Adoption Families Picnic

Quite a bit has changed in our house since my last post (hence the week in between posts). Brian went back to work last week, so it's just me and Wesley each day. And, I started doing some part-time work for my job from home this week - in my "spare time." Needless to say, it's been a little hectic around here. Luckily, my mom is going to start coming on Mondays to help out with Wesley and give me time to get some work done as well as a few things around the house. This past Monday went great especially since we had our second home visit from our social worker yesterday - the house DESPERATELY needed some attention.

This past Saturday, Wesley attended his first big event since being home with us. Our home study agency had their annual family picnic and we were thrilled to be able to attend this year with our Little Peanut. The director of the agency is actually very much responsible for turning us on to the South Korea program and our adoption agency, so also we wanted to thank her in person. We used this agency for both our South Korea home study and our China home study, so we've been with them for more than 3 1/2 years and it's time that we met these ladies!

Once we arrived, we immediately saw the big bounce house - oh, this is going to be fun! There was also a guy/clown figure walking around entertaining the kids making balloon animals. Wesley was a little apprehensive at the beginning, but he quickly warmed up. We introduced ourselves to the director and other staff members and headed over to the balloon dude. Wesley just had a ball watching him making animals for the other kids and seeing their reactions to the different animals being made. Crazy balloon animal guy.

Then, it was time to go over to the bounce house. I don't know what was cuter, Wesley being inside of the bounce house or Brian "acting" like it was such a sacrifice that he "had" to go in with him to protect him from the big kids. Imagine a 30-something (closer to 40) climbing/squeezing through a tiny opening made for a child. Wesley sat inside watching in awe as the big kids came in and jumped, flipped, etc. around him. It was really cute. This didn't come out very well because of the screen on the bounce house, but you can get the idea.

While we sat down and ate, we visited with other families that had adopted from other countries like China and Russia. We really enjoyed talking to a young couple who was currently in the process of adopting from Japan. We shared our story with them and provided them encouragement for the journey they had ahead. So exciting! Wesley did really well but, he was getting a little fussy and it was nap time, so we headed out, but not before we got some photos including one with the gal that helped us get on the path to finding him. Brian, me, Wesley and Lesley from Across the World Adoptions.

Mom and Wesley getting cozy under a tree.

Dad, Wesley and Mom altogether in a photo is rare (my hair is tore up, it was pretty windy) .

Wordless Wednesday - The "Faces" of Wesley

Lately, Wesley has had a wee bit of an "attitude" one could say. There are times when we're not sure whether to chalk things that he does up to being a toddler or if it's an "adoption thing." Well, we're pretty sure that the attitude, the drama/crocodile tears and the testing us is a toddler thing. Today during lunch when I told him "no" to something, it came out in full force so I decided to capture it (yes, they are in sequence). Enjoy. . .

Weekly Update (Grandy's B-Day, The Big Pool, 2nd Dr. Apt. & Going to Work)

Now that the weekend is here, I realized that I hadn't updated the blog in awhile. I've actually been trying to write this for the past two days, but Brian's out of town and since I'm here alone with Wesley, you can imagine the amount of "free time" I'm having - LOL. So, here I am 10:30pm on Saturday night - here are a few highlights from our past week+:

Grandy's Birthday Celebration
Last Saturday we spent the day at my parents to celebrate my mom's birthday (which was on the 1st). Wesley had fallen asleep on the way over and he woke up once we got there unfortunately, not in the best mood since he was in a strange place. However, he warmed up pretty quickly - just in time for my my brother, his fiance, her son and my nephew to arrive. It was fun with a full house of kids all difference ages. Wesley did great and we think my brother J better watch out because "somebody" has a new girlfriend, J's fiance Kelli. The older "kids" supplied all the food and Brian worked the grill so that the Birthday Girl didn't have to do a thing. Mom said it was the "best birthday in a long time." :)

Labor Day @ The Lara's
We took the nature trail to our friends Jose & Shannon's house Monday for an adult "play date" but secretly we knew they really wanted to see Wesley. We had pizza for lunch and the plan was to put Wesley in the "grown up" pool after he ate his lunch. Well, he was in a really good mood for the first part of the visit however by the time we were ready for "pool time" I think he was a little cranky (teething) and we possibly approached the whole pool thing wrong. Jose and Shannon were so sweet by buying a little floaty thing for Wesley to sit in with a sunshade and everything. We went ahead and just put him in it with Brian in the pool. Well, the tears came immediately. I think the combination of not "easing into it" and the water being a bit cool may have set him off. We were also quickly approaching nap time, so that didn't help. We had a great time regardless and Wesley actually ended up falling asleep in my arms while we hung out in the shade. So, we were able to visit with our dear friends a bit longer before we hit the trail home.

Smiling for Shannon's camera. Did I mention that he's a flirt?

Hey, are you taking my picture?

He finally pooped out and fell asleep on Mom.

Wesley slept the whole walk home - big day for him.

15 Month Check-Up
Wednesday Wesley had his 15 month check-up with our pediatrician. I was a little concerned since the only appointment available was 2pm (Wesley's nap time), so we hoped for the best and Wesley stayed awake on the way there, so we were in good shape. He LOVES his pediatrician so another win. The check-up went really well and our pediatrician was very pleased with the progress Wesley has made in the past month developmentally as well as physically. He actually lost weight - what?!? The kid can't stop eating, so we were a little shocked. Typically, doctors aren't in favor of little ones losing weight at this age, but it was such a little loss and it put Wesley right about where our pediatrician thought he should be in terms of height and weight that he felt that he was "right on." Unfortunately, Wesley did have to get a few vaccinations which was hard on us to watch, but it was necessary. He was a trooper and the rest of the afternoon he didn't seem bothered by the shots, he had more discomfort from the molars that he's cutting.

Wesley Goes To Work
Thursday, we headed to my place of employment so that Wesley could meet the wonderful people that I work with. I work for an advertising agency that is approximately 45 minutes-1 hour from our home (depending on traffic). Wesley fell asleep in the car on the way there, so when we arrived, we had to wake him up but he got in a good nap before meeting everyone. It was so cute because before we even got him out of the car, my friend Marjan peaked out of the front door and said, "Come On! We can't wait any longer!" So, we quickly gathered up Wesley and our stuff and went inside. Everyone was gathered in the conference room with a cake, presents and lots of smiles. :)

The cake for Wesley. It was yummy. Brian had 2 pieces.

Wesley had a really good time meeting everyone and we were really thrilled to see that he wasn't overwhelmed. There were about 25-30 people in the room and he did great. He was all smiles, he flirted with the ladies as he always does and he even was okay going to Joette (my boss), Sherry (one of the very nice ladies at work), Marjan (good friend at work) and Teresa (another friend at work & Korean mommy) briefly for some lovin'. We needed to try/experiment with "outings" like this and he did great, so we are so pleased.

This weekend Brian is out of town for my little brother's bachelor party in San Diego (Michelle, don't think we didn't "talk" about a visit - j/k). So, Wesley and I are hanging out Mom and Son - all weekend long. So far, it's been a lot of fun. It's tiring, but we're getting in some good bonding time. Here are a few photos. I'll post more after the weekend is over. Got to get some sleep. zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Wesley is finally getting warmed up to a rocking horse that we got as a gift. It's really cool - it's a rocking horse that converts to a rolling horse.

Wesley is fascinated with the washer and dryer.

Wesley on the nature trail walk with Mom Saturday morning - it's a lot of fun!

Wordless Wednesday (Hanging out with Dad)

Right before bath time, I saw an opportunity to snap some photos of Wesley and Dad. They were sitting together after Brian and I had finished dinner together (a rare moment). Ignore the excessive drool, Wesley is cutting not 1 but 2 molars (poor little guy).

15 Months & First "Official" Play Date

Yesterday Wesley turned 15 months and we celebrated by having his first "official" play date. Our good friends (and former neighbors) Jim and Alison drove up from the Bay Area with our goddaughter Kira who is one month older than Wesley - we have all been dying to get the two of these kids together!

Wesley was sooo excited to see Kira when they arrived that he started kicking and squealing while I was holding him. We put the two kids together in the family room with some toys and Wesley immediately went over to one of his favorites to show Kira. And, it went on from there. . . The two of them played really well together it was adorable. Wesley definitely had a close eye on Kira since she's older and is walking - it didn't hurt that she's beautiful :)

Wesley and Kira playing together.
Kira is starting early with the phone in hand :)

The highlight of the day was when the two were playing peek-a-boo behind one of the family room curtains. If you have read this blog you know that Wesley is a big fan of peek-a-boo.
The beginning of the "peek-a-boo" dance
Peek-a-boo!
Are you talking to me?

We had a wonderful day with our friends and Wesley had a fun time getting to know his new girlfriend. He did really well the remainder of the day once our guests left with the exception of nap time and bedtime. He woke up an hour into both crying, but I rocked him back to sleep and he was good to go. He's never done that before so I can only guess that it was a reaction to the day's festivities - which we've read can sometimes happen.

15 Months
At 15 months and almost one month home with us, Wesley has done remarkably well. There are many areas in which I feel that he has really made progressed since we arrived home. Then, there are unfortunately a few areas where we still struggle, but we constantly remind ourselves that we haven't been home that long and he's been through a lot. Here's a little breakdown:

Food
When Wesley left South Korea he was only on formula (every 3 hours) - hence the almost 30 pound little boy we now have on our hands :) Our pediatrician wanted us to keep him on the formula a little longer (reduced amount) but introduce solids. So, we've been having a blast trying out different foods with Wesley. And, boy does this kid LOVE to eat! He literally hasn't turned a thing down. He loves anything and everything. Vegetables, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, etc. he eats it. And, he really "gets into" his food.

Note the crazy hair - food is caked in there making it all stiff and spikey

What's so funny?

Sleep
This is still a challenge. More so at nap time versus bedtime, but it varies. We've done our best to establish a schedule and routine for naps and bedtime. However "somebody" just doesn't want to go to sleep the majority of the time and tends to put up a fight. Now, this may sound like every other child, right? Well, throw in some grieving - which happens to occur during these times and it's a whole new ballgame. There's not only crying, a struggle and calling out for foster mom but, we are now seeing some new signs of grieving which have been upsetting. We're hanging in there, being patient and just giving him the love that we know he needs hoping that he can work through the grieving.

Walking
No walking yet. . . But, he's close and we're okay with that. He's all over the place as it is simply by crawling and by cruising along the furniture. He has a few walker toys that he uses down our long hallway and he loves to cruise along our bar stools in the kitchen. Something tells me it's coming soon.
Here's Wesley cruising around in the hallway


Teeth
One word = drool. Lots of it. It seems like ever since we brought Wesley home he's been teething. He's gotten 3 teeth in since we've been home and we're pretty sure that he's cutting a molar. The drool is non-stop and he's been putting his finger(s) in his mouth like he's trying to gag himself. Poor guy :( Baby Orajel is his best friend and sadly he knows the tub and makes a grunting noise for it when he sees it. I feel for him.

Well, I think that's it for this post. I got him down at 10pm tonight and while we were laying on the floor together in the dark room with the Beatles Bedtime CD playing (just part of our "routine") he looked at me, smiled and touched my face. And in that moment, any of the challenges, sleepless nights, worries, etc. faded away and he melted my heart. THIS is why we're parents. . . Goodnight.

Good Things

We're in our 3rd week home with Wesley and although there are some things we're working on as well as some challenges (which may just take awhile), we are really starting to get in the groove of things. I still can't believe that he's really here sometimes. In the short time that he has been here, he has brought so much joy into our life. Last night after I put him to bed, I reflected about the day and a few "Good Things" in our world and thought they were "post worthy."

Michelle's Good Things
1. My adoptive mom friend Michelle and her husband leave today for Korea to go pick up their son, Maddyx. Bringing our babies home is always a good thing but Michelle and I have a special connection (in addition to both being in California) and our sons are close in age (and size, hee hee) so I am especially excited for the journey she is about to take. YAY!

2. I haven't blogged about this yet, but we recently found out some wonderful about some neighbors of ours. We actually had not met them, but we found out that a couple up the street from us is adopting from the very same agency that we did and that they just received a referral for a little boy! What are the chances? They came over a week or so ago to introduce themselves, meet Wesley and bring him a gift. How thoughtful is that? We are thrilled for them and to one day (hopefully soon) have a playmate for Wesley that close by. This is definitely a good thing in my book.

3. My mom came over yesterday to watch Wesley. This was a first for all of us. I had a hair appointment (the gray was getting out of control) and we desperately needed to do a good cleaning of the house since our first post-placement visit by our social worker is this afternoon. So, we had my mom come to hang out, play, etc. with Wesley while I was gone and while Brian got started on "Project Clean Up." Like I said, this was a first - so, we didn't quite know what to expect from Wesley. Well, he did great! When he started the day off with a greeting of smiles and kicking his feet for his Grandy, I had a feeling things would be OK. They played, read books, ate lunch and shared a lot of laughs. In turn, we were able to get a lot done. Thank you Grandy - Wesley says, "Come back soon."

4. As I mentioned in the above Good Thing, our first post-placement visit from our social worker is today. I label this as a Good Thing because it brings us one step closer to finalizing Wesley's adoption. We have a total of 4 of these visits over the course of 6 months. I am hopeful that all will go smooth. Stay tuned. . .

5. My last Good Thing is the outpouring of love that we have experienced since we have arrived home. Whether it's been from friends, family or neighbors, it's been absolutely amazing. From homemade meals, to thoughtful cards and generous gifts for Wesley, we are constantly reminded what special people we are surrounded by. It does not go unnoticed and we feel blessed to have each and everyone one of you in our life.

Bubbles. . .

Wesley was having a bit of a meltdown the other day and nothing was working to calm him down. I mentioned to Brian that sometimes you have to get creative. Of course in the middle of a meltdown, that is probably the LAST thing he wanted to hear. Next thing I know, Wesley's in the Ergo carrier and the two of them are are headed to the backyard with a bottle of bubbles in tow. Creativity at it's best.