Transitions

Every full moon Jaemin doesn't sleep.  He literally lies in bed with his eye closed, but don't be mistaken, he's awake.  The second I sneak by his bedroom, to go to bed, he opens them and starts to cry.

Last night I took him back to his bed.  He came to my room screaming, so I locked the door.  He went back to bed and stopped crying, but 1/2 hour later I could still hear him whimpering in bed.  I couldn't take it anymore.  I brought him into bed.  I don't know what happened or why he started sleeping with me 6 months ago, but he's really gotten to where he has to.  He flopped in my bed and sat up several times until after 11:30.  Somewhere in there, and I don't remember when or how it came about (I was WAY tired) I went into his room, got his paci and made him throw it in the trash.  I told him that he he wanted to sleep in my bed every night that was fine, but paci had to go forever then.  He's REALLY attached to his paci, so all I could think was 'I'm going to pay for this at naptime tomorrow'.

Tomorrow's here.  So far so good.  I doubt he'll power nap as usual, but he DID go to sleep without it.  He asked me where it was and I reminded him that he was a big boy.  I asked him if Cole had a paci and he said 'no'.  I asked him if Chase had a paci and he said 'no'.  Then, I asked him if big boy Jaemin had a paci and he said 'yes'.  I told him was all gone in the trash forever.  He laid down for a second, but when I walked back by he was sitting up playing.  So since he HATES his door being closed I told him to lay down or I close the door.  He's such a little stinker, he said 'close the door'.  It was only about 1/2 hour later and he was sleeping, so that's good for him.  We'll see how future naps go, but dang, if he's gonna sleep in my bed no matter what, I'm getting something out of the deal.

On the potty front, Chelsi has been dry 11 nights in a row!  Yep, after we moved back into the house, not one wet night.  We're on week 9 o f the 12 week chart that came with the alarm.  So, I have to say, I'm pleased with the alarm....all $110 of it.  I really do think it trains their bodies.  In the beginning, if she rooted around too much or cried in her sleep, I knew she'd be wet.  But, now she stays dry even then.  She doesn't even run to the potty in the morning anymore.  She's holding it longer all of the sudden.  Now, when she first goes down she does go often.  Some nights she'll get up twice more to go potty.  I guess just a final empty.

It just feels so good to get somewhere.  To think maybe some day we'll have no pullups or diapers to purchase.  I know it may be awhile until little man is trained too, so all in all I'll end up with about 15-17 years of diapers.  YIKES!  Oh well, what can you do?

Really praying for Japan

Every time you turn around their news doesn't get much better.  It's a sobering realization of what can happen to a very strong, developed country.  What I mean is you expect the devastation in Haiti to be bad like it was, but I don't know that you expect it in Japan.  Chelsi even talked about it the day it happened.  She said grandpa had been watching it on the news and he told her that Japan was close to Korea.  I think it made her sad.  I told her he was right and that it is, but it all went the other way and didn't affect Korea.  But, still they are Korea's neighbors....even if they sometimes have bad blood between them after the occupation.

I pray for all of the people who have lost loved ones and are now dealing with radiation in the ground, food, etc.  Sounds like it's higher levels than expected and that's a terrible worry.

Lisa

Snow to Sun

Today's a beautiful (though windy) almost 80 degree day.  Getting ready to take little man out after nap for some much needed outdoor run time.  But, before I go, I wanted to post a picture of the 4 big ones from this past Monday...yes just 3 days ago.  It was a day off school for snow (SNOW DAY!).  They were NOT happy at all since now it's encroaching on summer vacation.  But, I had just signed up for a free month of Netflix, so they had found Sandlot 2 on it and were quiet watching; all 4 together.  It was so nice.

Memories Forever

Or at least I hope they don't break and they last forever.  A few weeks ago I found these little stepping stone kits in LTD.  So I ordered 5.  The other night I mixed them and each kid made a handprint.  They decorated them with the little glowstones that came with them.  They are a little cheap looking, but still a great way to preserve their handprints at a particular point in time.  I love them in my rock garden.

2 years ago we got a huge surprise

Two years ago today, we got an email to call our previous social worker.  I thought for sure it was to let us know we had a package or they had contact with a birth mother.  When I called, I got the shock of my life and immediately shook and cried.

Two years later, I have Jaemin, here with us, in person.  While today and the last few days he's not been feeling well, so he's been, well, GROUCHY, I LOVE this little boy with my heart and soul.  I love hearing him talk everyday as he came into the living room this morning and Brian said "J did you sleep in your bed last night?".  Jaemin quickly said "Nope, I slept in mommy's bed."  His language has just burst!  He says anything and everything and makes me so happy.  He's become the biggest little lover too.  I can't help but think back to the days when we first brought him home from Korea and he pushed so hard to get away from me.  He hit me and scratched me and just shoved me away if I tried to hold him, hug him or kiss him.  Now, he does the 'monkey hold' as we call it.  If Brian, Cole or I pick him up he wraps his arms around our necks and legs around our waists and lays his head on our shoulders.  He rubs your neck softly with his fingers as you hold him and he loves to lay close.  He still sleeps with me every single night, but most nights it's not too bad and I don't mind.  I love knowing he's there.

Where has the time gone for my baby boy?  Before you know it, he'll be as old as his oldest brother.  Two years ago I knew nothing of this boy.  I was so scared.  I worried we were possibly going to mess up the balance of our family, then.  I was so worried about rocking our happy little boat.  Little did I know our boat wasn't full yet.  It's fully now and I'm so happy God made a way for us to bring him home and to spend our lives with him.  I thank God for him and that email.

In case you don't remember, here's the first picture we saw of him (and I was in love)!

And a more recent, even though I've posted it before.

Happy Birthday Cole!

My first born is 14.  He turned 14 earlier in the week, but we weren't home until later this week.  So, the spoiled boy got 3 birthday cakes.  Since we were living with one set of grandparents, they made him a cake and we had dinner with another set on his birthday, they made a cake too.  Of course, I am going to have a cake for my own child, so that was cake #3!  Where has the time gone?  I cannot believe in two years I'll have a driver.  Now that IS scary.

Chelsi says he must be one special boy.  She must be right!

Long Several Days

It's been a LONG several days.  The first 5 days spent in our basement with 7 people wasn't too bad.  We survived just fine.  Then we moved to the inlaws while the floor was being done due to the smell.  It WAS pretty bad.  We stayed there about 5 days.  I'm SO glad to be home.  Just to be home!

So, lets see...where did I leave off.  Seizure?  Yes.  Okay, I took Jaemin for his EEG yesterday and he did GREAT!  He fell right to sleep.  We have to wait 1 1/2 weeks for results.  I'm not too concerned because I still think they'll come back normal and it's related to his GERD.  It's going to be awhile before we wean him from his meds.

Wednesday Brian and I spent from 8am to 12 am the next morning moving furniture back into the rooms, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, painting (touch up) and putting trim back on.  My closet doors still aren't on, but he'll do it this weekend.  They're too long now.  Thursday, I had the EEG with little man then came home to clean the kitchen (hadn't touched it yet) and found that both sides of our sink was leaking all over the place.  Luckily my father-in-law could come over and fix it up for us.  It will last a little bit, but the side with the disposal has about had it.  Hey the gasket lasted 15 years...pretty good.  Now to find one that will fit and replace it before it gives out totally at a REALLY inconvenient time.  That's the way it always happens.  My legs, feet and knees are killing me.  Brian is SO thinking I'm a big baby, I'm sure!

Tonight, we finally get to have Cole's birthday.  I'll post that later because his birthday should be it's own post!

Here are some before and after.  I didn't take before shots soon enough and all the furniture was already out.

Befores:

Afters: