Saturday, April 20, 2013

Overdue Update

I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. In some sense, I apologize. In another, I've been spending my time with my precious family as we work to help Polina adapt to life in a family. I won't lie - it hasn't been the easiest, smoothest transition. I debate over what I share here. It may not be for awhile until I share, and it may be in the form of a book rather than on my blog. I think it's important for people to know the not-so-glorious details of what institutionalized life does to children. At the same time, my daughter deserves some level of privacy and then there's the fact that we are still under the Russian government's radar.

All that being said, Polina Joy is thriving! She is going to a regular school and spends her days with peers who are not handicapped in any way. We run into classmates in public and she gets terribly excited. We had a princess party for her 6th birthday. She plays Miracle League baseball, goes to 2 hours each of physical and occupational therapy in addition to what she gets at school. She absolutely loves animals and I need to start a therapy dog fund for her. She has ridden horses a few times. She loves her older brother and is very protective of him. They fight like typical siblings. From the outside looking in, you would never know Polina isn't our biological child. So many people say she looks just like me. That makes me feel good because she is the most beautiful little girl!

Anyhow, I took a video today that inspired me to update you. Polina has been measured for a custom wheelchair, a stander and orthotic braces that will go from her hips to her feet. It is going to take a few months before all of these things are ready. However, Polina isn't waiting. Today, she told me, "Watch this."  She proceeded to push herself up with her arms until her feet were lat on the ground & she was "standing" bent over holing onto a bucket. I wish I could get the video to work for you to see.

Instead, here's a bunch of photos of life as a Russian orphan adopted into an American family. 


Getting sized for wheelchair/stander






























16 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing!
    Polina will definitely thrive, your love and family will help heal her.
    Bless you for fighting hard for her...

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  2. Welcome back!!! Glad you posted! Polina looks great! Her hair looks so thick and healthy. I guess that is the good nutrition :) Loved seeing all the pics!

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  3. Great pictures! Thanks for posting. Hope you will not abandon your blog. Being an immigrant myself, I know how hard it is to transition to a new language, new country, new people. It takes time, so I wish you and your family a lot of love and patience.

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  4. So wonderful to see! Thank you for sharing and giving us an insight into what is clearly a wonderful family! How is Polina's English coming along?

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  5. Thanks for the update God will continue to bless you and your family. I wish all those kids get a chance like your daughter did.

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  6. Just happy to see Polina is home with her family. We here in Russia had been following on your story in the challenging days when her fate was being decided, and it is such a relief that little girl is now with her Mommy and Daddy. I am not being happy because someone took a girl out form Russia, no way. I am just sure little girls must live with their Moms and if you guys are the only family she has - this is where she belongs.
    I am thrilled to see the little thing so smiley in the pics and I totally get there have been days yu wouldn't make photos of, less share them here. But this is how every family lives, isn't it? Yours is blessed with enourmours hearts of every member and I just want to thank you for letting us know you.
    Our hearts are with you, with love
    Olga, Moscow

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  7. She is so beautiful and... alive! Flourishing, yes!

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  8. I'm so happy to read it. Very warm pictures!

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  9. Awesome! It looks like Polina is very happy in her new home. It still amazes how this has all went. One day in a home for unwanted kids and than thru up and downs in the home of a family and to become a member of that family. Being an introvert myself I follow this to see another side of human personality.

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  10. Thanks for this report! Your kids are wonderful! )
    I guess for "russian radar" it's enough to show Polina contented and joyfull )

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  11. Thank you so much for this update, it is so great.
    Polina is doing just fine, and she looks very happy. You are the best mother!


    Kate, Bonn

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  12. Nice to see Polina happy. :-)

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  13. Nice to see Polina happy. :-)

    Greetings from Germany

    Jean + Family

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  14. Thank you for the update. You have a beautiful family!

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  15. I am so happy to see Polina in the dress from our auction :) She looks beautiful in it and I am glad that even though my Russian Princess is still stuck in Russia that Polina got to wear it and is home getting the help she needs and being loved by a family :)

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  16. You are like mother for a little mammoth in a popular Russian cartoon :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ieb8LwVao

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