First official day of Preschool

Sean had his first official day of preschool this past Monday and I handled it better than I thought I would. Patrick and I took Sean to school as he did great by walking right into the classroom with Dad. He did close his eyes at first, but quickly adjusted and started checking out the classroom with his teacher. It was nice to see the classroom and where Sean would be everyday. We said our good-byes and off we went. The three hours did fly by and it was time for him to be picked up. I was happy to be there a little early to see him playing at recess and having fun. He was happy to see me and I gave him a big hug. His teacher said to me Sean is a smart little boy and that he behaved really well (no tears). She said he had a good time. Sean will have music class and gym glass during the week. The rest of the week went pretty good, Sean had only a few tears when I would say goodbye to him. His teacher said he stops crying as soon as he gets in the classroom and he continued to have fun and he did great for his first week of School. All the staff is so nice and they all think Sean is such a cute and sweet little boy, and they love being around him. It is great to hear such nice things about my son when I pick him up. I am a proud mom!


Sean's new backpack he got for his birthday! He was not happy with it at first but by the end of the week he got used to it.

Mom getting a little emotional that morning.


Sean on his way in to school.

I think Sean was trying to blink himself home.

Sean had a Fall Festival party at school later in the week. His teacher is helping Sean to go and get his backpack and put his things away so he could go home.

Sean ending his first week at School, he was a happy boy.

Birthday Boy!

We just celebrated Sean’s 3rd birthday this past Sunday! It was a wonderful birthday party as the highlight was Sean playing with the kids in the yard and when they ask how old he was today, he would yell “3!” He enjoyed the singing and did his best to blow out the candles. The kids loved the bouncy castle. Sean was scared to go in, so he was happy just to watch the other kids have a good time in it. Sean got some great birthday gifts. This time last year Sean was only home 1 week and here we are a year later celebrating again. Time does go by so fast.

I am loving everyday with my little boy and feel so so blessed!

Sean's new jeep, from Mom & Dad. Sean sharing his gift with his friends.

Sean checking out his jeep.

The kids had a great time.

The cake was delicious and so cute!

Hard to believe my baby is Three!

Sean enjoying his musical card and Elmo gifts.

More October fun!!!

We have been so very busy lately, but a very good busy! This has been a month of celebrations and outside activities as we now get ready for Seanie's third birthday party. This past weekend we marked Sean’s year home with a professional family photograph. We managed to get a few good and cute pictures out of the 91 taken... Sean was not the most cooperative little boy during his first professional photo shoot. But it was fun to be all together! We then shook our heads as later that day we took our own family pictures and he was great... go figure. Next Monday is Sean’s first official day of preschool (which I cannot believe!). Sean has been to the classroom a few times this past week with his Birth to Three teachers to transition him from his home instruction to a school setting. Sean was scared and wanted to be held but he did manage to play a little and check out the classroom. It was really hard for me. I wanted to take him home immediately, the only tears shed were mine not Sean's. What am I going to do when Monday comes and he has to stay in school for 3 hours, 5 days a week? I really am struggling with this fact.It seems too fast and unfair that I have had him home only 1 year and he is off to school already. But I do know it will be great for him. Patrick reminds me that after a month I will be saying those three hours really fly by and he coming home all ready!!

Here is a peek at Sean's B' day invite I sent out. Elmo theme of course!!!!

“HOORAY, HOORAY IT’S SEAN’S BIRTHDAY!”


Elmo invites you to Sean’s Birthday Party, who is turning three!
Please join us for
Sean Gaffney’s Party Sunday, October 24th at 3 p.m.

Some more pics of fun stuff we have been doing.

Sean liked running after me in the corn maze at Lyman Orchards. We only went to marker 4. It probably would of taken all day to get through it.

Sean on his way to school to check out his new classroom.

So after the photo shoot, Sean was very happy to have his picture taken with mom. I can not say to Patrick anymore that I do not have many pictures of him and I after this weekend.

I love this pic, even when I turned my back he was still smiling at the camera.

Love my cutie pie and his smile.

12 MONTHS HOME!!!

1 YEAR AGO…. IT HAS TRULY BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY!

What a year it has been, so full of wonderful memories as a family. Although this journey seemed very long at the beginning, by the end we have our son. We have experienced so much joy and have felt so thankful throughout this past year.We are so blessed to be Sean’s parents and by telling everyone he is a blessing is an understatement. I believe that this process was planned and meant for us. I look forward to telling Sean that he has always meant to be a part of our family, as it was God's plan even before we knew it. We look forward to beginning our second year as a family.



I think this is so true!

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break.
"~An ancient Chinese belief


Here are a few pictures of Sean from a year ago, and some from now in his forever home!



We just got off the plane and it was nice to see our family waiting for us!! His Grandma was very happy to meet him as well as his Aunt and Uncle.

Sean just all stretched out on the floor. A week later on his birthday he would be walking on his own.

Sean enjoys walking near the river and tossing rocks in it.


We enjoyed celebrating our day all together and had wonderful dinner out with his grandma later that evening at one of our favorite spots.

God Bless Everyone!!!!

Celebrating 1 year Family day/Gotcha day!!

One year ago today we were at the Klintsy baby home for the last time. We arrived there to bring Sean home with us...wow where did the time go! It seems like only yesterday…but we all have changed so much.

I remember feeling so excited to get to our son and we could not get there fast enough. It was such a long day and when we finally reached the baby home, it was a great end to our day to have our beautiful boy Sean with us forever!! We became forever family of three on
10-13-09.

We are loving life with our precious little boy!!

Here is a few pictures of our day last year in Bryansk.

It was late when we got back to our hotel in Bryansk and we where glad to be back and to relax with our little guy.


It was great to play with Sean in our hotel room. What a feeling it was to have my son with me for our very first night together!!


This was a truly happy happy night for us!!

To you Sean, nothing has brought us as much happiness as you have this past year!

Fall fun!!

We took Sean to Bishops Orchards this past weekend for some apple picking. We go some great pumpkins to. We had perfect weather and enjoyed all the goodies we brought home. We also took Sean to an Irish Festival over the weekend and he had a ball with going on the slide over and over with his pals. We enjoyed seeing friends and listening to some great music. I also have to mention we celebrated Sean's grandma's 80th birthday and we all had a nice time celebrating it with her.

Sean was a big help putting all the apples in the bag.

Mom and Sean enjoying some hugs and kisses.

Sean liked following other kids around the maze.

Sean enjoyed all the kids on the slide with him.

My silly boy!! We could not get him off the slide.

Mum-mum at her birthday party.

Sean loved singing "Happy Birthday to you"!!!