Spring Training

Yesterday, Sydney & Matt attended Jackson T-Ball Spring Training Day. She got to meet her fellow teammates and received her team shirt & hat. She looked adorable in her humongous jade green shirt with SYDNEY spelled across the back. After a team picture they completed 3 skill stations: batting, fielding, and baserunning. Apparently Sydney is a good hitter but loses interested in the field. Throughout the evening she asked Matt repeatedly to go play on the playground.

FAC Picnic

This weekend we attended the Family Adoption Consultants Summer Picnic. FAC places children from China, Guatemala, Philippines, and South Korea. It was neat to see all the children in one place. A crowd I could actually lose Andrew in. :) There was a fashion show of children wearing their native dress. Sydney kept busy at the art table & kickball game. While Andrew & I shopped at the international bazaar. I got a Korean Christmas ornament and when I payed for it they gave me Korean change.

Heather's New Job

As many of you know I have been volunteering for the American Red Cross Rape Crisis Center for the past few years. Through my supervisor I learned of a job opening in the emergency services department. I interviewed, completed the training and I am now working full time as the after hours emergency services caseworker. So what is that, you ask!

After the Red Cross office closes I am the on call caseworker who handles the emergency services calls. I direct advocates to local hospitals to handle sexual assault cases, send Red Cross teams to area fire & disasters, arrange transportation for dialysis patients, and process emergency casework for families of US Armed Forces personal.

So far, I am loving it and the best part is, I work from home. I can organize disaster teams in my pajamas!

And yes, I am still a travel agent. The travel business is my first love.

Geauga Lake

For Father's Day the whole family went to Geauga Lake along with Grandma Franny, Grandpa Greg & Grandma Liz. It was a beautiful day and not a lot of people.

Sydney couldn't get enough of the waterslides. But, she needs to grow another couple inches to take on the bigger, better slides. So when that time comes she will be the first in line.

Andrew was happy splashing in the shallows.

Pool Fun

Hong Kong Buffet

A new Chinese restaurant opened in the Belden area called Hong Kong Buffet, so we decided to check it out. My expectations were not real high since most Chinese buffets I have been to were not good. But this time we were pleasantly surprised. It was clean, food was good and the service was excellent. I am not sure if that is their typical service or if Andrew had something to do with it. The waitresses buzzed around our table, tickling, waving and giggling at Andrew. Of course, he just soaks it up. What a flirt!!! I am not sure who was more fascinated; the waitresses with Andrew or Andrew with the waitresses. The chef even came out to greet the kids.

Andrew had a great time sampling all the different foods. We found out he likes zucchini, potsickers, General Tsao chicken, fried rice, cantaloupe, lo mein, pepper steak, and fortune cookies.

Pictures

Summer Begins

Thankfully, summer is near and the weather is warming up. We have been biking the tow path, working in the yard and visited the Akron Zoo with the Henne Family.

Andrews walking is getting better daily. Which is helping his confidence too, he is not demanding us to hold him every moment.

His English comprehension is also growing. He now waves when we say bye bye, he claps when we say yeah. My favorite is no no, his bottom lip sticks out and he pouts.

Sydney has been busy learning the computer. She now logs onto NickJr.com and Disney.com and plays all her favorite games. It's amazing how much she can do at 4 years old.

First Steps

Today while visiting our friends, The Wirick's, Andrew took his first steps. Six to be exact. Hooray!

Our Ballerina

Last night was Sydney's first dance recital. For months we wondered if she would even take the stage but, to our amazement she actually walked on stage and danced. Hallelujah! She was the tiniest ballerina in the entire company but to us she looked like such a big girl up there.

One month

Andrew has been home for one month. Wow, how time flies by! We have all adjusted well and seem to have established a daily routine. Thankgoodness! We are still working on name recognition but we have taught him to clap and wave. Just today Sydney taught him how to blow a kiss. He giggles and smiles with delight when he masters a new trick, and so do we.

Sydney's last day of school is Thursday so if anyone wants to get together for a playdate just let us know!

Social Worker Visit

Kim, our social worker stopped by for a post placement visit yesterday. She is checking on Andrew and making sure he is adjusting well. Thankfully, he is feeling better so we are all getting sleep and getting back into a routine.

Our court date has also been scheduled. On December 11th Andrew's adoption will be finalized and he will officially become a US Citizen. How exciting!

Sick Days

It was a long Mother’s Day weekend. From Thursday to Saturday Andrew battled a fever. I figured his teething caused it but Saturday night his tempeture reached 102 degrees so I paged our doctor. He had me double up his medication and give both Tylenol and ibuprofin. On Sunday the fever broke but a mass of red elevated bumps appeared over his back & chest. I was able to get him an appointment this morning and he was diagnosed with Roseola.

Roseola is a viral illness in young children. It is typically marked by several days of high fever, followed by a distinctive rash that appears just as the fever breaks. Roseola is contagious but there is no known way to prevent it’s spread. Because the infection usually affects young children but rarely adults, it is thought that a bout of roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity to the illness. The average incubation period is about 9 to 10 days after exposure to the virus.

He said to continue treating him with the Tylenol and ibuprofin until the rash subsides.

Field of Dreams

Today was a big day for Matthew; Sydney registered for T-Ball!!!! Beginning in June she will be playing on the Jackson 4 and 5 year old t-ball team. I'm sure it will be hilarious. When I asked her what she is looking forward to doing she said hitting the ball real far and drinking water when I sweaty. My guess is she wont get sweaty sitting in the outfield picking grass.

JC Penney Pictures

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Our week

It has been a very busy week. On Monday Sydney & Andrew went to the doctor for their yearly check up's. Andrew was 19 pounds, Sydney was 29, he is quickly gaining on her.

On Tuesday we took the kids for pictures at JC Penney Portraits. I was skeptical since Sydney hasn't cooperated for the camera in months. Surprisingly, she was a ham and Andrew was the ornery one. First off, he is teething big time so we kept a bib on him right up till picture time. The moment we took it off he spit up all over his white shirt. AHHH!! Thankfully, the photographer worked around it but Andrew only let us get a few shots in before he was done posing.

We visited the Henne family on Wednesday. Angel & Brian live about 5 minutes away, their son Alex arrived from Korea the same week as Andrew. Alex & Andrew were born a few days apart and spent time in the KSS orphanage together. The boys played & ate Cheerios together. I am so glad they have each other.

Andrew's Gotcha Day Video

Matthew & I worked a lot of hours to create a photo slideshow of Andrew's journey home. You should be able to use the link below to watch it. Make sure you turn up the volume on your computer first. If for some reason the link does not work please let me know and I will try and email you directly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkwgSH2OBc0

More Pictures

Learning about each other

Fortunately, the sleep schedule seems to be working itself out. Thankgoodness! And, we are slowly figuring out his like & dislikes. Mostly dislikes. He love Cheerios, bathtime, his walker, being held and music. He does not like, his carseat, diaper changes, the dogs, getting dressed,laying on his back or grass. I sat him down in the thick grass to take a picture and he started crying and holding up his feet up in the air so they didn't touch the grass. ??? Odd but hilarious.

First Week Pictures