Birthday Party #2

Daniel is officially done celebrating his first birthday.  We had a nice time celebrating both his birthday and Memorial Day with Evan’s family.  He was a little more ready to eat his birthday cupcake this time.  He also dug into Nicholas “famous” pudding that he made again for this party.  He received a lot of nice clothes too.  

I love Daniel's face while we're singing to him.

He ate about half of  the cupcake.

Of course, he loved the gift bags the best!

We’re happy to report that all of the party fun led Daniel to sleep over 11 hours with only a two second peep out of him in the middle of the night.  Evan has the day off today, so we were praying that we would be able to “sleep in”.  Daniel didn't wake up until 6:50, so to us, that’s sleeping in!  Nicholas knows not to come out of his room until around 7:00, so it was perfect!

Here's a couple of pictures of Daniel from the past week:

He's learned some new tricks with his turtle.

Cool dude!

This week will be pretty busy!  We are selling a lot of our things in a garage sale; going to my grandpa’s 90^th birthday party; and headed to Cedar Point with Evan’s work.  Maybe next Monday everyone will want to “sleep in”!

Kindergarten is in the Books!

We did it!  We finished Nicholas’ first year of elementary school.  I am so proud of him.  Now I will take a moment to brag because he did so well!  Nicholas is over halfway done with his 1^st grade math book.  He is reading at around a 2^nd grade level.  He finished a level 2 spelling book and can recite spelling rules to anyone (just ask my parents).    His handwriting has also improved.  I could go on and on.

Last spelling assignment for Level 2

I dictated the sentences and he spelled them.

School seems to come easy to Nicholas – so far.  It would still be okay if it didn't.  We’re also working on character too.  That’s pretty important.  Being home with him all day helps me see all the areas we need to work on, and the ones where he’s improved.  When I get reports from other people about his character and heart, it makes me well up with tears.  Two people actually told me a few weeks ago that they can tell that God is going to use him in mighty way.  That means a lot to me.

We've had some trying times here and there as he tries to gain more independence, but also continue to follow our rules.  I've been teaching him how to have self-control, especially when he is angry.  We have made a chore chart that he is happy to follow.  He does a great job initiating and getting his jobs done each morning.

I asked him his favorite subject of the year and this was his answer:

Math is not my favorite, but I'm glad he likes it!

Here are most of the books and materials we used this year:

While Kindergarten is over, we do Summer School around here.  We’ll be doing the reading program at the library.  We’re also going to do a little math, grammar and spelling review, so he doesn't forget it over the summer.  Like I've said before, he likes school, so doing 10 minutes a day for a couple days a week will not bother him in the least.

People that are not familiar with homeschooling or have never done it are either baffled or very interested in how we homeschool and how long we’re going to do it.  I just individualize it to Nicholas’ skills and abilities.  We’ll do it as long as it works.  Nicholas is not only learning a lot, but I am too.  I love homeschooling him.   The pediatrician (who didn't know we homeschool) said to him, “I bet your teachers love you.”

 I replied for him, “I am his teacher and I love him.” 

Nicholas, we’re so proud of you!  I’m so glad that you love learning!  Keep up the great work!

Back-to-Back

I never intended for this to happen, but both boys had their wellness checks on the same day.  Then, they both had eye exams the next day.  Getting them done on the same day is nice in theory.  But, it means it takes a lot longer.  Waiting and children don’t often go hand-in-hand.

Both boys are healthy though, which is good.  Nicholas did try to fool the nurse during his hearing test and act like he didn't hear any of the beeps in his ear.  Thankfully, the nurse was well-skilled with children and could see him look at me every time it beeped.  I wasn't really worried, since this is a kid that can hear Evan and I whisper all the way downstairs when he’s in his room. 

Daniel had a couple of shots to get and a finger prick which put a damper on his morning.  She said that a lot of his development is at the 15-month mark.  I told her he’s just trying to keep up with Nicholas.

The best thing about the appointment yesterday was that Daniel was so wiped out that he had a 2-hour nap!  He seems back to his old self now.  We missed his cheerful disposition.

Today’s eye appointments went well – physically, but it felt like we were there forever.  Nicholas was as inquisitive and sociable as ever.  And, Daniel just wanted to get down and walk.  Our eye doctor is a dad with young kids and is really good with his patients.  He answered all of Nicholas’ questions and even told me that Nicholas is “precocious”.  Daniel let the doctor examine him too.  The reason I took Daniel in is that at times I thought it looked as if he had a lazy eye.  It turns out that his eyes are great and that it is probably because he is tired or just a developmental thing that clears up on his own.  I just have to keep an eye on it (ha ha – an unintended pun). 

So, Daniel’s eyes look great and Nicholas has no change in his prescription.  We had a very successful week.  And, it also made me thankful for excellent medical insurance and benefits.  Today’s visit would have cost us almost $300 if we did not have vision insurance.  My total check today was $20.  You can’t be that! 

I feel like we’re getting everything out of the way and ready for summer break.  I should have a special post coming up about the end of this school year.

Hanging out earlier in the week when Daniel didn't feel well.

Birthday Party #1 Recap and Our Lunch

May is a busy month and not everyone was available on the same day, so we had to split Daniel’s party up on different days  We decided to just do a dessert party for his actual birthday with a variety of different sweets.  I had a taste for banana pudding with Nill@ wafers, so I had Nicholas help me make it.  He cut the bananas into slices. 

Then he helped me make each layer. 

Finally, he “decorated” the top.   It was a huge hit at the party and the bowl was clean when we brought it home.

Some of our other desserts

The birthday boy had a rough day.  He was all out of sorts.  He just seemed tired and not his happy self.  He did show moments of normalcy, but he ended up spending most of the weekend just not quite himself.

Daniel did get to enjoy his first cupcake.  He was hesitant at first.  I gave him a taste of icing which helped.  He ended up smashing it in his hands a bit before eating it.  He never finished it, which makes me glad that we didn't get him a large smash cake.

Nicholas enjoyed the cupcakes too!

He received many nice gifts, but I think he was most interested in the wrapping paper.  Overall, I feel like he received the perfect amount of gifts, and everything fits perfectly in our toy bins. 

Opening up a stuffed fish

Laying on that fish

We also had another great visit with his birth family yesterday.  So many people are either amazed or baffled by this relationship.  Believe me, I used to be the same way about open adoptions.  But, Daniel will always know that he is loved.  There is no doubt about it.  They had many nice presents for him.  Of course, he found the gift bag and wrapping paper to be the best part.  At one point, he just took his gift bag and walked away.  It was so cute!

Taking my gift bag  . . .

. . . . and leaving!

We’re trying to get back into our routine today.  Daniel had a rough night, but he seems fine this morning.  I think it is a combination of many things, including extreme over tiredness.  We value our sleep in this family, especially for the kids.  Thankfully, Evan is home on his day off, so we can tag team with the boys and also get things done around the house.

Playing with the new water table

We did have a great weekend though.  So, thankful for my new one-year-old and Nicholas too!

Watch Me Grow: He’s One!

Today’s the big day!  In the early hours, just one year ago, Evan and I had the pleasure of sitting in the waiting room of the hospital with members of his biological family waiting for his arrival.  Just an hour and a half after Daniel’s birth, we were able to see him for the first time.  Adopting him as a newborn was so different than bringing home a 2-year-old.  We learned a lot.  It wasn't always easy, but there were so many good times this past year.

Daniel is now walking more and crawling less.  He’s also starting to get off the ground without using another object to help him. 

His two top teeth are now through and should be fully down soon.  His receptive language is expanding.  I can ask him to get me a toy and he will bring it to me.  He loves to stack blocks.  Sometime I even find him stacking his books on their sides, like you would if you were making a house.  Future engineer, maybe? 

He still doesn't say too much.  He does point and growl.  He does say mama, dada, and la-la.  He likes to pretend like he’s talking on the phone too.  I think he’s been trying to actually say “hello”. 

For his birthday we decided to give him a gift that encompasses two of his favorite things - standing and water.  We gave him a water table.  He seems to really like it!

Evan added a little water in it.

Then, Nicholas gave him his gift.  He wanted him to have some super heroes too, so we bought the ones that were made for toddlers.

Wrapping paper could have been the gift.  He loved it!

We just love Daniel so much.  I remember waiting to be matched with a birth mother all of those months.  I started to get impatient and wondered if God wanted us to adopt internationally again.  But, Evan kept me grounded and told me that he really felt that God wanted us to do a domestic adoption this time.  I’m so thankful I listened to his leading.  I can’t imagine our life without Daniel. 

We’re thankful that while this birthday may not be easy for his birth mother, I am happy that she will be able to see him tomorrow.  We’re thankful that Daniel will never have to doubt her love for him.  She gave us such a special gift.

These are the last of our monthly rocking chair pictures.  I know Daniel is happy to be done with it.  Like the past couple of months, he didn't really want to sit there.

I'm outta here!

He's gone!  (Ignore the box - we're collecting for the garage sale)

Fine!  I'll give you one more.

We can’t wait to celebrate Daniel’s birthday later today with family.  He’ll be having two small parties this year.  We've only given him a little sugar and most of it was minimal and very recent.  A whole new world is about to open up to him today.  

Happy 1st Birthday, Daniel!  We love you!

Another Step

My mom and sister came over last week to help me purge and clean my house.  Thankfully, my mom’s neighborhood is having their annual garage sale soon, so we’ll be able to sell a lot of things.  It feels so good to get rid of some of the clutter.  Our hope is that we’ll have a lot boxed up so when it is time to move, it won’t be so difficult to pack.  Sometime this summer is still our goal to put our house up for sale.  We still have a lot to do, but we’re making headway.

Daniel has been resisting his morning nap more often.  I keep him up there for an hour and he just plays, then cries a little, and then goes back to playing and talking to himself.  This child’s poor napping is my biggest source of frustration.  I’m just thankful that he will at least entertain himself in his crib, which gives me time to get a few things done. 

We’re winding down the school year.  Nicholas has his last art class tomorrow and his recital/show the next day.  He has plenty of time to decide, but I think he may take art again next year.  I think we’re waiting to see what his friends will be taking though. 

Evan and I were able to go on a date yesterday.  With his schedule, going on a date – alone – usually doesn't work out very often.  We were able to go see a movie, which is also a rarity.  We’re hoping to make a date day or night a priority in the future.

Finally, we’re just days away from the big O-N-E.  Is this the last year that we can have his present sitting out in the family room unwrapped?  ;)  

The boys are both growing and changing so much.  Here are some recent pictures:

Sandbox fun at Nana's

Daniel dumps the sand out and Nicholas scoops it up!

Coconut oil for cradle cap makes for some crazy hair!

G.G. and her great-grandsons

Nicholas is a great big brother.

Daily violin practice

Brothers!

What Year Is It?

As Daniel’s birthday draws closer, I have been reflecting on the last year.  I have a document where I have a copy of his monthly picture from the last 11 months side-by-side.  As I was looking at them on Monday night, I noticed a big error.  I never changed the last few months to 2013.  I always took the time to check for spelling errors, but missed the date entirely.  So, I did a quick edit on the pictures for my file.  The pictures on the blog will remain with the mistakes.  It helps me remember that I’m human and things don’t always have to be perfect.  But, his picture next month will have the correct year.

I do know that we are finally in the month of May and the weather is very nice.  This afternoon we were able to go outside for a little bit.  It is so funny to see Daniel walking around.  He’s a little unsure about grass.  He likes to point and grunt at it.  I did get him to sit in it for a little bit, but he looked a little uncomfortable. 

What is that green stuff?

Off he goes!

He did enjoy our sidewalk chalk.  I gave him a few pieces, but Nicholas felt like Daniel should have the entire basket.  Daniel felt like he should empty it all.  Thank goodness I can still get Nicholas to play the game, “How fast can you clean up?” 

I'm timing Nicholas while he cleans up.

Nicholas showing off his artwork while Daniel takes off with his bike.

I do know one thing; Nicholas can make Daniel laugh like no one else.  They were both laughing about something on the on the way home from art class today.  The best part was when I realized both boys were sitting in the backseat looking at magazines.  Nicholas was also pretending to be a dog this morning, which Daniel thought was hilarious. 

Sometimes Nicholas is done entertaining his brother though.  Yesterday he loaded him up with toys in his playard, so I could make dinner and Nicholas could do something else. 

Teething baby

Loaded up with lots of toys

Even though there is a big age gap, I still make a point to foster a good relationship among the brothers.  One day that age gap won’t be as big, and I want them to be the best of friends.