Coming home

I told hubby to let C pick out an outfit for pumpkin to wear home and this is what they brought when they came to get us. (Can you see how his nickname got started?) I thought the jack-o-lantern was a perfect choice for our little October baby.

All snuggled up and ready to go HOME!  Several people commented on how quickly I left the hospital.  It's true.  It was fast.  Less than 48 hours actually.  That wasn't the hospitals standard protocol but I pleaded my case and they saw no reason why I couldn't go home early.  I was so glad to be back at home with my family.

It looks like C is playing a video game, but his DS actually has a camera feature.  So, he was following the baby around and taping him. 

Pumpkin is bundled up in the same blanket that myself and siblings came home in, and all the grandkids so far.  It's a special little tradition my mom started and we've managed to keep going.

Do you see lil' peanut using his booty to get C out of the way?  Ha!  They were having a moment of who could get closest to the baby.

Sweet baby boy, now you're home!

Meeting brother

I have pulled myself away from the little pumpkin to get some pictures posted.  He's magnetic and it's really, really hard to put him down. ;)  I will share more about his birth at some point, to include his very first pictures.  But, right now those are still on my phone.  It was a bit of a rush to the operating room and Daddy didn't have time to grab the camera.  For now, let's enjoy the first meeting.  The day after pumpkin (I think that just became his new blog nickname) was born Daddy brought C and lil' peanut up to meet him.

I was so happy to see my boys and to watch them meet their new little brother.  C had just given pumpkin his new car toy and in this picture he was going on about how cute and chubby the baby was.

Lil' peanut was only slightly more interested in the baby than his snacks.  Just slightly. ;)

Getting a good look at him.

Lil' peanut likes his "teeny tiny baby toes."  Hubby said that he even started talking about the baby's toes the other day while they were riding in the car.  They are quite the toes and have obviously made an impression on lil' peanut.  Ha!

C was so content just getting to hold him and lil' peanut was just checking him all out.  They were both so good with him.  And have been so far.  C is just smitten and is always checking on the baby, reading to him, taking pictures of him.  And lil' peanut has done really well being gentle with him.  He pops in every once in awhile to see what's up with the new baby but is mostly content to just hang out with Daddy.

All my blessings!

See lil' peanut giving the stink eye here?  "Why baby kick at me?"  Lol!

Checking out those toes again.

Other than my recovery, we are all in that blissful babymoon place...even the boys.  I'm sure having a new baby brother around won't always make them so happy.  That's why I'm soaking it up right now.

Our newest gift has arrived!

Soaking up all that newborn baby goodness.  Will share more soon.

:)

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!) ;)