progress report (aka Mommy brag)

So proud after climbing into the dining room chair all by himself!

I thought it was past due to give everyone an update on how well our little guy is developing and learning new things. He really is (in our opinion) just about the most brilliant child in the world! So, without further ado, here is the scoop:

- He is now saying about 20 words (not all understood by other people other than Joe and I), including some of his recent favorites: choo-choo (as in train, specifically, Thomas the Tank Engine, his new best friend), Willie, poo-poo (thanks to Daddy), and drawing (no joke, last night he and Joe were looking at his coloring book, and he kept saying it, clear as day!). 

-He uses about 6-7 signs regularly and appropriately, including "please", and we're working on "thank you".

- He is feeding himself with finger, fork and/or spoon nearly all the time, except for those rare occasions (yea, right) when he seems to overlook his veggies.

-He loves to throw things in the garbage, and actually seems to know what is garbage and what isn't, we're working on teaching him garbage vs recycling. He also loves to put dirty clothes in the hamper (and again, seems to know when clothes go in the hamper). 

-He has mastered climbing. He learned last week that if he climbs on his toy box, he can reach the light switch in his room.

-He is as silly as ever, and once he sees he has a captive audience...watch out!

-He has 3 molars.

-He is a toddler in every sense of the word.

(He did make it down safely, my camera just ran out of memory)

dreams really do come true

Most of you have probably heard about my good friend Kim. Kim and I met about 3 years ago, when we were both going through infertility. She came to work at my office, and worked there only for a short time, but we became fast friends. She's been such a huge support and inspiration to me over the past 3 years. Kim's dream of motherhood came true in May of 2007 when her twins were born; my dream of motherhood came true a few months later when we learned about our son in Korea.  Although our children were born a half a world away from each other, they were only born about 3 months apart! So, this past weekend, I took Kai to visit Kim and her twins in Salt Lake City! It was so fun to see our babies together at last, and they LOVED each other at first sight! In fact, our first night there, Kai was so sad when he couldn't sleep in the same room as Elle and Diesel (the twins). It made us both wish we lived closer together so they could play together all the time. It was a busy, crazy time with 3 one-year olds, but so, so fun!! (Just wish the twins had felt better... they were sick the whole weekend)

Here are a few pics of all the kiddos together.

Three peas in a pod

Elle on a mission

"The boys" 

On Saturday the twins didn't feel very good, so Kim's parents came and stayed with them while Kim, Kai and I saw some of the sights of SLC. The fountain at the Olympic Plaza was a hit with our little water dog! He had the time of his life running through the water, squealing with delight the whole time! I don't think any explanation is needed for these pictures!

A huge Thank You to Kim (and her family) for once again being a wonderful hostess (and taking the great pictures)!!

Aug. 14, 2007...

...was the day our lives changed forever. It's hard to believe that one year ago today, we learned that we had a son waiting for us in South Korea. The past year has been a huge whirlwind of activity and an emotional roller coaster. But here we are, all adjusting well, and loving every moment with our amazing son. That night we went out to dinner to celebrate, and wondered who this little boy was, what he would be like, and what he looked like. It was the longest night of our lives to wait until the next day to see his sweet face for the very first time:

We still wonder daily how we got so lucky to be blessed with this beautiful, amazing child!

Half Birthday!

So, my parents have a really fun, cool tradition of spending each grandchild's half-birthday with them. They do this each year, for each grandchild (which is now 5). I think it is such a fun idea, and makes a really special day for the child. Well, today was Kai's turn! (Can't believe my baby is 1 1/2 already?) This was (obviously) his first half-birthday celebration, and they all had a great time! They took him for his first trip to McDonalds, and it was also the first time he's gone "out" anywhere without Joe or I. Mom and Dad said he was a "perfect angel", but what else would they say about their grandchild?

Grandpa Dave and Grandma Nancy with the Half-Birthday boy!

And what would a half-birthday celebration be without half-birthday gifts?

They brought him a bubble mower, and he loves it!

So much, in fact, he did not want to come back inside after playing with it!

Vacation Pictures!

Here they are, pictures from our family vacation to the coast. Better late than never, right? To see them, just click below:

Oregon Coast Vacation 2008