Back to Blogging--Update

I will just be honest and say that I've been too sad to blog. We have let go of our Russian adoption plan because we simply couldn't complete it. Given my extended disability, the money was impossible. I am sad about that because there was an actual baby girl waiting for a family. We didn't know who she was yet, but she is a real little person and I feel the loss.

In addition, my father-in-law passed away on October 26th, and we are dealing with those feelings. Prior to that, on October 13th, we had to put down our dog who had cancer. Prior to that, in early October, we learned of the sudden passing of a dear young friend. Too many endings, too much to deal with. All of this happened in the few weeks before my surgery.

All in all, I am glad to see 2009 coming to an end.

On the positive side, my arm is healing well. Thanks to everyone who has sent good wishes! I am now in the strengthening phase of my physical therapy. I can go back to work part-time in January. Fortunately, the doctor who has been filling in for me the past couple months will stay on one day per week.

Another bright spot in our universe is Gabriel. He is doing very well in his special ed preschool and is really starting to talk. We don't understand a lot of what he is trying to say yet, but it's clear he's catching on. He is starting to repeat words and trying to learn them, and he now really likes to look at books.

Here he is goofing around with Daddy's hat: