When we walked out of that orphanage in November with you in our arms, you didn't speak a word of English. That week and a half we spent with you, cooped up in a hotel? I'm pretty sure we learned more Russian from you than you learned English from us.
Now, you have just three words/phrases that you're holding on to. One of those being your name.
We chose the English/American version of your name, so it wasn't much of a stretch but it's still different. And what you call yourself in your 3rd person toddler speak is actually the nickname of your Russian name. You've answered to the name we gave you since our first official day as a family, but you have never let go of your Russian name.
Until yesterday. You mustered the words, "An-ne-ny's shoes"
I was taken aback. And honestly, I was a little sad. Sad to be losing my little Russian boy. But then later, during dinner, you shot me one of those looks. The type of look that tells an entire story in 2 seconds. A look where I could see that you're a much older soul than your 2 years of earthly age.
There he was. There was my little Russian boy.
Little pieces keep disappearing but it's like your Russian roots are limitless. You may lose little bits here and there, but you'll never lose it all. You'll never reach zero. To me, sweet boy, you'll always be my Antoshka.
Now, you have just three words/phrases that you're holding on to. One of those being your name.
We chose the English/American version of your name, so it wasn't much of a stretch but it's still different. And what you call yourself in your 3rd person toddler speak is actually the nickname of your Russian name. You've answered to the name we gave you since our first official day as a family, but you have never let go of your Russian name.
Until yesterday. You mustered the words, "An-ne-ny's shoes"
I was taken aback. And honestly, I was a little sad. Sad to be losing my little Russian boy. But then later, during dinner, you shot me one of those looks. The type of look that tells an entire story in 2 seconds. A look where I could see that you're a much older soul than your 2 years of earthly age.
There he was. There was my little Russian boy.
Little pieces keep disappearing but it's like your Russian roots are limitless. You may lose little bits here and there, but you'll never lose it all. You'll never reach zero. To me, sweet boy, you'll always be my Antoshka.
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