Home one month!

And what a month it's been. Since arriving home our little lady bug has grown and changed alot. Here are just a few of the new things she's done/learned/tried since coming home forever:

• She began eating baby cereal, both rice and oatmeal, along with almost all the babyfood fruits/veggies. She's still getting used to the flavors, but is doing very well.
• She has gone from a 2am bottle every night to sleeping through the night. And back again and again. Currently she's waking up anywhere from 2am - 5am for a "pacha". Like I said before, though, I will cherish those feedings and the quiet time we have together forever, no matter how sleep deprived I am.
• She sits up all by herself like a big girl and rarely tips over! She can even rock forward onto all fours, but is no where near crawling. I still think she'll skip crawling and RUN!
• She has endured countless schedule upsets due to our daily lives. We go out of our way to keep things routine for her to help with her attachment and adjustment, but just when we get settled back in, something comes up that makes us have to start back over. She's a trooper though, and is adapting to our crazy household very well.
• She has begun reaching for me to pick her up out of her highchair. Talk about melting a mama's heart! There is nothing better than your baby choosing to have you pick them up and hold them.
• She is showing us more of her personality every day, for better or for worse! Golly this girl can be stubborn--meals can be very stressful with her little lips and gums clamped shut most of the meal. On the other hand, she is a snugglebunny and is usually so content and happy. It is a real joy to watch her allow us into her world more and more. It is amazing, really, how one little baby girl can change the entire dynamic of our family. It's awesome!
• She has completed our family . . . at least for now. That immigration approval (we are still approved to adopt one more, mind you!) doesn't expire until December. I guess we'd better start playing the lottery or just let it expire! ha ha Unless there is another plan that we don't know about though, we've decided that we're through either for good or at least until these two are in middle school or so.

It's been a wonderful month of changes, adjustments, happiness, you name it, we've experienced it. It's hard to believe that it's been an entire month since la princesa came home, but as I've said before, it's almost hard to remember life before she was in it. I have a feeling that it's just how God wanted it to be.

I should mention that the little man is doing well. He's taking his medicine much better and is drinking enough to keep me from dragging him back to the hospital, but still doesn't have much of an appetite. I guess I should say that he does have an appetite, but just for things that he can't have yet like his beloved goldfish crackers, cheez-its, etc. My poor baby. He's so thin and we're all ready for him to start eating again. He felt much better today and didn't even nap until about 3pm--a total change from the last couple of days. I expect every day will get better from here on. Keep him in your prayers for a speedy, pain free recovery. Ta ta for now!

Formula cans and hospital soap - feeling sentimental

First, let me start by saying that the little man came through his surgery like a champ yesterday. We're still struggling to get him to take fluids and medicine, but he's coming around. Before surgery they gave him versed, a medicine to make him drowsy. (Although, I happen to have documented proof that it sometimes work the other way and the kiddos bounce off the walls, right Tonya??!!) Almost immediately he started acting intoxicated. He had been playing with the blue latex gloves (glubbs if you ask him!), and had them on his hands. He kept looking dazed and wiggling his blue glove covered fingers in front of his face and chuckling. It was hilarious. By the time he was ready to be taken to the OR, he didn't even protest that the nurse took him from me. My sweet little angel was in and out of the OR in less than 30 minutes. The yucky tonsils and adenoids are gone for good! The nurse in the OR even taped, gloved, and put a surgical hat on his tiger for him. So sweet. We stayed with him in recovery for a few hours since he was having trouble keeping water down. Poor kid--I know he's in pain and since I'm a fixer, I want to fix it and I can't. It's a very helpless feeling for this mama to have. In a nutshell, things went great and we expect him to bounce back at his own pace over the next few days. Thanks for all of the prayers.

Now, about the hospital soap: Most everyone knows that our wild man spent 6 weeks in the NICU when he was born. Well, if you've ever visited a NICU or had the unfortunate circumstance that it is your child there, you know there is A LOT of handwashing involved. The entire unit smelled of that awesome anti-bacterial soap and even 3 years later I can still remember it. They haven't changed the soap at the hospital. Everytime I washed my hands yesterday I was transported back to the gazillion handwashings and visits with my itty bitty baby boy. I couldn't help the flood of emotion caused by the smell of that soap. Who knew something so simple and so trivial could bring back so many memories? I was fighting off tears all day yesterday for various reasons - the thoughts of his time in the NICU, the worry of the current surgery, can we handle getting the medicine down him, etc. Sheesh, what a day. I wonder when and if the memories will fade so I'm not so nutty?

Then comes the formula can. I know what you're thinking, "She's all worked up about and empty formula can?" Here's the story: We brought home 2 huge cans of the formula that la princesa was on in Guatemala so we could transition her slowly to the kind we wanted to use here at home. Last week the mixing of the formulas was over and I still haven't thrown the Guatemala can away. I want to, but I just haven't/can't yet for some reason. It's the last little reminder of her daily life in Guatemala, as well as our time there with her. Stupid, I know, but I can't help it. My main man even offered to use tin snips to cut out the front of the can for me so I could flatten it out and save it. I really don't want to be that silly, but I haven't ruled it out. If you come to my house and see the can sitting around, do me a favor and don't judge me! I'm a sentimental nutcase these days. Should I call the guys with the straight jackets, or will it get better?

I'll end with a bit more Matthewspeak--the kid really keeps us laughing, and I'll be so glad when he's back to his usually chatty self.

buh-ca-shun - "We're going on buhcashun." or "Buhcashun Bible School" (vacation)
crozen - "Mommy, I want my corn dog crozen, not cooked." (frozen)
last time - used for anything that happened previously "Mommy, sissy fell off the couch and banged her noggin last time." (yes, that really happened. I'm withdrawing from my bid for mother of the year. She didn't really bump her head though, she is totally fine, but big bubba keeps reminding me of the incident!) "Miss Marsha sang fruit salad and hot potato last time." "We went to Guatemala last time."
begtibles - "Daddy-o! I don't like begtibles. Do you like begtibles?" (vegtibles)

There are so many more, but it's hard to think of all of them at once! Thanks, yet again, for the prayers for our critterboy. We're so looking forward to all of this being behind us!

Things I've learned . . . and things I'd forgotten

Wow, what a whirlwind the last several days have been. On Friday, I kept little man home from daycare since Nana and Pawpaw were coming and daddy-o had a work thing closer to home than daycare, so it made sense. It was a trying day for all of us. You see, the critterboy has fallen in LOVE with his afternoon daycare teacher, Marsha. This is excellent since he actually enjoys school these days. The only problem this new love creates is that he only wants to wear "long jeans" like Marsha (no shorts unless we bribe him!). Otherwise, it's great. Friday he actually asked me several times to take him to school to see Marsha. He even calls me Marsha sometimes. Heck, he even calls himself Marsha on occasion! Anyway, I had to disappoint him and tell him that, in fact, he was stuck with me until Nana and Pawpaw arrived.

Visits from Nana and Pawpaw are always tricky for the kiddo(s). This weekend was no different. Now the critterboy has to share some of the attention with little sis. He was "ON" all weekend. "Nana, look at me!" "Pawpaw, see what I made (said, did, etc.)!" The ladybug was a bit freaked out about having houseguests. She didn't sleep well day or night and wouldn't eat well if they were in the room. She was a bit tense and until today, still was. As a matter of fact, I think we're beginning to see another side of her personality--that or some minor attachment issues. She's been waking at 1:00am wanting to eat like she did when we first picked her up. Sigh. We're kind of starting over, but we're getting back on track slowly.

Saturday we hung out at home until the little man woke up from his nap, then it was off on shopping adventures with our guests. My main man smoked a yummy brisket for dinner in his snazzy new electric smoker. Sooooo good! Then we swam for a bit (completely unplanned--I had promised the little man sprinkler time, then it evolved into the whole fam in the pool!)

Sunday morning we went to church for the first time in a long time. I am a very faithful person and so is my main man. We just can't seem to find a church that we agree on where we feel like we fit in. We've both been praying about it for awhile now and we may have found a good fit for our family. A co-worker and friend of my big man had his "flock" aka Sunday School class praying for our family during our adoption process and had invited us to attend their class and share our story. It was a wonderful group full of great, friendly, open people. We are so appreciative for their prayers for our family and I'm sure we'll go back. The neat thing is that one of MY co-workers is also in the group. Small world! Even though the church is located on what feels like the other side of the world from where we live, I'm certain we'll go back.

After we left church we took little man and pretty girl to the zoo. It was HOT, but fun. Since we have the "Zoo Friends" membership we can go anytime we want and also get discounts on the overpriced concessions and souveniers. You might remember that the little man is getting his tonsils and adenoids out day after tomorrow. Well, mama and daddy-o are spoiling him rotten in preparation for his big day. We let him pick out a tiger at the "zoo buddies" store (think Build a Bear zoo style!). It's really cute and he really likes it. He picked out a pink star and a purple star to hide in it's back. Have I mentioned that he's obsessed with pink? Last night he took it out of it's home (the box) and put one of la princesa's diapers on it and one of his own tee shirts. So sweet! We're going to take it with us, along with his blankie, to the hospital on Thursday. After we got home, we got in the pool again. Both kids really enjoy the water, which is great. I need to get them in swimming lessons. I'll put that on my to do list!

Okay, now on to the things I've learned and things I'd forgotten:

I'd forgotten how stinkin' hard it is to change a crib sheet. Wowzers, it's a pain. I do know, though, that many people dream of the day they can wrestle a super tight sheet onto a mattress that doesn't really want to be covered, so I grin and bear it. I'd forgotten the challenges of public restrooms when out with a baby. Family restrooms ROCK! I've learned that babies, especially la princesa, and be sneaky. She's a dangerous combo of cuteness, curiosity, and trouble! She can take her diaper off in a split second. (Something the little man NEVER did--I'm afraid she might be one of those kids who wakes up early from a nap, silently removes her diaper, then proceeds to paint the walls with it's contents . . .!) She can reach things that seemingly only go-go gadget arms could reach. She protests, loudly I might add, when you take away things she shouldn't be playing with. She knows what she wants and is very determined. Not bad qualities for my baby girl as she grows up! I've also learned that she has way too many clothes. If I recall correctly, other than jammies, she's only worn the same outfit twice, once. Yikes! I know the closet is full, but really, four weeks worth of clothes (more, if I'm fessing up--there are probably still about 15 outfits that are her size right now that haven't been worn, plus a zillion she has yet to grow into.) The critter boy is just as bad. What can I say, I'm a sucker for deep discounts and consignment stores/sales!I've been reminded that if I blink, I'll miss something in the lives of my kiddos. I'm reminded that they are only little once, so savor every moment. I'm reminded, too, that I am so incredibly blessed and I'm happier now than I've been in a long time and it shows.

Last, but not least, your pic fix of la princesa. Golly gee what a beautiful girl!

Things that make me smile . . .

1. Obviously, my family! My husband is awesome and my kids are amazing! It makes me all warm and fuzzy just to think about them!
2. The way the little man plays with his baby sister. It melts my heart to see them together! She smiles at him like she smiles at no one else, and I LOVE it. He is a great big brother and I'm very proud of him.
3. La princesa's hip swivels, which the wild man calls hip "swiggles". Seriously, I'm going to have to make a video clip of it so you can see just how adorable it is. She swings her bent legs from side to side and "swivels" her hips. It's the cutest, funniest thing! It's hard when she does it during a yucky diaper change though. Eeeewwwww!
3. Okay, this is lame, but my new laundry hamper. I told you it was lame! But, honestly, it has saved my sanity lately. We had an old crusty skinnier at the bottom than the top so it always tipped over wicker hamper that only held about one outfit from each of us. Because of that, most of our dirty clothes/towels/etc. ended up on the floor in FRONT of the hamper. Genius me decided to get one of those fandangle 3 section sorting thingymabobs and I LOVE it! All for the bargain basement price of $14.99 at Wallyworld. Now several days worth of laundry is neatly and almost stylishly I might add, stowed away, sorted, ready for my awesome front loading washer and dryer. I should list them separately, but I'll spare you that! Ahhh, the joys of life! Can you tell I'm settling into my temporary life at home?
4. Being home this summer. It is truly a blessing that we can scrape by financially to be able to afford me this much needed luxury. There are only 6 more weeks of this paradise left, so I'm trying to make the most of every day.
5. All of my great friends. All of them. In real life friends, once close friends who are now far away, but still close in my heart, blogger friends, adoption forum friends, family friends, work friends. All of them. Did I already say that?

I really do consider myself blessed beyond words to have this life. Sure, I stress about how to pay for daycare (that's another story for another day), cleaning up mess after mess after mess, etc., but truly, I'm so happy to do the things I do and live this life I live. So many people who have little to nothing and find happiness, and I did too!

In other news, the in-laws are coming in a couple of hours. They'll be here for the weekend to meet la princesa for the first time. Gotta go so I can wrangle the kiddos into a nap. Stay tuned for the weekend recap next week!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dad's in my life!

To the love of my life: Your first Father's Day as a daddy of two! I hope it's a great day. When I think back to all you went through to become a dad the first time, I can't help but love you even more. It's been a long road to this point in your life, and I hope you are happier than you've ever been. You're a great dad and I love you more every day. Watching you with our little critters makes my heart smile! I can't wait to keep making memories with our family.

To my dad: Thanks for supporting all of my decisions in life, even when you don't agree. Now that I'm all grown up, I shudder at the thought that my children might come to me at 18 years old and say "Hey, by the way, dad, I'm buying a house and getting married!" I look back at the time we spent together when I was taking flying lessons -- more than 15 years ago! -- and have nothing but happy memories. I was glad you were there to call on the radio when I "hopped" over the coyote on the runway on my 10th touch-and-go on my 15th birthday. It's obvious how much you love my children, your grandchildren, and I thank you for that. They love you just as much.

Have a happy day, fellas!

A slideshow of our journey

Click HERE for a photo montage of our adoption journey. I cried many tears while putting it together. Get a box of tissues and enjoy!

I survived a day alone with two kids!

I know, I know. If you have more than one child you're thinking, hey, what's the big deal?? But it IS a big deal for me. The little man was sick again yesterday, so I made the executive decision to keep him home with the lady bug and me. Here's a random sampling of what we did all day:

Little Man (LM): Mommy, I wanna watch Nacho Libre.
Me: Okay, let me start it.
LM: Mommy, I'm gonna wrassle you like Nacho Libre. (Please note, I'm holding the lady bug during this "match") He commenced the wrestling.
Me: Come on buddy, let's do something else.
LM: Mommy . . . I want . . . something.
Me: What would you like?
LM: Ummmm . . . I wannnntttt . . . beef turkey! (beef jerky)
Me: Okay, which kind?
LM: Not the peckeroni kind, the beef turkey kind.

The kid, even sick, cracks me up! Peckeroni, beef turkey, Nacho Libre??!! Are you kidding me? He has also taken quite the worry as to why sissy doesn't have a penis. It's fun at my house these days!

Even with the entire day going on like this, we managed to have a great day. I only had to put him in time out a couple of times and he even took a 2.5 hour nap without me having to force it! Success!! I didn't get a lot of, okay, anything, done, but I did have a great day with my two kiddos. It has given me hope that I might actually know what I'm doing as a mom. I reserve the right to question my ability at a later date, though.

On the eating front, we're now mixing the sugary Guatemala formula with the, well, not sugary US formula. She's doing okay with it so far. We also started peas last night. I wish you could have seen her shudder at the pastiness of them. It was too cute. She ate about a 1/3 of a pack though, which is great for her first time. The critterboy sticks to processed meats and candy. Seriously, he could live on hot dogs, corn dogs, peckeroni, "bootsie rolls", and other junk foods if we'd just let him. Being the terrible parents we are, though, we do try to offer healthy foods too! hee hee!

Here are a few of the pics I took of my favorite munchkins yesterday. Enjoy!

Reflections on our first week home

On one hand, I can't believe it's been a week already. On the other hand, it feels like she has been with us forever. Here are some of the high points of our week:

• La princesa has slept from at least 9pm to 4:45am the last two nights. Do you think I just jinxed myself?


• The critterboy is adjusting well. He pretty much hated me the first few days, rejecting all of my love and attention and ignoring me completely. He started back at daycare, aka school, on Monday and is back to his old self. For the most part.


• We took both kiddos to the ped. on Tuesday for the little man's 3 yr. check and la princesa's first visit. Things went well. Little man is still a little man at 35 3/4 inches tall and 29 lbs. He has the start of yet another ear infection/tonsilitis, so he's back on amoxicillan for 10 days. La princesa was 14 lbs 4 oz, ironically exactly what the critterboy weighed at 6.5 months. Weird isn't it? She's long, but I didn't catch her length, if they even measured her. At her last visit in Guatemala she was 26.5 inches.


• I have mastered the poopy diaper. Not a small accomplishment for me, who used to use about 13 wipes for one of little man's messes, but I can usually do it in 3 with the lady bug. Woo hoo! We're going through diapers like crazy though, and we're so thankful for the 5 packs we got at our baby shower.


• We're settling into a routine at home, though I'm a bit more bored than I had expected to be. I enjoy every moment with our lady bug, but gosh, I'm just not the homebody that I wish I was. The first day home alone with her I cried every couple of hours for no reason. Then when the love of my life came home, I cried to him about crying about nothing. I even cried that I was afraid I'd ruin our plasma TV by having it on so much for the next several weeks. Those things ain't cheap and they have a lifespan of only so many hours . . . I need to get out more! It comes down to this: I applaud all stay at home moms for what they do. I just can't do it long term. I think, unless we hit the lottery that we don't even play, that I'll always work at least part-time for my sanity. Girls at the office--be prepared--I'll be chomping at the bit to get back. See you in August, if not before :)


• I'm allowing myself to get out of the house 2x per week. With gas prices nearing $4/gal. and me soon to be without a paycheck, I just can't justify getting out just to get out. Don't get me wrong, if sanity depends on it, I'll go, but otherwise, I'll find ways to entertain us here at home.


• La princesa is eating well, but is hit or miss with her rice cereal. Lately she blows it all back at me as she "blows bubbles". The girl is a master of the bubble blowing and well, if you've ever fed a baby runny rice cereal, it makes for a huge mess! Oh yeah, and we brought home 2 cans of formula from Guatemala to ease the transition--I kept telling the love of my life that it smelled like ice cream to me. Not at all like the nasty North American formula, even though it's made by the same company, just in Central America. Well, guess what the 2nd ingredient is? You guessed it--sugar. Holy moly why oh why do they add sugar? I'm scared that she's going to HATE the nasty stuff we bought here for her after having "ice cream" for so long.


• There was a toad in. my. house. Yesterday. Living room to be exact. I screamed like a little girl when I saw it. The wind has been horrible here and I'm guessing it jumped in through the dog door or something, then made itself at home. I keep telling myself that it had just come in, that it hasn't lived in here for weeks, because I can't stand the thought of jumping out of bed in the middle of the night and stepping on a toad. eeeeeekkkkk! I am so totally grossed out. Another reason I'm not good at being at home so much! It was about to hop behind the couch, so I got a shoe and blocked it's path, got a huge paper sack, then shooshed it into the bag. I threw it outside. Yuck. I'm cringing just reliving the experience. Yuck yuck yuck!


• I miss the critterboy being at home. I know I'm not quite ready to have both of them together with no one to help me, but I miss all of his non-stop activity. I actually look forward to butting heads with him in the evenings. Ahh, the joys of parenting.

If you're still reading, here are a couple of pics of the lady bug for you. We'll be getting out to see people soon, so be on the lookout!