Reuter Family

NiNi's birthday and catch-up

2012-02-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

We celebrated NiNi's 6th birthday at Monkey Joe's. She has been planning her birthday party almost since her last birthday party, right down to the cake. Problem is, the plans change from month to month...princess party, Hello Kitty party, horse theme, skating party, etc. Chris happened to win a Monkey Joe's party at a fundraiser so that seemed to sufficiently fulfill the queen's requirements:)

There is a toddler area at Monkey Joe's. It captured Ethan's attention for about 3 minutes, or until he realized that there were much much bigger slides to be conquered. The above picture shows Ethan's size relative to the other kids! Going down was a breeze, but getting to the top a whole different matter. A couple of times I saw him walking around hand-in-hand with random little girls, and then realized he was using them to help him get up the ladders. Smart boy...he knows how to use his looks to get what he wants!

We have started attachment therapy. The big 2 week intensive sessions are in April but we have started our stack of reading material and the individual parent session. Here's a fun fact. One book reported a much lower rating of marriage satisfaction among couples who have children verses couples who have no children. And marriage satisfaction increase as the children leave the home. Chris and I had trouble stifling the giggles. I guess we are up a creek then, metaphorically speaking. The therapist has a 2-hour session with each parent to make sure there are no underlying issues that could hinder the attachment process. I could have told him that it's going to take a lot longer than 2 hours to sort through the inner workings of this crazy person! Seriously, we are very excited and hopeful our home will be a much happier place when all of this is over.

I have not updated in awhile about E-man. We are hopefully coming to a reprieve in doctor visits and tests. In the past 3 months we have had 1 surgery (ear tubes) 5 specialist appointments, 4 blood tests, 1 unpleasant allergy test, an MRI (with IV sedation)and 1 eye dilation (after which he nearly fell down the stairs because he couldn't see to walk). I have a whole new sympathy for families whose children have chronic illnesses. Luckily Chris had some PTO to eat up by the end of the year, otherwise I don't know how we could've taken all the time off of work. And (drum roll please...) the reason for his small size??? Well, as it turns out, he may actually be Chinese. Yes, it came as a shock to us as well. That, and he does have some small differences genetically. We are learning that many people can have small deletions or additions to their genetic code and this has absolutely no effect on them. They may never be aware of it, because they don't have a reason to get tested. Let's face it, not everyone is independently wealthy like we are, and can afford a $5,500 blood test to screen for genetic abnormalities. We go at the end of March for the consultation with the geneticist to discuss the results, but I don't expect any earth shattering news. There is no known syndrome associated with his deletion and, functionally, he is doing great. He is growing, albeit slowly, but he is growing. His speech has really taken off after the ear tubes. He is still hard to understand, but the girls and I understand most of what he says. He is speaking in 2-3 word sentences. At breakfast he chants, "Eat my Panda Puffs!" When I yawn, he asks, "You Tired?" He loves to play role reversal when we read books. He points to the picture and wants me to tell him what it is. When I do, he enthusiastically says, "You're right!" He learned how to sing the Happy Birthday song. He likes to pretend things are candles and brings them to us to "blow out". When we're all sitting around at the table, the girls tell us long, drawn out stories about their days. Now Ethan likes to says, "Mom! Hey Mom!..." and then trails off into his toddler language with all the appropriate inflection and intonation. We listen intently and say uh-huh, uh-huh and then laugh hysterically at the end of the story. So the conclusion of the matter is that he is a smart, happy, active little guy, just a little on the small size. Dashed are our hopes of having another Yao Ming. I guess I can live with that.

2012-01-24T05:37:00.000-08:00

Big and bad without his pants

fun with tape!

NiNi and Katerina in matching Chinese New Year outfits

Our Chinese New Year spread...red bean buns, curry tofu and noodles, spring rolls and oranges

2012-01-17T13:50:00.000-08:00

I came across this re-make of the Bob Dylan song "Make you feel my love". Now I like me some Bob Dylan, but I must admit this version by Adele is really quite beautiful (listen to it here). I wish that NiNi would let me sing her a lullaby (a decent singing voice would be nice too) because I would sing this one in her ear every night. The lyrics are below.

When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear, and there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years to make you feel my love

I know you haven't made your mind up yet, but I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met, no doubt in my mind where you belong

I'd go hungry I'd go black and blue, I'd go crawling down the avenue
No there's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love

The storms are raging on the rolling sea and on the highway of regret
Though winds of change are throwing wild and free, you ain't seen nothing like me yet

I could make you happy make your dreams come true, nothing that I wouldn't do
go to the ends of the earth for you to make you feel my love

Christmas misc.

2011-12-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

Professor Beggs and his apprentice

All sacked out

Uncle Kieth expressing his more sensitive side

Cousins

2011-12-27T15:36:00.000-08:00

I loved this picture of my kids with my sister's kids taken 3 years ago. My mom wanted a retake of the same picture (even though my nephew is almost 16 and now has facial hair). I had to promise him that I would not post it on his facebook page.

Dec 2008

Dec 2011

Fancy clothes

2011-12-26T13:20:00.000-08:00

Ladies man in training

Ethan, making some tough decisions about his investment portfolio

Christmas play at church...Meagan was a reader, NiNi an angel and Ethan stole the show with his sheep impersonation

2011-12-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

L-O-V-E

2011-12-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

How can it be that I am nearly 40 years old, having been quite religious for half of those years, yet still have not gotten this unconditional love thing down. Lately the parenting challenges have come at such rapid fire that I barely have time to come up for air. Ethan's medical stuff and NiNi's visits to the "talk doctor" all cost money that we don't have. Now this post is not about our insufficient bank account because, strangely enough, I have great faith that it will work out. What concerns me more than money is my insufficient "love tank". NiNi is on a little bit of a destructive bent these days...mostly just tearing up or breaking small things...but still sending a clear message that "I am angry and if I can't hurt you then I'll hurt your stuff." Someone gave me an early Christmas present. A light-up Santa snow globe. Probably cost about 10 bucks but a very sweet thought nonetheless. For some reason NiNi was very interested in it from the moment she saw it. She kept getting it out of the box and sneaking away to play with it even though I asked her not to. The next thing I knew she had pulled the power cord out of the bottom so that it no longer worked. Now, mind you, I had no serious affection for that snow globe, but when she broke it, I snapped. Some kind of childish rage welled up in me and I started spewing verbage of an 8 year old: "All you do is break my stuff!" "I'm going to break something of yours!" and so on. It was not pretty. This morning I was reminded that becoming an acceptable parent is an almost always painful process of having the selfishness pummeled, twisted and squeezed out of you. I remember some of those definitive moments of "de-selfish-ing." Up all night, 5th night in a row, with the baby. Anniversary get-away cancelled because of sick kids. The pre-teen is more than a little embarrassed to be seen in public with you. Moments when we want to utter those 3 little words, WHAT ABOUT ME? And I don't even have teenagers yet! Navigating the waters of attachment disorder is becoming another one of those defining moments for me and lately I feel like I have the battle scars to prove it. Learning to love my children regardless of their desire or ability to to please me, obey me, give me affection, regulate their own emotions or make me me look good. I love the Message translation of 1 Cor 13

Love never gives up
Love cares more for others than for self
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have
Love doesn't force itself on others
Isn't always "me first"
Doesn't fly off the handle
Doesn't keep score
Puts up with anything
Always looks for the best

Never looks back....But keeps going to the end

Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

Showing off muscles

One dozen...

2011-11-12T05:30:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow marks a dozen years of marriage. 12 years seems like a puny length of time. Not near enough to encapsulate what feels like an entire lifetime together. Technically we met almost 20 years ago but it took us awhile to get our acts adequately together for marriage. And even then, we seemed severely lacking in the maturity department. In fact, Meagan was born (surprise surprise) a little over a year after our wedding and it is amazing that she survived infancy. Yet what strikes me the most are all of the decisions we've made since then. Decisions to give instead of save, to move instead of settle, to love instead of staying bitter, to laugh instead of cry (or at least do both simultaneously). And here we are, quickly approaching 40, barely any equity in a house that is already bursting at the seams, enough in the kids' college fund to cover text books and pizzas for about a semester, and a 401K that will allow us to retire to...ahem...Evansville. But what we have is so much more a measure of success than any of those things. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so thankful for a man who has led us to make the right choice, even when it was not necessarily the easy choice. And the decision I made to marry my college sweetheart has ultimately led to this amazing life God has built. I did good. Here's to us and to many more dozens.

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2011-11-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

2011-11-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

The lost files...

2011-10-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of converting all our home video onto DVD and came across this CD of baby pictures of Meagan I had never seen! Meagan was born before the age of digital cameras (or at least before they were affordable to us) so it is cool to see really nice quality pictures of her. She was such an exquisitely beautiful baby. Thanks to Chris' dad for taking them. He also has the only hospital newborn pictures of her (3 of them!) We were...well not thinking clearly... and didn't actually own or bring a camera to the hospital. So Chris bought one in the gift shop but the flash didn't work right. Oops, sorry kiddo. Oh well, she turned out ok in spite of not being excessively photographed.

2011-10-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Thought I better update the blog so that I don't disappoint all THREE of my readers! The kids are doing fabulous. A friend snapped this picture so we can use it for our last adoption post-placement report. Hard to believe that we are coming up on the one year anniversary of Ethan's adoption. I am finally starting to feel like we are getting into a groove with having 3 kids...amazing that it only took a year! Sometimes it feels like running a group home...everyone has a designated color of towel and toothbrush, 3 sets of clothes and shoes laid out in neat little piles...and my lastest and greatest invention: the "morning caddy" I like to call it. A little basket on the kitchen counter that houses extra toothbrushes, socks, hair stuff, fingernail clippers, wet wipes, etc. Basically all the items that seem to vanish most often. Can't find a brush? No problem. Hangnail? I can take care of that! Gives me the false sense of security that I am ready for whatever they can throw at me. Let's face it, keeping 5 people organized in 1600 sqare feet of house takes a little creativity. I start getting myself ready at 5:00, first kid gets up for school at 6:00 and the last kid's bus comes at 8:35. So a solid 3 1/2 hours of waking, dressing, feeding, packing, etc. (in shifts of course). And then I leave for work. Meagan has grown up so much this year. Everything about fourth grade was tough...from the curriculum, to the homework load, to the expectations in terms of staying organized. So, I was sort of bracing myself for fifth grade. Well, much to my surprise, it has gone very smoothly. I guess fourth grade boot camp really paid off. Meagan gets up with her alarm, keeps on top of her homework assignments, even packs her own lunch sometimes. And is making A/B's in 2-year advanced language arts and 1-year advanced math. So proud of her. NiNi was just accepted into the full-day kindergarten program (it was a lottery and we got in because another student withdrew). The only problem, she was already 6 weeks into the school year and would have to move to a different class. It would have been a huge financial benefit for us (no paying for daycare) but we left the decision up to her. For 2 days she kept saying no, no, no...she'd miss her friends, miss her teacher, etc. The day we had to make the call, she decided to go for it. I asked her what changed her mind and she said, "I want to be brave." She is doing great and making new friends and loves eating lunch at school and riding the bus "two times." And life is good for our little man. He would be happy to rule the roost if we'd let him. He enjoys bossing around his sisters and being coddled by his daycare teachers. Chris calls him a "prima donna." And he knows how to "work it" when he doesn't get his way...in an all out roll-on-the-floor tantrum, except he is smart enough to walk over to a soft piece of carpet before he very dramatically throws himself down! He is finally making some progress with his speech...probably has about 40 words now (some of them intelligible only to me) and is starting to put 2 words together. His favorite phases are "up high" (when he wants dad to throw him up) and "my ta-wah" (referring to the dish towel he likes to carry in the crook of his neck). He recently got quite a shiner by jumping from the couch to the coffee table. Missed the coffee table and caught the corner with his eye. It nearly swelled shut and turned every color of the rainbow. Then we took him in for a haircut. Some crazy lady cut it into the shape of a bowl. I bet you can guess what happened next....PICTURE DAY at school. Poor baby. Let just say it was not his best look. Of course his mama thinks he's cute no matter what!

School time

2011-09-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Ethan's Sunday school teacher took this. He was actually SITTING IN A CHAIR, listening to the Bible story!

World's smallest double stroller...

2011-09-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

2011-09-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Ethan in his new "wee ride" bike seat. He doesn't look so happy in the picture, but he LOVES this thing. He gets to put his hands on the handlebars, so I think he thinks he's really driving the thing. Sometimes he tries to push my hands off like, "I got this mom!"

First day of school pics

2011-08-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was dark outside! My baby has to walk down to the bus stop at 6:55am...with all the big bad eight-graders! She really does look like a baby compared to them and is quite intimidated. NiNi on the other hand was FIRED UP about the first day of kindergarten. Finally, the day she has been waiting her whole like for! I think she planned her outfit a full two weeks ago. She also asked if she could go to school on Saturdays too. Ah, if only that enthusiasm would last the next 12 years!

State Fair

2011-08-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

Skipped a few state fair trips in recent years so we wanted to make sure we weren't missing anything. Low budget midway rides, ridiculously over-priced food and lots of stinky animal stalls. Yep, pretty much exactly the way I remembered it! The kids had a good time...until the end of the day when Ethan puked....and continued to puke the entire van ride home. Poor guy. We didn't realize he was in the beginning stages of the flu.

Enjoying his corn just prior to projectile vomiting

Lake Michigan

2011-07-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at a little VRBO cabin near St Joseph, MI. My sister and her family joined us for 2 days and it was quite a let-down for the kids when they left. The weather was great (NOT the 100 degrees with 90% humidity we've grown accustomed to.) Perfect for the beach. The pictures are in reverse order, but we also hit a children's museum in St Joseph and a tour of our alma mater on the way home.

If you ask Ethan, "Are you going to Purdue?" He emphatically nods yes. Of course he also nods yes to all other questions but we're taking it as a commitment anyway

At our old table at the "sweet shop." Purdue hang-out where we fell in love and "pretended" to study while holding hands under the table. No wonder our grades stunk!

The table in the background has "CHRIS AND JEN FOREVER - '94" written among all the other graffiti. The old sweet shop saved this table to display prior to the remodel.

More kissing...

Thoroughly enjoying his mango sorbet

Meagan inside a body-length bubble

Finished product - both abstract and interpretive at the same time, don't you think?

Working on NiNi's face paint...a team effort

Ethan and Aunt Laura, who we now affectionately refer to as "back-up mom" The only other person Ethan calls "Ma!" besides Chris and I

Update (sigh...) where to begin

2011-07-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe there are only 4 more weeks left in the summer. We are enjoying the outdoors a whole lot more now that we have a fenced in backyard. Just means we are asking, "Where's Ethan?" a little less frequently. Meagan just got back from 4 days of church camp near Cincinnati. She had a blast with friends and has been caught reading her Bible independently on more than one occasion since her return! NiNi is amazing in her gymnastics class. Her teacher is hard-core...my little princess is usually sweating profusely by the time I pick her up. Fine by me. At least we're getting our money's worth. Ethan continues to charm his teachers at daycare. His speech is coming along SLOWLY (but surely). His new favorite word: "NO" which he says with perfect whining intonation which is so characteristic of another of my children. He also says "mama", "more", "hi", "bye-bye" (which comes out nigh-nigh) and "owe" when he hurts himself. Speaking of hurting himself, we almost made a trip to the ER when he fell out of his high chair a couple of weeks ago. He fell so hard I heard the sickening smack of his head against the floor from across the room. He was really irritable for about 10 minutes then promptly threw up. My friendly google medical adviser told me these are symptoms of a concussion so I called the pediatrician on call. We ended up just watching him for the night and he thankfully he was just fine. Apparently kids can get mild concussions with no ill effects. Chris keeps saying that Ethan's not going to have any brain cells left by the time he hits college! My amazing hubby is determined to get his body back into shape. He's lost almost 10 pounds and is exercising again for the first time in over 5 years. Now that we are both pushing 40, the realization that "it's not getting any easier" has set in. Ever since we discovered Ethan's dairy allergy, I have been toying with the idea of becoming vegan. I hate that word because it has so many connotations...tree-hugger, hippie, you name it. Besides, I would make a very poor animal-rights activist, seeing how I dislike animals. No, I am looking purely at the health benefits of eating plant-based sources of protein (of which there are an over abundance). Anyway, I guess I'm what you'd call a "wanna-be" vegan since I still happily eat fish and eggs. I let the kids eat what they want, but the funny thing is, they generally like what I cook (and Meagan now says she's a vegetarian!) Chris is tolerant. He eats what he wants for breakfast and lunch and figures that one meatless, dairy-free meal per day is not going to kill him. He wont admit it, but he had seconds of the Lentil Shepherd's Pie I made for dinner the other night. I do admit, even as a person who likes healthy food, it has taken several weeks and more than one "throw-away" recipe (think tofu strawberry pie sounds gross? It is.) to find a menu of dinners (and breakfasts, snacks, etc) that fit my criteria but are tasty enough to eat over and over again. We'll see how it goes, but I have already noticed some health benefits: My heartburn woes??? Totally disappeared. End of summer plans: Vacation at Lake Michigan. Stay turned for pics!

Real...

2011-07-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

A total stranger asked me the other day if NiNi and Ethan were REALLY brother and sister. "You know, REAL brother and sister?" Hmmm... what a silly question:)

4th of July

2011-07-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm slipping. Ethan's first Independence Day and I didn't even bring my camera. Got these off my brother-in-laws phone!

Meagan

2011-07-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post these stunning picture of my eldest. So beautiful. She's decided to get her hair cut by several inches...and her top braces come off in about a month. I'm secretly afraid this will make her look even older than she already does.

The hat

2011-07-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Super cute, right? Too bad he only keeps it on long enough for pictures!

2011-06-30T06:28:00.001-07:00

I was talking to Chris about going on a weekend long women's retreat at church. NiNi said, "Yeah, mom, go. Then you can get a break of us."

NiNi: "I can speak English and Chinese...hola Ni hao!"

Meagan has developed a bad habit of labeling things around her room in permanent marker (toys, her laundry hamper, etc.) I told her to stop...that it was vandalism (ok, yes, an exaggeration). She replied, "Vandalism is only when you destroy someone ELSE's property!"

First Sleepover

2011-06-19T04:13:00.000-07:00

After a full year of "Hows come I can't have a sleepover?" NiNi had her friend Veah for an overnight. We fully expected to be running her home around midnight, but everything went off without a hitch!

Good grief

2011-06-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

As father's day is approaching I am reminded that it will be 20 years this August that my dad passed away. This is one of my favorite pictures of him. He is not yet thirty and looks completely unburdened. Twenty years sounds like an eternity to my own ears. It also marks the point that he has been gone for more years of my life than he was alive. And he has missed so much...meeting my husband, my wedding, my graduations, the birth and adoption of my children and just the everyday ups and downs of life. I am embarrassed to say that it took me 7 years to visit my dad's grave for the first time. Then another 10 years to visit it a second time.

I guess I have been thinking about grief quite a bit lately. Most recently, I attended the funeral of the mother of a very dear friend of mine. It was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life...but I couldn't help to wonder if funerals do a disservice to the mourners. Unlike some cultures who hire people to wail and cry and raise a ruckus, we westerners hold it together (at least publicly). We are quick to rattle off encouraging words about end of suffering, being in a better place, etc. Whether or not those things are true, we are sending a message: Don't be sad...get on with your life. I'm just not sure that's what God intended when he gave us the capability to love so fiercely another human being. In some Asian countries the mourning period can last anywhere from 40-100 days! And we go back to work after 3? Really? We love the book, "Tear Soup" by Pat Schweibert. I bought it for Meagan when Mayah passed away, but I think it helped me the most. I love the idea that the grief process is like making a big pot of soup...soup that is made up of memories (good and bad), joy, sorrow, and of course, a whole lot of tears. Soup like that takes a great deal of time and energy to make. Everyone's soup has it's own unique flavor, and unfortunately it freezes well. It's amazing to me how I can put my grief on a shelf, and then pull it out years later and the pain is just as fresh as day one. There is also something to be said for NOT making your soup. All those years that I didn't visit my dad's grave..I think I was secretly hoping that I could bypass all of that hard work of grieving. I appreciate the Chinese emphasis on meticulously taking care of graves...offering gifts and making sure the grave is swept clean. I can't think of a better way to ensure that you are dealing with your emotions on a regular basis. Probably not what the Chinese had in mind, but it's what stands out to me.

In the past few years I have made the 3 hour round trip to my dad's grave much more often. I've introduced my girls to their grandpa (which was way overdue), planted some daylilies and mums, or sometimes I just sit. This summer I want to take Ethan's picture there as he is my dad's namesake. The other day, I came across a picture of my sister and I. We are in our teens/early twenties and making cookies. The kitchen is a mess and we are a mess but so obviously having fun. I remember the picture because my aunt slipped its duplicate into the pocket of my dad's suit coat on the day he was buried. As I looked at the picture I felt my throat tighten to hold back the tears. But then I thought, why? Why hold them back? So I just had a good cry instead. I think I'll be thawing out a little tear soup this father's day. I can't say that I love the taste, but it sure is good for my soul.

More NiNi-isms

2011-06-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

"I think I'll take a break from picking my nose"

"When I grow up, I'll have to marry Ethan, because we have the same skin"

NiNi was getting fed up with gymnastics until she heard she could be on a team and go to competions. Now she says, "I like being in the davance (advanced) gymnastics 'cause then I can repeat (compete) everybody."

Now that she has new-found-two-wheeling freedom, I often remind her to stop at the end of the sidewalk when we're riding bikes so I can cross the street with her. Today, after the 5th or 6th reminder she said, "Mom, that's getting a little annoying."

The many faces of Ethan

2011-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Family weekend

2011-06-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Reuter was in town over the weekend so we hit the Children's Museum. They just opened a cool new exhibit on the Terracotta Warriors. Ok, a little piece of Chinese history for you... The terracotta warriors were constructed for the emperor Qin Shi Huang around 250 BC to protect him in the afterlife. Pretty cool, except for one minor detail: All workers (about 700,000) and childless concubines were interred (yikes!) with him to safeguard his secrets. The warriors were discovered in 1974 in Shaanxi Province. The statues are amazingly detailed and current estimates are that there are over 8,000 soldiers (plus hundreds of chariots and horses) the majority of which are still buried in the pits. On our last trip to China we really wanted to see them, but were told that the ruins suffered a great deal of damage during the tail end of the cultural revolution.

Ethan...quite unsure if he's having fun on the carousel or not. By the way, that is Great Grandma Reuter in the background...skirt hiked up and riding a jumper! I hope I am as cool as she is when I'm 86

NiNi busy excavating

Grandpa and baby Quinn

The girls messing with Ethan while he was asleep

Four years ago today...

2011-06-12T17:11:00.001-07:00

NiNi became a Reuter. So in love with my smart, sassy, strong-willed girl!

News flash...

2011-06-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

NiNi taught herself to ride a two-wheeler in a couple of hours. She had been bugging me for a few days to take the training wheels off her bike because she wanted to ride a "balance bike." The next thing I knew, Meagan was asking me for a wrench and the two of them were practicing in the backyard. Mind you, this was the day it was about 98 degrees outside. By the time dad got home from work, she was going short distances up and down the sidewalk. One final tumble bloodied her lip and loosened a couple baby teeth so I called it a day (but I'm pretty sure she would've kept at it!)

Pictorial update...

2011-06-04T05:32:00.001-07:00

Serious bed head. We're going for the Justin Bieber look...but I wonder if Justin's hair looks like this in the morning.

Who cares what you're wearing as long has you have sole control of the remote

Can we give up the bottle already? I have tried taking it away, but dad's a big enabler around here

Ethan is happiest when he's naked and has snot all over his face

According to Grandma, 5 is not too old for a sink bath

A girl helmet? Really mom?

2011-05-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

It was "special missions" day at church and everyone was encouraged to wear Indian attire. So we decided to wear our Chinese outfits...which isn't exactly close to India, but at least on the same continent. I also needed a new picture of the 3 kids for the blog header. It is striking to me how beautiful and grown-up Meagan is looking...

The cage...

2011-05-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

I realized the other day that so much of my creative energy is spent devising ways to keep Ethan from destroying the house. My kitchen drawers are empty (tired of retrieving zip lock bags scattered hither and yon,) the toilets are on lock down, and the kitchen chairs are stacked in a corner most of the time (blocks his access to anything on the table). Call it hyper-activity, call it over-stimulation from his former under-stimulation, call it "all-boy"...all I know is that my original assessment of him that first night in the hotel room still holds true: Human octopus. Recently I have started putting him in what Chris likes to call "the cage". Come on, it's a baby gate....just because it can be alternatively used for pets does not constitute child abuse. Ethan will play with toys or his sensory table in there for 20 minutes at a time. Enough time for me to do something without having it immediately "un-done." If I throw in some crackers he'll stay even longer. Heck, turn on some sing-along music and we've got ourselves a veritable self-sustained pre-school!

Speaking of pre-school, I might as well give you a quick update on Ethan's development. He is officially "on the charts" in the 1 percentile for his height and weight (21 lbs.) We no longer need any supplements and his pediatrician does not want to see us back for 6 months! Yippee! His OT is about to discharge him...feels that his eating and fine motor skills are just about where they should be. He is still getting speech therapy (and probably will be for some time) but he is definitely making progress. He is using some consonant sounds when he babbles and we recently heard him say "dada" when pointing at Chris. Apparently he gets a little taken advantage of at daycare since he is smaller than the other kids. The teacher says the other toddlers just call him "baby." Sort of funny, but sad at the same time! Add to that the fact that he doesn't talk and you're bound to be the perfect target for pushing, shoving and toy snatching. I know the words will come...but how come it's gotta be the speech therapist's kid who can't talk??!!

Adoption and Birthday party

2011-05-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to officially celebrating Ethan's adoption...5 months after the fact! We decided to just hold off until his 2nd birthday and throw one humdinger of a party. The rain held off the entire day (thanks to the fervent prayers of my 5-year-old). We rented a bounce house and had about 40 people in and out of our home throughout the day. Ethan bounced from 10-5 with nothing but Doritos and cake fueling him along. Having gone the whole day sans nap, by 5:30 he was nodding off in his dinner plate, opened his presents and then crashed into bed at 6pm. We are feeling especially thankful for our amazing friends and family who rejoice with our victories (not to mention sharing in our sorrows). But no sorrows this day...just one happy boy getting to know what it feels like to be the center of attention:)

Loving his new bubble mower (not sure why his pants are missing)

Dad squeezing (literally) into the bounce house

Cousin baby Quinn, who, at 8 months may soon surpass Ethan in weight:)

NiNi and Leah

The "sand" is oatmeal and rice(dyed blue) in case you're wondering. The birds love us and sneak in for a bite when we're not around

Our sweet friends Kathy and Mikella

First big owie

2011-05-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Ethan took a trip down our pretty steep driveway on his ride-on toy. He was squealing with delight the entire way down...until he dove off head first onto the curb. He got a pretty good scrape from forehead to nose. Now he looks the part of "all boy!"

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

I have grown to value my mom more and more as I grow older. I suppose this is the case for many women my age. Several years ago we had some hard talks, her and I. Talks that really could have permanently damaged our relationship, but instead I believe made it stronger. My mom is an amazing woman. She was a single mom for a good part of my childhood and worked in a factory...at one point had a job where she wound wire around a spool for 8 hours a day, which made her finger tips raw. She did not use the welfare system because she always assumed that there must be someone else who needed it more that she did. To this day I have no idea how she supported herself and 2 kids on a minimum wage salary. Her mom, my maternal grandmother, lived in an orphanage from the time she was 9 years old. Her parents left her there to go find work during the depression and never came back. She was never adopted but aged out of the orphanage and started a new life for herself. I come from a long line of women who are tough as nails. Sometimes I fear that I have lost some of the grit passed down to me. I complain about working part time, I complain that our house is small, I complain that our printer is on the fritz. A function of living in this very sanitized suburb I suppose. But thinking about my mom this mother's day makes me want to renew my resolve to pass these qualities onto my daughters. Qualities like selflessness...working tirelessly for something because it's the most important thing in your life, integrity...doing what's right even when it hurts or makes you look like an idiot, humility...remembering that none of us really deserve or have "rights" to anything, simplicity...not insisting on the biggest and best of everything (even if you can afford it) and of course unconditional love...loving someone even when they are unlovable or give little in return. Admittedly this is quite a tall order and I can think of more failings than victories in each one of these areas. But in the midst of the daily grind, it helps to remember what it is we're fighting for.

Spring Break

2011-04-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Just now getting around to posting pictures of our vacation. We went to Destin, FL...not a huge tourist attraction, but happens to be one of the shorter drives to a coast of any kind for us sad northerners. We got a nice VRBO condo that was across the street from the beach..and heated pool access when we got too much sand in our shorts. Blue skies and warmish all week. We most mostly hung out around the water but did venture out to the local over-priced aquarium. A great family vacation. It's still a lot of work to take Ethan anywhere and this week proved to be no different. If he wasn't eating sand, he was rubbing it into his eyes, throwing things over the balcony railing, terrorizing the nick-knacks, and for his final escapade...wrote in blue ink all over the condo's white recliner. Why anyone would have a white recliner, I'll never know. By some miracle, I was able to get up all but a few faded scribbles with a wet rag and dish soap. Chris and I are already fantasizing about another beach vacation...sans kiddos (shhh!)

Tasting sand for about the 5th time that day...not sure what the appeal was

NiNi, sporting a brand new gaping hole where her recently loose tooth used to belong

Just happened to be vacationing down the street from our good friends and fellow adoptive family, the Randalls

Take #1

Take #2

Take #3

best out of 4

Family Portraits

2011-04-10T12:12:00.001-07:00

Old habits die hard

2011-04-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

Seems like I have been sharing a lot of deep thoughts on adoption lately. I'm not usually so heavy, but for some reason I feel like my perspective has changed with this newest addition...one newly adopted child and one who is finally old enough to give us tiny glimpses into what she is thinking and feeling. I try to be mindful of not blogging about things that, in the future, the kids could feel violate their privacy in any way. I suppose this post may be pushing the envelope a little. I felt like I was somewhat prepared for the emotional issues my kids may have before we embarked on adoption, but I am realizing that I did not really come to grips with the fact that these issues may last well beyond the initial adjustment period. Intellectually I knew it, but as with all things, out of sight, out of mind. With NiNi, these issues are very much back in sight. She has always had some anxiety when it comes to food. When we first brought her home, she hoarded food, dug food out of the trash and generally ate each meal like it may be her last...not uncommon behavior for internationally adopted children. She also had more of the physical symptoms of malnutrition...brittle hair, boils on her body, abnormal labs, etc. In the first 6 months she was home, she gained a pound a month and in no time looked as plump and healthy as any other 2-year-old little girl. I really believed that the food woes were behind us. When she was about 3, she saw a picture of herself in the orphanage and freaked out. She started ripping up the picture, then proceeded to pull several other similar pictures out of the album and rip them as well (which I allowed her to do because I had digital copies of them). She was even able to share with me some sketchy pre-adoption memories. Mind you, she was 16 months old when we adopted her. It is almost unbelievable to me that she could have any memories at this age, but she clearly did. As she got older we realized that she was the kind of kid that needed to eat often, which we attributed to low blood sugar. Recently we have noticed a dramatic increase in negative behavior...mainly tantrums (the 30-45 minute, inconsolable, full-body, kicking, screaming, thrashing around until you fall asleep variety). It did not occur to me until I was describing this to a friend that 90% of these occurred when she was hungry. Sometimes we were busy running around and be late on lunch, or she would sleep in past her usual breakfast time and wake up ravenous, or she'd want a mid-day snack and I did not immediately produce one. I mean, my other kids have thrown fits, but these are in a league of their own and her reaction not at all in proportion to the "unjustice" done to her, if you know what I mean. I'm becoming increasingly convinced that her brain is hardwired differently...that she associates the feeling of hunger with her experiences in the orphanage. Maybe part of her still believes she may starve and this produces some kind of primal survival response. Hogwash? Maybe, but the tantrums have been reduced by more than half since we've begun operating under this assumption. Recently we started allowing her to keep snacks in her bedroom or in her pocket, having breakfast on the table BEFORE she wakes up in the morning, and when she says, "I'm hungry" we try to take it very seriously. The funny thing is, after all the drama, she sometimes does not even eat the food, or only nibbles on it. I think it's just comforting for her to know it's available. If I could reason with her, I would say, "Have we ever let you go without food? Don't we take good care of you? Don't you know how much we love you?" But this is deep stuff, and it has made me more vigilant with Ethan. For example, is he just naturally super-charming, or is this a skill he learned to curry favor with the nannies. I find myself asking the question, "What is he really telling me?" more and more. I think we owe that to our adopted children. I do believe that love heals all wounds, but the healing process may take an entire lifetime.

A few funnies

2011-04-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

Meagan had a fundraiser at school about which she had forgotten. The night before the money was due, she conned her sister (who still firmly believes that shiny money is more valuable than paper money) into "donating" the entire contents of her piggy bank. Oh the depths of sisterly kindness.

NiNi is suddenly interested in people getting married and often asks if so and so will have a husband or get married and KISS. She asked me the other day, "Mom, do you love your laminator?" (I am often saying this aloud when I use it for work) I replied, "Yes, I love it." She said, "Are you going to marry it?" I said, "I can't, I'm already married to daddy." NiNi suggested, "Well, you could sneak marry it." (Sneak is her new favorite word...she is fascinated with the idea that you can do things and no one knows about it). I said that, no, I did not want to marry my laminator. She said, "Yeah, because it doesn't have any lips."

NiNi is trying to find more sophisticated terms for her bodily functions. The other day she said, "Ut oh, a gas pass"

NiNi was mixing up a concoction of water, dirt and dandelions to feed her baby. We overheard her saying, "Here, baby, take your medicine. It has protein in it so you will have low blood sugar"

I drink tea every morning and Meagan has recently developed a taste for it too. I was making some for us the other day and said, "Meagan, here's your tea...it's almost done steeping." Meagan said, "Ohhhhh, Mom! Steep??? Is that your new cool vocabulary word?" My children think I'm an idiot.

NiNi: "I can't wait until I'm a grown up so I can boss around my kids."

2011-03-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

The men in my life...a sometimes refreshing source of common sense in this otherwise raging inferno of estrogen

2011-03-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

NiNi often asks what words mean. It's fascinating to watch her little wheels turn to figure things out. It's also surprising sometimes the concepts that I assume she understands but really has no clue what I'm talking about. Like the other day Meagan was sleeping in and I said something about being lazy. NiNi asked, "What's lazy?"
Ethan has a jack-in-the-box that plays "Pop Goes the Weasel". Here is the conversation that ensued:

NiNi: "What's a weasel?"
Me: "It's an animal like a rat"
NiNi: "What does pop mean?"
Me: "You know, like he pops his head out of a hole"
NiNi: "Yeah, and then the monkey EATS him!"

I had no idea what she was talking about until I vaguely remembered that the rest of the song has something to do with a monkey chasing a weasel around some sort of table. Hilarious how quick-witted she can be!

Ethan is saying a few words! He says "Ut-oh" on his own and will imitate "hi" and "wow." Sometimes I think his "mamamama" really means "mom" now, as he will look at me intently when he wants something and shout "Ma!" I have also heard a few oral consonants lately "La" and "Da" which is encouraging since most of his sounds come out of his nose.

We had a little birthday get together with my side of the family for all the March birthdays...

Not Ethan's birthday, mind you, but he got an honorary cupcake anyway

Love it when I catch my mom genuinely smiling (and NOT trying to hide her teeth:)

Jumping on the trampoline

This is how I found him when I went in to wake him at 9:45am! Rough night I guess!

Grandma, Grandpa and their brood of grandkids

Race...the other four letter word

2011-03-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Before we had Ethan, no one ever doubted that we adopted from China. Two brown-haired, fair-eyed parents, one daddy-look-alike child and one Chinese child. And we quickly grew accustomed to the second glances in the grocery store, restaurants, park, etc. You know, the first glance is the one you give everyone who crosses into your line of vision. But the second look is a process of trying to racially size up a family. Not in a negative way, just out of curiosity, I guess. Ultimately it's how our brain works. We are constantly trying to find sameness...to fit unlike items into neat little categories. I find myself doing it to other mixed race families all the time. And, let's face it, anyone who has adopted trans-racially knows that when you sign those papers, you are also signing up to forever be a walking billboard for adoption. This is not a bad thing but it can get wearisome at points. Another reason for the stares...I think that my children are particularly beautiful and people tend to stare at beautiful children. It wasn't until we brought Ethan home that I came to grips with my deeper emotions on the subject. NiNi and Ethan started a gymnastics class several weeks ago. It is Tuesday mornings on my day off...so daddy is at work and Meagan is at school. It's the first situation where people only know me and the Chinese contingency of our family. Ethan's class is a "mommy and me" class so I chat with the other moms quite a bit. Right away I noticed something was different: No probing looks, No adoption comments. And I seemed to be oddly included in discussions relating to pregnancy, birth and babyhood. Interesting. Then it hit me, everyone assumed that NiNi and Ethan were biologically related and my husband must be Chinese. After all, as my Asian friends like to tell me, that Asian gene is strong. Even if your great-great grandma was Chinese your kid could come out looking like he just immigrated. So, then it happened. We were discussing Ethan's small size and someone asked, "Was he a preemie?" Um....I paused, I stammered, then, as if on cue, Ethan darted off and I had to run after him. By the time I sauntered back over, the conversation had drifted to the housing market or something like that. But I couldn't get the interaction out of my head. Why didn't I want to tell the truth? Why didn't I just say, "Oh, he's adopted, I have no idea if he was a preemie!" Probably for a couple of reasons. One, there is certainly a component of grief in adoption. Let me first say that I positively love all of my children equally. Still, the stark reality is that with my adopted children, I was not the first to hold them, smell them or kiss them. And that is sometimes painful. I missed out on so much of their babyhood....especially those newborn months when they are so fragile and completely dependent. Actually it really sucks. Two, I think our society is not yet always accepting that adoption is a valid way to build a family. I'll never forget talking with a patient in the nursing home where I used to work. She was in her 80's and I asked about her children. I'll never forget her response, "I have one son....well TWO, but one's adopted." Now granted we've come a long way since this mis-guided woman formed her views on adoption, but not so far. I think there is a part of me that fears, if I let on that Ethan is adopted, this will somehow de-validate to others our mother-child relationship. Because I did not physically give birth to him that I am some kind of mother-impostor. I don't know the answers to any of this. And I'm sure that it will occur to my gymnastics moms at some point that I am not my son's biological mother. But, is it wrong to enjoy the anonymity? To fade into the wood work and be the same as everyone else for awhile? Probably, but it's where I'm at.

More NiNi on prayer

2011-03-16T05:31:00.000-07:00

This morning I said a prayer with the kids on the way to school and daycare. When I finished NiNi said, "Mom that was pretty good...you get a 5" (as in rating on a scale from 1-10) I said, "What do I need in order to get a 10?" She said, "You get a 10 when it's more shorter."

This is interesting to me since several months ago, short prayers got the low score. In fact I remember getting zeros on a few occasions when I only prayed about 1 or 2 things. How can I get a good score when the criteria keeps changing?

Water Table

2011-03-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

Ethan has discovered playing in the water table...kept him occupied for almost an hour today (which, if you know him personally, you will agree that this is nothing short of a miracle) I apologize in advance for the pink coat!

Other random pictures:

Watching TV ("Ahhhh...this is the life")

Love that smile

2011-03-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

Happy 10th birthday to my beautiful, tender-hearted, funny, smart, and incredibly talented daughter. The day you were born was one of the happiest moments of my life!

2011-03-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

March is always a bittersweet month for me. Four years ago at this time we were eagerly anticipating the call that our travel approval had arrived to adopt Mayah. Instead, we got a very different phone call. She started having trouble breathing just after dinner on March 22nd, was taken to the hospital, and died that same evening. No other details, except that her foster family was grieving bitterly for her. I remember driving home from work in a daze after our agency called. I remember meeting Chris at home, and him sobbing on our bed. I remember us taking a walk in our neighborhood, crying out to God...and praying for the right words to tell our kindergartner that her sister had died. I also think about heaven and how much more "real" it is to me now. I'm thankful for that. This time of year reminds me of her...the daffodils peeking through the dirt, the rain, the earthy smell of spring. And in many ways, wanting March 22nd to come and go quickly. It shouldn't be odd to me (but it is) that no matter how many children I have, there is still this sense that there was supposed to be one more. And this fundraiser that happens each year...sure it helps a few kids, but I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I do it for myself. It's therapeutic. It forces me to think about her, to say her name, to write her name, and to even talk about her from time to time. It's soul-soothing.

If you get a chance, check out the new look to our blog HERE. My friend Deb designed a logo for us which I feel captures the essence of all this perfectly and beautifully. Then Nikki at Blogs for Cause gave the blog a make-over. Oh yeah, and don't forget to check out the cutie we are sponsoring this year.

Quote of the week...

2011-02-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Meagan: "Ethan is like a dog in SO many ways"

And honorable mention goes to NiNi:
"Mom, why don't we ever get to ride in the big cart at Target (cart that has a place for bigger kids to sit/stand)? Huh mom? Why not? 'Cause you're not a fun mom???"

Not to be outdone by this zinger:
I was talking with the girls about how we all have weaknesses and what our greatest weaknesses are. NiNi said, "Mom, what's YOUR greatest weakness...Being mean to us?"

21 months

2011-02-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

Emerging...

2011-02-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

This morning as I was giving the kids breakfast, they asked if I had an early morning meeting to go to. I had on a nice-ish shirt and earrings. I did not have a meeting but had slept in my clothes the night before...just seemed like way too much work to put on pajamas! That said, I still believe we're beginning to emerge from our month long battle with the viral crud. I am on the tail end of a sinus infection and Meagan is still firmly planted on the couch with a low grade fever, but I think it's on it's way out. The same night that the ice storm hit a few weeks ago, we were driving NiNi to the immediate care center with a 103.5 degree fever and it just went downhill from there. We all started dropping like flies. Chris had to be in Miami the next day, so there I was, iced/snowed-in with sick kids. That's when it hit me...the stark reality of having three kids. It's funny that I keep waiting to feel like I'm on top of life again...to find my groove. Now I'm beginning to think I don't have one! I'm not trying to be down on myself and don't generally have a low self-esteem, but it's true that we all have strengths and weaknesses. I marvel at women who have 4,5,6 kids AND home school the entire brood AND workout AND eat from their own flourishing organic garden. I know that no one is perfect, but you can't deny that some women just have that certain something which makes them appear to breeze through motherhood with grace, style and a bubbly personality. And it's not a single quality, like organization or patience. It's some kind of rare super-maternal gene...a gene that I unfortunately did not inherit or manufacture. I know, I know, it's the low endorphins and February-in-Indiana-gray-skies talking. And regardless of whether I am "good" at it or not, I have these wonderful creatures that call me mom. So for now, let the laundry pile grow (and junk mail pile, toy pile, and stuff that needs to go in the attic pile) and it's frozen pizza for dinner tonight! I guess they all seem relatively well adjusted...

Here are some pictures from the warm spell we had last week

Attack of the psycho-sister

A quick update on the little man...He is growing! We have another weigh-in in a couple of weeks, but I'm guessing he's past the 20 lb mark now. And just in time so that we can turn his carseat forward-facing for our Spring Break drive to Florida. He's gonna LOVE looking a something besides the back of the seat! He runs the house these days, ordering us around by pulling our arms and motioning "come here." Still not talking but communicating FOR SURE. He hits us on the chest, or uses his little hands to turn our faces toward what he wants. He knows almost 20 signs (cracker, juice, milk, more, done, help, banana, please, thank you, sorry, hot, etc) and will even put 2 signs together.... "more eat" is a favorite combination:) He recently started pointing to his eye and saying "eye" and will make the "h" sound when signing "hot." He stays in the church nursery for the entire service now and will appropriately cry when I leave him and is happy when I come back...this is a good thing compared to when we first brought him home. Sleeping and napping much better now that his dairy allergy and reflux are under control (except when I forget to give him his medicine...oops) He loves his occupational therapist. When she comes over, he sits down and pats the floor beside him for her to sit down too. He is drinking from a straw a little bit now. He also loves his time with grandma...this week she is starting to watch him 2 days a week as I bump up my hours at work. Overall he is such a happy guy!

Four no more...sniff, sniff

2011-02-02T14:19:00.001-08:00

NiNi had been counting down the days until her birthday. The day prior to this momentous occasion, she walked up to me and said, "Mom! This is the last day I will be four!" I think I almost cried. It seems like yesterday that she was Ethan's size and all her cousins would carry her around in a laundry basket chanting "Queen NiNi, Queen NiNi" I think this must have been the beginning of her "princess complex" as we like to call it. We joke that her birthparents must have been of royal blood and she was supposed to have been a Chinese Empress or something. She's so misunderstood! Seriously, I am very proud of her, especially for making room for a little brother. I guess we forget that our other children have no say in whether they want to share their parents with another sibling or not. It can be a very frustrating time...and it has been. No longer the baby but not a big girl either. But she is really growing and giving a little more each day. Playing with him, trying to be maternal. Of course I still hear conversations like this:

Ethan was sucking on one of NiNi's bracelets. She started screaming, "You are the most disgusting spitty brother in the world! Now you can just keep that yourself for dress-up-ing"

We had a few friends over on Saturday for a party, although she was in the beginning stages of the flu, so didn't act like she was having a tremendous amount of fun.

They're supposed to be unicorns. Everyone thought they were pigs, though. Hey, I tried!

Neither Meagan or NiNi really acknowledge that Ethan isn't just one of the girls. So far he has been victimized into dressed up in girl clothes, putting on lip gloss and had his hair in tiny pony-tails. Not to mention the daily trying on of girl shoes, and feeding bottles to the Baby Alive. I have assured Chris this is called "pretend play" and is something we can check off his developmental checklist. He's not buying it, though. He says we need to "man-up" Ethan. I suggested we get him into pee-wee soccer as soon as possible, although I don't think there are any teams quite "pee-wee" enough at this point. He did start a mommy-and-me gymnastics class and I am proud to report that he is the only toddler in the class that can do a somersault.

In other news, we seem to be making some headway on Ethan's GI issues. I have cut all dairy out of his diet for the past 2 weeks and we have had no throwing up whatsoever and much better sleeping. Although no one has confirmed it, we are going to assume he is allergic to dairy and just go with it. Neither of my girls really like meat and I could take it or leave it. No meat, no diary, we might as well go full vegan. Not sure what we'd do about Chris, the one meat-and-potato-loving member of our family.

Our little Babushka

Enjoying his soy yogurt

The extra wide baby gate...a wonderous invention. Thank you grandma Smith!

Spikey hair

Watching High School Musical...the only form of television Ethan is interested in

2011-01-20T16:35:00.001-08:00

Another family in our travel group snapped these pictures of us on gotcha day. They are my new favorites of our first moments together!

Stay at home mom...sort of

2011-01-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

I am really enjoying the closest I've been to stay-at-home mom in 10 years. I still work one day a week but it's so low key...feels good not to be so divided and frazzled all the time. Not that being with kids all day ISN'T frazzling...but it's a different kind of stress. It's sad that it's taken 3 kids for me to realize I need to slow down and really enjoy them. As my mom likes to say, "When it's all said and done, they're not going to remember if the house was clean or not." That's good, 'cause it's definitely NOT. And even my attempts to clean feel like shoveling snow while it's still snowing. Ethan is into everything. I know all toddlers are, but I feel he is unusually so. We took him to our Bible Study group last week. I caught my very kind-hearted friend staring, with mouth gaping open, as Ethan crawled up the stairs, down the stairs, up the stairs, down the stairs...for about 20 minutes. He's like the Energizer bunny. And he really cannot be contained. He wriggles out of his high chair seat belt like some tiny Houdini, climbs gates, and screams pathetically when placed in his crib to "play" (yeah, I know, it was a dumb idea, but I was desperate) He may be delayed in other areas, but his gross motor skills are pretty advanced if you ask me. He can scoot out the kitchen chair, runs and grabs a stool, lifts the stool ONTO the chair, climbs on top of both and then lunges to the kitchen table. Then stands there all triumphantly like he just climbed Mt. Everest. Oh, and he does it all in the time it takes me to make a 90 second potty run. Chris now looks forward to coming home to find out what creative system of barricades I've constructed that day. And our 1600 sq foot ranch is feeling extra small these days. We've always liked the idea of having a small, simple space (not to mention the low mortgage payment). The girls share a room and Ethan has the small room. My "office" is relegated to a corner table in the living room. I thought, how much space can one more kid take up? Well, the kid itself, not much, but the kid's STUFF is a whole different story. I feel like toys and clothes just ooze out the the walls. But we'll probably never move. I despise moving and I'm very stubborn.

Ethan had his First Steps evaluation earlier this week and going to get some Occupational Therapy. Maybe not for long as his feeding skill are really coming along nicely. My main concern was that he cannot use a straw or sippy cup and does not really suck from a bottle. When the therapists came out for the eval, I gave him a sippy cup to demonstrate this and what did he do? Sucked on it. Why do my kids love to make me look like a liar. Seriously, he is really getting some strength and coordination in that little mouth which is a good thing. We go back to the pediatrician on Tuesday for our official 4 week "weigh in," but I'm pretty sure he's gained. Even taking into account being clothed and using different scales, I'm almost positive he's gained at least a solid pound. We went for an MRI yesterday. It was very traumatic because they had to sedate him which required 5 attempts to get the IV started. He has a very deep sacral dimple so they want to rule out something called "tethered cord syndrome" Having this condition would mean surgery on his spinal cord...so we're praying for good news. Our trip to the craniofacial center was very uneventful. They snapped a few pictures and told us to come back in September. Truthfully, his palate is repaired, and until he's talking, we won't know how good the muscles are working and what revisions are needed.

NiNi is still in the adjustment phase of having a little brother. We have had some definite set backs with her behavior...so much so that I am pulling out my attachment and adoption books and re-reading them. It's tough on her...truthfully, I think she's always wanted to be an only child. A princess and an only child. Hopefully someday she will see the benefit of having siblings. She still cracks me up everyday. This morning I took her to gymnastics for the first time and said, "Mommy is going to run an errand while you do gymnastics, but I'll come right back to get you. They have my number if you need something." She said, "Mom, remember...I don't have a cell phone."

Our future scientist

Caught in the act of smearing toothpaste in his hair

****Update: Ethan gained 1.2 lbs his first 4 weeks home and his MRI was normal (yeah!)

Sibling Rivalry

2011-01-06T05:35:00.000-08:00

NiNi has been in a very....how do I say....delicate emotional state for the past 3 weeks now. It's like the terrible 2's all over again, except she is smarter and stronger and sassier. And Meagan, unfortunately, is the spark to NiNi's gunpowder. We were at Target the other day and saw a little girl holding and cuddling her doll. It was so precious that I commented to the mom. The girl's mother said, "She likes to pretend that the doll is her little sister". I said to Meagan, "Isn't that sweet...she really WANTS to have a sister." Meagan replied, "That's only because she doesn't have one."

NiNi, Ethan and I were getting ready to go for a walk. As I was putting Ethan into his coat, I started kissing and tickling him. NiNi, in an irritated tone said, "All right, mom. That's enough 'maw-mawing'" I guess "maw maw" was her sound effect for kissing.

Mr. Handsome

2011-01-05T12:39:00.000-08:00

Here he's trying to play the "I'm gonna get you" game. He puts his little hands up and wiggles his fingers and runs toward us. This, of course, we think is just about the cutest thing we've ever seen.

Not too sure about the grass and cold temperatures

All done, mom

Meanwhile, NiNi was feeling left out of the picture taking...

2011-01-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

NiNi putting on her best "I like him, I really do" face

Ethan climbed up onto the table and got into the powdered donuts. Now climbing up onto the table is his new favorite thing to do. I'm expecting an ER visit any day now.

Isn't she beautiful? And such a great big sister too!

Ethan loves him some Meagan

Meagan and Kaili at the Children's Museum

1 month

2010-12-31T04:07:00.000-08:00

Ethan has been with us just over one month now. I commented to another family in our travel group recently that it feels like SO much longer...in a good way. I can't think of another word to describe him except "delightful". From the steady stream of smiles and giggles, to his sloppy open-mouthed kisses, to his cleverness and the funny way he tucks his blanket under his chin before he has a bottle, and (best of all) the tiny pats of his hand on my back when we snuggle. I keep waiting for the honeymoon to end (I'm a realist that way...Chris calls it "doomsday thinking" but "realist" sounds so much less harsh, don't you think?) Of course, I don't exactly know what that would entail or what I am afraid of. Maybe deep down I think the transition has gone TOO smoothly. Like maybe he is TOO happy. Like whatever tenuous bonds we now have are just superficial. Like we might still all wind up in therapy a few years from now. And maybe we will, but there is no doubt in my mind that this is the child God has chosen for us. When we were in China, I was surprised at how much the people there believe in "predestination." Our guide told us that when Chinese see an American couple with a Chinese baby, they immediately think that "destiny" has brought us together. Of course while many Chinese people believe in the power of the "universe", we know that this power comes from God. I don't know if I've ever blogged about how we received Ethan's referral. I actually tried to decline his referral...TWICE! Very early on in our process (right after our application was approved, I think) our agency offered to match us. Knowing we were still about a year away from traveling and because of everything we went through with Mayah (holding her referral for over 9 months and then her passing away shortly before we traveled) I had made up my mind that I wanted to be matched as late as possible in the process. I suppose my rationale was that if something bad happened, I would not be so attached to this child. I realize this was a slightly dysfunctional approach, but that's where I was at. And so we went along, compiling our dossier, completing our homestudy, without a match. Shortly after we completed our homestudy, I received an email about a potential match for us. I promptly emailed the woman back and said thanks, but no thanks. She emailed again saying this child matched our checklist and we should really take a look at him. Of course I knew that if I actually looked at him, it would all be over. Nope nope nope, I replied. Then my cell phone rings. Same woman. I'm sure she thought I was crazy. I explained my line of reasoning, that it didn't feel like the right timing, and she reiterated that this WAS a good time for a match considering where we were in our paperwork. Yeah, yeah, I was unconvinced. Then she said the words, "He's the last child on the list." Mayah and Alina were "the last child on the list" too. Meaning they had found matches for all the files sent in that batch except for ONE. And then I looked at the date: April 27. The same day three years ago that we received Alina's referral. I am generally not overly conscious or attributing so much spiritual significance to dates or "signs from God" but I felt like God was, at the very least, trying to get my attention. So I opened the pictures on my email. Here was this beautiful baby, grinning from ear to ear in spite of his cleft, and, as I knew it would be, that was all she wrote. Game over. I was hooked. Although I am pretty sure we are done growing our family, I can definitely see how families adopt again and again and again. It is one of the most thrilling experiences of a lifetime. Not to downplay pregnancy and birth, which are very miraculous indeed. I think adoption requires a unique "stretch" of ones faith which compares to few things in the parenting arena. I've said it before, that there is nothing like an adoption to make you feel completely helpless. No control whatsoever. This little life that is neither in your body nor in your hands. Months and months of waiting. Pouring over a single solitary picture. Without an update. And the countless other defining moments...choosing a name (YOUR name), clicking the "buy now" button for the airline tickets, leaving your other children behind, the raw nerves of waiting for your child to walk (or be carried) out to you on gotcha day, during which the split second panic hits of "what have we done..." And then you hold him or her. Sometimes it feels "right" right away and sometimes even that takes time. But just look at what God did. The people and places and government agencies he has orchestrated to bring two lives together...and all without the slightest bit of assistance from us, I might add. As I am typing this Ethan is sitting on my lap in a soggy diaper and very sloppily enjoying his morning bottle. What a perfect way to commemorate 30 wonderful days together. Thanks, God.

Random holiday pictures

2010-12-29T15:58:00.001-08:00

Tuckered

The Reuter/Bolender clan. NiNi was not in the mood to be photographed

Big hug for grandma

Passing the buck

This is the cake we made back in May for Ethan's 1st birthday. We froze 5 pieces so that we could re-celebrate once he was home.

Thoroughly enjoying his cake...it was still surprisingly tastey after 8 months in the freezer!

The girls loving the snow...Ethan not so much

Does mom look tired, or what?

NiNi's culinary creation

One of TWO ride on toys Ethan got for Christmas

"Wait, can we talk about this bunny towel?"

Meagan opening her DSI...she was genuinely surprised!

2010-12-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

Starting to feel like some form of family structure is on the horizon. We've spent the last week running around to doctor appointments and labs, spending a pretty penny on a variety of formulas that Ethan does not like, and de-programming the girls from three weeks worth of being without the loving discipline of mom and dad. Don't get me wrong, we are very grateful to grandmas and aunts who helped take care of them while we were gone, but there's nothing like "mom's rules" to keep the "attitudes" at bay. We are on a major campaign to put some serious poundage on the little man. Let's just say our pediatrician was not at all happy that Ethan is two whole blocks below the bottom of the growth curve for every measurement. We are supposed to go back in one month to see if he's gained. So, when is dinner time? Anytime he will let us feed him! The eating is really going much better. He is eating a "toddler" diet much of the time, with a few jars of baby food thrown in the mix for good measure. My good friend (who is also a dietitian) dropped by some fortified protein shakes and juices which he loves. It's really the drinking that he struggles with the most. Chinese formula made him spit up all the time and American formula is not sweet enough so he drinks 1-2 ounces and then stops. For about a week I was only changing his diaper 2-3 times a day, which all moms know is a big red flag. He seems to like the soy formula a little better so we're going with that for now. Sleep is also going much better. He's getting used to being in his crib alone and gets up only 1-2 times at night. We have some specialists appointments coming up in the next few weeks to get some things checked out, but all in all, things are going very well. Oh and did I mention that he is WAY smart? I started teaching him some sign language as soon as we got back and he has learned 5 signs (milk, juice, sit, more, all done) and uses them purposefully. He's also figured out how to unlock the child-proof latch on the toilet after seeing me do it a couple of times. Thankfully he's not strong enough to do all the steps at the same time, but he's deciphered it none-the-less. Amazing.

First bath in the big tub

Hanging with Dad (trying to be funny) and Uncle Jason

Ethan and his cousin Quinn

This depicts NiNi and Ethan's very volitile relationship. The bubble above NiNi's head could read, "Hmmmm, what to do with you...smack you or be nice. Your life is in my hands little brother"

2010-12-14T05:49:00.000-08:00

This gives you an idea of how massive our travel group was! Ours was the largest in the history of CCAI's Henan project. So many great bonds formed during our time together and looking forward to getting updates on how all the babies are doing!

Home at last

2010-12-12T03:43:00.000-08:00

I can't even express how good it is to be home. We are so in love with Ethan but the trip and whole adoption experience this time around was a tough one. For starters it was LONG. Only 3 days longer than when we picked up NiNi, but felt like 3 weeks longer. And Meagan was having such a hard time. Much of the time we talked on the phone with her she was weepy. Talk about feeling helpless. Then I would hang up the phone and cry myself. I was physically ill much of the trip. Dizzy, no appetite. I kept telling Chris that I felt like the floor was moving...like maybe the hotel was swaying slightly in the wind. Except no one else was feeling it. Felt like I was sea sick the entire trip. I think I had an inner ear thing going on from all the flights. The most challenging part was just adjusting to toddlerhood again. Ethan is different in every way from NiNi. With NiNi, our first few weeks together she was clingy and subdued. She was really grieving the separation from her nanny as they shared a special relationship. Ethan did not seem to grieve at all. Even when we visited his orphanage he was like "See ya, I'm outta here!" There are of course pros and cons to each response, but the biggest thing that we noticed with Ethan was that he did not seem to have ever had any sort of structure, discipline or strong emotional bond with anyone. He snatches toys, hits, shoves kids down. Does not matter if the other kids is twice his size. No social skills whatsoever. Survival skills in an orphanage environment, I know, but still something that we're going to be dealing with for awhile. And to him, we were just a source of food and entertainment...just two more caregivers in his life. Although we are making progress everyday, in many ways this is still the case. I never realized how much soothing and feeding were such a huge part of the bonding process...and with Ethan we felt like we could do neither very well. Ethan is pretty delayed in his eating/feeding skills. At 19 months he still pretty much only eats baby food and drinks from a bottle. At the orphanage he ate rice congee (a sort of boiled down rice soup) every day. When we would try to put something solid in his mouth he'd just spit it out. Eating at restaurants and out of a hotel room for 3 weeks, there were times that we could just not find anything to eat that he liked. It was very stressful knowing he was hungry but not having anything to give him. Also, his sleeping problems were and continue to be an issue. We have not had a continuous nights sleep since we got him. I tell people that it feels very much like the disorienting sleep deprivation of having a newborn. He sleeps at most a few hours at a time and then wakes up screaming...and not a hungry cry but a mad and inconsolable cry. By 2 am he is usually in bed with us out of desperation. We have tried letting him cry himself to sleep and sometimes that works, but then he still wakes again after a few hours. It's tricky because letting him scream alone in his bed for prolonged periods of time is not good for the bonding either. Just wish we knew what was going on in that little brain of his. I guess I have a touch of post-adoption blues you might call it. Even so, we feel very blessed to have this exquisite little creature, and the joys totally outweigh the challenges. He is funny, charming, delightful, smart and curious. There is really something special about him. Seriously, he is like a people magnet.It was really cool watching him explore his new room. He had obviously never seen so many toys and he systematically picked up each one, examined it and problem solved it before moving on to the next one. And he has made progress even in the 48 hours we've been home. Trying new foods, showing a little bit of stranger anxiety, etc. I have to remember that this whole experience has been the most traumatic thing thus far in his little life and that in 6 weeks he will very likely be a totally different kid. The girls are thoroughly enjoying having a live doll to play with. Ethan has immediately taken to Meagan like she is a little mama. He will lift up his arms for her to carry him around. NiNi is having a little bit of a harder time. More emotional and feeling a little left out. Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes from everyone. We are feeling it and are very grateful for the love and support from so many.

NiNi pulling Ethan around the house in the sled that grandpa got him

Chillin' in the airport luggage cart

Goodbye China!!!!

2010-12-08T18:05:00.001-08:00

Feels so good to be writing this post! Although we technically leave mainland China tomorrow morning, we still have a 14 hour layover in Hong Kong, then HK to Seoul, and Seoul to Chicago. What were we thinking. I would pay about 1,000 dollars right now to be home one day earlier. Otherwise, we are doing well. Sleeping is going much better since Chris laid down marshal law. I had gone out shopping the other day and left the boys to fend for themselves. Up to this point Ethan had not napped nor had he fallen asleep without feeding, rocking, in and out of bed with us, etc. Mom had a little emotional breakdown the other night as he was thrashing around inconsolably at 2 am. Anyway, I came back to the hotel to find Ethan sleeping soundly. Chris let him throw a fit in his crib for about 30 minutes until he exhausted himself. Chris said he valued my sanity far too much to keep letting Ethan run the show. In other words, if mom goes to the funny farm, this whole operation gets shut down. It's a little tricky deciding when to start treating him like our other children and actually disciplining him (or at least not giving into his every whim) He is pretty willful and extremely smart. He's already learned the signs for "milk" and "more" and tries to imitate about everything we do and say. Smart enough to manipulate us and his environment...and to be defiant. For example, he knows he's not supposed to put his hands in the toilet and we tell him 'no touch' in Chinese every time he does it. Now, if we forget and leave the door open, he runs for the bathroom, plunges his hands into the water, looks at us and laughs hysterically. So we've started a few light slaps on the hand which only mildly and briefly redirect him. On Monday we took the oath at the consulate. This is the final step in the adoption process here and basically means that he can become a U.S. citizen once we touch down in the U.S. I don't think I was the only one to get a little choked up. The consulate official told us that Chinese adoptions have been up in 2010 and that over 60% are special needs children. There are 16 families in our travel group (was quite a feat to try to get a group photo) and all of the kids have some kind of special need. Very inspiring! Last night we took a dinner cruise on the Pearl River. The city is lit up like Las Vegas for the Asian Games so it was very beautiful. Today we got Ethan dressed up like a little Emperor for the traditional "red couch" photos. Tonight, packing and then we're outta here! See you back home in about 48 hours!

Guangzhou

2010-12-05T16:22:00.000-08:00

Finally emerging from my sleep deprivation stupor to blog again. It's Sunday afternoon here and our second full day in Guangzhou. Our last night in Ethan's province was a little stressful as he became really sick. I don't usually freak out when my kids get sick, but when there is no immediate care center, no meds, etc, I start to get a little nervous. The antibiotics we brought did not seem to be working and the fever was not staying down even with Tylenol. At one point our guide called us and said the hotel had a doctor who would be willing to see him. We thought, "fabulous!" We were ushered into this seedy hotel room with a massage table bolted to the wall and some noodles cooking in the hot pot. The older lady was supposedly the "doctor". She did have a stethoscope which she briefly and quite randomly moved around on his chest. The diagnosis? "Probably pneumonia, but maybe nothing. Better go to hospital" was the translation. The hospital was of course a huge public clinic where we would wait for hours and expose him to all sorts of other junk. And no guarantee there would be any western doctors there. We decided to take our chances and give the antibiotics one more day to work, and thankfully they did. It's so funny here. We love the Chinese culture and people, but we are constantly amazed at how nothing is as you expect it to be here. A doctor is not really what we think of as doctor, a hamburger is not a hamburger, even a coke is just not quite right. Yes, it's beginning to feel a little bit like the movie Groundhog's day. Same hotel room, same people, same restaurants, different day. Guangzhou has been nice. It's very warm here, sunny and 70 degrees everyday. Smog is not as bad here. The city has worked very hard to become more appealing in preparation for the Asian games. Seriously, they have been working for a year or more to spruce it up. They allow half of the cars to drive on one day and half on the other day. The parks are fabulous, flowers planted everywhere. The government even ran out many of the small shop owners to make the area look less poor, I suppose. Really a big difference from when we were here in 2007. And the shop owners are not allowed to chase after you to get you to come into their store. It's kind of sad really. You can tell everyone is on their best behavior, putting their best face forward. China is SOO much about image and making sure that outsiders think that China is modern. Ethan is doing great. Last night we all slept a full 8 hours. We are still trying to figure out how this little guy sleeps. With NiNi, it took us several weeks to realize that she liked to sleep with a small blanket to rub on her face. We think there is something like that we are missing with Ethan, because bedtime is just not a happy or comfortable time for him. Otherwise, he is happy and loves to play and eat. He did pretty good on his first airplane flight. Of course it was only 2.5 hours long. Not feeling as confident about the 15 hour flight coming up at the end of the week. He loves the bus rides, looking out the window and waving at people. Yesterday we went for his physical exam in order to get his visa. Today we did a little sight seeing, mostly stuff we saw on our last trip. We are SO ready to come home. We try to talk to the girls everyday, and Meagan is having such a hard time. So are we. Missing them so much. We fly out of Hong Kong on Thursday and it can't come soon enough! The pictures are of a Buddhist temple we visited (food and incense offerings) and a folk art museum. There were kids there younger than Meagan doing incredible drawings of the art and scenery. Also some pictures of Ethan getting his adoption physical.

tired

2010-12-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

Just now able to catch up from the past couple of days. Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou which is the final leg of the trip. Yeah! Yesterday we were able to visit Ethan's orphanage. It seemed like a nice place (of course they were expecting us and limited our visit to only 2 rooms) Still, a valuable piece of Ethan's history that we will be able to share with him later. It was very similar to what I remember of NiNi's orphanage. Housed about 130 kids as well as some disabled people and elderly. He walked in like he owned the joint and started playing with his favorite toys. We took pictures of him with 2 of his buddies, one of his nannies and the director of the orphanage. When we initially received his file, I was under the impression that he lived in Beijing most of his life at the New Hope Center. They told me in fact that he was only there during the time that he was recovering from his two surgeries (so a month or so each stint). The SWI in Luohe was indeed his primary home. They treated us to a fabulous lunch in the "cafeteria" and asked us to please keep in touch and send pictures of Ethan as he grows up. It was a 4 hour round trip and on the way back the car we hired blew out a tire. We were stranded for almost an hour on the side of a busy highway while the driver and Chris and the two other guys in our travel group tried to figure out how to use the jack. Must've been manufactured during WW II because no one had ever seen anything like it. Got the car jacked up and tire changed no problem, but then couldn't get it down again. After scratching our heads for almost 30 minutes, we suggested that where we're from it's perfectly acceptable to go "Dukes of Hazard" style and just drive off the jack. Luckily we finally got it down the boring way. Ethan's cough has gotten worse. He started running a fever last night and his breathing was sounding a little like a pterodactyl. Thank God for our pediatrician who sends us to China with antibiotics to use "at our discretion." Hoping the meds work and his breathing doesn't continue to worsen. We have slept very little the past 48 hours. At about 2:00 this morning I decided I am too old to have any more children...not to birth them, but to actually take care of them. Let's see, how can I describe Ethan. Imagine a miniature land-dwelling octopus (except warm-blooded and much cuter) who is FAST as all get out, has NO feeding schedule, NO nap schedule, and doesn't understand a word you're saying. Oh, and throw in the fact that he has decided he sleeps much better at night when he can use some part of my body as a pillow. No, we are not "family bed" kind of people, but someone didn't get the memo on that. Oh well, sleep is highly overrated anyway. And he's so darn cute it almost makes up for it. The bonding is going great. He will search us out in a room, preferring these two caucasians-wearing-glasses to any other caucasians that he sees. He will sit in our laps while he drinks his bottle and will SOMETIMES let us hold onto the bottle with him. But try to hold the bottle for him, taking away his control and it's all over. Today he spontaneously walked over and plopped himself onto my lap which almost made me cry. Please continue to pray that he can get healthy.

Nov 30, Adoption Day...it's official!

2010-11-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately for Ethan, there's no backing out now. He's stuck calling us mom and dad for the rest of his life. Was a little anti-climactic since all we did was paperwork and then got to take a quick picture with the notary official who presented us our adoption certificate. Still, very thrilled that he's officially a Reuter. We talked to the girls this morning and they got to hear some of his jibber-jabber which they thought was cool. He had a great night last night once we figured out his bedtime routine. Tried several methods....rocking, bouncing, and going for a walk to no avail. Finally Chris popped a bottle in his mouth and laid him in his crib. Wa-lah. Works for now but he'll have a rude awakening once we get home. Ever heard of bottle mouth? This kid could be the dictionary definition of it. Suffice it to say, his poor teeth could use a little fluoride. Anyway, he only woke up once freaking out that he had no idea where he was or who we were. It's pretty heartbreaking that we love him so much and totally feel like he's our son, but to him, we are still strange and a little scary sometimes. But it's getting better. He has warmed up today even more and will tolerate a little cuddling. Most of the time he is such a happy guy...so sweet and smiley and playful. And quite the charmer. Everywhere we go, Chinese women crowd around Ethan going ga-ga over him. And he smiles and waves back to them, which makes them go even more ga-ga! He has learned the "I'm gonna get you" game. He likes to sneak over and smack us on the leg, then starts running away. We went to the Lotus Center today (Chinese Walmart) and picked up a few toys for him. Mom really blew it in that department. Only toy I brought for him was a one of those textured teething stuffed animals. He acts like it is way beneath him to play with it and prefers playing with the hotel phone. We finally unplugged it from the wall and let him carry it around. Seemed like a good idea until he puked on it and now it doesn't work. Oops. Anyway, now he has a toy phone and some baby leggos and he's having a blast. Tomorrow we take a 4 hour round trip bus ride to visit his orphanage. He only lived there for a few months before being sent to the New Hope Center, but still was where he was taken into care. Chris is loving life becoming a dad again, but the lack of acceptable food choices is starting to wear on him. The hotel has some western food for breakfast so for him breakfast is truly a feast and he spends the rest of the day a little hungry and a little cranky:) This is already a long trip for all of us. Missing the girls and ready to come home now that we have Ethan. Unfortunately we're not allowed to leave the country until Dec 9th. Enjoy the pictures!

Here he is!!!

2010-11-29T18:44:00.000-08:00

Well, Chris is pacing up and down the hotel hallway with Ethan as I type this. Not CARRYING Ethan...I mean CHASING Ethan! God has blessed us with another high-energy kid and it's going to take mom and dad a few days to get reconditioned! In all seriousness, he is absolutely PERFECT! We couldn't be more thrilled. After fussing for about 10 minutes when the nanny first passed him to us, he immediately started warming up. Feeding us cookies, playing keep-away with his toys, and laughing when Chris hit himself in the head with a toy. We were totally shocked since this so unlike our experience with NiNi. He is a total charmer. He says "ma" in the sweetest little voice. Pretty sure he's not referring to me in any way shape or form, but it's darn cute. He has a cough that we hope does not turn into anything else, but other than that seems healthy. He is very small...more like a 9 month old in size, but stands, walks, runs, and says a few words in Chinese (we think). It is quite hilarious and amazing at the same time to watch him run around on his short, skinny legs. He does has some obvious feeding problems. He ate a big lunch when we got back to the hotel then promptly puked it up. I think he has a pretty bad case of reflux...nothing a little Prilosec won't cure. I feel bad for him that he's probably been puking up most of his nutrients his whole life. In spite of the nanny saying he was very tired, he has not slept but 20 minutes the entire day and we're starting to get a little nervous about how the night will go. He has latched onto my phone and seems to know that the keyboard is for texting because he moves his little fingers around on it and won't give it back. So cute. Overall he is a happy little guy, unless we don't give him what he wants...so we just give him everything he wants. Problem solved! Tomorrow we head back to the registration office for his official adoption day. Today is just a trial period... sort of like a test drive, I suppose, so that we can return him if we don't like him. (yeah, right) Nope, he's definitely a keeper! Can't wait for you all to meet him!

We are just hours from meeting Ethan!

2010-11-28T16:13:00.000-08:00

We are just hours from meeting Ethan! Will try to post pictures later this evening. Arrived in Zhengzhou yesterday. It's warmer here. You can tell from some of the pictures how cold it was in Beijing. Really bitter cold and the olympic stadium was the last stop (I had totally lost interest in the sights by then, dreaming about a hot bath!) The air here is so polluted. Makes me want to go home and go greener. Really just a thick fog in the air much of the time and makes you feel like you're sucking on the end of an exhaust pipe. I wondered why all the people wear medical masks outside...I thought they were just really germophobic. Now I get it. We got some more info about Ethan. What he eats, sleeping habits, etc. Two of his little friends are being adopted by folks in our same travel group so it will be nice to keep up the connection. We probably will not be continuing his diet of sugar water bottles....hmmmmmm. Not trying to be critical, but really? Sugar water for an underweight baby? Talked to the girls this morning and got a little choked up. REALLY missing them and the trip is not even half way through:( Here are some pictures from the wall and bird's nest and water cube at olympic stadium. They are sitting as monuments really since the local government has yet to find a use for them now that the olympics are over.

Update

2010-11-28T15:15:00.001-08:00

Just a quick post before we head out to Ethan's province this morning. Another exciting but exhausting day here yesterday. We are certainly getting our money's worth out of the tours. Our guide keeps us going from early in the morning until late in the evening. Finally getting used to the time change...was able to stay awake until 7:30 last night and slept until 3:30. Not too bad for our 3rd night here. The big tour yesterday was the great wall. Talk about breathtaking. The U.S. just has nothing to compare with the history of China. Even with so much being destroyed during the cultural revolution, it's still amazing to have structures over 2000 years old. It took 1 million people 14 years to build the great wall. All by hand. Stretches 6000 miles across China by some estimates. I'll post pictures later, but they still do not do it justice. It was 20 degrees outside but we quickly worked up a sweat climbing. The steps are all different heights..some 2 feet steep, some 4 inches...this was by design to frustrate any enemies who would try to climb it. Pretty frustrating for us too! Chris made it higher than I did, but I enjoyed just hanging out and taking pictures of the people and scenery. I didn't realize how famous I was until some Iranian men stopped me and each wanted their picture taken with me. I guess it is a big deal for them to meet an American. In their broken English they kept saying, "Iran and America...we are friends!" Very funny! Beijing is very international, both with visitors and many of the Chinese here in the business district speak English. Had our first experience with the poverty here while exiting the Forbidden City the other day. So many women with babies begging for money from the rich Americans. In spite of being warned by our guide to ignore them, my tender-hearted husband shoved some yuan in one of their hands. He was subsequently mobbed by women and babies. I was a little nervous for him for a minute! They all got something. Gotta love Chris. Today we fly to Zhangzhou and then just wait around for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we receive Ethan. I hope he likes us!

First day in Beijing

2010-11-26T05:16:00.000-08:00

We got into Beijing last night at about 9:00 and had a full day of touring today. The flight was long and brutal, just as we remembered from the last trip. It was cool to see people doing Tai Chi in the back of the plane, then emerging from the tiny airplane bathroom in a 3 piece suit looking totally refreshed. I'm beginning to think there is really something to that Tai Chi stuff. I am again reminded of how in the Asian culture, people are so adaptable, efficient and non-complaining. It is very cold here. Even in my hat and arctic-rated jacked, I was still freezing! First we took a rickshaw and visited the Houtong district. We got to look inside one of the homes and meet the owner...a very nice lady. Her sons and their wives and families live in this historic little cluster of homes. The son races pigeons (yes, this is a real thing) and also is an artist. We purchased one of his paintings. Then visited Tienneman square and the Forbidden city. Also had a fantastic lunch. I really like authentic Chinese food, at least for the first week or so! Tomorrow we get to climb the great wall. As much as I love taking in this amazing culture, I am wishing the we could pick up Ethan already. Day after tomorrow we fly to his province!

Itinerary

2010-11-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

Busy, busy around here getting ready to head out. Finally have our itinerary nailed down. Hard to believe that 10 days from now we'll be feasting our eyes on some juicy little toddler cheeks. For now, I'm still working on the "master plan" of getting the girls cared for and taxied around while we're gone. Oh, and putting up the Christmas tree, cooking up an early Thanksgiving dinner, and tying up numerous loose ends at work...all in the midst of a head-cold induced fog. Actually, 75% of us are sick. Me with a cold, NiNi on antibiotics for strep throat, and Meagan is at the Immediate Care center as we speak with a fever/sore throat. I figure if we're all on antibiotics, at least we can't come down with something else.

11/24 Leave U.S. for Beijing

11/25 Arrive in Beijing

11/26 Tour Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Tour

11/27 Tour Beijing: Great Wall and Ming Tombs

11/28 Depart Beijing for Zhengzhou

11/29 Receive Ethan today!

11/30 Adoption day (adoption is finalized)

12/1 Free time

12/2 Free time

12/3 Leave Zhengzhou for Guangzhou

12/4 Visa physical and immunizations for Ethan

12/5 Free time

12/6 Consulate appointment

12/7 Free day while paperwork is being processed

12/8 Receive Ethan’s visa.

12/9 Leave Guangzhou for Hong Kong in the morning.
Tour Hong Kong and leave for U.S. just after midnight

12/10 Home Friday afternoon!

Star Speller!

2010-11-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

Meagan competed in the Indiana Academic Spell Bowl this week. Only a handful of the top spellers from her school were selected to compete against other schools in this area. She spent the past 3 months learning 750 words (80 words/week) on top of her regular school work. Words like "bureaucracy" and "Aborigine." Words that I don't dare type without hitting spell check. She is amazing and we are SO proud of her!

Babysitter Machine

2010-11-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

Meagan was supposed to design a machine at school so she came up with this. It's called the "Sister Babysitter." It may be hard to tell from the drawing, but each little robotic arm has a function: Underwear changer, bottle feeder, comb, mirror, alphabet board (for teaching letters) and an extra hand to do miscellaneous tasks. The central screen plays "Dora the Explorer" non-stop. Oh and the part of the drawing that would not fit on my scanner shows a little girl laying on a pillow in front of this miracle machine. Hmmmm...I think she's getting a little nervous about having a new sibling on the way!

TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!

2010-11-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Just received TA today! Working on consulate appt and travel plans now but could leave as early as Nov 24th. YIPPEE!!!!

No news.....(snore)

2010-11-09T13:56:00.000-08:00

It looks like we may break the CCAA's record for longest time to issue a travel approval. We're always breaking some kind of record. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but this Friday will be 1 month since our Article 5 was issued. We fully expected to be close to shipping out by now. Problem is, there's something much bigger than adoptions (at least from their perspective) going on in Guangzhou Nov 12-27th...the 16th Asian Games . They are being held in the same city where all adoptions are processed and we happen to be staying at the same hotel which houses all the athletes. Guangzhou has been gearing up for this for a long time and the hope is that the Asia games will do for Guangzhou what the 2008 Olympics did for Beijing. My hunch is that the CCAA is SITTING on our travel approval until the games are over. I hope I'm wrong!

Halloween

2010-11-03T11:50:00.001-07:00

It appears as if Meagan's Charlie Brown ghost costume was just something we threw together. I assure you it was not....she had planned this for quite some time and thought it was the coolest thing ever. And for the cost of a $4 sheet at Walmart, what mom in her right mind would say no?

Taking inventory

By the way, I went to tuck the girls into bed later that night and saw them both with their buckets of candy in bed with them. I guess the've experienced too many Halloweens where mom and dad got into their candy while they were asleep and unarmed. The past few days, Meagan has been like the gestapo...checking the trash for wrappers, smelling my breath, etc. Silly girl. I have my ways...

Fall family pics

2010-10-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

2010-10-27T02:27:00.000-07:00

Still waiting on our travel approval. I checked in with our agency (which I by the way rarely do) to see if they had any idea of when it might come. I received an abrupt reply stating that the CCAA can sometimes take up to 4 weeks to issue a TA and ours has NOT EVEN been there 2 weeks. They must've forgotten that I am paying them several thousand dollars to coddle me, call me sweetie, and tell me everything's gonna be ok.

No shortage of other news around here. The state announced it's decision to phase out the utilization of independent providers in the First Steps program. In other words, my job, at least in its current form, is over. My options are to do contract work with an agency or look for work in another setting. Either way I take a pretty hefty pay cut. Since the change takes effect December 1st, I am frantically looking for a new job before we leave for China. I have a couple of interviews this week. One with a home health company. It would be pretty easy for me to slip back into geriatrics, which I actually would not mind, since I get to work with clients in their home and completely bypass the nursing home politics. I hope to know something in the next week or two.

We have been officially hit with the "October crud." Meagan and I are on a round of antibiotics currently...and I am waiting for NiNi and Chris to get hit any day now. We did manage to squeeze in our annual trip to Brown County (which has morphed into our "annual trip to Brown County AND the outlet mall") Got some really nice pictures of our family, which I will get around to editing and posting in the near future. Somehow this month has gotten away from me. We are gonna cram the pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, costume making, and trick or treating all into a 48 hour period this weekend. A fall festivities montage weekend!

Inside the 4-year-old mind

2010-10-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

NiNi has somehow acquired the debating skills of a teenager. I wish I remembered to write down more examples of her creative reasoning, but here are a couple funny ones.

Both of the girls know that we are waiting on "one more paper" until we can pick up baby Ethan and we usually sneak something about this into our dinner-time prayer. The other day NiNi asked me, "Mom, when are we gonna get that paper?" I said, "I don't know, have you been praying about it?" She replied, "No, I keep forgetting." I said, "Ok let's pray about it now, 'Dear God help us to get that paper. Amen'"
NiNi was outraged and scolded me, "Mom, that's not a prayer...it's too short! It has to be longer, you need TWO things." (I think meaning two requests)
I told her, "No it doesn't, Jesus prayed lots of short prayers"
She slumped over, all defeated-like and mumbled, "Well, nobody told ME that."

Today we were talking about something else and I said, "Why don't you pray about it." NiNi said, "I don't like to pray in front of other people." I said, "Ok, then pray in your head." Still a little miffed she said, "MOM! It's TOO QUIET in there!"

On another topic...
Me: "Oh NiNi, look, it's a full moon"
NiNi: "What's it full of?"

Me: "Give me a kiss" (as I pucker out my lips)
NiNi: "Mom, not when your lips are WATERY!"

Here are a few knock-knock jokes:

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Mrs. Smashed Potato head
Mrs. Smashed Potato head who?
A pumpkin wearing glasses

Knock Knock
Who's there?
A baby wearing a diaper on his head
A baby wearing a diaper on his head who?
Lamp head diaper head

I don't think she gets the idea of knock knock jokes yet.

And last but not least, we think NiNi has a mild food allery since she will occasionally wake up with a swollen lip. Very bizarre. It's not from a fall or a sore or anything. And it mysteriously disappears over the course of the day. I haven't been able to link it with any specific food. Now when we are eating something that she doesn't like, she'll say, "I can't eat that. It makes my lip fat."

Pre-K Pics

2010-10-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

NiNi is really growing up, as she often reminds me that she is in Pre-K, NOT PRESCHOOL...because "preschool is for babies." She's still the smallest in her class. For the longest time, I thought that they combined two classes because so many of the kids were a whole head taller than her. Nope. All 4 year olds. Maybe by the spring she'll be out of 3T pants! Oh well, what she lacks in size, she certainly makes up for in grit. I also posted her picture from last year. Besides the obvious (that she is absolutely gorgeous) you can also notice the nice result from her nose surgery last winter. I'm happy for her that all of that pain and suffering was worth it.

Article 5

2010-10-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Just got word from our agency that our Article 5 is tentatively scheduled to be picked up next Tuesday, Oct 12. Whew, a 25 day wait! They sure took their time on this one...the two Chinese holidays thrown into the mix didn't help matters any. Even so, it is not unreasonable to expect our travel approval to come before the end of the month! And hopefully back home in time for Ethan to catch the last bit of Colts season:)

Happy 17 months

2010-10-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

Ethan is 17 months old today! I know that one month will not mean much in the grand scheme of his life, but right now it seems like so much valuable time we have missed out on. Monday will be day 14 of a wait that has been ranging 15-28 days for our Article 5. Keep in mind that all of China was on holiday for a week for the Harvest Moon Festival beginning Sept 22nd, so that could delay things. Hopefully not. Please pray for a quick Article 5 and an even quicker TA (Travel Approval). We would love to be TA by the end of this month and then on a plane by the end of November. I have been sort of packing a little bit here and there. Just finished picking up the last of our aresnol of drugs. Antibiotics, Tamiflu, my migrane medicine, pedialyte, Tylenol, and a round of flu shots. Suffice it to say that a hospital in China is a very scary place to be, so it's best to prepare for the worst. I've also been smelling diapers (clean ones), testing nipples (fast flow, slow flow, orthodontic), and forcing NiNi into my mod new baby carrier so that I can try it out. I have 7 outfits neatly stacked in his crib. My mom keeps teasing me about the number of times that I have folded, unfolded, re-organized and folded again those outfits. Hey, give me a break...I'm nesting! Let's hope all this nesting brings on some good news from the CCAA!

Ode to Grandmas

2010-09-25T05:08:00.001-07:00

I was thinking the other day how lucky we are to live 15 minutes away from both our moms.....and we are not only geographically close, but have a great relationship with them! A rare gift. Their support is invaluable. Barb often babysits the girls on short notice so Chris and I can get some "sanity time" for our marriage. She also loves to take them to movies, the zoo, museum, etc. They are always quite thrilled (and tired) after a day with grandma Smith. And I can't even tell you how many times my mom has folded my laundry. The other day I went to work with a mountain of clothes on the couch, and came home that evening to find it had miraculously disappeared. My mom was in the neighborhood and let herself into my house to do a few chores while she waited for her doctor's appointment. She also watches NiNi for me every Friday, which has become a highlight of both their weeks. In addition to the "nature walks" (which are the source of the ziplock bags of crickets and rotten crab apples that decorate my countertops) she also usually brings some messy craft project. Last week they painted eachothers faces. NiNi didn't want grandma to wash hers off.....so she didn't. Mom drove all the way home like that. Now THAT is grandma love!

Welcome baby Quinn!

2010-09-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

Quinn Marie Reuter was born in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, September 14th. The girls are very excited to have another girl cousin!

Ethan update #3

2010-09-10T15:47:00.001-07:00

It looks like the picture was taken on the same day as the 7/30/10 update, but all of the medical info is dated 9/9/10:

Age: 16 months
Weight: 16.3 lbs
Head: 17.1 in
Chest: 17.7 in
Height: 26.4 in
Feet: 4.1 in
Teeth: 4

They also mentioned that he received our carepackage. We sent two, so not sure if he received one or both of them. He has been healthy. It does not look like he has gained any weight but he grew a centimeter in height:)

In case you didn't notice, I updated the timeline in the sidebar that we received our I-800 provisional approval this week. Next we are waiting on our NVC letter which as been averaging about 10 days. After that, the Article 5 has been taking about 20 days. So here we are, plugging along!

When I grow up

2010-09-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

Had this conversation with NiNi the other day.

NiNi: "Mom, what do you want to be when you get bigger?"
Me: "I'm already bigger"
NiNi: "No, I mean bigger like FORTY! So what do you choose, a ballet teacher or a gym teacher?"
Me: "I don't really want to be either of those things."
NiNi: "Mom! So you just want to be a mom running around crazy?"

Our life really is not that hectic, I just always like to say, "You guys are driving me crazy" or "Keep it up and you guys will have to come visit me at the funny farm" Now NiNi likes to tease me and say, "Mom, I'm gonna take you to the LOONY farm!"

This is my new fav picture of the girls and I love it that the expression on Meagan's face says, "I love being a big sister"

We went for a walk at Eagle Creek over the weekend and Meagan snapped this picture of us. We were standing in the very spot were Chris proposed almost 11 years ago to the day. We like to call this our "nerd kiss." Because we're both wearing glasses and you know how nerds get their glasses all tangled up when they kiss.

Family weekend

2010-08-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend with Chris' dad in town. The girls don't get to see their California grandpa very often so it's always a treat...and a mad dash to get in as much time with him as possible. We also took the opportunity to get some pictures of all the ladies.

The girls and I with Barb and Jenni (with baby girl Quinn in utero)

Chris was talking to Meagan about how water can be in three forms. Liquid, solid, and then he said, "What does water become when it gets really really hot?" NiNi burst out and said, "A gas!" We were floored and said, "How did you know that?" She replied very matter-of-factly, "I knowed it on my Leapster"

We were at the dollar store the other day and NiNi got side-tracked in the candy asile. When it became apparent that I wasn't going to buy her any, she said, "Mom, the next time you talk to the Easter bunny, tell him I want a blow-pop?"

More paperwork...

2010-08-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

So we just got the nitty-gritty details on where we go from here in terms of paperwork. Sometime in the past year or so, the U.S. has added an additional step to an already exhausting process. So these are the things we need before we get the green light to travel.

1. File the I-800 (seeks approval to adopt a specific child)
2. Receive provisional approval for I-800
3. Receive letter from NVC (National Visa Center)
4. Article 5 is issued by US Consulate in China and forwarded to CCAA
5. CCAA issues travel approval

Because these steps are relatively new, there are just no accurate timelines out there as to how long all of this will take. All our agency can say is "we would hope that you would travel in 11-15 weeks." Please pray for a speedier process than that!

LOA today!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

Just received our LOA....about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. I prayed that we would get it by my birthday, so I must assume this is none other than divine intervention:) This is the last document that must be signed before they will issue our travel approval. If things continue to go smoothly, there's a good chance we'll travel in November!

First day of 4th grade

2010-08-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

2010-08-07T02:17:00.000-07:00

The girls have been fighting like cats and dogs lately and it seems I have exhausted my very limited store of patience and creative punishments. Here are a few chuckles in the midst of the chaos:

NiNi still feels the need to scream like a 2-year-old when she does not get her way. At the very end of my rope one day I said to her, "WHEN are you going to stop that SCREAMING!?" She replied, "In January."

Both of the girls had gotten into trouble and I doled out a punishment. Since daddy was gone, I said that I would also talk to him about it later to determine if an additional punishment was in order. During dinner that night, Meagan asked when I was going to talk to daddy. I told them I had changed my mind and was not going to bother him with the issue....we would just stick with the original punishment. NiNi said, "You turned out to be a good mommy"

Ethan update

2010-08-02T13:38:00.001-07:00

Here is the update we received dated 7/30/10:

"Dang Wang Wang is doing great and feeding well. He was sent to the hospital on the 1st of July for cleft palate surgery. He returned home on the 22nd with palate repaired. At 14 months, he pulls himself up to stand, walks well, understands simple commands and holds his milk bottle during feeding. He is a happy little boy."

Current measurements:
weight 7.4 kg (16.3 lbs)
height 66cm (26in)
head circumference 43cm (16.9in)
chest circumference 44cm (17.3in)
foot size 10.5 cm (4.1in)

This puts him, well, not even on the growth chart for Chinese boys. But we're not complaining! Developmentally he certainly looks good and he likely lost some weight with the surgery. We are extremely grateful for the update!

2010-08-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

NiNi: "Is daddy the king of the castle?"
Me: "Yes"
NiNi: "Then what are you?"

Of course I replied, "Honey, I'm the queen!" I guess that's what you call the person who scrapes dried toothpaste out of the sink and makes clean underwear magically appear in the dresser drawer.

Beautiful inside and out

2010-07-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling very nostalgic lately. Maybe it's because we're about to have our 3rd and last child. Maybe it's because this will be Meagan's last year at elementary school. Shoot, maybe it's because NiNi got her hair cut. Regardless, I am often struck by what a beautiful young lady Meagan is becoming. The above picture was taken on her first day of kindergarten. I love the "identifying information" that is safety pinned to her shirt (in case she got shuffled onto the wrong bus on into the wrong lunch line). I also very vividly remember her SECOND day of kindergarten. I was working early so Chris got her dressed and onto the bus in the morning. As I watched her walk off the bus later that day, her shirt was on backwards. It was August and hot so she was wearing a shirt that scooped way down in the back....except the back was now the front. And it had been that way for the entire day. She was happy as a lark, her little bare chest glistening in the sun! Now she plans her outfits, and thinks about her hair, and whether her hair, glasses and braces will all "go" together. I am no longer allowed to download music to her MP3 player since the last song I put on there was from a Disney princess movie. I also see her trying to do the right thing and navigate her way in a sometimes very morally dark world. When I am having a bad day, she takes on this nurturing persona as if to say "It'll be ok mom." She has dealt with some rough circumstances at a time when she was very impressionable and God has used it to make her into a very sensible young girl. She is intuitive, compassionate, creative, thoughtful, funny and smart as a whip. And a life-saver at times when it comes to helping out with her sister or around the house. I realized the other day the I have crossed an important milestone in my parenting....Meagan is now actually very helpful and can do a whole host of chores totally independently. I remember the same sort of euphoria when I realized my kids could buckle their own seat belts. When they are little, you let them help "clean" to give them something to do, knowing it will cost you dearly in the end. Now I can say to Meagan, "go empty the dishwasher" and then I go to the dishwasher and it is empty...amazing! But seriously, more than the indentured servitude, I love how our friendship is blossoming. I am super fired up about having a son, but for some reason I've always dreamt of having a daughter. Of having someone who was my daughter and my friend. I'm sure there will be some rocky times ahead, but for now I am relishing the fact that she confides in me. Of course she still teases her sister, forgets her backpack and leaves the milk out EVERY MORNING. But she is growing up. And she is stunningly beautiful...inside and out.

The big reveal!

2010-07-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Ethan's room is done, except for a few finishing touches. Below is the room when it was Alina's nursery.

And here it is all boy-ified

I traced a paper plate to make the waves. Worked on it off and on for about 4 days and, after awhile, began to dream about wave painting. The hardest part was hanging the $9.99 white Target shelf, during which I drilled several large holes into my newly painted wall, and thought I might have a high blood pressure induced stroke from trying to get the darn thing level. Is there such a thing as a professional shelf-hanger? Oh, and don't worry, we are not spelling his name ETHN. The craft store happens to be cleaned out of "A"s.

A new do

2010-07-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

NiNi got a new haircut over the weekend. I think it is adorable, but almost cried when they swooshed off the cape, because it makes her look so much older!

Indiana Dunes

2010-07-16T04:05:00.000-07:00

We had a short but good vacation at the Dunes with my sister's family. The pool at the hotel was a big hit as was the two room suite (which allowed us to pretend we were on vacation without the kids for brief moments) We took the train into Chicago which was another thrilling experience for our suburbian children.

Here we are on the rides at Navy Pier

Museum of Science and Industry

Waiting for the train

It's hard to see in the picture, but NiNi has her little hands crossed in front of her, and is swimming the way they show them in swim lessons

Spent WAY too much time snapping pictures of ourselves in front of the fun house mirrors. We are easily entertained I guess

Log-in date!!!!

2010-07-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Our dossier was officially logged in at China Center for Adoption Affairs on 7/7/10! Our dossier was sent on 6/25/10 so this is a nice quick log-in date! Although speculation on a travel date is a dangerous thing, it seems like the average lately has been about 4 months from log in to travel. That would put us at Novemeber! Of course there could still be delays, but we're trying to stay positive:)

In other news, NiNi is pretending to read. She slides her little finger along the words and talks slowly like she's sounding out the letters. For example, awhile back she was "reading" the bottle of cranberry juice and said, "Mom, it says IT STAINS". Yesterday she was reading the bag of chips she was eating and reported, "DO NOT EAT IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO CHIPS." (she's very interested in people being allergic to things and will often remind me, "Mom, I am not allergic to peanuts."