Irie: Jamaica Trip

Last week, we were lucky to get out of the ice and snow and head to Negril, Jamaica. It was one year to the day of our arrival home from South Korea, this plane ride was much different. We had an almost two year old hopping all over the place. He was an exceptionally good traveler, despite numerous delays. No need to state the obvious, the trip was different than anything we have gone on before! We stayed at a family resort, so the nights Parker was less than perfect :) Other parents would just give the "we have been there nod" The resort had a daycare, sadly Parker had a cold and was "kicked out". We would have loved one dinner alone, and a massage on the beach but we still had a great time.

Swimming with Dad

Refusing to give up his coconut water

Dinner at sunset

We had a photo shoot on the beach and the photographer made us do some silly "senior picture/wedding" type poses.

The Sesame street characters were part of the entertainment. Parker would yell for "Eldo"

It is good to be back home to a routine but I would love another Red Stripe on the beach!

Catharsis: putting my anxiety out there...

A few weeks ago we reviewed a file, of a baby girl, from Korea. After a medical review recognized that there were potential issues that we were not ready to take on. For anyone who has been there before, you know what it is like...one yes makes that little girl your daughter. It is difficult...I feel at peace, she has found her forever family, and while it is not us that is okay.

However, we got some news that the agency we used to bring P home will not be accepting any new families this year. Something along the lines of there are too many families waiting. I get it, we do not want to sit there for 3 years, paying costly government and agency updates each year. I also realize that international adoption is fluid and ever changing, there are many programs that have halted operations, while families are in the process. We were so lucky, P's process was so smooth and now that I look back pretty "easy". Trust me I am not minimizing his transition, I speak only of the government paperwork and our wait.

Why discuss all this, because I need to acknowledge that we are ready for another child in our home, and the whole process makes me so nervous. When we sent our last home study to Korea, I worried we would get a call that they had shut the doors...

So I am back where we started, evaluating all options, surfing the net, calling agencies, driving Jim crazy (nothing new) You would think it would be easier, since I have a child, but I know what I am missing, and someone is missing from our home.

Parker knows it, he constantly asks to see pictures of babies on the computer! and he tells us "baby, up, up, up (and points to one of our spare rooms).

Iced In

One year ago, to the day, I was visiting the DMZ and catching some views of North Korea...today we dealt with a round of freezing rain and are expecting more. Since there was no leaving the home this is what we did.

Shaving cream finger paint...

Parker had fun, but did not like the taste!

Baked a loaf of 5 minute bread, which means I heard "bite, bite, bite?"

Here is the recipe, seriously so simple..

Does anyone have this book? I think I may need to invest!

We attempted to pack for our trip, but Parker had other plans for the suitcase and its contents...

Round two tomorrow, Kindermusik is canceled and Baby Boot Camp...

This is going to make sunny Jamaica even sweeter.

Good as New

Earlier this week Parker wanted to see my camera, and take a picture of his baby...

This is "baby" a stuffed reindeer from his stocking. Neither Jim nor I encouraged this, he will carry and feed him. Sometimes, he leaves him upstairs and will yell...baby? Anyways, he did an okay job and wanted to take more pictures so I went on cleaning up breakfast, only to hear the unmistakable sound of the camera being dropped into the dog's water bowl. Guess what, 48 hours in a bag of rice...and the camera is working fine. Thanks Sara!

Guess who got to play with the rice? Oh, and the box..it has been a crib for "baby" and a cage for a tiger...

WW: Requisite Snow Pictures

An "Owie" Week

Parker had a rough week...a burn on the arm, due to hot tea (yes, Mom's taking the blame...Jim was out of town. Lovely text message, Parker burnt himself) and Sunday 4:00am visit from the flu.

Saturday was a great family outing, we took him to a "bounce place", once he discovered the tall, fast slides...he refused to return to the "baby" area. After hearing, NO, NO, NO...we went to dinner. He had an awesome appetite and was so sweet...he saw a high chair and said "Baby??" then he saw the family in line and said "Oh, baby up". After the little girl said down he waved and said "Hi, baby, hi baby"

Early that morning, Jim heard him scream, yelled for me...and I knew by the tone of his voice. So I cleaned, and Jim sat in the glider, with a bucket. When Parker saw the bucket he would say "No!, No!" Later in the day, he pretended to feed one of his animals and he brought the bucket to it's side.

It was torture to watch our 22 month old try to understand what was going on! Today we stayed home, meaning no workout or MOPS. He wanted to stay in his pj's...not a problem!

Today...he's looking better!

Playing with puffed rice

Meg got some (or Mow as he calls her)

Proof that he was okay after the burn!!!

Play food at the Children's Museum

See Dad...real men wear Ugg*s!

Welcome 2011

I spent the New Year's Eve and Day working, and besides working with some *interesting* cases it was not too bad. Jim and Parker were lucky to be invited our friend Jen's party. Her family hosted a child friendly NYE party (it began at 5:00pm), which was so great for Jim to get out, let Parker play, and enjoy some adult conversations.

Ringing in the New Year...

I love this time of year, I am a planner, I love goals and get excited about the future..

Which can be a weakness (I was talking about next years Holiday photo shoot on Dec. 26th) So I am going to keep it simple this year...

My focus for 2011...

Live in the present versus the future

Focus on need versus want

Practice acceptance and tolerance versus judgement

Continue to step out of my comfort zone

...and since I have a few things in mind that are in the scope of the above

*Complete house projects*Obtain my goal time at the Indy mini marathon*Run my second full marathon*complete on purposeful activity with Parker each day*allow myself quality alone time*ask for help*Try one new experiment in the kitchen each month*plan one completely fun family outing each month*give my husband the time he deserves*Continue to be the best daughter, wife, sister, mother, counselor, friend and Catholic I can*Get a chemical peel*feed my family less processed foods*Shed some Mommy guilt...