May, 2009

I have a funny story from Mother's day (yes, I know. I'm running behind!). On Mother's day the whole family drove to Atlanta to see Grandpa George who was here briefly for a visit.  We were all thrilled to see him even though it was only a day.
For lunch we went in to a chicken place to get some chicken for a picnic lunch since we were trying to avoid the crowds. It worked because we were the only family there when we walked in. The manager and one of the other workers were talking at the front counter and greeted us as we walked up. After the a moment the manager looked at me holding Katie with Miriam and Evan at my side and the following conversation ensued.

Manager: "Happy Mother's Day!"
Me: "Thank you"
Manager: "I always wanted three, but after one I could never push another one out!"
Me: laugh "Well, it's not like I had to push them out."
Manager: "Oh, did they cut them out?"
Me: "Uh.... no."
Manager: confused look
Me: "They were all adopted."
Manager: "Oh."

Either she didn't notice that I am mother to a Black child, a Hispanic child, and an Asian child (in which case I commend her) or she thought I'm one "busy" woman!! LOL

Just have to share this wonderful slide show from Swallow's Nest Foster Home which is in Henan. Two families in our travel group adopted children who were there and are also in this slide show.

Miss Katie is 18 months old today! She continues to be one amazing little girl. She is learning more words and signs like the sign for "sleep" and "thank you". She walks everywhere now and even tries to dance at times. I have a medical update as well, but don't feel like writing it tonight.

The last few weekends have been busy ones. We had a Half Birthday party for her last weekend complete with a Candyland cake. Here are a few picture from the party.

Brag time!!! Time for me to brag on my babies! :-D

First there is Evan. After a set back due to being one sick little dude, potty training is back on track! We had our first poopy success today!! He even told me he needed to go and held it until we made it to the potty! GOOO EVAN!! WooHoo! Maybe I can get back to one in diapers again? A Momma can dream, right?

Miss Miriam, AKA Too-Big-For-Her-Breeches, has been getting in some trouble lately for being a little smarty pants. Brian ask her the other day who was smarter, Momma & Daddy or Miriam. Without hesitation she said, "Miriam!"  Hmmm, that explains a lot! However, she really IS smart if not so wise at time. She has known her letters from sometime now on sight both name and sound. She also knows then in correct order. The last month or so she has taken to writing them (or trying to) over and over. She has gotten really pretty good! There are mistakes of course. "R" and "W" are a challenge for some reason. "S" is backwards sometimes as is "J". Over all though you could read 90% of them most of the time! She is also starting to read! She can sound out simple words... cat, mat, dad, mad, etc. Today I taught her about adding "s" to the end of these type words. She got it right away. She is starting to recognize more complex words as well things like "stop" and "spot". She also showed me that she know right away that "spot" was NOT stop and then fixed it to "Stop" on her own.

And the amazing Miss Katie... Well, she is amazing. :) Words she says: Mama, dada, that, cat, up, cup, hi, bye, "Moaw Moaw" (her cat lovey) and all done. Signs she knows and uses: up, down, yes, no, more, and all done. She waves hi and bye. She blows kisses. She says, "Shhh" and puts her little finger to her lips (too cute!) She toddles everywhere now, walking far more then she crawls. It's so amazing seeing the speed at which she is learning. She dances when she hears music (also too cute). Loves to play peek-a-boo. When you tell her "Good job" or "good girl", she starts to clap and smile so big. And the other night she even gave Momma a kiss! :)

I've been MIA on this blog the last two weeks because, well, I've been running the Westhaven Infirmary! Today was the first day in two weeks that everyone has been mostly well! Miriam and Evan had the flu (I think) and a bad head cold... both of which cause high fevers.  Katie had a cold.  I had stomach stuff, a cold, and either a *very* mild version of the flu or a seasonal allergy flare up. Brian had a *very* mild version of the flu and pink eye/blepharitis. UGGGGGG!!

Here are my poor sick patients. BTW, I'm smiling because I'm trying to get Katie to walk. Oh, and I'll spare you the pics of Brian's eye! :)

I have a few links to some other blogs I've been wanting to post for awhile. First there is my friend Jen over at The Road to Ethiopia and Back. She is doing a series of posts on first family contact in adoption. I think she has some good things to say especially since she is on two sides of the adoption triad.

Then there is my newest fav charity, Drawn From Water. This is a new organization devoted to helping the children of a tribe in southwestern Ethiopia. The Karo tribe is bond by superstitions which require parents to kill children who are considered cursed or imperfect for such things as the circumstances of their birth or the order their teeth erupt in. Drawn From Water is working to provide the parents an alternative and to save the lives of these children. They presently have 10 of these children in their care and are looking to expand their orphanage. They need support. Check them out.

And lastly, I wanted to link to an incredible story and a family who is taking on a huge task. This family adopted a 13 year old girl from China giving them 5 children at home. They thought they were done. However when they arrived in China they learned that their new daughter had TWO biological brothers!! They are now on a crazy ride trying to get these two boys adopted as well. Go read their story.