I blinked

This has been a big week for Bates and a big ole week for this momma’s heart.

Let me start with a back story, Bates was a co-sleeper when we brought him home from Korea. We worked very very very hard for months to get him falling asleep in his own crib and staying all night, but we did it. And all was right in the world for about 9 months.

About a week before we went to Korea to get Brodie, Bates got a double ear infection, which meant very little, or no sleep for anyone in the house. He spent the majority of time many nights in our bed.

In Korea, he slept right between us and was perfectly content there, and since it was no crying, easy bedtime we rolled with it. His foster mom was amazed that he would sleep alone, she said of all her babies, he was the most co-sleeping one, he had to be RIGHT between them and touching them both. Oh yes, sister, don’t I know!

Well, along come little 18 pound brother, and Bates quickly decided his place at night is RIGHT.SMACK.BETWEEN. mom and dad! He planted himself there and was not going to be moved…. no big boy bed, mickey pillow, bribery was to be had. He was in our bed and that was that. We rolled with it for awhile, mainly those first two weeks because this jet lagged family needed to sleep when and where we could.

Week turned into months and months to a year…. and he was perfectly content. Unlike mom and dad.

The boys have combined into one room since Stacey’s arrival which hasn’t been a problem, since Bates is in our room, but last week we finally bought the top mattress for the bunk beds and one night while daddy was gone, I decided THIS WAS IT and put both boys to bed on the full mattress on the bunk beds together. Which is a big deal, since Bates has been staying up way later and going to be with one of us.

And just like that, they fell asleep.

They have been napping together off and on for a month or so, but Bates did it, fell asleep not in our bed and not with one of us laying with him.

And the next night…. he told Daddy he wanted to sleep on the top bunk. And he did.

And the next night, and next and next….

He has woken up a few times at night, and woken Brodie up, and vice versa, but they are staying in their beds, in their room, all night.

We have rounded a corner. It’s divine.

 

And, last week, Bates walked into his preschool class on the first day and there were no tears. Not a single, even fake one.

 

My boy, my sweet tender little boy, has grown up. Before my very eyes.

 

I do not mourn the 16 months he lived in Korea without me. Those days were an incredible time as God used each moment to weave our hearts together over 6,000 miles of oceans and seas… I don’t mourn that.

I mourn the fact that right here under my very nose, somehow I missed this. I blinked and my baby boy has grown up.

From this…

to this…

And I blinked.

 

Off to super glue my eyelids open.

Or maybe to watch my baby boy sleep. in his own bed.

Ms. August- Kaila

When Erin emailed me Ms. August, I immediately recognized her. I am trying very very very hard to stay off the waiting child list, but this face I knew.

Ms. Kaila was one of the featured children in the Waiting Child Video I put together for National Adoption Month. But my heart, that video was 10 months ago…. and still Kaila waits.

Hello, check out that smile, this girl is awesome!

And let’s all join together in a round of “Happy Birthday” as Ms Kaila just had a birthday on August 1st. Happy 3rd birthday, sweet girl! Praying you have a family of your own by your next birthday.

Kaila is describe as an energetic, happy and smart child. She may have been caught using the couch as a trampoline one to many times. UhHmmm, I know a few boys who might have been caught doing the same thing. Somethings are a universal toddler language, couch jumping must be one!

Kaila is on target developmentally. She loves to play with toys, can run, climb, and verbally express her wants and needs. I giggle, yep, a three year old girl who can express her wants…. I.bet.she.can.

Kaila has some sort of urology issue, I’m not gonna even pretend like I know what it’s all about, cause all those medical terms are foreign to me. But someone out there will know, and be able to give you gobs of information on her needs.

But here is what I can tell you….

This girl has a killer smile…

And this sweet spitfire NEEDS A HOME!

So go, village, spread the word, find her family!

For more information on Kaila click here or email Erin at erinm @ holtintl (dot) org

Summer Bucket List: ice block

Summer is winding down, school is back, but we still have some bucket list items to tackle!

I made this ice block weeks and weeks ago and just got it out this week when I needed a moment.

While I was getting it out of the pan, I told the boys to get some tools. And they did, indeed. A jackhammer…. pretty smart if you ask me. Ineffective, but smart.

They worked really hard with their tools, but I gave them a bucket of water and two spoons. Ya know, make this endeavor last a little longer

Big brother wised up and decided it would be faster if you just put the block of ice IN the bucket. Again, pretty smart.

Brodie helped get a few of the toys out but quickly lost interest and was ready to do something else, but Bates hung in there until the very last lizard was out.

Easy peasey and they loved it!

Watch me grow: August

A few weeks behind on this one, but it’s still August, that counts.

The B Team

Bates

I could literally die I love this boy so much. He’s becoming quiet the little gentleman, quick with an “I’m sorry”, first one to help momma, and such a gentle spirit.

Last week, we were running a bunch of errands, so I wrote down one master list of everywhere and everything we needed to go and do. I entrusted the list to Bates to carry, because he is uber trustworthy and takes a job of helping very seriously. He got distracted by some new juice boxes that were in the garage and on the way to the first store I asked him if he had my list, he responded “don’t worry momma, I got it. It’s right by my seat.” When we got to the first store I looked for the list and told him I couldn’t find it and he gasped and said “oh no, I left it at home, I’m so sorry momma. Do we need to go back and get it?” I hugged him tightly and told him it was ok, we would just try to remember.

Nick and I just cannot seem to get over the fact that just this month, he talks like a big kid. Full paragraph form, comes up with conversation topics easily on his own, and heavens alive, he remembers everything. I mean, it’s scary the things he remembers- just this week he mentioned our elf on the shelf, Charlie. He asked how he was doing and when he would be back. We haven’t mentioned Charlie since he left last Christmas. Now, letters and numbers, and colors…. still working on those, but facts, people, events- he’s got those down.

Brodie

This kid rocks. I stand amazed most of the time that God created this little firecracker and lets me be his momma. He’s a hoot.

After several smiles, I asked Brod for his “mad face” and here ya go….

Brodie has this crazy zany imagination. He will create scenarios, games, people, and things. He likes to tell us “my phone is ringing” and walk across the room, answer his phone and carry on a conversation with an number of people, then hang it up and come back and join us.

Up until we put a top mattress on the bunkbeds, there was a “kitty cat” who lived up there. Every day at nap and bed, Brodie would have to climb the ladder to  give the cat a kiss and pet him.

A week or so ago, Brodie was hollering for me from the bathroom. I walked him to find that he wanted to show me his newest trick… he was standing at the side of the toilet peeing over the toilet to the shower curtain. He was so proud to show me how he could shoot it! Upon closer inspection, that was not the first time he had “shot” the shower curtain!

I could not love these two anymore!!!

1st day of school

Back to school, back to school, to prove to dad that I’m not a fool….

got my lunch packed up, my shoes tied tight, hope I don’t get in a fight…

Back to school, back to school….

 

This week, the Brown boy headed back to school, pre-school that is.

 

Tuesday was meet the teacher day, and since momma had to work, Megan (we LOVE MegMeg- she’s seriously like my right arm!) brought the boys to me and was stand in Mom in Brodie’s class. And she, of course, cause she knows me and is virtually just like me, posed them and took this pictures. And of course, they smile and look awfully excited for her.

But things went south in the van, when big brother got a bloody nose- from picking it. And then little brother bit it in the parking lot and gave himself a pretty serious busted lip. Poor Megan, brought him in to me crying with blood all over him and her, and thankfully a friend was in the parking lot to bring Bates in.

We met their teachers (who just so happen to be friends too!) and then momma attempted to go to the big momma and daddy meeting with the director, but quickly ended up back in Bates’ class because someone, we won’t mention any names was FAAAA-reaking out. All was better once momma was there to hold his hand on the scavenger hunt.

We went to our 2nd annual back to school lunch with the Smiths. But this year, Sophie and Greer were home to go with us! Yeah for Toots and yeah for free hotdogs for kids!

 

Thursday was the big day. Mom tried to set us up for success by getting as much done, laid out, put in car, ready as possible the night before. Getting two toddlers and a teenager (and a momma) out the door by 7:30 for school drop off, then preschool drop off, then work is a bit of a feat. But we made it and were EARLY! Bam.

The boys loved loved loved the sidewalk drawing I did by the light of the moon for them, I mean what is every mom doing the night before school starts, this mom is drawing on the sidewalk at 9:30! They look less than thrilled, it was early.

 

I wish these pictures could talk, because Brodie is telling it to Puppy. He was saying, “Puppy, we go to school. No crying. Mommy comes back. We have fun. School is fun. ‘Ownna go with me?” Seriously hysterical.

And here is Puppy’s official 1st day of school picture, I can’t wait to take his picture 1st day of senior year!

 

After dropping Stacey off at school, which is right across the street from the boys school it was time.

Do those doors look familiar, well, it’s because this year the church we go to and the one I’m on staff at has opened a preschool! I was loving the fact I was headed into work with my kids. I loved even more being able to get up from my office and walk down the hall to see my boys in their classrooms. I knew I’d enjoy that, but I didn’t realize just how much. If I wondered what they were doing I’d just get up and go see!!! I was very careful to not let them see me peeking in but I hope soon they can see me in the hall, get a quick hug and carry on with their class!

Brodie actually got moved up from the class he was in on Meet the Teacher day. He was the oldest in that class, and missed the older 2s class by 7 days. I was bummed about it, but prayed that he would be in the best class for him, and knew I’d have to step it up at home because that boy is a smart cookie- and after meet the teacher day, a spot opened in the other class and Brodie got moved up.  I didn’t get any pictures of Brodie going to class, I was too busy trying to figure out what I had missed from the meeting and making sure he had what he needed.

Then it was time for Bates… I had pulled out the big gun and told him if he went to school with no crying we’d go to Chuck E Cheese, so he put on his brave face and in he went, not before pausing at the door, just to check it out…

Their morning routine has them unpack their own backpack and put up their folders, waterbottle and lunch box. I love this for my not so independent child and he loved doing it!

A quick hug for mom, and I jetted…. Can you see him having a mini meltdown….

Like I said, I loved peeking in on them… I saw them doing circle time, weather stations, writing, and coloring. And before I knew it it was time for me to be off work.

Over two glorious hours alone…. two hours. I can conquer the world in two hours sans kids.

So what did I do….

lunch all.by.myself, a trip to the grocery store, and a few more errands

Then pick up my babies!!!

And they both got glowing reports. Bates did not cry!!! Not a single tear! He was dubbed “Ms Kimmie’s boyfriend” and I think spent most of the day holding her hand.  And Brodie, in true Brodie form, charmed the socks off his teachers. They were going on and on about him and his antics.

We have about 45 minutes to make it right across the street to get Stacey, so what did we do… a Sonic run, of course!

Brodie was shouting at the speaker – “I ‘owwna large coke!” the people in their cars could not stop laughing at him. He’s crazy fun!

Pick up Stacey, home for dinner, and then….

The promised trip to Chuck E Cheese. He was so stinkin’ excited it was beyond cute.

The rollercoaster ride is my favorite, the boys just look so hysterical in that big ole seat by themselves holding on to the handles.

We turned around one time and one of the games was going nuts. We turned back around to find Bates had hit the jackpot!

A fun filled evening celebrating a very successful 1st school day.

 

Boys,

I pray this year is absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to see you grow and learn and change this year. I miss you while you are away, but will be peeking in on you constantly. I know you will learn tons this year, but know this, momma doesn’t care if you are the “smartest” in your class. I don’t care if you can spell your whole name, name your colors, color inside the line, or do algebra- momma cares about your heart. I pray that you let your little lights shine. I hope you are kind, compassionate, and a sharer. I pray you are someone who others want to be friends with. So, be smart if you wish, but shine on and stand out. You are amazing! Momma is in your corner and loves you the mostest. You two make me proud!