Pouting.......Then and Now!

Sept. 1, 2009 -  "The Scrunchy Face"

January 5, 2010 -  "The Lip"

August 30, 2010 -  "The Whine"

Our Little Ravioli Man

In the blink of an eye, Jake went from only eating baby food (stage 2 because the chunky stuff made him gag) to eating people food. We were having lunch the other day and Natalie was eating Ramen noodles. I thought ""What the heck, he'll play with them, and be kept busy so I can eat lunch in peace." Jake was sitting quietly in his highchair next to me, when I looked over at him, he was eating the noodles all by himself. This is a little boy that refuses to hold him own bottle. AND he has never put anything in his mouth. Now all of a sudden the idea has kicked in and he is putting everything in his mouth. "Must Vacuum, Must Vacuum" - my new mantra.

Here are a couple of pics of lunch today with Jake eating baby ravioli. He loved it. Other new favorites are: cookie dough, oatmeal, toast, mac-n-cheese, french toast, Orange Chicken (YES, Orange Chicken) and fried rice. That is in addition to any noodle he can get his hands on.

What is this called again?

 Mmmm, Not too bad!

This ravioli stuff is pretty good - can I get some more?

Our Little Man's Surgery

Well, the day finally came for Jake to have his surgery.  He was born with cryptorchidism (look it up).  After seeing a specialist, the dr. said that he would have Jake come in as an out-patient and they would perform a laproscopy to try and locate the missing gonad.  They were able to find it and, surprisingly, it was in great condition and looked fully functional.  The dr. tacked it in place, so now our little guy looks complete.  While they were working in that area, they snipped Jake, too. 

It was a L-O-N-G for Daddy, Mommy and Natalie.  Jake was loopy, so he didn't care.....at the time.  Natalie was so mature while she waited with Mommy.  Daddy went to be with Jake in Pre-Op.  Jake was great about taking the pre-op medication....in fact he was mad because he wanted more!  Daddy stayed with him until Jake fell asleep, then Daddy join Natalie and I in the waiting area.  The staff there was fantastic, they kept us informed every step of the way.  When surgery was over, the dr. came out and talked with us.  He told us that surgery was the 'best case scenerio'........everything went perfect!  Daddy joined Jake and waited for him to wake up, then Natalie and I were allowed to 'sneak back' to join them in Post-Op Recovery. 

Jake slept a lot and didn't seem in too much pain.  It's been a week now and all the tape and gauze has fallen off.  The bruising is almost completely faded and he is no worse for the experience.  We are so glad that we were able to have this done now.  It would have been a nightmare if we had waited until he was older.  But that is not a bridge that we need to think about.  It's over and done with.

At home, feeling no pain

Oh these meds are GOOD......

Every call has a beginning.........

A quiet moment when God
Whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.

A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..a closed door opens.

A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care.

And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...Through you.

Thought for the Day ~

I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth - everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.  Isaiah 43:6-7

Bring Owen Smith HOME!

When Jake was in Taiwan, he had a playmate and bestest friend, Owen.  This little boy found his forever family not long after we found Jake.  Unfortunately, because of US government red tape, Owen is still in Taiwan.  His adoption has been finalized by the Taiwanese government!  But the US side refused to recognize it - even though all the hoops have been jumped through!  I am very emotional about this because.....there but for the grace of GOD go I.  The pain that Owen's family must be going through today, of all days, as Owen celebrates his 1st birthday, must be unbearable.  Please read his story.  If there is anyone you know, please contact them.  We MUST bring Owen home!

Bring Owen Home

Jake and tiny Owen - late August, 2009

The boys! Early March, 2010