If You Can't Beat 'Em ...

But of course when Bob and I try to "join 'em", Owen decides not to make his cheesy camera face!

We all had a great time at the Mechem Family Reunion this past weekend. Owen had many new people to meet - Bob's aunts and uncles and cousins - as well as the always welcome opportunity to spend time with Nannie and Uncle Todd, Aunt Maria and Hannah (who celebrates her 9th birthday today!!). We also got in a short visit with Bob's dad, Charlene and Bunnie, and were happy to have Aunt Pam and Uncle Gene stop by to meet Owen as well. And we are sending our best wishes to Liora and Kevin as they await the arrival of their little one; hmmm ... perhaps another July 5th princess??

This morning we had our first post placement visit with our social worker. These visits are required of us at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months from our court date in Kaz, and we are also responsible for providing yearly written updates and pictures for the Kaz officials every year until Owen turns 18. Nothing will happen to us if we don't complete these reports, but we made the commitment to do so and if we (and other adoptive parents) don't, Kaz may stop adoptions from Kokshetau (this has already happened in two other cities in the time since we started the process).

Anyway, we were a bit anxious about the visit - just not knowing really what to expect - but it was just fine. Actually kind of fun as it was basically us bragging about what a great, amazing, adorable, wonderful, smart (you get the picture) kid Owen is; how wonderfully he has adjusted; and what incredible friends and family we have!

Since I'm still on a bit of a roll from the visit I'll give you all some Owen updates too:

He continues to be one happy, healthy baby! We are so blessed.

Owen's newest favorite game is when Bob or I walk slowly away from him, and then we turn around quickly and act like we are going to come "get him" ... hysterical laughter every time!

He stands up all the time, relying less and less on objects to pull himself up and is able to stand steady without holding on to anything for several seconds. He also "walks" really well when you help him by holding on to his hands. Before long he'll be cruising unassisted.

Before every nap and bedtime I read him a book and now he will sit still and listen to the story. He even has a favorite, "I Love You All Day Long", and he laughs at the same place ("I love you when your juice spills and your crackers get soggy") each time. I know, it figures his favorite part has to do with food.

He continues to eat anything and everything. We still haven't found a food he doesn't like (and as my mother-in-law said, he looks like it!). His next check-up isn't until the end of July but we think he must be tipping the scales at around 22 lbs by now. Still, for anyone who may be concerned, his weight is appropriate for his age and we are not turning him into a butterball.

Owen babbles a lot, and he says "DaDa" and looks at Bob while doing so. Nothing close to "MaMa" yet, and I'm pretty resigned to the fact that he will probably say one of the cats names or "car" (he loves cars) long before he gets around to MaMa!

He still likes to clap, and will now wave bye to Bob in the morning. He likes patty-cake and "So big". He likes to put his blocks in the container and his cups inside each other, and he laughs when Elmo comes on TV (besides watching a baseball game with his dad, Elmo is the only program he pays any attention to).

Owen has been home for almost four months now. Sometimes I watch him and it amazes me anew that not that long ago his life was so different. I am so overwhelmed by his courage and his spirit and his enthusiasm, and everyday I am inspired to be my best for him. He shows me that the human spirit can never be extinguished, and I am grateful for the joy and optimism he gives me.

Through Casey's Eyes

Our friend and neighbor Kim and her two daughters came to visit, and Casey (pictured in the first photo) had great fun with my camera. It's interesting to see the world through a soon-to-be 5 year old's eyes. Among other things she took pictures of the banister, a door handle, her shadow, my toes, and her favorite Burt's Bees lip balm from our bathroom.

Her technique for capturing Owen? "Take the picture fast". And she really captured Emma's sparkle in the close-up! I think some of the 197 (gotta love digital cameras!) shots are very artistic and wanted to share Casey's vision with you.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We kicked off Father Day's weekend with a visit to our good friends Steve, Alison and Katie Rice. Katie - who is a charming, smart, talented soon to be 9-year old - was terrific with Owen; we have already lined her up for babysitting duties in a few years!

Saturday night we dressed Owen in orange and took him to his first Orioles game along with one of Bob's guys Shane, his wife Jessica and their two week old son Sylvan (I know - how brave are they to be going on an outing so soon!). Owen was very good (as was Sylvan) and enjoyed the crowd clapping - he smiled and clapped along - the music, the lights throughout the stadium and a few bites of soft pretzel. Unfortunately the O's didn't provide much to get excited about and Owen fell asleep in his Daddy's arms in the 8th inning!

I apologize that the written parts of these posts are getting noticeably shorter, but now that Owen is crawling everywhere (and trying to break out!) I have a lot less time to blog. I will do my best to keep writing and in the meantime will attempt to keep you all satisfied with an extra adorable picture of Owen "chatting" with his big teddy bear!

A Few of His Favorite Things

In honor of Owen turning 11 months, an update on a few of his recent favorites:

* Going to the duck pond with Mommy

* Playing with his treasured cups (thanks again Alison and Shannon)

* Pulling himself up to standing

* Breakfast, lunch and dinner (hmm, I feel like I mentioned this one before!)

* Making the "flash" face whenever the camera is around

* Laughing with Daddy while watching Wylie play

* Play dates with Joshua, another Kaz cutie home now in Owings Mills

* A straw cup (sippy cups are for babies!)

As for us, our favorite thing is simply watching Owen enjoying his favorite things!

Oh Happy Day!

It took many months and a lot of patience; it needed the power of prayer and love and perseverance. But finally Cearra met Owen!

Owen adored his beautiful big sister (as we knew he would, she is so incredibly great with children), and I think she thought he was pretty darn special too. It was wonderful to have the four of us together, to just sit and chat with Cearra again, to hug her and tell her in person how much we love her, to see her holding Owen, smiling and laughing with him.

My heart feels whole again, my family is at peace and I am reminded once again that love always wins out.

For the Love of Animals

Meet Vanessa.

She is six years old and until last week never had a home. She didn't even have a name until the rescue league saved her from the puppy mill. Vanessa was a breeder dog, kept alive solely for her puppies.

In six years she wasn't praised, or petted, or taken for a walk. No one ever spoke kindly to her or played with her. She "lived" in a wire rabbit hutch with 12 other dogs; never experiencing the feel of grass under her paws, the warmth of sun on her face, the breeze blowing on her fur. She had to fight for her food and there was never enough. The only medical attention she received were the many C-sections that took away her pups. She was never groomed; her eyes developed a chronic condition that was never treated and most likely took most of her sight; her limbs grew weak from never stretching and moving. Vanessa didn't know that humans could be caring or kind.

But last week my Mom and Dad brought Vanessa home to live with them, and for the first time in her life she was held, and petted, and cared for. Finally, she got the medicine she needs to help her eyes. Her coat was groomed and the flea bites given a chance to heal. She has her own crate with a warm and cozy blanket and her own special spot on the sofa. She walked on the grass, she sniffed the air, she sat in the sun. My Aunt Cathy brought her toys for when she is ready to play, and she now has more than enough to eat.

Vanessa is still scared and tentative - loud noises and sudden movements make her jump. But she is slowly realizing that now she is safe and that she is treasured and that life can be good. And soon she will be truly happy for the first time in her life because now she has a home, and the love of many caring and kind people.

If you are considering adding a pet to your household I urge you to visit your local animal shelter or contact a rescue league, or visit a PetSmart that hosts adoption clinics. Maybe even take in a stray. And please try never to buy a puppy or kitten from a pet store or a breeder/person you do not know - when you do you are most likely supporting the cruelty that is puppy mills.

I promise that you'll feel really good about saving a life, and you will be rewarded with a loyal companion, unconditional love and the joy of an animal thankful everyday for your efforts.

A Welcome Home Party

Nana and Pop-pop threw a Welcome Home bash for Owen last weekend and we were so thrilled to introduce the little guy to more friends and family. There were sky blue and golden yellow balloons and paper goods to celebrate Owen's heritage (the colors of the Kazakh flag), a jukebox full of fun tunes, and tons of good food and drink.

It was great to see everyone - including my cousin Kim and her family who came all the way from Georgia and my sister Kris and her family who drove in from Wisconsin! And my cousin Karen gave us a very special gift; she printed out every blog entry from our journey and compiled a beautiful scrapbook that I will cherish forever. Owen received more adorable gifts - a hand painted stepping stool, books, balls, movies, music, outfits, gift cards - so generous of everyone. But as always the greatest gift was the love and excitement our friends and family have for us and for Owen. Thank you all - we loved spending the day with you!