Some updates.........

Kristina got her glasses and is loving wearing them.

No news from the doctor about blood work or x-ray results yet.

Kristina is loving school and is even starting to eat her lunch. She is learning new words every day and will try and say every word we ask her to. Keegan helps her with her new words everyday. He goes over them with her and makes sure her homework is done. He is a great big brother!

John still loves anything with wheels and is slowing saying some English words - but being a little stubborn about it. He understands English very well, just doesn't want to speak it. Keegan and John have become such good buddies that we rarely see one without the other.

Kristina was at the dentist last evening and had two cavities filled. The dentist said she did great - she didn't even want me to be in the room with her. Our little independent one!

This past weekend we had a family wedding in Bloomington, so the five of us packed up Saturday morning and off we went. The first thing we did when we got to the hotel was get into our swimming suits. We had bought the kids the ones with the life jackets built right in. Kristina loved it and by the end of the swimming session, she was going into the deep end of the pool and swimming back to us. Not perfect form but we will work on that. John on the other hand, would rather just splash around and stay close to the edge of the pool holding on to the sides. That's okay at least we didn't have any screams! There was a point when he let Kenny and Keegan toss him back and forth in the pool (as long as his head didn't get wet). Remember we believe this was their first experience in a pool.

We went to the wedding and the kids did an awesome job in church. At one point, after the congregation all said "Amen" there was this little voice (John) saying AMEN! I teared up immediately and thought of my mother who has been gone for nineteen years and how proud she would have been at that point. I knew she was looking down right then and smiling from ear to ear.

During the reception, the three kids stayed at the hotel and mom and dad had an evening out. When we got back all three kids were sleeping and the hotel room had no damage. I knew Keegan would do a great job!

Before we left to go home, we took the kids swimming again. This time Kristina was like a little fish. Swimming from one end of the pool to the other. Peer pressure is a great thing. The first time in the pool it was just the five of us, this time there were about 7 other kids in the water. Those kids were jumping off the sides and Kristina was not going to allow them to show her up. So there she goes, jumping off the sides and swimming with her head under water and everything. John stayed on the side of the pool and did lots of splashing, but the good thing was he was doing it on his own and there was no "fear" on his face.

We got home in time to celebrate and early Thanksgiving with part of my family. We celebrate Thanksgiving early because Kenny and I go down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a youth football tournament (the kids Kenny coaches). The food was amazing, the company was awesome. So all in all we had a blast. Kristina loves turkey and John loves the mashed potatoes.

As a little tradition, we have everyone say what they are thankful for before we get to eat. The kids (my grown nieces and nephews) balk sometimes but always come thru in the end and I think actually enjoy doing it. I won't go into what I said, but I couldn't get thru it without tears flowing down my cheeks. Well this year the Duda Family has so much to be thankful for! So until later........Happy Thanksgiving! and Go Providence Celtics! (Keegan's high school is playing in the Class 6A State Championship game)

By Request...

Well some readers have wondered when a long, "Novelesque" entry will again be posted. Well here I go. Keegan, My mother, My Step-Father and I met Gloria and the kids at the international terminal (5) at O'Hare on October 28th. The kids were a bit over whelmed and shy during the initial meeting at the airport. Gloria and I had expected this and had requested that we be allowed a small welcome at the airport. We do appreciate all the family and friends that wanted to join us at the airport for the welcome home but we felt is better that we keep it small. After a few shy hugs we loaded up Mom and Harry's car and headed home. After sleeping for 9 and a half hours on the flight the kids were wide eyed with wonder on the trip home. In Russia they don't have interstate highways and tollways like the 8-10 lane wide ones near O'Hare. John spent a lot of time in awe of all the vehicles on the road (anything with wheels). We got home and the kids about broke down the van doors to get out and see the house! Of course they noticed the two bicycles in the garage before even getting in the house and had to spend their first 10 minutes at home riding them on the sidewalk (with training wheels). We put the bikes away and went in the house. Kristina immediately went to the back door to look at the dogs (Keegan put them out while we rode bikes) She pointed at Bruister and said "Eta Bruister". She had really studied the pictures hard while in Russia! Well the next hour or so was a blur! going through the house checking out all the rooms, it was obvious though that they recognized the surroundings from the Video that Keegan had made. Of course after about an hour Keegan pipes up with "whats for dinner mom?" and then we loaded up the car and went to our local restaurant Mr. B's for dinner as the cupboards were bare! So the first night at home went well, we found out that John does not like real warm baths that night. On Thursday, Keegan got up and went to school and the kids slept till about 11:30 am adjusting to the new time zone. It really only appeared to take them a couple of days to adjust to the time change. I unfortunately woke up on Thursday very sick with an upper respiratory infection that I had been fighting off. We did however make it to Sam's Club for the kids first trip to an American store. Needless to say they were shocked by Sam's. We went to pick up some Yogurt, Jello, juice and some fruit for the kids. We left with a ton of things. Of course the kids took turns pointing to about everything in the store and wanted us to buy them all! The one thing we did buy was a half gallon jar of Dill Gerkin pickles...these sat in the fridge for about 4-5 days until snack time one night...Kristina was telling us she wanted something for a snack and we did not know what she was saying so Gloria opened the fridge and she went right for the pickles. After about 8-10 of them each we had to put them away. Needless to say we finished the jar during last nights snack and Kristina has mastered her 5th English word...PICKLES! We are still trying to determine what foods the kids like, but so far we know Kristina likes Yogurt and oranges and John likes Jello (with fruit) and meatloaf. Of course you can throw Pizza, Scrambled Eggs and McDonald French Fries in there at the top of the list. Peas and Corn seem to be the favorite veggies (won't touch Broccoli). They are not much for Cookies and don't appear to care for Ice Cream. Kristina has taking a liking to Potato chips and John love his MnM's. Both kids have seen the Pediatrician and have a clean bill of health so far, we are waiting on the results of the Titers to determine if any Inoculations need to be given. Kristina's Glasses are ordered and we can't wait for them to come in so we can pull her back from the TV. They both love Disney Channel, cartoons and movies. Kristina started school on Friday the 6th of November and loves it. She is in first grade and has a teacher that is really excited about having her in class and is a great communicator with us. She is giving Kristina extra attention on her English skills and says that she is doing great so far. Kristina brings home a word list each Monday of 10 to 12 words (flash cards with pictures) and we review them each night and she is quizzed on them on Friday. She is concentrating on school words right now so that Kristina knows what words related to her school day, ie..pencil, markers, glue stick, scissors...Next week she will begin with "non-school" words. John has gone to work with Mom a few days and goes to a sitter on other days and this is working out great, Kristina goes home from school to the same sitter after school and I pick them up around 4:45 each day. We have jumped right back into our busy lifestyles and the kids appear to be handling it very well. We of course spend each night working with them on their English and playing. Last night Kristina was on the Internet at her learning site that the teacher has recommended and she loved it. This Friday the team of people I work with are throwing an adoption shower for us and Gloria is going to take John to work and then join us at the office for the shower. Life if good right now! We love the kids and they are showing signs of affection back to us...."My Papa!" with big hugs! So far the bonding is going great for all 5 of us and we are one happy family. We can't wait for the holidays to see how the kids react to Santa and the decorations and all that go along with it....and boy do we have something to be thankful for next week!

Kenny

Kids Update

We did the bloodwork and chest x-ray on Friday night. We found a place that was open until 8PM. It went well. Chest x-ray - no problem. Bloodwork was a little different. Only a couple of tears but we felt awful for the kids - they had to take 9 vials of blood from each of them. The kids were troopers though. We have not gotten back the results yet.

Saturday we took the kids to their first football game. Keegan's high school team is still playing for the state championship so we went to the game as a family. John took a nap and Kristina tried to. All in all it was a great afternoon. In the evening we went to a Turkey Raffle at the Monee Fire Department with some of the nieces and nephews. Fun was had by all.

Kristina seems to really be enjoying school. We are still having a tough time with the lunches but when the school offers pizza, she is in heaven. We have found her favorite food!

So until later.........................

Our Kids

Our beautiful kids!

Keegan loves to be with them!

They love to be with him!

The best one of the bunch!
This is actually how they normally look together.
Smiles from ear to ear on all three of them.

Doctor Appointment

John had his first doctor appointment yesterday. Doc says he is in the 50 percentile for both height and weight. He said he looks great! Got a couple of scripts for some tests. Blood work to check 9 different things (Kristina got the same one) and for a chest x-ray (for his inactive TB). So Saturday morning we are off to lab for blood work and the hospital for a chest x-ray. Doc does not feel we will have any problems with the TB but he just wants to make sure. For anyone that does not know about TB tests, once the scratch test is positive, it will always be positive. So the only way to test for it in the future, is a chest x-ray. We will keep you posted on that. Next appointment is the dentist. So until later.................

New things!

Kristina started school on Friday! She loves it! Her teacher is very excited to have her in the class. The kids have welcomed her with open arms, so everything is going great! We just need to get her to eat her lunch. We think she is just a little overwhelmed by all the kids in the lunch room - there are at least 100 and she was used to maybe 30 in the dining room at the Children's Home at a time.


Social Security Cards - can't get them until we receive the "citizenship papers" on the kids.

MID Registration - getting ready to send off to our agency. This registers the kids with the Russian Consulate.

Appointments - John has a doctor appointment on Wednesday (First). We have to make an appointment for the dentist and another appointment for Kristina to get some cavities taken care of.

So everything at the Duda house is coming along wonderfully! Big brother loves it and loves the fact that the kids adore him!

So until later................

More Appointments......

Home at grandma's!

First bath at home! Our little butterfly!

First bath at home with our little dinosaur!

In Russia, our little animal lover!

Outside the little store near the Vlad Inn!

All appointments went well yesterday. The doctor said Kristina is a petite girl but her weight is good. He said she looked real good and that we did well. Blood work is scheduled for next week. The blood work will confirm that all is good and that all of the inoculation levels are where they need to be so she won't need any shots just yet. John's appointment is next week. After that we hung out at the house for a little while then off to the eye doctor. The eye doctor was a little challenging due to the language barrier but we got thru it okay. Her glasses were ordered and she appears to really like them so hopefully she will wear them all the time. She will still need to see an opthomologist but we can wait a little while for that appointment. Today Kristina goes to see the dentist. We are also going to go to the school and get her enrolled. Tomorrow is the social security office to obtain social security numbers. So many things to do, but this sure is a lot of fun!

So until later................................

Appointments, appointments, appointments

Today Kristina has to go to the doctor. The school will not register her until she has a physical. So today is the day. Then after that, she has an appointment with the eye doctor. Another Illinois State requirement for school. Tomorrow she sees the dentist. Another requirement for school. Kristina is really an easy going little girl so I do not for see any problems with any of the appointments, but I am prepared if there is. John will be going with us so I have to make sure I have stuff to keep him occupied. His appointments haven't started yet, but we have a little while because he will not be starting school until next year.

Yesterday was uneventful as far as it goes. We just went thru our normal routine and had a great day. I took the kids to my work yesterday again to get them acquainted. They had a blast playing with Kalie (the boss's granddaughter) and all is good. They seem to like it there - I have a cat there and they get to play with him. All my friends at work are great with them and they have all been on this journey with us from the beginning. They have all heard the rants, the tears, the fears and the rest. I am referring to the process, the wait, not the kids - they have been GREAT!

So until later................

Just another day as a Duda

Well things have been great around here with the exception of Kenny being sick. He finally went to the doctor on Monday and no swine flu just a respiratory thing. He actually is feeling better and went to work today - Tuesday.

So as far as pictures from the homecoming- nothing from the airport - I think there was too much excitement. As soon as I find the camera I will download pictures that have been taken.

Halloween was fun! The kids enjoyed it. Keegan took them trick or treating and they had a blast. John was a yellow transformer - but would not wear the mask. Kristina got to be Snow White (thanks to her Aunt Nancy that found it at another store). Sorry no pictures - both Kenny and I thought the other one took pictures.

The kids loved carving pumpkins and when I would say pumpkin in Russian they would say no "pumpkin".

On Sunday they explored the back yard with Keegan and a family friend, Kelly. They loved it. They jumped on the trampoline and played on the swing set. Again, great times had by all!

So until later........................