Easter day was an eventful one for the Wood family.  Sasha was ectsatic to wake up to a basket of goodies in the morning.   We all had a great time spending the day with both of our families.  The highlight for Sasha was the easter egg hunt that grammy, and Scott put together.  Above, is some combined pics that Jeff(Scott's Brother)took for the occasion.

On another note, Sasha is planning to start Summer preschool May 17th.  She has shown us on numerous occasions that she is ready for this.  This week we had her involved with a tour of the preschool. Sasha had no qualms about making herself comfortable.  I also caught a glimpse of her helping another child getting the tools necessary to play together.  Sasha is very nurturing, and insightful of what is going on around her.  Her English speaking improves everyday, and she gets a little braver to learn more. Scott and I feel this is going to be a positive move for her, and help her English flourish in natural settings.

The adjustment process is still a bit of a roller-coaster, but progresses on a daily basis as we are all getting to know each other.  Sasha seems to be having a bout of night terrors, but it is sporadic.  She also is testing the boundaries like a normal four year old :) I have to keep on telling myself, "Time and Patience" also, "Be proactive, and not reactive."

I must go now..I have to wake Sash from her afternoon nap.

April Showers

Thanks to everyone who attended Sashas belated birthday and Shower. I have been so amazed as I have watched our little girl blossom in all of the changes she has been faced with. She is a very keen observer and has often suprised me by copying some of my daily routine. One of our activities is pachestie zoobie (brush teeth) we both stand at the sink and we tease eachother. She will tap me on my shoulder and show me how to brush her front teeth something I started the first time we brushed together. She loves to play in the in the water, bath, sink, or teeth anything with a faucet is better than any toy.
Glammy bought her a weeble wobble tree house she loves to play with and a tea kettle that sounds like a hockey game. She also has a number of spring and summer outfits including a swimsuit which I am sure she will make good use of. She also found a bag of gummy bears and made good use out of well over half the bag. Watching her light up on Sunday was very special even in the small time she has been has rekindled how much happiness the simpler things in life can bring you if you just let them.

It has been a humbling experience as a  new parent on all levels.  There is a new found respect for all mothers that I was blinded to before.  Being able to watch my child develop and flourish on a day to day basis is purely magical.  She brings so much life in to our family, and our hearts.  Sasha is adapting better than we thought. Everyday Sasha is eager to learn a little more, and we get to see her little soul gleam when she knows a new task has completed correctly.   In just 2 weeks, she is now smiling at people instead of looking at the ground, saying please independently, love's ABC games, pointing at objects for English definition, establishing a great bond with Papa, and keeping up a new routine.

We had our first, "Play date" with a good friend's daughter Dani, last Friday.  We didn't know what to expect, but Dani took Sasha as she was, and befriended her.  After 3 hours of play, Dani asked if Sasha could spend the night, but we settled on another play date instead.

I have to say one of the best things witnessed is watching Scott as a parent.   When he comes home from a long day at the office and walks through our front door, Sasha is absolutely thrilled to see him. She screams with excitement to welcome Papa home.   It tickles his heart as it does mine, and his child like nature shines and he is ready to take on the world for her.  He loves being a parent. I make sure to ask him daily to see if his response changes. Time to go wake her from her nap. Maybe there will be a trip to "Glammy's" house...

Home

After a long weekend of traveling we are all home and recovering from the jetlag. We met in the France airport and began our trip as a family from there. Sasha is a good traveler after the stress of security and boarding she settled into her seat with a smile. My mom sent me with some toys and drawing paper which kept us occupied. Every so often Sasha would look over and give me a bright smile. After a long flight we arrived in salt lake city at 3pm we had to wait in customs for about an hour while we worked through her citizenship status.

Sasha is adjusting well in her new home she loves her new room and is fascinated with the koshka (cat). She is still a little concerned around the dogs, but has started walking around the house calling for sussie. Bath times are her favorite she loves splashing in the tub and has already started using the big potty. Bed times are a little rough she will still cry, Sam will read her bedtime stories and comfort her.

We still struggle with the language barrier Sasha still has a limited english vocabulary. I have started to learn a little more of her language so we can communicate and teach eachother. Even with the challenges speaking its amazing how much we can say without words.

 .Happy St. Paddy's day! As I hope you are cherishing today with a tasty green beverage, Sashoi and I are celebrating  today's completion of all the remaining legalities with cookies.  Our paperwork came to an end as a Visa was inserted in her passport.  It still feels surreal that we are done here, and only have two more days until we return to the US.  I have made it a point to immerse Sasha into the busy life here so she could adapt to change a bit better. It seems to be working! Today, we walked all around the neighborhood we currently reside and  went to our first restaurant together.   I sat next to her to help her with her big girl fork, and introduced the dipping of bread into the soup. She put smiles on the restaurant workers, and exited with a lollipop in hand.  We are very lucky to have such a well-mannered child, and have the caregivers to thank for that. 

    Sasha is picking up english words quickly. I make up new little games to make learning less intimidating.. Tonight we were playing with a thin plastic bag, swaying it side to side so it would fill up with air then pushing it up to the ceiling. When it floated down, we repeated the motion this time we both counted to 3, and released it back into the air. Happiness filled the room, as she screamed and laughed with excitement. She understands now the phrase, "Be nice to..." when she gets a little too overzealous.  There is a spark of hope that she will not have such a hard time adjusting overall. 

    On another note, tomorrow I hope to successfully go grocery shopping with a few items to last, and not return with 6 cucumbers.. This is twice now that I have asked for "One"food item, and instead of giving me the desired amount the vendor gives me the amount of one kilo.  I have to smile because everyday is an adventure.

    Yesterday, I saw my little girl open her eyes to a new world, and be a part of it.  Once she stepped foot in our current apartment, She shed her little protective cover and gave life a possibility.  I was debating whether or not to write a note to her addressed as a post. Instead, I will share some of the sweet first intimate moments caught. Her favorite item of discovery: a hairbrush.  She LOVES to brush her hair, and put ornaments in it(That's my girl). She likes to watch herself while walking by mirrors. Her goal is to do everything mom tells her not too. Right now baths are her most absolute favorite thing to do, and looks forward to them at the end of the evening. I look forward to cherishing her newly discovered moments because it has progressed from when we met.  We are starting to understand each other's language.  Earlier today, I picked up that she is saying "HI"to me.

    We will be heading home a week from Sunday. YAY!!! I cannot wait to be home. Scott had to change our    flights, yet again.  We were notified that we cannot stay in Paris overnight because France requires a transit, or short term Visa for Alexandra.  We could apply for the visa, but it would delay our trip. We will be back in SLC on 3/20 around 4pm :) I miss my family, CrossFit family, friends, you name-it I miss it, and cannot wait to introduce Sasha to her new relatives..

Homestretch!

      Scott has booked our flights home. Our departure date is next Saturday.  Sasha and I will be flying into Paris, France and Scott will meet us there. We will spend one night there, and head back to the states the next day..  Tomorrow, the Court decree gets issued..  We (Translator and I)will venture to get Sasha's original birth-certificate located in her home town. We will return to the town we are staying in currently, and submit for a passport. Hopefully, Thursday Sasha and I will start her new journey together. 

    Having a kid was described to us from a friend, "Think of the Wizard of Oz, your life compared to the black and white ho-hum regular day.  Then you get kids, and Bam! life is in Technicolor!" He was right. Just in these few weeks my life has opened up to so much possibility that I never thought possible. I couldn't imagine my life without Sasha.  I am really lucky to have her and both Scott in my life.  

    Sasha and I have been sick this week with fun head colds.  We are on the homestretch of being well again. We have been pushing her baby in the stroller non-stop all week for about a few hours a day. Sasha's orphanage has a mobile play tractor that she likes to be pushed in.  We also have been doing a lot of that.  She likes to put her head back while I am pushing, and feel the breeze in her hair.  Her newest thing is her talking me into scaring her in the play castle, screaming like a little girl eyes wide-open, and us giggling non-stop.  Sasha is going to keep me on my toes as I find clever ways to keep her entertained.