Wow, 2006 ~ An Amazing Year!

(click for more photos)

Hot off the press: Izaak's Storybook

2006 has been an amazing year for us. It was just a year ago that we announced our plans for adoption. Just a year ago that we started painting Izaak's room and making plans for a baby. Everything before this year seems so fuzzy. What was life without Izaak? I barely remember.

We've been home for 6 months now and Izaak turned 17 months this week. Izaak has had a lot of firsts in these last six months - his first birthday, first steps, first costume at Halloween, first Thanksgiving dinner, first presents at Christmas. He's hugged his first dog, rode his first wagon, saw the moon and stars for the first time. He's picked up his first leaf, climbed his first steps and slid down his first slide.

There's also been a lot of first for us too - morning smiles and hugs, being called mama and dada, kissing boo-boos, drying tears, laughing uncontrollably with our son, worried out of our minds, loving another so completely and unconditionally.

I can honestly say that these past six months have been like no other. I can't imagine our lives without Izaak. He has brought us so much joy and happiness. I know that he's done the same for many of our family and friends. I truly never knew how much a child would change everything in such an amazing way. Sure, there are those days that we wish we could sleep in or that Izaak is driving us crazy or that we are ready to strangle each other, but most days are wonderful and those are the days that we cherish.

So, this post and the pictures with it are a look back at the past year. Izaak has grown so much, physically, emotionally and developmentally. When we met him he had a wonderful smile, but he was also very distant. He rarely made eye contact. He didn't want us to hold his hands. He was extremely independent and still is, but has come to trust us and comes to us for comfort. I remember he wouldn't let me cuddle him to sleep. In fact, he wouldn't face me at all at bedtime, I had to hold him in my lap with his back to my chest. He was very quiet with very little babbling.

Izaak has changed so much. He loves when I hold and tickle his hands. He prefers to face me forward when I rock him to sleep. He intentionally makes eye-contact and gives us this amazing little giggle. He reaches for us and chases us because he wants to be in our arms. He brings us books and sits in our laps. He'll even eat cheerios out of my mouth while I steal a small kiss. And the kid won't stop talking! We usually don't know what he's saying, but he sometimes has full conversations with our dog, Abby, who acts like she understands him.

We've also changed a lot since bringing Izaak home. The biggest for me was quitting my job to be a full-time mom. I love being home with Izaak. Meetings and deadlines have been replaced by Izaak's classes and playdates. And I don't have to make that dreadful decision of going to work when he's sick. I've become closer to my family and have really started cherishing the things that matter in life. Although Izaak keeps me busy, as any one year old would, life has slowed down a bit and I love it. I don't live by a calendar and clock anymore. I live by making my family happy. I'm so blessed to have such a terrific kid and an amazing husband who is also a wonderful father. We are such a great team when it comes to Izaak.

I have an amazingly talented Aunt Ruth who has been using Izaak's pictures for lots of scrapbooking projects. I don't blame her, we have one of the most adorable kids ever! She's made me and Lisa some really great little scrapbooks since Izaak came home. I decided to include some of her pages as a way to look back.

We aren't quite as crafty as Aunt Ruth, but we have created our own little memory book for Izaak. There are lots of children's adoption books that gently explain adoption. We decided to create our own personalized book just for Izaak so he can see pictures and hear the story of Kazakhstan, the Baby House and his journey home. The book we have made is paperback, but we are going to create a kid-friendly version for Izaak to play with. He loves flipping pages in books and I hope this becomes a favorite. Click to view our book: Izaak's Storybook.

So, I hope 2007 treats as us well as 2006 did. Who knows, maybe we'll start our journey for Izaak's little brother or sister? You'll have to stay tuned... ~ A