Life

Life... according to Rachel, she has a terrible life. Hum! This is a girl who has been to Girl Scout camp, to the zoo several times, get togethers with her "Hengyang sisters", and camping in back yard. Not to mention a week of horse camp and a vacation to KY Lake. Poor thing! I guess it is hard to have such a terrible life.

Our trip to KY Lake was lots of fun. We rented a pontoon one day. It rained off and on, but it was loads of fun. Nobody got in the lake, too cold. However, we did fish and eat a picnic on the boat. Nate loved watching the fast boats fly by us. He say, "WOW!".

Both the kids enjoyed the pool. Rachel has turned into a fish. She used to hold her nose, wear goggles, and not like to go under the water. Now, she is starting to swim underwater and isn't wearing goggles or holding her nose. She was so happy on Wednesday. She got to spend most of the day in the pool. Nate enjoyed the pool, but it wore him out. He almost fell asleep getting his diaper changed.

Rachel didn't want much to do with the beach, the water was too cold. She has never liked being cold. She gets so cold. We did play in the sand one evening. John took them fishing outside our room one night and they almost caught a fish.

I rented a jet ski while John took the kids swimming on Thursday. I enjoyed my hour of solitude and time on the lake.

FUN TIMES!

One Republic

Rachel missed the VBS at our church because of Girl Scout Camp. We have a church in our neightborhood so we signed her up to go to it. It is all week. She loved it! She made some really good friends. Even gave one on the youth leaders a nick-name that everyone was calling him by the end of the week.
Tonight was the "program". Nate had a blast with the music and all the kids. Towards the end of the program, Nate climbed into my lap and layed his head on my shoulder. I looked down and he had unbutton one of the buttons on my blouse and was working on the next one. I told Nate to stop and Rachel replied, "In the Republic? Not in the republic!

So... be careful and don't expose yourself in the republic!

Busy Saturday

The kids and I started the morning heading for the country for a Hengyang get together. One of the families we traveled to China with in 2004 has a place in the country. By 2:00 most of the families were there and the girls were in the pool for 2 hours. The adults sat, talked, and chased Nate and Bill. The boys loved harassing the numerous cats and kittens, who were extremely tolerant of the boys chasing them, holding them upside down, and squeezing.

Most of the families (not us) have 4-wheelers. I really enjoy riding, even though I never thought it would be something I'd like. Nate really enjoyed riding, too. I took turns taking some of the girls for rides. It gave me a chance to have 1 on 1 time with them. I enjoy spending time with each of these special girls. Their personalities are all so different. One talked my ear off, another talked about her favorite summer memory, and another said little but laughed as we rode through the field. Good times.

The kids and I head back to Louisville around 6:00 (would have been sooner if I hadn't misplaced my phone). I grabbed the kids a hot dog to eat on the road. Rachel scarfed hers down and was asleep before we were a mile from the house. Nate fell asleep about 10 minutes later. John was already at the cookout. He was on grilling duty. He cooked the best hamburgers! He worked hard and got really hot.

The kids had a good time visiting. Rachel telling people about her hair and how she donated it. Nate screaming, "MINE" when a little girl took his Mickey Mouse chair and took off up the hill. He is so possessive! His personality continues to grow.

Everyone was exhausted, but had a good time.

Horray for Nate

The bed/sleep situation has been gotten much better. He is staying in bed longer or even all night for a few weeks. There are still nights he is restless and is in the bed early, but for the most part he has made huge improvements. Tonight!!! HE FELL ASLEEP IN HIS OWN BED!!
Yes, it was only one night...but yeah!

Rachel, really enjoyed horse camp. It was a week from 9-3. She was exhausted! The instructor called her the "energizer bunny". She did anything that she was asked with all the energy she could. She loved everything about the camp. (Even ok with having to mucking stalls.) However, her favorite part of the day was swimming. Can't believe she goes to horse camp and loved the swimming???

Summer is zooming along :-( We have done a lot, but just seems to be going so fast.

UPDATE! He stayed in his bed until almost 8am!! He is now finishing his second yogurt and eating on his oatmeal.

I have some pictures from our weekend. I have gotten lazy about posting on the blog.

Nate is growing. His shirts are getting shorter. His hair is thicker and has a great shine to it. He is running and living life to the fullest.

Rachel's hair has given her an older attitude. She is having the best summer. Riding horses, girl scout camp begins tomorrow, and enjoying being outside.

Just random things.

I few weeks ago, I was getting the kids ready for church. Nate had some "new" hand-me-down that are adorable. I put on the blue seersucker paints, white button down, and sail boat tie. It was just too cute on him. Rachel and Nate were in the living room sitting in a chair together. Rachel was talking so I went in to listen. "You are so cute. I love you so much. You are so handsome. But, I know I can't marry you because that is illegal." WHERE DID SHE HEAR THAT? She just cracks me up!

Nate is really starting to copy words and is saying sounds. When we are in the car or shopping I can really get him going. Daycare workers are commenting on him talking more. However, when you want him to talk, he won't. He is at least saying words, even if it is only when he chooses to say them. He is also making farm animal sounds. Loves the cow. He is even sleeping in his own bed now.

Rachel turns 6 in a week. Where has the time gone? She is doing great in school. She has really turned into a reader. I think her teacher was even surprised how well she was reading, when she gave her the reading assessments.

Picture Thursday

I love this pictures of Rachel on the slide.

The picture of the 3 of us was for our 6 month report to Vietnam. We had our social worker come. This will be done at 6, 12, 18 months. After that, John and I will turn in a report to Vietnam until Nate is 18.

Kids in the field

new goal

I am going to do my best to post at least once a week. I now have the laptop working again. I have a bunch of pics to post. Starting this week, I am going to post weekly.

"it's a potty"

Funny Rachel story...
We were at church (Palm Sunday). Rachel went up front for the Children's Sermon. The lady doing the lesson asked if anyone knew what a throne was. Well, Rachel raised her hand, along with one other child. Of coarse she called on Rachel and her response..."it's a potty". I laughed, John turned red and so did most of the congregation. The lady beside me said, "I guess we all know what you call it at your house."

4 month update and more!

Yes, four months. Nate has been with us for 4 months! The ear tubes went smoothly and have helped with sleeping. He still sleeps in the bed by John, but is waking less. Most nights it is just once.

He is making more sounds/words every day. He had almost stopped before getting the tubes. He loves music and dancing.

Attachment has increased by leaps and bounds. He now cries for John as much as me. He is giving kisses and doesn't cringe when you try to give him one. Instead, he laughs and leans in for more. What a change!!

He is still attached to his pacifier. He wants it when he sleeps and when he is at daycare. We hope to slowly wing him from having it at daycare. Most nights he wakes is because he has lost his pacifier.

Rachel: She loves playing with Nate and gets very excited when he joins her in play. He will see her on the floor and will pounce on her. She has decided that he needs to listen to books, so she has started reading to him. He loves sitting with her while she reads.

She is learning so much at school. She is writing sentences with most words spelled correct. She is working hard at reading. She reads everything. John and I are very proud of her!!

She was so full of herself. A neighbor had her come over on Saturday to make me a birthday cake. She was busting at the seams to tell me (actually told me many times), but it was a secret. She made a 2 layer chocolate/chocolate cake. It meant a great deal to me!!

Nate is going tubing!

Yes, after much thought Nate is tubing.

It will happen next Thursday. He will probably not like it. However, once he's done it, I think he will.



I met with an ENT(ear, nose, and throat specialist) today. He thinks tubes will help Nate. I agreed, so he is getting them. It is a quick and easy process. It has little recover time and will likely make a huge difference in how he feels.

Chinese New Year and TET 2009

A great time was had by all! Great food, Great friends, and Great memories. The girls now have some competition now. The boys are gaining on them. I look forward to our gathering in March.

Wish I had time for a nap!

The kids and I headed out around 10:00 this morning. We ran to our favorite bakery. It is run by Vietnamese couple and has the most delicious pastries. I bought a Vietnamese fruit cake for our Chinese New Year/ TET celebration tomorrow.

Then, we grabbed some lunch and went to a playgroup. The kids were tired but I then went to an Asian grocery. Their electricity was out and it was cold inside. I got some more rice and noodles(was running low and like to keep it stocked). After another stop for dumplings we headed home. Both kids are asleep. At least I hope Rachel is.

I have a bunch of vegetables to chop for tomorrow. I am making a dish I learned in a Chinese cooking class. Cooking for 15 or so adults and about that many children is going to be fun. I would have loved to make homemade dumplings, but just not up to the task for that large of a crowd and a toddler.

I can finally get out of the drive. I was home all day and got a lot of cleaning done. I am going to take the kids out with me tomorrow to do some grocery shopping and to do something fun. With being sick and the weather, we have been in this house way too long

Here is a picture of Rachel at her Daisy scout gathering on Saturday. They earned their manners patch. The other picture is of Nate the Dragon.

Tree pictures

Here is John, Nate, and Rachel standing by the fallen tree.

Snow, rain, ice, sleet, more snow...what a mess!

We were all restless last night. Sirens, popping, and cracking was going on all night! Around 10:00 John and I heard a big boom. We looked out the front window and saw numerous limbs down but nothing big. This morning, we looked at the side window and a tree was across the drive. The whole tree is down, nothing but a stump. It was a huge 100+ year sugar maple tree. If it had fallen the other way, it would have been in our living room. We are feeling fortunate! I am glad we have a 4-wheel drive.

The electricity has flickered, but is still on. The numbers of people with electricity is growing. We have several friends without electricity.

I will post a picture of the tree later.

Sickness continues....

Nate has pneumonia again. Rachel has tonsillitis, cough, and a fever. Exhausting!!

Back to work one week and already having to call a substitute...

It is going to be a longgg winter!

Back to work

Yesterday was my first day back to work. Teaching went okay. Just as school was out, I got a call from daycare director saying Nate had a temperature. I drove 30 minutes (I teach that far from home) to the daycare. He was being held by one of the teachers. He immediately started crying when we saw me.

I gave him something for his temperature. From the time we got home he whined/cried. He wanted to be held, but still cried. He was so upset. I cooked dinner while John held him...he cried. He ate and then wanted me to hold him...still cried. This went on all evening. John would hold him, then I would. He was so unsettled.

I was off today, but I work tomorrow. I hope he has a better day.

Nate went to daycare for 4.5 hours yesterday. There were a few tears (by him) when I left. Otherwise, things were okay. The girls were really great at calming him down. There are 5 kids in his class. He ate well and took a good nap. Of course, as soon as I walk in the tears roll again.
Something about Nate that is funny... he has the biggest alligator tears you could ever imagine. He can have the tears rolling down his face in a split second. Like right now, I took his cereal bowl away because he was playing in the milk and down the tears come.

Rachel is "Star of the Week" at school. She has been looking forward to this all year. She is so proud of herself. She said, "I made good choices, set a good example, and did her work with no talking (that is a hard one for her) She gets to be line leader, all week, and sit in a special chair at circle time. It is the little things that make her so happy.

John and I are going to see "WICKED" this afternoon. We are going out to eat afterwards. I have been looking forward to this for a while.

2 months home...

Is that all?? Seems like much longer than that!

Not sure if just a slight fever, but Rachel has one. I hope it isn't the other stuff the rest of us had or strep. (she said her throat hurt yesterday) We've had a quiet morning. Coloring, watching a movie... Anyway, she is resting now. That is always good for her. She loves her sleep. Keeping my fingers crossed she is better after her nap.

Nate continues to make great strides. Our pediatrician had recommended having him evaluated when we got home. Mainly due to not walking. They came early December to assess him. He qualified for OT/PT/DI(development interventionist) and for speech. We decided to have further testing done with an OT and DI. The DI and OT have both finished their assessments, as of today, and he does NOT qualify. His development is on target for an 18 month old!! Both the OT and PT were amazed at his progress in short time!

Family update

We are finally getting over all the yucks (On top of everything we had , John and I got a stomach virus last week). Nate got a clean bill on his pneumonia, so he will start his shots on Monday. Rachel continues to stay healthy (knocking on wood).

Nate is now a walker! Boy, is he busy. He had been very frustrated not being able to walk. He is enjoying the freedom. He is walking all over the house and is starting to get into everything. The sleeping is getting better. We still have issues to work through... but it is getting better.

Rachel was glad to get back into school. She loves her teacher and has some great friends. I am teaching a Chinese New Year lesson to her Daisy troop on Monday. She is really enjoying reading books and has been working on number patterns. She is into playing card games and Tic-Tac-Toe.

It is hard to believe it has only been 2 months. Seems like much longer.

Baptism

Today during church, Nathaniel was baptised. He wore the outfit we had made in Hanoi... Blue silk dragon outfit. Rachel wore the blue Ao Dai outfit. John and I both wore shirts we had made in Hanoi. It was a nice ceremony. Nate was alert and very interested in the baptismal water. The church had cake and punch. The cake was made by the woman who helped with the baptism. It was delicious. Nate passed out just before the cake was servered.

After church we went to a Japanese restaurant to eat. They have a hibachi grill. It is one of our favorite places to eat! The kids love the soup and stir-fry rice. It was a great day.

Walking begins

One of the upsides of Nate's gross motor delay is...

We got to see his first steps...

He has been taking steps for a few weeks, but in the past 2-3 days he is really getting the hang of it. He is getting so strong.

He still prefers crawling, but is trying to walk. He just gets so tickled when he starts walking. His balance is getting better. He will walk a few steps, fall, and just crack-up laughing. Then, he gets back up and walks. He has taken as many as a dozen steps. He is going to be running all over the place before we know it.