Long Overdue Post. . .Literally it's LONG

If you're short on time - the photos tell it all, and I've bolded the funny parts and the major accomplishments!

Congratulations to my preschool graduate!!!!
Peyton graduated from the Koala class, will be a Rabbit for the summer and then he begins kindergarten this fall. I am so proud of my baby. I can't believe how time flies!

 

 

 

 

I started this post over a month ago to provide an update on the sweet peas. . .

Peyton is now five and is enjoying kinderdance. (Kinderdance Presentation Photos to be posted soon!) He still loves to sing and "perform" around the house. In fact, he pointed out a picture of a group of kids, and told me he's going to be the one in the middle with the microphone, and the other two boys will be on the sides playing guitars. We're phasing out the use of timeouts and he's now losing privileges for bad behavior. He's been having some emotional outbursts, but other than that is really growing up. He even took the dog out by himself and ran up and down our driveway for exercise. We're a little concerned about his weight, but he's eating healthy and is very active, so we'll just keep working on less "junk"! Peyton is funny. Plain and simple. He knows how to call me on my cell phone and apparently knows how to redial because if I don't pick up I get 5 missed calls and I'm reprimanded when I return the call. He can carry on a mature conversation, and I have to admit his faults are my own. Sweetest conversation on Peyton handling destruction of his favorite book ever.

Me: Peyton, don't be mad, but Addi ripped a page of your book. I held my breath. . .

 

Peyton: It's okay mom, I love Addi, she's my baby sister and she's still learning, right? But if she weren't my family I'd be mad. (Okay. . .so we're making progress here, at least he wasn't mad at Addi for the torn page.) Update - since I wrote this over a month ago, Peyton's back to an emotional drama king. Is it an age thing or what?! Please do share.

 

 

Gracyn has completed the Panda class, and will be a lamb for the summer, and will continue on for a couple more years.

 

Gracyn has been home for a little over a year and a half now and she's come a long way! She is my little "Union Rep" - If Peyton has it or Peyton does it, she has to have it and do it too. And that applies to the following: Time out on the wall (Yes, she's been known to join him); Trying to pee standing up outside in the garden (We live in the country folks, and when the BOY has to go, we just let 'em. Different rules for different genders!); Making the cutest pout-face, folding her arms and stomping off if we say "no" - (Wish I could catch this one on camera!). I guess the reverse applies with the kids though, because when I painted Gracyn's nails for the first time ever (my heart is smiling) guess who else had to have nail polish applied? Yep, the big BOY. And DH was not so happy with me. I only put clear on his toes, and clear on his thumbs. I did have to hide in the bathroom with him to do it, but it made him feel included and his heart was breaking, so what is a Mom to do?! Gracyn can count to five, knows her first and last name, knows all of the names of her family members, is learning how to spell her first and last name, and she can clearly say multi-syllabic words now!!

Latest and greatest - Now you see 'em now you don't. . .Have you noticed what's different? The change cost us $2500. . .keeping 'em would have cost even more, but they weren't good enough to salvage. See below for the reveal. . .

What Gracyn reminds me to do every minute of the last 24 hours. . ."Mommy, tap shoes. Buy me tap shoes?" Me: Yes, baby, Mommy will get you tap shoes too. (We have some hand me down ones that should fit her perfectly for Kinderdance this summer!) And of course I'll buy her tap shoes. . .ballet shoes, leotards, tights, skirts, you name it. I would love for my daughter to follow in my footsteps!

Her favorite words now are "No, You do it, I don't want you" Great start, huh? And the one three sylable word she has NO PROBLEM saying, CHOCOLATE, of course.

 

Addi is very proud of her big brother and big sister!!! A round of applause from the littlest sweet pea who's mastered the art of clapping. Way to go Addi-boo!

 

 

Addi is such a happy baby. We thought she'd be more laid back, but since she turned 7 8 months she's become a ball of energy. Always moving her legs, always wanting to jump, jump, jump, jump. She's almost mastered sitting up, still doesn't like to be on her tummy, but I'm happy to report that last night I put her on her tummy, held her feet for resistance and she PUSHED off and scooted!!! WOO HOOO Addi boo!!! She's babbling up a storm. Her latest and greatest, "Ba-ba-ba-ba". . .I swear she's asking for her bottle! Smarty pants! She's quick to smile, cries if she's left with an unfamiliar person. Well, okay, she'll even cry if Daddy has her and she sees me. . .yay! A baby who wants her MOMMY!!! She likes to hold on to balls, and tear up play with books.

 

This is Gong-Gong teaching Addi how to tap dance.

 

 

Now you see 'em. . .

 

 

Now you don't. . .

 

Back in April Gracyn had her teeth worked on. 4 caps, 1 crown, 4 extractions, and some fillings to boot (I think), she has a new smile! And I'm in love with it.Funny pictures of our drugged up baby. . .

My big girl, my baby. . .

 

Thinking versed should be sold for Moms who have kids who won't stay still for photos. She was actually pretty photogenic when here eyes weren't half closed!

 

She was funny! Trying to take off her gown, wanted the TV off, waved bye-bye to the TV. . .

 

Oh, and since this already extremely long, why not go back further in time, and show you that we really did make it to Disneyland with three kids 5 and under.

 

Luckily a little girl was in line with them and she offered to ride with Gracyn. She was so cute and so brave!

 

Check out their facial expression! Yes, I laughed my butt off, I wasn't scared for them! When they got off the ride, Gracyn acted like she had the time of her life! What a faker!

 

 

 

 

Addi's first trip to Disneyland, but it won't be her last!

 

If you made this far, thanks for following along. . .I've had bloggy block, and I had no idea if I could catch up. Certainly I wish I had the time to share some funny video clips, and other photos, but this is all I can muster up! This is what we've been up to and we're looking forward to SUMMER!

Week 21 - "Yellow"

When I hear yellow, I think Peyton. . .Peyton's favorite color has always been yellow. In fact, he looks great in yellow. Even when he was a baby I dressed him yellow. As he's gotten older, it's grown harder to capture his true personality and his infectious smile that I love, in photos. He's usually goofing around and making all kinds of funny faces. Well, he was goofing off in this one too trying to make his sisters laugh. Gracyn thinks he's goofy, but Addi, she still laughs at her crazy brother. And I managed to capture Peyton's happy face! So when I read this week's theme, although I had another favorite, because my son's favorite color is and will likely always be yellow, this had to be the one to submit. You have no idea how many things we've had to find in "yellow". . .from pencil boxes to balls, sheets, and shirts. If you asked him what color he'd like to paint his room, it would be YELLOW. . .

So while the girls wear brand new matching floral tops from Gymb*ree, with coordinating denim capris and hair accessories to boot, Peyton is sportin' a cheap inexpensive tee from Targ*t, because well, that's what he was already wearing, he didn't want to change, and I didn't want to fight. Guess it worked out okay after all. . .and he does save me quite a bit of money in the wardrobe department so I can't complain.

 

Be sure to check out the other fabulous YELLOW entries. . .

Week 20 - "Faces and Flowers"

I have been trying to get the courage to actually enter a photo to be judged and viewed by so many talented people. When I saw the the theme this week, my favorite picture of Addi came to mind, and although my bloggy pals, and fellow photography classmates have seen this, it's my one of my favorites.

This is Addison at 6 months. . .I caught some pretty funny pictures of her trying to tear the flower off of her head too!

 

Be sure to check out other great entries, and consider entering yourself! C'mon, there's a first for everything, and if I can do it, you can do it. You know who I'm talking to!!! The laundry will be there tomorrow, (as the load of darks sits in the dryer getting more wrinkled by the minute - literally!). Go post ladies. . .that's what the "freshen up" button on the dryer is for!

Happy 8 Months Addi Boo!

At 8 months you are enjoying baby food and surf board crackers!!! I rarely let you get messy, but since you are a sweet pea, I let you go for it with dinner the other day. . .you shake your head "no" if you want your milk before your food, and you'll keep those lips sealed tight and shake your head "no" and bang your hand on the tray if you want your surf board crackers. . .

 

You sit up so well and appear to be trying to clap your hands. You try to raise your hands and make sweet baby sounds when Gracyn and I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to you.

 

You blow more raspberries than anyone I know and you laugh when your big brother imitates you and makes spitting sounds. In fact, most of your "smiley" pictures are because Peyton is trying to make you smile. . .

 

You love to jump and stand, and see the world! You won't even lie back for a bottle. You'd rather sit up and drink while you catch a little American Idol.

 

You love kisses, and even though this one is of you and Daddy, you are definitely a Mommy's girl for now. You cry if I hand you over to anyone other than Daddy or Gong-Gong, and sometimes you'll fuss even when it is one of them.

 

You still have so little hair that Mommy buys you headbands like they're going out of style. You have one to match absolutely every outfit.

 

Although, you often pull them off your head, and you refuse to wear hats. You rarely cry, but you do fuss and make this adorable face that I can't resist. You know how to raise your arms up so Mommy will carry you.

 

I can't believe how big you're getting and how sweet your laugh sounds. I still bathe you in the bathroom sink, and you hate the shower, but pretty soon we'll have to move to the big tub! You love peas, bananas, squash and carrots. Oh, and the surf board crackers and puffs are a big hit! You're quick to squirm during a diaper change now, and rather than crawl you'll roll to wherever you need to go. You love to hold onto anything round, like balls or plastic Easter eggs, you put everything into your mouth, and you hold onto mommy when you fall asleep. In fact, you don't like to be left alone and you scare easily. You're such a girly girl.

 

Gong-Gong thinks you're losing your baby fat, but I think you're body is finally catching up to the size of your head so you're not so much like a lolly pop anymore. Please don't grow up to fast Addi boo. . .I love you with all my heart! Happy 8 Months. . .

Who's Morgan?

Thanks to a comment, I came to realize that not all of our followers know who Morgan is. Morgan Fay, also referred to as Peyton's Moy-Moy, is the daughter we are waiting for from China.

Back in 2006, Peyton had just turned 1, DH and I went out for date night, and our entire conversation revolved around growing our family. . .through adoption. We had run into a family that had just brought home their second child from China, and we felt called to adopt. Peyton had taught us unconditional love, and we were ready to make the move. It was so easy. We contacted an agency, filled out our paperwork, and then we sat back expecting to wait no more than 6-7 months. You see, we were supposed to be expedited due to our Chinese heritage, but even for expedited families the wait kept getting longer and longer.

We considered SN, but our agency didn't do SN, and we had just missed the cut-off to switch to another agency. We would have had to start all over, so we waited. . . but when the referrals came for our month, no baby for us. I was heartbroken. God had other plans for us. While we were logged in, we had started a concurrent adoption from Taiwan, and were also waiting in the "toddler" line. Shortly after we were passed up by China, we received Gracyn's referral. See how God works in amazing ways?

All along we wondered which of the two would arrive home first. The China wait continued to get longer, and longer. After Gracyn came home, we prayed for another child, and God blessed us with Addison. You see, if Morgan had come in that batch with the other expedited referrals, Gracyn wouldn't have been referred to us, and if Gracyn hadn't been referred to us, we wouldn't have known how long the wait for China would really be, which lead us to having Addison. I have often wondered if the journey to Morgan was really about leading us to Gracyn and Addison, but as I sit quietly in prayer, I still feel my heart waiting and holding a place for Morgan.

It may be hard for some to understand how you can love a child who's face you've never seen. But I'm sure there are some of you out there who can relate. The best mother's day present I received yesterday was hearing my DH ask Gracyn, "Do you want one sister or two?" and Gracyn's response was, "two." Thank you sweet girl for knowing your mommy's heart. Thank you DH for opening your heart to the idea of bringing Morgan home.

So, that's who Morgan is. . .our daughter in China who we've been LID since 8/28/06, and continue to pray for. If you pray, please pray for us! Please pray that we will hear Him, and make the right decisions in our journey to Morgan.

Referral calls are being made today, and it sounds like they've gotten through April 21st, 2006 LID's. That's a four day batch, which is better than 2, but I was hoping for 6. If we wait where we are, we may not see Morgan's face until 2012. If the pace picks up, we could see her face by the the middle to end of next year. If we opt to go the SN route, then that changes things entirely. God, please talk to me. I'm ready to listen.

Celebrating Blessings on Mother's Day

I am blessed to be celebrated on Mother's Day because of them.

 

I love them with every fiber of my being.

 

Sure, it means less sleep, less time to get ready in the morning, a lackluster wardrobe, and comfortable shoes. . .

 

But I wouldn't trade it for anything. They are my joy, my love, my life.

 

My first daughter, a gift from God, the daughter that was carried in another mother's womb. Today I think of her birth mother, and I wonder about the voice my daughter heard in utero, the sounds of laughter as her belly jiggled, the scents and sights my daughter took in during her first minutes of life. Wherever you are, know that your daughter is loved. With each day, I feel that I know you more and more. I know you through your daughter. Through my daughter. Our daughter has the most loving heart, the most beautiful eyes, a quirky little gait, and she loves to be held. She can suck down juice faster than any child I know, and can consume chips like they're going out of style. She does like her veggies, but her taste buds are all about the good stuff. She loves to sing, and she loves to color. She asks to pray, and she is the first one to run to someone in need. She enjoys learning, and wants to take care of her baby sister all the time. She is maternal, she is feisty, she is sneaky, and she is a doll. Thank you for the most precious gift of her. We hope that your mother's day is filled with peace and joy.

 

I love you guys so much. I thank God for each of you every day! DH - TEN YEARS ago today, we met for the very first time. I knew that very day that I wanted to marry you. I know I may not tell you all the time, but I am so blessed to be married to such a patient, loving, and fun guy. You still make me laugh, I love that we love to eat junk late at night together when the kids are in bed, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

 

Gracyn, my "little mommy", my "girlfriend" - You are beautiful inside and out. I know in some ways you are probably still grieving. I pray that your heart continues to heal and that you're able to feel safe and loved.

Addi, my "boo" - You are an absolute joy. You are adored by your big brother and big sister, and your smile melts my heart. We are to blame for you not crawling yet. . .we just can't put you down! We love to hold you all day long.

Peyton, my "buh-buh" - You are so mature, and you are so sensitive. You will always be my baby, even if I can barely pick you up! Don't grow up too fast sweet p, enjoy your childhood, and be comfortable with who you are.

Morgan - I don't have a nickname for you yet, but I am thinking of you today. I don't know where you are, or if you've even been born, but I know you are or will be His child, and I pray that He chooses me to be your Mommy.

 

Mom, not a day goes by that I don't think about you and wonder what life on earth would be like if you could be here to enjoy and spoil your grandchildren. You're probably thinking, "oh my, you have 3 under 5, and you're still waiting for your fourth?!" Simply more to love. . .I think this may be the first mother's day that I will enjoy and not be filled with any grief. I will celebrate being a mother myself, thank you for making me the mother that I am, and I will think of you, the best mother of all. I love you Mom. I am blessed to have been mothered by you for 27 years and I continue to be blessed by all of the life lessons you taught me. (You know, like how important it is to have coordinating hair clips and bows with every outfit!)

Whether your a Mom, a Mama, a Mommy, a Mother, or an expectant Mother, we are all to be celebrated today. Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you. May your day be blessed with joy.