Happy belated 10 Months Addi-boo!

Take 2. . .I started this on the 22nd, and here I am, still trying to get this post posted. . .

So with each passing day, I think to myself, blogger has post options. . .I can surely back date this so I wouldn't appear to be a slacker mom and miss Addi's first year of monthly posts. And then I realize, this is life. I'm allowing myself some grace. Just wait. . .there's apparently some seriously long grace periods on posting about your summer vacation. If I don't hurry up this little one will be running right past me!

1. Good-bye baby food, Hello pancakes, spaghetti, carrots, cheerios, mac n cheese and grilled cheese. (Don't lecture me - I have three kids age 5 and under, I don't cook, and if it's good enough for her older siblings, well, a little artificial coloring aint gonna hurt her.)

2. Good-bye army crawl, Hello crawl-master!

3. Good-bye "someone please carry me" - Hello, I'll just meet you guys in a minute -

4. Good-bye dust balls, Hello new stick vac for Mom so she can pretend to be that lady on TV who cooks, does laundry, bakes, and throws cookies up in the air to be caught with no crumbs by her offspring. Oh, and the clothes hang themselves up too. . .Reality check - Mommy sometimes has to vaccuum multiple times a day before I shove dog hair, or leftover crumbs from my brother and sister in my mouth. Did I mention I'm quick?

5. Good-bye beloved soft quilt and gumball machine, Hello PLAY ROOM - Thanks for creating a corral for me mom. Now you won't have to buy Peyt a horse or a goat. Oh, and I'm a pretty good fan cheering him on as he performs for me. Shhh, he thinks he's a REAL rock star.

6. Good-bye baby buth tub, Hello shower, or kitchen sink, depending on Mom's ability to hold my squirmy, sudsy body mood.

7. Good-bye lolli-pop reflection, Hello proportioned and petite. Watch out Gracyn, I'm wearing your clothes Mom brought to Taiwan for you when you were 2!

8. Good-bye restaurants, Hello I can SCREAM! Loudly.

9. Good-bye infant confinement exersaucer, Hello PARK with a swing just for me?

10. Good-bye blogging time for Mommy, Hello can you catch me?

Addi is quite the copycat. She has learned to wave, clap, "sing", and do some motions to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. She loves her stroller, and falls asleep readily when being toted around from place to place. She hates to be left behind, or to have an empty tray in front of her. She loves carrots, is enjoying pasta, and gets excited if Mommy has a cup of ice cold water in hand. She "talks" in her own language. Knocks on the tray for more food. Squeezes her hands like ASL for milk but for more food, and kicks her feet if she wants to eat. . .wait a minute, do see a pattern here? She is growing more attached to her paci, less interested in her bottle, likes to climb on the slide, and play with balls and blocks. She makes up her own games. She'll find something in her crib, grab it, drop it over the top, and then pull it out through the slats. I know, you're wondering why we have such a large and expensive shape sorter. Not to fear. It also serves as a nightstand for me and my laptop. Oh, and a guard rail in case I get up for a late night snack. Addi knows kung fu, I kid you not. I'll have to try to get that on video. (Thanks Gong-Gong. Mom says next time we should work on our ABC's.) She loves bath time, hates being handed off to anyone by Mom, and prefers to sleep on or at least next to another human being. The musical seahorse is cute, but isn't quite cutting it yet. I invested in Sophie the giraffe because she mouths everything. Everything except for Sophie. Maybe I shouldn't take those reviews on Amaz*n so seriously.

Addi - You are such a sweet baby. You smile and kick with such joy when you see someone you love. You laugh at your big brother who has composed many songs for you in your short life! Your sister babbles right back at ya, as if you two have a secret language. You're starting to grow some hair, but not a lot sweetie pie. And we must find some more of those thin and really soft headbands so you stop pulling them off! People say you don't look as much like your big brother as you used to. You enjoy eating, and you'll sit long enough for mommy and daddy to finish a meal too! You already cry if someone takes away a toy dangerous item, or if you are told "no, no" - You seem to have shrunk around your mid-section, and are back into those 3-6 mos pants! What happened to the baby fat? You're not even 1 yet! You are such the cuddle bug and recently started resting your head down on my shoulder, on my chest, on my leg, and well, anywhere you feel like it to get comfy. Shhh, mommy loves it. You can cuddle wherever, and however you want. I am so blessed to be your Mommy. . .If I don't hit "publish post" now, I'm afraid you'll be walking. And acutally, you're starting to stir because I'm not in bed but at the table a whole 10 feet away from you. . .see, no more proofreading, spell-checking, I'm just going to hit the orange button now.

p.s.
Sorry I haven't posted your cowgirl pictures, or your first dip in the pool. I've videotaped you trying to crawl. . . Well, way back when I also got you rolling over, but now you're really crawling, and really fast, and well, you just don't really give me much time to blog anymore! Let alone upload anything to YouT*be. It doesn't mean I love you any less. I know your brother and sister have more posts, more pictures, more videos, more "comments" from our wonderful bloggy pals to keep and read when you're all grown up, but I swear, I don't love you any less. Forgive me! Love you Addi-boo. . .this might become your new name - it's starting to catch on. Now your cousins call you Addi-boo too. . .

 

 

Oh my. . .I had to go to Post Options to change the date to today, which is the 26th? Really, it's the 26th??? Already? Had to check my e-mail to confirm that one. And if I don't hurry it will soon be the 27th.

Following in my footsteps. . .

When I first started this blog it was with the intention of documenting our adoption journey to Gracyn. About 2 years ago, we were still waiting for First Decree, and I was a stress ball. I had yet to learn how to lay it before His feet, and carried so much burden on my shoulders. We had received very few updates, very few photos, watched other families receive referrals, travel and return home while we still waited.

I googl*d Ping Tung, the city where Gracyn was living. I would find as many photos of Ping Tung and match the style of home and furniture with the few photos of her foster family's home. I would study the photos over and over again try to imagine what Gracyn looked like (we had old pictures), what her voice would sound like, and wondered how big she had grown since our referral which was back in the Fall of 2008. I actually figured out where she lived and had believed at that time that I knew what tribe her foster family originated from, and it turned out that I was correct. I knew in my heart I was, which is why before I met her I picked up jewelry for her specific to the family's Paiwan tribe.

On Gotcha Day, When I began to start asking questions through the translator I quickly learned that God had answered my prayers. Gracyn had been with a Christian family her whole life. She knew Him, she knew church, and once home she so comfortably would raise her hand up to Him during worship. For those of you who have followed along since we first started this blog, do you remember all of those photos of her looking up at the sky? Some looked like she was praising God. I didn't know what she was doing exactly, but now I believe she was in fact praising God, and praying for her heart to heal from the grief of losing the only family that she knew.

We never believed those who said the transition period could take the same amount of time as the time she was apart from us, which meant two years. Well, we're nearing the two year mark, and things are really settling in. Sure, we're still dealing with some tantrum issues, and some minor sensory issues, but my "girlfriend" has come a long way. When she first came home, I would find myself staring at her trying to figure out who she took after. Who she got her beautiful eyes from, her clumsiness quirky gait, her love of music, and her love of dancing. One of the few happy moments we shared in Taiwan was after I listened to music that warmed my heart just in time for that first kiss. Remember this post?

Today, I can't say that I really ever think about where her likes and dislikes come from. She's His child, and He chose me to be her Mommy, and well, she's following in MY footsteps and making my heart melt. She's still learning how to use full sentences, but after she saw her big brother take Kinderdance, she said to me, "Mommy, tap shoes?" - Heck YES girlfriend!

Me: "Mommy buy you tap shoes!"
Gracyn: "Mommy you buy me tap shoes?"
Me: "You learn how to go pee pee on the potty, and Mommy buy you tap shoes."
Gracyn: Sitting on the toilet, "You buy me tap shoes?"

QUESTION: Do you know how many times a child pees while potty training?! Especially when they're really tiny with small bladders and love to drink juice? And do you know how persistent she is? And how well her little memory works?

 

ANSWER:
Way too many times. I confess that she still isn't fully potty trained, but since she not only got my love for dancing, but she also got my persistence and memory - well, there's no point in that battle. . .I know. Trust me. She's still talking about her tap shoes almost daily and has only had 2 lessons. . .

 

As a girl who spent most of her young life in a dance studio, this makes me want to dance. . .

 

But seriously, do you see how interested she is in these ballet shoes?!

 

Sweet, sweet girl. . .

 

I love this one. . .

 

So curious. . .

 

And seriously, who could say no to these eyes?!

 

Gracyn, you may have been grown in my heart, and a gift from God, but girlfriend, you are following in my footsteps being my girly girl. Now if you'd just stop hiding from the camera, we'd be set! I can't believe how much you've grown. You've grown into yourself, into our home, into our family. I pray that you will be content with the life He has given you. You are so silly, you love chocolate more than me, and yes, I will buy you M&M pj's to match mine if I can ever find any. You love to play with dolls now (which your report from Taiwan said you were afraid of) and you love to play "Mommy" and wash your baby Josie (formerly Gracie May). Love you baby girl. . .And yes, I am your "friend" but I'm also MOMMY, okay? You'll have lots of friends before you know it. Who could resist your smile?

Shhh. . .I didn't really buy the tap shoes. They were hand-me-downs from her cousin who only wore them a few times about 8 years ago. I found them in the give away pile and held on to them until now. . .Cost savings warranted buying her a ballet skirt that she also sucked me convinced into buying. You can't possibly believe that last line, right? I need no convincing to buy ballet skirts, tap shoes, hair bows, or any accessory for that matter.

Did I mention she also likes to shop? And has grasped the concept of putting clothes into the cart at Targ*t???

Oh geez - this got really long didn't it??? Lisa - you're rubbing off on me!

Happy 9 Months Addi-boo!

First of all, can I just say that I miss blogging? I miss my outlet. I miss being able to document our journey through life on a more frequent basis. I miss sharing the funny moments, the challenging moments, and the moments to be celebrated with you. I miss the peace and quiet of "BLOGGING" by myself in the dark, in front of my laptop. I miss the BLOGGING BREAK and "me time"..

So, Addi is over 9 months now, but I'm going to blame her for me not being able to post this on time. (Off to a great start, huh?) She has become quite the wiggle worm, and loves to be carried all the time. Blame Gong-Gong for that one. She is loving table food, and feeding herself carrots, bananas, bagel bits, puffs, che*rios. . .oh, and she loves those sprinkled sugar cookies from the bakery. Oops, I mean those yummy Gerb*r baby cookies. . . Shhhhhh. I gave Addi-boo a nibble or two or three of Gracyn's. Gotta love the local grocery store for their free cookies and a weak and desperate Mom who will do anything to get the baby to sit in the cart for just a few more minutes without knowing if she is or isn't allergic to any ingredients in the darn cookie.

Addi is army crawling forwards now, but still spins around her tummy and scoots backwards. She's discovered that being on hardwood means she can slide around faster. She is all about Mommy. Cries if she hears my footsteps or voice. She's curious, loves to play with her brother and sister, she can be shy at moments, and also very, very loud. She bangs the tray for more food, she sings along when she hears us singing, she copies "crying" if she hears her OLDER siblings behave like big babies are having difficulty understanding the definition of "No." She still loves to clap and claps when she wants me to pick her up. She prefers a bath, but will take a shower, and she doesn't mind water in her eyes. (Which is a good thing since we're getting a pool.) I still hate water in my eyes, so I vowed to pour water on my kids in the bath so they'd learn to like it. She sleeps through the night in our bed and falls asleep easily with me next to her with her arms wrapped around her seahorse (it used to be my arm!) And well, she still doesn't have much hair. And that's my fault because I refuse to shave it to make it come in thicker, right?

And yes, I know, she has a rather large head and that she would definitely benefit from some hair, but what are you gonna do. . .and don't tell me it's not big. Here's the proof. And if you don't believe the below, try putting a babn headband on her - I think not people. Give her the adult-sized one and we won't have to rub out those indentations in her head!

Her growth percentiles from her last three measurements are summarized below:
RECENT WEIGHT READING(S)
Date Wt
06/02/2010 7.63 kg (16 lb 13.1 oz) (22%)
03/24/2010 6.905 kg (15 lb 3.6 oz) (30%)
01/13/2010 6.226 kg (13 lb 11.6 oz) (57%)

RECENT HEIGHT READING(S)
Date Ht
06/02/2010 0.705 m (2' 3.75") (68%)
03/24/2010 0.667 m (2' 2.25") (65%)
01/13/2010 0.629 m (2' 0.75") (74%)

RECENT HEAD SIZE READING(S):
Date HC
06/02/2010 45.1 cm (17.76") (85%)
03/24/2010 43.4 cm (17.09") (74%)
01/13/2010 41.3 cm (16.26") (64%)

They go on to provide the summary like this:
21.68% of growth percentile based on weight-for-age. 67.64% of growth percentile based on length-for-age. 85.21% of growth percentile based on head circumference-for-age.

Yeah, yeah, 85 point 21 percent to be exact on her head circumference-for-age. And this was taken almost a month ago. Yikes. Bet those carrots and 'nanas made it even bigger!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just for fun. . .here's her face when she isn't really crying. Good faker, huh?

 

And this is when she really is crying. Oh, and yes, I do keep shooting even while she's mad. I just start feeding her puffs to get through the rest. Please don't judge me. . .I know she had a runny nose, was tired, and hungry, but seriously, she turned 9 MONTHS. What's a Mom to do? I HAD to capture her on the day she turned 9 months, right?! (Well, not to mention we were heading out for a vacation the following day, so I really had no other choice. . .) What can I say, I'm a dedicated Mommy! LOL

 

Happy 9 months Addi-boo. Mommy loves you with all her heart and I think you are perfect just the way you are, big noggin and all! I secretly love when you cry for me, or hide on my shoulder so no one will take you from me. I love our quiet time at night, and I get a kick out of you eating like a big girl. You are so ready to try to keep up with Peyton and Gracyn. I'm just not sure that I'm so ready. . .

Let me enjoy the baby in you for just a bit more. Pretty Please? I am so blessed to be your Mommy.

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!