Quick update

We have been home almost 4 months and things could not be better. We have been spending alot of time with family and friends and it has been great. It seemed like forever waiting to meet our little cutie and now that he is home, time is going so fast.

We just came back from a trip to Cape May with family. Keith and I have been going for years and couldn't wait to bring Liam. We had a great time and Liam especially loved the pool. He also loved being with his cousins. We can't wait to go back again soon.

We have also experienced some other "firsts" in Liam's life. He recently got a haircut. Holy smokes. When I tell you there was alot of crying, I am being nice. He absolutely hated it. Hopefully, the next time we go it won't be so horrible for him. He also just stood up in his crib for the first time. Pretty exciting. I think he was very proud of himself. I know we were. Another exciting first was meeting Grace, Liam's new little friend from Kazakhstan. It was soo cute watching them crawl around and play next to each other.

We love watching Liam learn and discover new things everyday.

Liam's first haircut.

Standing for the first time in his crib. Yay!!

Liam, his cousins and Dad eating out in Cape May. His first Cape May trip.

Liam standing in his crib in Cape May.

Taking a cruise in the pool.

At breakfast with Tony, his cousin.

Liam watching his favorite guy. Moose A. Moose.

Getting into trouble.

Liam at his first baseball game. Sitting on his cousin, CeCe's lap.

Cleaning the carpet???

Love his new shoe.

Football anyone????

Likes to crawl over things, not around them.

First time Liam and Grace meet. They are sitting on Theresa's lap( Grace's Mom)

Grace and Liam playing together.

Eating a cookie and loving it.

Our trip to Florida

This past weekend we went to Florida for my oldest nephew, Ryan's High school graduation. It seems like yesterday we were all watching Barney. Time sure flies. We had so much fun. Liam got to meet sooo many people. He finally got to meet all his cousins down south. It was mass mayhem but it was great. He loves being in the mix of things.

The plane ride down was good. Liam was fine and there were other children around to keep him occupied. The plane ride home, a little rough. He missed his afternoon nap and then we landed at bed time. So.. he was pretty much done. Unfortunately, Jetblue only has one flight in and out daily. Not too much we can do unless we go to an airport in NY. It is soo funny, the flight to FLA seemed pretty fast compared to the flights to/from KAZ. I use to think flying to FLA and Cali were long. Silly me.

We had lots of fun at the graduation party and got to see a lot of people we have not seen in a while. All the kids were in the pool. Liam went in the pool the next day and loved it. We were not sure how he would act, since the tub is not his favorite, but he loved it. So now we will be heading to the pool with our shampoo and soap for Liams tub time. Think anyone will mind?

Another first for Liam; he met his first dog up close and personal. My sister Colleen brought her 70 pound lap dog, Suki. She is the sweetest dog and Liam really liked her. By the end of the trip, he was actually petting her. Suki was very patient with Liam. He crashed into her once in his walker and kicked her in the head a couple of times because he was so excited.

This weekend Liam crawled over to me, got on his knees, and pulled himself up on to me standing. That is the first time he has pulled himself up and Grandma was there to see it. Very exciting.

It was so nice to see our family and friends down south, we only wished it was a longer trip.

Ryan leaving with Grandma to his graduation.

Ryan with Grandpa after graduation.

Uncle Brian and Liam

Grandma and Liam taking a stroll



Liam with Julia and Megan

Frankie, Ashley and Joey with Liam

The Krafts.... Aunt Cookie, Megan, David,Kathy,Uncle Dave, little Dave, Frankie, Kerry with Liam, Colleen and Ashley

My sisters and cousins. Kerry, Colleen, Kathy and Patricia

The mysterious chicken nugget. Nobody seems to know how it got in Liam's hands.

Liam with his cousin Billy and Julia

Everyone trying to fit in the TV room. Liam is actually on the floor.

Eating "puffs". Sometimes they even get in.


My sister Colleen and Andy's little girl, Suki.

Getting ready to go in the pool.

Loved the pool.

Ryan and Liam. The oldest and youngest grandchildren.

Liam's Fla cousins. Sarah, Billy, Shannon and Ryan

Aunt Patricia, Aunt Colleen, Uncle Brian, Sarah & Shannon with Liam.

Another month flies by

Well, another month has gone by and again it went quickly. Today, we went to the Doctor's for Liam's ten month visit. He is doing great. He has gained another 3 pounds since his last visit; so that makes it 6 1/2 pounds since we are home. He also grew 2 inches. We finally made it to the 50th percentile in weight. Pretty good. You can tell by his cheeks. They are getting bigger.

For Easter, we went to Long Island and Liam got to meet more of his cousins. There was so much activity. He didn't really sleep much that day because he can't miss anything. If he knows something is going on, he is going to be in on it. He loves spending time with the children. They make him laugh and keep him busy. We had a really nice day.

The weekend after Easter, Liam met his Uncle Tim, Aunt Julie and the Duffy cousins from Ohio. He loved being in the middle of action with them. Having 4 boys in the house under 5 was fun. They were every where and Liam had to be where they were. He just forgets he can't walk or sit on his own; kinda holds him back. But he gets where he needs to with his walker. We miss them since they moved to Ohio. Hopefully, we will take a trip this summer/fall to visit.

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The weather has been so unpredictable the last 4 weeks. One day it is freezing, the next day we are at the park because it is so nice. Liam loved his first visit to the park. He really liked going on the swings. We went with our friends visiting us from Va., Liz and Daniel. We had a great time. Daniel was the greatest little helper. He helped me with everything, including changing diapers. We sure miss them and wish they lived closer.

We have been practicing sitting with Liam. Liam sits when we place him somewhere, but he can't do it himself. He is definitely stronger and sitting in one place longer, but just not able to push himself into the sitting position without help. We also have been introducing some solid foods to Liam. So far, peas, carrots, banannas and puffs. We tried a couple of weeks ago and he gagged. Today, he ate the peas and carrots with no problem. He also had some puffs. Pretty exciting.

We went into the city a couple of weeks ago and walked through Central Park when everything was blooming. It was so pretty. Liam likes looking at the trees. We ate at an outside cafe and there was a steady flow of people walking by. While Keith was in the bathroom, some man walking by starts singing to Liam. Liam was laughing up a storm. I have no idea what the man was singing, as it was in a different language. Keith comes back from the bathroom to see this man singing to us and is wondering what is going on. Only in NYC.

Loves his high chair

Easter with his Long Island cousins and Grandma Nancy. Tony, Julie Christine, CeCe, Chrissy and Katie.

Opening presents with the Duffy boys. Breandan, Patrick and Conor. Patrick turned the big 4.

With Daniel and Aunt Liz. Daniel was the best little helper. Liam loved him.

At the park, loving the swings.

During our walk through Central Park. It was so nice. Go Mets!

Liam received this monkey as a present and absolutely loves it. He goes nuts for it.

Here is Liam after waking up from a nap. We think he sleeps on his head.

Home for one month

Well, it has been a month since we landed in Newark airport with the newest member of our family. This has been one of the fastest months on record. It has been non stop action since we landed and Liam is just doing great. It is so unbelievable how he just fits right in with everyone. He adjusted very fast to a schedule and there has been no looking back.

Liam has said his first word. It is Goya. Not sure if he wants beans or what, but he says it all the time. He has also mastered da da. I don't think he knows who da da is, but he says it. He also seems to understand when I ask him if he wants to eat. He looks right at the high chair. I think he is a genius.

He is walking all over the place in his walker and crawling everywhere. He is always going somewhere. He loves his playpen. He likes being in there playing with his toys. When he is done playing he lets me know, and anyone else that can hear him.

He loves his crib. I think what has helped him sleep better than in Uralsk is the bumpers. He can't see out. He was always looking around in the crib in our Uralsk apartment. Now, when we come in and sit in the rocker, we just see little eyes peeking out, then he pushes the bumpers down to check out what is going on. He is really very funny. He also likes to sleep at the end of the crib horizontally and sometimes with his feet up.

We have had many visitors in our month home and he is great with them all. It seems like he has alway been here. How can it only be a month?

Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa

Getting ready for take off.

It didn't take long to discover the blinds.


Spending time with Dad.

Since I started working from home, I now have an excellent helper.

Liam meeting our friends visiting from Cali. Lauryn, Erin and Brendan.

Liam getting ready for bedtime. He seems to like sleeping at the ends of the crib.

Here is what we see each morning when we go in. It is now like a game.