What I Learned This Week

Can you believe it?  As I sit here in my home office typing this update, it has officially been one full week since LA and Nastya have been home.  Last Friday night, I laid my head down on the pillow a new man.  My wife...my daughter...and my four-legged daughter...were all home, under one roof, sleeping soundly for the first time together.  Now the first week is in our rear view mirror and we are preparing for our journey ahead.

It has been a week of many firsts for me and I have learned alot about myself, Nastya, and LA.  I find myself sitting back and trying to imagine life without Nastya being in our family and I can't.  It feels as if she has been with us forever.  For the most part it has been a very good week.  We have had a few minor hiccups, but nothing that was unexpected or that we weren't prepared for.

All in all, Nastya is settling in very well and is soaking in her new world like a sponge.  Everything that she touches, sees, smells, hears, and feels is virtually new to her and everyday is new adventure.   The best part of this past week is sitting back and watching her evolve, learn, and grow as she tackles the challenges of her new life with us.

I am amazed at the progress and ways that she has handled all of the newness of this past week and I am so proud of her.   We have attempted to get settled into a daily routine and form a sense of structure within our new family.  Nastya seems to thrive on structure, scheduling, and knowing what the "plan" is for the day, tomorrow, and the next day.  She has settled into our daily routines very nicely and is handling everything we throw her way like a champ.

Our goal for the first couple of weeks has been to establish a sense of family for her and for us as new parents.  To gain her trust and know that we love her and will never abandon her.  This new life is not only new to Nastya, but to LA and myself.  We have never been parents before either.  So, this is all new to all of us.  I think I am adjusting rather well and I definitely know I have learned some valuable life lessons and felt some absolutely cool things this week.

Here is what I learned this week...not to put too much milk on her cornflakes because it makes them too mushy...that I really need to brush up on my Wii skills as Nastya has kicked my hiney several times at various sports...there must be a minimum of 4 stuffed animals in her bed in very particular places in order for the stars to align at night (Bunny, Casey, her yet to be named purple unicorn pillow pet, and Little Foot seem to occupy prime realty at night)...holding my daughter's hand as we walk around Old Navy is pretty neato...there isn't much "me" time anymore except before 9am and after 9pm...mushrooms and garlic pizza seem to be a pretty safe go-to special treat dinner...Nastya is quite athletic and loves swimming, playing catch, and watching women's college softball and men's college baseball with her Papa...Scooby Doo can be your hero...Daisy needs a break from Nastya sometimes and retreats to her own floor of the house on occasion...tucking her in at night and having her run downstairs when I get home for the day are absolutely the best feelings in the world...and...having an 11 year old daughter is pretty darn cool!

I could go on and on and on and on.   Get my drift?  The feelings that I have had this past week run the spectrum of emotion, with only a few fleeting moments of not knowing what to do.  I fully understand that at some point the honeymoon period is going to end and we are going to have to once again figure out how to make lemonade out of lemons.  But for right now, I am just going to sit back and enjoy my new life as a new Papa.

Without coming across as too hokey, I must give a few shout outs to some very important people before I sign off for the night.  The feelings, experiences, and my life as I now know it wouldn't be possible without some very special people in our lives.

Aunt Allyson...MiMi and Poppop...Granddaddy and Grandmama...Elena and Mark...the Cline Family...Liliya and Luda...LA's bible study friends...Angie and Jim...Mr. Jim Farrell...and everyone that came out to the airport to support us last Friday night. 

(I just felt a little like the teacher in Romper Room for a minute there...)

We couldn't have done this without your love, support, understanding, and prayers.  Nastya, LA, and myself are so blessed to be in the position we are in right now.  I can promise you that I will never take any of it or any of you for granted.

It has been extremely clear to me over this past week, if it hadn't already been as plain as day before...that this was not "OUR" plan through and through.  But it was God's plan for us and we are blessed to be new parents and have Nastya in our lives.  I now understand why LA and I had to experience the heartbreak and challenges over the years...so that we can appreciate what we have now.  Funny how it all works out huh?

In closing, a special little something for my daughter...my PPP... my Puskar Pinky Princess...Once you learn to read English and later on in life when you are sitting down and reading your Papa's blog, please know one thing...Papa loves you and always will.  You are my everything.  Mama and Papa love you so much and will always be here for you!