Halloween 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I know it has been a long time since my last post. That is because I have been so busy running my little characters around town! Daniel is in Mother's Day Out twice a week, Kindermusik, Awana (bible club) and both boys have speech classes and all three of us take Mandarin classes (Chinese). We have been having a great time attending all of our activities as well as having play dates with friends. The last week in October was especially busy because of Halloween.

I love Halloween. When I was a kid it was one night and now for my kids it is a whole week of activities! There are so many things to do that I have to restrain myself from attending all of them or we will end up sick from exhaustion. This Halloween was special because it was Evan's first. He wore Daniel's costume from two years ago and was adorable. Daniel was Batman. He wore that outfit everyday for five days. He loved running around with his cape flowing in the wind while he fantasized about "crashing the bad guys". Evan was a dinosaur and when requested to do so, he would roar like a lion, very cute!

Our Halloween extravaganza started with going to the Story Book Forest at Lake Arcadia in Edmond. We had never attended this before and it is now my favorite Halloween activity! The parks department sets up trick-or-treating stations along a tree lined path through the forest. Each stop is a famous story like; Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and The Three Little Pigs. At each stop children were allowed to take one piece of candy. On the first stop Evan tried to take a handful of candy. After prying it out of his little hand, he threw a major tantrum when he realized that there was more candy to come, he was excited. At the end of the path there was a hayride, games, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs. It was awesome.

Friday was a pumpkin patch with some friends, Saturday afternoon carving pumpkins with Uncle Gary & Grandma and Saturday night was Trick-0r-treating with more friends and Sunday night was a trunk-or-treating at Daniel's Mother's Day Out church. It was almost too much fun. Daniel said his favorite part was trick-or-treating with his friend Nathan. Nathan was Spider man so it was fun watching the cutest ever Spider man and Batman running around from house to house collecting their treats!

Evan's Birthday Party

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Today was a big day for Evan as he celebrated his 2nd birthday with his first
birthday party in America!  Since he loves Thomas the Train that was the theme
for his party.  He was so excited with he saw Thomas on his cake.  When he
opened his first birthday gift he didn't want to let go of it to open another. 
Daniel and his friend wanted to see the gift, but Evan wasn't about to let that
happen.  The only way I was able to get him to let go of his new treasure was to
put it back into it's gift sack and put it under the table.  Once it was safe
from his big brother's hands he could focus on opening the other gifts.  Evan
still doesn't understand what he is supposed to do with a wrapped gift but he
let me guide his hands and eventually he tried a little on his own. 

After all of the gifts were opened, we enjoyed cake and ice cream.  We helped
Evan to blow out his candles.  If you ask him how old he is he will hold up two
fingers while giving a big smile, it is absolutely adorable!

Since it was a beautiful day we headed outside.  Brian had a fire going in the
fire pit so everyone could roast marshmallows.  The kids also enjoyed blowing
bubbles and running around.  Evan had a wonderful time playing with his
six-year-old cousin, Madison.  She played with him and he enjoyed every minute! 
Daniel had so much fun helping me plan Evan's party that he is now busy planning
his own party....for February!  I guess it is never to early to start!

Evan's Big Birthday Weekend!

Evan turned two on Friday, September 24th and we kicked it off with a bang. We got up early and met up with My friend and her son to ride on Thomas the Train. Evan loves Thomas and makes a great train whistle sound whenever he sees him. Even though Daniel claimed to not like Thomas he was excited to see him when we crossed the street into the exhibit.

We did many things including climbing on the jungle gym, playing with the trains on the train tables and watching a magic show that Daniel thought was very funny. When it was our turn to ride on Thomas, Evan rushed to our stroller to get in when I noticed that he was having a hard time getting in and that is when I started laughing because he had his arms filled with trains that he took from the train table. I had to pry them from his hands and boy did he have a meltdown. It was no big deal since he was only one of many who were having similar moments.



Daniel was extremely excited to ride the train but Evan didn't seem to share in his excitement. I think he tolerated the ride and was anxious to get back to the train tables which by the way, we have one at home. After the ride or before (can't remember which doesn't really matter to the story) we got in line to take a picture in front of Thomas. Daniel was all ready for his picture with Thomas but, Evan, not so much. He did not like me leaving him on the bench with only his brother. We tried having the two boys standing next to each other then sitting. Nothing worked so I had Daniel take the picture by himself. I didn't think until later that I should have taken the picture with them. The best picture I got of the two of them was Evan pushing Daniel away.



Daniel's picture turned out so sweet so I had them make me a copy. This picture is the one that I took while they were taking the good picture.





After a fun morning and afternoon we headed back home for a quick rest before we headed out for our evening of fun. This time we were headed to UCO for the Asian Student Association Moon Festival. This festival is very important to all Asian people as it marks the first full moon of the Fall. In China they shoot fireworks for hours at a time to commemorate the occasion. We didn't have fireworks at our celebration but there was food, activities, and a show with Japanese drummers and ended with not one but three Chinese Lion dancers that was about the best we have ever seen. The best part of the entire evening was seeing many of our adoptive family friends that have become like another family to us.

At the end of the evening we headed to a local Chinese restaurant where Daniel and Evan enjoyed lots of noodles!

The next morning (Saturday) we met with another family to tour the Orr Family Farm. The boys had a great time seeing animals, jumping on a pillow trampoline and riding pedal cars (OK, I did too)! The highlight of the morning was riding the hay truck to the pumpkin patch to choose our pumpkins. I'm sure Evan thought we were crazy but he is so good about going with the flow. He chose his pumpkin and Daniel did too but had a hard time holding onto his. We rode the wagon back to main part of the farm where we tried out a giant slide and then rode a small steam engine train around the park. About lunch time we headed back home and Evan slept until early evening. It was a lot of fun and yes, there is such a thing as having too much fun!

A Quick Medical Update.....

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Both boys are doing well. Evan no longer has any food restrictions and we are so thankful. Daniel does have mid-moderate sleep apnea and will undergo another procedure so they can tell why he is having this problem and will hopefully come up with a solution to help him. Thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to remember them.

First Day of School

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Daniel returned for another year at a Mother's Day out program.  This year he is
in the pre-school class and has all new friends except for one good friend from
last years class. 

I was interested in how Daniel would handle going to school again since last
year there was lots of tears and tantrums.  I asked Brian to meet us at school
to help me out in the case that a Daniel style tantrum appeared.  We entered the
school and he did not want to walk down the hallway so, Brian picked him and we
started our journey to the furthest classroom.  As we passed numerous babies and
toddlers crying I was crossing my fingers hoping he wouldn't notice.  Finally we
arrived at his new classroom and fortunately he saw the one familiar face of his
friend from last years class and walked in without hesitation.  That was
it....When I picked him up at the end of the day he told me that he had a good
day. 

Thank you God!

Evan's Big Day at the Hospital

Monday, August 23, 2010

The day finally arrived when Evan had to have surgery to repair his cleft
palate.  This is something we had been dreading but, anxious to get it over
with.  Daniel had his palate repaired before he came home so this surgery
experience was new to us. 

We arrived at the outpatient clinic of the Children's Hospital in OKC around
9:45am.  His surgery was scheduled for 12:30 and he hadn't eaten anything since
8pm the night before.  It was our mission to keep him entertained as a
distraction from missing food.  It actually worked pretty good as he played with
the toys in the waiting room.  We were called into the back where they started
preparing Evan for the surgery.  Immediately he knew something was up and let us
know he wasn't happy about it.  The nurse suggested that we give Evan a drug to
help calm him down and boy did it ever!  Within a couple of minutes we had a
baby that appeared to be drunk. When it was time for the surgery to begin, I
walked him into the operating room where they placed a breathing mask over his
face.  He didn't resist at all and I knew it was the drugs!

A couple of hours later were we called to the recovery room.  It was so painful
to see him laying in the hospital crib with a breathing device that looked like
a cover for an electrical outlet that was stuck in his mouth with blood running
down his chin onto a towel.  Brian and I had to take turns visiting with him
since they only allowed one person at a time in the recovery room.  Brian
eventually went home to check on Daniel while I stayed with Evan. 

His recovery was difficult for him because he couldn't get comfortable.  He had
wires running all of over him and both of his arms were in cuffs to prevent him
from touching his mouth.  It seemed like every time I got him back to sleep the
nurse would take his temperature, check his blood pressure or touch his IV. 
Even though her movements were quiet and gentle, Evan noticed and I paid the
price.   

After several hours in the recovery room they moved us up to the 9Th floor where
we would stay for the night.  As always they took great care of us.  Evan
struggled until the evening when Brian showed up and he was finally able to rest
in his arms.  Evan slept while multiple family members came to visit including
his loud and boisterous big brother.  When everyone left, Evan continued to rest
in the crib.  From time to time he would awake and the only way I could calm him
down was to lay in the crib with him.  Believe it or not it was actually more
comfortable than the fold out bed that they provided for me.

By morning Evan was feeling better but, very quiet.  We were released and I
drove him home where he rested quietly for the remainder of the day.  Daniel was
at school so it was nice and quiet for a little while. 

It has been 4 days since the surgery and Evan is still on a liquid diet.  Not
eating is making him miserable.   He is more active now and is enjoying playing
a little bit.  The tantrums appears at meal time and it is getting harder and
harder to find something to satisfy him.  Sunday he will get to eat soft foods. 
I can hardly wait!

Sleep Study

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Daniel and I went to the open house for his Mother's Day Out class that will
start soon.  After he met his teacher and a couple of new class mates we were on
our way to the Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City for his second sleep study. 
He had his first when he was about 18-months-old and it had to be repeated.  He
was a pretty good sport about the whole thing until they stated attaching the
wires.  When it came to adding the head pieces he just sat there and watched his
movie.  When his movie ended I turned it off and that's when the waterworks were
turned on.  He cried and sobbed for about 10 minutes (seemed like an eternity to
me) until he feel asleep.  I had to sleep on a not so comfortable pull out bed
nearby.  When the technician entered the room at the end of the study about 6am
I felt like I hadn't slept at all.  Daniel woke up in a great mood, we headed
for home and started what felt like the longest day ever.

The Joy of Jet Lag

Friday, June 4, 2010

It is 3:15am and both of the boys are up and very active!  Daniel is mad at Evan because he is playing with his new Spider Man stickers that he received recently as a gift.  I told him that he wouldn't have them if they weren't sitting out and suggested that he put them away.  He started to pick them up and has realized that brother is eating them.  Daniel is prying them out of Evan's hands while lecturing him that they are "not to eat".  Ah, good times!  Obviously, I am still trying to get them on a schedule and haven't quite figured it out yet.

We are home and loving it!  Our trip was fantastic but there is nothing like coming home again.  We arrived at the Oklahoma City airport about 10:30pm on Monday, May 31st.  It was literally the longest day ever and when we travel internationally again, we will try to break it up.  The exhaustion was overwhelming.  Daniel and Evan did a great job and were good on all of the flights.  After a 6 hour delay in the Denver airport we were able to get a little sleep on the flight to OKC.  Before we landed the flight attendants asked us about Evan and when they found out that he was newly adopted, they were excited.  They even brought us a bottle of red wine to enjoy later as a gift.  We landed and headed to baggage claim and found four friends waiting to greet us.  I was so touched that they would come out to the airport at 10:30pm on a holiday (or any day) to welcome us home.  They were a wonderful sight for our sore eyes.  I had put the bottle
of wine, that was in a plastic bag, on the handle of Daniel's stroller and with the excitement of seeing our friends I forgot about it.  When Daniel stood up the stroller fell backward and the bottle broke.  The red wine made a big mess and as we started to clean it up, the flight attendant who gifted us the bottle walked by.  I felt so bad.

After we took some pictures and gathered our luggage we boarded the shuttle bus to our car.  While we were looking for our car, Brian asked me about the car keys.  I quickly remembered that they were packed in the suitcase and I couldn't remember which suitcase (we had five).  Our plan was to pack it in Guangzhou and then get them out of the suitcase when we left for Hong Kong, good plan if I would have remembered it.  Anyway, we had the shuttle bus driver put our luggage behind the car and I started looking while Brian put the boys into their car seats.  I just knew they weren't in our biggest piece of luggage so I starting opening one suitcase at a time.  It was a warm night and since it was late, no one was around which was good since I had our personal items laying in the middle of the parking lot.   I had a little bit of light to see.  It took me over 5 minutes to locate them and they were in the piece of luggage that I knew they
definitely were not in.  So much for my good memory.  I think everyone fell asleep about 3am and we slept most of the following day.

Evan is adjusting well, except for the time change.  He loves our dogs and especially the cats.  He was petting our cat, Simon, yesterday by patting him hard and fast.  I showed him how to do it gently.  He gets a little scared of the dogs from time to time but seems to enjoy them as well.  I took them to doctor's ofice yesterday by myself and we all did well.  I also braved the grocery store and survived that too.  Maybe I can do this, we'll see.

Planes, Trains and Rickshaws

Sunday, May 30, 2010

This is our last night in Hong Kong and we leave for the States tomorrow!  This has been a trip of a life time and we have been lucky enough to have done it twice.  Once again, we are coming home with the ultimate souvenir, Evan.  I can hardly wait to get this next leg of our adventure done and over with.  We miss our home, friends, family and animals.  I know that I will be doing laundry for a week and probably won't be completely unpacked for at least two.  It will be good to get home and get us on a schedule once again.  We are flying with United and will arrive around 10:40pm on Monday, May 31st from Denver, Colorado.  It will be a long day tomorrow as we will leave Hong Kong around 11:45am and arrive in San Francisco about 8:45am (same day).  We will have a 5 hour lay over in Colorado before flying to Oklahoma City.  I have lots of benadryl and am charging the DVD player and lap top.  Hopefully we will all make it with our sanity in tack.

Our last day in Hong Kong was interesting to say the least.  We took a 45 minute train ride and 15 minute bus ride to our destination, Ocean Park.  I was told that it was like Sea World and I could see that but, Sea World is much better.  This park is built on the side of a mountain and it took us about an hour just to get to the attractions once we got into the park.  We had to take 5 massive escalators up the side of the mountain.  I am certain that it was a beautiful site but was unable to enjoy it because I had to hold Daniel in his stroller.  Brian had Evan.  Once we made it to the top we saw some seal lions and then started heading down the mountain to get some lunch at the McDonald's.  It was a pretty steep walk and after we got the food we walked back up the mountain and found a bench to enjoy our meal (I know I said "enjoy").  It was a cool spot when a heavy rain started.  We gathered up everything and headed for a show.  We stood in
the arena for approximately 20 minutes before they announced the show was "suspended".  One woman yelled "what the hell" and I thought I was back in Oklahoma when I heard that.  The entire arena booed as everyone left.  We headed to the aquarium which turned out to be a bad idea because everyone else went there too.  Inside the exhibit was beautiful but people pushed and shoved us.  People were crammed in like sardines and everyone wanted to see everything at the same time.  Daniel and Evan loved all of the fish, turtles and sting rays.  Brian put Evan on a large ledge close to the aquarium so he could see and got scared when a big fish approached him.  He laughed and clapped when he was excited by what he saw.  When we arrived at the exit, it was pouring rain and people were rushing to put on rain coats and get out their umbrellas.  We didn't have any of these things so we tried to rush past people to find shelter but there were so many
people that it was difficult.  We found another building to explore with the most fascinating Jelly Fishes.  Again people pushed and shoved us.  People who were part of a tour group were the worst, I suppose they didn't want to get separated from the rest so they didn't mind pushing a mother and her child around.  Even at the most crowded of places in China we were never pushed or shoved.  The people in China are also more friendly than they are here. 

After the Jelly house we took a cable car to the other side of the park which is at the bottom of the mountain.  This ride was awesome and so relaxing since it was just the four of us in our own car.  We had fantastic views of the water and the mountain.  We arrived at the other side and found that less people were on this side which was a relief to us.  The rain had stopped so we were able to enjoy some shows and rides.  They had a lot of kid rides that were perfect for Daniel.  Evan rode his first ride with his Daddy on a little train.  This side of the park was flat and that made it easier for us too.  I had no idea how difficult it is to push a stroller up the hill. 

To come home we took a city bus and then the train system.  It is pretty easy but one of the stations requires you to go up 5 floors or down 5 floors to get to your next train.  It doesn't sound too bad but you have to do this one floor at a time.  You go down/up one floor, get out of the elevator (in our case) or escalator and then find the next elevator/escalator and continue this process 4 more times each way.  By our trip home tonight I was about to collapse from exhaustion.  I hope that I have developed some new muscles with this workout.

Evan and Daniel are still getting a long well.  They have little fights but for the most part, Daniel is doing a great job as Big Brother.  Evan was wearing one of Daniel's favorite shirts today and he didn't even say a word.  Daniel shares his snacks with Evan and Evan has even shared some of his with Daniel.  Today when we were stuck in the arena, Evan's was parked in his stroller next to another girl in her stroller.  When Brian handed him a cookie he gave it to the little girl.  She reciprocated with some crackers for Evan. 

Evan is starting to let me hold him a little more each day.  He cries a lot and throws big tantrums when he doesn't get his way but he is also a happy little boy.  He loves to play peek-a-boo and wakes up in a good mood.  I think he and I will bond more when Brian is at work.  Right now he is very dependent on Brian.  Brian is doing an awesome job of caring for Evan.  He has to carry him everywhere and never complains.  You can tell that he is really enjoying having a 'Daddy's Boy' again.

I need to get to bed so I can get up and finish packing in the morning.  I won't have time to blog again until after we get home.  Thank you for following our trip and I hope you have enjoyed reading my entries.  Please remember us in your prayers tonight as we will be traveling while you are sleeping.

God Bless,

Brian, Kirsten, Daniel & Evan