Monday, February 24, 2014

One Thing Remains

It’s starting – the sibling rivalry. Ok, it started a few weeks ago, but it’s becoming more evident and frequent. It’s what we asked for though. Not necessarily the rivalry, but the sibling part…yes. We got what we asked for and it’s great (perspective, right?) And so there are many more opportunities for teaching (and learning) patience, grace, sharing, and forgiveness. It’s good. For all of us. As an only-child, this is all new to me. The same question to Russ continues…”is this normal?” And he gives the same resounding “yes”! Not only are the boys learning about having a sibling, I’m learning how to parent siblings. Gee, maybe this is why I’m so tired at the end of the day. Talk about weakness and the need for God's grace! 


"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, 
so that Christ's power may rest on me. 
2 Corinthians 12:9


“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his 
compassions never fail. They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.” 
Lamentations 3:22-23 

Our family trip to the zoo
The fact that Samuel was somewhat interested in the 
birds is hilarious given that he tried to stomp on a few 
when we first walked in the exhibit.

Joey is still very interested in seeing how many 
birds he can feed and hold on his finger.

Samuel is still rather quiet around the house. Of course, that is compared to Joey who talks ALL. THE. TIME. Joey yells. Samuel yells. Monkey see, Monkey do. And then, Joey gets upset when Samuel yells or makes any loud sound in the car. Our pot does call out our little kettle! 

In the quiet moments, this little guy can 
most likely be found in the "diner room"

Quite the cyclist 
He was on a mission here to find the end of 
the trail he saw on a "treasure map" at the park.


Samuel can be pretty laid back and easily calmed for the most part. Since he shared every single toy with his friends in China, I don’t think he quite grasps that all the things he sees in his room are essentially his toys. For this transition time, it’s probably a good thing. He’s not possessive. He has not yet mumbled the word “mine”. It will come. And when he gets upset, he might swing at me (which feels like a firm pat on the arm) or stomp his cute little feet. Within a few moments, all has blown over. Life is good again. He bounces back quickly. He does not like to be reminded that we don’t hit and that we touch gently, but he knows it. He has heard us say that a million times and he gets it. 

The boys are still trying to figure out their roles in the family. After being an only child for 5+ years, Joey is now forced to share everything with a little guy who curiously explores every inch of the house. While the adjustment to a newborn would bring its own set of challenges, this is different from a newborn who is rather stationary. This new brother walks into the house and touches everything. 

First haircut in Texas

Handsome fella with a spikey rock star do

Joey has asked if Samuel can move to a different house. Ouch! So, one minute he wants his brother to move, but the next they are giggling and glad to have each other. 

Samuel can’t open doors yet, but he can empty a book shelf in 3 seconds. He can grunt (or “honk”) until you want to pull your ears off. He can tear up a mind-boggling Lego creation without much effort. Joey loves this little guy though. He is still very intentionally and helpful when it comes to helping Samuel into the booster seat or putting on his bib. Joey is quick to share when Samuel first signs “please”. Joey is focused on preventing Samuel from putting any small toy parts in his mouth. He has recently taken on the responsibility of singing Samuel a lullaby each night and some naptimes too. He sings it to the tune of “Lullaby and Goodnight”, but the words change continuously. The song always concludes with a phrase about “whether I’m sad or I’m mad” and he goes on to close it out with “I will always loves you.” It’s so sweet! Maybe the stuffy-nosed voice makes it even cuter. Much like our frustrating moments throughout the day, when it’s all said and done, we look back on our day and realize one thing still remains…love.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 
But the greatest of these is love.” 
1 Corinthians 13:13


Friday, February 21, 2014

A Good Pick-Me-Up

Who doesn’t love a good pick-me-up? Samuel is no different. He’s eating up the attention…

Pick me up…and toss me in the air, Daddy.
Pick me up…and kiss my scraped knee, Mommy.
Pick me up…and help me into my booster seat, Jo Jo.
Pick me up…and give me a big kiss. 
Pick me up...because I want to be close to you.
Pick me up…and hold me just because you can.

Russ and I were talking the other day about how all of this attention must seem strange to Samuel. After all, he shared a room and attention of his nannies with roughly 15 other children close in age.  I just can’t imagine caring for a room full of Samuels. Or maybe he doesn’t even think too much about it. His nannies loved him a lot.  They did; we are confident.  From what we heard, he was quite “spoiled” due to their concern of what effect his crying might have on his hernia. I wonder if it seems strange to him especially on Joey’s preschool days for the 2 of us to be all alone. Either way, Samuel does not seem to mind the attention. In fact, I don’t think he knows what to do with it some days. 


These 2 guys are pretty SUPER!

I can’t wait for the day when Samuel yells “Mama” and actually means it. He repeats our words occasionally.  He will even call the Hogs!  He doesn’t yet refer to us as Mama or Dada. Based on some help of friends who have lived in China, we think he might be calling me a Chinese word for “nanny”. And quiet honestly, sometimes I feel like a nanny, a food lady (which is what some think dietitians are anyway), cleaning crew, referee. There was a moment when I became offended that Samuel didn’t refer to me as Mama. Then, I realized he doesn’t even know what a Mama is.  It makes sense.  It’s just a word to him. A title. He doesn’t realize that a Mama (and Dada) take care of your every need. They are there when you fall down. They are there when you need a hug. They are there to celebrate your special moments. Samuel’s nannies have been that person for most of his life. So, for now, I will gladly be “nanny” with hopes of one day soon hearing that magical word “Mama”!

On a side note, I feel blessed that Samuel likes me…a lot. I can walk away to quickly use the restroom only to hear a gentle repetitive knock on the door that doesn’t stop until he hears my voices or sees my face. Quite often it’s more of a loud howling sound with an increasing volume as it grows closer. He giggles when I hug him tight and say “you’re just so cute. I just wanna squeeeeeeze you”. Samuel gives me kisses freely and without my prompting. He grabs my cheeks and goes in for a slobbery smooch. Ok, so sometimes it’s part of his stall tactic at bedtime too. And there’s just something so cute and humbling about walking into Samuel’s room during naptime to see his out-stretched arms and a gentle sign “please”. Who can resist that? Not me, even if he’s awake a little earlier than expected. He might not call me Mama, but he does know who I am. And he makes me feel pretty special – like a Mama should.


Figuring out play doh

The play doh pizza chef

Big Brothers are pretty entertaining

Look at that cutie!

Wild man

Run, run as fast as you can...

No fear!

Daddy and Samuel made their first trip to the hardware store.

Rock stars loves smoothies

This little guy is ours...and we are his!








Thursday, February 13, 2014

Hello! Nice to Meet You...

"Hello!  Nice to meet you" said the cheerful little family quickly offering toys, food and other strange things.

"Who are you?  And why are you taking me away from my nanny?  I was completely happy earlier today" cried the little boy bundled for an Alaskan winter.


Gotcha Day 1/13/14






Now, turn the page...

It's been a month since these pictures were taken.  It's been 31 days since we laid eyes on this sweet boy!  So much has happened and so much has changed.

My dad struggled to grasp the concept that we would meet Samuel one day and never spend another day without him.  It does seem strange.  There was no transition period.  No "sip and see".  No weekend visitations.  The nanny placed him in Russ' arms and he was ours.  Actually, we were foster parents for a day, but everyone knew that "fostering" would turn into a real, genuine, forever family as soon as possible.

This little guy's personality has come shining through.  He's resilient despite our rough introduction.  He's a smart, funny, determined, opinionated, ticklish little boy!  

Better watch out if you're sitting on the floor.  You 
become fair game for tickling, climbing, or wrestling.

In the past month, he has learned to:

  • sign more, thank you, eat, and please
  • say dada, mama, and JoJo (only when he wants to and never to get our attention)
  • recognize the words "night night" and "lay down" at sleep times
  • use a few different sippy cups (his first experience with something other than a bottle)
  • request cookies for the sole purpose of feeding our dog, Molly



Samuel politely asked for a cookie, located Molly, and promptly 
offered it to her. It was her favorite kind, so she couldn't resist.  
And just to make sure she enjoyed every last bit, he sat in 
the floor and pointed out every single crumb.

We now know that he likes:

  • tools and Handy Manny
  • bags, any kind of bag
  • raisins, pork chops, yogurt, and chocolate icing
  • bathtime, especially with his big brother
  • being outside running through the grass or blowing bubbles
  • snow in very small doses


After watching Daddy put a nail in the wall, Samuel 
has hammered every surface in our home.  Here, he's 
just working quietly on part of his train set.

A few of his firsts include...


Introduction to snow



Storytime at the library

First time at church

Samuel has gone from waking 3-6 times a night to 1-2 times.  For the most part, he sleeps from 8:30 until at least 4:00am.  That has made a huge difference for all of us.  He has now even started to fall asleep with us only near his bed instead of us bent and leaning like a contortionist over the side.   Samuel quietly explores his bed while completing emptying it of any toys or blankets present.  Yes, it's fun to pat his diapered tooshy.  It's rewarding to receive sweet, slobbery kisses in his procrastination process.  But, it's also nice to know that he's becoming more comfortable with us, more secure, and feeling safe in his own room.  Hoping this quiet transition isn't a secret step towards crib catapulting, which we're fairly certain he could win a gold metal in!

Samuel began in China gradually venturing away from us in a room.  He continues to explore with us in clear sight.  He is comfortable to wander in a room with a few strangers.  He is still very much cautious and aware of our presence.  Still, to know that he can turn his back for a moment and know that his family is still constant...forever present is huge!  We are grateful for his comfort and peace with us.

We still struggle to communicate effectively.  We're not sure how much of our English he understands, but he shows more recognition almost daily.  Sweet Joey practices what Chinese he knows...hello, apple, thank you...you know, the "basics".  We are certain that we do not understand any of his Chinese though, if he even speaks in Chinese.  The sign language is helping all our frustration.

Joey is working through the idea of sharing everything, including his parents and their attention.  He does not tolerate crying or grunting.  I playfully (and annoyingly - if that's even a word) refer to Samuel's whining as "honking" because that's what it sounds like.  Joey is anxious to help Samuel into his booster seat and is adamant that Samuel wear a bib.  Joey has done exceptionally well with caring for his little brother in general.  Samuel loves his Daddy now, no question.  He runs to him.  He loves when Daddy throws him in the air.  My heart still skips a beat when I witness that!  We are falling into our "new normal".  Even in the impatience and frustration, there is still great joy, lots of smiles, and neat moments between brothers to soak in.  Without question, God has poured out grace on us all.  Without Him, these days would've been much rougher, the tears would have been more abundant (from all of us), and we wouldn't know this daily peace needed to press on.  He has sustained us!  




Wait!  Stop!  That's enough pictures, Mom.  I'll 
have to start charging.  Your flash is fading my hair.





Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Day Worth Celebrating

Our petition for months had been that we would hold our Super Brother before his birthday. God said “yes” and yesterday was that special day! On February 1st, Samuel turned 2 years old. And guess what! It was his first birthday with a family…ever. It was his first time he was the center attention and was individually doted over. He is probably still baffled as to why the 3 of us were singing to him with smiles so big. We had an intimate party, just the 4 of us. For our family, the real gift was being together! 

WARNING: An abundance of pictures to follow... 


Headin' for some fun

 Mommy and her newest Love

Best Buddies

Getting ready for the party

Brotherly Love

Where's my cake?

Family Birthday Party

Can I dig in yet?

Party Animals

Enjoying his present from Daddy, Mommy, and Big Brother

One person was heavy on my heart as we celebrated this precious little one. I wonder what Samuel’s birth mom would think. I imagine she still wonders where he is and whether he is being cared for. Despite what some people may believe, the Chinese birth mothers aren’t necessarily insensitive, heartless woman who simply don’t want their babies for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, those were my thoughts before I understood more of their struggles. Through unfortunate circumstances (many times financial limitation or extensive medical needs of the children), they are forced to make a difficult decision. We are eternally grateful that she chose life for Samuel. And based on the limited information we have about his past, it seems that she didn’t toss him to the side, but rather she loved her baby boy. May Samuel's first mommy rest assured that her little boy is loved – so very much loved – and that she will never be forgotten. We celebrate her choice for life, her sacrificial decision and that God chose to give our family the privilege of comforting, teaching, and adoring our son! We pray that Samuel’s first mom would come to know our God, if she doesn't already. What a most amazing opportunity to one day meet face-to-face this precious lady in Heaven!

We love both of our boys a bushel and a peck!