Our Crazy Life

I can not believed that three months ago we were on our way to China.  It seems like a lifetime ago. I can not believe how much the kids have changed and attached in this little amount of time.  Steve and I got to go out on a fast mini date last week.  My parents came over and spoiled the kids while we went to the movies.  I think the kids handled it better than we did.  But it was nice to get out and spend some quality time together.

Elias is back into school work completely.  I read to him a lot for school work and he enjoyed that extra time he gets with me. He is also in his 3rd year of soccer and it is so amazing how far he has come.  He is getting use to having a brother and a sister.  He is still nervous around Jade because when she gets excited she still falls and it scares him and make him feel bad.

Abram is such a sweet boy.  He is learning some English but he wants to learn more. He gets frustrated sometimes when he knows he needs to do something but doesn't know what.  It breaks my heart when that happens.  He is also such a little trooper.  A couple weeks ago he had two of his teeth pulled and did not even flinch.   A few weeks ago someone at church, who speaks Chinese, told Abram that we were his family forever.  Ever since then his personality is starting to show more and more.  He is a fun, silly and sweet boy.

Jade is paying me back for anything I ever did to my parents.  She a a great girl but she is ALL girl.  She loves to laugh and dress up.  She gets so excited to go to church because she gets to wear a dress.  She is such a strong little girl.  She has to try so hard in everything she does, but she wants to do everything by herself.  We have met with her PT and are excited to start working with her.  We are still waiting to hear from her OT.  She has started jumping.  She has to hold onto something but both feet are off the ground.  It took her awhile to teach herself how to do it but she wanted to do it so she did.

She made the bracelet.

This week we decided to change the kids room.  It worked out better than we could have ever imaged.  The boys have more room to play and the bunk beds are gone and they have their own bed.  They both love having their own bed and space.  We like Jades new room because we can use the closet for storage and keep her out.  She has enjoyed getting a new room just because it is different.  The kids worked hard changing the rooms but they also had fun playing together.

Life

Things have been going great. We are back in the routine of schoolwork with Elias and we are slowly getting in the routine with Abram. Abram is smart but stubborn. I think it helped him survive in China. Jade is jealous that I am spending time with the boys so she has started to learn things just by hanging around the boys while they are doing school work.

With the weather getting nice we have been going to the park more and more. Even with Jade walking and getting around better it is a workout for Steve and I. Abram loves to climb so we are there to spot him. Jade is such a daredevil. She assumes that we are always going to catch her. Elias is just enjoying being outside. The other night we went to the park and had a picnic (something Elias always wanted to do).

Every morning Jade comes into our bed and cuddles. Abram and Elias sometimes come in and cuddle too. We love having our kids home.

We have started taking both kids to the nutritionist. Abram is starting to gain weight (not in a bad way). We went to the dentist this week also. He is going to need quite a bit of work done on his teeth, but he was so brave. He sat in the chair and opened his mouth and did not move. We were so proud of him. Next month he goes back to have two teeth pulled and then two more appointments after that.


The kids are still continuing to bond with us. They do not like strangers making over them. It has really started making Jade upset when people try to interact with her. They both are still adjusting to all the changes. We continue to be sensitive to what they can handle.

We went to Wal-Mart the other day and get the kids some sun glasses. We also HAD to get Jade a purse. She was trying to carry mine all the time (and it is not light).

The kids are also enjoying our yard. Abram has already learned to ride his bike my Dad got for him. He can ride it really good on the deck. He needs to build up some muscles for the driveway and yard.

Elias is showing Abram how it is done. And Jade loves to swing.

"Normal"

Things around here are finally settling down here.  We are kinda getting into a routine and finding our new normal.  Everyone is finally sleeping through the night.  Steve and I are able to relax more after the kids go to bed and not just pass out in our bed.  The first round of doctor appointments are done and our first update to China is done (our part anyway).  We have everything we need for the new kids.

Abram is a tender little guy.  If we have to correct him it breaks his heart.  But we hold him and assure him that everything is ok and we love him.  He has amazed us so many times already.  Like Elias he is a cuddlier, which I love. He loves to be taken care and I think loves being part of a family.  He is so smart and is making leaps every day.  When we were in China and first home we thought he would never talk.  He was so quite.  Now he is picking up words out of no where.  We were playing with a sticker book this morning and he started counting.  A couple days after we got home he started saying thank you.  This afternoon I said thanks you to him and he said "your welcome".   He loves Elias but is not sure about Jade.  I think that he fells like he has to share us too much with her.

Jade is a sweet, sassy and stubborn little girl.  I am going to get paid back for everything I did as a child.  She is so smart.  She is trying so hard to talk and she is doing a good job.  She is 100% girl.  She likes to be the center of attention and when she is not she will let you hear about it.  Her walking and coordination has improved so much in the month we have had her.  She is a determined girl that is going to be just fine.   She loves to do hair and is turning into a Daddy's girl.

I am getting a routine down that is working pretty good for now.  Every day after lunch we have a quite time.  Jade is suppose to take a nap (she at least lays down for a while).  The boys sit in there beds and either reads or looks at books.  Mama gets to relax, sometimes.  We have a bath schedule, but if the new kids had there way they would take a bath every night.  I have no idea how but I have been able to keep up with laundry since we have gotten home.

Steve is back at work but still helps around here.  He has been doing dishes for me every day.  He has also helped keep the house clean. In the morning before work he has done school work with the boys.
This last week I have been feeling sick. I am trying to kick what ever it is but I do not think I am winning.I have loved taking care of my kids.  I have been really good at making meals most of the time and the kids eat them and like them.  Tonight was a treat, I made rice and dumplings.

Clothes, Clothes, and More Clothes

We are so blessed!!!  We started going to a wonderful church almost two years ago and about a year ago we got involved with a small group.  The ladies from our small group threw us an adoption shower.  We asked for cloths for the kids.  We forgot to get pictures but it was a wonderful time.  I came home with the same number of clothes for both kids.  Everyone who bought an outfit for one also got an outfit for the other.  We got a couple of toys, books and stuff animals also.
We may not have gotten pictures there but all these bags were filled to the top with gifts.  We had to condense everything.  My friend Laurie also brought me a bunch of clothes that her girl has grown out of.  Everything is really cute.  My sister-in-law brought some clothes for Abram today since we got the clothes from Laurie. I think that both the kids are good with clothes for awhile.

I want to say thanks to Krista, Vicki and Katie.  Vicki, the kids love the the leftover cake.  Katie, I never got a chance to say thanks for the flowers.  They are beautiful.   Krista thanks for all you did and for being a great host.
Our church was also praying for us while we were in China.  Elias and I went to church this morning and everyone was so sweet.  So many people were welcoming us home, asking if we needed anything and told us that they prayed for us while we were in China and that they would continue to pray for us.

Doctor Appointments.

     Today Abram and Jade had their doctor appointments today.  They were great.  We were there from 9 to 13:30.  Jade started getting a little cranky at the end when she was getting hungry, but that was about it.  All we people were very nice and were good with the kids.  We took Elias to an Aunt's house so he did not have to sit and do nothing all morning.   He was very grateful.
     Abram is just what we though.  He is a 6 year old boy who is small.  There is no way to get his real age without finding his mom in China.  Bone test and dentist can get it close but from how he acts, his skills, and how he does things, everyone thought that his age is close.  He needs to see a dentist and we are going to take him to a nutritionist but other wise he is fine.
      Jade was the center of attention today.  She was smiles most of the time.  We knew that today was going to be hard for her but she was a trooper.  She did not like to exams but loved everyone giving her attention.  She is going to need some PT for sure.  They think that it is to early to start trying to diagnose her with anything right now.  Getting her some good nutrition and just working with her has helped so much already.  From what they can tell she has not built up some of her muscles in her leg.  PT is going to help with that and hopefully get her a little more coordinated.
     They also did a non-verbal intelligence test.  She did great with that.  We think that she would have done better but by the end of it she was hungry and just doing things to get done so she could eat.  At the very end she did not even want to do anything at all.  The test came back that she has normal intelligent.
     Right now the boys are in their room putting together puzzles quietly.  Jade is taking all the cloths off all her dolls and putting them in the hamper for me to wash.  I do not know why she is doing this but it is cute.  She loves to help and to imitate things I do around the house.
     God has blessed us with wonderful kids.  These kids fit into this family perfectly.  We have not looked back since we have gotten them.  There has been a peace in our hearts and a level of comfort that is almost scary.  It is like we have had all of our kids forever.  God is good.  Only he could have put together something so perfect.  Like I tell Elias, "God made you to be in this family".  We thank God for this ever day.
     

Home Sweet Home

     Things have been going great since we came home. The first couple of nights were rough, especially for me since I only had about 4 hours of sleep in our 48 hours of travaling. The boys are now sleeping through the night while Jade is getting up at about 3AM.  I am able to get her back to sleep in our bed but then she kicks me out of bed.  I think that between the trip to China and having 3 kids at home I am going to become a coffee drinker.
     The kids are doing great. Abram is now eating with little problem.  He would be a picky eater if he thought he could get away with it.  One day we had white chili and he liked it so much he asked for seconds a couple days later we had it and he would not take a bite.  I was able to get him to understand that he either eats or goes to bed.  He ate.  He has started some school work.  We started him on fun things just to get him interested.
     He has started talking.  Yesterday morning during breakfast he said "thanks you Mama; thanks you Papa" out of no where.  He is very polite and sweet.  He loves to be taken care of.  He has pushed some boundaries, but not very often.
     Jade is such a girly girl.  She  is sweet and sassy.  She is also trying to talk.  Yesterday she learned eye, nose and mouth.  It is hard for her to pronounce English words but she is trying.  She is also starting to play with her toys.  She really did not want to play much when we first got her.  She loves to help, and is always wanting to help clean.
     Friday we have our appointments at Children's Hospital Adoption Clinic.  I am curious of what we will find out.