a will there’s a way. He is now with a family who will never tell him he can’t.

Graeme facts:

Graeme is incredibly smart. Chris and I are in trouble. He is saying a few words already like Dadda, Mamma, sissy. He trying to say his name and that only comes out as Gee. He also try’s to say Bella and Eddie (our dogs names). He has been trying to say I love you. Which is so stinking cute to hear. And he says Masha for his favorite cartoon Masha and the Bear.

He really seemed to understand us a lot.

He loves to give kisses now. And I think Chris is paying him because Graeme actually likes to pull our arms or push our heads so chris and I will kiss each other. Graeme will just look at us and smile.

Graeme loves to blow kisses.

He loves animals and also music.

He can crawl all over the place.

He is saying Ear, nose and eyes and will point to all of those.

We have only found 1 food so far he doesn’t like which is cauliflower.

Everyday he does something new. It is amazing and a true blessings to watch this beautiful baby boy.

XoXo

Tia