Happy 3 months!

Can you believe it? 3 months ago Katie was place in our arms in that little cold room in Kunming China. I'm in the midst of our China slideshow, and I had hoped to have it done by today. Flu has a way of changing plans. :)

Hopefully I'll have it done by the 4 month anniversary. You're just left with photos today. These were taken today of little Miss Katie. She's loving on her doll more and more, and she's always on the go.





snapshots one and all, taken with the point and shoot. I'm too tired to care. I'm going to have take her out soon and get Easter Portraits done in her pretty dress. I also need to get portraits taken in her Christmas outfit! I'm so behind on that.

Going Stir Crazy!

JM is doing MUCH better (YAY for Tamiflu), although I have a feeling he would have kicked it quickly given how he responds to illnesses period. After being cooped up in the little Saturn for 40 minutes (or so) with JM Saturday morning, I'm feeling a little bad. 2 doses of Tamiflu though are more than likely helping, and it's what is keeping me from being curled up in the fetal position on my bed whimpering.

The other 3 member of our household are going strong and doing well.

I'm the one changing JM's sheets, doing his laundry, taking him all his food and meds. ;) ME. Figured I was exposed the most so might as well contain it to me. We're sticking at home tomorrow. JM will be allowed out of his room tomorrow (well he's out right now and on the computer (lysol will be soaking the keyboard and mouse when he gets up).

Being stuck in the house for 2 days has it's advantages...3 clean bathrooms, clean sheets all around, JM and Samuel's room is clean (JM and I cleaned it today), the kitchen is clean (we're working on the cabinet doors now), laundry is caught up, Katie's room is clean (dh did that one), and the loft is looking pretty darn good as well. With all this work came the inevitable soreness of muscles, so now, we're not 100% sure if the muscle soreness I feel is flu achiness or soreness from all the cleaning. Yes, spring cleaning at its finest!

Mom-Nesia

Read this on my yahoo group....

I'm a forgetful mom and each kid I have I joke about losing IQ points.
My mom friends say the same thing. Well, on the NBC nightly news this
past Thursday a Neuropsychologist named this condition! Really! It's
called "mom-nesia." When a newborn is added to a family a mom loses
at least 2 hours of sleep per night for the first year. That's 700ish
hours! Wanna guess what sleep deprivation does? The report went on
to say that putting things in places they don't belong (like socks in
the freezer because you're multi-tasking) is common for mom's of new
children. There is good news, though, and that is mom's do get
smarter at the same time our memory seems to be leaving us. The
saying that we have eyes in the back of our heads is actually our
mental ability picking up to monitor various things at one time. So,
all you mom's-to-be and mom's-of-many, if your memory seems poor, your
intuition and instinct is awesome!

Oh how I know EXACTLY what they are talking about! Sometimes I think if I didn't have my head on my body I'd lose it too. I lost a piece of camera equipment last month (light meter). I looked and looked and looked, and all I could remember was that I had it early January. In asking my friends where else I could have put it, I had the answers of "the refrigerator, the deep freezer, the linen closet, the toy box, etc." Seems they have all lost items as well and found them in odd places.

Welcome to my blog!!

I'm joining in the fun at the Ultimate Blog Party, so I think I might need to introduce ourselves to the 1 or 2 new people who visit my blog this week.

I'm Carla, sole writer of the blog even though I wish Dh would write something sometime. We have 3 amazing kids. I know everyone says that about their own kids, but it's true.

JM is our oldest. He's survived being the guinea pig of our parenting skills so far, and we hope he turns out okay in the end. At least, we hope he still loves us when he grows up. He's 9, but thinks he should be allowed to do anything that teenagers get to do like play "T" games on the Playstation. When asked what he likes to do, or what interests him, he'll likely say "I don't know." But he's a yellow belt in Karate, he plays baseball, he likes to read (sometimes fiction, but mostly DK books). He loves all things related to space - from Star Wars and other sci fi shows to learning about our own space program. When he was 5 he told us he wanted to go to Mars when he grew up. He just might make it. You'll be here to hold my hand won't you?

Samuel is our middle child. He's our child that has benefited from our mistakes with JM, but is also the guinea pig for our NEW theories. He's 5.5 (that half is very important) and can't wait to start playing baseball. He's also in Karate and almost a yellow belt. He wants so badly to be just like his big brother, and we're trying to teach him that he's GREAT just as he is. We hope he loves us when he grows up as well, and that he actually grows to be taller than his Mom (he should, but barely). While he may be a little small in size (36 pounds at 5.5 and just about 42 inches tall), his heart is BIG. We're not sure what he wants to be yet, but it will be fun I'm sure.

Katie is our little girl and youngest. We adopted her in December, so she's been with us for 3 months now. We threw out the theories with her, and just love on her. She makes it easy so far, but I know the day is coming when she'll join the ranks of all other almost two year olds and throw a temper tantrum. I hope to capture it on video when she does...I'm sure it'll be cute. We are in love with her, and it is our hope that she loves us when she is an adult. We know what she wants to be when she grows up...a PRINCESS! :)

Dh is the resident computer genius, and a wonderful father. He truly is. While I cringe at the yucky side of raising kids, he walks right in and takes care of it. He has ER duty...I have dirty diaper duty. Works out in my mind. ;) He's a great husband and I would marry him again without hesitation. I can't imagine going through life and raising these kids without him. I hope I never have to learn.

Me? Oh me. I do not like talking about myself. I'm a Mom, who stays home with the kids. I homeschool them (but really Dh and I do that together). I try to clean the house, and keep us stocked with food and clean clothes. Some weeks are better than others. I also take photos. Lots of photos. I scrapbook, read, blog, take photos, scrapbook, read, blog....and I love talking about, reading about, and thinking about adoption.

If you are interested in adoption, just ask. If you want to read some other great people who adopted...there are lots of links to adoption blogs. If you want to talk about photography, then just ask and I'll send you to some great blogs about that as well (or forums).

Here's a photo of me and my little girl (aren't I just lovely without makeup, hair pulled back, and a 5 year old taking the photo? at least I'm keeping it true to life)


Here's my Hubby and I at the Lover's Tree in Beijing


a photo of the start of our family of 5...Not a happy little girl.



and Prizes? Did someone mention prizes?

My top 3 would be:

#1 - the rocking horse offered by A Rocking Horse to Love, oh my wouldn't Katie love that (and Samuel) and then think of the PROP usage for the photography? But I'm in LOVE with the Play Kitchens. :) The ladybug "rocking horse" and then..swoon that airplane rocking toy!

#34 - the Princess could use a tu-tu from LiveLoveDance don't you think?

and #45 - blog design - *swoon* a full blog design? from Blog Designs by Summer I would love this one for ME!


If those are not available, the following would be cool too...in no particular order. Really, anything I could win would be fun.

#67, 66, 81, 88, or 102

Honestly, I would be thrilled to win ANYTHING and do not expect it. I just enjoy reading the blogs I find my way to through this. I would love anything really, related to the ages of my kids (9, 5, and 1) or something a Mom who has not time for herself...or anything else you think I would like!

Update on Lia and update on our family!

Lia was home this afternoon after a brief visit to the ER. She sure scared her parents (and me) though. She has a virus, more than likely flu.

Which leads to our family...many states away...JM came home today from Friday Classes and said he didn't feel good. That he'd been sneezing a LOT today. I shrugged off with "GREAT another cold."

2 hours later I felt to see if he was running a fever, don't know why except his cheeks were flushed. Yep. He was hot. Grabbed a thermometer and it was over 102. GREAT. Said his legs hurt. Coughing a little. Sore/dry throat...and we know he was exposed to flu last week. We'll get him in to the doctor tomorrow if they are open (severe winter weather coming through tonight). Luckily it's our Ped on call, so he knows our history. HOPEFULLY it is officially the flu and we can all get on Tamiflu to keep from re-visiting those asthmatic coughs and coughing until vomit happens with the other 2. Otherwise, it's a virus...another cold...which will run through the house and we'll spend the rest of March dealing with MORE meds for the lungs. JOY. What fun.

Can we just wipe out the month of February next year? Not even have it? We've had someone sick in this house since before February 7th! Mostly colds and runny noses that led to coughing...but dang. I'm done already!!! LOL

Pray for Lia please!!

I got a call from Lia's Mom this morning telling me that Lia was very sick and asking how Katie looks when sick (skin coloring). Lia was almost a grayish color. Lia has flu like symptoms from what I could tell (it is going around up there and her big brother had same symptoms earlier this week). I asked her mom how she was breathing since Katie had a pale color in China when struggling to breathe, and her Mom went to check her pulse ox (Lia did not exhibit any of the signs of struggling to breathe). She told me in, in a panic, "Lia's barely breathing, gotta go." Understandably the phone was hung up.

Please pray for them.

I called them back after an hour to leave my cell number so I could updates while out and about today.

3 months ago...

3 months ago we were trying to get to Beijing, without any knowledge of what was in store for us. We had no idea of all the wonderful things in store for us. Katie is doing wonderfully, amazingly wonderful!

Just this week she tried to give me kisses (yes that is ME her Mommy). At Karate today she refused to go to Sensei, and came to me and clung to me (her Mommy again). She'll smile at Sensei, give him five, but no longer happily goes to him. She has learned to shake her head NO, and does that quite a bit. She is also saying "yeah" sometimes. Usually in response to a question of something she wants to do like "Do you want some chocolate?" "Yeah!," so we think she knows what it means. Katie refuses to say "Da-da" and insists on using "Ba-ba" which is Chinese for Da-da. Quite stubborn with it in fact. She seems to be fully attaching to us and bonding with us well.

Katie does imitate most words we say these days, so we think she is trying to learn some new words. She still tells us off in baby gibberish, but it sounds a lot less like Chinese and more like English. That's actually kind of sad. It is quite funny to hear her go into the boys room, look at it and then rattle off a lot of baby gibberish. I think she's trying to tell them it is a wreck and that I said to clean it already! I will work on a list of all the words she has said, but it is quite long. The words she uses on her own is much shorter: "Uh-oh! Yum-yum! Yeah. Bye. Roar (it's really cute too). Ma-ma, ba-ba, Mamule (Samuel), ooh"...and I think that's it for words she uses on her own.

She still loves to make silly faces, and play with you. But we are starting to see more and more of her love for music. Opening music to television shows captures her attention and she'll dance. She'll squeal in happiness and clap her hands if it is a show he recognizes (like Ni Hao Kai Lan or Backyardigans). She insists on her music at bedtime and naptime, the same music everyday.

Katie now has full run our of our house except for bathrooms and the stairs (well and the boys room and our bedroom). Bathrooms are off limits because she adores playing in the toilet. ADORES IT. If a bathroom door is open for a minute, she's in there...with a hand in the toilet splashing the water. Seems to only happen though when she's dressed all cute for a special occasion and thoroughly soaks her outfit...right before we're headed out the door. Thus, bathroom doors stay shut. Firmly shut. The stairs are off limits because she's not mastered them, we're working on it though. As a result of her newfound freedoms, she thinks she is big stuff and should be included in what the boys are doing. It's really cute to see them all playing together.

Sleeping is going great still, but she does not want us to rock her to sleep, or for her to fall asleep in our arms. Not even when sick. We learned this week that the cold I thought she had is more than likely allergies (clear snot for 2+ weeks?). Between that, teething, and this cough (sounds like Samuel's asthma cough actually) she's not felt the best in the world. When she feels pretty crummy she wants to sit alone without one of us touching her, but she wants us very close by where she can touch us if she wants to. If we dare touch her little highness without her permission, we hear of it. Loudly.

Katie is eating well, and we think she's actually growing some. At least the 6-12 month pants and outfits are getting short. The 12 month outfits are starting to get short as well in the arms and legs. They still, of course, fall off her waist. We also think she finally hit the 20 pound mark (at least with clothes and shoes on). 19 months and finally hitting 20 pounds. I think we'll throw a party when she reaches it officially. One thing I'm happy, though others look at me funny when I say it, is that Katie is now whining for drinks or for food. She'll point to her high chair and whine. She'll fuss and point for cups. This is new in the past month, and I'm taking it as a sign that she's sure we'll supply that need for her now. I remember clearly, one day soon after we were home where it was 6pm and I realized she had not had anything to drink ALL DAY. She was obviously thirsty, but she never made a sound. She makes noises now. Oh she does.

Project 366 - Kid's photos

THE SPOILED UNDER-30 CROWD!!!

Got this from a friend (a fellow "over 30" friend)


If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were when they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning ... uphill. BOTH ways

yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a Utopia!

And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter; with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there!

There were no MP3's or Napsters! You wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either!

When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't now!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

When you went to the movie theater there no such thing as stadium seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy or some old broad with a hat sat in front of you and you couldn't see, you were just out of luck!

Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like 15 channels and there was no on screen menu and no remote control! You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find o ut what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your butt and walk over to the TV to change the channel and there was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you
hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons!

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we had to use the stove or go build a fire...imagine that! If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that stupid Jiffy Pop thing and shake it over the stove forever like an idiot.

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy.

You're spoiled. You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980!

Regards,

The over 30 Crowd


Now, I have to admit...I'm barely "over 30" and I do remember that we got call waiting (it was a BIG TIME DEAL), we had a tv with a remote by the time I was in high school as well...and well, the microwave. I think we got one of the first ones! LOL I remember it was huge, and we got it before I was in high school. But the rest? Oh the rest I remember though. ;)

Working on photos from China

I've been inspired to get our adoption slideshow/video done. I was also inspired by the nags from fellow travel mates wanting photos! LOL

I'm through Beijing, currently I'm on the Kunming photos.

I hit a snag though. Emotions. I did not expect all the emotions to hit me with this. I see the fear in Katie's eyes. I see the confusion. My heart aches for her, and who she was then.

I hear the sounds of the room in my head. I see the sights I remembered and many I do not remember at all. I remember the craziest details, yet had forgotten that it was cold in the room. Very cold to us.

I forgot how short Jerry was.

Kathy and Cheri...I'm going to be sending you emails with images attached.

She's not real fond of salsa yet

As a member of our family, it's almost required that you like Mexican food, particularly salsa. Both of our boys were eating chips and dip by the time they were Katie's age. Looks like we have a little longer of teaching her to like it. She did keep dipping that chip though, but wasn't too sure about the taste.

Illnesses and hyperness

I had to take Katie in to the pediatrician today due to her loving on those aquarium tanks over the weekend. Seems she picked up a cold, only she's now had it for 5 days. The last day she started running a fever, and since it's been a few years since I had to deal with fevers in little bitty ones I called the doc. The triage nurse told me that I had to bring her in since she'd been sick for a few days THEN started running a fever. Classic sign of secondary infection, like ear infection, going on. Great. I didn't want to take her in as that place is full of really sick kids...with you know THE FLU! Actually based on what I saw there today I think we're finally coming off the peak of the season for our area. Less than half were there with the flu.

Turns out Katie only has a cold. The doc wasn't thrilled with the triage nurse since I had now exposed Katie to the flu (I'm hoping that our dash through the sick waiting room from the hallway minimized the exposure).

While we were there Dr. E asked me about the boys. "How are they doing?" So, I explained to him that they had had that chest congestion cold about 2 weeks ago. JM was all better but Samuel had had to go to his Asthma doctor (I chose the asthma doc over the ped because the asthma doc is less likely to have flu cases running around). ;) Seriously, Samuel was not running fevers, no snotty nose, just that out of control cough. I told the pediatrician that the asthma doc said Samuel had "asthmatic bronchitis" and put him on an antibiotic, cough suppressant, and steroid. Dr. E asked if he was doing better. I told him that yes, he was. He was bouncing off the walls...literally. Dr. E's response? "that steroid kicked in huh?" Oh yes it did. Dr. E did ask a few more questions, and he's comfortable with what all Samuel is doing...breathing wise and medicine wise. I told him Samuel had the same cold as Katie but kicked it quickly. Guess that regime of meds is keeping him from developing more asthma problems from that cold.

So, now we wait to see if Katie picked up something else from the doctor's office. 4-7 days and we should know. Right? I'm hopeful we minimized our exposures to all the nasty germs floating around our town at the moment.

I've never been more ready for spring in my life! It's been 18 days of sickness here in our house. Doesn't that make you want to come visit? It's only really been colds, but 18 days worth of it. Bouncing from child to child to adult to child and back again.

I'm glad Samuel can breathe again...but man that hyperness is driving us all crazy. I think I'm going to send in a treat for his teacher tomorrow...she'll deserve something for dealing with him. He's not bad...just...well..BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS. I personally think it's a combination of being able to breathe again and the steroid working. Lots and lots of energy.

Welcome Katie Party

Katie's Princess Cake (cupcake cake)




Mom bought Katie that cute head/hat/headband thing. LOL


Katie would not stand still for a nice image in her TraLaLa outfit, this was the best I got that day.




Yummmmm....CAKE!

Pics from Atlanta

First two are her in the pack and play (her bed for the weekend).



Then at the aquarium. Dh said that she was amazed by the fish and just stood there tapping the glass...enthralled. Then, when he made her leave to go to the next one, she threw a tantrum until they got to the next one...enthrallment commenced.



LOL




These next ones were from swimming Saturday night. Katie wasn't so sure about that pool. She sure was cute though!

Hair Bow swap

These were the first 2 bows I got. The Gymboree ones are the ones I was so excited about since I just bought resell 3 outfits from that line! PERFECT!

I have all 4 sets, but have not gotten photos of them yet. I love them all.

I'm so ready for SPRING!

These past 2 weeks have been full of kids being sick. Nothing too major really, but colds upon colds, coughing...lots of coughing. Asthma issues. Allergies. The changing weather is not helping. The house is in desperate need of a good spring cleaning, which in turn stirs up the dust mites, which in turn causes more allergies and leads to asthma attacks.

Yes, life has been interesting!

The last 2 weekends we spent out of town, and Katie did great traveling. We went to my parents home for a "Welcome Katie" party for my mom's friends (and lots of my high school friends I have not seen in years). This past weekend we were in Atlanta for me to attend a business class. Dh took the kids to Georgia Aquarium where they seem to have had a lot of fun. Then he braved Target to purchase everyone swimsuits so we could swim in the indoor pool (the hotel website said "outdoor pool" which is why I did not pack any).

We ended up with colds from this weekend in Atlanta though, just normal sniffly runny nose variety. Except for me, I'm succumbing to the coughing variety kind that everyone else had 2 weeks ago. Katie and I both are now coughing (she's been coughing for a few days...I probably got it from her).

Katie's first time in a hotel since China was interesting. She wasn't quite sure WHY we were there and was a little unsettled. Getting 3 kids to sleep in one small room was tough. I was wishing for larger hotel rooms by the 2nd hour we were there! Another thing we learned this weekend is that eating in a restaurant with Katie after she's been in the car for over 2 hours is not smart. We've started getting our food to go and letting her loose in the van to walk around and play. We get more eating done, it's actually more peaceful, and one day we hope Katie will sleep in the van during a trip. Yes, in all our driving she has not slept unless it was late at night and she resigned herself to the fact she wasn't getting out of that carseat!

we have photos from the past 2 weekends, but I need to get them where I can upload them. Katie's first cupcake, her "Welcome Katie" cake, her bathing suit, her playing in her pack and play, and yes, the kids at the Aquarium!

I'm not Momma

At least that is what Katie indicated to me today. I asked her, "Am I Momma?" She shook her head no with a very serious look on her face. She knows I am supposed to be Momma, but she showed me today that I have not quite gotten there yet. We are working on it, and slowly bit by bit we will get there.

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity. I think all weeks are that way now. But last weekend we went up to visit my family for a "Welcome Katie" shower and we got to visit with some good friends. One friend I had not seen since high school and it was wonderful to reconnect.

This week has been full of illness. Nothing major really, the tail ends of colds. Except for Samuel. Samuel's asthma is out of control, and combined with a chest cold, he ended up with bronchitis. He's doing much better, but he sounded so incredibly bad earlier this week. Especially at night, and thus, I slept near him and did not get much sleep at all for 3 nights.

I've gotten 3 bows from the bow swap and I love them all. I had to laugh at one set, it was from Gymboree's Sunflower Fields line. I bought 3 outfits from consignment from that line because I did not manage to get any last year and I loved it. I was so happy to get that set of bows in to match those outfits! Another set of bows came from someone who lives not too far from me, and hopefully one day we'll get to meet her.

I'll update with photos later...and hopefully update more text later as well.

Got our homestudy 1 month postplacement

We had to send in a post-placement report to our state within 45 days of placement/getting home. We got a copy in the mail this week, and I just read it.

It ended with, "I recommend this placement continue."

I'm so glad. I would hate to see them try to pry Katie out of our arms! Someone asked me recently if I was bonded to her or not yet. I looked at them quizzically, and then I realized what they were asking. When we had the boys, I felt like I was just babysitting them while in the hospital and it took a few days to feel like "Mom" to them. I think that is what they were asking. With Katie, it took until around Wednesday/Thursday in China to feel like "Mom" to her. Honestly, the first time I felt like Mom was when Momma Bear came out...they gave her a shot in China on Thursday and she cried so hard and I jumped off the seat and grabbed her as soon as they let me. Monday and Tuesday in China (Monday was "Katie Day") it felt just like it did with the boys in the hospital - like I was babysitting her. So yes, she's mine. Just like the boys are mine.

2 more post placement visits to go.
1 "re-adoption"
and apply for her US passport!

then...maybe? finally? the end of the paperwork for Katie's Adoption!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you all the happiest of HEARTS day.

Catching up on Project 366

I'm posting these on another blog...but for now here are the recent ones of the kids (well Katie)

2 months with us

I can't believe I forgot yesterday that Katie has been with us for 2 months. She has done amazingly well, but every once in awhile I am reminded that there are issues lurking beneath the surface for us.

1. Katie will not fall asleep with us holding her anymore. She did so in China, but now, she refuses. She squirms, she tries to get up, she fusses. She wants to lay down in her crib and fall asleep...alone. I'm not entirely sure this is a good thing.

2. She will not give us kisses. She will give us hugs, without us asking for them. But she will not give us kisses. :(

3. She hates to be cradled and rocked. She will gaze into my eyes though if I can sit still with her cradled. She much prefers to sit facing out.

4. She fell down (you know, from squatting) today and cried. I picked her up and loved on her, and she snuggled on my chest...with her face INWARD. This was a huge step, but it only lasted about 5 seconds. She turned out, and then soothed herself.

5. We are not hearing the teeth grinding as much at home. I hear it when we go to the doctor's office though. I think it is definitely a "stress" thing for her. Makes me sad to think how stressed she was when we brought her home.

6. We are not seeing the dissociative looks as much these days. THAT is a good thing! When we do see them, they are much briefer.

7. She still soothes herself with the sucking on her tongue with fingers/hand up next to her mouth but not touching it. She isn't doing this as much in the house or with us. We see it at night, when she's tired, when she's not feeling good, when she is sad...and in new situations, such as standing in the grass.

8. We think we found a food aversion - slimy textured foods. I can't stand mushrooms because they are slimy. Yet another "fit" for our family. We will work with that if it becomes an issue. It seems that only the Gerber graduate peaches, pears, and carrots are affected by this aversion so far. Although I've not tried other fruits cut up.

9. We've not left her with anyone else yet, but there have been a few moments where one of us has stepped out of the room at church nursery (to get a coke or go to the bathroom). She did not mind. However, she gets upset during the transition times, and when other kids are dropped off by their parents and those kids cry. She gets a little teary sometimes. It's not as bad as the little babies getting dropped off, that really made her cry hard.

10. In new situations, or stressful situations, Katie still prefers Daddy to hold her. She will come to me, but I can tell that I do not calm her nearly as well as Daddy does. She simply does not trust me as much yet. She cares about me, but I'm not sure she completely trusts and loves me yet. For that matter, I'm not sure if she 100% there with Dh as well. I truly do not feel like she knows we will always be there for her at this point....it's a work in progress, and it is much better than when we were in China.

Another Karate Tournament

The boys recently went to another Karate Tournament, and while it was with the same 2 dojos it has gotten more popular with them.

Samuel, an orange with black stripe belt, was in a division with orange and orange stripe belts. I think there were about 7 or 8 kids in it. He placed first in forms! Shocking as we thought the 2nd place child actually did better. He does such a good job, and hopefully this coming week he'll finally be able to test for yellow belt. He need to make sure he knows the basic form kata (he forgot it), his kicks, and his self defense moves. In sparring he placed 2nd this time (no kicks to C's head). It was a division based on size/weight, and he was in the major heavyweights. He weighs 36 pounds. LOL He and C are the only two in the under 40 pound division so 2nd out of 2...and he did not score any points while C scored 6. LOL

JM, yellow belt, was in a division with about 15-20 kids. It was HUGE. He did not place, but I would venture a guess that he did well (top 10 at least). He just wasn't as intense, his thumb was out a little too much, and his horse stance wasn't quite deep enough...the form was done correctly, just the details got him. Sparring he was in a division with about 10 kids. He did not place in that either. He sparred against a girl (oh my gosh all that training on being a gentleman!). That little girl won though! She has a perfect roundhouse kick that she used and kicked all the boys (it was her against 9 boys) and she got them in the stomach/chest numerous times. So good in fact that both Senseis would ask the boys "Are you okay?"

Other cute updates from Karate class are that one time Samuel was doing something and Sensei actually had to tell him "not so hard!" Since Samuel weighs a whopping 36 pounds and is 42 inches tall, he just does not ever get enough momentum or strength behind kicks and punches...so this was good to hear! He must kick/hit harder for higher belts.

Samuel still can not do a sit up. We've worked with him and worked with him, and he just can't do it. Sure he can if you put a finger behind his shoulder and nudge it up a little. But alone? He can't. We do our best to contain laughter while Samuel looks like a turtle on it's back trying to do a single sit up. Sensei keeps working with him to get him to do them.

JM refuses to stretch at home. Stretching at home is a must to be able to kick higher. We're just not sure what to do to make sure he understands that relationship. Doing the splits is crucial in being able to kick over your head.

JM is doing well with sparring in class, but he loves Jedi Battle game. LOL I think he takes delight in "extending" the death of attacker (if you hit an arm or leg with the blocker thing they can't use it anymore). He hits each arm, then each leg....then he hits them in the chest or on top of the head (LIGHTLY of course). Poor Samuel just doesn't stand a chance with this game either...he's the shortest by FAR in the class.

Katie? She just runs around, and every once in a while she's bow with the class. Trying to figure out when she does it. I suspect it's when Sensei calls out the Japanese words for "ready" and "bow" though.

Happy New Year!!

Xing Nian Kuai Le

"Gong Hei Fat Choy". - The literal translation of "Gung Hei" is "to wish" and "Fat Choy" is "to prosper". So saying "Gung Hei Fat Choy" means "I wish that you will be prosperous". (Thanks Diana!!!!)

I realized today, while trying to find red envelopes (yet again) that I failed miserably at this first Chinese New Year family celebration. I managed to get reservations for PF Changs though (and might I say that no one there seemed to know it was Chinese New Year...should have gone to the Chinese restaurant Dh likes so well). Katie wore her traditional outfit tonight with squeaky shoes and looked adorable...as usual.



Other than that, today was a day full of errands.

What did we think of PF Changs? It was very good, and probably will become one of our top choices for big family celebrations. It was cute to watch Katie shove in the mix that goes in the Lettuce Wraps, to see her put as many noodles as possible in her mouth from the Lo Mein. Quite funny to see her spit out the veggies though. With the stuff from the Lettuce Wraps, it was cute to see her face. It was like "where has this stuff been for the past 8 weeks? These people were holding out on me!" She loved it!* I gave her part of my fortune cookie and she got quite irritated that I didn't have more for her. I ate it before she demanded more. Oops.

Samuel, who has never even tried the noodles at our favorite Asian restaurant, loved the Mu Shu Chicken. He told us "We have to come here EVERY NIGHT and get this." yeah, Samuel, I would like that too!

JM, who has just started venturing into the more Asian foods when we eat out, loved everything he tried. He told us that it was the best dinner he's had in a long time. (gee thanks since I've been trying to cook all meals for the past month) With the gusto he showed at PF Changs we think he would have thrived in China with the food. Samuel would have as well (he handled the rice okay tonight and loved it!!!).**

The traditions surrounding Chinese New Year, I failed at. I cleaned today (had to since I did not get a chance yesterday, or the day before). I could not get in to get my hair cut until tomorrow morning...there went that one. Katie had to have a bath tonight as we didn't get to it yesterday. Oh well. I will try to do better next year!


* While in China she was so sick that we didn't try much beyond her formula and congee. Had we known she loves chicken like that we might have tried it. Needless to say, once home, we have not had much opportunity for her to eat Chinese foods. We knew she loved noodles from eating at the Asian restaurant, but we tend to get Vietnamese or Thai foods there.

** Samuel was allergic to rice as a baby. We avoided it for 4 years and the doctor had wanted us to test it. We've been slowly testing it, but tonight was the first time we gave him a spoonful. He did just fine. Phew!

Making the grandparents happy...

Practicing my hi-key lighting, I see the mistakes. My little girl being herself today. This was her "coming home" dress and I needed to get a photo of her in it.






more to come as I proof them....err process them. Yes, grandparents, these will be up on the gallery as well. Well the good pretty face ones. ;)

Winter storms in China - effect on orphanages

http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php

I'm trying to find out information on Katie's orphanage and foster care village, I suspect they are okay though.

Here are some excerpts from the above link...

Zoey's orphanage (link to the left):
Nanchang, Jiangxi – asks for warm floor mats and disposable diapers. They need a working room heater. Their electrical supply has been sporadic and with only a small generator, they’re not confident they can continue to provide heat to keep the children warm. UPDATE: Their boiler for hot water supply has broken down. They ask for funds to purchase a new one.

Charlotte's orphange (link to the left):
Yangchun, Guangdong - reports a need for space heaters and hot water bottles for 88 babies at two sites.

Journey to Noelle's orphange (link on left):
Hefei, Anhui – reports that they have everything under control and the children are warm and well-fed. UPDATE: The orphanage now realizes they will soon run out of disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase 7500 diapers.

Maggie Mae's orphanage (link on left):
Chengdu, Sichuan – is experiencing the coldest winter in memory. They need a large room heater, diapers, shoes, socks and winter jackets. UPDATE: Chengdu repeats their request for a large heater and disposable diapers. They also request 80 warm quilts.

that's just 4 of the kids on my list who are either living in these orphanages OR came from them. Half the Sky is a great charity, and they are disparately trying to help these orphanages out during the coldest weather in 50 years in China. It would be like South Florida having almost 2 months of 30 degree days. Like Atlanta Georgia being under 2.5 feet of snow with more expected...and everyone from Tennesse south to Florida living without heaters in their homes.

Put on top of that living in a country where the main heating source is by coal fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning is common.

Another thing to keep in mind...no electricity? Nothing to run the water boilers, so no clean water. You must have a fire to boil the water, and thus, more problems.

Half the Sky, at the bottom of that link, has set up a donation place to help these orphanages. If you don't want to, or can't, please just pray for them. Tell others if you want as well. My heart is breaking for these kids.

If you would like to help an orphanage that is not under Half the Sky care, email me and I will get you in touch with someone who can help a specific orphanage. I'm going to see if I can find out how the Yunnan province is faring. It is not a Half the Sky province, and Love without Boundaries does not have much going on in that province either. Hopefully they are doing okay. Kunming is not know as the city of eternal springtime for nothing!

the reason for so many request for disposable diapers when they normally use cloth or nothing? Well, they can't dry the diapers that are soiled and need cleaning. The diapers are freezing after being washed. THAT is how cold these rooms are that the babies are in.

Katie at 18 months!

Katie can say:

Uh-oh
Yum-yum (num-num)
Thank You (day-ooo when she hands me something)
Ma-ma
Da-da
up (with arms raised)
EIEI-Oh (Eeee I, Eeeee I, Eeee I)
My (as in My Ma-ma)
Meow (ma-ow)

Those are words she uses fairly frequnetly. If you count head shaking as saying "no" then there is that one as well. She will also nod her head but rarely. She also waves hi and bye very well.

These are some of the things she has said in repeating after us but not initiating them:

pretty (extremely CLEARLY one time)
wow
oh
bottle (ba-dah)
milk (mi)
eat (eeeee)
baby (baaa-eee)
ugly (ug-eee)
doll (dah)
star (dar)

Words she recognizes:

Bo-bo Li-li (something like come here little one)
Ni-Hao
Hi
Bye bye (both languages)
eat
drink
bottle
brother
John Mark
Samuel
baby doll
ugly doll
open (as in open your mouth and spit out what you just put in there)
Night-night
nap
rock
cookie
cracker
juice
cup

Katie can do the following:

Walk
Run
Crawl
Sit
roll over
get from laying down to standing
bend over and pick something up
squat
sit on a short chair
kick a ball to someone
roll a ball to someone
put a small ball in a hole/cup/container
walk backwards
use a spoon correctly
Can feed herself IF we put the food on the spoon
pick up foods with fingers
drink out of bottle
drink out of sippy cup
hold own bottle or sippy cup
wave hi and bye
shake head no and nod head yes
hug her doll
love on her doll
brush her hair (well make the motions to do it)
brush her teeth (sort of...more like chewing on the toothbrush)
can "help" with laundry (yeah she helps by pulling it off the couch and shaking)
turns the pages of her books
dances to music
sings songs
bow in Karate class correctly (imitates Sensei and the kids)
rubs hands together (like for lotion or hand sanitizer)
gets items you ask her to get (like "bring me your baby doll")
knows where her belly button is (we're working on eyes, nose, and mouth)
can crawl up stairs
rides on small riding toys
knows which buttons to push to make toys play music
holds the phone up to her ear to "talk"

Just wanted to write it down somewhere what all she was doing when she turned 18 months, and since this is turning more into my family scrapbook storage place of all facts about our family...you get to read our list!