Girls weekend

Sunday we left and headed to Atlanta!  Annelyn turned 7 on the 15th and she wanted to go to the American Girl store.  I was hesitant to leave since Easton has only been home a month, but he and John needed that time to bond, and I didn't want Olivia to miss out!  Off we went and had a great weekend!  

 

Upon arrival, they got their own key!  They also had cookies and milk waiting for them and an American girl doll bed!  To say they were excited is an understatement!



We enjoyed lunch at the bistro in the American Girl store!

....and cake!

They got to watch their dolls get their hair fixed!  Olivia doesn't have her own so she took mine.  She got some new things for her and I told her if she plays with her that we might get her one for her birthday! 

 

 

A little carousel ride before leaving the mall. This was Olivia's first time to ride without me on there with her!!  Yay Olivia! 

 

Ready to head for home!

 

 I had asked John to send me pictures of Easton so I could see that he was ok. 

 

John sent me a text that said he was going to go nuts if he heard ABCDEFG one more time.

Oscar was less than thrilled that Easton joined them on their nightly walk.

Ready for bed!

 

Oscar does not jump off the bed.  John said that Oscar was asking Easton, "you jump from all the way up here?!"

The next  text I got with this picture was, "There has to be a better way to get down!"

A kiss for his puppy!

 The night went well for them!  It is so great that Easton actually sleeps in his own bed!

Good morning!!

A happy camper!  John said that he did go to the bedroom looking for me. 

 

Around 6:30 they would stand at the front door.  Each car that went by they would run to the back door to see if it was us coming home.  How cute!

 

Happy Valentine's Day

On Thursday I got to go to Olivia's school and help with the Valentine Party.  Since I am usually at work, this was a huge treat!  I was afraid that she would cling to me and get shy, but she didn't!  She was amazing.  She sat in her spot and participated with her classmates.  That was so good for me to see.  After they were done with their lunch they passed out valentines.  From there, they got to do 'centers.'  Her teacher had them rotate to 5 different places.  Her teacher asked if I could stay and help do centers.  I made a heart owl with them and rather than coming to me, Olivia stayed and participated in each center.  She came over once, but it was for a quick second.  I was even able to walk in and out of the room helping others put their valentine bags away!  Who is this kid?!?  I was proud of her!

She loves glowsticks!  She gets one everynight before going to bed.  This is her 'night light' of sorts. 

 

A sweet treat for her teacher.

 

 

For Friday, I got up and went to work for a bit to celebrate Valentine's day with my class.  My interim was having breakfast for them.  Olivia decided last minute that she wanted to join me.  When we came home, I had a scavenger hunt planned for her and Easton.  She loved this!!!  She had to go to each clue in order to find her gift.  Before we started, she ran upstairs and came down with a gift, balloon, flowers and a card.  She picked every bit out by herself is what I was told.  I kinda think she did!!  She liked the flowers with the 'spotses,' a butterfly kaboon (balloon), a phone charger, and sweet card. 

 

No sweet girl....you have your words backwards.  YOU are the best, and I am the luckiest!!

Here is the scavenger hunt.  There are pictures below of her finding each one, but this will help you follow along!

She flew up the stairs after figuring out the first clue to see if she was right. 

 

 A bit excited at this point!!

If you look closely, you can see hearts all along the sidewalk.  Yep, it was quite cold doing this at midnight Thursday night!  But so worth it!

Their gifts were left in a large heart with their names on them.  :)

 

Once the fun of our scavenger hunt was over it was time for us to go to our appointments for Easton at Vanderbilt.  He had an EKG and vision scheduled for the day.  No fun!

 

Screaming.....

then laughing....

and screaming a lot more! 

 

 

A month of Easton!

A month ago today, Easton was put in our arms forever.  A little boy who I questioned why he didn't grieve immediately has begun to show his fears over the last month.  I think while we were in Korea with him he thought he was just hanging out with us.  He didn't know (and I don't think he still knows) that this is forever. 

 

 

He is learning us and we are learning him.  He still has days of being just plain angry.  Can we blame him??  No.  I would be, too.  He wants his Omma and Appa.  He wants his food, his smells, his home.  He is becoming more comfortable with us, but still is unable to communicate much with us.  We hear a lot of babbling and a few words (we think) in between.  Has it been a good month?  Yes.  Has it been a hard month?  YES!  We have had many hard days, but every day there is something to smile about even if it is just momentarily. 

 

What is Easton doing after being home a month?

• He answers to Easton now.  We no longer need to call just his Korean name or both names.
• He signs more, eat, all done and please.
• He can touch his nose, ears, eyes (careful on that one--he may poke them out!), and show you his tongue when asked. 
• He can put his hands on his head when told "hands up" as this is the only clean way to change a diaper around here!
• He sleeps through the night by himself in his own bed!!!!!!!!!!
• He says Oscar, mommy (a few times), cups, and dad
• He can point to us in a picture when asked where is mommy?  Where is daddy?
• He points to himself when asked where is Easton.  No worries....he also points to himself when asked where is mommy! 
• He loves his sister!
• He gives kisses and hugs when asked.  If he is happy he may shake his head no when you get close to get a kiss and giggle. 
• He laughs at Jesus Loves Me when I say, "they are weak but He is strong."
• He is trying a lot of new food!  Spaghetti, chicken, meatloaf, green beans, chicken and dumplings, mac and cheese, corn, cereal, yogurt, apple juice, banana bread, waffles, chicken casserole, chicken pot pie, snack foods, etc.
• He is venturing to other toys.  The first days at home he would only play with his stacking cups.
• He loves for us to read to him.  He will hold up a book and pretend he is reading.
• He is getting pretty good at climbing the stairs.

 

 We were hanging out in our room today, and Easton walked off for a moment and came from the kitchen with a bowl.  He is signing eat here.  He took off running and we were still in the room laughing. 

 

John followed to find him here.   

 

 

 

 Choices....what do I want?? 

 

Eat!  Don't you understand, I just want to eat!!!  Feed me!!! This is any given moment of the day.  I remember Olivia doing this when she came home.  Its as if they can't get enough to eat initially.

 

I cannot believe it has been a month already!  Somehow, those 645 days of waiting with many tears, worries and prayers have vanished in the last month.  He is here.  I can hug him, kiss him and hold him anytime.  God is good!  Such a blessing to have our boy home after waiting and watching for 2 years.  Do we still have hard days ahead?  Yep!  Can we get through it together?  Absolutely!  I know that in time, he will feel more comfortable with us.  His language will develop and he will know this is home and we are his family.  I may be frazzled and at my max with him, but then I rock him and look at those gorgeous eyes and that sweet face and I melt right back in love with him. 

I am one lucky mama to have two amazing kids.  It didn't just happen.  It wasn't a clear cut and dry 9 months.  God knew though.  God knew the exact moment that each of our children were to come home to us.  God knew that Olivia and Easton were made to be with John and I.  I am beyond blessed.  Happy one month in our arms and many more kiddo!  (oh....and don't you love his shirt that I got in Namdaemun?!)

Bruiser

It is a known fact that kids get bumps and bruises!  Typically they run into another kid or fall due to height or tripping.  Well, Easton trips over his own feet!  Saturday we were at gymnastics and he was headed over to look out the door.  It is a glass door with a metal frame.  He tripped over his feet and since his muscle control isn't the best in his neck, he fell and his head went forward.  He had a nice goose egg on his forehead, but seemed ok.  John was worried so I called the doctor to ease his mind.  It swelled outward so I figured all was good.  It was about the size of a quarter and came out about 1/4 inch!  He kept feeling his forehead as if to say, "what's this thing up here?!"

 

It looks so much better now!!!