Oh Happy Day

Oh yes, today was the first day of school! We all woke up pretty excited. Ty asked last night why Caity, Amber, and Drew were all so excited. He joined in the enthusiasm this morning when he woke to find his uniform all laid out for him.

Jacob wanted to go to school too...

Ty was a little quiet when I left him with his teacher. Not scared or sad. Just obviously unsure of what was happening next. I have never worried about any of my kiddos going to school. Not even Drew going to Kinder today. But I thought about Ty all day. Man I love that boy.

Drew marching right in to shake his teacher's hand.

Drew was super exited to see his best buddy from preschool was in his class. These two are peas in a pod.

As we parents were asked to say goodbye some of the kids started to cry. I wondered if Drew would have any problem. He looked over his shoulder at me, blew me a kiss, and flashed me this little smile.

When I picked Drew up after class he could not wipe the smile off his face.

When I went back to pick everyone else up this afternoon I walked in to greet them instead of driving through the pick up line. Ty didn't see me coming. I wish I could have videoed his response to seeing I was there. He leaped off the ground and squeezed me tight. His face was all lit up with excitement and joy. He eagerly told me about finding his friend, Lincoln (the one from China we had a swim date with), on the playground at recess. I asked him if he had a good day and he nodded his head with gusto. I thought it might pop off he was so animated. Ty continued to be a little more interested in my attention the rest of the day (I think he missed me!) but was so very happy.

I love it when school starts and the dust settles.

Soccer Players

We have 4 soccer players this year. It's a little crazy, but so very fun. I LOVE watching from the sidelines this year (I coached both my girls the last 4 years). And experiencing boys soccer is a new thrill.

Drew is in heaven. He has been waiting his turn for 4 years. And Ty is loving the chance to run with the boys. He follows along really well for a kid who has no idea what the coach is saying and has never played before. He's just a natural.

 The little guys are so stinkin' cute.

Drew was on fire at his practice last night and scored 2 back-to-back goals. I am hoping that fire will show up in the real games too.

 Ty scored both of his team's goals in their scrimmage tonight. He is such a little stud.

So far I have not had the opportunity to see either of the girls practice. Being the big sisters means they have to be dropped off and picked up while mom accompanies the littles at their practices. So no pictures of Caity or Amber's amazing abilities. But they are having a great time. I can't wait for games to begin!

The Last Hurrah

I did it. I made it to the first day of school. The last three days leading up to today were a little rough to say the least. So yesterday I decided we needed one more fun outing before the school routine finally started. I chose a local bike trail. It was a beautiful morning.

The boys all got a kick out of seeing the goats. The goats are moved all around our city to clear the brush. They do an amazing job. Ty was particularly interested in the electric fence around the goats. He REALLY wanted to feel it zap him. I warned him but let him decide (It wouldn't have seriously hurt him. I have been tagged by one myself before while horseback riding). He never did work up the nerve to hold on.

Since our camping trip Ty can spot a ripe berry from 100 yards away.

We all detoured off the bike trail from time to time to explore the creek.

At the turn around spot on our ride we stopped at a corporate park (no slides or playground). Ty and Drew had the best time climbing trees and riding their bikes and scooters around the park. The girls entertained themselves by smashing acorns and relaxing in the shade.

Then we went back the way we came and hopped back in the car. Everyone seemed happy with our last little outing.

We lose more socks that way...

Since coming home from China I have set aside one pair of Jacob's shoes for plasma car riding. I mentioned before how he does not lift his feet high enough to clear the asphalt when riding. So whatever pair of shoes he is allowed to wear must be worthy of ruin. Because these shoes have been worn a couple times since we got home, we have now gotten to the point that we must also be willing to sacrifice the socks as well.

However, whether it is thanks to the ruined shoes and socks, or maybe, just maybe a new sense of awareness, he is finally not wrecking his toes. Just the shoes and socks...

First Haircut

My boys were all looking a little shaggy over the weekend. So it was time for the first round of hair cuts with Ty. I was a little nervous since he is old enough to know whether or not I did a good job. But his hair is really easy to cut. Jacob's baby-fine hair is near impossible. Drew has crazy cowlicks everywhere. And Brad's hair requires some creativity because of changes to his hairline (I will pay for that honesty later...). But Ty's hair is crazy thick and coarse. It stands on end all on its own. And it is really quick and easy to trim.

Unfortunately I did not have the presence of mind to take either a before or after picture. But I did remember the camera when I was sweeping up. It struck me because I realized I had all colors of hair on my bathroom floor: red, blonde, brown, and black.

It was kind of fun sweeping up my little hair Neapolitan.

One Month Home

It has been a month already! I can't believe school starts this week. Our summer has flown by and I think it is safe to say this has been my favorite summer to date. We have gone from one fun adventure to the next. I wish every summer could be like this. Aside from the fact I am exhausted.

Things have gone pretty much the way I expected with this adoption adjustment. I still believe we have not hit full reality yet. Everything has been fun and busy. While this makes a lot of great memories and entertains everyone, it does not allow for a lot of reality. It will come. It will hit. And it will likely be hard. We see glimpses of coping happening here and there. And we have moments of pause. But for the most part we are still honeymooning.

Just this past week I have noticed changes in Ty's eating. Much like Jacob he is learning that there is always food in abundance here. He is learning some of our etiquette and rules at the table. He is learning that smacking, slurping, belching, and eating with your mouth open are not acceptable in America (or at least at our table). He is learning that mom and dad cannot be manipulated when it comes to food. We do not require him to eat what is offered. And he knows there is always healthy food available if he chooses not to eat (like fresh fruits and raw vegetables). But he is learning that desserts and treats only happen for those who have made some effort on the nutritious foods offered at meal time (there is always at least one thing he "likes" offered at mealtime).

Since our camping trip I have noticed changes in the way Ty expresses affection. Before our trip he would try to find ways to "accidentally" receive affection rather than being open about his desire for touch. He would 'trip' into my arms or bump into me or taunt me into chasing him knowing that I would wrap my arms around him to catch him. In the past week he he decided snuggling feels really good. Laying his head in my lap and even asking to be rubbed or stroked is becoming common.

I am noticing Ty trying to figure out what makes mom and dad different from other adults. His increase in physical attention with me has been tested on other adults (often while watching for my response). We have warned other adults in Ty's life at this time (Sunday School teachers, School teacher, and extended family) not to allow Ty into their personal bubble for a time to encourage a healthy bond with parents. They have been amazing about this and Ty is noticing! He is trying to work out what the difference is between parents and other adults. Mom and Dad snuggle. Mom and Dad hug and gaze into his eyes. Mom and Dad comfort him when he needs it. It is so valuable to have the other adults in his life reinforcing this to him by not offering those same responses!

Ty has done a complete 180 in his responses to pain and discomfort since coming home. During the first week we were home he was constantly getting injured. He rarely cried and would usually respond by slapping the injured area and jumping back up to try whatever he was doing again. After about a week he started accepting my response and would stoically stifle his cries but allow my comfort. Now we have actually started calling him The Diva. He has become ultra sensitive to injury and looks immediately for my response. We are at the opposite extreme from where he started and expect that he will settle back into a more normal pain response once he can trust that mom will always be there to comfort him when he needs it and make it better. No need to over do it.

We have moments of reflection and quiet that tell me our boy is processing the changes and losses. At least once a week I directly guide him to an activity that helps him think of China. We put pictures in photo albums. We watch videos from the orphanage. We watch his YouTube video. We Skype with our guide or Ty's friends who are home. I am always watching for signs that Ty needs some quiet time to reflect. I suspect much harder times are ahead. But for now our boy is a superstar.

Yankee Jims

Yankee Jims is one of our family's favorite summer day trip destinations. We go every year. This weekend it was time to show Ty.

I caught this frog to show the kids. Ty realized the wildlife could be handled.

He was very proud of his catch, but not very careful with it. We had to make him release it and talk about being "soft" with small living creatures. 

The water was the lowest we have ever seen due to our drought this year. This is an area we can usually jump off the rocks into the water and float down-stream.

She's still goofy every once in a while...

Trying to snap a quick picture during snack time. Look and smile? Ha!

Happy little adventurer.

Throwing rocks. Every boy loves throwing rocks.

Ty got a big kick out of my brother, Brad, and me throwing the large rocks in. They made a great 'sploosh' sound and he kept trying to find rocks he didn't think we could lift and throw. Even Mama is pretty strong.

This little cherub makes me happy.

River Picnic

We are always on an adventure...

That would be Ty and Me out on the rocks. We all climbed the rocks out as far as we could. Brad brought everyone back the way we came. Ty asked if we could go this way and swim. I love his sense of adventure.

Little Handyman

Before our camping trip we needed to convert our trailer to carry our camping gear. The littles loved being able to help.

This was the perfect project for "Captain-I-Can-Do-It".

 While waiting for their turn with the real tools Drew and Jacob brought their tools out and did a little work of their own. So cute.

Amber, Ty, and Drew all took turns helping Daddy secure the wood in place. They were all very proud of the end result. It was time well spent.

The Dentist

Bringing home a 6 year old child who has never been to a dentist before (and by all outward indications has never brushed with toothpaste before) means we have a fair amount of dental work to do. From the first day we met Ty has taken an interest in our straight, white, fresh-smelling teeth. He asked to look inside my mouth while we were in China and made, "Oooooo" and "Ahhhh" sounds.

When we explained to him (in Chinese through our guide) that he would need work on his teeth to make them healthy like ours he said, "I am not afraid of the dentist", and claimed to be excited about having his teeth worked on.

Then the moment of truth arrived.

We went in Friday for the first half of his work: 2 crowns, 2 fillings, and 1 extraction. His tough facade held up until the needle appeared. He is indeed a 6 year old little boy. He was really good and held still through his complaints and cries. But after the dentist left the room he completely came apart. He has never experienced Novocaine and was very distressed by his face falling asleep. He continually pinched and pulled at his mouth trying to feel something. I kept telling him he would hurt himself but he could not stop. The laughing gas they gave him to try and calm his nerves seemed to also eliminate his ability to listen and follow instructions. He became very handsy.

Fortunately by the time the Novocaine had taken full effect and the dentist started his work the laughing gas had also finally taken full effect. Ty was so relaxed he dosed in and out while the dentist fixed his teeth.

After we left the office Ty was very goofy.

But he still did not understand he could hurt himself even though he did not feel pain. I caught him chewing on his tongue when we arrived home. I had him show me his tongue in the mirror and he was shocked to see it was bleeding. He finally understood he needed to stop.

Once the Novocaine wore off he switched gears from the "tough guy" to a full-blown Susan Lucci. There were tears. There was stomping. There was flinging his head back and groaning. There was dramatic sensitivity to everything around him. Let's just say I am hoping round 2 at the dentist goes a little better since he will understand what is going on and what to expect.

We have 2 weeks to recover from round 1...