The Baldwin's Journey

Two questions: Who's three??????? and Was Emily that bored???????

2009-08-02T21:45:00.003-05:00

No, Emily was just that exhausted. My sweet niece was an active participant in Alex's birthday party and just couldn't party any more.
My baby turned three today! It doesn't seem possible that Alex is so big, and growing into a little man. Alex is his own person, and he has such a big personality. Whatever he does, he does it with gusto (even if we don't want him to;). Nothing is out of bounds for him, Don caught him putting his foot into the sink tonight because it was dirty (mind you he climbed up the bathroom sink to get there). He is my daredevil.
Some days I just look at Alex and Zack and wonder what the future will bring. Adoption will give us a lifetime of surprises and I am thinking that Alex will be full of them.
Toodles!

Enjoying Summer Vacation

2009-07-23T22:09:00.003-05:00

The Baldwin boys have been busy this summer! Besides playing with friends and family, Zack is going to camp a few days a week and we have been busy vacationing in Maine and Cape Cod. Music seems to be Zack's favorite thing to do; he even sang karaoke at a restaurant in Maine (AC/DC of course). He and Kara dug up a lot of sand crabs and enjoyed going from the beach to the pool to the beach to the (you get the idea:) Alexander found his inner beach and LOVED playing in the sand. He even seemed to be surfing, though much of the time there was no water under him, only sand. I have spent most of the summer in physical therapy as I pinched discs in my back in late June. It has been slow going but I seem to on the mend. Gosh it stinks to get older.

Happy Family Day Alexander Peter

2009-05-30T16:39:00.003-05:00

Two years ago today Don, Zack, Papa, and I went to court and Alex legally became our son. It doesn't seems like he has been our son for that long, yet it seems like forever. Alex is such a character and a fun loving boy. He is talking, running, and learning so much every day (not to mention the injuries that come all to frequently). Every day is an adventure to Alex, and currently his favorites include balls, horses, fire trucks, and of course his big brother.
Though I miss the baby days when we gave Alex bottles and rocked with him, I can't wait to see how he grows and changes.

Spring is here!

2009-04-26T20:54:00.003-05:00

It seems like spring has finally come (though I did see the snow fly last week on my way to work). The boys are loving the nice weather and we have enjoyed spending time outdoors. Zack is playing baseball again and is FINALLY A YANKEE. He played a game on Friday and got a single, made a few good plays, and scored a run. He was happy with his performance and we had fun cheering him on. Alex yelled the whole game, it was so cute hearing him bellow "Go Zack" and "Go Yankees", looking for Zack on the field every chance he got.
Culture day for our adoption group was this past weekend and the kids had a ball. We did a lot of crafts from their birth countries and had a parade marching across the room with flag from their birth countries. We even had local Girl Scouts come and help out, which was great. It is so wonderful to see all of the kids interact and we all enjoy spending time together. The boys ran all over, and the event ended with the annual playground visit (while all of the moms picked up of course).

An Update That Is Far Overdue

2009-04-12T21:08:00.005-05:00

Enjoying A Night At Home

Time to Decorate The Eggs!

Zachary Making The Perfect Egg

The Boys At The Batting Cages

How I Love My Boys

Ok, I know that I have been reaaaalllllyyyy bad about keeping this updated in the last few months. I am trying to be the dutiful daughter/mother and fill these four posts with what our lives have been like since Christmas and our trip to Disney. We settled into the new year and life continued as usual. The boys have grown and changed so much over the past year. It is amazing how quickly it all goes.
Zachary is wonderful, maddening, and as funny as usual. He is doing so well in school this year, getting great grades and still loving Star Wars. Somehow he has Don and I, his grandparents, and Uncle Corey looking for the latest and most valuable action figure. I would just love the money that represents all of those figures; the money that we spend on those we love;) Baseball has started and all of the craziness that comes with it. Zach is excited, and though we again are not the Yankees, Don thinks that they have a good team this year.
Alexander is getting so big and his language has really taken off. He talks so much, and loves that he can get his wants ands needs across to us. Alex asks to play with friends and family daily, also wanting firehouse visits as it seems that he has gotten "the bug". We have gone to the firehouse to play nerf guns and Alex is hiding around corners and making Marines proud everywhere. Sports balls are a favorite of Alex's and he constantly wants to be outside to play basketball and baseball; he is so cute trying to imitate his brother.
Easter has just come and the boys had a great day. Alex "got it" and followed Zach like a puppuy, looking for eggs. "No ho ho, bunny, mommy," was what I heard this morning. ALex LOVED the candy and pretty much went on a healthy food strike for the day. We went to my sister's for brunch and then to Don's grandmother's, and the boys had a ball playing with all of their cousins. I hope you enjoyed the update!

Let's Hope Spring 2009

2009-04-12T21:05:00.003-05:00

A Night At The Batting Cages

Getting Ready For The Season

Come On, These Boys Are Adorable!

Two Future Firefighters

He Is Such A Little Devil;)

Winter 2009

2009-04-12T21:02:00.002-05:00

Is Nap Time Really Over? Hi Holly!

The Very Best of Brothers

Movie Night With the Films

Sweet Kara

The Kids Enjoying Movie Night

Winter 2009

2009-04-12T20:56:00.002-05:00

Relaxing at Home

Happy Birthday Papa!

Em and Alex; The Best Of Friends!

December and Disney 1 of 3

2009-01-13T20:40:00.002-05:00

How times flies! December came and went with a lot of activity and holiday cheer. Zachary sang in his holiday school concert and did a wonderful job. He even had a drum solo in one of the songs and beamed from ear to ear when it was over; Zachary made us keep it a secret so that all of his grandparents could be surprised.
We had our usual holiday craziness, hopping from house to house and trying to get it all done before Santa came. The boys had a wonderful Christmas and Alex really got the present thing this year. They both tore into their gifts and were very excited to see that their last gift from us was a trip to Disney (well Zach understood that, maybe not Alex yet). We left the day after Christmas and had a wonderful time. They both had their favorite parks but we all think that New Year's Eve was the best. All in all it was a great trip (as long as you take out the drive home;). Now we begin 2009 with the hope that the year brings us all good health, fun times, and much love. Happy New Year!

December and Disney 2 of 3

2009-01-13T20:31:00.001-05:00

December and Disney 3 of 3

2009-01-13T20:24:00.000-05:00

Fa la la la la........

2008-12-07T22:33:00.004-05:00

The fall got away from us and we are now gearing up for winter. The last couple of months have been busy and packed full of fun, craziness, and stress. Zachary and I went with my parents, Kristen, Kara, and my uncle's family to New York City for a day in November to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary (You go Barb and Ken!!!!!!!). We had a ball and everyone loved the Radio City Christmas show. Everyone came home exhausted but happy (especially the kids since we went to Toys-R-Us). Zachary and Alex continue to grow as brothers and their play constantly leaves us in stitches. Zachary loves to play military and he now has Alex doing it as well. Big bro taught little bro how to army crawl and take cover before shooting the enemy. I don't quite know how I feel about that, but they are wonderful to watch together.
Alex is old enough to understand that the holiday season is something "different" and he walks around the house saying,"ho ho ho", and,"la la la la la", which make us all join in. Alex's language continues to grow and change as he strings words together, and you can see how proud he is as he talks and is understood by others.
Zachary had his first report card and did wonderful. His teacher is very pleased with his progress, though he is chatty (just like me unfortunately). He is looking forward to Christmas, making lists, pleading for gifts, and decorating our tree while singing his favorite tunes.
We have determined that Alex is our dare devil. In September he got stitches, and in November he went to the ER after hitting his head on a wooden Thomas house. He definitely keeps us on our toes and we are thankful that Zachary is not quite as adventurous (though he did seem a little put out that Alex got stitches before he did).
As we move through December, we wish all of you a safe and happy holiday.

2008-12-07T21:54:00.003-05:00

More Fall Pics

2008-10-22T20:43:00.000-05:00

Fall

2008-09-29T21:12:00.005-05:00

Fall is in full swing and the Baldwins are a family on the go! Zach has had his first field trip and our annual apple picking was a great success. There is nothing like watching your sons spend time together looking for the holy grail of apples. We had a ball at the apple orchard with the boys shooting apple guns, riding go carts, playing on farm equipment, and picking out the best pumpkin on the vine.

Alex has been up to his old tricks this fall. He fell on a matchbox and we took a quick trip to the hospital so he could get five stitches near his eye. He was such a trooper though we were a little traumatized from the drugging and stitching. I am sure that this is only the beginning so I'm glad that we had an easy first child so we could ease into parenthood. Alex would really have been a shock to our symptoms if he was the oldest:)

Our family enjoyed the Eastern European and Russian Culture Festival that our adoption group holds every year. We all played with friends, heard Russian stories, made cultural crafts (really, doesn't everyone want to make a dombra;) and spent time with family. It was a great day and was so nice to see so many children that share birth countries and common cultures.

Toodles and have a wonderful weekend!

September Days

2008-09-10T18:49:00.004-05:00

Here are the pics of Zach's first day of school. We always take a picture under the same tree and so far he has not turned "too cool" to do it:) He was wearing his new Giants jersey which has caused his father much pain and anguish. Alex was too adorable when I took these pics. He and I took a walk around the neighborhood and he was happy as a clam to walk like a big boy. Well the second picture shows how he looked before bedtime because we actually walked a 1/2 mile! It's amazing to see how much he has grown.

Summer Pics

2008-09-06T20:58:00.002-05:00

At the big game with Dad

Peek a boo!

Surfin' USA

Giving Alex a ride

The Last Days of Summer

2008-09-06T15:39:00.007-05:00

Going for a ride at The Great Escape

In Baltimore. How do we always find a firehouse wherever we go?

Our Boys

The Baldwins at Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Spending time with Mom

Alex enjoyed his first trip to Great Escape. Everyone had a great time, especially since Zach was finally at the right height for all of the roller coasters. He was an awesome brother though, and rode the little kid rides with Alex as well.

We spent our last week of vacation going to Baltimore, Maryland and had a wonderful time. Unfortunately Alex got his first black eye falling on a toy two days before we left so he had a big shiner for the trip. Zachary and Alex had a great time going to the science and children's museum; I think we spent five hours at one museum as it was so much fun. The aquarium was great but they have a no stroller rule so we spent our time running after Alex and were exhausted at the end of the day. Don and Zachary went to their Yankee vs Oriole game and were actually able to see another one the next night as well. It was amazing, after the Yankees left town it was like they took half of the city's population with them. We found a great Russian store and Don was very patient as I bought a bunch of items for the boys. Of course we seem to find fire houses wherever we go and Zach somehow convinced the Baltimore firefighters to let him put their gear on and sit in their truck. My little man:) Alex was in a continual state of excitement due to seeing so many boats. For Zach it was trucks, for Alex, boats all the way.

Soon is was time for Zach and I to get ready for school. He got through the first few days and described it as,"awesome." He seems to like his teacher and has some buddies in his class.

Alex returned to daycare and settled in after having the summer off without missing a beat. He has enjoyed playing with his friends and cousin Emily, and we are getting wonderful reports. Zach's first day of school pics will be posted soon. Toodles!

Mystic (and yes, Don is wearing a corset;)

2008-08-07T13:55:00.001-05:00

Mystic Photos Cont.

2008-08-07T13:51:00.001-05:00

The Very Best of Brothers

2008-08-07T13:49:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Alex!

2008-08-07T13:48:00.002-05:00

The Very Wet Birthday Boy

2008-08-07T13:47:00.002-05:00

The Birthday Boy Sleeps

2008-08-07T13:41:00.001-05:00

Vacation and Alex turning 2!

2008-08-06T12:06:00.003-05:00

Boy am I behind! We went to Mystic, CT with my parents, Kristen, and her family a couple of weeks ago. The kids had a wonderful time, with the ocean being the highlight. Zach boogie boarded, Alex enjoyed the waves, and girls loved paying in the sand and finding shells. We went to the Seaport and besides looking for jellyfish all day, Zachary was in a play and hammed it for all to see. The aquarium was great; the kids touched sting rays and millipedes, fed birds from their hands, and Alex kept saying,"ish" every time we saw something in water, which was all day. Of course the kids sucked us into all kinds of shopping, which made the all of our pockets a little lighter (Nana and Papa's especially). Alex also found his inner two year old (a week early mind you) and began having tantrums which made for very happy parents;) Overall we had a wonderful time and were very sad to go home.
The day after we got home Alex officially entered the terrible twos. He is such a big boy now, and my baby is not so much a baby anymore. It has been such a joy to see him grow and change over the last year. The bottles are gone, Alex feeds himself (for the most part), and potty training is imminent. Let me tell you, I cling to the bedtime routine with all of our cuddling. I will not let go that easily!
Pics to come!