Groundhog Day

Remember the 1993 movie with Andie McDowell and Bill Murray called Groundhog Day? Bill is a weatherman on location to cover the big groundhog/shadow story. Except it's the worst day of his life and when he wakes up the next morning it's the EXACT SAME DAY! He has to repeat it all over again. And again and again and again. That's what we feel like. And we just got an email from a family- the Wazzzzup! Baby family- the Keilins who said the exact same thing. We wake up, eat breakfast at the hotel, drive to Umit, visit with the kids, drive back to hotel, lunch, nap, drive back to Umit, visit, drive back to hotel, eat, watch 24 and go to bed. EVERY SINGLE DAY! The only variable is where we eat lunch and dinner. Then its’ the big decision between samsas and shishlik. We haven’t ventured out too far beyond those favorites. I’m beginning to feel like this "day" will never end! But we have hope. The official bonding time is over and from here on out it's just waiting and court. Speaking of court, we have to give the judge a gift. How about an all expense paid 4 week cruise on the QE2? And then if he doesn't grant our waiver, we can always give him a trip to the Bermuda Triangle.

Thought I'd give some insights on the kid's personalities. What should you expect from these little darlings?

Dub is 3- he'll be 4 Oct. 3, but he's really more on the 2 year old level. At least for now. His clothes (as far as we can tell) are around a 2T. He talks just fine when he wants to in a strange combination of Russian and Kazakh and now English. He'll repeat EVERYTHING you say (man do I need to change my favorite word!!!!) He is extremely ticklish. He will jump into ANYONE’S arms who holds them open for him. He loves to eat, and he eats with enthusiasm. It's a challenge that must be tackled as quickly and messily as possible. Mostly obedient. If you have to discipline him, he doesn't cry and scream, he just stands there like this little storm cloud. He has NO interest in cleaning up his toys. He loves to run as fast as he can, and that means if he's outside, that means at least 6 "face plants" between him and us. And he never sheds a tear. He can also smash his head o the carpet, or table corner or the side of a piano and doesn't even flinch. Like his father, his pain threshold is very high. I don't know if it's the shoes or the 4 layers of clothes or just developmentally that makes him a little unsteady when he runs. But if he wants you to go a certain direction when you're walking, he's stronger than you, and you WILL go his direction.

Lena is also 3- she'll be 4 on Nov 24 (guess who will be having Thanksgiving at their house this year???) She, too, is more on the 2 year old level. Her clothes are a 2T but is rapidly outgrowing that. She talks a LOT and will also repeat after you. She is very smart as we've seen with blocks and puzzles. She is VERY possessive of her things. Like her mother, she is going to love BAGS and loves to put things in her bags. I'll be buying her a little backpack this week. She LOVES to clean up. Favorite thing. (which is either going to be a blessing or a curse to me!) She is extremely independent and wants to do things for herself. But at the same time, if we go outside for a walk, she wants to be held all the time. She is EXTERMLY disobedient. And if you say no or spank her hand, (also like her mother...) she just laughs and laughs. As with Dub, if she doesn't get her way, she doesn't cry and scream, she just stands there and pouts (see yesterday's photos). She knows she's cute and knows how to use it. She understands English pretty well. She is showing some athletic promise to Mama Dear’s chagrin. Loves the soccer ball. She (also again like her mother) is very headstrong but can be very generous and loving.

All in all they are great kids and we have bonded so quickly and so closely it's hard to imagine they are not our bio kids. Epically since they are so much like US!!!

Dub in his stormcloud mood.


Trying to teach "Please" but it comes out "Pweezesh"





Dub littlelips


Lena and all her worldly poessions. I need a bag, mom!


Oh boy! My favorite!


I do! I do!





Finally put her in a dress, but are they colorblind?


Dub, Lena and the MOrin Family- Chelsea, Alek and little Diana