To everyone who ever held their adopted child and knew that you couldn't love a biological child more,
to everyone who believes in what is best for kids,
to everyone who thinks our government can go too far from common sense,
to everyone with a soul:
50 minutes ago, a 2 year-old child in my city was given to her biological father whom she had never met.
The reason: even though he did not want anything to do with her from her birth and signed away his rights, even though her parents raised her from birth, he is 1% Cherokee (making the girl less than 1% Cherokee) and he used a 1978 law designed to keep Native American families together. He has no relationship with his other two children (by other mothers) but suddenly after 2 years, he wants this girl back.
I am afraid for this child and heartbroken for her family.
Read the full story by clicking here: http://www.saveveronica.com/
You can help by signing a petition and writing your senator.
This must be a form of child abuse.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
5 minutes- PLEASE HELP with your time
To everyone who ever held their adopted child and knew that you couldn't love a biological child more,
to everyone who believes in what is best for kids,
to everyone who thinks our government can go too far from common sense,
to everyone with a soul:
50 minutes ago, a 2 year-old child in my city was given to her biological father whom she had never met.
The reason: even though he did not want anything to do with her from her birth and signed away his rights, even though her parents raised her from birth, he is 1% Cherokee (making the girl less than 1% Cherokee) and he used a 1978 law designed to keep Native American families together. He has no relationship with his other two children (by other mothers) but suddenly after 2 years, he wants this girl back.
I am afraid for this child and heartbroken for her family.
Read the full story by clicking here: http://www.saveveronica.com/
You can help by signing a petition and writing your senator.
This must be a form of child abuse.
to everyone who believes in what is best for kids,
to everyone who thinks our government can go too far from common sense,
to everyone with a soul:
50 minutes ago, a 2 year-old child in my city was given to her biological father whom she had never met.
The reason: even though he did not want anything to do with her from her birth and signed away his rights, even though her parents raised her from birth, he is 1% Cherokee (making the girl less than 1% Cherokee) and he used a 1978 law designed to keep Native American families together. He has no relationship with his other two children (by other mothers) but suddenly after 2 years, he wants this girl back.
I am afraid for this child and heartbroken for her family.
Read the full story by clicking here: http://www.saveveronica.com/
You can help by signing a petition and writing your senator.
This must be a form of child abuse.
Monday, December 26, 2011
1 Year Ago, The Day After Christmas
Yesterday was our first Christmas with Abigail.
Because one year ago today (American time), we met Abigail for the first time.
1 Year Ago, The Day After Christmas
Yesterday was our first Christmas with Abigail.
Because one year ago today (American time), we met Abigail for the first time.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Abigail Decides: Cribs Are SO Last Week
This week, for seemingly no reason at all apparent to us, Abigail has decided that she is too grown up for her crib. Abigail loves to play hard and loves to go to sleep for nap and at the end of the day. Sometimes even asks to go to sleep.
But no longer in her crib.
She informed me of this decision Sunday night. After reading together for a while, I tried to lift her and put her into her crib but she slid out of my lap, laid on the floor and said "Abigail no crib. Abigail sleep down floor." I asked her if she was sure and she nodded vigorously and said "yes" and curled up with her beloved Blankie on the floor as if to show me she was serious. I asked her if she wanted her other blankets on the floor, and she did. When I leaned over her and kissed her, she got a huge smile, obviously very proud that she was allowed to sleep on the floor.
From downstairs, I heard Abigail kick the floor a few times, an old habit of hers to put herself to sleep when she is excited. Then she slept all night on the floor. She hardly moved a muscle. (I know this because I checked on her nearly every hour all night to make sure she was okay!)
At 5:30, we heard a happy "bunny awake" yell from her room. When I went to greet her, she was grinning like the cat that caught the canary, obviously pleased with herself for sleeping on the floor all night.
We ordered a toddler bed for her, which will arrive in a few days. I told Abigail today that she was going to get her own bed and she could be all done with her crib. She was super excited at this news and said "bye bye" to her crib, although I explained again that she wouldn't get her own bed for 3 days and she helped me count to 3 for good measure.
When Larry got home tonight, he went into Abigail's room and saw her asleep on her mattress on the floor. He asked what was going on and I told him that she won't go in her crib, and after a half-hearted bid for sleeping in our "big bed", Abigail wanted her mattress on the floor.
Larry said "It is amazing that she makes decisions all on her own."
I replied "I suppose we better get used to that!"
(I only wish her desire to use the potty all the time for all purposes would happen as quickly and suddenly as this recent bid for grown up things!!)
Abigail Decides: Cribs Are SO Last Week
This week, for seemingly no reason at all apparent to us, Abigail has decided that she is too grown up for her crib. Abigail loves to play hard and loves to go to sleep for nap and at the end of the day. Sometimes even asks to go to sleep.
But no longer in her crib.
She informed me of this decision Sunday night. After reading together for a while, I tried to lift her and put her into her crib but she slid out of my lap, laid on the floor and said "Abigail no crib. Abigail sleep down floor." I asked her if she was sure and she nodded vigorously and said "yes" and curled up with her beloved Blankie on the floor as if to show me she was serious. I asked her if she wanted her other blankets on the floor, and she did. When I leaned over her and kissed her, she got a huge smile, obviously very proud that she was allowed to sleep on the floor.
From downstairs, I heard Abigail kick the floor a few times, an old habit of hers to put herself to sleep when she is excited. Then she slept all night on the floor. She hardly moved a muscle. (I know this because I checked on her nearly every hour all night to make sure she was okay!)
At 5:30, we heard a happy "bunny awake" yell from her room. When I went to greet her, she was grinning like the cat that caught the canary, obviously pleased with herself for sleeping on the floor all night.
We ordered a toddler bed for her, which will arrive in a few days. I told Abigail today that she was going to get her own bed and she could be all done with her crib. She was super excited at this news and said "bye bye" to her crib, although I explained again that she wouldn't get her own bed for 3 days and she helped me count to 3 for good measure.
When Larry got home tonight, he went into Abigail's room and saw her asleep on her mattress on the floor. He asked what was going on and I told him that she won't go in her crib, and after a half-hearted bid for sleeping in our "big bed", Abigail wanted her mattress on the floor.
Larry said "It is amazing that she makes decisions all on her own."
I replied "I suppose we better get used to that!"
(I only wish her desire to use the potty all the time for all purposes would happen as quickly and suddenly as this recent bid for grown up things!!)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Growing Up In One Day
Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, was a big one for Abigail.
Even though she woke up at 5 o'clock, she checked her "sleeping bunny" alarm clock and realized it was not time to get up yet. So for 25 minutes she sang and told stories to herself. It was sweet to listen to from our bedroom across the hall. After 25 minutes, she got frustrated (no wonder- 25 minutes must be an eternity to a 24 month old!) so Larry waited with her until the bunny "woke up". She excitedly yelled "bunny awake!" and knew she could begin her day. This was the most successful she has been at getting up at the "right" time. (I cannot believe that 5:30 is now an acceptable and regular wake up time for us!)
She also used the potty in the morning and got to wear Elmo underpants until almost lunch time and didn't have any accidents.
She also ate cereal and milk, from a bowl, with a spoon, all by herself and learned to drink the milk out of the bowl without spilling it.
Abigail rounded out the afternoon with another trip to the potty and more time in underpants!
We are so proud of our girl!
Growing Up In One Day
Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, was a big one for Abigail.
Even though she woke up at 5 o'clock, she checked her "sleeping bunny" alarm clock and realized it was not time to get up yet. So for 25 minutes she sang and told stories to herself. It was sweet to listen to from our bedroom across the hall. After 25 minutes, she got frustrated (no wonder- 25 minutes must be an eternity to a 24 month old!) so Larry waited with her until the bunny "woke up". She excitedly yelled "bunny awake!" and knew she could begin her day. This was the most successful she has been at getting up at the "right" time. (I cannot believe that 5:30 is now an acceptable and regular wake up time for us!)
She also used the potty in the morning and got to wear Elmo underpants until almost lunch time and didn't have any accidents.
She also ate cereal and milk, from a bowl, with a spoon, all by herself and learned to drink the milk out of the bowl without spilling it.
Abigail rounded out the afternoon with another trip to the potty and more time in underpants!
We are so proud of our girl!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sunday Snapshot: The Long Weekend
This included tricycle riding at 5 AM, finally carving that pumpkin, drawing with chalk when our tummies told us it was supposed to be lunch time, and passing out in Baba's arms.
Sunday Snapshot: The Long Weekend
This included tricycle riding at 5 AM, finally carving that pumpkin, drawing with chalk when our tummies told us it was supposed to be lunch time, and passing out in Baba's arms.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Letter To An Unknown Birth Mother
I once read that a child's birthday really celebrates the mother, more than the child, or so it should. I want you to know that I thought about you today, in the middle of the excitement of aunts and uncles and grandparents and cake and too many gifts. I wish there was a way to let you know that she is doing well, better than that, really.
She is thriving.
I know you must be beautiful, because she is gorgeous. You must be intelligent, because she is quick to learn and very very clever. I know you have a big heart because you loved her enough to give her a chance at life when you couldn't give her that chance yourself, and you should know, she has your huge heart. Experts might say that a just-turned-2 year old is not capable of empathy, but when someone she loves is feeling sad or sick, she readily shares her toys or hugs, trying to elicit a smile. In fact, she is full of smiles, songs, hugs and kisses, giggles, teases and creativity. She is athletic and coordinated, a good dancer. She loves learning and reading and is fiercely independent but sweetly vulnerable.
Thank you a million times over for the gift of your daughter. Our daughter.
I know you must be beautiful, because she is gorgeous. You must be intelligent, because she is quick to learn and very very clever. I know you have a big heart because you loved her enough to give her a chance at life when you couldn't give her that chance yourself, and you should know, she has your huge heart. Experts might say that a just-turned-2 year old is not capable of empathy, but when someone she loves is feeling sad or sick, she readily shares her toys or hugs, trying to elicit a smile. In fact, she is full of smiles, songs, hugs and kisses, giggles, teases and creativity. She is athletic and coordinated, a good dancer. She loves learning and reading and is fiercely independent but sweetly vulnerable.
Thank you a million times over for the gift of your daughter. Our daughter.
Letter To An Unknown Birth Mother
I once read that a child's birthday really celebrates the mother, more than the child, or so it should. I want you to know that I thought about you today, in the middle of the excitement of aunts and uncles and grandparents and cake and too many gifts. I wish there was a way to let you know that she is doing well, better than that, really.
She is thriving.
I know you must be beautiful, because she is gorgeous. You must be intelligent, because she is quick to learn and very very clever. I know you have a big heart because you loved her enough to give her a chance at life when you couldn't give her that chance yourself, and you should know, she has your huge heart. Experts might say that a just-turned-2 year old is not capable of empathy, but when someone she loves is feeling sad or sick, she readily shares her toys or hugs, trying to elicit a smile. In fact, she is full of smiles, songs, hugs and kisses, giggles, teases and creativity. She is athletic and coordinated, a good dancer. She loves learning and reading and is fiercely independent but sweetly vulnerable.
Thank you a million times over for the gift of your daughter. Our daughter.
I know you must be beautiful, because she is gorgeous. You must be intelligent, because she is quick to learn and very very clever. I know you have a big heart because you loved her enough to give her a chance at life when you couldn't give her that chance yourself, and you should know, she has your huge heart. Experts might say that a just-turned-2 year old is not capable of empathy, but when someone she loves is feeling sad or sick, she readily shares her toys or hugs, trying to elicit a smile. In fact, she is full of smiles, songs, hugs and kisses, giggles, teases and creativity. She is athletic and coordinated, a good dancer. She loves learning and reading and is fiercely independent but sweetly vulnerable.
Thank you a million times over for the gift of your daughter. Our daughter.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Henan Kids Calendar
To All of My Readers:
Abigail was from Henan Province.
We are part of a network of families with kids from Henan.
There 14 orphanages in Henan, all with 50-200+ kids in them.
A new Lily Orphan Care Center (a really good American established orphanage) is being built.
Henan Kids International, a non-profit that sends all money to the orphans in Henan is selling these calendars for a fundraiser. Last year $4000 were raised. This year the goal is $6000.
I know you are going to get a calendar anyhow, and yes, these are about twice as much as a Wal Mart calendar, but beautiful Henan kids are on every page. (Abigail is on 3 pages!) Please consider buying one to support kids just like Abigail, but who haven't been as lucky as her to find a home.
Click Here for Calendars
Abigail was from Henan Province.
We are part of a network of families with kids from Henan.
There 14 orphanages in Henan, all with 50-200+ kids in them.
A new Lily Orphan Care Center (a really good American established orphanage) is being built.
Henan Kids International, a non-profit that sends all money to the orphans in Henan is selling these calendars for a fundraiser. Last year $4000 were raised. This year the goal is $6000.
I know you are going to get a calendar anyhow, and yes, these are about twice as much as a Wal Mart calendar, but beautiful Henan kids are on every page. (Abigail is on 3 pages!) Please consider buying one to support kids just like Abigail, but who haven't been as lucky as her to find a home.
Click Here for Calendars
Henan Kids Calendar
To All of My Readers:
Abigail was from Henan Province.
We are part of a network of families with kids from Henan.
There 14 orphanages in Henan, all with 50-200+ kids in them.
A new Lily Orphan Care Center (a really good American established orphanage) is being built.
Henan Kids International, a non-profit that sends all money to the orphans in Henan is selling these calendars for a fundraiser. Last year $4000 were raised. This year the goal is $6000.
I know you are going to get a calendar anyhow, and yes, these are about twice as much as a Wal Mart calendar, but beautiful Henan kids are on every page. (Abigail is on 3 pages!) Please consider buying one to support kids just like Abigail, but who haven't been as lucky as her to find a home.
Click Here for Calendars
Abigail was from Henan Province.
We are part of a network of families with kids from Henan.
There 14 orphanages in Henan, all with 50-200+ kids in them.
A new Lily Orphan Care Center (a really good American established orphanage) is being built.
Henan Kids International, a non-profit that sends all money to the orphans in Henan is selling these calendars for a fundraiser. Last year $4000 were raised. This year the goal is $6000.
I know you are going to get a calendar anyhow, and yes, these are about twice as much as a Wal Mart calendar, but beautiful Henan kids are on every page. (Abigail is on 3 pages!) Please consider buying one to support kids just like Abigail, but who haven't been as lucky as her to find a home.
Click Here for Calendars
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - A Day Late and 3 Weeks Behind
(I know these are words and Wednesdays should just be pictures, but I just want to explain that Larry moonlighted in an orchestra pit for the musical Chicago for the past month so as the acting single parent of the household, pictures, blogging, email, leg-shaving, exercise, and all other activities were pretty much on hold!)
Wordless Wednesday - A Day Late and 3 Weeks Behind
(I know these are words and Wednesdays should just be pictures, but I just want to explain that Larry moonlighted in an orchestra pit for the musical Chicago for the past month so as the acting single parent of the household, pictures, blogging, email, leg-shaving, exercise, and all other activities were pretty much on hold!)
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The More You Know: Joy & Sorrow in the Eyes of a Toddler
This past weekend, Abigail had a wonderful visit with her Uncle Dean (my brother) and Aunt Kim (his wife). Kim happens to be Korean, which in Abigail's eyes means the two of them are the same. Though I thought toddlers are color-blind, Abigail is drawn to women with olive complexions and black hair.
Also, Abigail seems to have a 6th sense about family too: without knowing what "family" is or having words for it, she is drawn to members of her family, even though they all live in different states. It probably doesn't hurt that my family spoils her rotten, with not only gifts, but also bucket-fulls of attention, devotion, and playtime.
So, we had a wonderful weekend with Dean and Kim. Abigail played hookie from day care on Friday so they could play with her. She came down with a cough and ear infection that evening and went to the doc on Saturday morning, so Saturday was a day of indoor play, rest, antibiotics, and a sick little kid. Even though she was more sick than we have ever seen her, Abigail still WANTED to be happy, to play, to have fun. She is such a good kid. When she began feeling a bit better, we took Abigail downtown to see our favorite part of the city, and we took her putt-putt golfing.
Anyhow, the point of this entry is to talk about how amazing it is to watch Abigail learn and soak up truth about the big world around her, but that at the same time, as she learns about some things, it brings her sadness and heart-break and it is difficult to watch. For example, she knows she loves her family. She loves when they visit her, dote on her, make her laugh.
But since my parents' visit this past summer, she has figured out what "bye" really means. When we say "bye" to her at day care, she grins and waves madly, yelling "bye" and blowing kisses; we'll be back before she knows it. But somehow, when Grandma and Yinski or Dean and Kim get in a car and back out of the driveway, she knows this "bye" is different. It is a more permanent "bye" and she cries and adamantly shakes her head no, trying to throw herself out of my arms, tears streaking her face and striking her shirt. Every fiber of her being is trying to not be left behind.
Powerful emotions run deep in this kid. For the past 2 days, she has been sucking on her hand, crying silently, and telling people that she feels "sad" (a new word for her). I wish I could protect her from all of the "sad" so she could just be the happy little kid she loves to be.
The More You Know: Joy & Sorrow in the Eyes of a Toddler
This past weekend, Abigail had a wonderful visit with her Uncle Dean (my brother) and Aunt Kim (his wife). Kim happens to be Korean, which in Abigail's eyes means the two of them are the same. Though I thought toddlers are color-blind, Abigail is drawn to women with olive complexions and black hair.
Also, Abigail seems to have a 6th sense about family too: without knowing what "family" is or having words for it, she is drawn to members of her family, even though they all live in different states. It probably doesn't hurt that my family spoils her rotten, with not only gifts, but also bucket-fulls of attention, devotion, and playtime.
So, we had a wonderful weekend with Dean and Kim. Abigail played hookie from day care on Friday so they could play with her. She came down with a cough and ear infection that evening and went to the doc on Saturday morning, so Saturday was a day of indoor play, rest, antibiotics, and a sick little kid. Even though she was more sick than we have ever seen her, Abigail still WANTED to be happy, to play, to have fun. She is such a good kid. When she began feeling a bit better, we took Abigail downtown to see our favorite part of the city, and we took her putt-putt golfing.
Anyhow, the point of this entry is to talk about how amazing it is to watch Abigail learn and soak up truth about the big world around her, but that at the same time, as she learns about some things, it brings her sadness and heart-break and it is difficult to watch. For example, she knows she loves her family. She loves when they visit her, dote on her, make her laugh.
But since my parents' visit this past summer, she has figured out what "bye" really means. When we say "bye" to her at day care, she grins and waves madly, yelling "bye" and blowing kisses; we'll be back before she knows it. But somehow, when Grandma and Yinski or Dean and Kim get in a car and back out of the driveway, she knows this "bye" is different. It is a more permanent "bye" and she cries and adamantly shakes her head no, trying to throw herself out of my arms, tears streaking her face and striking her shirt. Every fiber of her being is trying to not be left behind.
Powerful emotions run deep in this kid. For the past 2 days, she has been sucking on her hand, crying silently, and telling people that she feels "sad" (a new word for her). I wish I could protect her from all of the "sad" so she could just be the happy little kid she loves to be.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The End of Summer
The daytime weather will probably remain hot for another month (fine with me) but the mornings are a cool 70-something now. Summer is also over in the sense that we are all back at school/work again until the end of May 2012.
Lar and I had a lot of fun with Abigail this summer. She learns things incredibly fast, she emulates us in almost everything we do and she has enough energy that if we could harness it, we could go off the grid!
I am posting 2 pictures from the past week. One was taken when Abigail was playing with her chalk (the pieces that Larry did not run over with the car). Somehow, she decorated her lids with blue chalk and it gave her the look of some of Larry's Milton FL friends. Pretty awful, but very funny on a 1-year-old.
The other pic shows the tan lines in the creases of her ankles from running bare-foot most of the summer. She has gorgeous skin for sure! My mom loves these tan lines.
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