Two-rific!

Today my sweet baby boy turns two years old.  He's not so much a baby anymore though, and is able to do so many things he couldn't do last year, some things he couldn't achieve even last month. 
I'm not sure where the year went but it truly did fly right by!  I think of all the changes we've had since his 1st Birthday, how much he's grown and learned and, well, changed!


It's been a great year too, I couldn't have asked for a more amazing year spent home with my little dumpling, and his big sis when she wasn't in school!  We've had all sorts of fun and each day brings something new. 


So what is Samuel WeiChe like on the day he turns two?
Well, he is a sweet natured boy who loves to snuggle and cuddle and who gives hugs out easily!  He is ever so curious and it really is just his nature to explore anything by climbing it, smooshing it, opening or closing it, licking it and possibly even throwing it. He's strong-willed and determined, always quite sure of what he does and does not want.  He's happy, singing the day away and giggling over anything that tickles him.


He's a dumper of all baskets and bins.  It doesn't matter what is in it, he just likes to dump it all out.  And maybe look through it a bit.  Oh sure, he'll help clean it back up...just to dump it all over again!


He is an animal lover.  The promise to see the horses next door have helped smooth over numerous tantrums.  Story time at the zoo is AWESOME...only because they bring an animal in to pet at the end.  And not a puppy dog can pass by at the park without his attention given to it-whether it's wanted or not!


He loves anything to do with the kitchen and cooking.  He drags the kitchen chair over to the counter to watch me prepare meals, or even just wash the dishes.  He loves to get his own pot or pan and utensil and pretend to cook with me.  His play food is used often while I'm prepping dinner.


He also loves to copy everything anybody does.  He is such a master imitator and it makes me laugh to see what he takes away from different situations. 


And he wears me out on a regular basis.  And then does something that makes me love him even more than ever!  Even as he's exasperating me he's putting on that sweet boy charm and making my heart melt.   But wear me out he does, with his non-stop energy and crazy ideas of what is safe to climb or take apart or play with.  He just loves to get into everything and expects me to just keep up with him!


So on this day I really just want to remember how much I love this little guy, how much we all do!   This day two years ago we were given such an amazing bessing, though we didn't even know it at the time. 

Today we celebrate Sammy turning two.
J

And they danced....

Simone & Adam attended a "Daddy/Daughter" dance with the Girls Scouts in our area.   They had a great night together moving and grooving.

  

And prior to the event Simone and I had a great time getting ready!  We did our oatmeal & honey facials, painted our nails and I did Simone's hair with all sorts of lovely waves.  Sure I was stuck at home in my sweats for the night, but it was still fun being girlie with my girl! 

Don't they look wonderful!

A troop-mate and her Daddy joined us at the house for the magical evening of dance.  You may recognize the fellow below...he was our famous Santa! 

Ms. M and Simone have been great pals since we moved to TN and we've become good pals with her parents. The girls even ended up being in the same class this year, which has been a great treat for them!

And Sammy & I had our own treat last night because M's brother stayed with us to help out and play. Sam was in heaven and laughed and squealed and played like crazy until he literally passed out in my arms!

Look at these two dancing queens - they always have so much fun together!

 There was great music, games, crafts, goody bags and even some yummy food at the dance!  All things my dumpling is fond of!  Adam said she knew a lot of the girls there and had so much fun dancing and running around with them!  I love to see her so social and sure of herself!

 This photo I love...look at the little one next to them dancing!  I mean she is really grooving!  She's a cutie pie who is in the girls class as well!

 Just adorable, but so grown-up! 

 Doing the robot...?   She is so funny!

So if you ever feel like dancing the night away you know who will be more than happy to join you!
J

Mischief

Yes, mischief.  That should be his middle name.  Well, that or determination.

But really, don't they go hand in hand.....

With Sammy Wei they certainly do.  He comes up with the craziest ideas to entertain himself and each one full of some sort of mischief.  And he carries through each act with such determination.  I am starting to think he strives to truly drive his Mama bananas! 

So let me share a bit of this mischievous little fellow....

His version of "snowboarding".  Glad I caught him before he reached the stairs!  (Lauren, you' ll need to give him some lessons here, not sure he gets it- I mean really...it's a scooter)

 Yeah, not sure how this got in my hair or even what it is...but I rubbed it all in so it would be even harder to remove.  Your welcome.

 Planning the escape route.  I thought I'd have a little more time before he figured out how to get out the back door.  I especially like how he moved the rug for sturdier leverage.  And yes, he uses that darn stool to climb EVERYTHING.  It's now hidden.

One of his newest pleasures is charging down the back yard, full speed, yelling "woa woa woa waooooo" the whole way.  Poor doggies have no idea what to do, chase or run!

But really, who couldn't love this face.... those chocolate eyes, that button nose , that drool....

Awwww....

Oh good, dancing on the picnic table.  Yes, just what I like to see.  Oh - and with my newspaper in hand.  Great.

But we just love him so much, mischievous dumpling or not!  And a wonderful milestone happened this month.  It was long overdue and an oversight on our part...but we celebrated Samuel WeiChe's "re-adoption" this month.  One day before my Dad's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!  XXXOOO) we met in a Judge's chamber and swore in person what we always knew in our hearts. 

He reacted to the big occasion by tossing the Judge's golf ball across the room...oh ya, that's my Sammy!

And don't think that his mischief is completely made on his own.  Oh no...he has an accomplice in many of his devious acts.  One Simone QingLu is charged with this title.  She likes to talk him into "dressing up" which includes doing his hair and trying on pretty shoes....

Mmm hmm.  Those sure are pink princess shoes and a hair bow.  Anything for the JeiJei.

And speaking of....
while I can't accuse her of too much mischief  I can accuse her of being a fashion queen...yep, she picked out this outfit and she rocked it!  Love her fashion style, always have!

So this is a snapshot into what has been keeping me so busy.  Now you truly know his name. It's mischief.  And he's mine all mine!

And on another note....

Thank you all for any prayers and thoughts you offered for my Uncle.  I do believe in the power of prayer and how strong it is.  But sadly cancer was stronger this time.  My uncle left us a little over a week ago.  He will be so, so very missed, not only by his family but by all who knew him.  He was that kind of special guy...he touched any and all who met him in such a positive way.  My heart breaks knowing he will no longer grace our world with his huge, happy and singing presence.  The few days my daughter spent with him are embedded in her thoughts and in her heart still, and she is sad to not share Sammy with him.  And as sad as I am for me...well... please send your sympathy and prayers to my Aunt and the brothers and sisters who loved him so much.  

   Aunt Moe Moe, you know I'm thinking of you and sending my love.

J

How to tell when Sammy's asleep

Well, there has always been one sure fire way to know when Sam Bam is sleeping.

He snores.

Now I don't mean cute little snorish baby noises.  No, I mean he snores like a grown man.  You'd possibly believe somebody was sawing trees down at night if you didn't know it was produced by our sweet little fellow.

His snoring is how I know he's fallen asleep at nap and night time.  Oh he's easy to get down, most of the time anyway.  I tell him it's almost sleep time and then just pick him up a few minutes later.  By the time I get upstairs I usually hear that tell-tale sign, snoring.  Ditto if he falls asleep in the car, or on my lap during other kinds of play- all of a sudden I hear snores.  And it's how I know he's still sleeping whenever I check in on him, just listen at the door for the snore!
But the problem is it's also the thing that keeps him awake or wakes him up repeatedly.  He gets all wrapped up in these big snores and wakes himself right up!  So he's not getting a good night sleep.

But all this changed last week.

You see, when we first met WeiChe we knew something was not quite right, since little babes usually don't produce those noises.  He's had some minor respiratory things that we've gotten cleared up but he was still snoring.
So back in October we had his adenoids removed because, as his ENT stated, they were "ginormous" and tubes put in his ears because of ear infections.  We hoped this would clear up any remaining issues.  One of the recovery room nurses told me that the snoring would just stop after a day or two. 

But it didn't.
Apparently his tonsills decided that they needed to fill up that space that the adenoids were previously occupying.  So after more visits to the Dr and trying various things to shrink the buggers we had to have a tonsillectomy.
 
Now if you've never experienced one of these little surgeries...well let me tell you.... it has not been pleasant and there is nothing minor or little about it.  We spent a night in the hospital, which for a 23 month old is pure torture.  And once home he's been just, well just not himself.
 
I keep remembering this cat  we had when I was growing up.  It was a sweet little kitten, really loving and cuddly.  But it got sick with a real bad fever.  It eventually got better but was not ever quite the same sweet cat.  It became....something different.  The only way I can explain Sammy's recovery is that late at night, after being up with him for hours and hours trying to rock, sing, and persuade him back to sleep,  well I wonder if this is going to turn out like that cat.  Have I removed the very sweet essence of my baby along with those tonsills? 

I suppose if he wasn't so smart and strong-willed and could more easily just go with the flow it may have been easier on him.  But he's so unhappy with being in pain and not being able to control it that we've had some pretty miserable days and even worse nights.  Let's just say NO SLEEP.  At All!  I know it must be terrible pain and discomfort that he's experiencing and my heart just aches for him.
.
The road to recovery has been long and painful these last 9 days and I only hope that what everyone tells me is true - that this will make such a difference for him when he's all better.  And I kid about the cat thing, as we speak he's returning to my sweet, easy to be with baby. And he's been sleeping! 
Both signs that he is getting better each day and that the pain is subsiding.  Hallelujah.

But best of all - no more snoring!

So now, how can I tell when Sammy's asleep?
Well I can't very easily!  Since he usually falls asleep on my shoulder I have to sneak up to a mirror and peek into it.  "Sneak and peak" because if he's still awake he'll think it's time to play peek-a-boo in the mirror and then a whole new can o'worms is opened!  Or I have to find another live body that can speak or nod to let me know his eyes are shut.  Sometimes he falls asleep while we read, and then I have to contort my neck to see his face and make sure his eyes are shut tight.  Or if we do make it into the bed before he falls asleep I have to stare at him for a very long time to ensure his eyes are indeed closed.  And during the night...oh yes, I have to check his chest for movement about 200 times since I can barely hear his noises anymore!

I just wanted to share this because I obviously haven't had time to post anything more and certainly haven't been taking many photos...the two of us in our pj's lazing around just isn't fun footage to share and the by-lines not too exciting.  But with each day I see that spark of feeling good growing with Sammy so I am sure we'll be back to our busy bustling lives in no time!
J

And a Merry Christmas it was...

Yes the holidays were busy as expected, but oh so very fun!  It was wonderful to be able to go to Vermont as a family for Christmas and to spend time with my folks, my brother and his family!  We flew up there with no problems, the kids behaved wonderfully and we were thrilled with all the snow already on the ground.  

Sammy quickly adapted to my parents home and even made a new pal!  

The snow was perfect for sledding, although not very good snowman making...too cold!  But the four of us trodded outside all bundled up and played as much as we could each day.  It was really cold but both kids had so much fun and hardly seemed to notice.  You definitely feel the cold more the older you get! 

And Poppa was used as a seat, a cushion and a climbing apparatus for the entire stay.  I don't think he minded one bit though!

Christmas Eve we took the kids up to the nearest big city and went ice skating.  Oh what a grand time they had!  We couldn't get them off the ice even though all of our toes and cheeks were numb!  We will be doing that again next year!

Simone was a natural on the ice and only fell a few times!

 Sammy didn't get his own skates, not this year.  But he had a blast running into the snowbanks and chasing Dada around!

Christmas morning came oh so early this year.  As you can see below Santa was very very good to all the kids!

And naturally left a note after gobbling all of the cookies up!

with a reminder for Poppa to put his tools away properly!

The three kids had a great time opening up the presents and all got some great gifts!  They must have been on the "good list" this year....

Sammy was a pro present opener and hander-outer.  He was having a blast this year!

And once the day was done the two kids hung around in matching pj's.  Sammy's favorite seat is Simone and she just lets him roll all over her!  I so enjoy seeing it.

 We sure had a great time and I think both kiddos may have some good memories from this trip.  The deer again made an impression on them and it became a nightly ritual to look for Santa's reindeer! I think Sammy Wei enjoyed it as much as Simone has through the years!  It was also so great for me to see how much my kids loved spending time not only with their cousin but with my brother as well.  Sammy took right to him and Simone fell back into her familiar comfort level.  And my niece....well she is something special.  Super cute with just the right amount of attitude- just love her!  And how awesome the way those three amigos got along... I can't wait for #4 to join in the mix this June!

And just too quick it came time to go.  We were all sad to say goodbye to family and the cold winter in VT.  And then there was the trip home during the start of the blizzard....

So here I sit with my wonderful memories and hopes that all of you made some special memories of your own!  And Happy New Year to all....

J

And one more thing....there's a guy who is very special to me that is going through some really tough medical problems.  My favorite memory of him is that would sing my name as I walked into the room as a kid.  I'm sure he did it to make me feel special and I'm sure back then I was just totally embarrassed.  But it's that song that as an adult I've played many times in my head - to give me that boost when I really needed.  And it's a song that I can still hear in my head that makes me smile.  I think of/pray for my uncle 100+ times a day and just want him to be better.  And Simone just wants to watch the fireworks with him again, even if the pool is too cold to swim in.  So please, if you have a moment, a thought, a prayer or a positive vibe to lend...I would be so thankful if you could keep my Uncle in them.         xxoo uncle joe

Hello....anyone out there still?

Wow...what a very remiss blogger I have been this past month.     Or two....

What could my excuse possibly be you ask?  Well I really don't have one except the busy bees were buzzing all over our household.  I had two or three posts "in the cue" but as time passed they seemed outdated and too much else had happened!  I honestly haven't had a free moment between holiday preparation, parties and social get-togethers to check other blogs, never mind post on my own! 

So here I sit with a month and a half of bloggy news and I just don't know where to begin!  So I'll begin where I left off and just fill you all in on all that we've been up to!

November brought my birthday and I turned another year older.  Finally....29, oh what a good age to be.  And yes....I am sticking with that lie age.  We had a nice family/friend celebration with one of my favorite meals, pizza and salad, after an afternoon at one of my favorite spots, the nature park.  Perfection!

Then we went to the D.C. area to visit family for Thanksgiving.  We had a fabulous time with Adam's brothers & families, his parents and some other family members! The adults had a grand time catching up and hanging out. And the kids all had soooo much fun together.  It was awesome to finally see Sammy Wei being welcomed as one of the bunch.   We had not only 1st cousins but 2nd as well which was great!  The older kiddos were just wonderful with the younger and the households, back yards and hotels were filled with laughter and joy! 

Here's the gang!  Aren't they all just precious!

 

While we were there we got to meet a long awaited arrival!  Acquaintances that have become fellow adoptive friends introduced us to their sweet daughter home from Korea in October!  Sammy loved the "baba" or baby and kept tickling her chin...

And December was a busy month with Hanukkah and Christmas and all the festivities that come with each holiday!  We visited Santa and his reindeer.  Simone giggled and laughed but Sammy wasn't sure about him!

 

Sammy has been busy "reading" his train book and he got all sort of train tracks and tables for the holidays!   He just looks so darn cute here!

 In mid-December Miss Simone was pinned as an official Daisy Scout!  Such a big girl thing to do and it certainly brought back memories of my years as a Girl Scout.   She has learned so much during the last 3 months in Girl Scouts and I look forward to the next year!

Santa also came to our house with special gifts for the kiddos! (Thank you, James & Melissa!)  What a special treat!!!

On sunny days we've been outside as much as possible.  Sammy has found his sandbox to be quite a favorite new hangout spot!

And after a VERY busy month we headed to Vermont for our annual Christmas visit with my family.  

While we were up there I got together with an old high school buddy!  Haven't seem him in quite a few years and it was awesome to chat and catch up with him! 
It was GREAT to see you Mike -let's not go 16 years without getting together again! 

And we end with the fashion statement that captures the essence of 2010...Sammy in my hat singing a little tune.  Love him!

 

As soon as I have a few more free moments I'll catch up on the Christmas festivities and the snow play!  Oh...and the trip home.  Yep, we traveled through "the blizzard", but made it home.  Lot's of stories still to share!

So if your out there still, I thank you!

And Happy Holidays to all!

J