My Turn

Today is my turn. For what? For having a birthday. Not just any birthday. This is a BIG one folks. Today...I turn the big 4-0. Yep, Forty. Gulp. My grandma Astrid always said your age is just a number...and I'm starting to agree with her more and more. I don't know what 40 is supposed to feel like...but I don't think I feel 40...and I always tell myself I certainly don't LOOK 40. :-) Tee-hee. No big plans for this day. I will go to work and come home to my two favorite boys to play and open a few presents I see sitting on the dining room hutch now. Dinner will include take-out from a local favorite restaurant and some rich chocolate cake. Sounds like a perfect birthday to me.

Wordless Wednesday

Solved

The mystery of the "missing Amber" from my give-away is solved. Another blog reader knew her and sent her an email letting her know she was a winner. Thank you! She contacted me. They were on a fun vacation and had just returned home. All is squared away and the winnings are being mailed out this week. Thanks, Amber!

On The Other Side

A couple of Fridays ago, we volunteered to be on an adoptive families panel at our adoption agency. Our social worker called to see if we would be willing to do this (I had previously mentioned to him we would). The panel was part of a weekend of pre-adoption classes (called "PAC") that are required of all families adopting through our agency.

We attended PAC in July 2008. The adoptive-parent panel was my favorite part of PAC. I loved seeing the families formed through adoption, hearing their stories, and...of course...seeing their CUTE children. Meeting families who had successfully completed their adoptions was so motivational and helped to make it seem more real. Not to mention...the panels were way less "heavy" in terms of content...compared to talking about things like multi-cultural/multi-racial adoption, racism, attachment, effects of institutionalism, reasons for adoption plans, and how some children grow up with "issues" surrounding their adoption & their identity. Phew! It was nice to end on a positive note...with adorable kiddos tearing up the room.

We were one of two families on the panel. (They now separate the panels for domestic [USA] adoptions & international adoptions, because there are clearly some different issues to address with the two types of adoption.) The other family had adopted a baby boy from Ethiopia...an adorable little boy (S) who was now 16 months old. S & Baby D did their best to entertain the crowd...and did a really good job. At one point D was sitting on my lap and I was answering a question...when suddenly the whole group started laughing. D had apparently made some sort of facial expression that accompanied what I was saying...and it drew big laughs. D & S didn't sit still on our laps for very long (of course)...so they interacted on the floor...playing with toys...walking/running/crawling away from us..."trading" snacks & sippy cups (which we quickly remedied)...and nearly knocking over some of the fantastic collection of international flags in the corner of the room. They were appropriately cute, engaging, and funny. They both were really good little boys.

The prospective adoptive parents asked very good questions...what you might typically expect...dealing with topics such as how long the process took, how we decided on our program (country), how we dealt with the wait, how our families/friends accepted our adoption plans, attachment/adjustment issues, the home study process, travel, anything we would do differently, and other "words of wisdom."

As I looked out into the audience...I saw those eager faces looking back at me. I told them I remember sitting right where they are...wondering if it would EVER happen for us. I remember wanting it to happen SO BADLY...and being a bit (OK...a LOT) jealous that they had their beautiful children already at home with them. I told them I understood how they were probably feeling...because when you are READY...YOU ARE READY to be a parent. With adoption the road is VERY curvy (definitely not a straight line)...often pockmarked with many stops, starts, delays, changes, and unforeseen events. But...I also told them that it WOULD happen for them...just like it did for us...and it would be just as wonderful as they ever dreamed it could be.

It felt weird to be on the OTHER SIDE...but also wonderful at the same time. As I hugged our son to take this picture by his birth country's flag...I felt an amazing sense of pride. This was OUR son. We did it!

Wanted: AMBER

I am ready to send out the prizes from the Baby Bib Bonanza. Today I went to get some envelopes for mailing and got things organized. I know who three of the four winners are: Elizabeth F., Kris, & Rebekah. I have their addresses.

But...I have not heard from the fourth winner: AMBER. This was her first time commenting on my blog. I see she has a blog or two of her own (listed on her profile), but her blogs are private...and I cannot access them.

Therefore, if you know who AMBER is...please get a message to her: If she wants to claim her prize, I need to hear from her. Otherwise...I guess I'll be forced to pick another winner (a replacement). ;-) If you go back to my original post about the give-away here, you'll see her name & comment about mid-way down the list.

I'll wait until Friday. New Year...Clean Slate...that's how I roll. Thanks!

Christmas Dinner

We had Christmas dinner with our good friends, T & M, at their place. It was so wonderful of them to invite us. We had a great time. D loved toddling around someplace new and checking out some different toys. At one point he went running (literally) into their kitchen with both arms up in the air...squealing for joy. Thank goodness my DH was hot on his tail...or who knows where he would have ended up.

Here we are at their lovely table. They even had a cool high chair for D to use. Just as I leaned in for this shot, D decided to grab onto a giant clump of my hair...you can just spot his fingers tangled up in there. Guess he just wanted me to snuggle in closer, right? Hmmm.

Here is the spread. T did a wonderful job preparing the food. Everything was delicious! We had honey-baked ham, au gratin potatoes, a broccoli casserole, rolls, and I brought along an apple-walnut-blue-cheese mixed green salad and home-made hummus. Oh...and some good vino. Yummy!

Here is the crew at the table. Clockwise starting with Little O in her swing, G, my DH, Baby D, M, A, & T. Their girls (O & A) were wearing matching Christmas sweaters. Adorable!

After dinner D decided he needed to try out O's swing. After getting the go-ahead from our hosts...he was happy as a clam sitting in there. I just hope he didn't burn the motor out on it since he is a TAD heavier than Baby O. He filled it out well so well...no seat belt was needed...not much room to wiggle. He also tried out A's princess tent (which you can see in the upper right corner of the photo). At first he was afraid to enter the tent...so I went first...and then he came barreling in after me and thought it was REALLY fun to crawl in & out...and play peek-a-boo, of course!

Group shot! I love how NONE of the children are looking anywhere even close to the camera...but all the adults are. Very typical!

Thanks T & M for a wonderful Christmas celebration.

Christmas Morning

A glimpse of what Christmas morning was like at our house this year...

"Look what Santa brought me!"

"Appa, it works like THIS..."

"My cool car carrier truck from my cousin, J."

"My first set of Legos from Grandpa & Grandma."

"Another present to open? I think I need some help."

Merry Christmas

2009 has been a year full of waiting, waiting, and CHANGE.

2009 has brought much love & excitement to us, our families, and many others who supported and loved us throughout it all.

Peace & Love to all of you on this wonderful Christmas Day.

May 2010 bring more love...more happiness...more excitement...for everyone.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve - PJs & Music

As I sit and listen to my favorite Christmas album...I'm glad things seem to be getting back to normal around here. We've had a complete PJ kind of day around here...yes, all day...for good reasons. D had a bout of vomiting this morning...it started during his nap...& lasted 30-40 minutes...but then he took a nearly 3 hour nap (unheard of)...and at the moment seems to have rallied. He woke up mostly back to normal...just a little ticked off that he couldn't have any REAL food. So far we've worked up to jello & crackers...in addition to Pedialyte. He opened one present...a rockin' car carrier from a cousin...full of sound effects. This has been a good distraction for a little boy a little under the weather. Let's hope everything is completely back to normal tomorrow. PJs & Music...are OK for Christmas...but puking we could do without.
:-)

Wordless Wednesday

13 Months

Hi Everyone! It has been a while since I wrote my own post. Oh...this is Baby D...or D, as I'm sometimes known. (My Omma needs to come up with a new nickname...since I'm getting bigger & bigger...and less & less of a "baby" these days.) In case you missed it on my ticker on the right...I'm 13 months old now! (My Omma cannot believe a whole month has passed since my Tol.) Anyway...I'm here to tell you what I'm up to now that I'm 13 months old.

* I'm walking more & more. I think my record is about 20-some steps or so before going down. The other night I walked from the far corner of our dining room all the way to the bookcase by the sun room. (I know this doesn't mean much to most of you...but my grandparents will understand and be pretty impressed.) I think I'm walking about 1/2 the time...sometimes more. Sometimes crawling is still faster and more efficient (especially if I see something I REALLY want). Everyone who sees me crawl comments on how fast I am, which makes my Appa & Omma laugh...because they are used to my speed.

* I regularly use several signs. My favorites are: more, shoes, ball, airplane, milk, & outside.

* I am obsessed (yes, that is a big word for me...but it is appropriate) with any and all vehicles...the bigger the better. My faves include trucks of all sorts, buses, tractors (I have a killer sound effect that goes with tractors...just ask my Appa), trains, and noisy cars (you know, the ones that need a new muffler...I like 'em loud!). I make different sounds for tractors, trucks, planes, & trains...because they are ALL different, you know.

* I love books with pictures of babies...I laugh & laugh (sort of a "fake laugh," Omma says...whatever) when I see them. I like to point to the babies on my yogurt containers. They make me smile. One of them kind of looks like me...he's my favorite, of course.

* I have 8 teeth now (the 8th one just popped through, so I say it counts).

* I wanted to brag about sleep, but my Omma won't let me. She said something about how when other Ommas talk about sleep on their blogs...it jinxes things...whatever that means.

* I love to use my sippy cups now...but I prefer Pedialyte to milk so far...go figure. I also am getting better at feeding myself more things (small cooked carrots, small pieces of fruit, and of course puffs & Cheerios!) .

* I love my cat, Kenya. I make a high-pitched "meow" sound whenever I see her...which is usually before Omma & Appa even notice she's around. She is tolerating me more & more. I told her we're going to be best friends very soon.

* I HATE having my face cleaned up after I finish eating. What's so wrong with having sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, and applesauce dried & stuck on your face? Sheesh.

* I like coming downtown with Appa to meet Omma for lunch at her work. We go once each week. We eat in the cafeteria in her hospital. It is big & noisy...giving me a lot to look at while I'm supposed to be eating. I prefer to smile and flirt with all the people walking by me. I even got this grumpy guy who manages the cafeteria (Omma's words...not mine) to stop, smile, and talk to me a bit. He let me play with his name badge. I think Omma just needs to work on her smile more...it always works for me when meeting new people.

Celebrating Family

Saturday evening (and by evening I mean total "early-bird special" time...that's how we roll now) we met some friends at a Korean restaurant to celebrate their family day anniversary. They have been a family for ONE YEAR now. Yay!

Here is a bird's eye view of some of the food we enjoyed. Yes, SOME...there was more. Yum! Are you hungry yet? What's in the red bottle? Ketchup?...nope...it is Korean hot sauce, of course.

Somehow...even though it wasn't his special day...Baby D scored another gift. It was for his birthday. Our friends couldn't make it to his Tol...as their little one was sick. Here D is "reading" his card.

Baby D is checking out his new toy (still in the shrink wrap) and J is trying to escape.

Whack Away, Baby D...whack away! Who needs a stinkin' hammer anyway?! J isn't quite so sure about your techniques with that toy...but he's giving you the benefit of the doubt.

A, D, & J: Thank you for inviting us to celebrate with you on this very special occasion. Hope to see you again soon!

Give-Away Winners

OK folks...it is time...we have 4 winners for the BABY BIB BONANZA! We had 25 entries... Woo-hoo! Without further delay...the BIBS go to:

1. Amber

2. Elizabeth F.

3. Kris

4. Bekah
(See the video below! Thus the reason for the practice video earlier today. Sorry I didn't mention everyone's little one's names...for some reason Olive's name just blurted out of my mouth...and it isn't like I could do a second take. Oops...you can tell this is a low-budget production.)

We'll go in the order the names were chosen in terms of who gets first, second, third, and fourth choice of the four bibs. The colors are below (and mentioned in the previous posts). Let us know in the comments which is your choice...first Amber, second Elizabeth F., third Kris, & fourth Bekah. Then send me a private email (myseoulsearching at gmail dot com) with your mailing address. The bibs will hopefully go out this week...but possibly not until next week. It all depends on how busy my little elves are at home. Thank you to everyone who entered.

Trying A Video

This is an old video of D...from sometime in October. It is short. It is sweet. It's purpose here is to see if I can figure this out...since I haven't tried videos on here yet. Let's see...

If this works...this may be the beginning of a new format for some of my posts...heh-heh...look out.

Holiday Baking

Yesterday morning another thing that kept me busy and in the holiday mood...was baking cookies. I LOVE TO BAKE! Obviously, I don't have as much time these days for cooking & baking...but I wanted to make time. I decided I would participate in the cookie exchange with my brunch babes this year. So...I softened the butter (LOTS of butter) and then got to work while Baby D was napping.

I decided to make Russian Tea Cakes (also known as Mexican Wedding Cakes and probably other names too). These are one of my favorites...only consumed during the holiday season. There are tons of recipes for these cookies, but I chose this one. Figured I couldn't go wrong with a classic: Betty Crocker.

Here they are baking in the oven. These bake up in a snap and are super easy to make.

Here they are cooling after the first coating of powder sugar. Yep, FIRST coating. You coat them twice. Sweet. No wonder I love them so!

Close up of my creations. So...how many did I make? I needed 7 dozen for the exchange, so I doubled the recipe...and ended up with 8 1/2 dozen. That means there were some for us to keep at home...some of which we've already consumed. Yummy.

After their second coating of powder sugar (after they were completely cool)...into the give-away containers they went. I'll exchange with my friends today at brunch. I'll be sure to post some pictures of the nice arrangement of cookies we'll end up with at home this year. These ladies can bake!

So...what is YOUR favorite holiday cookie? Happy baking!

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Today after Baby D's nap and an attempt at lunch (but someone was still fussy from a nap that was shorter than it should have been)...we headed off to meet SANTA CLAUS. Now...I was all ready for this to be a horrible experience. I envisioned long lines, a crabby little boy, and then possibly terror or at least tears when he met the big man in the red suit. I'm happy to report it went MUCH better than I expected. First of all, there was NO LINE to wait to sit on Santa's lap (well, OK...there were 2 kids in front of us...siblings...who were out of there in no time). Then...it was our turn. D's first visit with Santa went something like this...

We walked up to Santa who was sitting in a Cadillac-sized chair made of really questionable plaid. We waved at Santa...we got closer. So far, so good. Then...it was time to make the transfer to Santa's lap. At first he was a tad serious when we set him on Santa's lap...as we slowly backed away. He looked up at Santa. He looked at us...then back at Santa again. There were NO tears...no reaching out for us...he just looked at Santa...and then at the woman with the camera.

Then...after one "practice" shot (the first photo)...he found his classic happy-boy smile...and really hammed it up. He had everyone laughing and commenting on how happy & cute he is. We couldn't agree more. There was no one waiting after us...so he had a good, long visit with Santa. I didn't hear any words from D...but I did see some cute glances exchanged between D and the big man in the red suit. Awe.

Then it was time to purchase the photos (or "the racket" as my DH called it). But really...it wasn't bad at all. We decided to get a few prints...since this is his first Christmas with us after all. (That plus the ones we took with our own camera were not nearly as cute as the "money shot" above.) The line to purchase the photos (and have them printed out right there) was pretty long and slow-moving. But...Baby D was content to sit and shake & occasionally chew on the candy cane in the plastic wrap (from Santa, of course) as we waited our turn. (Don't worry Mom...I was keeping a close eye on him...no one was injured...and no plastic wrap was ingested.)

So...our first Santa experience was WAY better than I thought it would...how great is that? Oh...grandparents...your copies of the photos will be mailed out soon. We have to send these prints to SOMEONE, don't we? I think that is in your job description now, right? Yep! Ho-ho-ho!!

Baby Bib Bonanza - SOON!!

The drawing for the BABY BIB BONANZA will occur tomorrow morning. I know I originally said Saturday...but...we've had a very busy day around here (more on that later)...with even more fun things still to come. Therefore...the posting of the winners will not occur until tomorrow. So...just to remind you...and in case somehow you haven't entered yet...here are the bibs for the give-away...

Rainbow of Colors

Blue-Green-Purple

White-Blue-Green-Yellow

Pink-Orange-Yellow


And...to keep your interest (and to thank you for your patience)...here is a sneak peek at some of the fun & cute little Korean items that will get tossed in with the bibs for the winners...

Ta-daaaaahhh!!

So...stay tuned...

If you haven't entered...I'll extend the time until tomorrow morning (because I'm in a Christmas-like mood...more on that later)...simply go back to this post to enter. I'll get the names from there.

Love Friday (52nd Edition)

• LOVE that our son has 3 Colts' outfits...and we don't even live in Indianapolis...but obviously several of our family members do. Apparently Colts' fans are meat eaters...I could not get him to take this cow out of his mouth to take a picture.
• LOVE that we are going to be on an adoptive parent panel at our adoption agency later today. It is for PAC (pre-adoption classes) for families starting the process to adopt. I remember sitting in those classes...wondering if we'd EVER be parents...and here we are!
• LOVE that my bloggy friend Bekah and her husband received their referral...a total cutie-pa-tootie from Korea. Congrats!
• LOVEd learning my bloggy friend Elizabeth and her husband plan to adopt again from Korea...Olive is going to be a big sister. Congrats!
• LOVE having plans to meet friends (who also have a little guy from Korea) at a Korean restaurant this weekend...to celebrate their one-year "family day" anniversary. Yay!
• LOVE that I'll be baking Christmas cookies tomorrow.
• LOVE weekend brunch plans with my "brunch babes." We'll be doing our cookie exchange as well. Yum.
• LOVE getting so many CUTE holiday cards from my bloggy friends. Baby D loves looking at the photos.
• LOVE my DH...who is doing an AMAZING job at home with our son EVERY DAY while I'm working full-time. He is an awesome Appa.

Deck The Halls - Outdoors Part II

We now have lovely snow on our lovely outdoor holiday decorations (nice job, DH). I think it makes them look even better. How festive!

Deck The Halls - Indoors

We've been decked indoors since the weekend after Thanksgiving. I love the lights. Baby D does too. He points at everything...over & over...as we tell him the names. (Sorry my photos are somewhat blurry...my camera doesn't do the best job without the flash...but the flash washes out the lights...and like I said: I love the lights.)

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. (Yes, even the cat has one.)

Our tree. D LOVES being carried around the tree to see the ornaments. I made the mistake of taking some off to let him hold them. He now thinks this should be part of our evening routine when I get home from work. Oh well, there could be worse things...for sure. His favorite ornament? A snow blower, of course. Guess he was meant to live in this climate. That is a nativity scene under the tree in the front. My mom always put hers under the tree for us to play with as kids (hers was plastic). I'm starting that tradition here as well. It is Baby D's nativity scene...which was a gift from a good friend.

A close-up of the Norwegian flags on our tree. This is a tradition in the Scandinavian countries...to string flags on your tree. My dad always does this on their tree at home (he is from Norway)...and I carry on the tradition on ours.

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Bib Bonanza - Give-Away #2

That's right...you read the title correctly...it is time for my SECOND GIVE-AWAY on this blog. YAY...applause! As you might recall, my first blog give-away was nothing hand-made, but still a good thing: coffee! This time...the winners (there will be FOUR...yes 4!) will win the bib of their choice and a little something extra. What is the "extra" prize?? That part is a secret. I'll just say it something with a Korean theme to it. I have to tempt you somehow...I mean, beyond the sheer beauty of the bibs, of course. The items I had planned to send along with the bibs have been on back-order since October and probably won't arrive any time soon...therefore, I have some other items in mind. Some are little things we brought home from Korea...the others are little things I bought for Baby D's Tol (party prizes). Once we have our winners, I'll take pictures of the other little things. I have to create SOME suspense, don't I?

So...without further ado...here are the Bibs...or my BIB BONANZA, if you will:

From left to right:
1. Blue, Green, Purple
2. White, Green, Blue, Yellow
3. Bright Pink, Orange, Yellow
4. White, Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink

Here is another lovely shot to tempt you to enter the drawing.

And another shot...uh, oops...ignore the bib on the top...it is the one Baby D has used...and for obvious reasons will not be included in the give-away. But...you get the general idea. The bibs are made of 100% cotton yarn. They can be washed & dried in your machines...over & over & over. They clasp in the back with a button. These will fit bigger kiddos too...they are not just "baby size." I suppose I should have a shot of D wearing one...but I don't think I do...maybe later.

The drawing starts now and will end on Friday, 12/18/2009, at midnight my time. To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post. Since there will be four winners, your odds are pretty good (especially if your name is Sue or Kelly...from what I've read on other blogs these two seem to have quite the luck when it comes to winning these give-aways!). I will randomly pick four winners on Saturday, 12/19. When I post the winners, I'll have the winners tell me which bib they'd like (we'll go in the order your names are chosen). Now...I know a lot of my bloggy friends have boys (especially those who have adopted from Korea...this is why Miss Olive has quite the pool of future husbands)...and not all the bibs in the give-away are "boy colors." Therefore, if we end up with all "boy bib" winners, I'm happy to make 2 more boy colors (trust me...I'm ready to relapse into bib-knitting at a moment's notice)...or you can pick one of the more "girl colors" for a friend or a gift. Keep it or give it away...its all good.

Let the BIB BONANZA begin. :-)