forever?

A conversation with Drew before bed Tuesday night...in the hallway...after saying goodnight to Leo.

Drew: "Will he be with us forever?"

Me: "He sure will, Drew. What do you think about that?"

Drew: The most awesome and gigantic smile I have seen on him in days

versatile blogger award

My first Blogger award...and presented to me by definitely two of the finest bloggers out there.  Thank you Kris for considering me a runner an bestowing this award on me.   It has been so much fun getting to know you and your family through your blog and then finally getting the opportunity to meet you and Xavier over the summer.  You guys rock!  I am so excited to continue following all your new adventures.

And, thank you Elizabeth for the honor.  I think you are oh so wise...funny...friendly....and stylish!!  Plus, I just love the fact that quite often we post to our blogs at the same time - it's nice know that "you're there".  :)

So, what is the Versatile Blogger Award?

Here are the guidelines:

• Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass the award along to 7 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are fabulous.
• Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award

Since first receiving this award from Kris back in the beginning of the month, I have obviously had lots of time to come up with some interesting tidbits about myself.  I mean really...I had hours & hours & hours on an airplane, numerous late-night "parties" in Leo's room, and endless moments quietly walking around the house with Leo on my back trying to get him to nap with nothing but time to think.  Why on earth didn't I have this post typed and out there for all to read the week we got back from Korea?  Truth be told...because I have been over thinking it (like i do most everything).  What seven things would people find the most interesting? Can I come up with some things that even the people who know me the best might not know (or remember)? Will I have time to write it all up in one sitting?  If not, should I even start a draft?

Well, since Elizabeth has also honored me with this fabulous award last Friday (with low expectations that I would follow through and complete this task due to the way time just vanishes when you add another kid to the mix) I thought I've waited long enough.  But, Elizabeth is right, time is hard to find around here these days - two is much harder than one (even Drew told me so tonight when I was trying to put both to bed while Damon was playing softball - Drew also took pity on me I think, he was an angel and got ready for bed without much fuss).   But, I so enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth and others who have previously won this award that it is time for me to find time and share a bit of me.  So...here it goes...

1. I am a born and raised Michigander (yes, one of those who shows you their palm and points to where they live)...who became a Hoosier for four glorious years while in Bloomington, IN for college (LOVE that school & campus!)...then had the chance to become a Gopher...but passed to become a Wolverine instead for two years of grad school (public health - health policy & administration)...but eventually ended up in Minnesota anyway...fell in love...and has made Minnesota her home over the last 12 years.  And, for the past 12 winters (that's November to April), I wonder why the heck I don't live in southern Indiana, Michigan, or any other state with better winters than Minnesota.  Maybe THIS is the year I will embrace MN Winters?!
   
2. I think I have been basically the same height since sixth grade.  I have always considered myself 5'.  But, I have noticed that since moving to MN, I have seem to have shrunk...every trip to a doctors office or health fair screening seems to produce a height of 4'11.5".  If I am already shrinking due to my increasing age - boy am I in trouble.  I would just like to believe that all Minnesotan measuring devices are messed up.  My drivers license will continue to state 5' - I round up.  [the tallest i have ever been documented as being is 5'3" - in a local newspaper during high school at the beginning of volleyball season.  if that had only been true. guess a 5'3" setter sounds like more of a threat?!?]
   
3. My right leg is scarred....three times over.  First on my thigh by third degree burns, thanks to a full glass pitcher of boiling water that shattered on me - ouch; the second is near my ankle and is due to some rad skateboarding moves during middle school; and the latest one is on my knee, which is thanks to some really sharp coral while surfing in Hawaii.  It's a sexy leg!!
   
4. I was Senior Class President in high school...which gave me the honor of delivering the graduation speech at Commencement.  The speech was so good, I guess, that it has been plagiarized year after year (I would not be surprised it parts of it could still be heard last June).  I was quite shocked to hear direct quotes from my speech the year after I graduated while attending the ceremony...and again three years after I graduated at my brother's graduation...and then years after via local access cable.
   And...since we are talking about high school...I was also the Prom Queen.  Due solely to a covert operation of which at the time I was completely uninvolved with and shocked...and to this day perplexed about.  I guess ballots were removed from many tables and the ballot box was then stuffed with ballots marked for me.  It was a landslide victory that had people saying "what the hell?!" and "stranger things have happened, I guess" all night.  I should not have been Prom Queen.  I should not have even been on the "Court".  But, no worries - those part of this covert operation are still my friends today.  We all think it's pretty darn hilarious.  Though, you should know, I did go to Prom alone (my date was qualifying for the state track meet) and if my date had not arrived minutes before the Prom Court and Queen were announced and I would have been left standing there with no one to dance with...completely embarrassed...I just might not have found the whole situation quite as funny and might have a few less friends today.  If I had gotten to keep the crown, I would have given it to the rightful owner....who, to this day is still probably trying to figure out what the hell happened that night.  Now she might find out.
   
5. Bad things happen when I ride Amtrak.  At least the Ann Arbor to Chicago route.  The last two times I traveled to/from these cities, people died.  The first time it was winter and we were barely outside of Ann Arbor on the way to Chicago and the train hit a car that failed to stop before the tracks in the snow and ice...killing three of the four passengers.  It was the most surreal and devastating disaster I have been a part of.  The next year I bravely took the same route...made it to Chicago and breathed a sigh of relief.  And...then made it more than half way back to Ann Arbor when there was a little jolt.  I told my travel companion that we hit something.  Sure enough...a man decided to jump in front of our train.  No more Amtrak for me.  [note...train travel with me aboard is safe in both europe and south korea]
   
6. Despite having two cats, that I love dearly (as do the boys!)...I think over the course of this exercise I realized I am really a dog person.  The only reason we have cats is because Damon convinced me on a trip to Amsterdam/Paris in the very beginning of our relationship that I should get a kitten (there was a lady in the row in front of us with two cute kittens - that started the whole thing).  The whole trip we'd try and come up with names for a cat...maybe van Gogh, Eiffel, you get the idea.  Well, on the flight back we drank a few beers.  The flight attendant came by and we asked for more Heineken.  She said they were out.  Damon and I looked at each other and said "That's it!" The hunt was then on for "Heineken"...he was found at the Humane Society - a black kitten that fetches balls, stretches and paws at the doorknob to ask to be let out of a room, and loves playing in the water...all dog-like behaviors.  And, a few years later, to keep Heineken company we got a grey cat...a lighter version of Heineken - Amstel.  [cannot wait until the boys start school and get to tell everyone their cats names!!]
   
   Over the past few years I have campaigned hard for three specific dogs from the Humane Society.  First there was Stanley...a Greyhound/Black Lab mix.  I loved him.  Big floppy ears; long straight tail; skinny ribcage and all.  I thought for sure with Damon's love for hockey, his name alone would seal the deal.  No luck.  (damon didn't even connect the name stanley with the stanley cup...come on!)  Next there was a cute little Golden/mix puppy that adored Drew.  I kept sending Damon pics from my phone until he finally left work to come check out the dog at the Humane Society with us - and end the barrage of pictures coming his way .  Again, no luck.  And, just this Spring, there was Rocky.  The cutest, gentlest Mastiff/Lab mix puppy.  Damon said we couldn't bring a horse into the house.  I will keep trying...
   
7. Finally...my favorite color is brown...so natural...so versatile.

Now the fun part...bestowing this award on seven other bloggers!

There are so many incredible blogs out there.  Many of which have already won this award.  But here are some that I've (recently) discovered that keep luring me back with all their versatility.

1. Michelle at Seoul-2-Seoul :  Michelle brought her sweet boy Maddyx home a week before we brought Leo home.  Her blog is honest...and funny...and just wonderful!! (she even has a quote of the week...I love quotes!!!)
2. Pixie at Cheese Curds and Kimchi:  I just love this blog...a good mix of all things adoption and Korea and life.  And, I absolutely love Friday Round-Up where different blogs she's read over the week are showcased.
3. Amy & Jim at Wilson Baby Adventure :  while we were waiting for our travel call, we met Amy, Jim and Zander at a Korean Immersion School event.  They had brought Zander home at the beginning of summer and it was such a pleasure to talk with them about their trip and transition.  Their blog really does highlight their adventures...which are a lot of fun!
4. Kala at Together We Make A Family:  there's been some construction going on over at this blog...but the new name says it all - with Matthew, they are a family.  A family that I really enjoy keeping up with!
5. Birdie at Birdie, Bean and Baby Jee:  Birdie found my blog as we ventured over to Korea to bring Leo home...I've been checking out her blog, and I love what I see - fun and creativity.  :)  I really cannot wait to follow along more closely.
6. Beverly at PicGal:  Beverly is a dear friend and amazing photographer who has been a wonderful supporter throughout our journey.  [and i CANNOT wait to post all the incredible pics she took this past weekend of All Accounted Four!!]
7. Elizabeth at Romans 8:15:  because, had I actually done this when first awarded - I most certainly would have presented you with this award earlier in the month.  I just love your blog so much - you deserve this award twice.

Until next time...too much to write, too little time!!

nothing but pics

Two weeks home...I wouldn't call things "normal" yet...going from one kid to two kids is a lot of work ~ I am so exhausted!!  But, we are getting routines figured out (which makes things so much easier) and are still REALLY enjoying being All Accounted Four.  Things have been busy...busy fun...with my folks in town...so, as promised...a less wordy...more visual post to capture a tiny bit of another week as four.  Enjoy!

the joys of teething - drool & boogers

playing in corn - only brought home a "little" in the pockets

hanging out in the corn pit

my boys are getting closer

speed racer

goin' to catch Drew

just look at Leo eye up that hot dog!!

Drew & Daddy after racing AGAIN

i got to feed a kangaroo at the petting zoo!!

'roos are SO soft (too bad Leo slept the entire time we were in there)

Lemurs like grapes too!!

waiting to enter the corn maze

Until next time...happy autumn!

it's been...one week

One week.
We have been home as a family of four for over one week now...and overall, it has been wonderful!

My lack of posting definitely does not come from a lack of desire to share all the wonderful (and not so wonderful) things that we've been up to since getting back from Korea; but comes namely from the fact that we've just been busy hanging out, enjoying each other, and figuring out all the things that need figuring out when you add a very mobile 13-month old to a pretty set and established routine of a family of three - one of which is a newly minted four year old.

The trouble with waiting so long to write...is that with so much going on, I almost don't know where to start or where to stop. When we were in Korea, I really wanted to document the trip well - for Leo's sake - and as a result got kinda wordy. I'm quickly learning that I won't have the time or energy to always be as "thorough" in my posts as I might want to be. And, that is going to have to be ok. I need to remember that what's important is that I share...just share something...for us to look back at this time and remember how incredibly wonderful it truly was So, one of these nights I just might start resorting to lists and pictures. But first, a very important message.

THANK YOU.

If there is one thing we have learned...remembered...this week, it's the value of friendship and how incredibly lucky and blessed we are to have such amazing friends. Our time in Korea and our first week back home with Leo would have been a hundred times more difficult if it was not for the unique and treasured friendship of all the lovely bloggy friends out there...your advice, encouragement, humor, and sincere interest and enthusiasm in Leo's homecoming has been nothing short of outstanding. Reading about your experiences and sharing our journeys together has made a world of a difference to us and to our approach in becoming All Accounted Four. We truly hope that in some way we too are returning the favor by sharing our journey. We so appreciate, and hope to someday meet in person, these wonderful families (if for no other reason than to give you a hug and say thank you!).

And, thank you to our friends and neighbors! Our homecoming has been just perfect! Signs, kind words of congratulations, eagerness to meet Leo, generous gifts - for both Leo and big brother Drew, and just genuine and gracious friendship. I seriously do not think we could have better friends and neighbors. We just feel so incredibly blessed...and know that Leo's easy transition has been in part because of all of the love we have been surrounded by from our friends over the past few weeks.


Now with that said...what you've all been waiting for...the One Week Report!

Aside from the excessive drool (most likely the affects of incoming tooth #7) and the unstoppable snot coming from his nose (again, either the result of incoming tooth #7 or a not so generous gift from that woman we sat next to on the plane) Leo is doing great! Like, so great I am constantly knocking on wood and beginning to look for things that could be wrong (for instance, he loves to eat...is he eating for comfort and will he be gaining twice his weight before his first doctor appointment?!?).


Eating.
Leo loves his bottles...his a swigger...throwing his bottle into his mouth and throwing his head back to drink...it's funny and cute...and I can easily picture how he'll be drinking a bottle of beer twenty years from now.
He loves all fruit - bananas, peaches, grapes, apples, watermelon, cantaloupe melon, pineapple, blueberries, pears...
He loves his veggies - peas, broccoli, corn, carrots, green beans (cauliflower is up next tomorrow)
He loves other healthy things too - yogurt, toast, waffles, rice, chicken, bites of turkey burgers, potatoes
He loves his snacks - puffs (any flavor), cherrios, goldfish, part of a donut from the apple orchard, and what's remaining of the treats from Korea
He loves sitting at the table with us in his high chair...and we love having all four sides of the table occupied!


Sleeping.
The first night was the toughest...jet lag and all. We had Leo sleep with us in our room...all was fine until we shut the door and got into bed. Then the crying started.  And would not stop. Finally, we decided to get one of the cats (since Leo just thought they were the funniest things ever and laughed like crazy upon seeing them for the first time) to change his mood. That did the trick...and then we realized he might be due for a bottle and crying due to hunger.  After the bottle, one happy camper again; when in doubt, feed the child.  Since sleeping with us went so well the first night, the next two nights we moved to Leo's room and one of us slept on the floor with him - he'd fall asleep on our bellies while we patted his back...and Damon and I would switching at the 2am bottle. Leo moves all over crazy when he sleeps - he like pivots around in a circle and rolls and it is just not a good for anyone sleeping with him to get any sleep. So, Friday night, we visited at a friend's house until bedtime...gave Leo his bottle...he fell asleep in the car and we put him in his crib when we got home. He slept there until his early morning bottle...and he's been sleeping the crib every night since. Awesome. So awesome, last night both boys were in bed by 9am and Damon and I actually got to watch the season premiere of Parenthood (love that show!). Totally. Awesome.


Brothers.
Leo adores Drew. And, Leo's shiny happy personality often doesn't peek out until he has seen Drew in the morning. I would be willing to guess that Drew is another reason why Leo's transition may be going so well - but, who knows.

Drew on the other hand has been having a difficult transition. And, quite honestly, it's been breaking my heart. He has not been the bestest of listeners, he's been rather defiant, and just not overly kind. I get it...I really do...it's all a normal part of adding a sibling. But, the part that sucks the most for me is that Leo takes a lot of my/our time and energy...so the time that I do get to spend with Drew I want to be Norman Rockwell pleasant. It's not...not at all. It has been full of arguing, and complaining, and rudeness, and aughh!! It has made me sad and stressed and just a mess. I just miss my Drew-man!

We are making progress though, Drew is warming up to Leo on his own. Yesterday in the car, Leo spit out his pacifier and started crying...and Drew picked it up and put it back in his mouth. My heart sang. He'll run up and pat Leo on the head...and give impromptu hugs and kisses. With this increased kindness towards Leo has come some increased kindness towards me...and it feels great to be reading and snuggling with Drew before bed again. Drew is back going to school three days a week...back to his friends and his routine...and I think that is going to help things too.

I just have to keep telling myself that it has only been a week....just one short little week...we've all come so far!!! And, in all honesty, things are not bad...they are just different. And different takes getting used to by everyone...at everyone's own pace.


Outings.
So, what have we been up to over the fast week (besides getting our sleeping patterns all adjusted and eating)? Through the weekend we played in the backyard...hit some parks...went and grabbed some food for dinner...did some family grocery shopping...and went to the shoe store to get Leo some new shoes! On Monday when Drew when back to school, Damon and I took Leo to the Agency to drop off some things and then hit the zoo for a picnic and stocked up on more goodies from Babies R Us. It really was great to spend some time alone with Leo...really getting to know our little guy. And, on Tuesday (Damon's last day off) we went to an apple orchard...both boys loved all the things to do there (the animals, the hay stacks, the pumpkins, the mazes...) and going through the orchard to find apples. It was a beautiful day and I am glad we got to spend it all together as a family.


Pictures.

Shoe size...7W!!

Rockin' at the park

Leo LOVES dirt...touching it AND eating it!

Posing (again) for the camera...and then wanting to see the results

My new helper...who knew sweeping could provide 15 minutes of entertainment?!

Daddy & Leo at the zoo

All snuggly for a walk to the orchard

Found an apple!!

Best pic of the two together that I've been able to get all week - nice faces

One happy Leo

Until next time...my parents are coming this weekend - timing could not be better - I think we need some respite

Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

"Three & Counting" has become "All Accounted Four"

And, to get there, it has looked a lot like this:

So far, things are going really well...we're all getting sleep...we're getting outside for some fun in the backyard and walks to the park...and we even ventured out to the store as a family.  Leo is such a sweet, independent, easy going, goofy little dude.  He's fitting into the family perfectly!

Until next time...have a great weekend!!!