Two-and-a-Half Years Old!!!

Our little guy is 2.5 years tomorrow! Those half birthdays are important at his age. Here are some pics of him playing with his Daddy. What are the odds of Nathan NOT growing up to be a sports nut like Ron?

Decisions, Decisions

We are starting the arduous task of researching agencies and information for our next adoption. There are so many decisions to make. The hard part about adoption is that you have to project two to three years down the road what will be best for your family. So much can change in that time period that it is hard to lock into some decisions.

So far we are certain of this -- we want to stay with a China program. It will be better for Nathan and his new sibling if they have a shared heritage. We also know that we want this next child to be younger than Nathan by at least a year. Beyond that, there are many possibilities.

We are hoping for 2009 and that is ambitious of us. I'm pretty sure we will go the Special Needs route again although we are looking into Taiwan as a possibility as well. We are leaning toward a girl although that can change as well. The important thing is that Nathan is ready to share his parents with a new sibling who potentially could need as much extra care as he did. Because of this, we are willing to wait until he is older if necessary.

I asked Nathan today, "Would you like a little brother or sister?" to which he answered, "MILK!" My Mom was asking about our plans so I had to ask her what she thought Nathan would do if we disappeared for a couple of weeks and brought home another toddler. Oyvey! I really think we are going to need to wait until he can understand the concept of siblings and sharing parents.

So, if you would say a prayer for us that we would be led to the right decisions for our family, we would appreciate you! We'll keep you updated!

Nathan's Progress

Nathan is really enjoying learning to sign. Once in a while he has a set-back day where he decides he doesn't want to sign and wants to whine so I can play "guess what's wrong" with him. His speech therapist said it was good to make him sign and not let him fall back into whining so we've been trying not to let him lapse.

He's been very fussy and clingy all week. From the moment I walk into the house if I'm not carrying him, he bawls and throws himself in the floor. I've taken to sneaking into the house and trying to get my gear off before he sees that I'm home. I have to sneak up the stairs or into the bathroom when he is not looking or he has a meltdown. It's wearing on us, but its kind of cute too. I taught him to sign "please" when he wants to be picked up so every time he sees me he rubs his chest furiously. When I'm in the shower he stands outside the glass whining and signing "please" so I usually let him shower with me if he is awake. I don't know how people with several small children ever get to take a shower.

He decided he will eat NOTHING if it's not on bread or a cracker.

He learned where his elbow and his knee are. If you ask if you can kiss his ear, elbow, foot, whatever he will stick that body part in your face for a kiss.

He also decided he likes to kiss dogs and cats now. The dogs look a little startled when he grabs them and kisses their faces but then they kiss him back. The cats don't care for it much and look annoyed or just run when they see him coming.

It was bitterly cold all week so we've been cooped up. I'm so ready for spring! We are planning a trip to DisneyWorld next month and I'm looking forward to it so much.

Christmas Pictures!

We went to my Mom's house for a quiet dinner on Christmas Eve.








My sister, Jennell, and her sons, Daniel and James.






From the time we first brought Nathan home, he has gravitated toward James. They are so cute together.







Nana (Mom) and her grandchildren.



At home on Christmas morning. My favorite part of our Christmas was everyone staying in pajamas all day watching Nathan play with his new toys.

Joyful Christmas To You!!

The next couple of days will be busy for everyone. I would like to say that I hope everyone's holiday is full of peace and good will as well as a lot of fun.

For those who still wait for their family to be completed, I pray that your holiday is filled with promise and hope.

This Christmas I'm experiencing through the eyes of my son as he sees and does so many things for the first time. It is just as wonderful as I always dreamed it would be! Below are pictures of him watching The Wizard of Oz for the first time.




Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's The Holiday Season!

The holiday season is upon us and I still have much Christmas shopping to accomplish! Hopefully, I will be able to be creative and find the right presents for everyone.


Oklahoma has been suffering "The Storm Of The Century" as the news is calling it. Work has been interesting as I work in the older section of town which has all those beautiful old trees which are 50 years old. A great many streets were blocked with fallen trees. Amazingly enough, I didn't have to work any wrecks! People were being careful, I guess.

We were without power for two days and consider ourselves very fortunate that it was only that short time. Many people are still without power. We had heat from the fireplace and camped out in the living room so it wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, since we are on a well system, we didn't have any water. Maybe one of these days we will buy a generator and be prepared for these emergencies.



Nathan has begun to sign for us! It's so cute! He signs about ten words and sometimes makes little sounds to go with them. Our conversations usually go like this:

Nathan: "AAAAUUUUUUUUUGHHH!!"
Me: "What's wrong?"
Nathan: "EEEENNNNNNNNNHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Me: "Don't whine.Tell Mama what you want."
Nathan: "Muh!"
Me: "I hear you asking for 'more'. What do you want more of?"
Nathan: [beats himself in the side of the face with his fist]
Me: "Oh you want a drink! Would you like a drink?"
Nathan: [Laughing and clapping]
Me: "Can you say 'please'?"
Nathan: [Rubbing his chest vigorously]
Me: "Very good! You said 'please'! Here you go."
Nathan: [Happily slurping his drink]

Modify that slightly with what he wants and this is the conversation I have a dozen times a day. Today he actually asked me for a drink without yelling first. I guess he will slowly break himself of the habit of whining once he realizes he can communicate with words and signs. Ron and I are so happy with his progress.

Looking at the pictures from last year I realize how much more relaxed and happy Nathan is now that he is settled into his surroundings. This year Christmas will be so much fun! We loved shopping for him.

Nathan the Night Owl

Lately Nathan hasn't been wanting to go to bed. Even when I try to put him to bed on a regular schedule, he sits in there and plays. It's very entertaining to listen to him making all of that noise but it's better when he goes to sleep.

On some Fridays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, he goes to daycare at about 0615 which is way earlier than his usual 0800 time. He doesn't appreciate these days because they do not have his breakfast waiting for him as usual. Most of the time he is a good sport about it and will allow us to find him a book or game that he can play with. Unfortunately, everything becomes more dramatic when he is tired and he has just bawled the last two days when he arrived and there was no food.

This morning he was fussy and I loaded him into the truck. The dogs usually ride with me because I have to come home and get my patrol car after I drop Nathan off. Liberty hasn't been wanting to ride lately because of the puppies at the house so she has stayed. This morning I asked her if she wanted to go and she turned around and looked at the house so I told her she could stay and I closed the back door. Nathan burst into tears and started wailing. When I opened up the door he pointed at Liberty and cried.

So Liberty was loaded into the back seat to sit next to Nathan. He gave her a hug and patted her head, and we were off to daycare. She looked at me with confustion and I told her, "I can't figure our what makes him cry either. Just go along with it!" My mornings are way too dramatic.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We have much to be thankful for! It has been one year since we brought Nathan home! This will be a considerably less tiring holiday and Nathan will be able to enjoy himself. He loves seeing his relatives come for a visit. Everyone is coming here so he will be able to show off all of his toys to his cousins.

I wish I could think of something eloquent to say about this occasion but all that comes to mind is how blessed we are. Because it's so close to my heart I think about all of the children throughout the world who have never and may never know what it is to sit down to a table abundant with food in the presence of family. It is something I have always taken for granted.

I guess we are never too old to grow in maturity so I am still learning how to be thankful and see the blessing in even the little things. The truth is I am abundantly blessed in so many areas of my life. I hope that all of my friends and family have a very happy, fulfilling Thanksgiving Day!



From today...Nathan watching TV with his new panda bear.




This was us last Thanksgiving...

The first is on the red couch at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China. It was Thanksgiving Day that morning before we left to head home.


Twenty-six hours later we landed in Oklahoma City where it was Thanksgiving Day!

One Year Ago Today...

A couple from the other side of world arrived in the mountain city of Chongqing. At The Office Of Foreign Affairs, our long-awaited son was placed in our arms and three lives were forever changed.

Here is my post from that day:

http://twoinblue.blogspot.com/2006/11/together-day.html

And here are the pictures!

http://twoinblue.blogspot.com/2006/11/here-are-pictures.html

I intend to put together a photoshow but...Ron made a new shelf for my computer tower and when he disconnected the computer, he didn't know how to get it back together correctly. We don't have internet at home until we get this worked out.

I can hardly believe its been a year! It still feels so new to me! Maybe because I'm still trying to figure out this mommy-thing and get it right.

Ron says he feels like Nathan has been with us his hole life instead of just a year.

Our little guy has come such a long way in a year!

Love Without Boundaries 2007 Video

It's been my pleasure to meet Amy, whose voice in on the video. She and others involved in LWB have such a big heart for these children. They coordinate with doctors and nurses to go to China on misions to repair cleft lips, birth defects, and heart defects. In addition, they help the orphanages get the children's paperwork ready so that more of the children can be adopted. Something as simple as the orphanage not being able to afford the medical examination is all that stands between some of these children and their forever families.

When I see the pictures and videos I think about Nathan. If he hadn't been placed for adoption, he would have grown up without a family in an orphanage. He likely would not have received the additional surgeries that he needed. He might not have been able to go to school or even have enough to eat. When I think of it, my heart breaks that there are so many children still waiting. Every one of them deserves more.

Please visit the Love Without Boundries site: http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/ Maybe you will find something in their store that you can use

Bath In The Sink

This kid loves his baths! Anytime...anyplace.