Oh there are so many things to share, so little time, and so many papers left to grade!
What do Buddha and Daddy have in common?
Well, I can imagine this would spark an interesting discussion, but the answer is quite simple: words Rai can say! All three of us are still learning to communicate, and with out four words in Rai's Korean vocabulary before arriving 2 months ago TODAY, we were told that Rai has some language delays. It has been difficult to determine how much English this little guys knows since his decision to react is often influenced by toddler-itis. In any case, he does respond to comments/questions, such as "Where is your nose?" "Take that to Daddy" and "Give it to me." And with these new English phrases/words, Rai is hearing a bit of Korean (from Aaron) and Japanese (from me and my mom). Despite all the complications, Rai has said (at least on one occasion): Daddy, Omma (what he called his foster mother), Mama (Korean for hungry), Kee (for kitty), Goggie (for doggie), Ooyu (Korean for milk), Bodul (for bottle)...
...and as of today, Buddha! I had no idea what he was trying to say in the car until we got to the playground and he pointed to my necklace saying "Bodhi." I thought it was neat and explained that "bodhi" is a type of tree and symbolic in Buddhism (assuming none of this sunk in). Then I said, "but this is a Buddha." He isn't too interested in h's yet, but he did finally say BUD-UH which was close enough! He was so tickled by my reaction that he continued to say "Buddha" the ENTIRE DAY! The mom's at our first Mommy & Me gym class probably thought I was entering him into a monastery! haha No, no Mommy yet, but we're working on it!
Oh and he does say "No no nooo" in an imitation of my "no's." Although it's cute now, I'm sure I'll come to wish it wasn't in his vocabulary! It has really helped that he has finally mastered the nod without hitting his head on something in front of him. (Toddlers nod quite violently with little balance.) Now, he can communicate when he DOES and DOESN'T want something. By lunchtime today, he was able to pick out his entire lunch and ate nearly everything he picked out. (The applesauce must have looked much better than it tasted.)
We have several more updates, but I do need to grade several more papers before I can leave work tonight, and my pictures are still downloading from my camera. With any luck, the pictures and video updates will be ready by the weekend.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Congrats to the Family of B07_97!
During the adoption process, Aaron and I reviewed three boys' files. Although we knew in our hearts that Rai was our son, we wanted to ensure that our decision was well-thought and considered. At the other boys' files were not just "medical reports" to us. We had seen their pictures from the start and became emotionally attached to all three from the moment we saw their pictures. So much information is included in the reports, such as known birth family information and circumstances for the adoption plan, that it becomes quite difficult to get these two boys out of our minds.
As Rai's adoption paperwork progressed, I often checked back on Holt's Waiting Child website in hopes that both boys' pictures would state "I have a family!" just as Rai's picture did that wonderful December afternoon. It wasn't until today, after reading a fellow mom's blog post about the child she followed that I decided to check both boys' status. My heart skipped a beat as I read "I have a family!" next to one boy's picture! Congratulations to the family who as been matched with this wonderful little boy! I can only hope that he is now home and in your arms!
Although the other boy is still waiting for his family, I know he will be matched with a wonderful family soon and cannot express my gratitude to his loving foster family for their continued love for this sweet boy.
As Rai's adoption paperwork progressed, I often checked back on Holt's Waiting Child website in hopes that both boys' pictures would state "I have a family!" just as Rai's picture did that wonderful December afternoon. It wasn't until today, after reading a fellow mom's blog post about the child she followed that I decided to check both boys' status. My heart skipped a beat as I read "I have a family!" next to one boy's picture! Congratulations to the family who as been matched with this wonderful little boy! I can only hope that he is now home and in your arms!
Although the other boy is still waiting for his family, I know he will be matched with a wonderful family soon and cannot express my gratitude to his loving foster family for their continued love for this sweet boy.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Videos!
Yes, it has taken forever, but here are a handful of videos of Rai from April until now:
Rai Back at Hotel Seokyo - April 29, 2008
All play and giggles!
Dancing Rai!
Climbing on Mommy (and still making martial art noises - long story)
First Time at the Pool
Splash, splash, splash!
I still have several more to review and post, but this is better than nothing!
Rai Back at Hotel Seokyo - April 29, 2008
All play and giggles!
Dancing Rai!
Climbing on Mommy (and still making martial art noises - long story)
First Time at the Pool
Splash, splash, splash!
I still have several more to review and post, but this is better than nothing!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Quick Updates (with pictures)
It has been a few weeks since I've had some time to post. Everything is going great - busy... but great. Aaron went back to work one week after we returned from Korea, so I had some time to work on our routine before I went back to work this week. Yes, we do actually have a routine (as long as Rai realizes that naps are not over-rated)!
As I finish our updates before our first post-placement visit tomorrow, I am amazed at how quickly a month passes and yet how much we have grown as a family this month. Although the doctor was correct about Rai being extra social and going to nearly anyone, he also stays close by when he's in unfamiliar territory. It was also been wonderful to see the changes in Rai's personality in the short time we have known him. For example, he was so full of energy when we first arrived but rarely would let us hold him. (Be careful what you wish for!) Now, he LOVES to be held and will get a bit fussy during certain times of the day if he isn't picked up immediately upon throwing his arms up. Some of this is due to our daily dance routines. (Yes, we're still playing that music, but he likes to dance as I hold him even more - better workout for me!) As soon as Aaron gets home, he enjoys Daddy/Son playtime as they chase eachother around the house. (The cats merely watch in amusement.)
As for the cats, Lucy is a bit upset that she's no longer the baby, so I've set aside time to play with her at night when Rai's asleep. She has always had problems being in a separate room from us, and Rai's arrival brings no exception. She generally observes from the top of the couch where she blends in a bit and hides behind the chair in Rai's playroom when we aren't in the living room. She's even started to sit at the table with us again and will even sit next to Rai but just out of reach. Kobe, on the other hand, has stayed as far from Rai as possible. The first two weeks Rai was home was like watching karma in action. (Note: Kobe was known for chasing both Gidget and Lucy around the house until they found some way to hide.) As soon as Rai realized that Kobe resembled a large stuffed animal, Rai would chase him around the house until we could get the gate open and let him escape. Yes, we do have limits on how much Rai can terrorize the cats (both for their safety and his), but they also needed to learn how to adjust with him here. Now, everyone is adjusted and we're all one big happy family. Rai has even learned to pet nicely when he's not too hyper.
So without further ado, here are the updated pictures since Mother's Day:
Practicing imaginary play with a spoon and bowl
Learning some piano (the guitar is on reserve for longer car rides)
And don't forget dance time!
Slowly learning some self-confidence as he climbs the stairs by himself. (He would rather reach for us, so that he can be carried.)
Big smiles!
Resting after a morning of running around the mall
Wagon time at Grammalyn's and Papa's
This was either a mini-nap or a new experience feeling the vibrations of the wagon on his head
Three generations of boys...
Smile!
Helping Grammalyn vacuum!
Playing computer games with Papa (You would think that between the two of them, they could beat Aaron in this game...)
Making brownies with Mommy back home...
Double the bowls, double the fun!
As I finish our updates before our first post-placement visit tomorrow, I am amazed at how quickly a month passes and yet how much we have grown as a family this month. Although the doctor was correct about Rai being extra social and going to nearly anyone, he also stays close by when he's in unfamiliar territory. It was also been wonderful to see the changes in Rai's personality in the short time we have known him. For example, he was so full of energy when we first arrived but rarely would let us hold him. (Be careful what you wish for!) Now, he LOVES to be held and will get a bit fussy during certain times of the day if he isn't picked up immediately upon throwing his arms up. Some of this is due to our daily dance routines. (Yes, we're still playing that music, but he likes to dance as I hold him even more - better workout for me!) As soon as Aaron gets home, he enjoys Daddy/Son playtime as they chase eachother around the house. (The cats merely watch in amusement.)
As for the cats, Lucy is a bit upset that she's no longer the baby, so I've set aside time to play with her at night when Rai's asleep. She has always had problems being in a separate room from us, and Rai's arrival brings no exception. She generally observes from the top of the couch where she blends in a bit and hides behind the chair in Rai's playroom when we aren't in the living room. She's even started to sit at the table with us again and will even sit next to Rai but just out of reach. Kobe, on the other hand, has stayed as far from Rai as possible. The first two weeks Rai was home was like watching karma in action. (Note: Kobe was known for chasing both Gidget and Lucy around the house until they found some way to hide.) As soon as Rai realized that Kobe resembled a large stuffed animal, Rai would chase him around the house until we could get the gate open and let him escape. Yes, we do have limits on how much Rai can terrorize the cats (both for their safety and his), but they also needed to learn how to adjust with him here. Now, everyone is adjusted and we're all one big happy family. Rai has even learned to pet nicely when he's not too hyper.
So without further ado, here are the updated pictures since Mother's Day:
Practicing imaginary play with a spoon and bowl
Learning some piano (the guitar is on reserve for longer car rides)
And don't forget dance time!
Slowly learning some self-confidence as he climbs the stairs by himself. (He would rather reach for us, so that he can be carried.)
Big smiles!
Resting after a morning of running around the mall
Wagon time at Grammalyn's and Papa's
This was either a mini-nap or a new experience feeling the vibrations of the wagon on his head
Three generations of boys...
Smile!
Helping Grammalyn vacuum!
Playing computer games with Papa (You would think that between the two of them, they could beat Aaron in this game...)
Making brownies with Mommy back home...
Double the bowls, double the fun!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
First Mother's Day
With plans to go to the zoo today, I packed Rai's diaper bag last night and set my alarm to get ready before Rai woke up. Unfortunately, I miscalculated, and Rai woke up about 30 seconds before my alarm. We managed to get everyone ready and fed and left for the zoo late this morning. Rai and Aaron took a cat nap on the way, so both were a littel groggy by the time we arrived. I have to admit that Rai really watched the other children more than the animals, but we had a good time. The carousel ride was definitely the highlight, though! He grabbed onto me for dear life when we first got on, smiled when I put him on a stationary animal, and laughed hysterically when I put him on the moving gorilla!
This looks like a pose, but it was really just the beginning of a plea to Daddy to get off of this thing!
Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle
Finally! Lunch!
Tickle! Tickle! Tickle!
The zookeeper told us this gorilla just had cataract surgery and enjoys looking at children. Rai wasn't too thrilled to be so close, however. :-)
More wiggles
Funny faces right before a tamtrum :-)
This looks like a pose, but it was really just the beginning of a plea to Daddy to get off of this thing!
Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle
Finally! Lunch!
Tickle! Tickle! Tickle!
The zookeeper told us this gorilla just had cataract surgery and enjoys looking at children. Rai wasn't too thrilled to be so close, however. :-)
More wiggles
Funny faces right before a tamtrum :-)
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Waterproof Diapers: $7.99 (7 pack), Replacement Pool Access Card: $25, Seeing Rai at the Neighborhood Pool: PRICELESS!
Well, it has been one week and two days since we came home as a family, and there have already been many firsts to capture on film (or memory card in this digital age). Here are just a few:
1. First Trip to the Neighborhood Playground (one of many playgrounds)
This was a last-minute attempt to keep Rai up after 3 hour nap. He did smile during this one hour playtime, but the camera wasn't fast enough to capture the smile before the eyes went heavy again. :-)
Joined by Auntie Amy
2. First Time Building and Destroying with Legos!
The first few times playing with legos consisted of Aaron building something with the legos only to watch Rai rip them apart and put them back in the dump truck. He finally started getting the hang of putting them together yesterday (only to rip them apart quickly thereafter).
But the dump truck makes a much better wagon!
3. First Moves on the Dance Floor
This time with a book!
4. First Wheelbarrow Race
5. First Nap in the Toddler Sofa Bed
6. First Bathtime Mohawk
7. First Splash at the Pool!
8. First Big Meal!
For someone who began as a picky eater, Rai no longer rejects any baby food or baby snacks! Now those weird looking meat sticks that look like Vienna Sausages are a different story...
9. First Time Waxing the Dining Room Table with His Shirt!
10. And First Time Napping Without a Bottle! (So it's the bottle or Daddy - fair enough!)
1. First Trip to the Neighborhood Playground (one of many playgrounds)
This was a last-minute attempt to keep Rai up after 3 hour nap. He did smile during this one hour playtime, but the camera wasn't fast enough to capture the smile before the eyes went heavy again. :-)
Joined by Auntie Amy
2. First Time Building and Destroying with Legos!
The first few times playing with legos consisted of Aaron building something with the legos only to watch Rai rip them apart and put them back in the dump truck. He finally started getting the hang of putting them together yesterday (only to rip them apart quickly thereafter).
But the dump truck makes a much better wagon!
3. First Moves on the Dance Floor
This time with a book!
4. First Wheelbarrow Race
5. First Nap in the Toddler Sofa Bed
6. First Bathtime Mohawk
7. First Splash at the Pool!
8. First Big Meal!
For someone who began as a picky eater, Rai no longer rejects any baby food or baby snacks! Now those weird looking meat sticks that look like Vienna Sausages are a different story...
9. First Time Waxing the Dining Room Table with His Shirt!
10. And First Time Napping Without a Bottle! (So it's the bottle or Daddy - fair enough!)
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