Ice Cream

The best part about living in Texas is Blue Bell ice cream and with the record breaking heat we are experiencing, it is a must have on a hot afternoon.

It is...

just...

that...

GOOD!

Swim Lessons...Getting Better

Each day Artem does better and better at swim lessons. On Monday he cried for 30 minutes and did very little swimming, although he finished the last of his lesson happy. That night I was showing him the pictures I took of his first day and he saw the picture of himself crying. I asked him why he was crying at the pool and he said, "Mommy yeft (left) me" and it dawned on me that in his world, he couldn't see me and I was gone. I explained to him that the rules say mommy can't go in the pool and that I wait for him outside and watch him through the window. I also told him that mommy will never leave him.


On Tuesday morning, I took him to the spot that I sit in and showed him how I look through the window (they are heavily tinted and I'm not sure he can see me) and I told him that I would be there the whole time watching him. He seemed to understand and was relaxed while we waited for the instructors to come out. As soon as the instructors came out, he started crying and yelling, "Mommy, mommy!!" and clung to me for dear life. His instructor Jordan walked right up to me and took Artem from my arms, I kissed him (Artem, not the instructor, just want to clarify that), told him I would be here when he's finished, and he was carried into the pool crying for me the whole way. He settled down after 5 minutes and spent the remaining 40 minutes having a great time in the water. He looked through the window for me and I waved and he waved back so now I know he can see me.

Today was the third day of his swim lessons and I went through the routine of showing him where I would be sitting, assuring him I would be waiting for him, and letting him know I wouldn't leave him. The instructors came out, he started crying again, but this time I walked him to his instructor Jordan, passed Artem's hand to him and made Artem walk in on his own. He did, he was crying the whole time, but he walked in on his own. By the time they made it to the pool, the crying had stopped completely and Artem was excited to get into the water. They put the float belts on them today and the boy swam and swam and swam. He ended up taking a 3 1/2 hour nap today so he must have worked pretty hard in the pool.

I'm so proud of Artem. I hope this is a turning point for him and he is beginning to understand that we will never leave him and he can enjoy more activities when mommy and daddy aren't right next to him. He has swim lessons for the remainder of this week and next and I'm looking forward to him walking in on his own with no tears and anxiety.

Swim Lessons

Artem started swim lessons today at the local university. I've been holding my breath (no pun intended) wondering how he was going to do without me and I've been prepping him for several days now, reminding him that he's going to have a swim teacher and be in the pool without mommy because he's a big boy now. He repeats what I tell him and acts like he understands what I am saying.

We arrived 20 minutes early for the lesson, minus Artem's towel (way to go mom), so he could see the pool and try to get acclimated to his new environment. He was cool as a cucumber while waiting and didn't show any signs of anxiety.

The director came outside and called the student's names and had them line up. No problems, stood in line like a big boy, and occasionally checked back for me. Of course I was busy snapping a million pictures of my little darling on his first day of swim lessons, yelling behind the camera, "Good job little buddy! Mama's proud of you! Now say 'cheese'". (very sincere I assure you)


He walked inside the pool area with all the other children, while parents had to stay outside. No problems.



His instructor, Jordan, showed him the basket of toys they had for the kids to play with but Artem was busy looking for me. At this point he's realized that I am not behind him. He saw me, taking pictures of course, and yelled, "Hi mama!" Still doing fine.


At this point Artem can no longer see me because parents are not allowed inside and I've come around to another door so I can watch him through the window and get better pictures, (are you getting that it's all about the pictures on his first day??) and I can tell he's getting ready to leave and go look for me.

Here we are beginning to go into full melt-down mode because he's a) finally found me but I'm outside the window and b)won't come in to get him despite him reaching to me through the window and c)who in the world are these people??

This lasted for the next 30 minutes and it was heartbreaking to watch and I will admit that I started tearing up and thought about going in after him. You walk such a fine line sometimes with PI (post institutionalized) kids between forming the healthy bonds of attachment and coddling them too much. I knew if Artem could calm down he'd enjoy himself but I also didn't want him to get so upset and not want to return for the remainder of his lessons. I did not prep his instructors ahead of time about his attachment issues since I'm trying to hard to break Artem away from the PI child label. I just let it play out and resisted the urge to go "rescue" him. Fortunately for me, my child wasn't the only one crying hysterically in the pool so I didn't feel so bad.

Artem's instructor, Jordan, was AMAZING and despite the fact that Artem cried and clung to him like a Spider Monkey on it's mama's back, he stayed calm with Artem and rocked him in the water, sang in his ear, and engaged him by throwing a ball across the water making big splashes. I get a little teary eyed just thinking about how sweet and gentle Jordan was with Artem. This teenager was such an angel to Artem and even though it took Jordan 30 minutes to get him calmed down, Artem finally relaxed and started having a good time. He was kicking his little legs and pumping his arms trying to chase the ball through the water and laughing the entire time. Jordan even got Artem to let go of him long enough to show him how to get in and out of the pool and in and out of the little "toddler tank" they sit in during the lessons.

When Artem emerged from the water, this was the face I saw. I was so proud of him and made such a big deal when he got out of the water and fussed all over him. He did it! My little Velcro boy survived 45 minutes without mommy and had a good time in the process! Whew!

We'll see how tomorrow goes, I'm hoping the crying part will be shorter than the playing part and Artem can relax fast enough to get some swim lessons accomplished.

We're Off, Again

Artem has redeemed himself and is no longer on the auction block for the paint incident at Hobby Lobby. A few people asked for pictures, and as much as I wish I had pictures, at the time of the great paint debacle, getting pictures was the last thing on my mind. Hiding behind the nearest silk plant display was really what I was thinking at the time. Note to self: even though paint bottle lids are shrink wrapped in plastic, they are NOT two year old proof.

It seems like Artem and I just got home to TX and we are on our way back out again. The two of us are headed to Kentucky to spend a week with my friend Tiffany and her boys Jack and Grant. This Saturday we have tickets to take the boys to "A Day Out With Thomas" but I don't dare tell Artem until we actually pull into the parking lot, unless I want to hear all about it from morning till night until we actually see Thomas. No, a surprise is much better!

For Sale

2 Year Old For Sale, Cheap

Cute smile, infectious laugh,

loves trains, riding his motorcycle,

and singing "Wheels On The Bus"

Buyer must be willing to go to

Hobby Lobby and clean up large puddles

of black craft paint boy spilt while

seller was not looking.

Comes with black paint stains on clothes,

some black paint under fingernails

and on mouth.

Serious inquiries only.

Artem's Favorite Song

Ever since Artem's language skills have started to take off in the past month, I've caught Artem singing all the songs I've been trying to teach him for the past year. His latest obsession is singing, "Happy Birthday" and he likes to sing it for each family member. I was finally able to capture it on video and this time he was dedicating it to our dog Bella, despite the fact that her birthday is in September.


Even though he's off key, I think you'll agree that he makes up for that in gusto. If you can't sing on key, just sing it louder.




My next quest is to get "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga on video. When I put him down for a nap, I can hear him singing, "my my my my poker dace". Not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed on that one.

Time To Catch Up

Artem and I are back at our home in Texas and enjoying getting back into the swing of things with playgroups, shopping, and good ol' fast food restaurants...Sonic onion rings!! I am so far behind on the blog that I'm going to take the easy way out and do a picture post of some of the things that have been going on during the past three weeks.

With the Corniche right across the street from our flat in Abu Dhabi we like to go as much as possible. About a month ago, a company started renting these bikes and we'd go over after dinner and take a family bike ride along the Persian Gulf. Artem LOVED riding on them and would constantly tell us, "Faster!"

Randy used to play rugby in college so we were excited to find a rugby tournament in Abu Dhabi. Artem brought his rugby ball along and had fun playing rugby with daddy.

Time out from rugby to play with bugs.

Artem wanted to take a break from rugby and play on the inflatable slide. How can you say no to this face?

On the flight home to Texas, Artem insisted on wearing the complimentary socks they give you. Artem did okay on the flight home. He slept 6 hours of the 16 hour flight. Mommy would have liked him to sleep a little more. Once we got to Atlanta, I was feeling really sick and didn't know if I was going to make it home. I went to the doctor the next day with a 101 degree fever, sore throat, achy joints...I was sure it was the swine flu. ;-) I ended up having an inner ear infection and strep throat. No fun on an international flight with a two year old.

Back in Texas we started back with our playgroup and met at a great BBQ joint. I missed brisket and sweet tea while in UAE so it was good to get my fix. The restaurant had a wonderful playground for the kids to play on while the mommies chatted away on the covered patio. Artem found this saddle to play on.

A cowboy's life can be a dirty one.

Artem and his buddy Max together again! The boys spent a few hours playing together at the local park.

Bubbles!

Perhaps he's a little close to get them to work?