Up, Up.....and away we go!

Spring has rushed in and out already this March. On Saturday last week, we had high 70's and Kite flying by the end of week, we had snow. If you don't like the weather in Ky, just stick around and it will change......much to the chagrin of our sinuses and allergies!


We tried out the new Kite from sweet Max and it did a great job but I will say the wind was so strong that day that the kite was literally ripped off the string but not until the boys had a nice time flying it and watching it swoop and dive! :)

Short sleeves and shorts........then SNOW!

Update on Kindergarten.......Nick was accepted at an immersion school for spanish thru our public school system so we decided that we would send him as it is a hard school to get in (lottery system) and we would love for him to be bilingual again. He should do well in their environment as he needs structure and challenges to stay focused. He would not do well in a Montessori

system.

Speech and OT -- we are still waiting for an OT eval thru the school system but may also look into getting some stuff done thru the university as well. When Nick is bored these days, he has increasingly obvious and annoying sensory seeking behavior. He did not do these things in the early days and we really have seen them more in the last 6 months than ever. On the days he has school, we see little to none of this behavior. I do wish we had sent him to everyday school this year but every thing is so crazy the first year, we had no way of knowing what he REALLY needed. His speech teacher tried some sensory exercises on him in speech last week and said she saw a marked difference in his speech and focus. She is going to work on this the rest of the semester as well as give this info to the OT. I have always sensed that he needed structure all day but thought that the 3 days of structured activity would be enough in those early days....and they probably were but now they are not. When he is given free play time, he is at a loss....he wants to snack, yell, throw, spin, pick at mom, etc. I realize that I need to be more intentional about our day especially getting ready for the summer. I try to get him to do "school" or games but he gets extremely hyper with me and it can turn into conflict......thus, I believe, school will be great for him. I am going to "attempt" to write out a daily schedule for us so he knows what we will be doing and see if this helps the randomness of his behavior at times. He has come so far with his behavior and speech that I don't want to be anything less than proactive with making changes quickly to deter any further behavior regression. It really is a full time job just making sure that these sweet children with a "different" beginning have a fighting chance to be the "uniquely normal" that they are supposed to be......

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We have lots of fun activities coming up for the rest of Spring....Pat's folks are coming to Kentucky on their way back from Florida and we are meeting them at Mammoth Caves for a few days and then Nick and I are heading to Dallas to see my family for spring break. None of our (Pat's, Nick's, my sister's kids) spring breaks match up but Nick and I can travel the easiest so off we go on our first plane ride since Kaz.....should be an adventure! Pat's sister Tracey and little Colin will be joining us this year for Easter.....the bunnies better watch out for these little Kitzman boys! We are getting anxious for Kazapalooza 2009 in Nashville this year and that will be our first summer activity......we cannot wait to meet some more of our blog friends as well as the adoptafamilies that we already know now! Fun, Fun!

Hope everyone is starting to thaw out and getting ready to enjoy the beauty of spring......

Birthday weekend Day two and three.......delayed due to technical difficulties!

We had a bit of a break with computer difficulties but we seem to be back in business so on with the story. When we last left you, I was awaiting permission from my sweet friend Krescene to post our pictures from the reunion so I also had to sneak in a "that was then" picture. We had not seen each other since this night ....project graduation event, graduation eve 1985....yikes!

Krescene is in the middle and I have the lovely Hawaiian shirt on....with pale Pink shorts? have mercy!

24 years later......we both admit a few more pounds and a tad more wrinkles....but she still has the same exact laugh and bubbly personality and it felt like no time had past at all.


We arrived at the GWL (great wolf lodge) Saturday afternoon after a trip to Jungle Jim's international food store....grabbed 3 big bottles of Kazakhstan-like sour cherry juice...yum!
We were able to check into our room early and as I said before opted for a calming Nap time before the extravaganza.


This is slightly out of sequence but this is a picture of evening story time. Kids wear their pajamas and they have disney like animatronics that sing and tell stories. Cute but Nick wanted to go swimming some more....so we did! ;)


The orange slides to the right were the highest kid ones and Nick went down them many, many times. It was so hard to capture great pics because it was so wet and mommy was actually participating so who would snap the shot while hurling down the tube? He wanted to go down backwards, on his tummy, frontwards, spinning.....the lifeguards thought he was pretty funny.


This was the younger kids pool.....we only stepped foot in there two or three times...not fast enough for our boy! :)


Daddy holding onto the wild boy as it was hard to catch a picture as he rushed by.....

Our attempt at a self family portrait....hilarious.....Pat will need to sit next time...we could not get us all in.

I loved this big ol bear and the little Kaz bear is cute too. He has on his new swim attire from Gma and Ata Kitzman.....so handsome and swim vogue.

He called this water feature the rainstorm and wanted to go in it over and over again!

He love, loved the wave pool and would charge at them screaming. :)

He had fun hopping across the lillypads and did hold onto the rope some but this time wanted to leap!

The Roller coaster was closed for most of our visit but he was not tall enough and daddy said it was quite intense. We did the big multi people raft from the top down and it was fast and furious. He squealed the whole time, so awesome although I squealed the whole time too because it always looked like he was getting ready to fly out of the raft.....There was one additional big kid one that he could have gone on but after daddy tried it out we decided that we weren't sure if he had the whole....hold onto the handles tight thing down...so we opted for next time around when he is one year more mature......

Two exhausted boys in front of the big lodge fireplace on our way out the door. It was a fun family weekend. He got a bit overstimulated but we were able to keep meltdowns at bay with some evasive actions and he did great. He has been telling everyone....lifeguards, elevator passengers, passers by, etc. that he is 5. It is so fun that he is enjoying the birthday thing this year.

He wasn't completely asleep in this pic but it was so funny how he travels.....old hand now. He has his travel blanket that keeps him warm, his hat, and good memories. Life is Good!

We got home and he immediately wanted to open all his toys. This was a neat helicopter from his Kaz buddy Max. He was so into the instructions. We are just having a little trouble keeping the helicopter together. Apparently helicopters should fly into the wall frequently?

He got many great gifts! Thanks to all the friends and family who sent their HB wishes. We had a great time and can't wait to do King's Island this year! Happy Birthday our big 5 year old!

Birthday weekend.....Day one!

We are sitting here in the Great Wolf lodge enjoying our great room and quiet boy. He's napping! We decided the excitement of yesterday and the forthcoming swimming extravaganza warranted a big ol' NAP.

We had a great time at Entertrainment Junction with our friends! My high school friend Krescene and her son, Nathan joined us. Nathan is 5 also. Ironically, they were visiting family this weekend in Cinci so we were able to schedule a meet-up. We have not seen each other since Graduation Eve! (24 years ago, yikes!) This is why I love FB! We also were joined by the cutest ever Max and Karen, my resident Cincinnati bestest buds.

The train cake survived the trip although had a little icing slide off in the back. We were OK with that since it was our first try and such a great team effort by mom and dad! ;) Nick was happy with it so really that is all that matters....right? Nick had a great time with Nathan and Max. They all got along great and we got some cute pics that I will share. We also ate dinner with Krescene and Nathan at a huge McDonald's with New playland which meant lots and lots of kids...didn't stay long! ;)

Nick has really understood and enjoyed the whole birthday thing this year almost to an obsession. If I hear "can I open my presents now" one more time, I might go crazy! Luckily, that part is now over! I can't believe our boy is 5. All day, we have been saying you are 5 now, we don't need to carry you, use the potty ring (we forgot it, ha!), purchase a mall stroller, etc. He may not like being 5...hee, hee!

Here are a few pics from yesterday's fun and the "Tiffany's" Train cake. Nothing but the best for our boy! I would also say that it was because of my love for Audrey Hepburn but really the icing was yellow because of the butter and I could not get a good blue for the life of me without dumping the blue food coloring.....We had some structure issues that I will do different next time but all in all it worked out fine.

We used a Nerd rope for the mouth.....not ideal but all our store had on this particular day....

Of Course, I had to prove that my Tiffany's coloring technique was perfect!


Nick got so excited when we started to sing HB to him. It was so cute.

This place had an enormous, I mean enormous model train display. It even had a place where you could climb up the stairs and view it from the top. Let's just say Daddy really enjoyed this also! :)

Little train ride inside. I think if the weather is warm, they have an outside one too! We happened to be having a snow squall ...no accumulation, but blizzard like none-the-less.

They had this cRaZy funhouse walk that made all the adults a bit nauseous but the boys were havin some fun. We sent dad back in with them....moms stayed away! ;)

Thomas Storytime

Nick trying to give Max a high five because he mastered the train whistle. It was just the cutest little toot! :)

Ky Karen and Cinci Karen.......happy Kaz moms and friends! Krescene is in the Witness Protection Program so no picks......just kidding.... I didn't have permission.....Girls are funny like that.....If she allows, I will post later!

Well, we are attempting to wake the sleeping Kazakh......could be good, could be bad. I believe the water Roller Coaster will turn the possible frown upside down! :) More pics soon!

Happy Valentine's Day! Daddy

A note to the best husband and dad in the world.....







Daddy, I remember the first time we met and I was not too sure about you. You were patient and funny but gave me my space. I slowly learned to trust you and let you hold me especially if it was to look outside at the birds and Machinas. Mom says she still won't erase this picture from her camera memory.





Our first walks together in Kazakhstan were a bit chilly but you were excited to show me trees and dirt and the "outdoors".





When we got home to America, there was nothing that you wouldn't do to show me a good time and a big laugh.





Daddy, you invented our nighttime routine that we still follow 2 years later with a few enhancements...the bedtime polka!






You always choose to be my airplane, camping, bus, or car buddy even though you are probably tired and weary from working all day.


You are always excited to see me when I come visit you at work and make me feel like you were waiting just for me to come!





You are not afraid to look silly (mom says that is normal for you) with me and would do just about anything to get me to smile.



You always read me books and answer all my questions even if I need to ask you "a lot of them"!

You always take time to give me a hug and are never too busy to give me the MOON TICKLE!

You go over and under to help me chase the bad guys, walk the plank, climb the mountain, or put out the fire and rescue the people.

You help mommy teach me about Jesus and love to read me bible stories about Noah and Jonah and Daniel over and over and over again.

You love to teach me family traditions and show me what being a Kitzman is all about.

You take time to teach me about Man things....Da Packers and Da Bratwurst!

But, my favorite thing is when you hug me tight and say "I love you my Son!"

God sure knew what He was doing when He gave me you as a dad.
I love you daddy, a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love, "Pirate Nicholas Stinker Toots Mcgillacuddy"


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Sweetie, You only have to look at those pictures and see what a great dad you have become. As many days as we feel inadequate and overwhelmed, there are that many more plus a million that you bring pure joy to our son and me. The extra effort you make to always have time for us is truly a treasure to me. The sound of you boys laughing together is more valuable than any material thing. Thank you for becoming a parent with me. By far, the hardest thing we have ever done up to this point but exponentially more rewarding than anything we will probably ever do....Thanks for being my great adventure buddy! Wouldn't want to do life (the good, the bad, and the ugly) with anyone else but you! YOU are my sunshine, my only sunshine.....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love, Da Wife

Leavin on a jet plane.........

Two years ago today (the 9th), we left for Kazakhstan with big dreams and an uncertain path. If we had gaged everything by our first day, we surely would have returned home......let's recap..

1. The airline did us a "favor" by booking us on an earlier flight. Little did we know that we would literally have minutes to run with the heavy laden carry ons to our gate in Detroit. We arrived breathless and were greeted not so friendly as they were "waiting for us". Then, we proceed thru the check point from Hell. Barney Fife TSA guy decides to grill us about how we can be cheated in these other countries and did we do a Tax report thing for our money since we were carrying enough money for two little ones. Since, we had gotten the money out of several different banks, no one bank gave us over the amount to warrant these forms. We assured him that we had not gone over and if we did, it was only from the few "gift" checks that we had cashed that day. Well, he decided that he wanted to frisk us and count it. The lady TSA agent was rolling her eyes and telling him that we were holding the flight up but he was having none of it. The airline people were raisin there voices at him and on, and on it went until he and the woman had counted the money and we filled out said form.

2. We are rushed onto the plane where of course there is no overhead exept those really high ones in the middle. Pat was somewhere far away in the plane and they sent me to the front where the flight attendent would not help me put it up because he hurt his arm?? I had just had hand surgery for a broken hand in Oct and well, you ladies know how you pack those bags for Kaz (all that toilet paper you need??), I could not lift it up over my head (only 5'2"!) and NO ONE was offering to help. I was livid. Finally someone offered.

3. Go to our seats. Their "favor" had put us in two different rows but one behind the other. No Biggie. BUT, in our delay, some man (not American) had decided that he wanted to sit by his wife so he took one of our seats. He would NOT get up. The attendent was telling him to move and he would not. So besides, bodily moving him, she was stumped. So then she asked the lady next to me if she would take this man's seat across the way....same aisle seat, just across the way, but she would NOT! I could not believe it. Close to tears at this point....questioning the whole adoption...you know how it goes.... :) She was obnoxious the whole flight. I forced my way into the seat and took the arm rest for the entire 8-9 hours (whatever it was) . She was not getting any comfort from me.

4. Amsterdam.....a great airport for the most part. KLM not my favorite. I digress for a moment, in the Ky airport, our peanut butter was confiscated....I totally forgot that this looks like explosive putty. I specifically asked them if contact solution would be allowed because I had all of my stash in my carry on. They said it was considered a medical supply so yes. Well, fast forward, to Amsterdam. I attempted although not a big effort to find agents that could tell me what their rules were for solution. I could not find any to help. So to the line we went. I found an agent at that door and asked, she said no, you can't take it on. I said so what am I supposed to do. Check the bag. I said, I can't get back thru customs and such in time. Can't I just check it at the plane like you do in the states....nope. We can't do this.....why not. There is the plane, the door is open, can't you just tag it and put it on? Nope. So I had to throw away 5 bottles of brand new cleaner and saline solution in the trash. I was crying so hard that I was trembling....I was tired and a mess. Poor Pat...

5. We arrived in Almaty and THANKFULLY, all went smoothly. We weren't quite sure what to expect after that 20+ hour rollercoaster ride. As we arrived at the Hotel Kazzhol we were ushered up to our room and were presented with two of the smallest little beds I have ever seen. Didn't care, we collapsed. BUT, not before we called the daughter of Pat's family friends whos family lives in Almaty. Her husband answered and we told him the short story of our exploits and he replied...oh, Kirsten uses that type of solution! What are the chances! I use the AOsept cleaning system and it is not the "norm". It was as if God was just saying calm down, I'm here, I even got the little things covered. It was so comforting that we slept well and knew that Come He!! or bad airline service, we would be with our child in less than 24 hours. All in All it was a good day and the first day of the rest of our shakin up, turned around, upside down Great adventure to Nurbolat (Nick).

AND, 2 whole years later....where does the time go??? ......we celebrated the day today by heading to the Capital to get our 2nd post adoption report Apostilled for delivery. I think I am probably the only person that loves to get things Apostilled. It is by far the easiest part of the paperwork process for us and I love the way it finishes the document off. I know, I'm weird but I just enjoy the officialness of it all.

And, finally, we made some cookies the other day as Nick is into helping these days. At first I thought the whole process was going to be scary as he was melting down over not being able to decide himself how much of the ingredients to put in (it gave me an idea for a future "life" lesson project though) but he rallied in the end and we had a great time and he was thrilled to present daddy with the cookies when Pat got home from Bible Study.

oh, and did I mention that he lost another tooth. The neighbor to the first one that got knocked out. The permanent one is already growing in.....probably some more not far behind.

Nick's number 5 birthday is quickly approaching. We had decided we would not do the party thing and maybe go to Cinci to the indoor water park and the aquarium. Well, wouldn't you know it, ALL week he has been talking about having a "surprise" party and everyone is going to jump out and surprise him and then he will blow out the number 5 candle on his train cake?? I keep talking about swimming to change his mind.....although a train cake is doable.

We shall see...... :)