I've been neglecting the blog. It's busy around here, and I don't particularly feel like it's anything exciting to share. So the mundane update. . .

Mason is doing great. He's making progress daily, and has really come out of his shell socially. He's getting more language, which is so fun to witness. We were in love with him from the start, but now I look at him, and just can't imagine my life without him. I'm so thankful that we took that leap of faith and said yes to him. There's no doubt in my mind that he was meant to be a part of our family.

Max Rup, on the other hand, disagrees at the moment. He told me today, "I'm not going to be Mason's brother anymore. I'd rather be a meanie." Ah, jealousy. It's nothing out of the ordinary, nothing we didn't expect, but it is draining. He whines A LOT. I was talking to another mom who's little girl is his age, and who just brought another child home. It seems this is a lovely issue we share. It's nice to know Max isn't alone, and neither am I :)

The only ill effect I'm really suffering from is a sore back. Max likes to be carried around, and Mason has to be. Sometimes I try to play hardball with Max, but really, when the alternative is half an hour of whining, I just pick 'em both up.

Madeline and Myles have both been wonderful with this transition. Maddie is her typical "mother hen" self. Always very proud, and wanting to help in any way she can. Myles is generous with sharing, and very gentle with Mason. He likes to talk to him and bring him things. He makes sure Mason feels included. It makes me smile to watch him.

Happy Holidays to all!

Max Rup is 3!

Blankie on the head

Lots of help opening presents

Frosting on the nose

Nana and Wendy - starting trouble :)

I cannot believe that on Dec. 1, Max Rup turned 3! The end of November / beginning of December is a very busy time for us with 2 Gotcha Days, Max's birthday, Dan's birthday, Thanksgiving - so much to celebrate.

Two years ago on November 27th, we met Max for the first time. We had done our reading, and knew to expect adjustment issues, and anticipated struggles. It was so easy. The minute they put him in my arms, he snuggled down, smiled, and that was it. It was like both of us knew that this is how it was supposed to be. The only issue we had was that he wanted to be held all of the time, which I didn't mind a bit!

We arrived home the day before his birthday. When I look at pictures I notice his chubby little baby face, and his curls. The chubby cheeks and curls are all gone now, and he looks like a little boy. He is so sweet, and such a character. He is our smallest, and by far our loudest!

Max is struggling with the adjustment of having Mason home. He is jealous, and doesn't want to share anything - especially his Nana! Despite the jealousy, he wants very much to be a good big brother.

Some things I love about Max Rup at age 2:

• his "goy goy goy" as he sucks on his fingers.
• his love for all of his blankies, and how he carries then around on his head.
• his big, cheesy grin.
• his immediate need for food in the morning - he wakes us up by saying, "I need some cereal!"
• watching him and Myles play so well together. They are so close, and it just warms my heart.
• his undying devotion to my mother - even though it drives me crazy sometimes :) I love that they are so close.
• his absolute NEED to talk on the phone no matter who is calling.
• watching him and Myles chase the chickens, and carry them around like dolls.

Please share some of your favorite Max Rup memories in the comments section!!

A few pics

Auri and Maddie listening to some Broadway tunes

Papa Jim and Mason

Aunt Moo Moo and Mason

Max, Nana, and Mason.

Myles Styling "Pretty Winnie's" hair.

Nana and Mason - Mason likes drawing on this board.

My two boys from ISRC, waking up together!

Auri and Maddie sporting their new Indian outfits.

Maddie, Auri, Mason, Carter, Carrie. Carrie was Mason's first visitor at home. She was also one of Max's first visitors.

Home Sweet Home!

We made it home! We are all in one piece, and the travel portion wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

As we were in line to board our plane in New Delhi, Dan's phone rang with a "multimedia message." How amazing to open it up and see a picture of my brand new nephew! He looked so great, and is doing very well. I am sad that I won't see him for some time since I can't very well leave Mason or cart him off to another destination right now.

Mason slept through the flight from New Delhi to Amsterdam. The 7 hour layover in Amsterdam was not a friend to any of us. Mason was miserable, and did this really great thing where he yanks your hair, hits you, and screams this ungodly scream while throwing his head back as far as he can. It garnered lots of stares from others, and made me feel like a horrible mother. There was just nothing I could do about it. He did this as we were waiting to board the second plane and I could feel all of the penetrating stares, and hear the thoughts of, "Oh, please let me be sitting as far away from them as possible." I though it would be the longest 8 hours of my life.

As soon as the plane engines started, he was asleep, and I had to wake him up to get off the plane in Boston. The gentleman in the seat in front of me turned around and said, "I can't believe he didn't wake up once. I really thought you were in for a long flight." Phew, so did I.

It was so nice to land in Boston and have people really cater to us. We were moved to the front of the immigration line, and waited less than 5 minutes for them to process his visa paperwork. People were friendly, curious, and accomodating.

As we walked out of the international terminal, I saw the most beautiful sight - my babies! Max Rup came running up and I was anticipating a big hug, and a request to be held. Instead he yelled, "Mason!" and hug his new little brother. So sweet. Aunt Dawn brought the kids, and Dan's brother brought his family from Providence to greet us! They also came when we brought Max Rup home, and it was so nice to see their faces again. Their kids and ours play so well together - and they certainly raised heck at the airport :)

Mason did pretty well on the 3 hour ride home. He cried a bit, and isn't very fond of his carseat, but for the most part, he slept and was quiet. Max Rup had a rougher time. He just wanted me to hold him, and it was so hard not to.

When we got home it was very late, but the kids were pretty wired. Mason thought the kids were absolutely hilarious, and it was great to watch them interact and bond a bit. Myles couldn't wait to show Mason the cat, and Mason loved the cat, although we clearly need to work on the meaning of gentle. Mason is terrified of our dog, which will be difficult for a while since Copper is a huge part of our family. We'll work on it slowly.

The three weary travellers cleaned up and everyone crashed for the night. Hopefully we can quickly get back on Eastern Standard Time. I felt like I never adjusted to the time change, so I shouldn't have too much of a problem. We'll see how Daddy and Mason do.

I think we'll have some visitors today, and Grammie and Grampy are coming over for a low-key Thanksgiving tomorrow. We'll make sure to get lots of pics of the kids together, and post some soon.

We are praying that our friends Shad and Maggie were able to resolve their issues in India, and bring their little girl home in time for Thanksgiving with their boys! As annoying as our problems were over their, we didn't have any issues with the paperwork to get Mason home. It certainly put things in perspective for us!

Probable last post from India

He got into this position from laying down all by himself!

Oh, my happy boy.

This guy saved us when our hotel car didn't return, and we didn't have our hotel address. I wish we could have had him with us our whole trip, he was soooo sweet!

For Maddie, who I know I've disappointed with my lack of animal pictures :(

Cute, isn't he, Maddie

So we attempted to go out yesterday. We made a brief trip to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. It was nice to get out of the hotel room, but again turned into a rough day. Here are some pics none the less, and a couple cute pics of Mason in the room. As bad as everything else has been, he has been wonderful. We'll be in Boston at 4:10pm on Tuesday and just want to go straight home. I want my kids there because I can't wait an extra three hours to see them.

Embassy Day!

Gotta tell you, it didn't start out well again, and I was just about at the end of my rope. Our embassy appointment was at 10am, so we had arranged for a hotel car at 9am. For those that know me well, you know how I HATE to be late. At 9 we headed downstairs, and there was no car. At ten past we mentioned it to the concierge who told us that we should have gotten our driver's number. Dan said, "you didn't give me his number, you said you'd have a car waiting at 9!" He did not remember that he was supposed to make the arrangements, but assured us there was "no problem." It's a line we hear often over here, and offers no comfort to me. At 9:35 we were still waiting! Finally our car pulls up, but has to stop for directions to the embassy. It was after 10 when we drove up and then we had to wait in line to turn Dan's cell phone in.

When we walked into the embassy, we saw familiar faces of two other families, one of which we spent time with in Kolkata, and one whose blog I have followed, and we have been emailing. It was so comforting to see those familiar faces, and get to chat with them while we waited.

And I can't believe I'm going to say this, but the embassy was a breeze! The staff was delightful and easy to deal with. Downright friendly! They asked for only his visa pictures, the fee, legals, and NOC. They told us we could come back later, or wait in the American Citizen's lounge and it would be about an hour! From start to finish we were there less than 2 hours, and we were comfortable and happy the whole time!

We are very relieved to have ALL of our paperwork taken care of. Dan immediately felt better with that behind us. We were hoping to get to Agra today (Saturday), but yesterday I felt worse than I had felt the whole trip, so we just didn't dare. Of course, this morning I feel much better, and I'm kicking myself for not taking the chance! We are going to try to see some of Old Delhi, which we missed last time because of a Sikh festival that was going on. It will be wonderful to get out of this hotel room, and then perhaps I'll have a few pics to post. What a boring blog it's been this trip!

We still cannot wait to get home to our babies. I miss them terribly, and cannot wait to see Mason Probal interact with them. He's been a trooper, but has to be bored in this room with only two adults! As he gets used to us, he is eating better, becoming more demanding, and sitting up a little better. I'm sure we'll see very fast progress once we get home!

Embassy Medical

Heading into our room at the Kenilworth - btw - we LOVED this place!

Clothing shop in Kolkata

Happily riding with Daddy

Yeah, this is pretty much what we do

We woke up this morning to head to the embassy medical appointment. We are not happy with our accommodations here at all. The room is tiny, food is awful, and the staff is abrupt, and not very responsive, though they are not shy about telling you exactly what you "need" to tip them.

Our driver was very nice, and knew right where the doctor lived. We got there at about 9:30am. They went through Mason's paperwork and told us that he would need 4 immunizations. I knew that this was a possibility, and I knew that we could get a waiver before we left, but I guess I just didn't think it would happen, or that he would need that many. Honestly, it was one more piece of paperwork, and I just didn't do it. I certainly regret that now. The cost of the medical was supposed to be 1600 rupees, and we brought a little extra just in case. Well, with the 4 immunizations he needed, we ended up having to pay 8,300 rupees! We didn't even have that much with us, so I stayed and went through the appointment with Mason, while Dan and our driver had to go to a marketplace, and our driver exchanged money for us. He was very nice about it, and guided Dan every step of the way.

The medical exam was brief, the doctor asked a few questions about his health issues, was a little rude about the fact that he couldn't stand up yet, and was frustrated that I couldn't tell him whether Mason was aware of when he is urinating and defecating. First of all, he hasn't defecated yet, and he's 2.5, so we really haven't been watching for huge signs of awareness in the whole 3 days we've known him. We've kind of had bigger fish to fry. Then the immunizations - ugh. The lady giving them was very nice, but SOOOO slow! The vials looked very antiquated, and since NONE of Max Rup's immunizations from India took, we are not very confident in them. She would give him one, and then wipe wipe wipe the area until the blood completely stopped before moving on to preparing the next one. Of course Mason was SCREAMING the whole time. I was crying - it was the first time I'd heard him really cry. He did that whimpering thing the first night, but has been really happy every since.

We waited another hour and a half for the doctor to finish the paperwork we need for the Embassy - this sounds like a long time, but he could have asked us to come back later today or tomorrow, so we were very happy to just wait there.

We are both feeling pretty awful. I think the food, time change, stress of all the little mishaps, are finally catching up with us. It's frustrating, because we want to do so much, see things while we're here, experience at least a little of India. We haven't had the chance to do that at all. We're hoping to feel better this weekend and do a bit of sightseeing. We haven't taken a lot of pics to post (sorry) because we've really been holed up in the room for most of the trip.

There is also something big going on back home which is unexpected, and I'm having a really hard time being away while it's going on. I've been asked not to share it on here, but it's a big deal, and I'm very upset that I can't be there, know what's going on, etc. It affects who my kids are staying with, and makes me very thankful that we have so many family members that my kids love and trust. We know that they are safe and happy :)

Not a very uplifting post, but do know that we are safe, Mason seems happy, and we're ready to come home. Just a few more days.