A New Word

Nathan has learned a new word. It is "Hey". I noticed him walking around saying it the other day and wondered where it came from. Then I caught myself telling him "Hey...put that back." I realized that I say it all the time.

So now Nathan is saying it all the time in the same reproving tone. He tells me "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay" when I am not paying attention to him.



Then when I turn and tell him to stop making fun of Mommy he bursts into laughter like he is glad I got the joke.



Then I get the seriously-wasn't-that-supposed-to-work? look.


So today he reproved all of his toys with "Hey" and all three of the dogs got a good talking to. Even a cat that passed by was soundly "Heyed". Nathan looks at me out of the corner of his eye to see if I'm watching. When I finally say, "Hey, stop mocking Mommy" he laughs like it is the funniest thing. Ron is really enjoying this.

Six Months Ago

Six months ago today was Thanksgiving Day 2006 and it was the day we brought Nathan home. Looking at the picture of us at the airport I am struck by how tiny Nathan was and how red his cheeks were from rubbing them on our shirts during the long flights.




When I think about all the changes that Nathan has gone through in the past six months, I am amazed at the resilience that babies have. It has been such a time of transition for all of us while we got used to each other and to the dramatic changes in our lives. Ron says that it seems like he has always been here.

I cringe when I think of all the mistakes I've made as a new mother. The first six months was not what I expected and yet Nathan greets me with big smiles and squeals and I know that I'm not required to be perfect. We are getting better at this family thing all the time and I am loving being Nathan's Mommy.

Six months ago Nathan completed the long journey from China. I can only wonder what was going through his mind. Today it's easy for me to know what he is thinking. I hope he can tell that I am thinking how very blessed I am when I look at him. We love him so much. We look forward so much to what the next six months hold.

Update on Nathan

Nathan is doing so much better! Yesterday he got the okay from the doctor to have solid foods again. He is very happy about being able to eat. Thank you so much for all your prayers!


This year is my first Mother's Day! Ron and Nathan took me out to my favorite tea room earlier this week since we will be working this Sunday.


I enjoyed going out with my guys. It's so much nicer to be out and about now that the weather is warmer. Nathan is still getting used to going outside. He hasn't loved it so far but more tolerates it. I'm sure by the end of summer he'll be begging to go out.

The Surgeries Are Over!!

We are so pleased that the dreaded surgeries are finally over! They all went very well. We had just a couple of glitches as one of the surgeons didn't get scheduled but he came over anyway. The Children's Hospital was so wonderful to Nathan and to us!

Nathan and I got to the hospital at around 7:30am and Ron joined us as soon as he got off work. Nathan was so glad to see him.



We spent a while in the pre-op playroom. Nathan really enjoyed that part.





He is really into little matchbox cars right now.




We tried to be upbeat for him but eventually he began to suspect something was amuck especially when we started dressing oddly.



After his surgery we held him as much as possible. The braces on his arms are called no-nos and they keep him from putting his hands in his mouth.



Nana came to the hospital to see Nathan and he was pleased to snuggle with her. Here we are trying to get some fluids into him.

The surgeon who repaired Nathan's palate said it looked very, very good so he likely will not need more corrective surgery on it, We are so happy to hear this.

We didn't get released until 2:00pm today and we are glad to finally be home. Nathan is happy to be home. I can't help but wonder how the horrible experience translates to a baby's mind because we can't explain it to him. He will be on a liquid diet for a week.

Thank you to everyone who remembered Nathan in your prayers!

Surgery Today

Nathan is having surgery later this morning. Please pray that everything will go perfectly and that he will heal quickly.