We were greeted by Megan, Grandpa and Bernice, Aunt Sherry, Uncle Robbie, Riley, Tanner, and Kaden. It was so nice to be home and to have everyone awaiting his/our arrival. Tyler was up for a few photos but then the time change/excitement got the better of him. After everyone left, we put Tyler to bed. He slept from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. without making a peep.
We spent Sunday morning hanging out as a family of four! Tyler's eyes were as big as saucers and all he wanted to do was explore everything around him. Meg was so excited to have her baby brother home and all she wanted to do was hold him and carry him around. Tyler didn't quite go for that! Aunt Joanne, Uncle Kevin, and Alyssa came to visit Sunday afternoon. Everyone went to watch Meg play hockey and then we took in our first Santa Claus parade. In typical Shep fashion, we have to do as many things as possible as soon as possible!
Tyler seems to be fitting in just fine! It still brings tears to my eyes thinking that in such a short period of time he has been a part of our lives that we have changed his life so much. There is a whole new world for him to explore and a ton of opportunities available to him. We are so lucky to have him.
There are so many pictures to choose from but here are some of them ...
a) Here is the view from our apartment. It was so nice to stay here as opposed to a hotel. There was lots of room, a full kitchen, and a washing machine!
b) Because it was so hot in the summer, we saved all of our sightseeing for this trip. The first picture is of Mother Russia and the second picture is of the memorial/eternal flame that recognizes the thousands/millions of Russians that were killed in the war. It was breathtaking.
c) This is Tyler's Gotcha Day - Tuesday, November 23, 2010. He was sitting waiting for us to arrive.
d) There were so many tears this day... Although he is officially our son, it was sad to think that we were taking him from the only place he ever knew and the people that cared for him. The caregivers are really wonderful. The first picture is of us that we took in the summer and gave to the caregivers. They place all kinds of family photos on a wall in the room. The next two pictures are of Tyler's bedroom. He slept in crib #5. The final picture is of us and the caregivers. Everyone was crying ...
e) Leaving the orphanage for the last time ... It was such a balmy day but Tyler was still bundled up!
f) The caregivers had left Tyler's hair long so that we could get it cut and styled the way we wanted it to look. Well, within 24 hours of leaving the orphanage we took Tyler for a haircut!
g) Spending time in Volgograd with our son ...
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| The Market - we had to walk through here each day to get to the subway |
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| King of the Stroller |
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| Our Last Day in Volgograd |
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| Our Last Day in Volgograd |
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| What a Job! - 10 rubles to use the john! |
i) Hanging out in Moscow - Thank goodness we left Moscow when we did because it is freezing cold there now. When we left it was 3 degrees Celsisus and now it is -15 degrees Celsisus!
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| St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square |
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| McDonald's |
k) YYZ - Pearson International Airport
l) Heading for home - remember, Tyler has never been in a carseat before!
m) Home Sweet Home
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| We sure did miss Meg! |
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| Daddy and his kiddies! |
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| Big Sister and Little Brother with Ovie - Tyler's new build-a-bear! |
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| Our first family of four shot! |
