Birthday Boy

This weekend we celebrated Parker's second birthday! We decided, instead of a big party to put money towards a train table (or as P would say, "Choo, Choo") I have a feeling there will be a return on investment. Does anyone else believe Thomas is like a narcotic for children? There are days Parker will wake up talking about that train!

We had immediate family over for lunch and cupcakes. (Immediate family still means a total of 7 children!) Parker was such a good sport, after the party we headed to the children's museum and he skipped his nap and was still in good spirits. He did not want to go to bed that night because he was so excited about his new toys. He got a sushi set and spent Sunday feeding some of his animals sushi with "sticks". I am not sure if I mentioned but Parker wants to eat every meal with chopsticks. He will pinch his thumbs and forefingers saying "sticks"...I figure it is good for fine motor..so why not break out the trainers?

I have mixed feelings about Parker turning 2, I love the new things we can do together and that he can communicate! However, it makes me sad that he is no longer that sweet baby (I hear "No, Mama at least 20 times per day). This year was even more difficult as I thought of his birth mother...I was reading Every Year on Your Birthday (thanks Julie!) and had to stop because I was crying towards the end. I think of his birth mother often but this day was especially painful, as I thought of her and his future birthdays.

We went to the doctor today and Parker is healthy and was in great spirits...he used to cry hysterically from 15-18 months at the sight of his pediatrician! He kept imitating the doctor by checking my reflexes when we got home.

Here's some pictures of our two year old (not so big...he's hovering around 20th and 24th for height and weight, respectively.)

He blew out candles like a champ..due to our practice!

There were many to open

New table

Showing off his new sock monkey, he told me this monkey was a blue baby...

Having fun in his new play room, thanks to Dad and Grandpa for finishing up the basement remodel!

Good News

I got an email today stating we had been preapproved and put on the waitlist at out first choice agency! What this means:

-In 4-6 months we can start out homestudy (paperwork, finger prints, govenment approvals etc.) They do a waitlist so there are not numerous familes waiting MANY months for a referral, and spending costly updates on homestudies and government paperwork.

-After that is done 6-9 months until referral! (Could be longer times can change, this is what today is running)

-This agency works with a different agency in Korea (there are 4) last time Parker was placed through HOLT. So this will be new to us, new places in Korea, this agency allows you to visit the foster familie's home!

-We can request a girl referral. We decided this would be best for us, since this will be our last adoption. Jim has said "No" to me shopping for girl's clothes (okay, I guess I don't know size and season..) but I can start the room (after our exisiting projects are done...we still have a few.)

I am beyond thankful to be starting this process again!

One year ago (well, one year and one month)

Even if I try, I cannot imagine my life without Parker. We reached a huge milestone last month, he has been home one year. One year ago, Jim and I sat, terrified, at the Somerset hotel waiting for the time to leave to get Parker. We barely spoke, and if we did it was some attempt at humor to diffuse the situation. We knew we had a rough road ahead. Our son was so very attached to his foster mother, yes, this is what we wanted...healthy attachment. But watching a 10 month old grieve is torture.

Look at my scared little boy. I had bought this beautiful new shirt for the day we picked him up. Yeah, never took my coat off at HOLT, and it had to come off after he soaked it in tears. He would cuddle up to me and cry as he scanned to room for his Omma.
Finally, exhausted he slept on his Dad.

We got back to hotel and after 2 hours of tears and screams, he just gave up and got down on the floor to look around. Finally, I tried to feed him dinner. he took one spoon of pears and said "OOHHH" This is my favorite memory of that day, it meant so much. He was going to let me care for him! Today when I ask him about the pears and what he said..he responds OOOHHH. Well, I tell the story lots!

The next morning, DJ (HOLT Social Worker) was at our hotel for a meeting, she found us at breakfast and reached for Parker. He refused and clung to me. She said "Good! I was worried!"

I was talking with a friend about how we will explain to Parker about his story. I told he we do it every day, in small ways. When we see and airplane, when he meet another baby from Korea etc. I also practiced telling him the story since he was little.

Happy one year home Parker!

"Because I knew you I have been changed...for good"

For Good- Wicked