And we have become.....

Americanized!  I think we can finally say that Carys and Chandler are true siblings in this American family.  Yesterday I caught them sitting on the couch fighting over my iphone!  Just the fighting part is a huge improvement which may seem weird to say but Carys would not fight over anything.  Being use to life in the orphanage, she accepted what was taken away from her without a sound or even a sad look.  Now she is definitely trying to defend her claim.  Although in this case...my iphone...Chandler is way to strong for her to take anything away from him.  One day last week, I heard one of my older boys say, "mom, get Carys, she is in my way."  That was the first time they have not been completely enamored with her.  But I have to say I love it. WHY?  Because it means that we are actually becoming a normal family again.  All brothers and sisters!

     The "babies" have now been in the USA for 1.5 months and they can even use the phone appropriately.   Chandler will put it
up to his ear and say "hello"  while I have found that Carys can start the music going from my itunes...I have no idea how she does that!

"hello"

fighting over the phone

Happy Halloween!

 It's been a fun past few days around the McKnight household with all the dressing up and costume changes!  I don't have a lot of news to talk about so I'm just going to post a lot of pictures.

Carys seemed to find the costumes hilarious...I love the way she covers her mouth when she laughs!

On the way to school this morning

The big boys and their costumes...Brayden wanted to be a power ranger or "ninja" as he called it and Grayson wanted to be cowboy.  Although being a cowboy is not anything new around our house!  Grayson wears his cowboy gear most days..as you will see in the pictures, he came home and put his chaps and vest on to go outside to demolish all the mushrooms in our yard!  Our little Hero!

getting into the swing of things

  


It feels so good to be getting into the swing of things and establishing a routine.  Both Carys and Chandler, who are affectionately referred to as "the babies" are doing better than I could have every hoped.  They still sleep great at night...from 7:00 to 7:00!  And my "big boys" have stepped up the the plate.  I have been so proud of Brayden and the way he  has taken on new responsibilities!  He LOVES to help...he feeds the babies and has even ventured into changing diapers (only wet ones!) all by himself.
    We took the babies back to the doctor last week...or should I say I took them while Chad watched the big boys.  I was not sure how that would work since both need to be carried in a place like that!  But I finally figured it out...I used my umbrella stroller for one and carried the other...It worked out PERFECTLY!  And the doctor was so impressed with how much they had gained. About two pounds each in that short period of time.  We gotta be doing something right :)

In the meantime our big boys had a field trip to he pumpkin patch that they both loved.  They picked pumpkins, rode horses, and fed animals.  What more can a little country boy ask for? HaHa!  

And we are BACK!

     Yes, we have been back a little while now but life has been really crazy!  (I know, you can't imagine!  Haha)



All the children are doing really well.  The two little ones are adjusting amazingly well and the two bigger ones are being a big help.  We did have a little scare on the plane...the 13 hour plane ride...so we took both little ones to the doctor the day after we landed.  The doctor seemed to think Chandler was just fine but was a little concerned about Carys's size ( I think I already mentioned she is tiny!)  Her height and weight were both below the 3rd percentile but I can't wait to take her back and see how much she has grown!  She loves pediasure so we give it to her ALL the time...that should pack some pounds on her!  They are both taking naps (sometimes long and sometimes short) but they always sleep well during the night, like 11-12 hours!  Very excited about that!

I just love the way he crosses his feet when he sits!

 


















 My goal is to get some family pictures or at least pictures with all the kids together.  As of now...still have not completed that goal!  Chad and I took the little ones out for a short time today but the big boys are gone to the state fair with grandparents so no pictures of them still.  I'll post a few that we have taken through the week.

Brayden and Grayson are such good big brothers...They LOVE to
 help Carys walk around!

It is VERY necessary to dump out ALL the toys when they play:)

It almost time!

If only travel could be this easy!

And we are off…well, tomorrow!!   I am thanking God that Chad made it here safely!  It is so nice to have him back with me although I know his going home was for the best!

We have had a fantastic time here experiencing Russia and seeing the culture but are ecstatic to be going back home to unite with our other children!

On a little bit of a side note, I want to thank both of our Families (Chad’s and mine)!!  They have been there for us throughout this whole adoption process and we could not have done it without them!  Thank you Mrs. Donna for clearing your life this month to come and live with our boys.  I know they can be a handful but they love ya’ll so much!  I know I left them in capable hands!!  And thank you Mom for flying more than half way across the world to begin this unknown adventure with me!  I definitely could not have survived here without your help!!  We both LOVE ya’ll so very much!

September 23, 2011

      Another day around the hotel but a good day.  We did the usual in the morning…wake up around 7:30, eat breakfast, go upstairs to the White Rabbit and skype, and then come back down to dress and get ready for the day.

      Carys is walking more and more every day.  She walked half way across the living room and even stood up on her own (in the middle of the room). She even ate several crackers today!  Huge improvements! 

      Chandler is playing more and more…not clinging to me.  He is even smiling more!  Tonight, he even enjoyed his bath for a short time.  He sat in the water and played!

      I can’t not express how much the children are growing and developing into themselves.  It just shows me how important it was that we listened to God about adopting these two children!!  I know He hand picked both Carys and Chandler for our family!

The Children LOVE to look at themselves in the mirror…just thought I would share these pictures!

A little downtime today

My sweet Baby Chandler

We had a great day today just hanging around the hotel with nothing to do.  The weather was really nice today so we spent some time outside.  We sat in the grass for a little while and enjoyed the sun!

      Both Carys and Chandler are doing so great.  I am so proud of them.  Carys is so full of life and personality!!  She is so determined and can do just about anything she sets her mind to. And Chandler is opening up more and more.  He LOVES the stacking cups I brought with us and one must be with him at ALL times…notice in the pictures!  It makes me wonder if he had some type of security item at the orphanage. 

      I love to watch them play together.  It just melts my heart!  I tried to take some pictures tonight as they were playing before bed.  It’s pretty hard to get a good picture of a 0ne year old and two year old together!!