Sooo....

So what's been happening? Well we are in Ottawa now. With my in laws and still making some attempt at getting out on our own. Although the boys love it here and would never complain.

Kadin was enrolled in junior kindergarten when we arrived and did exceptionally well. He was actually involved in a musical play of the Three Little Pigs. His entire class had been practising since spring break but nonetheless they found a part for Kadin and he was proudly the straw seller. We have the entire thing on video of course. The best part was meeting his teacher at the end and the praises she sang of him. She explained how the other kids had been practising for months but Kadin had only a few weeks to catch up. The teacher said she was amazed how quickly he had learned the lyrics and how he knew everything to do.

This about Kadin does not surprise me though. The endless ways in which he shows his talents and intelligence, never ceases to amaze us.

Kadin actually got his first report card from this class and it was so heart warming and a little sad at the same time. Knowing that now he has entered this whole new world, with new people and so many experiences - it can be scary....for me of course.

Kadin is absolutely fearless. There is nothing he won't do or try and this is a trait we have tried very hard to instill. To know that he has the confidence, even at this young age, to take on anything that is thrown his way and not to give up or be put off is truly something we are very proud of.

After a few days at school there were some worrisome moments as well. All the other kids had been together for almost a year now and Kadin was coming in in the last two months. He came home with stories of kids running away from him or not wanting to sit with him or play with him.....and can I just tell you how this hurt? My heart would sink to the point that I thought I would actually throw up. But for him I acted curious and understanding and I especially listened to everything he had to say. Ultimately when we thought he may actually be having a problem making friends we asked the teacher if this was the case.

On that day Hasan took him to school and as Kadin got out of the van 3 or 4 kids yelled "Hey there's Kadin!" And they ran to greet him. And he was excited and ran off with them. Hasan still approached the teacher and asked if he was having trouble making friends and she actually seemed surprised we would ask such a thing. She said he was fine and making many friends! Thank god!

Kadin did have a few stories of a lad named Alex who seemed to be the class bully but ultimately Kadin took it all in stride and even when sharing the stories, he had a full grasp on how to handle all of it.

The most exciting part for him was the bus rides home. He was thrilled and felt so grown up coming home on the bus everyday.

We tried getting Kadin in soccer and of tae kwon do but unfortunately we came in too late and were unable to get him into anything for the summer but we are trying very hard to keep him busy during the hot summer days and as time flies, before we know it he will be back at school again.

Kadin is very excited about the new baby. He does however insist that it is a girl. When I ask him "Well what if its another boy?" He says "No thats ok. I already have a brother, I want a sister." When he hears anyone say boy or brother he promptly corrects them and explains we are having a girl this time. Ok well we shall see...

On that note I should say that we had an ultrasound and all is ok but the new policies would not allow them to tell me what I am having! GRRR...I may find out in a few weeks but we shall see.

Kadin has done a million and one amazing and wonderful things since our last post, but sadly due to inconsistent posting; to say the least, I am at a loss right now to recall all of them. But this is my promise to my kids. At least one post a week from this point forward.

Oh yes my other child Declan...where do I begin. This little devil dog is the ruler of the household. Declan has a temper like nobody's business and boy can HE ever express himself. He is a screamer...a biter...a pincher...a hitter and can he ever throw a tantrum! Declan really wants what he wants, when he wants it, and EXACTLY how he wants it. He leaves us running in circles and breathless just from trying to keep him in one room.

Declan has boundless energy and still remains one of the worse sleepers ever. Kadin is the energizer bunny and Declan never misses a beat when following his brother around. They wrestle and play fight constantly and to no one's surprise these battles often end with a submission cry from Kadin. Declan is unscrupulous and will resort to any tactic to win these battles, as he so often does.

Declan still loves to eat and will eat just about anything you put in front of him. Its so nice to have a child that loves food. And water! Oh yes he will drink about 10 sippy cups of water daily. Its stunning but also excellent!

His vocab level is changing everyday. He really has gone from just babbling to actual words in just weeks. He now repeats most anything you ask him to and he is really learning the sounds of words.

Declan still remains a gorgeous smiler and both him and Kadin can light up any dark room or moment with their laughter and their smiles. Oh yes Declan has a full mouth of teeth now and uses them every which way he can. heh

He has an insatiable appetite for books and has no problem reading the same 2 or 3 books for hours. He will return it to you over and over and over and demand it be read everytime.

Declan loves the water and with both a sprinkler and pool, Kadin and him can be found in either everyday. Even the bath he becomes very excited and repeats the word "bath" over and over until he is actually in it.

We certainly have had some rough spots with Declan. He actually had another fever induced seizure about 3 weeks ago. Its so hard to see and so hard to remain calm during. It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. And blame is a big part of it. Knowing I could have possibly stopped it with medication before he went to bed and I didnt. Alas I digress.

He came out of it fine and although he is still taking iron supplements hopefully he will soon be strong enough to fight the fever without having to be so heavily medicated.

OK so lets get to some recent pictures.

We made a trip to Aunt Donia's and Uncle Rocky's in mid May. Here we have Declan enjoying a ride on the mower.

And Kadin with his big cousin Andrew.

Declan not enjoying a marshmallow so much and sticking nanny with the mess.

Kadin and babu having their marshmallow roast.

And Kadin's 400th juice box that night.

The boys ejoyed their first birthday party with their cousins here in Ottawa. Hasan and Declan jammed into the car was the funniest thing I had ever seen. Oh and can you see the fear in Kadin's face as he goes down the slide?

Declan really enjoyed his lollipop.

Here we have some misc. pics from around dadi and aba-jan's house.

Maham phuppo came for a visit from New York and brought gifts.

Kadin took this picture of the boys together.

The Spaghetti Boys.

We went to a fair early in the summer and as we all know where the fair goes the rain follows, but we had a great time anyway.

This ride was Kadin's first big boy ride and well...I cried. Literally. I was so scared. Not for him..he was fine and excited and even after the ride terrified him (and I know it did from the look on his face when the lift dropped) he still loved it. But I stood there, in the rain, like a fool and cried.

We also enjoyed sometime in the pool and sprinkler. It took Declan about 10 minutes to get naked.

Thanks Heather for these cutie pics.

And we went to Petrie Island. A little beach oasis just here in Orleans.

Say CHEESE with a mouthful of timbit.

Kadin doesn't really like sand, especially in his eye.

I caught a lot of slack for these hair cuts...well I should say the boys did. Poor little guys being name called....but mommy had to do it.

Here we are at the Ottawa Farmer's Market. Declan had too much sun and not enough sleep and Kadin could not get enough of feeding the animals.

And here we have Baby Hai #3