I spoke too soon

I take it all back, everything I said about parents; even Kate...that was before I was one. I have been known to make comments about stick, dirty children, children who scream, the list goes on. We were in Super Target (along with every other SAHM in Fishers) and it was near lunch, Parker had no snacks (he had eaten all of the mum-mums) and was being very vocal. I recalled that the bakery gave out cookies and without any shame fed him one and a sample of apple pie (fine I only gave him the apples) that was out. Also, I am thankful to leave places with my keys and wallet. Since Parker has been home I lost a gift card and I wanted to use it! and we allowed money to fly out of the car. Parker was also covered in chalk after his time outside. I now understand why so many SAHM's post about wanting their husband home from work on FB. Thank goodness the moratorium on hotdogs is still in effect, some of my old self remains.

Parker and I spent some time outside, I think the front yard was too much for him. Well, there was stimuli overload...a thomas bubble blower, his car, and a new ball. However, he enjoyed laughing at the dogs in the backyard.

Silly dogs!

Come home daddy!

Paging Dr. McCrabby

Parker had his 12 month visit to the pediatrician, and he was the LOUDEST child I have ever heard! He was tired, as we were getting into nap time, he is getting his one year molars, and then got three vaccinations...the nurse actually asked me if I had wine at home. We know that is a definitive YES! We got in the car and he was still screaming so I handed him a mum-mum (they are magic with that child) and he fell asleep with it stuck to his lip!It is obvious that he is uncomfortable due to the teething.

Parker and Dad had some time together when I worked on Sunday. They purchased our membership to Conner Prairie (a Smithsonian museum in our town) and since it was pouring rain they played at the inside exhibits. It is hard for me to believe he able to play at a museum, he is really becoming a toddler!

He loved the furs, don't tell PETA

Gardening, Jim said he put a carrot in his mouth

Look at my hair after nap..it's been a rough day!

Where is the weekend?

We have been so busy this week; but not in the fun, we did so many great things busy. Jim completed a big project at work, so more late nights and I picked up two shifts at the hospital. I am working tomorrow too! I had high hopes of taking Parker to Connor Prairie to get our membership today, running, and a few other things that did not happen.

We went to BCS to talk about our adoption experience to those in process, some people had referrals, others just starting out, and some had adopted previously. It makes we glad we are done with the stress of waiting but hopeful because I want Parker to have a Korean sibling one day. I have this anxiety about the process, I was convinced China would shut its doors...well they just sloooowed the process. Now, I know that Korean adoptions happen but I have this nagging anxiety that the doors will shut, there is much speculation and many articles that Korea plans to end international adoptions by 2012. One of my NY resolutions was to live in the present....

Parker was still sick on Friday so no stroller fit class, so we did some housework, a few pictures below. He seems to be doing better and is back to attacking his dogs, he lunges for them as if he has never seen them. Each time we leave his room from a nap or in the morning he points, with wide eyes and shrieks..DOG! As if a tiger got in his house :) We were on the deck this evening and he saw Dodge running in the yard..he started cracking up and yelled DOG!

He tried to figure out what this was...

Bib reads: Chicks dig me...

Empty basket..why not

Helping make the bed

Sneaking away

Not Well Wednesday

We are not doing much here today because poor Parker has the cold that everyone in the family got! We really need to go get some dog food but I will wait until Jim gets home, sorry Dodge and Meg.

Parker has been napping on and off in the pack and play, with his new blanket-made by Kara! He cannot be that sick because he was still able to get into the dog's water bowls. Those are his favorite things in the house. I am pretty sure he ate a piece of dog food too, I did not think he would try that this early.

While I am not eating dog food I do eat my food and Parker's...I knew this would happen and it must get under control. I am pretty excited to get out of the yoga pants and start dressing for work a few days per week. I am working Thursday and Friday night. It feels like it has been so long since I have been to Fairbanks. Luckily, I have been watching Celebrity Rehab and The Sober House, so watching Dr. Drew has kept my counseling skills sharp. You can laugh now.

Saturday we, Parker included, are speaking at our agency about our experience traveling to Seoul. I hope Parker can be a good sport for the two hour meeting. I LOVED meeting other adopting families before we started the process, it was nice to know that IT DOES happen and seriously, the children are pretty cute :) Don't get me wrong, I love meeting all types of Moms :)

Pictures are from yesterday, as I cleaned his room he played

We play with this toy away from the Labradors-they steal the balls!
Look at my cute shirt!

We were cleaning out Jim's baby bag (yes, he a manly one...) and found some puffs. He is crying because they are all gone...I know he sounds like Uncle Steve...

Hoot Owls

I am going to make quite a bold statement: I love this stay at home Mom gig! I publicly take back everything I said about staying home. Yes, I will be adding a bit of work into my schedule, but for the most part I will be home with Parker. It is interesting that Jim does not really believe in women staying home, he keeps saying as soon as our kids are in school you are going back full time.

We hit up our morning stroller fit class (so necessary after a weekend of CAKE!) Unfortunately, a naughty baby stole another baby's snack trap. (translation: a little cup that hold cheerios and puffs) I made Parker give it back after he realized he did have his own! We made our millionth visit to the Fishers Super Target, the customer service counter seriously knows us. We skipped any real shopping (SAHM's do give up their income...)

Since Jim was working late, we went to a HOOT OWLS (Husbands out of town or working late) dinner, which is women from the stroller fit class. It was kids night at the deli we went to, so Parker was given a kids meal (usually he just eats mine) and a magician gave him a balloon dog. he tried to eat it a few times, so that was short lived.

It was a good, but rainy Monday. The mini-marathon ticker on the blog is taunting me and I was not able to run outside...we were talking about marathon times at dinner. I have one in my mind but am set on finishing both mini's and just beating last years time. I do not think I am going to attempt another full marathon this fall but maybe another half in November. I cannot wait to see Parker at the finish line!

A few pictures from dinner...

Drinking cow's milk out of a cup!

Trying to eat a balloon

Dol Day

Wow, what weekend; Parker turned one! I am going to make the typical Mom statement and say I cannot believe he is growing up so fast. However, I think that is appropriate being he turned one after being home six short weeks! My Mom arrived Wednesday and Parker was a great sport as we shuttled him from store to store. A HUGE thank you to my Mom who played with Parker while I cleaned and made some great dishes for his party. She also tied bows on favors, not her favorite...

On his actual birthday we went to an Asian/Sushi restaurant. He was the lucky recipient of a banana crepe with whipped cream and a candle. He enjoyed every bit of food and-not kidding- cried when the meal ended (I almost did too as good as the sushi rolls were). Since my Dad, Steve, and Nicole arrived late that night we saved presents until the morning.



Parker shocked us an was able to open the presents, he would tear the paper and hand us a piece. He was able to rip into gift bags without any issues. Here he is playing with a new Thomas toy. My parents gave him some great toys, but he is obsessed with a bucket and shovel for the lake house...no not the riding car but the bucket. Aunt Nicole and Uncle Steve got him a golf set, which was also a hit (they also gave him some plaid shorts to wear golfing).

Pre-party preparation, I am a sucker for children in hooded towels. He is going to get to a point where he says no more!

The Dol table, before the cakes arrived. I was prepared to rent the towers but they were booked the weekend of the party. A waitress, at one of the Korean restaurants in town suggested using glass vases, which I did and they turned out great! The rice cookies on the table were actually from Korea. Parker's foster mother gave us a large tin of them on the pickup day. I froze them and they were great for the party.

In addition to large quantities (I am a Persic, for those of you that know us we eat) we had bulgogi, japchae, Korean Chicken wings (for the hundredth time...amazing), panchan, and pajeon. It was all delicious, and I was shocked at how many guest enjoyed the Korean food. This was a different restaurant than we usually eat at but I think we have switched!

We were so lucky to have about 60 guests join us to celebrate! Our families, and friends from work, Ball State, Kappa Delta, Junior League, and even some high school friends! You were all too generous and we are so thankful to have you in Parker's lives. Parker was the model baby for his party, he wore his handok with pride, did not put cake in his hair, did not shed one tear, and smiled for his guests.

As for the toljabe, he picked the thread...I was hoping for a scholar or money but the selection was definitive! We were lucky to have Nicole and my cousin Emily photograph the event, they both do great work. Parker changed into his Tea clothing for the remainder of the party, too cute. Thanks to my friend AJ, he got more of the Tea collection (awesome job AJ!)

He took a short nap after his guests left, and woke up to open presents and then it was back to the bucket. Steven and I laughed at how he would not allow certain things in the bucket...Steve snuck a stuffed dog in and each time Parker adamantly took the dog out. After he went to bed the whole family watched The Hangover (it never gets old around here). I think Parker was sad to see family go, but Easter is in a few weeks!

Parker with Mom and Dad in his hanbok

Just a bit too big...

Parker's cake, Taylor's made him a train track to go with his Thomas cake

Opening more presents

Going Green

St. Patrick's day brought Parker a parade and a trip to the green canal. We met one of my sorority sisters and her two daughters downtown to watch the parade. It it crazy to me that Kim and I used to socialize at fraternity parties and now we are taking our kids on outings; but fun!

Parker pointed at every dog he saw, waved to the Indy 500 Princesses, and was thrilled to wear green beads and ate a green sugar cookie. I took the canal back to the car and he fell fast asleep!

My Mom arrived this afternoon to help with the birthday preparations. The biggest help is watching Parker so I can get the house clean.

I knew that I would become emotional before Parker's birthday and it has begun. i was watching 16 and Pregnant last night (yes, I still watch MTV, no plans to stop) and the girl made an open adoption plan. Watching the young couple as they struggled to make the best decision for their son was heartbreaking. Obviously, this got me thinking about Parker's birthmom. I wonder if she thinks about him? Did she get to hold him before he went into Holt's custody? Does she know he was going to be adopted internationally? Is she at peace with her decision? Will she ever access his file? I want nothing more for her to know he is loved and she will always have a place in my thoughts and prayers.

Some fun pictures from our day!

All it takes is one second, I turned around and he had hopped in

Fast asleep

I'm wearing green!

Kim and her cuties

Protective Mommy

After stroller fit class Parker and I headed to meet a friend for lunch. I was so glad to see her, after I canceled on her a few times. Since she's a Mom to two girls she was pretty understanding!

Since we had had the children we decided to meet at Chick-fil-a (who am I kidding, I ate there way before Parker came home). So, Casie warned me the "playlands" can be a disaster due to kids who are unsupervised. As I walked in a little girl(maybe 4) yelled "Chinese baby", hearing this a boy around 7 saw Parker, and chanted Chinese baby a few times, while jumping up and down on the slide. So, I said to him, well actually he's Korean and moved to another area. This child followed me and then asked "so is he Spanish or Japanese?" I once again said he's Korean. The boy then said "well, he must be Japanese because that's the same thing, and he looks Chinese." then he proceed to pick Parker up and drop him on his face!!! My darling son was a good sport and did not cry.

But seriously, Grandparents who were not watching your child..it is not my job to give him a geography lesson and tell him to keep his hands off! I am crazy about others holding him (I told Jim..at this point in time this has NOTHING to do with him being adopted..I am just picky!)

Okay, I really am NOT worked up about the cultural mix up...I know they are children. Soon Parker will be old enough to decide how to handle the situation. No pictures from our adventure but he was all smiles :)

While the boys are away...

I had a big night planned, it is my good friend Kara's birthday. We were going to dinner at a tapas restaurant and then off to a German Biergarten (that I love!) However, I had my physical for my hospital position and they discovered a fever...that lingered as well as a cold :( Happy Birthday Kara, we will celebrate!!!Since I was going out Jim made dinner plans with his brother and his family. They went to one of our favorite Belgian breweries, the beer and the frites are AMAZING!

Instead, I am at home, watching Bridget Jones, drinking tea, and baking cookies. Apparently, sounding like a bit of a spinster...kidding, the night is perfect for how I feel.

Parker got a second haircut, at Jim's regular place, the stylist said "let's give you a real boys cut" and he looks so cute. He was pretty agreeable, who wouldn't be with a sucker in their mouth?

We are still busy preparing for Parker's birthday. We got the catering settled last night, we met the woman who will be cooking the Korean food. She did not speak any English but we could tell she was taken with Parker! The waitress at the restaurant sang him a Korean song and he started to clap. We stopped at the Asian mart and got some Soju...Korean alcohol, you see it all over Seoul. So those joining us at the party, get ready for the full experience!

I need to prepare many things this week, Dol towers, the table, and many errands! I am so excited to see family and friends this weekend. Parker is looking forward to hugs from Aunt Nicole and Uncle Steve!!!

Time for organization, I have been forgetting things for the past week....

Nothing but cute pictures

Neighborhood park

First visit to the Fishers Library

Loved the swing

and the slide!

One Month Home

As of Friday, we have been home with Parker one month! It is hard to believe it has been that long, but at the same time he fits into our family as if he has always been here. Parker has amazed me in his ability to adapt, he acts as he lived with the dogs his whole life, he has begun to show us his personality, and he has started to laugh (not cry) at bath time.

Off to church! A man came up to us before mass and let us know he had sat behind us last week and thought Parker was one of the cutest children he had ever seen.

The weather in Indianapolis has been wonderful, around 50 degrees this weekend. Parker and I spent some time on the deck, he loved it and tried to eat some dried leaves. We also went running in the jogging stroller again, and he feel asleep! We met a college friend at stroller fit class today, it was a good workout for me and Parker had the opportunity to interact with some children. I think I may start going on a regular basis.

I love to play peek a boo!

Holy Inappropriateness

Ready for my date with baby Jaedyn

Parker and I had lunch with one of my co-workers and her 2 month old daughter. Parker was excellent and gave a few smiles, but when he is out in public he doesn't say much. We had a great lunch and Michelle looks awesome!

We had a trip to Costco (rewards month, thanks Costco!) where I saw my dear friend Julie! Strange that she met Parker there, but I was so excited to see her! As I shopped, a man said to me "Someone went to China" so I smiled and said Korea. I kept walking as he asked me what agency we used.

We were able to get one of Parker's cakes ordered, the other will be ordered from Taylor's Bakery this weekend.

Many updates

Parker had a busy weekend, which included a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Persic! We went shopping (what else can you do in this weather?), went for a Korean meal, and Jim and my Dad made some major progress on finishing our basement. Parker was amazing around my parents, the first night he went right to my Dad to play on the floor. He did not seem shy, scared, and took many smiling pictures! His visit with my parent's dog was another story...

I have some exciting news, this week I accepted a part time position at another hospital. This will allow me to stay home with Parker, all but one day. I struggled with having him in daycare 40 hours a week. I will be doing the same assessments, but it will include mental health as well as substance abuse. I know myself, and I think this will be a good balance. I enjoy the work I do (I have been watching celebrity rehab with Dr. Drew to get my fill!) but am so excited to stay home with Parker.

We are planning Parker's first birthday, note to those waiting on TC, plan the Dol! I could have had so much done before instead of just shopping and obsessing over the National Visa Center's progress :)

Parker and I have some fun scheduled, stroller fit class, lunch, and play dates. The prediction is 50 degrees this weekend, so maybe some outdoor fun!

Reading my new favorite book from Grandma

We got to try out the jogging stroller today! I was thrilled to get out and run. Parker was not happy about the stroller but was asleep in three blocks. We ran about 3 miles and he slept the entire way. Looks like mini-marathon training should go well!

Parker and Bailey, don't let them fool you...

Lots of smiles for Grandma's camera!