G&G are here!

I'm so behind in blogging because we are just having too much fun playing - all made possible by The Great Provider and an awesome husband/father who works very hard, doing awesomely at a job he really enjoys! I am so grateful to be home with our children, doing life together and enjoying the blessing of amazing adventures -- thank you Eric for making our day to day possible, we love you! We've been having a blast with dear friends visiting and a road trip to see others. Last week was a bit of rest, settling back in and mourning the goodbyes we had to make.

But now they're here, Grandpa and Grandma, all the way from Moscow, Russia, and the fun begins again - YIPPEE! So I better just start with the now and hopefully catch up on the past later! They arrived last evening and the kiddos stayed up late to enjoy some food, cuddling and giggles.

E & Z already had a play date with G&G at AA's house this morning while I ran over to the church to take care of a few details as VBS begins tonight. I understand Grandpa was a human jungle gym for Elle and Zane did wonderfully in my absence, not one tear! Actually, we've seen MAJOR, MAJOR head-way with Zane's separation anxiety, zero melt-downs at church and he's enjoyed nursery three weeks in a row! The sweet women in his class love him dearly and have been so sensitive to helping us (Yes, me too!). With their care and Zane's excellent health - he is enjoying playing with the other children, singing songs and shows great peace.

Speaking of health, the kiddos had check-ups at the doctor's last week. This was Zane's first appointment since last September where he has 'passed' with a clean bill of health! I danced my way home! Elle is in the 60% percentile in height (wow!) and Zane just made the height chart at 3%. Zane weighed in just below the chart at 21.9 pounds, but the doctor was very pleased -- look how far he's come?! They're perfect, chart or not!

Elle is spelling, writing and sounding out short, short words. It was a month ago that she put her first letters together (besides her name) at the chiropractor's office and discovered she made a word. She exclaimed, 't-a-c...tac...Mama, TAC! tac, Mama, tac!!!!' :)

Zane loves to makes noises and mimics Elle practicing her letter sounds. He knows over 75 sign language motions, has around 25 sounds (animal noises being his favorite) and about six or so words. Infant toddler services are very impressed with all that Zane is doing and saying! His speech therapist says we need to keep doing what we're doing because everything is going very well. We like her very much and she has provided some ideas to keep things moving along, although Zane keeps things moving all by himself!

We were scheduled to see the cleft team last month, but we ran into the surgeon while out shopping one evening and after a FREE consult on the sidewalk (LOL!), he told us we could wait to see the team in September! :) Happy us! We can hardly believe it, but September will be one year home with our sweet boy...wow, time flies when you're having fun or adjusting or seeing doctors all the time. Anywho, here are some pictures with G&G upon their arrival, more to come in the next few weeks....