Happy Halloween!!

Today marks the two month anniversary of Joe's homecoming.  Yay!!  I can't believe these months have flown by so quickly.  I know it is cliche, but it does seem as if he has always been a part of our lives.

It was a beautiful day and we all had fun getting ready for trick-or-treating.  After Liv got home from school, it was time for her and Brian to get started carving the pumpkins.  Liv wasn't sure what to think about how goopy the inside of the pumpkin was but she was a trooper!  While they were hard at work making art out of pumpkins, I was getting dinner ready.  We had our traditional hot dog mummies and bones -- and Grandma Fuehrer came over to help us celebrate!

Grandma took Liv trick our treating on our block and then helped watch Joe while Brian and Liv headed off to trick or treat some more.  Joe was quite a hit with the families that came to our house but since it was so chilly, Grandma brought him in and they had lots of fun together -- as did Brian and Liv who came home with a LOT of candy.  Once tey got back, Liv helped me pass out candy until we closed up shop at 7:30.  Another successful Halloween.  We can't wait until next year when Joe will be able to appreciate it more.

 

Mummy dogs and bones. Mmmmmmmmmmm

 

Let the Halloween festivities begin!

Today was a very fun - and very busy - day.  After church, it was nap time for Joe and Liv (she had a very busy week!) and I went back to the church/school to help set up for the Trunk or Treat party we were having after the Halloween Parade.  Liv had a great time with all of her classmates that came out -- and St. Mary's ended up winning a prize for having the most students walk in the parade.  Yay!!  It was chilly so Joe stayed home for the parade but joined us at the Trunk or Treat after party.

Cutest. Cow. Ever.

Big news!!

Ok, so this post will actually cover a few days - October 25 - 28

On the 25th, Joe had a follow up appointment with the pediatrician that specializes in internationally adopted children.  We had last seen her six weeks ago.  Since we had last seen here, Joe Sung Min grew an inch while gaining about half of a pound.  He looks great!  She was a little surprised to hear that he wasn't holding his own bottle yet or feeding himself but thought it would happen soon.  Otherwise, he checked out great and was a trooper when he got 4 shots.  Big sister Liv had her own appointment with allergist/immunologist and got a flu shot as well so they were commiserating in the back seat on the way home...

Joe has made great strides in his gross and fine motor skills.  He is much better about picking things up (he will pick up food and then drop it off of the high chair) and has gotten the hang of one of his favorite toys - a jungle tree house that you drop a ball into.  It goes down one of two slides and spins around.  He absolutely LOVES it.  He also loves going over to Liv's table, rifling through the drawers and pulling out markers or crayons... what a little stinker! :-)

Joe had his first bubble bath on the 26th -- Liv thought he'd like it.  He was definitely intrigued by the bubbles and even let Liv give him a little bubble beard.  They have so much fun in the bath -- they are very cute together.

This week, Liv has been part of  a cheerleading camp put on by Elyria Catholic High School.  It was open to kids from the local Catholic schools.  Liv and her BFF had a blast learning cheers and rooting on the Panthers during the first quarter of the game. 

 

And finally, the BIG news.  We weren't sure when it was going to happen - but it finally did... Joe started to feed himself AND hold his own bottle.  Yay!  He is still getting the hang of it, but at Grandma's house, he fed himself pieces of grilled cheese sandwiches.  Way to go, Joe Sung Min!!

Fall Fun

(Please accept my apologies for the delay in posting.  Now that I'm back to work full-time, I don't have as many free moments to post updates.  Know that Joe Sung Min is doing very well and is an absolute joy.  But I digress...)

Today was a beautiful fall day with temperatures in the mid-60's - much better than the cold and rainy days we've been having.  We took Joe to church for the first time today -- and he did great!!  He was a little overwhelmed at first with all the different sights and sounds, but my magic bag was filled with "Ahs" for him to eat and some quiet books and toys.  And he looked so grown up in his church clothes!!

After church, we go to the "donut room" so Liv can get her weekly donut.  She has fun chitchatting with her friends from school and today, she invited her friend Logan and his parents to go on a horse drawn hay ride. One of our local parks holds them each fall and it is one of our traditions. We were excited to take Joe for his first foray into our parks - and first hay ride.

When we got to the park, we were told that the line was about 90 minutes long -- we weren't the only ones who wanted to make the most of this beautiful day!!  Joe Sung Min was great during the wait and eventually it was our turn.  Unfortunately I couldn't get a good picture of Joe and Brian, but he did have a great time!

Liv and Logan waiting patiently

Joe and Brian enjoying the beautiful weather

Joe and Brian sitting on the hay wagon

Fall fun with friends!  (I took this picture before they were ready. Surprise!)

This was close enough to the horses for Joe

Let's get caught up here

Where to begin....  Since I last posted, the weather has turned chilly.  The chickens enjoy being outside and we never know where we are going to find them.  On Saturday, the chickens enjoyed an interesting perch on the trap Brian has been using to catch racoons.  They seem to like the view.

 Saturday afternoon, Liv and I went to a birthday party at the bowling alley (how exciting!!) while Brian and Joe stayed home to watch some football.  Like father, like son.  Then, it was off to Grandma's house so Joe could get in a good nap here.  Brian, Liv and I were heading out to a clambake put on by the sport's committee at Liv's school.  It is held in the barn of a very cool farm complete with pumpkin decorating, hay rides, games, s'mores, delicious food and drink and more.  We had a great time.  Brian and I were amazed at what a different a year made -- last year, Liv was too shy to walk across the room to grab a roll from an unmanned table.  This year, she was off playing with her friends and even heading outside by herself to meet up with her Papa by the fire for some s'mores.  We had such a great time that Joe (and I) ended up sleeping over at Grandma's house.  (of course, he was a perfect angel)

Sunday morning, we headed back home and did the mad dash to get ready for church.  We figured it was time to bit the bullet and brought Joe to see how he would fare.  He was cranky but surprisingly put on a great performance.  He was quite the popular fellow, especially with my fellow choir members who have been waiting patiently to see him in person.  (And might I say he looked so cute and grown up).  Oh!  As we were driving our 3 minute ride to church, Liv starts paging through one of her children's Bibles when to our surprise, she read two sentences all by herself!!  We were SO proud of her.  And she was pretty pleased with herself. First, losing a tooth and then reading a page all by herself.  What a big girl!!

He LOVES his drum (and selecting JUST the right thing to play with)

 

 

For your safety, please step away from the boy with the drumstick

Happy boy at lunch

Guess who learned how to play "peek a boo"

Last night was NOT fun.  Joe was cranky and fussy, tugging at his ear most of the day.  And sleeping was apparently not an option for him.  I ended up holding him in my arms on the recliner downstairs since he would scream whenever he was lying down.  I'm glad he slept...  Luckily, he was in a good mood for most of today, but again, not getting much sleep in.  I'm glad I was able to schedule an appointment for him tomorrow.  We need to get this happy boy back!! I think the biggest news from today is he stood by himself for a few seconds.  I picked him up and placed him in a different spot and when I let go, he just stood there.  Yay, Joe!!  I think he surprised himself with that new feat!!

Mr. Tambourine Man

Believe it or not, he is getting used to Jazzy kisses

Hello there!

 

Can you believe I ate everything but this crust?  I like pizza!

I think I want to eat this...

"AAAAAHHHH"

So big!!

We needed a bath after dinner!

After a quick bath, it was time for a bottle and then off to bed.  I'm hoping he gets a good night sleep tonight because we both really need it.  I have a sinus infection and really could have used some solid sleep last night.  Here's hoping he sleeps in tomorrow and is ready for his big day.  There are lots of people at the doctor's office tomorrow looking forward to meeting him! :-)

Guess who learned more tricks!

Joe Sung Min is learning SO much and has such an amazing personality.  We absolutely LOVE him to pieces and he amazes us every day.  He loves to play peek-a-boo and I was so surprised today when he started playing it with his apron when we were having lunch after church.  So cute!!  Joe also learned how to do "So Big"  I wonder what will be next!

I love how he makes sure he can still see you.  So cute!

6 Weeks Later...

...it seems as if Joe Sung Min has always been part of our family.  He is doing remarkably well and has been giggling and laughing a lot more recently.  Brian and I have also noticed that things that used to upset him no longer do.  It is no longer a struggle to change his diaper or get him dressed.  Waking up from a nap is no longer met with screams until we arrive -- now when we go into his room we are greeted with smiles and a giggle.  Joe does bring us great joy.

Things have been a little crazy for us this week.  I returned to work (even though I work from home, it is still an adjustment), Liv got pink eye - first in one eye, then the other - so she has been out of school all week and got her very first loose tooth which came out tonight.  What exciting times!

 

Happily playing with his drum and plastic container

Look at that sweet face

Smiles for Mama

Liv catching up on her homework

Look who lost her first tooth tonight!!

Liv with her tooth fairy pillow and note she wrote for the Tooth Fairy

Showing off her new smile

In case there was any confusion...