Hello Florida

Despite the larger than predicted snow that arrived Saturday morning we made it to the airport and arrived safely in warm, rainy Florida only about an 1 hour behind schedule. We almost didn't make it out of our neighborhood due to the snow. It was suppose to be a dusting but was about 3 inches thick when we headed out. The drive to the airport was slow and a bit scarry and I don't scare easily in snow! They had to de-ice the plan before we could leave. It was quite the operation with planes lined up and getting foamed down by guys on cherry pickers. From Lukas' perspective they were spraying chocolate milk on the plane. Interesting de-icing technique;)

Inspite of it being overcast at least it is about 30-40 degrees warmer here. It was about 13 degrees when we left Baltimore. This flight with Lukas was a far cry, literally, from the last time we flew with him. He did quite well as far as I am concerned for a 4 year old. The passengers around us even commented on how good he was. Whew!

The water is to cold to swim in and it is overcast today but Lukas needed to burn off some energy so we went for a walk on the beach. Enjoy the photos and videos.



Take that ocean!


Score, yeah!!!


Playing on the beach


What to do at the beach if it is too cold to swim....

6 month Milestone

FIRST MEETING APRIL 2009


ARRIVAL IN US JULY 2009


6 MONTHS LATER JANUARY 2010


It's hard to believe we have been home with Lukas for 6 months now. It seems like just yesterday we were in Taraz, Kazakhstan. Lukas isn't anything like the little boy we first met. He seems to have aged 2 years in the last 6 months. He is finally wearing 3Ts for the most part. He has such a tiny waist and slim hips that it is hard to find 3T pants that stay up but he needs it in the length. I think we may get another season out of his 2T shorts but it is only 3-4Ts for tops.

Then Now
3 1/2 yrs old 4 yrs 2 months
24 lbs 32 lbs
28 inches 31 1/2 inches
No real English Talking in short phrases
tantrums,kicking,hitting,spitting Tantrums infrequent
Night terrors Night terrors very rare
Not sleeping in bed through night Sleeps 9-11 hours in own bed

Needless to say he is making great progress. When it is pointed out to us that he seems behind in an area it seems to take him no time at all to pick it up when we focus on it for a short time.

Over all he is a very happy, pleasant, energetic boy. He loves helping with whatever we are doing. He is still very curious about everything. We are very lucky parents!

Purely by accident we are headed to Florida/Disney at this milestone mark.

Sunday Funnies

It was neatly stacked ready to go to the recycling bin...someone decided to do some "reading."

Classmates Birthday Party!

Lukas attended his first birthday party today for one of his classmates. It was a first for us as well. Are we suppose to stay, leave him and come back? What goes on at a four year old birthday party? We figured we would stick around. We had an opportunity to get to know some of the other parents during the course of the 2 hours. Lukas did well and had a great time.

THE GYM WAS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A BUNCH OF 4 YEAR OLDS TO SPEND A COUPLE OF HOURS




LUKAS GOING FOR A RIDE


LUKAS' TURN TO PULL THE TRAIN


LUKAS AND HIS BUDDY T FROM SCHOOL

The Writing Is On The Wall...literally!

WE THOUGHT ABOUT FRAMING IT AND TURNING OUR GUEST ROOM INTO A GALLERY




When Lukas is quiet these days it usually means he is up to something he shouldn't be. I couldn't get to angry because I did it when I was his age, it's just that I used crayons and not sharpees! Quentin, thank goodness for P&G Magic Eraser! It got it all off the walls, the t.v., the window sill, the window and the furniture without messing up the paint or finish on the dresser.

Making good progress

Lukas had is first follow-up (5 months)appointment with the IA Clinic. The IA doctor he sees is quite pleased with his progress. His cognitive development and language development are both increasing faster than his biological age. He is pretty much on target for physical and cognitive development (from 67% to 75%)but is still about a year behind in language(47% to 54%). He's jumped 6% in wt and 7% in height on the growth chart since coming home. His head circumference has even jumped 2 growth curves which the doc claims they say it can't but she sees it all the time. It is hard to believe that in 5 months he has gone being more like a 2 1/2 year old to the 4 year old that he is suppose to be.

Down on the farm and fingerpainting

HELPING GRANDPA AL



FINGERPAINTING WITH GLITTER GLUE...WHAT A STICKY MESS! NICE SHOT OF HIS BANGS THAT HE CUT EARLIER THAT MORNING TOO!


PLAYING WITH UNCLE MATT AND AUNT KATE'S CATS

Happy New Year and new hair styles

Lukas went for his first professional haircut on Tuesday with Papa. He then decided on New Year's Day to improve on his haircut. While the adults were talking in family room Lukas decided to go back to grandma and grandpa's bathroom and use grandma's sewing scissors to cut his bangs a little shorter in the middle.

He is getting to a point where he feels comfortable doing more and more things by himself which has made things quite challenging for his parents. He never use to go down stairs by himself but now he will get out of bed, go downstairs and help himself to food, beverage or just entertain himself.