Friday, May 30, 2008
An emotional day...looking back
One year ago today, Collin was placed in our arms for the first time. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember seeing Mama Rosa walk through the doors of the Marriott Hotel in Guatemala City. I recognized her from the pictures and I knew my baby!!!
All of the world melted away and it was just us in that hotel lobby looking at our son face to face for the first time. I knew in the back of my mind that in 7 days I was going to have to hand him back but at that moment, I didn't care. I was just so happy to finally have that baby in my arms-or rather Wyatt's arms. I also remember having to fight for my turn!!
I am surprised at how emotional I am feeling about this day. I pulled out the pictures from the trip and they just brought tears of joy to my eyes. I still get updates from the online group through the adoption agency and reading those posts today really brought back all of the emotion of the day. I was reading posts of people just returning from their first visit trip and describing the amazing experience of it all. And also the pain of what the future held-lots of uncertainty but in the end they come home!! They really do!!
Now I see my little 16 month old flying across the floor yelling "MAMA MAMA MAMA" with his big dimpled smile and it makes me BEAM! I look at my house with toys strewn everywhere and I DON"T CARE-I LOVE IT-because it makes him happy!
Thanks to Collin, I now know what Backyardigans are and I know all the words to the theme song. Gone are the days of singing "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "In da Club" in da car. Now we sing songs like "Toast" and "Elmo's Song", which is now Collin's Song.
Thanks to Collin I have learned to type blog entries with one hand while bouncing him on my lap and entertaining him with the other. I have learned to share anything and everything that goes in my mouth and that if I don't want to, I better hide it!! I have learned to decipher the grunts and moans and groans of baby talk. I know "uhuh" means drink and "pa" means pacifier and a kiss that turns into a bite means I'm tired put me to bed fast.
But, through all of that, the most important thing I have learned is that my life was not complete until he came into it. Wyatt and I had a great life with the freedom to come and go as we pleased but our life today is a million times better and more meaningful with Collin in it.
All of the world melted away and it was just us in that hotel lobby looking at our son face to face for the first time. I knew in the back of my mind that in 7 days I was going to have to hand him back but at that moment, I didn't care. I was just so happy to finally have that baby in my arms-or rather Wyatt's arms. I also remember having to fight for my turn!!
I am surprised at how emotional I am feeling about this day. I pulled out the pictures from the trip and they just brought tears of joy to my eyes. I still get updates from the online group through the adoption agency and reading those posts today really brought back all of the emotion of the day. I was reading posts of people just returning from their first visit trip and describing the amazing experience of it all. And also the pain of what the future held-lots of uncertainty but in the end they come home!! They really do!!
Now I see my little 16 month old flying across the floor yelling "MAMA MAMA MAMA" with his big dimpled smile and it makes me BEAM! I look at my house with toys strewn everywhere and I DON"T CARE-I LOVE IT-because it makes him happy!
Thanks to Collin, I now know what Backyardigans are and I know all the words to the theme song. Gone are the days of singing "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "In da Club" in da car. Now we sing songs like "Toast" and "Elmo's Song", which is now Collin's Song.
Thanks to Collin I have learned to type blog entries with one hand while bouncing him on my lap and entertaining him with the other. I have learned to share anything and everything that goes in my mouth and that if I don't want to, I better hide it!! I have learned to decipher the grunts and moans and groans of baby talk. I know "uhuh" means drink and "pa" means pacifier and a kiss that turns into a bite means I'm tired put me to bed fast.
But, through all of that, the most important thing I have learned is that my life was not complete until he came into it. Wyatt and I had a great life with the freedom to come and go as we pleased but our life today is a million times better and more meaningful with Collin in it.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Guess What Happens Next?
Yep, he fell. No major injuries and only a few tears. He'll be back up there tomorrow.
Memorial Day
Hopefully everyone is enjoying a long weekend. We are working of course but before work we had time to get in a little Memorial Day festivity. We took Collin to his first parade here in the US. He enjoyed it but it was very short. We went to the Dublin Parade. Luckily, he made it through the 21 gun salute without a peep. I can't wait for the 4th of July!! I hope he likes fireworks!!
Don't forget while you are enjoying your cookouts and frosty beverages to think of all the troops who have fought and are currently fighting so that we can continue to enjoy our freedom. Don't forget to thank them and their families for their sacrifices and service to our country!!
After the parade we went to Waffle House for breakfast, what could be more American?? Wyatt loves Waffle House, me...not so much...unless it's at 3AM. I have to say it was a pleasant experience and Collin has found his favorite restaurant. I hate to say, it is the perfect place to take him to eat. We had a cute and very friendly young waitress with a southern accent so he flirted constantly-Collin not Wyatt =*) It is very loud so we don't have to worry about him yelling. They have ceramic tile floors so we don't have to worry about him dropping food. As long as he is still eating scrambled eggs and tomatoes the food is fine. I would say you can't mess up eggs but I once learned, I think it was in Bristol,TN, that you can...and BAD!!(Kaufman's are you with me?)
When we left they gave him a Waffle House paper hat. He loved it! He loved it so much in the short time it took us to get home he had eaten a hole in the top!! So here are some pics from the day.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Then and Now
Five days from now it will be the 1 year anniversary of the first time we held Collin in our arms. I have so many great memories of that trip. I can only compare it to a child's birth story. It was the day he became "real" to us. The first time we could touch him and love him up close and in person. It was a life changing trip and I often wish we could go back to that moment and re-live it again. It truly was an unbelievable week. We learned so much and we were so lucky to have that time alone, just the 3 of us, getting to know each other and bond as a family.
I will never forget those days. It bring tears to my eyes just thinking about it and knowing that the same sweet little boy is upstairs sleeping in his bed in his home puts a smile on my face. I am so grateful that we are not in the same spot now that we were this time last year. There is so much uncertainty in Guatemalan adoptions right now. What a difference a year can make. I will all turn back around but I am so happy that we got him home when we did. Collin was truly meant to be our son.
In honor of these many first anniversaries that will be taking place over the next few months I will be dedicating my posts to a topic...Now and Then. I think it will be fun to look back at life for us a year ago compared to our life today. And trust me, it will include a lot of pictures!! Some people do FFF(Favorite Foto Friday)I will have to think of a catchy name and pick a day. Keep checking back!!!
I will never forget those days. It bring tears to my eyes just thinking about it and knowing that the same sweet little boy is upstairs sleeping in his bed in his home puts a smile on my face. I am so grateful that we are not in the same spot now that we were this time last year. There is so much uncertainty in Guatemalan adoptions right now. What a difference a year can make. I will all turn back around but I am so happy that we got him home when we did. Collin was truly meant to be our son.
In honor of these many first anniversaries that will be taking place over the next few months I will be dedicating my posts to a topic...Now and Then. I think it will be fun to look back at life for us a year ago compared to our life today. And trust me, it will include a lot of pictures!! Some people do FFF(Favorite Foto Friday)I will have to think of a catchy name and pick a day. Keep checking back!!!
FINALLY PICTURES!
The Boys!
Collin and Mallory playing on "their" new play set...it just happens to be in our "other backyard".
Collin being a HAM! He loves climbing on an off of his MANY riding toys.
Collin and Kahlen sacked out after a long walk-of course they didn't do the walking!
Collin checking out dad's new motorcycle-LONG STORY!!!
Nana and the kids having a picnic on one of the first nice days of the season. Collin and I are planning to visit every Metro Park this Spring and summer to see which one we like best. This was Glacier Ridge Park close to Plain City. It was a pretty nice park but I think we can do better.
Collin in his bike helmet. Collin has 2 fun ways to ride bikes! Wyatt has the pull behind carrier and I have a front mounted seat so he looks like he's riding the bike. We get a lot of attention with that one! I always forget to take pictures while we are on the bike so I will have to try to remember and post one.
Collin and Mallory playing on "their" new play set...it just happens to be in our "other backyard".
Collin being a HAM! He loves climbing on an off of his MANY riding toys.
Collin and Kahlen sacked out after a long walk-of course they didn't do the walking!
Collin checking out dad's new motorcycle-LONG STORY!!!
Nana and the kids having a picnic on one of the first nice days of the season. Collin and I are planning to visit every Metro Park this Spring and summer to see which one we like best. This was Glacier Ridge Park close to Plain City. It was a pretty nice park but I think we can do better.
Collin in his bike helmet. Collin has 2 fun ways to ride bikes! Wyatt has the pull behind carrier and I have a front mounted seat so he looks like he's riding the bike. We get a lot of attention with that one! I always forget to take pictures while we are on the bike so I will have to try to remember and post one.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Race For The Cure
Today we walked in the Race for the Cure. It was amazing the amount of people downtown. The last number I heard was 40,000. I can tell you that when the race began it took us at least 10 minutes to even move. There were people as far as you could see in every direction. The turnout was quite impressive. The kids seemed to enjoy it-Brylie and Collin slept through most of it!!
Hopefully I will be able to post pictures soon. We think we had a power surge that fried some components on our computer. Yes, we have a surge protector but it must not have worked for some reason. We thought we got off easy when we only had to pay $50 for 2 new memory cards but now the card readers don't work so no new pictures until that issue is resolved. I just ordered an external card reader because I wanted on for my laptop anyway so as soon as it gets here I'll post all kinds of pictures-I promise.
We are enjoying the spring weather on the rare occasion we see it. We have been taking a lot of walks and a few bike rides. Our neighbors across the street have a new play set so we head over to our "other yard" to play pretty often.
Collin continues to cut teeth and deal with an ear infection. He hasn't quite been himself for a few weeks but it could be much worse!! He had to go back to the International Clinic at Children's for his 6 month re-check. They check his development and general health and then suck a bunch of blood from him to re-test for a bunch of things that may not have shown up the first time. Needless to say he was NOT happy!
We had decided we were not going to bother with the 6 month re-check since our pediatrician said it wasn't really necessary but then I had to go and read an article about how some diseases can be dormant and take up to 6 months to appear after exposure and I changed my mind. Essentially the appointment was for my peace of mind. Next week he has to go to his pediatrician for his 15 month check up which means...MORE SHOTS! It's rough being a kid!
I have mentioned before that Collin has not shown any interest in walking and that he would get rubber band legs any time I tried to encourage it. The other day I happened to try again and he held my hand and walked all over the house. Now he is starting to stand for a couple of seconds without holding on to anything. He is just on his own time line! So now dad can hold one hand and I hold the other and we can walk all around. Pretty soon he will take off and I'll be begging him to crawl again!
Hopefully ther will be pictures in a few days so check back soon!
Hopefully I will be able to post pictures soon. We think we had a power surge that fried some components on our computer. Yes, we have a surge protector but it must not have worked for some reason. We thought we got off easy when we only had to pay $50 for 2 new memory cards but now the card readers don't work so no new pictures until that issue is resolved. I just ordered an external card reader because I wanted on for my laptop anyway so as soon as it gets here I'll post all kinds of pictures-I promise.
We are enjoying the spring weather on the rare occasion we see it. We have been taking a lot of walks and a few bike rides. Our neighbors across the street have a new play set so we head over to our "other yard" to play pretty often.
Collin continues to cut teeth and deal with an ear infection. He hasn't quite been himself for a few weeks but it could be much worse!! He had to go back to the International Clinic at Children's for his 6 month re-check. They check his development and general health and then suck a bunch of blood from him to re-test for a bunch of things that may not have shown up the first time. Needless to say he was NOT happy!
We had decided we were not going to bother with the 6 month re-check since our pediatrician said it wasn't really necessary but then I had to go and read an article about how some diseases can be dormant and take up to 6 months to appear after exposure and I changed my mind. Essentially the appointment was for my peace of mind. Next week he has to go to his pediatrician for his 15 month check up which means...MORE SHOTS! It's rough being a kid!
I have mentioned before that Collin has not shown any interest in walking and that he would get rubber band legs any time I tried to encourage it. The other day I happened to try again and he held my hand and walked all over the house. Now he is starting to stand for a couple of seconds without holding on to anything. He is just on his own time line! So now dad can hold one hand and I hold the other and we can walk all around. Pretty soon he will take off and I'll be begging him to crawl again!
Hopefully ther will be pictures in a few days so check back soon!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Quick Post
Sorry I haven't posted for a while but our computer has crashed once again. It is amazing how that stupid thing runs your life! It is a little harder now to find enough free time to get it up and running again. For now, we will be using the laptop.
Collin is a little grumpy this week. He has some new teeth coming in. They are the ones way in the back-I have no idea what they are called! He has the usual runny nose and cold that comes with the territory. He is biting everything in sight including himself and others. He loves carrots and celery so I try to keep that in his mouth as much as possible.
I wasted the whole entire day today. I did something to my back about a week ago and finally had to give in and go to the doctor. She gave me some medicine which obviously does not agree with me. I could barely keep my eyes open so I laid down for a minute and when I woke up it was 5PM!!! Luckily Collin was at my parents otherwise who knows what kind of trouble he would have been into! Obviously the drugs are not going to work!
A few new things since the last post...Collin has figured out to turn the TV off and on. It was cute the first 100 times but it is getting a little old. He had a brain sucking tick on his head which really freaked me out but I got it off along with small chunk of his head.He has started "loving on" the animals, meaning he lays his head on them and pretends he is asleep-it is too cute. I have been trying to get a picture but it hasn't worked out so far.
Sorry for the quick post-hopefully the PC will be back up and running soon!
Collin is a little grumpy this week. He has some new teeth coming in. They are the ones way in the back-I have no idea what they are called! He has the usual runny nose and cold that comes with the territory. He is biting everything in sight including himself and others. He loves carrots and celery so I try to keep that in his mouth as much as possible.
I wasted the whole entire day today. I did something to my back about a week ago and finally had to give in and go to the doctor. She gave me some medicine which obviously does not agree with me. I could barely keep my eyes open so I laid down for a minute and when I woke up it was 5PM!!! Luckily Collin was at my parents otherwise who knows what kind of trouble he would have been into! Obviously the drugs are not going to work!
A few new things since the last post...Collin has figured out to turn the TV off and on. It was cute the first 100 times but it is getting a little old. He had a brain sucking tick on his head which really freaked me out but I got it off along with small chunk of his head.He has started "loving on" the animals, meaning he lays his head on them and pretends he is asleep-it is too cute. I have been trying to get a picture but it hasn't worked out so far.
Sorry for the quick post-hopefully the PC will be back up and running soon!
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