October 2013 TDH Ontario Newsletter

...if you're interested you can read it here....

No news except....

...this dragonfly that was resting on my car when I left work.  It is coincidentally the same colour as the dragonfly artwork that Matteo made...see that here.  So, wishful thinking or .... a sign?

Autumn Moon Parade.....

This year we made it to Samantha's annual autumn moon walk to the Ornamental arch in Chinatown.....but before we dropped in for some moon cake, we dropped by the Museum of Nature to visit with our adopted whale Wilbur. It was a beautiful night and except for the overtired little boy who had a screaming tantrum on the way home, it was a lovely evening. Thanks for organizing this and inviting us Samantha.

The Museum of Nature in the background with Wilbur in his glass atrium.

Just about to begin the walk.

As Matteo was already tired we took a shortcut from the group and waited for them to catchup on this lovely bench.

The colours of nightfall.

Checking out the real moon.

A new tradition, (at least for us) climbing the lion statue that guards the gate.

My little climber!

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Some good news.....

I just heard from my agency and the good news is that the Ministry of Children has now re-confirmed (with the addendum to my home study) their approval for Adoption #2.

Breathing a sigh of relief here!!

"Wilbur is sad mommy."

Wilbur is the name we've given to the full-size plastic whale we've adopted at the Museum of Nature that hangs in the enclosed plexiglass space that resembles a pool.  You can see the enclosure in the building by clicking here.

Me:  Why is Wilbur sad?
Matteo:  He misses his mommy?
Me:  Like when you're at preschool and you miss your mommy?
Matteo:  Yes, we go see Wilbur again.

Matteo has always been very sensitive to animals, real ones, our cats, my sisters' and cousin's dogs, as well at the neighbourhood dogs we encounter.  He often pretends to be a cat or a dog. Matteo has also loved his stuffies and has many that encircle his bed.

Lately we have started to adopt fictional animals like this whale that Matteo kept talking about since we first saw it this summer on holidays. He always wants me to drive by it, stop, get out of the car and walk towards it. And when we're in the museum he has to go back to it numerous times. The last time we were there we named him.  If we can, we do drive by to check on him. Lately he's started to tell me why he wants to go and see Wilbur and the above conversation takes place.  When we drive by I always show him that Wilbur is fine. Matteo still has a hard time being dropped off at preschool. His transition from one toddler room to the next took almost a month before he wouldn't cry.   For preschool it seems to be taking longer also because of the changes they have been making. One being that the daycare centre used to have a kindergarten program but with full day kindergarten now available, they have transitioned into two preschool rooms. Matteo is in the senior group but through all these changes, Matteo is still having trouble.  He is so happy when I pick him up and doesn't want to leave, but mornings, especially Mondays, he still cries.  So I think with the whale he is working out his own issues of being away from his mommy like the whale is.

As of this weekend, we now also have 101 dalmations (imaginary ones of course) living with us. Matteo has been watching the movie for a few weeks and this weekend he started to tell me that the dogs were coming up to bed with him. I continued to play along and Matteo is thrilled and full of laughing when I try to get the puppies to get off his bed or when I try to make sure that everyone gets food to eat.  So not sure what Matteo is working out with the dalmations but I will continue to encourage him imaginary life in addition to his love and sensitivity to animals....then again we made need a bigger house if he continues to bring more and more animals to live with us!!

My singing boy....

"Me want a baby sister mommy"

Well holiday time is over and Matteo is now back at preschool. As the final few days of August unfold and as we approach the last long week of summer, I continue to be grateful for where we're at in our lives.

We loved being on holidays and not being pressured to do much. We had sleep ins and snuggles in bed watching tv and reading lots of books.  We had long walks and museum visits and playing tourist. We had playdates and visits with family and friends and shopping.  And we both had afternoon naps...how I loved those.

One of my favourite memories is of the first time Matteo said "me want a baby sister mommy."  Now of course a few of the television shows he likes have little sisters and no little brothers as in Caliou and Arthur...he does like D.W.; however, while I have spoken to him about a sibling over the last few months, this comment was unsolicited......I have asked him in the past if he wanted a baby sister or a baby brother and at first he said neither, then it was a brother etc.  So that was very sweet (and I was hoping it was another sign).

Nonetheless I really tried to enjoy this time especially because it "might" be the last summer holiday we have with just the two of us.

So on the adoption front, all paperwork and documents have been resubmitted to the Ministry and we are awaiting their response.  There shouldn't be a problem as everything is good; however, worry is par for the course through every piece of paperwork and every step in the adoption journey.  Other than that, no news and no new dragonfly spottings.

For now here are lots of photos to remember this summer.