:)

Bugsy

When I picked C up from school last Thursday he had a canvas bag hanging next to his backpack.  Inside was the class pet Bugsy.  He was so stinkin' excited about it!  He told me all about how Bugsy was their class pet and that we could do whatever we wanted with him and we were going to take pictures and how he really wanted to be the first one to take him home and then Mrs. Clarke drew his number!  There was a LOT of excitement over this little stuffed animal.  Bugsy came with a journal that C was supposed to write in each night.  The instructions said that the child could write as much or as little as they wanted, even just a caption for a picture...this I thought would be my child.  He and his friend Kaylee have been exchanging letters since we moved and getting him to write more than one sentence is like pulling teeth!  Well, Bugsy lit a fire under him because he was so into the journal writing.  Every night before bed he sat down at his desk and just went to town.  He didn't even ask me for help with spelling (which is usually his excuse for not writing other times..."But I don't know how to spell all those words.") 

 

And now for the pictures from our weekend with Bugsy!  The first thing he had to do when we got home from school was introduce Bugsy to all his animals (which yes, he has entirely too many of!)

Reading to Bugsy. 

Introducing Bugsy to Daddy as soon as he walked in the door.

 At the Space Center together.

 Learning all about ladybugs at the library.

 Taking Bugsy out for one of their nightly drives around the neighborhood.

 That is a little dead snake in the bottom left corner.  It was a pretty exciting find.

I love his precious handwriting.  And that he did it all on his own!  Here's the translation... ;)
Me and Bugsy met new Animals.  I read to Bugsy.  Her favorite was The Big Fat Hen.  Bugsy was sad that she couldn't go outside but I promised that she could tomorrow.  Bugsy was happy again.  One day.  To be continued in chapter 2.

I fed jelly beans to Bugsy.  Bugsy got mad at my bro cus he took her.  I fed Bugsy a cookie.  I read to Bugsy.  Her favorite was Hot Diggity Dog.  Then we had some water.  I tucked Bugsy in.  My mom kissed me and Bugs good night and I said to Bugsy, don't let the spiders bite.  To be continued in #3.

Me and Bugsy landed a space shuttle.  We went to the library.  Me and Bugsy read lady bug books then we ate McDonald's.  I got some toys.  I wrestled my dad.  Bugsy was the princess.

Me and Bugsy watched Lilo and Stitch 1, 2, 3, and 4. (Ack!  Parenting fail revealed!!  Clint was at drill and I had some awful allergy/sinus junk going on.  I promise I don't let my kid watch tv all weekend long Mrs. Clarke!!!)  We ate some popcorn.  We found a dead snake. (See?!  I take my kids outside!) ;)  We saw a cat on the road.

I made a Bugsy sandwich for him on Monday when he had to return Bugsy.  I thought this was such a fun idea and a great tool to get kids excited about writing.  I'm so glad that C embraced it and had so much fun!



Rainy day fun

Looking at this picture makes me realize I don't own any raincoats that actually fit my children.  Ha!

My not-so-typical toddler

I came across this post in the facebook group for parents of Korean adoptees that I'm a part of...

"It would be so nice if my son could just say, "Mommy, I'm feeling insecure and out-of-place and need you to reassure me of your love." Instead, he whines, clings, demands my attention every three minutes and starts acting out in horrible ways when I don't respond and then gets worse when I get punitive. We cycle downward, both of us showing our worst side and then it's only after a day of this that it hits me like a V-8: OOOhhhhh, he's feeling insecure and out-of-place and needs me to reassure him! Unfortunately by that time I am so done. Just some midnight venting after a hard day."

Yes, yes and yes.  I have so been there.  I so AM there with this little guy.  Another mom responded with the best advice she'd ever heard "Parent to the need not the behavior."  Makes sense, but in the moment, it's hard to remember.  I just found it reassuring that parents with kiddos home much longer than lil' peanut (15 months) are still seeing their little ones struggle with some of these big feelings.  These babies really have gone through a loss and trauma that deeply affects them, and their behavior often can't be chalked up to "typical toddler." 

Just hanging in there these days...doing my best, even when it's not good enough...praying for God to fill the gaps...loving this little munchkin through the hard stuff.  (It helps that he's so cute!) ;)

Memories

 

Motherhood is a choice you make everyday,

to put someone else's happiness and well being ahead of your own,

to teach the hard lessons,

to do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is...

 

and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.

The beach!

We made it to the beach this weekend!  Hubby had some rewards points saved up so we thought we'd book a stay in a hotel and have ourselves a little babymoon as a family of four.  Saturday after C's soccer game we headed to Galveston and hit the beach.  The boys had so much fun!  I cannot believe how much fun lil' peanut had.  I totally expected him to be scared of the ocean (hello kid who won't ride the carousel).  But, all my plans of chilling in a beach chair while he sat calmly by my side vanished the instant his feet hit the sand.  The child bolted for the water and never looked back.  He LOVED it!  After the beach we swam in the fun pool at our hotel and topped it off with dinner and a movie in the room.  We had big plans for Sunday but somebody's big attitude sadly got those plans cancelled.  It was sad, but an important lesson to learn I think.  But, let's not talk about that.  Let's look at pictures from Saturday because Saturday was awesome!!!

 

*Most of my pictures are of lil' peanut since C was off in deeper waters with Daddy.





We were all bummed we didn't make it back to the beach, so we're hoping to get there one more time before baby brother makes his arrival.  They just had too much fun not to go back again soon!