Trick-Or-Treat!

I can't believe I am posting so close to the actual event...but, I am not going to argue with "non-procrastination" (is that a word?)! So, Halloween is over for '09, but it was fun as usual. As everyone probably already knows, it was the Princesses first Halloween. What else could she have been BUT a lady bug? Duh!
The boys were Ben 10 (we got a lot of "so what are you..." to that one!) and Joba Fett from Star Wars. Everyone had fun...but it was especially fun to see Taryn trick-or-treating for the first time!
I hope there will be some "treats" in the form of referrals for many this November! Can't wait to see pictures of all the new ones!
Enjoy the pics and hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

I'm Back!

OMG! I can't believe I have let this go as long as I have! I am so not a great blogger...is anyone out there? We have been SO busy...as I am sure everyone has been. And, when we aren't busy we have been sick ...one at a time. Anyway, we are all fine and healthy now and enjoying the fall! Taryn is taking off! Walking, trying to run, she is doing so well! We are still getting Speech Tx with her. She isn't saying much, but I don't really know a lot of 16 mo that do! Our 6 month SW appointment came and went with no hitches. I don't know why I worry...something about a SW in my home that causes me to worry! :)
The boys are plugging away at school. They are both obsessively worried about how much Halloween Candy they will get Saturday! We are going to have a Ben10, a Storm Trooper and a little Lady Bug (of course!). I will try to get pics posted ASAP after Halloween. In the mean time, how are all the waiting parents out there doing? Gosh, I haven't checked RQ in a while. Every time I do I am instantly transformed back to our waiting days and realize how happy I am to have that behind us. I pray that for you all as well...to have it quickly behind you and to have your precious China baby in your arms!
Until next time...Happy Fall Ya'll!

Catchin' Up!

Our 3 blessings!

This is Taryn and my niece (Guatemala) and my nephew...look at Taryn trying to smile and pose!

Okay, this is probably dangerous...however, she did it and I had to take a pic!

This was G's interpretation of a great 1st day of school pic!

Wesley was not as happy about the 1st day as Garrett was!

It has almost been a month since my last post. So I figured everyone needed to see pics of my beautiful children...right? Well, if not, sorry! That is what I have for you! School has started back so we are slowly but surely adjusting to the new schedule. Taryn seems "lost" without her "Bubbies". She is very happy when they come home in the afternoons! Of course, they play with her and I guess Mommy is boring. Taryn is doing wonderful! I couldn't have asked for a better transition with this little baby. I have read and heard so many stories regarding attachment D/O and other post-adoption issues. But, we have not experienced any of this and I thank God every day for that...and for her. She has been nothing but a joy...now a busy into everything joy...but a joy none the less! Hang in there you waiting parents...soon your joy will be here as well! Enjoy the pictures!

What I did with....

I have had several requests to see pics of what I did with the two outfits Taryn had in China. One of the outfits (obviously the dressier of the two) was her red couch outfit. And the other was the outfit she had on when given to us on Gotcha Day. I have to say that the latter one means so much more to me than the first. All three of the babies in our group from this particular orphanage had the same outfit on (over several other layers of clothes!) and I will always get all "mushy" feeling when I see it! So, I have brought them out into the open so to speak, and put them in Shadow Boxes. I attached them with hidden pearl pins, and I think they look pretty darn good if I do say so myself! Taryn's room holds the Red Couch dress because it matches her room perfectly. And, my "special" Gotcha Day outfit I put in my craft room where I scrapbook and exercises. I get to look at it every day! Hope you get some ideas to use for your special outfits...don't just keep them tucked away! Get them out to share!

The Tongue Update!

The Kiddo's At The Arboretum...

Our "Kitchen" Band!

Hiking At Raven's Run With Daddy and Mommy...

Taryn's "Latest" Skill...Stair Climbing....Greeeeaaaaatttt!

I felt obligated to come back and give a quick update on Princess T and her "tongue" issue. It is healing rather nicely. There is still some gross scar tissue left...I will spare everyone a picture! But, it is as if it never happened! She IS more cautious when trying to walk and the coffee tables have been removed from the premises for now! But, she is doing better! Thank you to everyone for there kind words and for all of the Mommy's who "worried" with me! I am including "happier" pics this time!

Warning...Pictures Are Gross!

If you look really close you can see her "tongue" injury!

Yes, that "smarts" doesn't it! There is the added chicken as well...sorry folks!

Don't say I didn't warn you all! If you have a "soft" stomach this has probably totally freaked you out! BTW, that is a piece of chicken in her mouth in one of the pictures! So you also get the added "gross out" factor of chewed up food...SORRY!

Yes, it's true, we have had our first (and hopefully only!) ER visit. In an attempt to walk, Taryn fell and hit the coffee table and bit through her tongue! OUCH! Mouth injury's are ALWAYS extra bloody too...that was frightening to all of us involved. Apparently, it was a bad one because a lot of tongue injury's they just let heal on their own...of course, OUR tongue injury required 2 stitches! It was so hard to watch! It took 5 people to "hold" her down...can you imagine the way she must have felt? I am just praying this didn't hinder any "trust" issues she may or may not have right now! She already doesn't like medical personal (even with a Nurse for a Mommy!)... but now, she will most definitely have fear of them! And, in case you were wondering, NO we are not "freak" parent's because we took pictures...we did that because I was at work at the time and Steve wasn't sure if it warranted an ER visit, so he emailed me pics to make the final "judgement" call on it!

The good news is that today...she looks great! She ate breakfast without a fuss. She doesn't seem to be talking much though (or, I should say "babbling" much!)...which I am sure has something to do with pain... But, it only takes 12 hours or so for mouth wounds to heal (isn't that amazing!) so her tongue already looks halfway "normal" and the stitches are almost gone! It is like "Super-Healing"! :)

Otherwise, we are all fine! I have EVERY intention of posting more...but wanted to share this "drama" right away! I sure hope others don't go through this with their little ones!

And what about the LONG, DRAWN OUT, wait for some of you soon to be China parents! I just checked Rumor Queen and it still looks the same...hang in there! Soon you will be teaching your little ones to walk as well...hopefully with less drama and more results!
Take care...Peace...

Happy July 4th!

Our little "Angels"...

"I pledge allegiance...." Hehe! I KNOW you are thinkin' that people!

I hope everyone had a great July 4th! Ours was pretty much rained out...even the fireworks show! The boys were NOT happy to say the least! We even tried a cook-out with family and ended up "huddling" together under a covered porch! Oh well...there is always next year! Here are the few pictures I did manage to take of the kids. My mom bought Taryn's dress at Cracker Barrel...it makes you want to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance or something! LOL! Whatever, it was her first July 4th so she HAD to wear a cute, but "gaudy" July 4th dress...right?
An interesting bit of information for those interested...Steven Curtis Chapman is in China right now opening an Orphanage/Children's Home in honor of his late daughter Maria...you can see it on his blog...AustinMann.com/trek
It is very interesting and fun to watch!
Have a great week...Hang in there "waiters"! :)