first smiles and one year later

Baby Andrew is now 10 weeks old and finally flashing us his first smiles. They are long awaited smiles! Along with his new grinning skills, Andrew's entire disposition seems to be changing and improving. The poor guy has had a rough go of colic/reflux the past two months, but I think that sunny days are in our future. That would be figuratively, of course, as Oklahoma is about to be completely washed away with rain.

At Andrew's 2 month check-up he weighed in a 10.4lbs. I can't remember how long he was, but he is only in the 25% for height and 50% for weight. The boy is seriously strong, though. At 7 weeks he started rolling over from his stomach to back. He doesn't do it much, but we were just astonished that he could do that at such a young age. He also has great control of his head and can hold it up really well. Andrew's favorite thing is still to be swaddled tightly and swinging in his swing on the fastest setting while sucking on a pacifier. Pretty much, he sleeps in his swing....and just hangs out in his swing. I think we have only used his crib a handful of times since we have been home. What can I say....the boy doesn't like to be idle.

Big Smile

Little Smile

We are one week away from Sarah's 2nd birthday - her first one with us. Last year, just days before her first birthday, we received a picture of Sarah dressed in a princess costume. I was so excited when I found the exact same dress at the market in Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan. I had forgotten about the dress until today when I was putting some things away in Sarah's closet. So, of course, we had to dress up and take some pictures.

Sarah, almost one year old, at the orphanage in Ninh Thuan

Sarah, almost two years old, at home

One last thing..... My dear and talented friend Natasha Perryman made these beautiful watercolors for my children. I just had Andrew's framed and I think it looks awesome. The Perryman's are starting the process again to bring home baby #2 from Vietnam. She uses her artistic talent to earn money towards adoption. You can check out her art website at Perrymanadoption.com.

Vietnam Reunion

Saturday was Dillon International's first annual Vietnam Family Day. I think we had around 25 families attend - most with children home, and the rest of the families are either on the waiting list or waiting to travel. Families came from the surrounding states, as well as South Dakota and Ohio. The majority of the families there have or have had a blog during the process, so you feel a bit like you are seeing old friends....even though you have not actually met in person. Particularly the moms could rattle off to their husbands which child went with which family before actually speaking to the person. What an joy to see these children home with their forever families- so happy and thriving. It was really precious to see some of the older children (ones brought home at age 3+ years) see their friends for the first time since leaving the orphanage. When you think about it, a lot of these kids had sibling-like relationships. Our family just had the best day. Both of our children did amazingly well. Sarah usually naps at noon, but it was after 5:00 when we got home. She only had one meltdown (of course during a group photo). And, Andrew had a really great day and managed to sleep through most of the chaos. I was in heaven!!! :)

Props to Dad

Dear Daddy,

Andrew and I sure do love you a bunch! You are so much fun. I love it when you read me books, toss me in the air, sing songs with me, help me brush my teeth, and teach me to pray. That's why I clap every night when you come home from work. Andrew likes it when you talk to him in your silly voice, rock him when he cries, and hold him in your big, strong arms. Mommy loves you too. She is glad that you are a daddy who doesn't mind changing stinky diapers and getting up in the middle of the night to give baby Andrew his bottle. You are the very best dad!

Love and kisses,
Sarah

Sad, but true....

Stress (and crying children) drive people to do many things. Some to drink or abuse substances, some to binge on ice cream and chocolate, others to spend money at the mall or vigorously exercise.... What about me? It drove me to bleach and scrub the grout on our bathroom floor on a perfectly beautiful, sunny Saturday. It really wasn't all the fun and I worked at it hard enough to count it as my 'workout', but there was something really satisfying about having one thing in my day be in total order. If only it would stay that way... I just want to know what genius decided (50 some odd years ago) that the bathroom floor should have light sage tile with white grout. Seriously, how is it supposed to stay clean??

New Pictures