Our "Turkey Baby" turned 4 years old!!!

Our baby boy, who we brought home (oops, I mean Ron brought home from Russia, while Ryan and I joyfully anticipated their arrival), at the tender age of 18 months old has turned 4 years old on "Turkey Day".  When did this happen and why?!  I remember just watching Lukey at the airport that fateful night that he and Ron arrived from Russia.  I also remember Ron telling me (b/c we were held up the night Lukey arrived at the airport due to the monsoon season outside, does everyone remember that post?!) about Lukey and how he ran off that plane, as if to say, "America here I come"!  He has not looked back either, its full-steam ahead for him...ALWAYS :)  Now, he is 4 years old, he has been home for 2 and 1/2 years...it was the best thing we have ever done, aside from adopting Ryan, of course :)

What's extremely ironic, is that Lukey and my Mom share the same birthday, imagine that?!  Its as if her hand was guiding us to Russia, specifically to this little boy-our Lukey :)  I can recall being told many, many times about the circumstances surrounding my Mom's entrance into this world...it was Thanksgiving, my Grandmother went into labor but my Grandfather was at a football game with non-other than my Grandmother's OB/GYN, can you imagine?!  Unfortunately, I don't have a cute, funny, little story to tell Lukey about the day he was born BUT I do have the ability to tell him how he has spent his birthdays since joining our family and that he shares the same birthday as my Mom, his Nanny :)

This was the second year in a row, on Turkey Day, that we didn't go to my in-laws, due to time restraints.  Instead, we were invited to Melissa's (my sister) boyfriends parents house-the Allens :)  What wonderful and inviting people.  The boys had a great time and keep on asking when are they going back :)  The Allens prepared a delightful homemade meal and it was delicious!  We rolled out of there at about 11 pm, and I do mean that we "rolled" b/c we were extremely stuffed! 

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving :)

Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)

A moment in time...

With everything that's currently going on in our lives I almost forget to stop and enjoy little moments in life.  Well, as I was folding the wash or making dinner (honestly, I don't recall what I was doing?!), I stumbled upon Ryan reading to Lukey it was the most precious moment I have seen in awhile or rather that I've taken notice to in awhile (bad Mommy!) :/


Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)

When it rains it pours...

Not only are we dealing with Ryan and his break through seizures but it is believed that Ryan is having colossal side effects :(  It was comical how I stumbled upon the side effects-his resource teacher wants to know what she should look for, what type of side effects would she be dealing with, etc.  Well, I was sending away for a mail-order script when I looked at the side effects, haven't honestly looked at them in years...low and behold-the medication he is on, to help him with his seizures, can cause speech and language processing disorders!  It was right there in black and white!  Maybe, just maybe, I was at the root of his stuttering issue?!?  I immediately called his neurologist, the neurologist told me the biggest concern with this medication is that the patients are always tired and this is what *usually* causes the speech and language delays.  Neuro. did also state that if Ryan was having more symptoms of side effects that we (Ron and I) could decide if we want to take Ryan off of this particular med?!  Ryan is currently experiencing many of the side effects from this particular medication.  I realize we have to step out of our comfort zone but honestly, I'm scared :/  Wouldn't you be?  A friend told me I owe it to Ryan b/c it will impact his social development.  She is absolutely correct but what if his seizures get worse?  They do have an impact and are pretty horrible right now, but what if he tries another med of choice and has even more side effects or gosh forbid his seizures get worse?!  My worse fear is the seizure activity stays with him through out his entire life :/

Then, there is Lukey :(  Oh this poor child!  He has such an issue with constipation that I wish I could take it all away and make it better.  We have tried everything from raisins to prune juice and everything in-between and nothing works.  I called Lukey's pediatrician and asked him what do I do for him, he's in pain!  The peds. dr. suggested we try a GI, perhaps they can help, at this point it may be a medical issue :(  On a funny note, I believe the other day, I may have OD Lukey on miralax (a laxative), b/c he was on the potty from sun up till sun down-poor kiddo!  One extreme to another :/

Only our boys :)

Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)

Halloween 2010

We had an Iron Man and a Lightning McQueen, aka Ryan and Lukey :)  During the month of October the boys really put use of their costumes.  We went to a FACES (an adoption support group we belong to) Halloween Party, Halloween in the Park (here in Voorhees Township), the boys each had their Halloween Parties in school (Lukey's was on Thursday and Ryan's was on Friday) and then we actually had Halloween.  I'm getting exhausted just writing about it now :/  Needless to say, I want to hibernate till Spring time!

Lukey was invited to a Halloween Party, on Halloween Day and boy did he have a WONDERFUL time!  This little girl in his preschool class invited him and he was thrilled!  It was his first party that he has ever been invited to outside of family and friends that we know, it was his first girl/boy party :)  At this party, the host family actually had a fire truck and the fire truck gave all the children rides, I kid you not!  He had the time of his life but was disappointed b/c he was going to be a fireman for Halloween but at the last minute decided he wanted to be Lightning McQueen.  I told him maybe next year :)

Ryan was invited to go Trick or Treating with a friend from school :)  I'm SO glad this year he is finally making friends!  After, Lukey's Halloween party we met up with Ryan, Ron, Ryan's friend from school and his Mom and we too went Trick or Treating with them.

Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)