Twice Blessed

New Blog

2011-01-21T15:30:00.003-05:00

I am sorry I have seemingly abandoned this blog. But quite honestly, I keep up with most you on Facebook anyways. But...as I did with Cullen, I'd love to journal this next endeavor we have embarked on. So if you are interested in learning about our "Sweet Surprise", please visit http://oursweetsurprise.blogspot.com/

Haiti

2010-01-14T09:27:00.006-05:00

So I know I have adamently proclaimed that we are done adopting. And we likely are. But maybe, just maybe we aren't.

In all the years of trying to have a family, I have always been faithful to the same prayer. "God, change my heart and desires to match Your plan, not mine." And when Cullen came home, I truly felt our family was complete. I was complete.

But I began to notice this tiny twinge about a year ago. It was a teeny seed of doubt that we were not done. It wasn't a need of my own that I felt wasn't met. But rather a need I felt we may be called on to someday meet. I can't explain the feeling. I wondered if maybe we would be called to provide foster care or adopt internationally. In any case, I knew the time wasn't now, so I have tried not to give it too much thought.

Meanwhile my love for African and Haitian children has steadily grown. So I've begun to wonder if perhaps we were meant to bring another child home. And if that's the case, I'm pretty certain that it may be from Haiti. I watch Adoption Stories all the time and am continually drawn to the episodes in which families travel to Haiti. And more specifically to the orphange God's Littlest Angels.

So when the earthquake hit this week, it stirred up a lot. A lot of questions and very few answers. Is this where God will one day lead us? Will we add to our family in the future? Or will He call us to help Haiti in other ways, like long term financial support.

At this point, I know very little. But I do know that my love for these people is stronger than ever and my heart is broken for them. I will pray for the people of Haiti and I will contiue to pray that God leads us on the path that He has chosen. Whatever that path might be.

Awaiting Jameson

2009-12-26T20:07:00.009-05:00

Ok, so I didn't know that Kristine would want me posting them all over Facebook, but I just had to share a few pics from our little shoot this afternoon.

Anniversary Syndrome

2009-12-22T11:30:00.008-05:00

It's been creeping up for several months. But the past few weeks have been even worse. Suddenly in a single moment it all comes crashing back. The smell. The trees and presents. And once the cold air hits my face I am brought back to that wintery night last December. It's freezing, but I barely notice. I think I am numb. But I can feel that my heart is racing. I think to myself "this can't be happening".

We've done this dance before. Many times actually. The phone rings. It's late. It can only mean one thing. I grab Shawn's coat and keys for him while he jumps into his shoes and then he's out the door. He flies down the street to his parents while I make arrangements for the kids and follow right behind. We rush to his side. Ambulances come, maybe a few days or weeks in the hospital and then he's home again. It's how it always goes. It's the dance we do. And it always begins with a the phone ringing at some unexpected hour.

But this time it was different. It was Christmas Eve.

And everything about it felt different. The urgency in my mother-in-laws voice spoke volumes. "TELL SHAWN TO GET HERE". That's all she said and the phone went silent. I knew this time was not like the others. I raced to a neighbors and started frantically banging on their door. And within minutes I too was racing down the street.

By the time I arrived, Shawn was out of breath from doing CPR and was sitting on the floor hugging his knees. It was a furry of activity. Firemen, EMTs. Chris's dad had heard the call and dispatched all available units. Betty was so shaken she couldn't even stand. This was definitely different. So I went outside and paced. Waiting for Amy and Kristine, I tried to make sense of all of this. This could not be happening. NOT on Christmas. WHAT would we tell our children? The thought was unconscionable.

The rest seemed to happen in slow motions. Walking into the hospital. The looks of sympathy. Being escorted into a "private" waiting room. The waiting room you know is set aside for grieving families, now our family. And then being in the trauma room. The only room big enough for the whole family to come into and say our goodbyes in.

It was around midnight when we stood around his bed. Trying to understand why this time was different from all the rest. Hoping we'd all wake up from this terrible dream. We hugged, we cried and we wished one another a solemn Merry Chrsitmas.

Hours later, we were be back home again. And the kids soon to wake. We would play this charade Christmas Day. Pretending that nothing had changed, when in reality everything had. But the kids deserved to enjoy some type of Christmas before we broke the news.

When talking to Alex later that night she was sad, but still didn't seem to really get it. Then all of the sudden her expression changed and she had the biggest most excited smile. She said "Mom, Christmas is Jesus's Birthday. And Grandpa's with Him now. That means Grandpa gets to celebrate Jesus's birthday WITH him!" She thought that was pretty awesome.

The wisdom of a five year old!

Holiday Wishes

2009-12-21T20:36:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Cullen's New Room

2009-10-05T10:38:00.002-04:00

So we moved Cullen into his new room. Formerly Allie's Pink Princess Room. We still have to finish the trim, buy a dresser and second mattress, hang pictures, etc. But you can get the general idea.

Cullen loves his new bed and has had no transition issues. It's so much fun decorating for a boy!

Down Syndrome Awareness

2009-10-02T09:31:00.005-04:00

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. And I would love to give a shout out to my friend Tyler!

Many of you have heard me talk of Tyler and his family. And some of you are even blessed enough to know them personally. You may also know that they have had a very, very difficult and challenging year. And I would ask that you continue to keep them in prayer. However that story will have to wait, because right now we are simply celebrating the wonder that we call Ty-Ty!

Tyler was born with Down Syndrome, along with a multitude of other medical challenges. But let me assure you that none of his "labels" truly describe who he his. Personally, I choose to describe Tyler as:

Comical
Mischievous
Loving
Smart
Determined
and, STRONG

Tyler is an enormous personality jam packed in little boy's body. His will to live, thrive and excel is an inspiration to all. He is a fighter in every way. His strength and loving spirit have forever imprinted themselves on every individual whom he meets.

Oh, and I failed to mention that Oct 2nd is also LiveStrong Day: Uniting individuals affected by Cancer.

And unfortunately this day also applies to little Tyler. Keep fighting Sweet Boy. Keep Fighting.

We love you Tyler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Houston, TX

2009-09-21T20:00:00.010-04:00

Well so far the trip has been much more enjoyable than I'd expected. Flights were pretty uneventful, except for getting really bad motion sickness on the last leg. And what's up with that? Who gets motion sick on a plane. I'd never gotten car sick and now twice in the last month I have. And now the plane? Just weird. (And no, I am most certainly NOT pregnant!)

But anyways. I got in late last night, or more accurately, very early this morning. Hotel is very nice. Clean. Comfortable. Free internet. Fridge. Micro. And most importantly, adjacent to Cantina Laredo: Gourmet Mexican Food. Yum. Apparently these Texans like good food! It's all anyone talks about down here. Not that I'm complaining.

So the class. The whole reason I'm down here. Introduction to Energy Trading and Hedging. What they meant to say was "sign up for our class if you are a CEO or CFO of a large energy related corporation or if you hold multiple degrees in Engineering and Economics"! Seriously, the only other attendees were attorneys from both the IRS and PSC. All them, an ME. And the material, lemme just say WOW. But the most amazing part is that I have been able to keep up with most of the material. Will I remember it by the time I return? Heck no. But at least I haven't shown myself to be a complete idiot, yet.

And Daddy is doing quite well back home with the kiddos, which has allowed me to relax a bit for a change. Talked to both Alex and Cullen several times. I was even able to sing Cullen's usually good night songs to him.

Now? Some Facebooking. Checking on Blogs. Catching the repeat of the Army Wives episode I missed last night. A little reading. Then bed!

Crayola Factory

2009-09-16T08:41:00.001-04:00

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Sesame Place 2009

2009-09-15T21:47:00.001-04:00

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Big Boy

2009-09-14T14:34:00.006-04:00

My baby is growing up!

Cullen was 18 months old last Friday. It's just not fair. He was supposed to be my baby. And being our last...he was supposed to stay a baby. At least for awhile. But Cullen will hear of no such thing. And just as his sister did, he felt that 18 months was long enough for the crib! He was a big boy and he wanted out.

So while in NY last weekend, he decided to climb out of the pack-n-play. And once we returned home, he did the same with his crib.

This weekend we went shopping for a big boy bed, but his set won't be in for up to 10 weeks. So we borrowed Grandma's toddler bed yesterday and tried it out.

We could not believe that Cullen got right in and slept the entire night without getting out once! We were sooooo proud of him. Now let's hope tonight goes as well!

NYC 2009

2009-09-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

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My Baby Girl

2009-09-08T10:25:00.005-04:00

Today my baby started First Grade. I am still trying to figure out where the time has gone.

I had the first day jitters big time. Even down to the nightmares last night. I don't think I caught a wink of good sleep! Alex was fine though. Very exctied. Anxious to see some of her friends and her dear Mrs W (her classroom aide that moved up with her). She was also very excited to wear a fancy dress. Nothing short of a holiday dress was going to cut it for her today. So this was our best compromise. I'm glad I caved. She was so proud of how she looked. And giving her self confidence may just be the most important thing I could offer her. (And yes, she insisted on the oversized bow as well.)

Ready or Not?

2009-09-01T21:21:00.004-04:00

Most definitely Not.

School starts in under a week and I couldn't be less ready. I mean what is so exciting about having to have two kids ready and out the door by 7am? Not much.

But it is just around the corner and will be here whether I am ready or not.

The one thing that makes me most nervous is that we have had a wonderful and PEACEFUL summer. We have had our share of incidents, but nothing like last school year brought.

But this is a new year and hoping for new and better experiences.

The first step toward making that happen was getting in with a child psychologist and trying to figure out what exactly is going on with Alex. Which we've begun. And today, an official diagnosis.

So here's to hoping First Grade is a huge success!!!!

A Look Back

2009-08-30T21:17:00.009-04:00

Looking forward to a busy weekend! We didn't think we'd get around to this trip after just getting back from Tennessee, but how could we resist. Not when those huge dark eyes light up and sparkle at the near mention of Elmo! Even Alex has been begging for months to take Cullen to Sesame Place. So off we go.

I also couldn't help but to take a walk down memory lane and look back on our first trip to Sesame, and the following year when we eagerly returned. I think I am just as excited as the kids!!!

Gabi and Alex- Sesame Place 2005

Weren't they adorable! And those were the days when they actually let us dress them. And of course they had matching Sesame ensembles for each day we visited.

And the following summer- 2006

The nearly finished house

2009-08-18T17:22:00.001-04:00

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Family Times

2009-08-17T10:13:00.014-04:00

These pictues were taken a few weeks ago during an impromtu campfire. With everyone's busy schedules, it doesn't seem like we get the whole family together very often. But it just happened to work out that everyone was available last minute. Good times just relaxing and catching up with everyone. Cullen was already in bed, but here are some photos of the rest of the gang.

Amy & Trey Snuggling by the fire, Roger in the background.

Shawn and Allie roasting a marshmellow, Uncle Pat & Aunt Vicky in the background.

Kaitlin& Grandma

Chris & Kristine

Chris enjoying a burnt marshmellow. Yuck.

Adorable Lilly

Our smouldering fire.

Light sabers.

Alex & Kaitlin in their "fort".

Barking Baby Boy

2009-08-14T15:22:00.003-04:00

Yes that's right, barking. Seems our boy has the croup. He started on Wed night with a low grade fever. Had a deep and raspy voice on Thursday and then the bark started last night. So it was off to the docs today.

Although he acts under the weather, I wouldn't classify him as miserable. Hopefully it gets better quickly and he won't ever reach that point.

The good news is that I get to spend the whole night snuggling with my boy. He is afterall the world's best snuggler! And at nearly 18 months old, he doesn't stop long enough to do much of it these days.

BTW....our house is DONE! I will post pics later this weekend.

Small Moments

2009-07-27T15:53:00.004-04:00

Since I'd love to get back into blogging again, I thought I would participate in this weeks Open Adoption Roundtable.

This weeks writing, a "small moment made possible by open adoption".

My moment happened the day I met my son.

Unlike with the adoption of my daughter, 4 years earlier, his was a much more open adoption. And because of this, I was able to meet his firstmom. We spent five hours with one another in the hospital on the day of discharge. We shared many laughs and tears.

My moment came during our good-bye.

A hug that captured a world of emotion.

It was as if silently we held a full conversation.

Her to me, how much she loved her child. How she would miss him and think of him every day of his life. Begging us to take good care of him and to always tell him of her love.

Me to her, thanking her for trusting us with her precious son. Promising to be the best parents to him that we knew how. Letting her know that she would always be loved and that he too would know of her love.

We then just stared into one another's eyes, Mother to Mother. That moment created a forever seal between she and I. Words were not necessary. I knew that there was no other woman on earth that loved my son as much as I did. But her.

We're Back!!!

2009-07-19T14:26:00.016-04:00

We are back from our trip to Tennessee! I won't even attempt to share all of the photos we took, but here is one shot of the three families. Reardons, Henicks and Waits.
The trip down was surprisingly uneventful. Alex was a real champ, took all her meds and didn't get sick at all. It also helped that we drove both ways through the night. And Cullen was a trooper too even despite having his nap schedule essentially demolished.

The first night and a half, we stayed at the Christmas hotel. Alex LOVED the Christmas theme that could be seen throughout every inch of the hotel. She especially enjoyed the cookies and milk with Santa each night. And, though not so toddler friendly, we had the most beautiful and ornately decorated Christmas tree right in our room!
The hotel also had a pool, which the kids really enjoyed. Even I, gladly entered the waters. You know it must be over 90 degrees for Sue to go swimming!

Our cabin was wonderful. 2 master bedrooms, living room, dining, kitchen, game room, 3 decks, hot tub, etc. The view was incredible, though the drive was a rather hair raising experience. Some of the hills were 40 degree inclines with many sharp twists and turns. We also experienced some excitement when a black bear decided to join us for some steak dinner. It was fun watching him from above. Then another paid a visit one morning right outside our door. We had to wait a few minutes to leave the cabin as he was circling the dumpster next to our van.
The first night was also spent with some special guests. Gabi's birth grandma (Kathy) and two of Gabi's bio-sisters (Ashley & Erica) joined us for the night. It was such a treat and Kathy soon became "Grandma" to all. Cullen took to her particularly well and spent the second dinner literally hanging onto her. The kids all enjoyed the water rides at Dollywood's Splash Country.
On Sunday we did some shopping and eventually landed at the Dixie Stampede. Everyone enjoyed the show! And we were really surprised at how much Cullen enjoyed all of the dinner shows. He laughed, danced, clapped and screeched the entire time.
On Tuesday we visited an area in the National Park called Cade's Cove. Alex was having major wardrobe issues that day (hated her shirt) and refused to cooperate with the first half of the pictures. I told her how many wonderful pictures we had of Cullen, and so few of her. Since she has a wicked case of siling rivalry, she then decided to play American's Next Top Model the rest of the trip.
Wednesday, my birthday, was a lot of fun. We spent the morning at Ripley's Aquarium. I was surprised at how much both of my kids loved the aquarium. For lunch, we stopped at some Cantina style Mexican place. We were all dying for Mexican. Anything to not be served fritteres and country fried "meat of ones choice". And dinner was great! We all came back to the cabin. Teri and Jen threw a little party and we indulged in Filet Mignon and Chocolate cake! Good times.
Thursday we did some outlet shopping and the the BlackBear Jamboree at night. Again, the kids LOVED the show. After dinner, Alex and Gabi mined for their own gems, which was fun.
Friday, our last day, was pretty low key. More shopping, packing, shopping, dinner and then the Comedy Barn. A complete collection of photos can be found on my shutterfly page.

Of course, the best part of the trip was seeing our dear friends Shane and Jen again. It's hard to believe it was nearly 3 yrs since our last trip. 3 year and 3 babies later! It was wonderful to finally meet Emma and to see how much Hannah has grown. Now if we can only talk Mr Shane into a trip up North next summer!

One More Month

2009-06-09T10:23:00.002-04:00

Do you see that ticker up there? One month from today. Or more specifically, 4 weeks from tomorrow!!!

I cannot wait to get out of Rochester! We so need this trip. And we've missed going to TN the past two years. Which means we haven't seen Shane, Jen and Hannah in 3 YEARS!!! And we'll finally get to meet Miss Emma too.

Robbed

2009-06-02T12:22:00.004-04:00

I know I haven't been around much. Honestly, I don't have much to say. Well much good that is. But maybe this is exactly where I need to be. A place to vent. So here it goes.

As the title may suggest, we were robbed.

Shawn got a call at work on Friday from our neighbor that they thought our house was being robbed. Shawn called 911 and flew home. Once there, he was met by officers who had our house surrounded and guns drawn. Not quite the start of the relaxing weekend we'd hoped for.

In the end, they got away with most of the smaller electronics. Apparently the driver got spooked and called the other two out as they were attempting to unhook one of the tvs. They also made off with most of Alex's DVD collection. Thugs. And course they couldn't be neat about it. The downstairs was pretty trashed. Broken glass. Drawers and cupboards ransacked. Stuff thrown all over.

The one favor they did us was the forced entry through the garage. It was one of the doors we hadn't yet planned on replacing, but now cracked, will be replaced with a nice shiny new one to match the rest of the house!

As for their fate...it's looking pretty grim. Thanks to an observant and fast acting neighbor who was able to report the plate number, the guys were all apprehended shortly after arriving back to their apartment. And not only were they caught with most of our property, there was also evidence of other burglaries. And to top it off, the Sheriffs who helped arrest them were rather interested in pressing additional charges for all the marijuana they had growing.

After some questioning, it came to light that these (for the sake of keeping it clean) "individuals" had targeted our home as we had guessed. Apparently they were some of the boys that stayed at our house while we were on vacation back in November.

No, we won't be getting our things back any time soon, but we do have much to be thankful for.

1) No one was hurt, including our dog.
2) It's all stuff that's replaceable.
3) It wasn't random. And for some reason, this gives me great comfort. The threat existed. We knew that. It happened and now it's over. We can move on.

So thank you all for your concern and well wishes. We are fine. The house is fine. And most importantly we pulled it off without Alex finding out about any of it. For those that don't know, Alex has had a very difficult few months. Please keep her in prayer. But that will be another post.

Much love, Sue

Much to Report

2009-05-07T11:17:00.004-04:00

So much to report, I'll start where I left off last week.

Emma's had her kidney biopsy on Tuesday and made it through just fine. Thanks for all of the prayers. They stayed the night in the hospital to watch for any complications and met with the nephrologists. The diagnosis does include a kidney disorder, but thankfully one they beleive is slow in its progression. For the time being, treatment will only include medication and monitoring.

Our house has also been hopping with people. We decided to take the plunge of siding our house this summer. So we've been innundated with contractors and decisions. Shawn finally signed the contract yesterday and they should begin in a few weeks. Now I get to decide on colors!!!

Thankully the siding job will also included all new windows. Especially since one of them was broken last week. I came home and let the dog out the back door and noticed a back window smashed. It took me a minute to process what happened, but it was soon obvious that someone had attemped to get in the house. So I called 911 and sent Alex to Grandma's. (She doesn't know anything about it since it would likely put her anxiety into high gear). In the end, a total of three entry points were attempted. It was a bit nerve wracking, but thankfully nothing was taken and no one was hurt. Well except the moron that smashed the window and sliced himself in the process.

Not much else going on. Kids are doing well. Jobs are well. Everyone is healthy. Alex is busy with school and will be in her first play in a few weeks. She also met her soccer coach last night and got her jersery. Cullen is as busy as always acting more like a 2yr old than a 13 month old.

My best to you all, and to all the mom's out there...have a great Mother's Day weekend!

Prayers for Emma

2009-04-24T10:43:00.008-04:00

Please continue to pray for Emma and her family. If you remember, Emma recently joined her family when she came home from China just one day before her 1st birthday.

Upon arrival to the US and through a more thorough examination, it was identified that Emma has something kidney related going on. The initial fear was Melamine poisoning possibly due to tainted Chinese formula. But this most recent news is even worse. It is not Melamine, but likely a congential nephrotic syndrome. And in time, it is likely that Emma will need a transplant.

I have heard those words before and they are a devestating blow to family. My own father passed at the age of 47 due to a similar disorder. Since many of these disorders are hereditary, as in our family's case, two of my nephews also share this disease (Alport Syndrome). We know that transplants are also in their future as well. And the thought breaks my heart. (Note- my dad never did have a transplant, so it is likely that he would have lived longer had he gone that route)

I am equally devestated for Shane and Jen and little Emma. Emma's first 12 months were no day in the park. We will never know exactly what she experienced in the orphanage, but from the clues her parents have picked up on, it was a rough way to start life.

Please keep sweet little Emma in your prayers. We know that miracles can and do happen every day and are trusting that this just may be one of those case. And if not, please pray for her mom and dad. Pray that God provides them with the wisdom to make the right medical decisions for her and the strength needed to get through it all.

Also, on a similar note, I have another request for prayer. A cyber friend of mine Jen was also given some difficult news. As she was preparing to undergo surgey to donate a kidney to her cousin, it was found that she has a cancerous tumor on one of her kidneys. Already shaken with the recent death of her beloved grandmother and the news that her father too was diagnosed with cancer, this couldn't have come at a worse time for Jen and her family. Please keep this family in prayer as well. I know Jen could really use them!

Tuesday Afternoon Catch-Up

2009-04-21T13:19:00.007-04:00

I really miss being here. I miss writing. The days I had time get lost in thought and reflection. I am sorry that I have not the energy nor the ambition to share anything remotely enlightening or thought provoking. But those days are gone, at least for now. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Instead this is what I can share,

Kids are doing well. Alex and Shawn are just getting over the most violent tummy bug I've ever seen.

School is on break, so Alex is enjoying some time home with her brother. Cullen, on the other hand, is ready to send her back!

Cullen is really changing all of the sudden. He is off the bottle and milk. He runs all over. Loves wrestling and playing ball. Jabbers away endlessly. Says many, many words...including unprompted "thank you's".

Cullen has also attached himself to me like a growth lately. If mom's home, he must be attached to my hip or leg. He is like the proverbial ball and chain. My mother-in-law commented that he looked a bit "oversized" for the wrap I wear him in. But my gosh...my arms physically can't hold him that long! And God forbid I leave his line of sight. Oh the drama.

We've also been busy on some home improvement projects. Alex had her room redone before Easter. Peter Pan. Thankfully there are some creative artists on ebay! It's adorable and I hope to get around to taking some photos. But that would require I actually get all her laundry put away and not have it stacked on her bed and dresser. In due time.

Shawn also decided to tare out all of the trim work up stairs and replace it with more decorative stuff. He is 90% done with that.

Besides the trim upstairs, Shawn is talking about ripping out the stuff downstairs. And in addition, now talks include replacing all the windows himself, rebuilding the deck, putting up a shed, pouring concete for a patio and siding the house. Obviously it is not possible to do all of this at the same time. He just needs to gain some focus. Could someone please pass on some ADHD meds. He could clearly use them!

Me, I am still trying to kick this respitory thing. We are going on three weeks now. And 3 days of which, I had no voice at all. Try getting your kids to take your threats seriously when you can't speak! Talk about a joke.

But all in all, I am holding my own. Trying to prioritize my time, which means less time on the computer. Attempting any time saving measure I can think of. If you have any tips....please let me know.

Happy Easter

2009-04-14T19:50:00.007-04:00

I hope everyone had a very happy Easter weekend. Ours was very nice. Crazy as usual, but wonderfully traditional at the same time.

We spent much of Saturday at Adventure Landing for Easter egg hunts and other fun. Alex made out like a bandit and Cullen had alot fun running around.

We had Easter brunch out with family and then went back to grandma's house for a hunt. The kids scurried around the yard gathering eggs and the men later gathered round for the annual "scratch-off hunt". Yes, this is actually the most comically fun part of the day. Mom hides a couple dozen scratch off tickets througout the house and the guys have to hunt for them. Between Shawn, Roger and Chris...laughs are plentiful! And only because Grandma is so evil and chooses the most ridiculously hard hiding spots.

Unfortunatley we never made it to my mom's (sorry mom). Alex was saying she didn't feel well all of the sudden and we thought it was becuase she didn't want to leave her cousins. We later learned she was indeed sick as she exploded with the force of Mt. Etna all over the van. So two days later, she is still recovering and I am finally catching up on all the wash she has created over the last three days.

Before the "incident" I was able to capture many photos. They can be found here through Shutterfly.

Product Plug #2

2009-04-07T20:01:00.013-04:00

As you can see, I haven't been very diligent with posting my "product plugs". In truth I've only posted one so far. So here goes number two.

The Vibrating Teether

I had forgotten how much Cullen (and Alex at that age too) enjoyed the vibrating teether. But along with my phone charger, we left his in the hotel on our last trip to Niagara. So tonight when Cullen was terribly miserable cutting some megateeth, we had tried everything. Didn't want food or drink. Didn't want to be held or put down. Didn't really know what he wanted other than his teeth to stop hurting. So as a last result, I suggested Shawn go replace Cullen's teether.

You be the judge...
...I think he's in heaven!

These teethers are just as their name states, vibrating. When you bite down, they massage the gums. For a young/early teether, you may need to squeeze it for them and hold it on their gums. I remember this being the case with Alex. But they learn quickly and Cullen took right to it like a magnetic force. They run between $5-$7 and can be found at most local grocery stores, baby stores, Target and WalMart.

Annual Adoptive Family Spring Fling

2009-04-05T20:08:00.007-04:00

Since Alex was a babe, we've gotten together with a group of local adoptive families each Spring and Fall. In the Spring, it's an Easter Egg Hunt. We had so many families today that we barely fit in the house. It was wonderful!

What a Difference a year makes...

Thanks Becky!

2009-04-01T20:12:00.012-04:00

We had a nice little visit from Nanie and Pa tonight. They stopped over to give the kids an early Easter gift. My Aunt Sue's friend Becky is such a sweetheart! She made them each an Easter printed tote along with gorgeous handmade sweaters. They are so soft and pretty.

Thanks Becky, they fit the kids perfectly!!!

And she also made this cute little poncho a few weeks ago for Alex. As you can see, Alex thought she was "all that".

A Ride in the Park

2009-03-26T20:56:00.008-04:00

Well, maybe not the park, but around the neighborhood at least.

We took a nice little ride over to feed the ducks. Most families bring bread. Which we did. Our family apparently brings frozen corn as well.

The history of frozen corn....

Back a couple of years ago Alex had a sleepover at Gabi's. I think the girls were around 2 at the time. While in bed that night, Alex got whacked in the head with a sippy cup. So Teri saved the day by providing her with a nicie bag of frozen corn to put on it. A little while later, Teri noticed that Alex was not using the corn as intended...she was EATING it! I am not sure if that is what she thought she was supposed to do with it, or if she simply got hungry. My child will clearly eat anything. Whatever the case, it worked. Her boo-boo no longer hurt and she had frozen corn to thank for it.

Now, why bring frozen corn on a bike ride? That's a whole different story...

Two summers ago, we took a ride down to Abbott's in Sea Breeze. Alex on the back of Shawn's bike and me following behind along with two of our friends. We got to one of the hills, I lost control and flew off the bike landing with all my weight on one knee. My knee was pretty messed up for a long while and I have been a bit gun shy (read: avoid at all cost) of riding ever since.

So Alex insisted we take the corn along for Mommy for when she falls. I assured her we'd be safe without it, but she wasn't taking any chances. It was quite embarrassing. As we rode down the street all I could hear from the kids trailer was a little voice hollering out, "Mommy, you're doing it!" "Good job, Mom." "Look Daddy, Mommy isn't falling!!!" Such confidence.
And since I didn't fall, I guess she figured the corn was safe to eat!

When Dad's Away

2009-03-19T11:18:00.005-04:00

When dad's away, it mom's turn to play!

I stood in the doorway the other night and watched as Shawn walked down the road with the kids, everyone full of excitement. Was I envious of him that I was to stay back to perform the glorious task of washing dishes while they enjoyed an evening walk? No. I basked in the beauty of it actually. Not only did I have a few minutes of peace and quiet, but I just love watching my husband with our children. He is such a fantastic dad. I love how their faces light up each night when he comes home and how he literally drops everything at the door to be with them.

But last night was my turn. Daddy was in Niagara, so I was flying solo. Instead of doing dinner dishes, we decided to go for a relaxing and peaceful walk and enjoy the mild temps of early Spring.

When Shawn called, he wondered why I was out of breath. Um, perhaps it was from trying to answer all of the obsurd questions from one precocious and inquisitive 5 year old, while trying to chase said daughter as she wildly pushed her brother in his car, at the same time struggling to manitain control over one unruly alpha male golden retriever. This life of mine is many things, but relaxing certainly doesn't make the list!

You can come home now, Shawn!

Tyler James

2009-03-15T22:47:00.011-04:00

Congratulations to Chris and Jessica on the arrival of their new son, Tyler James.

I had the honor of meeting little Tyler earlier today. What a beautiful, beautiful baby! I just couldn't pick a favorite photo.

Happy 1st Birthday, Cullen!

2009-03-11T10:14:00.011-04:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

In one breathe I think about how the past year has gone by so quickly, yet in another it's a struggle to remember a time that didn't include our sweet little boy. I never doubted that adoption worked and that it would happen for us too. But who knew it could be so perfect (twice). Yet still, when it does happen, it is such a surreal experience. And for many, like us, it happens quickly. Very, very qucikly. I mean the wait may feel like anything but short, but once that "call" comes, life goes from 0 to 120 in seconds.

A year ago this day I had nothing to post. It was just an ordinary day, or so I thought. I had no knowledge that our son was busy making his grand entrance. I would not know for another day that our time had come and he would be joining our family. And we'd wait another after that to meet him.

I know I have said it before, but Cullen is truly every bit of what our prayers were made of. It's like my heart was not only preparing for a baby ...but all along, it was preparing for HIM! God knew what, and who, would complete our family. Another adoptive mom uses the term "sweet completion" and I just love that. It truly describes how I feel about my children and my life. I am so very, very blessed.

Cullen,
I love you more than the breath I breathe. Like with your sister, I hope that Daddy and I can give back to you even a fraction of the joy and fulfillment that you give to us every day. We love you to the moon and back and wish you the Happiest of First Birthdays.

Melissa,
You know my thoughts. And the love that our hearts hold for you. And we think of you even more on this day. I pray that blessings be wrapped around. And know that today, and every other day, Cullen is surrounded by love.

Two Peas

2009-03-09T09:42:00.005-04:00

I just have to share a picture of the adorable cake we had made for the party! Since we often refer to Ellie and Cullen as the "twins", it was only suitable to have their parties together. And the theme was "Two Peas in a Pod".

We had the cake made by a private baker, and were so impressed with what she came up with. And not only was it adorable, but it tasted fabulous!

So if anyone is in need of a custom cake, I would highly recommend Heather of Let Them Eat...Customs Cakes by Heather.

Birthday Week Ramblings

2009-03-07T19:55:00.006-05:00

Last year, on this weekend, we celebrated four birthdays and one birth. I never would have imagined that a year later we'd be adding a first birthday to the mix. At this time last year, we had no idea that our son was about to be born. It's kinda surreal to think that one day you are busy living every day life the best you know how and the next your world is turned upside down in the most magnificent way imaginable.

The month before my daughter's birthday was always a special time. A time of rememberence, appreciation and nostalgia. Of course it's been no differnt with Cullen. I am flooded with memories and emotions of one year ago. The torment of not knowing when, if at all, we'd be blessed with another child. The shock and disbelief of getting "the call". The exhilleration once we finally realized it WAS HAPPENING! And the moment. That magical moment when we saw our son for the first time. And the sybolism of his firstmom graciously and tenderly handing him to us. It's a short burst of time that holds a million thoughts and feelings.

So I often bring myself back. Relive the moments that pass by so quickly, in hopes of never forgetting. And I can feel it like it was only minutes ago. The butterflies in my stomach. The cramped knees and tired eyes of driving thru the night. The feeling of Alex's hand in mine as we walked in the parking lot. The urge to throw up when we passed the hospital flower bed. The smell of the gift shop. The long ride up the elevator and down the hall. Knocking on her door.

And there it is, that moment again. He is right there in front of us. And he is breathtakingly perfect. He is in her arms. Why isn't she crying? She almost seems excited. She is excited. For the journey in which his new life will take him. I can still hear her voice. In it held the excitement of catching up with a long lost friends. I remember the laughs as we talked about our families and traditions. And of course the bittersweet tears. The promises to stay in touch. Our promise to her that we would take care of him.

In all the days of my life, I will remember every detail of how our children came to us. Cherish every moment of that time and never forget the sacrifices that were made to make us family.

One Year Pics

2009-03-01T19:44:00.008-05:00

Cullen's First Haircut

2009-02-26T12:56:00.003-05:00

Can you believe I did it? Are you all so proud of me? I know my mom is!

Last night we took Cullie for his first haircut. I was so surprised (though I shouldn't have been) at how well he did. No fussing and he even sat STILL through most of it. I was so very sad to see those baby curls dropping to the floor, but in the end even I have to admit that it looks much, much better. It was getting a bit wild! I still may try for those long curkscrew curls at some point though!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Water Park Fun

2009-02-23T21:14:00.011-05:00

At Last...

2009-02-23T09:49:00.002-05:00

Emma is finally right where she belongs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Travel Plans

2009-02-18T09:03:00.003-05:00

Today is the day that our friends Jen and Shane finally leave for China! I can't even describe how happy I am for them. They left Tennessee at 6am this morning to head to Chicago, and will head from there to Bejing around 12:30 this afternoon. Neither one of them have ever flown. So this will will quite the experience in many ways. Please, please pray for their safety while traveling. If you are interested in following their journey while they are incountry, please visit here.

Also, the kids and I will be heading to Niagara Falls tomorrow to join Shawn, who left early this morning. I figured I would take off Alex's last day of winter break and we'd do something fun. And we plan to visit the indoor water park while there!

Good Friends, Good Fun

2009-02-15T21:33:00.003-05:00

We had such a great time last night! We had our own room at Phillips, which was nice. The food was slightly less than the typical Phillips standards, but the the good company made up for it. I, of course had to snaps pics of all the love birds.

And the concert was great. Jessica Simpson opened the show. And let's just say that she is, well, different. A bit out there, but entertaining at the very least. And regardless of what the tabloids report, that girl is drop dead gorgeous.

And Rascal Flatts did not disappoint!

Very Exciting Weekend

2009-02-13T14:34:00.003-05:00

We have a very exciting weekend planned!

Tonight is the annual Valentine's Day Dance at Alex's school. She has been talking about it for weeks and looking forward to seeing her teacher and all of her friends. She is also excited to teach Cullen to dance, which should be interesting.

Then tomorrow is the big "date" and we are leaving BOTH kids for the WHOLE night!!! Party on! Shawn and I are meeting a group of people for dinner at Phillip's European Restaurant and then all heading to the Rascal Flatts concert together. Yes Joshua, make fun of us if you will. But we both love Rascal Flatts. We saw them back in 2006 as well and it was a great show!

So Alex will be joining my mom and Papa Steve and Grandma Marion. They have a dinner of steak, lobster and shrimp planned. Alex is super excited about the seafood.

And Cullen will be with my grandparents, Nanie and Poppy. They have been eager to have him for a night and have really wanted to take him to church with them one Sunday morning to show him off to all of their friends. So it worked out well.

And me....I think I may even sleep in!

So if I'm not on tomorrow, have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Hold those you love a bit closer and remember those who you can no longer hold physically on this side of heaven.

Love to all,
~Sue

Eleven on 11

2009-02-11T09:15:00.004-05:00

Cullen is 11 months old TODAY!!!!!

I thought I would take it as an opportunity to share his latest and greatest accomplishments as well as some things he does or enjoys.

At 11 months old, Cullen loves:
Playing and splashing in water
Listening and dancing to music
Climbing into anything, especially the diswasher
Wrestling
Snuggling
Playing with Alex and Hemmingway (our dog)
Banging or beating on anything

And Cullen can now:
Use a sippy cup
Eat almost all table food
Pass a ball back and forth
Wave goodbye
Play Peek-a-Boo
Clap
Do "so big"
Climb stairs
Shake his head yes and no...sometimes even appropriately
Say mama, dada, mom, dad, mommy, daddy, Allie, Ellie, more, doggie, hi, bah (and probably a few more I am foregetting)
Stand on his own for about 10 seconds at a time
Take several consecutives steps at a time (made it to 6 steps last night)

Other things about Cullen include:

He sleeps well. He has slept through the night since 6 months of age and puts himself to sleep with ease. No rocking or bottle needed, hooray!

Cullen has 8 teeth. He weighs 26 pounds. And wears a size 6 shoe!

Cullen has an very happy personality, as evident in all of his photos. He is very affectionate and often takes time out to come and offer "loves".

And I feel so incredibly blessed to call him my son!

Nothing Can Keep Him Down

2009-02-07T09:19:00.008-05:00

My boss commented this week on how Shawn would be likely be spending a lot of time at home now and off his feet. And then my friend Lisa said, "Are you kidding? Don't you know that nothing stops a Reardon!" So true, Lisa. So true. Of course Shawn didn't miss any work this week and certainly didn't stay off of his foot. He's been paying the price for it at night, but I guess it still hasn't stopped him.

So last night we kept our plans of catching a Globe Trotters show. Me, Shawn, Alex, Cullen, Uncle Roger and Trey. I was a bit nervous between having Shawn on crutches and bringing Cullen along. But both boys were wonderful! Cullen sat through the entire show. I shouldn't be surprised knowing how much he loves balls and sports, but 3 hours is a lot to expect.

It ended up being a great time and Cullen stayed awake even on the ride home.

Sticks and Stones

2009-02-03T09:43:00.007-05:00

"Sticks and stones may break your bones"...and so can an innocent game of pick-up basketball.

You guessed it. Shawn broke his foot and sprained his ankle last night playing basketball. How many injuries has he sustained as a result of this sport? I've lost track.

He'll go back to the ortho on Thurs once the swelling goes down.

And I PRAY for a speedy recovery. I never signed up to have THREE kids!!!

(And thanks Howie for helping him out last night)

A Jumping Good Time

2009-01-28T11:05:00.004-05:00

Heather and Molly reminded me of the day Teri and I took the girls to Brown's Berry Patch. They have a giant blow-up trampoline and as you can see, the urge to get silly was just too much. So we had to "jump" in on the action. But talk about fun! We laughed so hard. And as you can see, Teri was quite the showoff.

New Pics

2009-01-27T15:29:00.013-05:00

Fun at Bounce It Out

Good Morning Sunshine!
Being Silly with Sister

Bath Time

A Dash of This and a Pinch of That

2009-01-22T11:18:00.004-05:00

Seems like I haven't had much blogging time lately. Nothing earth shattering going on and nothing I feel compelled enough over to write about. And what can I say. My children are exhausting! Most days I can barely string together enough words to form one complete sentence. But in a nutshell, here's a bit of an update.

Had fun last weekend at Disney on Ice.

Spent Monday evening with my grandparents, which is always a treat.

Busy planning Cullen's 1st birthday :-) I'll post more about that this coming week.

Took the plunge and scheduled Cullen's first haircut for Feb 25th.

Trying to learn how take photos with my new camera. And that ia proving more difficult than I had expected.

Celebrated Shawn's 33rd b-day on the 21st.

Alex had a fabulous week at school and home.

Cullen has a yucky cold AGAIN!

And today we went to Bounce It Out and the kiddos both had a great time. Pictures to follow.

Sorry I don't have anything more interesting to report. Hopefully it stays that way.

Happy MLK Day

2009-01-19T10:16:00.008-05:00

Each Day last week Alex came home talking about Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. She had so many questions. Was he a good man? Why did someone kill him? What was he trying to do?

It really opened up doors to conversations we hadn't really yet had. About issues that were, this year, are even closer to home. She was very interested in hearing about Rosa Parks and why she was arrested when she didn't do anything wrong. She couldn't understand how people could be treated differently solely based on the color of their skin. She found MLK to be a fascinating individual and even asked if we could visit his old house on our next vacation.

Apparently she and her teacher had also had similar conversations. And at one point she told me how we probably wouldn't have Cullen in our family if it wasn't for Martin Luther King Jr. I said, "you're right baby...you are so very right". So we went on to talk about how not only can whites and blacks share bathrooms, buses and restaurants now....but they can also share a family name.

"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."

Tomorrow will also mark an important day for our nation. For the first time in America's history we will have a black president.

Happy Birthday Doctor King!

The Deep Freeze

2009-01-16T11:08:00.006-05:00

I don't know about you, but I am so tired of being cold.

And thank GOD this week is almost behind us. Talk about crazy. Since 2001 when I started working in the gas industry, we have not experienced this degree of cold over this large of an area for this length of time. Our systems have been in a state of emergency since Wednesday and will continue through Monday. It's been a zoo at work. Utility companies issuing continuous alerts, gas pipelines transporting their absolute maximum amounts, prices going haywire, etc. At the same time, it's been exciting. Each minute has brought a new problem to solve and a new fire to put out. There were laughs and there were many, many moments of near tears. But we made it through.

And despite the bone chilling temps, Alex did look pretty darn cute waiting for the bus yesterday morning!

A Weekend Guest

2009-01-11T19:42:00.010-05:00

We had a sweet little visitor this weekend. Someone Alex has waited all school year to bring home. She was simply beaming coming off the bus on Friday! Indeed it was our turn to host Mr. Bear for the weekend. As you might guess, Mr. Bear is a classroom friend who takes turns visiting each student's home.

Mr. Bear got to see an unusual weekend for us. A weekend at home. After the craziness of the last few weeks, we all enjoyed some down time. Alex did a great job taking care of her new pal. And Cullen was kind enough to share many of his things. And here are a few photos to remember our special weekend.

Some breakfast pouridge for Mr. Bear

Playtime

Some fun in the snow

Celebrating Papa Steve's birthday. Ins't he a good sport!

Chocolate cake. Yummo!!!

And thank you Miss C for sending home a "stuffed" friend.

Move Over Paula

2009-01-07T22:25:00.008-05:00

On Monday Alex's teacher allowed each student to choose a Christmas present to bring in to share with the class. I would have thought Alex would have chosen one of her various Barbies or Hannah Montana toys. Nope, not Alex. Instead she chose her new Paula Deen cookbook from Nanie. And she had been BEGGING to make a recipe ever since Christmas. So that night I let her make her own dinner, a Mexican Omelet. She also sported the look by wearing her new apron, oven mitts and chef's hat from Grammy. Unfortunately she forbid me from photographing her in it citing she would look ridiculous and she didn't want people seeing her look so ridiculous.

And tonight it was/is just the boy and me. Daddy is in Niagara/Buffalo for the night and Alex decided to stay with Grandma and keep her company. Oh how I wish I could scoop this guy up and bring him to bed with me. He is the world's best snuggler! And isn't that face the most kissable ever (even with the crusty nose)!!!

A Dozen Years and Still Going Strong

2009-01-04T10:30:00.007-05:00

Yes, today Shawn and I celebrate 12 years of wedded bliss. Well, at least the 12 years is accurate. Has it all been blissful? Not hardly. But we made it through and are stronger than ever.

Kids. That's what we were on January 4th 1997. Two kids desperately in love. But kids all the same. Both 20 at the time, we were married a bit young by today's standards. But I guess when it is right, it's just right. We had a lot of growing up to do, and we chose to do it together. We aren't the people now that we were then. And fortunately over the years, we grew closer and not further apart as many couples do. I'd say it was our struggles (loss of parents, difficult finances, infertility, adoption, etc) that drew us closer, but I think life's challenges only magnify what is already there, the good or the bad. Shawn is my soulmate. I have no doubt. I will love him until the day I die.

This past week I have witnessed a lot of grieving. From friends, my husband, my daughter. But none was harder to watch than from my mother-in-law. As we all gathered around the casket, each grieved. But as I watched my mother-in-law stroke his hand good-bye, my heart broke in a million pieces. I cannot imagine her pain. Her loneliness. All I could think was that if it were Shawn lying there, it would take everything in my power not to crawl in with him.

Shawn, I love you more than words could ever tell. For the father, husband, and friend that you are. You truly are everything to me.

And in the words of Shania Twain, "looks like we made it"!

A Life Remembered

2009-01-01T22:09:00.003-05:00

The services yesterday were beautiful. Shawn was able to give a touching eulogy. He also made the following video.

Thank You

2008-12-29T09:06:00.003-05:00

Thank you for all the prayers and support. This has been a terribly difficult week and much harder than any of us had expected. It has been particularly difficult for Shawn. Alex was in denial the first day, but is slowly understanding what all of this means. Services are scheduled for today and tomorrow. Please remember the family in prayer this week.

Obituary can be found at http://aliferemembered.com/details.asp?ID=1803

Our Christmas Loss

2008-12-25T02:30:00.007-05:00

William Reardon

Husband, Father, Uncle, Friend....and Grandfather

July 12, 1948 - December 24, 2008

Details to follow. Right now we are still trying to cope with this difficult loss on a day that was set aside for what was to be such a celebration.

On the Eve of My Baby's 1st Christmas

2008-12-24T10:54:00.004-05:00

Baby's First Christmas

A Christmas Poem by Alice E. Chase

You have to hold him up to see
The angel on the Christmas tree.
And even though he's still too small
To know the meaning of it all
You watch his eyes reflect the glow
Of colored lights that come and go
And feel him quiver with delight
At every new and wondrous sight.
There's Santa with his jolly face
Beaming from the fireplace.
And from the stocking hanging there
Peeks a cuddly teddy bear.
Bright ornaments and candy canes --
Musical toy and wooden trains --
There's just no end to the delights
Spread out for him this night of nights!
He points and grins from ear to ear
And then he yawns - his bedtime's near!
Dad gives him a kiss and you tuck him away
To rest up for the fun of his first Christmas Day!

On the Mend

2008-12-23T10:14:00.002-05:00

Cullen is doing much better. Thanks so much for the thoughts and prayers. He is still pretty congested, but appears to have kicked the fever and gotten back his appetite. Last night he woofed down a whole tray of kielbasa and perogies!

And later tonight I will post some pictures of the holiday party from Saturday. The kids had a great time and Cullen particulary enjoyed crinkling all of the wrappings!

Cullen Update

2008-12-20T21:06:00.004-05:00

Poor baby was a bit worse today. His rapid and laboured breathing is really freaking me out. I think we need our ped on speed dial. But they continue reassuring us that what we are seeing is typical and could go on for quite awhile longer. I got him to take a whopping 5 oz today along with his baby food. And every bite of his food was a challenge. He kept gagging it all up and crying because he was hungry and getting frustrated :-( I had to force the Motrin down which he normally guzzles.

So I am expecting tonight to be a long one. I brought the pack-n-play into our room and have the humidifier cranked. They have suggested that we take turns sleeping so one of us could keep an eye out for any respitory distress. Yikes.

Prayers would be much appreciated.

Jodie, if you are up in the middle of the night like you usually are, track me down on im. I may be up just watching my babe breathe.

Of Snow, RSV and Firemen

2008-12-19T19:45:00.006-05:00

Boy did we get dumped on today! We probably only got a foot, but it sure made traveling trechorous. As they were calling for this storm for a few days now, I caved and gave Shawn an early Christmas present. Well, I guess it wasn't so much the present I gave him, but the permission to go out and buy it. A snowblower that is. The most practical holiday gift for a man living in the North!

This past week has also brought more cooties. Alex caught a cold last week, and of course shared with her brother. Which is nothing new really. They have both battled colds on and off since Sept. But Cullen's breathing was concerning me a bit (rapid and very congested). So after numerous calls to the doctors last night, they suggested he be seen this morning.

Problem being, I work in the energy industry. And Mother Nature is being very, very cruel these days. I buy and schedule natural gas for customers all throughout NY state. Simple enough on an average day, but not so simple when your entire state is under an urgent weather warning. It was a zoo. Phones ringing, e-mails flying and text messages coming in one right after another. Every alert requiring action and expecting your undivided attention. What they didn't understand was that my attention was back home at grandma's house. Where my boy was needing his Momma, and where this Momma was needing her boy.

So I hit the road at 12:30. And everyone knows that I burn rubber each night getting home to my kids. But today, 20 MPH seemed to be the max speed. As much as I love my new Town & Country (thank you honey), I am so missing the 4 wheel drive on my Trailblazer! The roads were horrific. But we had to make a 2:10 doc appt. And we did. Barely. And it appears my boy has a touch of RSV. Poor, poor honey. But you know Cullen, he is a trooper. Just as happy and content as ever.

So on the way home from the docs, I stop to get gas. $10 worth. Because any more surely would have led to frostbite. At that point, the snow and wind was whipping sideways. Did I mention having to repeatedly pull over and clean the ice off my wipers. With no gloves. So fun. By the time I got back to my mother-in-law's (where Alex had just gotten off the schoolbus), I was just beginning to thaw.

Their plow guy had just arrived to clear the driveway so I parked on the street. Pretty much the middle of the street. I got out to run to the door and get Alex and realized that my car was locked. Running. With Cullen inside. Of course we didn't have another set. Shawn could have sent one of his guys from work, but in this weather it would take them over an hour. So a quick call to 911 and the firemen were dispatched. Meanwhile, I stood outside in the middle of the road, freezing, and making silly faces through the window at Cullen to keep him amuzed. Even though I nearly had tears in my eyes from the shards of ice flying 25 miles an hour into my frozen face! But alas, the heros arrived and van was promptly opened. I hope my brother-in-law wasn't working today to hear that call come. He surely wouldn't be surprised though.

And if you are hoping that is where the drama ends. Thankfully, it does. We are finally home. Safe and warm. And hopefully Cullen will be on the mend quickly as tomorrow is a very big day. The Family Christmas Party!

More Disney Pics

2008-12-18T22:04:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we received in the mail our Disney photopass CD and Photobook. Photopass is a neat service they provide where their photographers take and store your photos for you to later access, edit and order online. They have photographers strategically set up at the character greetings, park entrances and main attractions. Here are a few of my favorites that they took.

Holiday Fun

2008-12-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Introducing Emma...

2008-12-12T23:04:00.001-05:00

Isn't she a beauty!!!!

Welcome Ye Gui Xing

2008-12-12T08:48:00.007-05:00

Deep breath Sue, deep breath. I am just so tickled that I can't even wait until tonight to post! After a nearly three year wait, our dear friends in Tennessee have received their referral from China!!!!

So far, they have only received a few pieces of info....
Name: Ye Gui Xing
DOB: 3/5/08 (9 months old)
Province: Guangxi

Today at 4pm (3pm Eastern) they meet with their social worker to review her medical records and get to see a photo of their sweet baby girl, whom they will call Emma.

And hello?????? Did you see her DOB!!!! That has been the talk since March. How close in age would Emma be to Cullen (and Ellie). How is it possible that all three babies were born within a week of each other! So the "twins" have now become triplets. What fun we will have next July getting the three babies together along with their three big sisters!

I will post a photo and updates as they come in, but for those interested in following their journey, Jen's blog can be found here.

And this is for you Emma. After living in the hearts and minds of so many for so long, we all join together in sending you many Merry Christmas wishes from around the world. You'll be home soon sweet girl. Very soon.

We've Arrived

2008-12-09T17:18:00.011-05:00

Whether it is success or an event taking place, I think everyone has a little place in which they measure life. I have a friend who felt that way about a car. To her X car would mean that she had arrived.

I am no different. I had that little thing in which I measured my life. The point at which I'd know that I "had arrived". That life was exactly where I would want it to be. As you can probably guess, it wouldn't come from career success or making oodles of money. It was the place in which I would feel whole. The point where my life was full and complete. And that, of course, occured with the arrival of our son.

Which brings me to a far less profound achievement. Pottery Barn Kids Christmas Stockings. Although I have had my eye on them for years. It never felt right. To me that stocking said, I'd arrived. But I hadn't. And one day when I had, I would buy a PAIR of them. Get them embroidered. The whole shabang. So here they are for their holiday debut.

My family, my heart and my holiday is now complete!

"Our" Ellie

2008-12-02T15:46:00.013-05:00

Ok, you probably think I am referring to Teri's sweet, adorable Elliana. But actually, we had our own Ellie once upon a time, or almost did at least. But it didn't last long. In truth, she was never really ours to begin with. But my heart was opened to her as if she was. For a short time last Fall/Winter, we were working with a woman in PA. And after several conversations getting to know one another, she asked us to adopt her unborn baby girl. Of course we eagerly agreed.

I loved LeAnn. That was instant. She was the sweetest young woman. And I always enjoyed our conversations. It's as if distance and circumstance hadn't been as they were, I am sure we would have been the greatest of friends. I admired her courage, determination and love for all of her children. But she was adament that she did not have the means to raise a third child.

After much internal resistance, I began to make plans. I packed a diaper bag. I picked out a name, Elizabeth. I pictured her tiny body all dressed in pink lying in her crib and her dark curly hair. But it never felt right. And in the end, LeAnn decided to parent. And I knew then like I know now that it was the right decision for everyone.

But I still think of her so very often. Of the whole family actually. LeAnn was usually just getting Markus to bed or brushing out Marigold's hair during our phone chats. I could hear them in the background. And I loved them too. I worried for all of them. I still do. And I wonder how the baby is. What was she named? She is about to turn one. Is she healthy? Walking?

Although I know this baby was never really ours, she and her family will always carry a special place in my heart. She opened our hearts to adopting transracially and led us on a road that ultimately brought us to Cullen.

And for that alone, I will be forever grateful.

(And no, Teri never knew of the name I had chosen until after Elliana was born. It's funny how life works, isn't it.)

Jewelry Store Kick-Off

2008-12-02T10:25:00.010-05:00

Two of my talented friends have recently kicked off their jewelry businesses. Lisa of La Bella Bling and Laurel of Swishes, Swirls and Pearls will be participating in this year Crafters Bazaar as well as displaying their creations online for all to view. As you will discover, their designs are quite different from one another. So I would hope that one or the other caters to your style.

With the holiday season upon us, it's a wonderful time to check out their creations. And even if you are unable to attend the sale, I would invite you to check out their websites. Both have provided information to purchase products online. Good luck ladies!

...and he's OFF!!!!!

2008-11-29T08:02:00.004-05:00

We'd known he was close. He's been traveling backwards for several weeks. So yesterday, I kept the camera close by just in case! And BAM...he took off!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

2008-11-25T20:16:00.009-05:00

Well we are home and nearly all unpacked which was no small feat. Kids are back on track and we have jumped right into the holiday spirit. On Saturday, we payed a visit to Santa.

Then Gabi spent the night and Shawn went out and bought the girls each their own Gingerbread houses to make. It's so much fun to watch their creativity in action!

New Ticker

2008-11-19T09:53:00.006-05:00

As you can see, I have created a new ticker! You know me, always looking forward to the next vacation and time away with my family. This trip will be extra special for a few reasons. First, it's back to Tennessee, a place we have fallen in love with. We began going each year, but have missed the last 2 years due to buying the house in 2007 and doing Disney in 2008. So it will be a visit that is long overdue.

In addition, our friends Howie and Teri will be joining us with their family as well. As you may know, our kids are the same ages and pretty much inseparable. But the last vacation we took together was in 2005 to Sesame Place. The girls, big and little, have been dying to travel together again.

And the best part is that we will be seeing our friends Shane and Jen! I met Jen (or "Gee-in" as they say in the South) about 7 years ago through Hannah's Prayer. It was a list serve for Christian families experiencing infertility. We struck up a friendship that we have maintained ever since. And as chance would have it, they happened to move forward with adoption plans at the same time we did. Our girls are only a few months apart in age! So in 2004, we met in person for the first time. They live in Western TN, so we all met up for a week at the Smoky Mountains. Never meeting in person, we have low expectations. Who knew if we'd "click" in person. And what about our husbands? Would they get along? Well those fears were dismissed immediately. We had an amazing time and have met back their for two additional trips.

And keeping with the pattern, they two are in the midst of their second adoption. Jen has always had a heart for the Chines children. They were just about to switch to the China program when their daughter Hannah was born. So they decided to go through China for their second child, Emma. Emma has lived in all of our heart for many years and it looks like it is finally almost time to meet her!!! They should be getting her referral in the next couple of weeks and should be traveling to pick her up shortly after that. I can't believe that after a three year wait...Emma will finally be here...in the US! And if the guesstimates are correct, she willbe right around Cullen and Ellie's age. So next summer, for the trip. We will have two sets of triplets! Do you see the same photo ops that I see????

So that is what we are looking forward to now. And we booked this amazing cabin overlooking Gatlinburg. Teri and her family will be staying with us, and Jen and her family close by. Oh the anticipation.

And check back for Emma updates. I am beside myself with excitement, I can't imagine what they must be feeling!!!

Too Mad to Even Care

2008-11-17T22:34:00.006-05:00

Ya know, this vacation started out pretty crappy, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that it ended that way too. All WAS well. Until I got home, that is.

I don't post things that I don't mind people reading. So I had intended to keep this little thing private. But ya know what? I am too pissed to even care! I don't care who knows. And I don't care who I offend. I just need to get this off of my chest before I explode and literally go postal on someone. And anyone who knows me knows that this is pretty out of character for me. I am pretty tolerant. I am patient and forgiving. But push me too far. And watch out. It's over.

I trusted someone. I trusted them with my house and with my pet. And they violated that. They violated me. And that hurts. Bad. Really bad.

I didn't expect to come home and find my house in pristine condition. Heck, I didn't leave it that way anyways. But what I came home to was unexcusable. I am not even sure where to start.

Maybe it is in the downstairs bathroom where all of my scrapbooking stuff was mysteriously placed. And where green toothpaste covered the entire sink. Or the brown milk shake looking substance that was all over my toilet and floor. No, the kicker there was actually my husband's electric razor that was used, left out and all of the hair all over the bathroom. Bad in itself, but worse since the razor was actually located under my bedroom sink upstairs.

But let's move to the kitchen. The microwave looked like a dozen burritos exploded in it. The sink was PILED with dishes and pans that had days worth of crusted on food. The dishwasher had so many dirty dishes in it that I actually had to unload half to run it. Oh and tonight making dinner, we find that half the plates in the cupboard have melted cheese and other food products clearly covering them. My Yankee candles were used. Totally used, as in gone. As was all of the aim-a-flame that lights them. I know. Boys apparently like fire. And who knows why. But things were taken off of the walls and put in the pantry.

The stereos and alarms clocks were all moved down stairs into various rooms, assumedly so everyone could hear the music. Which obviously worked as multiple neighbors commented to us about it upon our return.

The upstairs bathroom was similar to the downstairs except with an added treat. A stench that I can only describe as a decomposing animal on a hot day. Upon closer inspection, I discover it coming from a week's worth of wet towels all balled up and shoved in a corner between the plastic shower curtain and the decorative cotton one. Nice. Couldn't find the laundry shute?

My bedroom contained dishes. And mulitple empty boxes of cereal. I found a lighter at the foot of my bed. Which was particularly infuriating, because I have a small child who often plays in that very spot. Various articles of dirty laundry continue to be found in my bedroom. And then tonight I find a 6" KNIFE in MY CLOSET. My freaking bedroom closet. Can anyone tell me what right a person has to be in another person's bedroom closet! I feel violated and disrespected on so many levels. But don't worry. There is still much more.

When I say I have nothing to eat in my house, that usually means a family of four could comfortable survive for about 2 weeks. But just in case, I left a Wegmans gift card to pick up some favorite treats. Well, when I say we came home to no food. I really mean that. Nothing! It may have appeared that there was a few things, but alas even those boxes were empty. There was not a crumb of the 5 or 6 boxes of cereal left. No bread. No snack. NOTHING for Alex's breakfast. She had the only thing left in the house for breakfast. A can of clam chowder soup. Nice. Thanks for at least leaving her that. I had piles and piles of school snacks before we left and not a single one left for her lunch today. And Alex's Halloween candy that I SPECIFICALLY asked for some to be saved. Gone. All of it. Which means she had not a single piece of her own candy. Wow, that's super considerate. Hope it was good.

And apparently it was a make-shift fraternity house as numerous people were in and out all week. All day. And into the night. Another complaint from neighbors. One neighbor specifically commented on the loud vulgarity coming from the front porch on numerous nights. After one particularly troubling night, one neighbor even came over to introduce himeslf and asked to speak with the individual we left in charge. That was hard to do though since he wasn't even home. Which meant that people that I have never met were in my house unattended. What the heck was he thinking?

And the dog. You know, the reason for having someone at the house in the first place. Sounds like he was either outside in the kennel (even when no one was home) or left in the basement the whole time. And from the "presents" left in the basement, he oviously was not let out as he should have been. Just what one wants to contend with upon returning home from vacation.

Oh and upon confronting the individual, the only thing he could explain was a pole that was hit on out street by one of his buddies. What??????

Again, I am really sorry to post this here. Maybe I shouldn't be. But I swear I will go crazy if I don't. This is my space. My place to vent. And I really needed to do this tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I will be a bit better able to put this behind me. But not today. Definitely not today.

2 Much Fun 2 Blog

2008-11-13T15:05:00.007-05:00

Sorry guys. Busy having too much fun and no time to blog. Uploaded hundreds of pics so far. I know, surprising! Will be going through all of the photos when we return and I will try to condense them into albums at each of the parks. The kids have been great and we have had so much fun in the last week!

So far we've made it to Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios and Blizzard Beach. Tonight is Epcot and then likely the rest at Magic Kingdom. To Alex, Disney World is considered Magic Kingdom. Cullen has been so good, even for cutting THREE TEETH in the the last week. He loves the music, character greetings and swimming. Alex's favorite phrase is "Fast Pass". Another surprise, I know. Her only regret is not making the 48" rides. The child will ride anything. This, coming from a child who is afraid of buttons (?) is just baffling.

Hope all are well. We'll catch back up in a few days :-)

Dry Land

2008-11-09T21:08:00.002-05:00

No sense in rehashing the health issues that plagued us during the cruise. Let's just say they were plentiful and shared by all and that hopefully we are past them! And I am so incredibly thankful to have my feet firmly planted on dry land, as it appears the illness that I experienced was good ole fashioned sea sickness.

All sickness aside, the cruise was wonderful! The service was amazing. Disney Cruise Line has truly thought of EVERYTHING. The crew consisted of the most incredible staff I have ever encountered. Everyone was always so kind and helpful. And since we were often one parent short, crew was always on hand to eagerly lend a hand with plates, doors and even watching the kids. And everything they do is orchestrated with perfection down to the tiniest detail. Disembarkment this morning took only a few minutes and we were then whisked off to the resort.

Checked in to the resort late morning, had some lunch here at the hotel and then headed for a sneak peek of magic Kingdom. Alex got off to a rough start, but quickly came around. And after a short nap, Cullen too was up t his cheerful self. Both kids were asleep in the stroller by 7pm!!!! So we came back to the hotel early to unwind a bit.

Tomorrow is a big day. Alex's princess makeover and lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table.

Photos to follow.

Things Are Looking Up!

2008-11-09T16:28:00.002-05:00

Spoke to Sue and Shawn this morning. They sounded much better! Cullen seems to still be battling a bit of a cold, and Allie has an occasional cough, but otherwise they are PRAYING that the entire family will actually ALL be HEALTHY at the SAME time!!!

They were on their way to check into the hotel and were going to hit Magic Kingdom as well.

QUARANTINED! (among other things...)

2008-11-07T20:04:00.003-05:00

Yup, you read it correctly! Hi all this is Teri, guest blogging for Sue. So, so, so much has been happening to our dear friends on their vacation!

They made it to Orlando as planned and without incident on Wednesday. YAY!!! Yesterday, they boarded the ship. Allie was having a bit of trouble with side effects from her Augmentin, so they had been speaking to the Dr. about switching to a different prescription. Dr. said he would fax the script to the ship. As we spoke, Allie was putting on her swimsuit for a dip in the pool. They had already enjoyed a wonderful lunch and were ready to set sail.

Today, Shawn sent a message indicating that the ship couldn't fill Alex's prescription. So, I have picked up her new medication and have overnighted it to the hotel that they will be staying at after the cruise on Sunday. Phew! Let's pray it gets there safely.

Unfortunately, last night Sue became terribly ill. Seems she caught the horrible stomach flu that Alex had just been through. It was so bad that the ship medic had to come and give her a shot in the bum. Due to all the vomiting she was quarantined to the cabin until 7pm tonight. :( The family missed going the the shore at Nassau today. Of course, Shawn and Alex have been so wonderful and understanding. They just want Mommy to feel better!!

Pray that Sue feels better QUICKLY and that Cullen and Shawn are spared that nasty bug.

Hopefully, the rest of the vacation will be PHENOMENAL!!!

xxxx0000

The vacation that almost didn't happen...

2008-11-05T12:23:00.002-05:00

What a night it's been! As many for you know, both kids have been sick. Alex has had the worst of any of us. The latest started on Sunday with uncontrollable coughing, gagging (and eventually throwing up). After 2 days of this, she was given a breathing treatment and sent for a chest x-ray which confirmed she has pnuemonia. Lovely. That was as of 5pm last night. Then at midnight, she began violently vomitting. It continued every 5 to 7 minutes through 4am when we took her to emergency. We spent several hours getting her hydrated with IV fluids and an anti-nausea med was give, which helped immensely. They don't believe the two were connected and think it was/is some sort of a tummy bug. Her school called and said 30+ kids were out today with something similar. (So consider yourself warned Heather.)

But the docs were all very confident that we should proceed with the trip as planned and that the zofran would work and help keep her comfortable until it passes. So off we go to Florida in hopes of leaving all of this poor health back in NY!

Cruise sets sail tomorrow afternoon, and hopefully we are all back to good health by then!

Birthday Wishes

2008-11-02T06:50:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to Cullen's birthmom and our dear friend, Melissa! Wishing you the happiest of days! We hope it is filled with much love and happiness. We love you and miss you.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T10:10:00.003-04:00

The kids had a great Halloween. We all met at my inlaws for dinner and then the cousins were all able to go out trick-or-treating together.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Adoption Songs

2008-10-29T11:29:00.009-04:00

I am on a quest. A search to find the most perfect song(s) for Cullen's video. We did a lovely video of Alex's placement day and her first year. It is such a treasure to me! And now it is time to start Cullen's. I have a huge list of songs I love. Yet I continue to search for the PERFECT one.

Although I still don't know that I am crazy about how the song is actually sung, I LOVE the lyrics of this one that Teri found for me.

A MOTHERS PRAYER
by RANDY MOORE

They laid the baby in her arms
she watched her newborn son sleepin'
she bowed her head in silent prayer
and asked the Lord for his safe keepin'
you know his life has just begun
sometimes it won't treat him fair
so be with him when I can't
all I can give my little man
is this Mother's Prayer.

A MOTHER'S PRAYER CAN MOVE A MOUNTAIN
A MOTHER'S PRAYER IS PURE AS GOLD
AND THE ANGELS UP IN HEAVEN
MAKE SURE SHE GETS HEARD UP THERE
CAUSE THERE'S NOTHIN' THAT'S MORE
PRECIOUS TO GOD'S EAR
THAN A MOTHER'S PRAYER

She tries her best to explain
as she holds his little hand
she says you're meant for better things
I hope that you can understand
all the papers have been signed
and your new home's waiting there
and one day they'll tell you soon
how you were the answer to
another Mother's Prayer

Home

2008-10-25T09:40:00.003-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ahhh, what a sweet word. Home. It was only three days, but it was exhausting. The conference was great. Good people, interesting panels, great dining and lots of fun. But it was challenging too. Cullen didn't do all that well in the hotel. Up 3 to 5 times a night, which is quite unusual. Just wasn't himself. The bad news is that it ended up being an ear infection. The good news is that hopefully is wasn't an indication of how challenging Disney might be.

Sounds like Daddy had his hands full back home as well. Alex didn't get to her required Taekwondo classes all week. She missed the bus for the first time on Thusday and ended up being nearly 2 hours late for school after Daddy ran back in the house to get something and locked the house and car keys inside. Thanks to a locksmith they were back in later that day. Friday seemed to go a bit more smoothly. And even though Alex wore big, clunky sneakers with her cute little skirt and top I laid out...the sky did not fall.

Now it is a mad rush to unpack from Toronto and pack for Disney. Only 11 days to go and I feel soooo enprepared.

Oh Canada!

2008-10-21T10:58:00.007-04:00

My mom and I are taking a road trip for the rest of the week. I have a conference in Toronto that I was planning to skip, but really needed to attend. So I begged my Mum to come along and Nanny for me :-) She agreed without hesitation, of course. So she and Cullen will no doubt be hitting the local shopping centers by day while I attend the conference. I am really excited as my mom and I haven't done anything like this in years!!! I am super bad with directions so pray we get there without going too much out of our way.

Daddy is in charge of Alex for the next few days. So apologies to Miss C if Alex comes into school dragging on Thur and Fri. It's not likely Daddy will have her to bed too early. And I should check on her cafeteria balance, I am guessing he is planning that she will be a "buyer" of lunch those two days and not a "bringer". And her hair. Oh heavens, what will he do with her hair????? And she has gym. Will he remember her sneakers and her library book on library day? And her doc appt on Friay?

Let it go, Sue. Let it go. They will be fine.

A Day at the Park

2008-10-19T20:45:00.002-04:00

Teri and I spent the afternoon at a local park with the kids. It was such a beautiful day and the kids really enjoyed the fresh air!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Pumpkin Carving and More

2008-10-16T17:55:00.012-04:00

Here are a few snapshots from this past week. We carved Alex's pumpkin on Monday. She picked out the shapes. I did the carving. Cullen did the supervising. We also enjoyed some tasty treats. Roasted pumpkin seeds for me and homemade pumpkin babyfood for Cullen.

The next day Cullen went for a ride. Grandma and Grandpa bought him his first set of wheels!

The vacation that almost didn't happen...

2008-10-16T09:58:00.006-04:00

What a night it's been! As many for you know, both kids have been sick. Alex has had the worst of any of us. The latest started on Sunday with uncontrollable coughing, gagging (and eventually throwing up). After 2 days of this, she was given a breathing treatment and sent for a chest x-ray which confirmed she has pnuemonia. Lovely. That was as of 5pm last night. Then at midnight, she began violently vomitting. It continued every 5 to 7 minutes through 4am when we took her to emergency. We spent several hours getting her hydrated with IV fluids and an anti-nausea med was give, which helped immensely. They don't believe teh two were connected adn think it was/is some sort of a bug. Her school called and said 30+ kids were out today with something similar. (So consider yourself warned Heather.)

But the docs were all very confident that we should proceed with the trip as planned and that the zofran would work and help keep her comfortable until it passes. So off we go to Florida in hopes of leaving all of this poor health back in NY!

So, we are off! 12 uninterrupted days as a family!!!!! Life doesn't get much better than that. This evening we'll arrive in Orlando and embark our a cruise tomorrow.

Product Plugs

2008-10-14T11:32:00.001-04:00

So it seems everyone has a different tone and agenda to their blogs. Some are informative, some controversial and some just plain funny. I am not really sure where this one lies other than to just chronicle our daily and often mundane lives. So I thought I may add some new features. Since most of my readers of parents of small children, I thought I might post a product each week that I have found helpful.

The product for this week is the Fresh Food Feeder by Munchkin. Although it was around when Alex was a baby, I never had the need for it. Now Cullen in another story. He is always trying to act a bit older and more mature than he really should.. Friends often joke about how Cullen seems so much older than other babies his age. One even asked if we were 100%certain about his age. Cullen has even earned himself the nickname of "The First Grader". So while most babies will suck safely on a biter biscuit until it in complete mush, Cullen will bite it in half with those two tiny teeth within seconds of getting his hands on it. And the Gerber wheels? Shoves the entire thing in his mouth at once. So this little gadget has been a lifesaver. Literally! You can stuff pieces of fruits or veggies inside (or even biter biscuits), and baby gnaws through the mesh releasing the food. Afterwards, you just rinse it out and throw it in the dishwasher. Now I have to admit, it may appear a bit creepy, but I can assure you that my seven month old LOVES it, it is safe and it allows me a few free minutes when we get home to get dinner on the stove. All very important on my list.

This feeder is sold locally at Wegmans, BabiesRus and Target.

Week in Review

2008-10-12T10:45:00.009-04:00

Hmmm....let's see. It all started last Sunday about 7pm with a call from mother-in-law. She was frantic, but clear. Dad was bad. Send Shawn down NOW. I threw him his keys and he ran out of the house in sock feet. Mother-in-law thought this just might be "it". We all thought it might be. But once again, grandpa rallied and pulled through. And after a five day stay at Hotel General, grandpa is back home. Seems this is the new routine.

But the excitement didn't end there. Cullen has a never ending cold and Alex came down with her very first ear infection. After one completely sleepless night she was on meds and appeared on the mend. That is, until Thurs when her eyes started seeping with what looked like neon snot! Turns out, the antibiotic wasn't working and her ears were draining right in her eyes. EEEWWW! So another day home from school and another new med and they too started to cleared.

All was well and she was feeling better so we went to Booville at Darien Lake on Saturday. She had a great time, trick-or-treating, running through the maze and picking a pumpkin to paint. And then it happened. The hives. First with her face. Then neck, back and eventually her entire body. This isn't the first time that hay has caused such a reaction, but it doesn't always happen, which is puzzling. A security gaurd did mention that it was treated with a flame retardant, so perhaps that was the cause. In any case, she was one sorry looking little girl. Poor thing has been so uncomfortable. Fortunately though she is still symptomatic at times, the zyrtec and Benedryl seem to be keeping itching at bay. So now we realize that ontact with hay is simply off limits for her.

Despite our little run in with the contaminent, we were able to have a nice day. Here are a few pics.

To Cut or Not to Cut

2008-10-07T15:37:00.007-04:00

Yes, that is the question of the day. Seems everyone has an opinion of whether or not it is time to cut Cullen's hair. Daddy has been ready for weeks, while Mommy was not in a hurry to say goodbye to those beautiful baby curls. But over the last few weeks I have had several comments from well meaning family members that, perhaps, it's time. So there lies the question. To cut or not to cut?

Seems like a simple enough question, but with it comes a bit more complexity. As I often do with his hair, I have consulted various African American friends and coworkers (as well as strangers) with this question. The answer from them was a resounding, NO! It appears that the first hair cut for AA babies is typically held off until one year of age. I have heard everything from it's tradition, to it will change the texture of his hair, it will give him "bad hair" and then my favorite....it will make him stutter. My conclusion? It is purely cultural.

Which is where the complexity and questions begin. Although Cullen is half black and half white, society views him as black. Fair enough, I'm cool with that. But the fact is that he is being raised in a white family in a predominently white neighborhood, and (with the exception of a few friends in the adoption community) around mostly caucasian friends. I get the idea behind fostering his pride is his heritage and culture. But to what extent? He is also half Italian. Does that mean I should serve sauce on Sundays? I guess my question is where/what is the appropriate balance?

So, to parents out there raising children of another culture, what do you do or do you plan to do in order to incorporate your childs heritage? How do you celebrate differences without making your child feel different?

As for the hair....Mommy caved. I called a local salon who specialized in AA children's hair, but they wouldn't give me an appointment :-( Said he was too young. So we stopped in a few salons at the mall. And guess what. Daddy chickened out! Appears he was all talk all along. I guess he isn't ready either. So for now, the hair stays, but the questions it raises remain. So I would love to hear from some other families out there!

Oh and lastly, Cullen started saying "Mumma" this weekend. Is it possible for my heart to swell any larger with love for this boy!

Apple Picking with Friends

2008-09-28T08:31:00.002-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Special Day

2008-09-25T12:05:00.006-04:00

Today was a very special day for two very special children...mine!

Alex's teacher has given each of her students a "special day" in which they are the helpers and where they can share a bit about themselves with their classmates. Alex has been counting down the days until her "Special Day", September 25th. It finally came. And she was so very excited. Mommy came in to school and made little books for each of the students containing facts about Alexandra. We read one of Alex's favorite books to the class and she introduced her brother to all of her friends. I wish I had borrowed a camera and captured the fun!

But Daddy had our camera in Texas for another very special day, Cullen's adoption finalization. The agency that Cullen's birthmom worked with is based out of San Antonio. So Shawn flew in yesterday in order to be present at today's court appearance, in which Cullen David Reardon was offically declared OURS!!! And it is with tear filled eyes that I type this news. I look at my two beautiful children each day in amazement and wonder how is it possible that we have been so blessed!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fall Fun

2008-09-22T10:35:00.010-04:00

Autumn cannot officially begin without a trip to Kelly's Apple Farm, home of the best crumb top apple pie in New York State! We took the kids on Saturday afternoon for some cider, donuts and fun. Grandma and Grandpa came along as well and we shared some yummy pumpkin bread. Afterwards, Cullen and Alex both enjoyed rolling around in the grass. And Alex burned some energy by racing Daddy up and down the hill over and over and over.

I just can't help myself....

2008-09-19T15:13:00.022-04:00

I've already been searching for ideas for Cullen's "Big Boy Room". Premature, maybe. But it will be here before I know it and in true Sue fashion....I want to be prepared. So I have had my eye on this darling set at Pottery Barn Kids. It is exactly what I would want. Simple, yet colorful and oh so "little boy". I have been watching it for a month or so and just noticed the first item become unavaialble. And I just can't take the chance of missing out on getting it! So since I worked some extra "call" in September, I am allowing myself the splurge!

Tonight, after work we'll take a trip to Pottery Barn Kids and I get to buy the Quilt, Sham and Sheet Set. This so incredibly foreign to be me. I will actually be paying FULL price. I don't pay full price for anything. But I MUST have it!!!

In other news, Lily and Family are doing beautifully. The little stinker has to be woken up at night to eat or she would sleep straight through. That is just wrong. My 6 month old is just now sleeping through the night!

Also, Grandpa was released from the hospital yesterday. The good news is that he is home. The bad news is that he has some additional health challenges to contend with now on top of everything else. He should get into a specialist soon and hopefully being around the family will help lift his spirits.

Shawn is back from Chicago, YAY!

Next week is Finaliziation, even bigger YAY!!! Shawn will be flying to San Antonio, TX on Wed for a Thur court appearance.

Alex is doing well in school. Kindergarten is a lot of work and she is coming home exhausted each night! She also earned her blue belt a few weeks ago and she is super psyched about that. Her new goal is not only to earn a black belt, but to then make the Demo Team. You go baby! Reach for the stars!!!

Welcome Lillianna Renee

2008-09-15T19:05:00.005-04:00

It has been a very long 24 hours...but I am proud to announce the arrival of my newest neice, Lillianna. Lily was born at 5:50 this morning. She was 8 lbs 9 oz and 20.5 inches long. Mom, Dad and baby are doing wonderfully!!!!

As promised, I won't yet post "family shots" as Kristine was adament about holding off unitl she could get more properly cleaned up.

Lily certainly is a beauty!!!

Cullen's Dedication

2008-09-14T21:23:00.001-04:00

End of Summer Fun

2008-09-07T22:32:00.011-04:00

We've tried to squeeze the most out of these last summer days. Here are a fews pics of some of the fun we've had....

Buffalo Bills season Kick-off

SeaBreeze with the Henick's

Backyard Campfire

Some at home playtime

The Eve

2008-09-03T20:18:00.006-04:00

Supplies are bought. Clothes are laid out. Book bag is packed. Lunch is made.

Sounds like I am ready.

I should be ready.

I've have known for 5 years that this day would come.

But I am just not.

On this very important eve, I laid my baby boy in his crib. And rememberd back to the day my precious baby girl slept in that very spot. Her long fingers peeking through the sleeves of her rosebud jammies. I can still smell the scent of her just after her bath. I can hear the babbles that call out from her crib. The laughter. The smile. Where did the time go. It was too quick. I find myself pleading with God to turn back the hands of time.

But life doesn't work that way. She is ready. And I need to be too. I want to be ok with this. I really do. But it hurts. Every day I can see her slip further and further away from the baby she was and into the young woman she will one day become.

That's the obvious progression.

It's what is supposed to happen, right.

Then why is it so hard?

Just Because

2008-08-29T22:09:00.006-04:00

As a child, one of my fondest memories was when my parents picked me up one night and announced that we were going to Chuck E Cheese's. Not only did we go, but they also coordinated it so that we met up with friends of mine. It wasn't a special event, and I didn't have to beg. It was "just because". And that is what made it special.

Fast forward to present day. Alex spends half of the year planning and obsessing over what to be for Halloween and the other half over what theme she'll choose for her next birthday. Well this year, she has been into Ariel. She lost "The Little Mermaid II" movie in our move last year and has been begging for a new one. Thanks to our friend ebay, she is now the proud owner of another copy. In addition, Disney just released the prequel, "Ariel's Beginning". So I decided to throw a bash. Just because. Because my daughter loves Ariel. Because I love my daughter. Because soon princesses will be a thing of the past. Because she is growing up too fast.

So I planned a surprise shindig. Complete with princess decorations, a Melody (Ariel's daughter) cake, favors, and more. I invited 5 of Alex closest friends and we've had a "Movie Night". And it has been a blast. We've eaten pizza, cake and an assortment of other treats, played tag, chase and duck-duck-goose outside, colored in mermaid books, read stories and laughed ourselves silly. We've had so much fun!

It'a now 10:30. Half of them are asleep and no one has asked to go home. I am counting that as a success! More tomorrow :-)

2008-08-24T18:39:00.003-04:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We had a great time this weekend at my Aunt Sue and Uncle Terry's cottage in the Thousand Islands. It was a wonderful getaway and nice to spend some time away with my aunt and uncle. The kids had a blast. Cullen went on his first boat ride and Alex spent most of the weekend in the water looking for rocks.

Bill and Kristine Update

2008-08-21T10:41:00.000-04:00

All is well with Krisitine. She goes back on Monday for another ultrasound or some type of monitoring.

Shawn came home last night and went up to the hospital to see his dad. He happened to be there when Dr Roberts was doing his rounds. He was able to get some answers, yet no real answers at the same time. The cardiogram showed a ejection fraction of between 20% and 25%. The EF measures the percentage of blood that the left ventricle of the heart is pushing out with each beat. Anything above 50 is supposedly good. 45-55 is mild heart failure. 35-45 is moderate and under 35 is severe heart failure. Since he is not a candidate for surgery at this point, they simply treat with meds and a low sodium diet. (BTW, 2 yrs ago he was 40%)

Shawn spoke with Roberts afterwards and asked him what this all "meant". To which he was just told, "Well, it's not good." Well, Duh!

So I did some searches online last night on EF numbers and it was hard to determine an actual prognosis since there are so many variables. Several articles referred to a 50% 1yr survival rate in this stage of the game. Whereas some claimed that EF can change often and aren't a true indicator. Some patients in his condition are totally incapacitated while others are not even symptomatic. But it does explain his increased fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting spells, dizziness, nausea, memory loss and confusion. So really, we don't know much more than we did other than his heart is getting weaker and weaker which has already been quite obvious.

Yesterday he required oxygen. Not sure about today yet. He did sleep better which is hopefully a sign that the fluid is reducing (though 2 days ago he put back on 4 lbs). Docs still want to keep him in a bit longer to try to get more of the fluid off. At the same time, he will be having a nuclear study perfomed today to determine if his leg/foot infection is into the bone again. So they are keeping him in for that as well.

And so long as everything stays status quo, we are off to the 1,000 Islands tomorrow to spend the weekend with my aunt and uncle. Looking forward to a well-needed few days of relaxation!

It's not easy being Green

2008-08-18T15:18:00.005-04:00

Poor Alex is having such a hard times these days with motion sickness. I have a whole list of things to try and so far, most are failing miserably. So if anyone has any suggestions or experiences, I am so willing to give it a try. And Alex is such a good sport about trying things. She will do just about anything not to feel so sick. We go to the doctors next on 9/16 and I was hoping to talk more about this with them. But sometimes it is a good idea to go in with information/ideas already on hand. Besides this being a total nightmare for weekend trips and my car paying a dear price, we are very nervous that the cruise in November is going to be complete misery for her.

Things we've tried
Seat positioning- does nothing
Eating light meal/crackers- nothing
Opening a window- nothing
Looking out window- nothing
Gum or mints- nothing
Sea-bands- if anything made it worse
Children's Bonine- little to no effect
Dramamine(original formula)- works sometimes, but not always

Meds to reseach and potentially try
Zofran
Vistaril
Phenergen
Scopolamine Patch
Meclizine
Marezine
and Gravol...but the risks and side effects looked pretty severe on that one

I was also going to try the Queasy pops, but I don't hold out much hope.

Electronic Wristbands are also an option, but they are pricey ($200 from manufacturer) and their eveidence of working is not terribly convincing thus far.

STAR Picnic #6

2008-08-18T11:22:00.009-04:00

Yesterday we attended our 6th Adoption STAR picnic. Alex was only 7 weeks old at our very first one! It is so awesome to see the amount of families that have welcomed home their children in that time. It was a wonderful chance to catch up with old friends and meet many new ones. Unfortunately Alex was extrememly car sick again and quite miserable when we first arrived, so I didn't have much of a chance to snap photos. But I was able to snag this from a friend's album of Cullen on my mom. Thankfully she came along to help me with the kid, while Shawn stayed back and painted.

I other news, Shawn's dad is back in the hospital with CHF symptoms. He's having a lot of trouble breathing and he gained 15 lbs in 2 days. Liver and kidney functions are both off two as well as having a bad infection in his leg. They will perform an echocardiogram today and hopefully have some more answers soon.

And we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lillianna Renee. My sister-in-law isn't due for another 4 weeks, but they expect that she could actually go any time now. Let's just wait til grandpa gets out of the hospital first though!

And please keep the Gardner family in prayer. It seems this family just can't catch a break.