A year ago today.....

A picture from our first day




A couple weeks ago at the beach



Last weekend at the Aquarium


A year ago today, I became a mother in the most unconventional way: not after becoming pregnant-but after months of paperwork; not after labor and delivery-but after a 12 hours on an airplane; not in a hospital-but in a hotel on the 29th floor in a city of 30 million people.

A year ago today, a little boy walked into our hotel room and became our son. In some ways it feels like yesterday, and in some ways, it feels like he's just always been with us. It still feels surreal. Sometimes, late at night when I'm finally alone with my thoughts, I still can't quite believe that it all came together and I have a little boy asleep in the next room.

It has been the most amazing year. I have watched my little boy grow in so many ways: He is getting bigger and stronger every day; seeing his language skills develop has shed new light on my career of working with language delayed children. With his fludent English skills, he expresses his feelings and his silly sense of humor. He talks about what he remembers in China and we have had conversations about his birth mother. He is truly resilient.

In this year, I have learned so much about myself. A year ago, I knew I was ready for "motherhood." I knew I was ready to love my son unconditionally. But motherhood is so much more...I'm not sure I was ready for "so much more"! I learned that motherhood is completely different than "working motherhood." I had to come to terms with my career as well as defining my role as a mother. I learned that I'm very Type A, obsessive, compulsive, and controlling. To "lighten up", to "not stress out", and to "let it go" and skills I continue to work on! I learned that I'm NOT superwoman--even though I try really hard! I also learned what to do when heads get bumped on the coffee table, or when throwing up happens in the car.

It's been a year of firsts, lasts (hopefully), fun times, and abundant blessings.

One thing is for sure:
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:21

Our first "birth mother" talk

So we're at a restaurant for dinner eating our pizza and Ethan says something to the effect of, "When I a baby in China, I in your tummy."

...wow...think fast...I knew this question would come eventually....here's my big moment to say exactly the right thing....

"No, honey. When you were a baby you were not in my tummy. You were in a different mommy's tummy."

"Why? What different mommy?"

"Well, we could call her your birth mother. She's a very special lady that lives in China. In Chongqing."

"Was it Ayi?" (our agency guide that was with us during the adoption)

"No, it wasn't Ayi."

"Was it Linda?" (I think he's referring to a mom from our adoption playgroup who happens to be Chinese)

"No, it wasn't Linda. I don't know her name."

"Oh, OK."

...back to conversation about the pizza

A bittersweet anniversary

Today marks the 5 year anniversary of my little boy being found at #58 Xinglong Road in Chongqing China. He was found on March 1st and he was estimated to be 6 weeks old. I can't imagine how painful it must be to parent a child for 6 weeks, only to find that you are unable. I can't imagine the circumstances that forced a birth mother to have to make this decision. She is in my prayers today. I pray that she knows in her heart that her son has found a family that loves him.

A little bit of History!!!

As you see, above, I was able to get my hands on some amazing baby pictures of Ethan! I knew that his orphanage in Chongqing was sponsored by a charitable organization called "Half the Sky". I also knew that if Half the Sky had any reports, or information on him, they would send it to me if I fill out their request form. Right around Christmas, I requested the information and they sent me 8 reports with 1 original photo and a written anecdote (in Chinese). They also sent me a translation of the reports. These pictures and reports are so precious to us. We had not seen a baby picture of Ethan until these report came to us!

Ethan's 5th Birthday

Helping to make the cake



YUM--Licking the bowl!!



Open mouth, insert spatula



Covered in chocolate



Cupcakes at school



Birthday noodles at the Chinese restaurant



Home-made Kung-Fu panda cake...Wow, I'm good



Blowing out 5 candles



Eating cake with friends

Another First

...so I get to celebrate another first today....

Projectile vomiting in the backseat of the car! The story goes like this:

We get off the freeway on our way home from school. I hear, "mommy, my tummy hurts." I asked him if he needed to go potty; he said he did and I told him we were almost home and he could go as soon as we get there...silently hoping there would not be an "accident" in the car. A few minutes later he starts crying. Not typical behavior for my son, so I knew he really was not ok. I try to reassure him while not plowing into other cars on the street. ....then I hear it...it could only be the sound of...spewing. Dread and panic set in. I look in the rear view mirror only to see his hand over his mouth and the chunks flying between his fingers. I can laugh now..it was quite a sight. I begin to rack my brain: what do I do? Do I have anything to clean it up with? Do I pull over? Do I call Gary? All while reasurring my crying, barfing son who has puked all over himself, his carseat, some story books and a stuffed panda. I decide to pull over and search my trunk for anything useful and find an old carwashing shammy and nasty dish towel. Fortunately, Gary was already home and I called to have him on standby with towels as soon as I pulled up.

Anyway, after the clean up crew (i.e. myself) got it all clean, Ethan seems to be just fine. No fever, no flu like symptoms. Now we have to decide whether or not to send him to school tomorrow.....

Merry Christmas

Ethan & Maranda playing wii boxing



Rubber gloves and pj's--what a fashion statement




Ethan loves his dumptruck--notice who is driving!


It's a few days past Christmas. I haven't written for the simple fact that I felt like I should have something profound or witty to say and I just couldn't come up with he right words to sum it all up. It was Ethan's first Christmas. He loved it, as any 4 year old would. He opened his presents and has been playindg non-stop ever since. With every present he opened, he wanted to play with it right away. We had to tell him to set it aside to open another present. It was a little confusing for him; but still fun. At the moment, I'm being served plastic hamburgers, hot dogs and soda! We are still awaiting for the arrival of the replacement parts for the play kitchen we got him that arrived in a few too many pieces.