Love at First Sight-January 13, 2002

Here are the first pictures of Julia Maisano. These were taken when we first met her. She is in a town about an hour and a half from here. Before going to see her we visited the Ministry of Education in Moscow and then we saw the Ministry of Education in Sergiev Posad where Julia is. Tomorrow we go to have her passport picture taken and to see the notary (whatever that means). Our driver and translator pretty much just point us in the right direction and we go. This process is more complicated than you can imagine and not speaking the language is difficult although we are getting used to using the translator. More pictures to come. It's hard to tell in the pictures but her hair is blonde and her eyes are blue. She smiles giggles and seems to be a bundle of energy and NOPE she didn't scream when she saw us....talk to you later Alice & Anthony:)

Moscow Bound--January 12, 2002

Today is the anniversary of the day we left to go get Julia in Russia. In honor of her SIXTH gotcha day I am going to recreate the days of her adoption....starting with Day One.





Made it safely to Moscow no problem with the flight at all.
They are taking us to see the Ministry of Education tomorrow at 9:00 which is good sign things are starting out in the right direction.

Then we are going to the orphanage to see Julia. We met 4 couples on the plane 3 which are staying at our hotel and 1 couple who is adopting a child from the same place we are so we will probably see them tomorrow also. The hotel is nice and Moscow seems like any other city. We are right near the Kremlin. Our translator is Vera and our driver is Valdamir (he has a Mitsubishi Galant!) Today is
another holiday here so they were anxious to get rid of us today and get back to their families. We will meet up with them again at 8:30 am. So far so good -- Alice had to take off her shoes at the airport (she's such a thug).

Ear Tubes

On December 18th we headed up to New Haven to visit our friend Dr. Fortgang. Julia loves Dr. Fortgang and wore her scrubs for the occasion. Today was the day he was going to finally remove her ear tubes! Yahoo no more ear plugs when showering, bathing or swimming. Both Mommy and Julia are very happy about that. I'm sure Daddy is happy too considering he won't get any more frantic phone calls from swimming lessons to bring the ear plugs. Julia was a little nervous when we got there. As soon as she saw Dr. Fortgang and gave him the picture she had drawn for her him she quickly felt better. The first one came out very easily. For the second one we had to go to the "treatment room." This was a little scary, but Dr. Fortgang promised that it wouldn't hurt and we know that he never lies. The second ear tube was out in a flash. Then Dr. Fortgang taped them to a stick autographed and dated them and they were OUT!!! We then had to go for some hearing tests and because Julia has a cold her one ear tested a little low. So we will go back and visit Dr. Fortgang at the end of January when he will probably tell us we are all done! Dr. Fortgang has already invited Julia to come intern in his office if she is still interested in surgery when she gets to high school. Julia is thrilled...just between us in blog land...I think she may have a little crush on the good doctor!

Christmas 2007

Every year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to get shorter. It seems like we just finished the turkey and Santa was sliding down the chimney. This Christmas was busy and loads of fun. Christopher and Julia were so excited their beautiful little heads nearly exploded.

The Saturday before Christmas we headed down to NYC and the Gazillion Bubble Show. Julia was chosen to go up on stage and was put into a bubble by Ana Yang. Mrs. Yang is the Guiness Book of World Records holder for the most people in a bubble. It was a big hit. We walked to see the tree in Rockefeller center and then we visited St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was a beautiful night and all the lights, hustle and bustle put everyone in a holiday mood.

Then on Sunday we went to see a Cinderella Christmas in Walingford. Julia loved it! Poor Christopher he was one of only a handful of boys in the audience suffering through the princess thing. While we were there the man behind me spilled an entire bottle of water all over me...yuck. I was soggy throughout the whole show. It was nice of his wife to point out that it was "only" water...can you say "ho, ho, ho?"

Christmas Eve found us at Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim's house for our traditional fish dinner. It was as always delicious. It was sad and strange not to have Loretta with us, but we all made the best of it and Big Jim seemed to enjoy himself.

Christmas morning started at 7:30 a.m. -- a little late I thought:) Julia was lying in bed and told me she was afraid to go to the tree because she thought she might get coal! That little stinker had already hours before peeked at the loot. I told her she need to wake up her brother before we could head on in to open gifts. As expected the King Tut hat was a huge hit. I think Christopher was very overwhelmed by the gifts. Our family got a Wii and it is so much fun. I am a Wii bowling champ!

Christmas day we headed down to Karol's house and more presents and more food! Grandpa Svede was presented with an afghan with all the grandkids pictures. I think he really liked it. Karol made a yule log for dessert which looked and tasted really yummy. Lianna gave everyone a beautiful gift. I got a gorgeous bracelet and Anthony got a table top skittle game for his desk. It was so thoughtful of her to think of all of us.

This was a great Christmas and we are very very blessed! Now onto 2008!

The First Snow

The first snow of the season fell yesterday. Julia and Christopher were so excited to get out and play in it. The storm came in around the time school let out. Because it was so cold yesterday the roads quickly became dangerously slippery. There were roads closed everywhere. Julia and Christopher usually get home around 4:00--yesterday they were really late. Julia arrived home at 4:45 and Christopher didn't make it until 6:05!!! His bus was stuck on one of roads that was closed. Julia's bus driver was able to radio Christopher's bus so at least I knew he was okay and making his way slowly home. Then as she tried to inch her way down our hill she started to slide sideways. Julia's bus was parked on our street for about 20 minutes waiting for a plow. It was quite a scene. There were cars spun out everywhere.

After everyone was home safe and sound it was really beautiful watching the snow fall with the Christmas tree lights sparkling and the fireplace burning. It was cozy here last night. Then just to make things even better CBS played Frosty the Snow Man -- does it get better than that? Ask me that question in about a month when the real snow falls and it is freezing and gray...and a certain person I know will be walking on the beach, I doubt I'll be as happy about the snow. Lorelei would have taken a walk out there in that snow because the first snow is magical but I'm content to look out at it from my warm house.

This morning the beauties were up bright and early ready to go play in it. Looking at the snow today it's hard to believe the little bit that fell yesterday caused so many problems. There really isn't much snow but nevertheless Julia, Christopher, Barney and Anthony had a fabulous time romping, throwing snowballs and riding the flying saucers.

Closets, Lockets and Doorbells

About seven years ago I lost a gold chain that held a locket my Grandmother gave me. On the same chain was a cross my Grandfather gave me. I was convinced that a house sitter we hired for a trip to Florida walked off with it. As the years passed I sort of accepted that it was gone but I always felt bad about losing that chain.

Saturday night the longest shelf/pole in my walk-in closet came down in a heap. What a mess in my closet. So Anthony brought up the crate wardrobes we used to move the last few times to temporarily hold the clothes. We have decided to West Coast the closet because it is a pass through to our bonus room. One of the crates had clothes in it. These clothes have been in this box since we moved from Chappaqua and I would guess most of them haven't seen the light of day in a decade or more. Julia was thrilled with the little pink sequined number that I once wore to a college prom. I'm not going to say how long I've been out of college but let's just say that the dress would be at home in an episode of Dynasty.

Since we've moved into this house we've had some problems with our wireless doorbell. I've heard other people have problems with them too. The first year we lived here it rang by itself quite often. My cousin who is what she calls "woo woo" or a sensitive to the supernatural spiritual told me she thought it was my Grandmother. The same Grandmother who gave me the locket. I told her that it freaked me out a little that the doorbell rang especially if Anthony wasn't home when it happened. She told me I should just ask her not to do it any more. I'm not sure if I really believed it was my Grandmother but I did. One night when Anthony was away I told her to stop and if she couldn't would she at least only do it when Anthony was home. Well the ringing stopped and it hasn't happened over the last two years.

On Sunday night the doorbell rang and no one was there. Anthony joked that it was my Grandmother. About an hour later we went up to the bonus room to watch tv. I was sitting in my chair surveying all the clothes that needed to get donated and moved out of here. I casually reached into the pile and pulled out "dress Bermuda shorts" and held them up to Anthony. I honestly can't believe I wore these ugly things and to work no less. As I held them up I felt something in the pocket. Unbelievable after all these years I reached in and pulled out the chain with the locket and the cross. I honestly have no idea why I picked up those shorts or when I might have put the necklace in the pocket but I am so grateful to have it back. I of course thanked my Grandmother for visiting. She must have heard that the whole heap of clothes was on its way out and decided she should finally help me find the necklace. Thanks....

The Best Birthday Present Ever

Anthony brought Barney home for my birthday in November of 1999. I remember so clearly that little furball joining our family. There have been so many changes since he first burst onto the scene, but one thing is the same, he's still my favorite wheatie! He's a little bit crazy and a lot cute. It never mattered to me that he is a puppy kindergarten drop out (twice). It was nice of the trainer to give us a diploma eh Dolly? Thank you Barney for taking such good care of me.

2007 Bullet Hill Boo Bash

Saturday evening found us at the annual Terrill Halloween party. It was a blast. The following morning Julia slept until 10:00 a.m.!!!!! Scott's haunted hayrides have been proclaimed "the best ever." Christopher can't believe that he got his very own flashlight. The stress of the pumpkin pinata almost got to Julia but she made it and filled her bucket with tons of candy. The party was a great success and everyone had a great time. The food was great, the decorations were really scary (I heard there was a werewolf in the woods) and the company was awesome. Thank you Chryse and Scott for a great time.

Mark Cooper our First Selectman (like a mayor for those not in New England)stopped by to offer a proclamation to Jim Hartman, who is leaving this week for Iraq. So my blog friends please keep him and his wife, Tammy and their children in your prayers. It was a moving moment and we wish him well and pray for his safe and quick return home.

In true Alice fashion, I took what seemed like a hundred photos. Of course, my camera was on some weird setting so half of them came out all dark and blurry. These are the shots that you can actually see.

Two Years!

Below is the e-mail I sent home the day we met Christopher. Although his "gotcha day" isn't until March 1, this was our first meeting and the day he was born in our hearts. It's been a great two years and you've come so far Christo! We love you and we're happy you picked us to be your forever family...always, Mommy, Daddy, Julia, Barney XO

"She gave us Slava's official referral and then had us sign a large ledger. We then went to the orphanage. They are renovating the building so it smelled of paint and construction. We went to the Director's office where she asked us a few questions and then she read us information on Slava. She told us that he is "quite a character and quite active." mmmmm does that sound like any one else we know?

They brought him to her office. He is really cute. He was so frightened of us that the whole meeting he was actually trembling. It was heartbreaking to see how upset he was. We offered him toys and he was pretty unimpressed. He did take the crayons from me and do a little coloring. When the caretaker asked him if he wanted to stay or go he wanted to go. Before he left he shook our hands and then I blew him a kiss and surprisingly he blew one back. That's when he had me. He was really frightened. We were only allowed to visit for a little while. We then went to a toy store to buy a big truck which the director said would impress him. I'm thinking about candy at this point. Hopefully, as the week goes on he will become a little more comfortable with us. We'll let you know hot the truck goes over."

October Already?

I cannot believe one month of school is already done. At this rate, I will blink and my Beauties will going off to college. Please someone make time slow down! The first month has been great. Both Julia and Christopher have adjusted to their new schools beautifully. Julia loves her new school and her new teacher. She especially loves riding the bus. Christopher is also doing well at his school and assures me he is being good on the bus. He comes home with great artwork everyday. It's already starting to get darker earlier grrrrrr. The leaves are really turning but it is HOT. It is so strange you look out the windows and it looks like it should be chilly. The leaves are bright oranges, reds, and yellows...then you walk outside and it's 85 degrees. We still have our air-conditioning running. This is not what fall is supposed to be like in New England. Everyone around here has a theory and most of them are just not good. I over-heard one woman say that the winter will be especially bad because the squirrels are collecting the GREEN acorns. I'm curious at how she knows what acorns are being collected but nevertheless I hope she is wrong.

Good Friends and Photographs

How lucky are we to have friends in our lives? I feel especially lucky to have the group that I have assembled as my friends. We are as different as night and day, and so much alike in just as many ways. I spent last night with some friends at a Girls' Cocktail Party. We laughed, munched, sipped, reminisced, and planned--it was great! I realized I don't have any pictures of us despite all the things we've done together. These pictures are of our kids and remind me of things we've done together. I smile because the kids are so "goodlookin'" and because of something that might have happened during that trip or event. I have to start carrying a camera. I remember when my oldest, closest friend moved away she grabbed a camera and Anthony took our picture. It is a terrible picture but it captures a moment in time. I keep that picture in my desk (it really is awful). I want to start taking more pictures. So get ready guys I may have my camera with me...

August 21-28 Walt Disney World Vacation

Late August found the Maisano/Walsh clan back in Walt Disney World. We left at 5:00 a.m. and flew out of Westchester Airport to Orlando. We arrived at the Wilderness Lodge ready to have fun by noon on the 21st. Uncle Barry couldn't join us on the trip because he broke his foot on a rope swing on Candlewood Lake--ouch. Christopher loved his first trip to Disney and kept walking into things because there was so much to look at. We rode a million rides and discovered Blueberry Cosmopolitans during a rain storm at the Polynesian Resort--YUMMY! Funny thing that was the day the kids were so well behaved (LOL). Julia and Lianna went to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and underwent Princess makeovers. They looked fabulous. The boys got tattoos. Christopher was so funny--I guess he's seen way too much Miami, Inc. because he made Nicholas go first because he was afraid of the "pain." Julia and Christopher both got to open the pool at the hotel and had a blast on the water-slide. It was a really fun vacation and we can't wait to do it again!

Up and running again!

Okay I've started this blog, yet again! It was almost one year ago exactly that I started it before....I believe I was posting about Julia starting Kindergarten and Christopher heading off to Preschool! Yikes, a whole year has passed! Julia will be starting First Grade in 13 DAYS! Christopher will be attending Preschool again, but this time he will take a bus. My little peer model :) As I write the beauties are eagerly anticipating our trip to Disney World on Tuesday. We started counting down the days at 181 days....now it is just 3 days away!