Milestone

 Tomorrow, Sashi will start fall pre-school.   This is a new school, and she is a wee bit nervous. Every time I try to get her excited about it she tells me to be quiet, but little does she know that Mama gets to co-op in her class.  While in the "Notary Phase" back in Ukraine, my friend Julie emailed me to promptly submit an application in hopes that Sasha could get chosen.  This is a lottery-charter school(PreK-8) that values both community, and parent involvement. After a few months, we were told that Sasha was one of the lucky ones selected. Scott and I are incredibly excited to be a part of this(Thanks Julie!). I am sure Sasha will be after the first week :)

We just recently put Sasha into swimming lessons as we are thoroughly convinced that she was indeed a fish, in her past life.  Today was day two, and she is LOVING it! The lesson is 30 min. I usually let her swim 30min before and after. Somehow, I am regretting the extra time swimming because she is incredibly exhausted, and its like pulling teeth to get her to go to bed.  She went to bed at 7:45pm tonight cranky  to the last minute.

Tomorrow, is my 35th Birthday.   Mixed feelings linger in my soul trying to accept that I have to be an adult now.  We will see :)

 Sasha's sun 8/10/11

 Riding Bikes with Corbin..very cute!

 Sasha Chick

 She tried hard, and couldn't hold the pose, but so cute.

Excited about her Art

I am trying to be better about posting because so much goes on that I would love to share. I am also in the other room hoping she is taking her nap. She is so funny! everyday we see just a little more of her Ukrainian attitude come out especially when she refuses to get out of something when asked. Its like Sasha has to put in the first word because she didn't think of it to begin with. She will usually follow with a HMM! It is followed by a little game to see if we will buy into her tantrum,  and we don't. Then after, independently as a spitfire, she will complete the task correctly her way. The joys of having one child :)

Good Times

Working girl with class!

 Working our way up to the Alpine slide

Sasha @ Liberty park with her new bike 

 Taken @ Jeff's bday dinner

 Provo Mountain

 Dinner with Aunt Lacie(Sam's lil' sis)and cousin Hailey

 Ice Cream high

 Weekend fun with Uncle Jame's niece and nephews

LION!! 

 Dinner @ Baja Cantina PC

Soakin' in the sun after running wild through the water

Being tickled by her friend Ander

The Summer may be moving too quickly, but we are making sure it's action packed for Sasha.  She has been busy with pre-school and planned events such as swimming with Glammy, bike rides galore,  many trips to the Hogle Zoo, play dates with good friends and family, Barbecues, and  so much more!   Her last day of Summer pre-school was last Wednesday. Sasha is now speaking 4 word sentences, and understanding English a whole lot more. I want to some how teach her to continue to be bilingual in both Ukrainian, and the English language. We just checked out a basic Ukrainian language set of CD's and Richard Scarry Ukrainian/French/English dictionary.  Sasha and I were looking over the dictionary one night and going over the kitchen items in English. She pointed to the objects and said, "Papa's plate, Mama's plate, Sasha's coffee cup". She then blurted with a smile, "I LOVE COFFEE." Definitely a moment that will always be cherished. It is amazing to see her progress from what she knew when she first came to America.  

She has claimed us as parents, and new family as her own. It is great to see Sasha active in the family, and to give so much of herself. She is still adapting great to her new life, and we still feel very lucky to have her as our daughter.  Sasha brings so much light and love into every new person's heart that she meets.

Sashie

Sasha @ Utah Arts Fest 2011

Sasha with Papa's shades

Disco Sash

Mama and Sasha @ Silver Lake

Sasha @ Silver Lake

Sasha next to her Sun she drew.

Sasha is opening herself up to us, and it has been very lively these past weeks.  She continues to be progressing in the English language, expressing needs, and understands mostly what she communicates. Last week,  Scott and I had a "Parent Chat" with her Pre-school teacher. We were excited to be told that our child is right on track with any other four year old, and excels in drawing.  It is still pretty hectic as a new parent to understand what is normal behavior for her age, and how we can help redirect a random meltdown in a positive way-still working on that one.
Sasha is enjoying the summer with new activities that has been offered to her.   Sasha likes bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hours playing in the park, the Lehi Swimming pool(Still testing the waters, but with the establishment's complimentary life vest and  safely in someone's hands she feels willing to try it out), walks with her baby-in-stroller and Dogs, riding other people's tricycles, and spending a lot of  one on one time playing board games, learning games, reading, and art.
Yesterday,  I took the day off from the Salon and took Sasha up to Silver Lake @ Brighton Ski Resort. This was my first attempt to introduce trail hiking to her. It is pretty safe for a kid, but like other lakes and Rivers in Utah, the water is overflowing. There has been a few deaths because of the rapid, raising-rivers(Currently trying to avoid all situations that has to do with rapid rivers. She is curious, but Scott and I have been teaching her that the rivers are dangerous right now). Anyhoo, lets get back to Silver Lake. Sasha enjoyed every lit bit about this. There is a board walk that encircles a lake, and some preserved land for wild-life.  We stopped and looked into the water to look for fishies, climbed over some un-melted snow, and walked through muddles. The best part of this is that I think Sasha is learning how to problem solve, and know that we can work together to move mountains.
As a parent I am learning that first thing is first with Sasha is how she works.  Sasha is very curious, stubborn, needs challenges(Does not like to be left alone for long periods of time), and enjoys very much one on one time together. Even if we are not doing something together, she likes to stay next to Scott and I and engage in her current activity. Thinking we might have conquered a situation or two, the rug gets pulled underneath us quite a bit.  As you can tell we have learned a little :) It has almost been 4 mths, and a wonderful transition into our new life as a family.

Thought Reflection

Papa and Sasha @ Hogle Zoo

Sasha's hair static :) "I am Electric " :)

Watch out World for this new Diva

Sasha having fun on Aunt Johnnie's Horse

Sasha loves to draw! This is a portrait of herself

     I go through these cycles where there is a lot to talk about, and certainly there is always.  Sometimes I cannot write because of the novelty of being a new mom.   I feel it is important to keep going forward with blogging events as they arrive.  Today I would like to share what mommy hood has contributed to my "New"life.

     Before the adoption I didn't realize how much my life would change i.e. having a 4 year old entering your life with no preparedness( Now I didn't really expect our Love and Logic class, and books set us for life).  I am almost 35 years old, and we never expected to have any children-so hey why worry? I went from working 58+ hours with 2 jobs and independent financial freedom, to working only weekends as a Hairstylist with instantly being dependent on my husband.  I am now a full time mommy. That was a HUGE change.  I gave up crossfit(Temporarily, and yes I will be back), morning  single shot latte's, freedom to travel, nights out with our friends..well I guess less nights out now..my appearance..you name it, it has changed.  This hasn't impacted me negatively though. In the last 3 months, I have gained so much.  First, Scott and I have grown closer as a couple experiencing many unique adventures. The trip to Ukraine was big for us, and I think both of us would consider doing it again in a heart beat. Realize that there are lots of children there that need loving families, and let me tell you-they have BIG hearts-just sayin' :) Secondly,  Here we have this beautiful little girl before us. I have to ask myself on a daily basis, "What are we going to learn today".  Someone told me recently that a Zen master told her that children are our best teachers.  Mine is enlightening me one new virture every moment of the day.  I cannot be to hard on myself knowing that parenthood hasn't even granted me three months yet. Alexandra "Sasha" brings light into any life she is introduced to.  

     Ultimately, we favor each day that is spent with Sasha.  Maybe even the tantrums, the testing, the occasional despotic-"What do you expect from the only child?" my husband claims. Does that make him an enabler? :) The good outweighs the bad, and something that I have to tell myself while taking a time-out is time and patience.

I am horrible at updating our blog. So much has happened! Sasha started Summer preschool May 17th, and looks forward to going.  In just the few weeks she has gone Scott and I have noticed a huge improvement in her English skills.   Some of her recent phrases have been, "OH my GOSH!"(Imagine that being said like she has seen some miracle happen, and every time), and, "Sasha got it".   She is so independent, and stubborn that sometimes I have to step back, and watch her do her thing without prompting anything.  She has been accepting more American food in her diet. One of the cutest phrases ever is said when she really likes a food that has been introduced to her, "OOO(ew) DAT GOOD!!!" The teachers at preschool have been good communicating what foods she has ate at school, and has liked a lot that has been offered to her, other than the regular stand-bys of Mac & Cheese.

Scott and I recently went to a U2 concert last week. "Glammy"(Scott's Mom)tended Sasha while we went.  Glammy introduced Sasha to sidewalk chalk. Sasha and Glammy drew pics of our family, some cats, and traced bodies and feet. Glammy told me the next day that when Sasha and her were drawing the family that Sasha felt it was important that each family member hold hands.  Awe! on a daily basis Sasha melts our hearts with so much love she has to give. She is really our angel. It is hard to believe that it has only been a little over 2 months that Sasha has been with us. It makes me tear up all the time how far she has came, and what to expect in the future. Every day she brings more into our life, and into our family.

 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.