Warming up (slowly)

We are seeing small improvements in Jade's transition to her baby brother. It is funny I thought the big transition would be more difficult for him not her. He seems to be doing well and is on a good schedule (Jade has never been one much for those so it is kind of nice) He is sleeping through the night which is WONDERFUL. I have to admit lack of sleep is the worst. I just get so cranky without sleep. Jade only has recently started to sleep through the night and now is back to not doing it again but usually only gets up briefly. I lay with her each night and then go back into my room when she is asleep. Now she will burst into my room all anxiety ridden and sometimes wakes Liam up so I have left our doors wide open so she at least doesn't bang those. Then I am usually back in her room. I know that this is when she will display her anxiety about the transition the most so I am trying to be flexible. Tantrums have also increased but then again she is three. But today especially she has been showing more concern and tolerance for him instead of avoidance and annoyance. She wanted to feed him his bottle so I let her hold him for the last couple ounces. Then when he got up from a nap and was crying she wanted me to go get him. Lastly when he touched her today, as she was playing, she didn't freak she just said, "Here is your toy baby brother". It is nice to see some progress and I know some days will be better than others but it is good to at least see that we can have good days.

Liam loves to be carried around and held so I have not got much done besides basic needs. He cries a lot if I put him down and I know that he is still transitioning and it is important that I do hold him a lot now but boy do my arms hurt. I use my sling some times but it is not as useful as I thought it would be inside the house. Liam loves to go out (as he did in VN) He is doing so much better in the infant car seat so I try to take the kids out at least once a day. I am also starting to get his moods and wants down so this makes it easier too. Like for example he likes to be held after eating and a nap and then he will get down and play but don't do this right away and he gets mad (so now I know). He is very smiley and loves to interact repeating noises, playing peek-a-boo, and you can tickle him all day (he loves it). We have pictures tomorrow so we will see how that goes, lol.

Little mommy

Look we even have a hand on his head!

Little Santa

The Tree + a giveaway

Laurie over at Pho for five has some awesome giveaways for Christmas so go check it out!

Since Christmas is in less than two weeks I thought I might as well put up the tree. Jade was really excited to help this year and helped put on a lot of the ornaments. Liam helped eat some of them, lol. I have not been feeling well since we got home. I went to the doctor yesterday and had to give some samples ( we will just leave it at that) so hopefully I have not brought over any friends from Vietnam, if ya know what I mean, ewwww. Today is the first day where I have felt normal so I hope the worst is past.

Liam is doing well. He has slept through the night the last few nights only needing me to help him find his blanket to snuggle. He eats like a little piggy and has gained a pound since coming home. I took him the doc and she said he is developmentally on target for his age (which surprised me actually) so I am very thankful for that.

Jade has been slowly warming up to him and sharing mommy but I know this will take time. She has had a lot more tantrums but I'm sure this is to be expected. She will sit with him and play with him briefly so baby steps. I think it would be good for her and I to do something just the two of us this weekend. I have been busy trying to adjust to having two kids. Lots of work but am so thankful!

Here are some pictures of my little tree helpers. I could only get the one of them together. Then Jade was done taking pictures with baby brother, lol.

Ha Long Bay

Worth the 3 hour bumpy van ride there and back you ask? I'd say yes! We decide to do this the last day before coming home and wow was it beautiful! We took a private boat with others in our travel group and had a 4 hour tour of the bay with a seafood lunch included.

water village

Jeff, another adoptive parent, going for a dip

I love my baby brother...

Well if I have to. This is what I think Jade wants to say when people ask if she loves her new brother. It must be hard getting all the attention for 2+ years and then all of a sudden, hello my world has changed. She really tried to play with him but he can't do what she can so I think she thinks he is not quite as fun as she thought he would be. She has pushed him a few times and had a little meltdown tonight. But then she wanted to take a bath with him so we will take what we can get in the accepting baby brother transition.

Liam is doing well. We had a few rough nights but that is to be expected. He has slept pretty much through the night the last 2 nights so this is always helpful in the functioning normally department. He is a smiley little guy and loves to be bounced and ticked on his belly. He also eats great so I am glad this is not an issue so far. Vietnam was amazing and I have a lot to share about the trip. So till then here are some pics.

Yes she loves her Kung Fu Pan*da costume a lot.

Introducing...

Our new addition, Little Man (as I like to call him). We have just spent two exciting and emotional weeks in Vietnam adopting our son Liam. He is an absolute blessing and we are so thankful to God to have this gift. I have a lot to post but have been sick since we have been back with some kind of digestive flu (not pretty) so I hope to post more soon.

leaf angels

The leaves on our trees are pretty much all off (as you will see) It is so sad when they fall off and the trees are just bare. I wanted to get some pictures of Jade in the leaves. She had so much fun throwing them. We also have a surprise coming up soon so let me know if you want the password

to my second blog because it will be password protected.

Trick or Treat

Jade trick or treated in my parents neighborhood. She was such a big girl ringing doorbells and getting treats all on her own. We had fun for about a half an hour until it started pouring down rain.

Jade and Grandpa.


I'm ready to go and fill this pumpkin up!

This was a pick your own treat at the end of the driveway.

I'm here!

CANDY!

Boo at the Zoo.

We took Jade to Boo at the Zoo with my hubby's parents, his sister, her hubby, their son and my hubby's brother. Jade loved it. Whenever she sees some Halloween decorations in some one's yard she says"Trick or Treat" so she has been ready to go. Tomorrow we will Trick or Treat in my parent's neighborhood so that should be fun. Next week she wears her costume to Story Time at the Library and Trick or Treat with her friend Millie. This girl is going to be Trick or Treated out. (At least we are making good use of her costume).

Jade and Grandma Penny.


Getting candy from the king and queen.



This is the cutest Kung F*u Panda I have ever seen!!


They have a new jellyfish exhibit at the zoo. I thought these ones were cool looking so I just threw 'em in here.

Pumpkin Time

Jade has a new favorite book Dor*a's Perfect Pumpkin which we must read each night before bed. So today we carved a pumpkin that Grandpa gave us. Dor*a scoops out the seeds so Jade helped me do that part. Jade picked the face for the pumpkin and I carved it. I remember doing this at home with my parents, so fun!

Giveaway again

Laurie over at Pho for Five has a really cute give away. They are these charm necklaces that have stamped names and dates of your kids or loved ones. Check it out.

Fall ya'll

It is pretty much peak time for the Fall leaves around her. I wanted to get some pictures of Jade with the leaves before it passes so we went with our friends and their daughter Millie to a really beautiful park near their home for some (mild) hiking and pictures.

Jade and her Dada.

Jade and Mama

Millie and Jade

Best buds!

A girl and her pup.

Jade loves her pup Morris (Momo). He is such a tolerant dog and endures her torture, um I mean love. (We have a Chihuahua too but she is not quite as tolerant of Jade's affections.) Aw, he looks so sweet and innocent but we all know he is waiting for her to drop some food.

Churh Retreat and Fall Fun part 2

Yesterday was our Fall Retreat (remember the video from a few posts back). It was a lot of fun to spend time with family and friends. John joined us after the retreat (he had to help someone with their car in the morning) at a farm for hayrides, pig races, a corn maze, and a pumpkin patch.

Here is Jade, Millie and Millie's mom and dad (Shannon and Susan) going for a pony ride.

Jade did not want to ride the horse but did watch Millie.

Millie and Jade being one with nature.

Jonah, Josh, Susan, Jeanine, me , Jade, Millie, and Shannon.

Jade and Uncle Cory. (The sky was beautiful yesterday)

These pygmy goats were so adorable. I wanted to take the baby gray one home.

Hayride with daddy. I just like this one.

I love the sun behind her in this one.

Jade did not like the pumpkin cannon.

Go piggies, go!

My friend Jeanine let me try my Mob*y wrap out and carry her son Jonah around. It was so fun!

Here is Jade, Daddy, and Grandpa leaving the farm to go eat. Great way to end a great day.