Updated Pictures of Sawyer.....



Isn't he so cute, I just want to grab him out of the picture and take him home right now!!! Why are we having to wait so long to bring this adorable child home.

Here is his update information:

His development is the same level as other kids of his age. He is very outgoing and active. He likes to play with his big brother. He can call "Mo Mo". He knows his foster family and doesn't like strangers. He can walk alone. Sometimes he will fall, but he can stand up again by himself. He likes to pick up, follows and leaves. He likes to watch ants and pick them up to play. He likes toys, especially balls. He likes puppy. He can find stuff from drawers. He also can turn on TV and adjust the volume. He can copy the action from TV. He doesn't react that well of normal voice. But he can hear when you talk to him loudly. He likes to put his right hand fingers into his month.

He still needs help when he put on clothes. He doesn't know to use a spoon to feed himself. He can hold fruit or snacks to eat. He is not picky at all. Likes to eat vegetable, meat, fruit. He has 3 meals a day. Breakfast is noodle, case, congee and roll. Lunch and dinner is rice with vegetable, meat or egg. He will show he needs to go to restroom. He sleeps and eats very well.

We can not wait to bring him home....Please, I pray that we can make this wait go by faster.

Oh The Stress.....


So, Sawyer is going to be home in the next month or so. We know we have 99.9% of everything we need to do before he comes home done, but it feels like we are 99.9% away from getting anything done (if that make sense). We have been running around like chickens with their heads cut off buying him cloths, putting together toys that we got from the baby shower at Shelby's work, and watching the boards for TA news. This is the hardest of all.

We have been seeing couples with LOI dates after ours get their TAs already. We are being reassured that our Dossier has special circumstances to it and that we will be getting our TA shortly. WHY CAN THEY JUST SEND IT TO US NOW???!!! SAWYER WANTS TO COME HOME!!!!

Ahhh, I feel better that I let that out. So, what I am going to do now is think of things I need to do before Sawyer gets home:

I am going to run through the neighborhood and scream from the top of my lungs while wearing a tu tu and a pink leotard.

I will be changing all of the phones in the house from the touch tone to the rotary dial phones.

I am going to unplug the Computer, remove the cord and throw it up into the attic so that it gets buried in the insulation. That way we can not look at the boards and get stressed out about our TA (or read the APC).

While running around the neighborhood screaming in a tu tu and a pink leotard, I am going to dress the dogs up in Sawyers cloths (as stated in an earlier post) and tell everyone "they are my kids, got a sucker?"

Or any other crazy things I can think of. I just need to get the stress out of my system.

Suggested Reading Before You Go To China!!!

When Shelby and I started this process just over a year ago, the first thing we did was to join one of the online groups. Ya know the one……”the list that shall not be named”. Yes I am talking about APC. Over the past few months, it has gotten to be very painful to read this board. Don’t get me wrong - at the beginning it was very informative. We found many suggestions about books to read before we went to China. These books were/are all geared to preparing yourself for the adoption: Chinese culture, adoption/attachment issues, infant/toddler grief etc. Ya see in China, things are a little different than they are in the United States. Adoptive parents need to remember that they are going to a different country (with a different culture, different attitudes, different ways of thinking) and the things that are socially acceptable here might not be socially acceptable there. So please become knowledgeable about adoption in China and Chinese Culture, and Provincial Culture for that matter, before you go over to China. It can only help you and your child in the long run. And of course, it helps to alleviate that “American Tourist” stereotype!

Besides reading books, adoptive parents should talk to people who have adopted from China. They are a great resource of information. There is a great couple in our neighborhood who adopted a beautiful girl from China. She is even from Kunming - the same province as Sawyer. They have been wonderful. These parents (and even their daughter) have told us about Kunming and the Yunnan province: about the people, cool places to eat, cool shops to go to, and about places to see while we are in Kunming. The most important thing they told us was about the people and what to expect from them, what type of food they have and where the cool sights can be seen. One thing that they kept reiterating is that you need to dress your child in long sleeves and long pants all the time, regardless of the weather. Ya see, the Chinese believed that if you show too much skin on the child, the child will become cold and could get sick. If you walk around and your child’s skin showing, the older generation will come up to your child and try to pull the sleeves and pant legs down to cover the exposed area. They do this, not out of disrespect, but only because they are TRULY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF YOUR CHILD!!!! The Chinese truly parent via the infamous “village” method (i.e. Hillary Clinton…not the Village People, although we do plan on raising Sawyer to love their greatest hits…its fun to stay at the YMCA). The Chinese love their children, and their behavior is culturally acceptable. DEAL WITH IT, RESPECT IT and do things differently when you are back in the States.

Anyways, on to books! The first book I suggest reading is 'The Lost Daughters of China' by Karin Evans. It doesn't matter if you are adopting a boy or girl. This book was a wealth of knowledge. It also told us about how to dress the child while in China. But, the main theme of the book is what to expect when you adopt a child from China. It introduced us to the whole process of the wait, the referral, the orphanage customs, the gift to guides and facilitators, the gift to provincial personnel, the gift to consulate personnel, and what to expect from the people in China. This book is a must read for anyone who is adopting from China.

I also recommend that you find a travel guidebook for the province where you will be traveling. Not only will this book give you ideas about places to see, eat, or stay, it will also give you background on the area you are visiting. For instance, since Sawyer is in the Kunming SWI, we bought a book called 'China: Yunnan Providence, The Bradt Travel Guide' by Stephen Mansfield. In this book, it gives you the history, customs, religion, and the story of the many different minorities in the Yunnan. It also talks about where to eat, stay and what to visit while in Kunming. We also bought a book for quick reference on Mandarin phrases. A funny thing I saw in this book didn't even pertain to trying to communicate. It said that people in China are more lax in public. The passing of gas is normal in everyday life. I find this very funny, and it is a tradition that I will bring back with me and teach Sawyer (sorry honey, but it is like taxes, death and watching football – inevitable).

Since we are adopting a toddler, and this is the first child for both if us, Shelby found a book called 'Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft' by Mary Hopkins-Best. This has been suggested reading by many people who have adopted toddlers. One blog I have read, and also suggested this book, said that they have both biological and adopted children. This book and these people have said that nothing is the same when it comes to attaching to an adoptive toddler. When he/she throws a tantrum, you DO NOT ignore them; you hold them close and tell them that it is okay. They need to understand that you are going to be there for them and you are not going to leave them. It says to remember that a majority of these children just came from a stable environment (where some may have had foster parents that they thought of as their mama and baba) and now they are in a completely new place with new people (who do not look like them, act like them, talk like them or even smell like them) and who are now automatically assuming the role of mother and father. It will take time for the child to adjust, but the worst thing you can do is ignore the child when they are having a meltdown. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, hold them close and let them know that you will be there for them. They are having the tantrum because they are confused, possibly grieving and most likely just plain old frustrated! They do not need boundaries put up at this time – they need to know that you will be there for them no matter how hard they cry, no matter if they hit or slap or bite, and basically NO MATTER WHAT!!!

We believe that one of the most important things we can do for Sawyer is to have an understanding, appreciation and respect for his culture and his homeland. We may not always agree with China’s way, but we will always be respectful of and thankful to China for giving us the greatest gift imaginable. Please do not go to China with the attitude “I will do as I want” and disregard Chinese social norms that do not match your own. Please be open-minded and respectful!

And for god sakes, DO NOT USE A HARNESS TO CONTROL YOUR CHILD (Hip Huggies, Backpacks and even carrying them in your arms are better alternatives). Finally, EAT THE DARN FOOD: diversity won’t kill ya, and neither will a bit of “traveler’s tummy”. Lord knows we are not traveling to China so we can eat KFC and Pizza Hut.

Bottom-line – we are so excited for our TA to come and have much more reading to do. If you have other suggestions or comments for me, please don't hesitate to post them – we are open-minded after all.

We're So Excited.........

We just heard today from Small World that our paperwork is through the review room and into the matching room. Which means that we might be receiving our travel assignment in a couple of weeks. WAY TOO COOL!!!!!

Shelby spent forty-five minutes on the phone with the Director of the agency, Kathy, telling her how excited we are about finally seeing the end of our long journey to bring Sawyer home. It was a year ago this week that we decided to adopt a child from China. We were driving around Mount Rainier trying to decide how to get over yet another miscarriage. We happened to stop at the Paradise visitor's center and as we were getting out of the truck, a father, mother and obviously adopted Asian child walked by. What more of a sign could we have asked for? From that moment, we have never looked back.

We can not wait to bring Sawyer home. I am going to have my little Football Buddy. I can't wait for him to play with his new toys and sleep in his new bed (mainly ours for the first few months). Shelby can't wait to read him books and take him on hikes and walks with the dogs. We both can't wait to take him around and show him places and things about his new home.

The really cool thing is, we have been taking Mandarin classes from an older gentleman (Lin Yaguang) and his wife (YunXia) in Seattle. They are both from Mainland China (Chonquing). She has agreed to watch Sawyer one or two days a week to help him maintain his Mandarin and expose him to more of his culture. They are an awesome couple. When he teaches, he makes sure we are pronouncing the word or phrase correctly before we move to the next subject. He will also be giving us phrases to put on flash cards to take with us to China. So, we will be able to communicate when we do not have a guide.

We know that at this moment, we are on the verge of a life-altering change. It is an amazing feeling - the anticipation sweet, the longing sharp and the joy indescribable. It is moments like these when you know deep in your soul that life is not random and without reason.

Our life is just beginning.....

Waiting

What do you do while you are waiting for your TA (travel authorization) or your referral for your child from China. There are many things that you can do. You can start a blog so that people can read about your waiting for your TA or your referral. You can paint every room in your house in preparation of the new bundle of joy that will soon be home, but you're still waiting. You can go shopping for all the cool toys that you didn't have when you were a kid so that when your little bundle of joy comes home, he can immediately destroy the newly painted house that you prepared for him, but you are still waiting. Are you getting the theme of this post. WE ARE STILL WAITING AND IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!!!!

Anyway, to distract myself from the waiting, I have come up with the ten stupidest things people can do while they are waiting for their child to come home from China.

10. Test out the little potty training toilet you bought for your little one. (You might have to dump it a couple of times).

9. Have a tricycle race around the block, with other waiting parents, while wearing the Halloween outfits you bought for the child.

8. Take the Lincoln Log set and build a scale replica of an old English Castle in your front yard. When the Home Owners Association comes and demands you take it down, you threaten to dump hot tar on them.

7. Take your little one's stuffed animals to work with you, dress them up in a suit and tie, put them on your desk and when your boss asks you a question, tell him you are going to have talk to your associates.

6. Call the other waiting dads and arrange "The First Annual Adoptive Dads Radio Flyer Down Hill Derby." Wagon to be returned to the child's room once the race is completed. (Dents give the wagon character).

5. Break in the child's bib at the next office meeting.

4. Break in the binkie at the same time.

3. After a long night with your family, put on a pair of your baby's diapers and tell your parents you are testing the capacity of the pampers. Only the best for your child.

2. Dress your dog up in the kid's cloths before your wife gets home. She'll Freak out.

The number one stupidest thing you can do while waiting for child:

Read the APC Board!!!!

Terror Threat Levels

With the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the United States has issued a terror threat warning to Americans traveling to China. According to Reuters News: "The United States warned on Friday of a possible terrorist threat against its interests in China, especially in the three major cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou."

While I believe that we should be aware of our surroundings while we travel through China, I will not allow my family to succumb to this fear mongering. Our United States Government has come up with the "Terror Threat Level" chart to help us understand the severity of any threat to the United States.

Lets talk about the terror threat levels. I think it would be best if we look at the chart that was provided to us by our children's favorite show, next to Sponge Bob Square Pants, Dora the Adventurer or even Bob the Builder. That's right, the Sesame Street version of the terror threat levels.



We all know that the day is coming when the streets of America will be flooded with furry puppets making us do their bidding. After years of pulling their strings, and I know about pulling strings (our purse strings), they've had enough. It's time for them to start pulling our strings.

So our Government, in their infamous wisdom, came up with the threat levels, so let me explain them:

The Green or Oscar Level: This level is when there is Utopia on the the planet. There is no threat to any one and people tend to stay out of everyone else's business. Life is good at this level, every child has their forever family and Gotcha Days are happening all the time. There is peace on Earth, the grass is always green. The Sky is always Blue. There is always food in the refrigerator. It's our happy place....It's a great place....to fantasize about!! Don't you people know that this will NEVER happen. Utopia is a fictional place! People... don't get attached to it!!

The Blue or Cookie Monster Level: This is a slightly elevated level over the Green (Oscar Level). In this level, everyone is getting along fairly nicely. Our cute little children are playing together in the park and there are no worries of us running out of Cookies. MMMMMMMMM.....COOKIES (in Homer Simpson Voice). I like cookies, especially when he crumbs fall on my shirt. It's like having a snack waiting for you later. Cookies are good when you dip them in Ice Cold Milk. It make it easier for them to go down and then you can eat more. Ooops, once again I went of subject. But I find it easy to talk about myself and my family and the cookies we eat...MMM, COOKIES.

Sorry about that. We are going to combine the Yellow and Orange categories. We all know that Bert and Ernie can never be separated. Where you find one you will always find another. Just like me and food. Where there is food, there is me. Just like where there is a Banana, there's a Banana split. Or where there is Ice Cream, there is a Root Beer Float. Or where there is a cow, there is steaks. Or where there is chicken, there are chicken wings. I love chicken wings. Bert and Ernie are like Chicken Wings to Ranch dipping dressing. You dip that hot deep fried wing into that cold rich dressing and its like you've gone to heaven. Anyway, back on subject. It seems I can not stay on subject or get to the point of this blog, so let me try...

RED or ELMO LEVEL: This is the most dangerous level. This level is where the whole world is taken over by little furry red creature that talks like Yoda on Helium. We are talking Armagedon here. Brim stone, fire, Howie Mandel as President. Picture it, Howie having peace talks with Iran: Deal Or No Deal. UGH OOH, Elmo fall down. After eating the banana split, the Root Beer Float, the steak, the chicken wings with the ranch dipping sauce, and the cookies, if I fell down, I would be able to get back up. I would teeter totter there on the floor until the fork lift came and picked me up and put me back on my feet. That would definitely be a red day in my book.

Please people, be vigilant, but don't let the world scare you.

Happy Threat Level Watching.

Sawyer's Room















Well, Sawyer's room is 95% finished. We just need to get more toys and a little touch up, here and there. I think we have a good start on the clothes for the boy, but every time we go to a mall, we find ourselves in the children's store. The boy is going to have more clothes than both of us put together.

Hurry home Sawyer!!!