Happy Leap Day

Owen and I had a great time visiting Nana and Pop-pop, and were happy we got to see Great Nana, Aunt Sue, and Uncle Rich and Aunt Cathy. All that love and playing makes for one tired kid!

The Kid is Alright - Part II

Clean and combed, all ready for bed


Ready to welcome the new day! (and some serious bed head!)*

The speech therapist (Jennifer) came to the house yesterday, and after asking me a bunch of questions and playing with Owen (including asking him to point to the animals in one of his picture books and being impressed when he got them all correct) she determined he's in the 22-24 month range for comprehensive language and the 15-17 month range for expressive language. So ... he doesn't qualify for any continuing therapy and she thinks he's doing just fine!

She'll check in again by phone in about 60 days just to get an update, but Jennifer believes he's just a late talker. He's babbling, he understands everything, and he's making all the "important" sounds. Like everyone who meets Owen, she noted his happy, content and laid back demeanor. In fact, his personality - and the fact that I pretty much anticipate his needs and don't really make him ask for anything (yeah, I have to work on that a bit) - are probably behind his delay.

So she left me with a few good tips, and more importantly the peace to stop worrying and just let Owen develop at his own pace. And oh yeah, I'm pretty sure he pointed out the car window today and said a new word, "truck". He does love his things with wheels!

*Yep, he is always this happy in the morning - seeing that face almost makes a morning person out of me!

February Fun

Some days - like when you've read "Elmo's Valentine Book" fifty times in two days and built more block towers than Trump - you just have to get out of the house. And while the weather is feeling a bit more Spring-like, I'm not quite ready to hit the playground yet. So this morning Owen and I went out to run some errands and ended up at our local library so I could check out some new reading material.

While we were there they announced that story time was starting, and we wandered in.
"Read & Play" is specifically for kids up to 24 months and consists of the librarian reading a couple short books, leading the kids in a few songs and dance, and then bringing out a big box of toys for general play time at the end.

Well, Mr. Social Butterfly had a great time! He went right up front and clapped during the songs, then happily wandered around saying hi to the other kids and adults. He complimented one mom on her necklace (yes, by reaching out to touch it very gently before I got to his side) and flirted with a little girl by walking around the easel behind her. It was very cute. I think we have a new weekly activity.

I also got a little creative yesterday by taking Owen to our local budget-minded mom's zoo ... aka Pet Smart. He loved standing in front of the bird cages and waving and squawking at them, and he was thrilled that he got to pet Lucy, a six month old puppy who was shopping with her humans. We also checked out the cats and the fish, and looked on jealously as an employee moved some boxes around using one of those big push carts (Owen is seriously into anything with wheels!). Our final activity was dropping all mommies' change into the donation box - one coin at a time. We'll be visiting again soon.

Today's pictures are a few of Owen's loves ... Ava, Sadie (and Sadie loves plastic bags), his new fire truck, his bear (he's kissing it although I know it looks like mouth to mouth resuscitation), and of course, his daddy.

More Fridge Follies

It's cold, gray and rainy here in Maryland, but my morning was brightened by the arrival by email of this picture! I love it because my friend's youngest son Ty is such a cutie (check out that dimple!) but also because, well, it shows I'm not the only mom who grabs the camera prior to removing her child from the produce shelf. Thanks Kelli for sharing!

Yes, He's Sitting "in" the Fridge

An update on Owen's speech assessment ... it's been rescheduled yet again. The therapist (Jennifer) is now going to be coming out Monday afternoon. When I talked to her this morning she said she had talked with Mollie (the first therapist to meet Owen) and based on that conversation she really had no concerns about Owen; and as she told me several times, there is a very wide range of "normal" development. We then agreed that the session would probably be most helpful for me!

Practicing Silence

Last week Owen and I were strolling along when he caught the attention of a young woman who enthusiastically deemed him "sooooo cute!" She then quickly added, "he looks just like you!"

Now, the obvious aside, I'll admit to being pretty pleased she thought I was good looking enough to have given birth to the adorable little one toddling along beside me, and of course I love all comments on Owen's cuteness, so I gave her a big smile and a thank you.

What I did not give her was any hint that he was adopted. Not because I'm not proud of that fact - on the contrary, when we first came home I frequently found myself extolling the wonders of adoption and Kazakhstan to strangers in the grocery store, the post office, Target, the doctor's office, ... well, you get the picture.

I love sharing the blessings of adoption, and I'm fascinated by the culture and history of Owen's birth country. I think it's amazing that we went half way around the world to find a child so perfect for us. But I've also realized that it's really not my story to tell. That right belongs to Owen.

He may not want his entire first grade class to know he was born in Kokshetau, he may not feel it's necessary for everyone to hear information about how he came to be a Mechem (or he may be as proud as I am). Of course it will be a few years before he can actually choose what and who to tell, but I thought I better start practicing now. After all, it's not always easy for me to stay silent!


Today's pics: First - He likes to drag things out of the pantry; this time he sat on a cooler and got stuck! Second - being his usual happy self. Third - opening a Valentine's Day present from Nanny - thanks Nanny!! Fourth - playing peek a boo with Sadie (this is why it takes me a while to get laundry done!) Last - reaching for the camera on his close-up.

Happy Valentine's Day

My reasons for celebrating!

Gotcha Day Anniversary

Then ...


Now ...


Today is another milestone for us, as it's our offical "Gotcha Day"! One year ago a stern looking judge listened to Bob and I profess our love for this little boy then known as Adil, and after a few questions and some nervous moments in the hall (for us, not her), she called us back into the courtroom to officially - and forever - declare that Owen Edward Mechem was our son.

It was a dizzying moment, a bit unbelieveable but ultimately one of relief and joy. We rushed back to our apartment to change from our court clothes, gathered our gifts of appreciation for the doctors and caregivers, and made the journey one final time to the Kokshetau children's hospital. We shared a tradional piece of cake and tea with Dr. Victoria, Rada and the representative from the Ministry of Education, then buddled Owen in his snowsuit, wrapped a scarf around (and around) his little face, and carried him outside to Oleg's waiting van.

I remember the bliss of having him - really having him - all to ourselves. I remember calling my mom and smiling ear to ear when I told her he was finally ours. Bob and I held him, played with him, feed him, changed him, and for the first of many times to come - tucked him in bed for the night with a kiss and a soft "I love you Owen".

A whole year has passed; that's hard for me to believe. But I'm grateful for these milestones because they make me pause in the hustle bustle of everyday life and remember how incredible our journey has been. When Owen is older we'll ask him how he wants to celebrate this day - some families do elaborate dinners with Kazakh recipes and presents; some mark it in a more low key fashion - but for Bob and I it will always be a very special day, along with (of course) his birthday, the day we met him, and the day we brought him home to Maryland.

Then and now. Yes, in one year Owen has grown so much, and our love for him has grown even more. Thanks for celebrating with us!

It's A Boy - Part 2

Just got off the phone with my sister and got great news ... Mommaerts Baby #3, scheduled for arrival in June, is a boy! Everything looked good on the ultrasound so we'll be counting the days until we can all meet Owen's new play mate!

Great News!

We are thrilled for our friends Chris, Kim, Casey and Emma Jillson who today at
5:25 pm welcomed Jacob Michael to the world!! He's 7 lbs 15 oz, 20 inches long and doing great, as is mom. Yippee!

Our Little, But Well-Balanced, Engineer

A quick update on Owen's journey through the Infants and Toddler's Program ... he had his motor skills and cognitive thinking assessment last week and tested at 22-24 months in both areas! The educator, who I really liked, noted that he definitely studies everything very carefully and thoughtfully, and commented several times on his sweet personality (and no, that's not the only reason I really liked her!).

His speech assessment is now scheduled for next Friday. I know we won't hear the same praise for that one, but I no longer have any worries about his development - I really do think he will be one of those kids that just start talking one day in complete sentences.

And he obviously understands everything we say - this morning as were getting ready to go to a friend's house I asked him if he was ready to go; he went right to the hall closet, opened the door, and pointed up at his coat (he had no way of knowing that it was 67 degrees outside). Ahh, I love this kid.

Do You Know the Way to Green Bay?

It took 12 hours but thanks to the generousity of my sister and brother-in-law, Owen and I traveled to Green Bay last weekend to help celebrate Mackenzie's first birthday!

Our journey started when we left our house at 7am, continued through a two hour delay in Baltimore and a missed connection; four hours waiting in Detroit for the next flight; walking every inch of the airport as they changed our gate three times; and sitting on the plane, at the gate, for over an hour while our crew tried to locate a ground crew to back us up! Our pilot was so furious that he personally handed out comment cards and urged us all to complain to Northwest, then had the flight attendent give us all drinks on the house once we finally got in the air - after another 20 minute delay for de-icing (KMC - I had a vodka and cranberry in honor of you all).

Throughout it all Owen was an absolute trooper. He made friends with many of our fellow travelers and a lot of people made a point of telling me what a good boy he was. I had been a bit nervous about traveling by myself with him, but he made it (relatively) easy. Still, I was very happy to finally touch down in Green Bay, enjoy a late dinner with Kris, Jeff, my mom and dad and the kids, and relax.

Mackenzie is an absolute sweetheart and made me proud by digging - face first - into her smash cake! Big sister Samantha was a huge help opening presents, and Owen enjoyed all the new toys and playing with his cousins. I'm so glad we could be there.

And, yes, the trip home was shorter - we only had to change airlines because our flight out of Green Bay was delayed and we'd miss our connection in Detroit; our new flight was also delayed; we sat on the runway for 30 minutes waiting for FAA clearance to take off; circled Milwaukee because of high winds in Chicago; then sat through another hour delay before finally taking off for Baltimore. We are staying close to home this weekend!