I am not amused...
God is NOT a comedian...
I have the flu. I, who run a degree low, am running a pretty hefty fever. I, who never run a fever, have had one for the last 36 hours. No other symptoms (thank God!) except feeling run-down and miserable. This is not funny!
I have a major job due, a wild 13 month-old to chase, a house that will soon be condemned by the health department, and a nine-year-old who thinks that you can get through school by taking short-cuts! I must have looked bored so God gave me the flu too! This is proof that you will pay for your past transgression.
And you ask "where are the kids". They went to my parents' house for the evening (and I am grateful), but are now on their way home so I can wrestle Cullen to bed (after reveiwing for his math test tomorrow) . And then I will give Kieren a bottle and pray that she will fall asleep early and not have a night terror tonight.
Your next question is probably "where is Andy". HA!!!! The b*st*rd is at a baseball game, where they are enjoying the party deck and the catered meal! His boss is footing the bill so he went. My dinner (and breakfast AND lunch) was a piece of toast. He had hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, ceasar salad, hot wings and cheescake. I was supposed to go to dinner with Heather and the Enon Lioness Club. They had a lovely meal at one of my favorite restaurants as I lay on my bed shivering. As I said, NOT funny.
I am too wiped-out to whine anymore tonight. I have to go chase Kieren and stick a bottle in whichever opening presents itself. Let's just hope its the right one!!!
Like I said, I am NOT amused!
Wednesday, April 26
Monday, April 24
A Day At The Museum
Today, my friend Jan Tracy and I took our girls to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton. This was Jan and Helen's first visit to the museum (Kieren's third this month). This is a Silver Fox (Yes, I know she's red but that's what she is!).
The girls really loved looking at all the live animals in Wild Ohio.
Here the girls are exploring the kid-sized Animal Hospital.
Jan had as much fun as Helen and Kieren.
After tackling the staircase to the treehouse, Kieren explains how to get down to Helen.
Ah! A quiet area to read books! We spent a lot of time in the Treehouse. It is a room that hangs over the woods so you can watch birds, bugs, plants, and trees. It was so perfect for the girls to enjoy a break!
Aren't these two the cutest! (Kieren on left and Helen on right)
The girls also decided it would be a great place for a snack break! Kieren liked feeding Helen some of her Cheerios.
Helen picked up a very useful skill today. She can now change a tire!
This is what happens when you are too cute for your own good! You have to be locked-up to keep the boys away!
More exploring! Is it a wonder Kieren fell asleep early tonight?! After our exploring was over, we had a wonderful lunch at Olive Garden, and then Kieren and I had to get Cullen from school. It was a great day!!
Friday, April 21
Social Security - An Oxymoron: Chapter Two
The quest for Kieren's Social Security card now continues (please see previous post for Chapter One).
Yesterday afternoon, I took both Cullen and Kieren to try to, again, get Kieren's SS card. Cullen is home on Easter Break this week and was unlucky enough to be in the car when we drove by the SS office. I had all of the documents with me plus some we didn't need. When we drove by, I noticed there weren't many cars in the lot, so in we went.
This looked promising! There were only 6 other people in the waiting area. I checked to see if my buddy, Ms. Stoneface, was working and didn't see her! So I take the kids to a corner and sit down. Kieren just grins at me, pulls out of my grip, and starts walking laps around the other people. Now, this is where my evil plan starts to unfold...
I have put squeaky shoes on this adorable child. Not just any squeaky shoes, but the loudest, most piercing ones you have ever heard! Also, I have brought Cullen with me. He loves to chase his baby sister and doesn't know how to control his volume level! Imagine this: Kieren squeaking merrily through the waiting area, evading her brother; Cullen loudly calling her name and trying to catch her; all taking place on tiled floors that really echo!!! (Sinister laugh!!!) The security guard is charmed by Kieren and the joy she finds squeaking her shoes. The civilians are also enjoying the show! The workers keep flashing me dirty looks and grumbling.
Just as they call our number (about 15 minutes later), Kieren fills her diaper to capacity! (I love this child! She deserves a pony!) She doesn't just smell, SHE ROTS!!!! So I pick up the little darling (careful not to squish the nappy), call to Cullen, and we head for the counter. I stand her on the counter (if she sits on the counter it might ooze) and place the diaper bag with all the documents just out of her reach. The lady today (Let's call her Miss Looking-for-a-new-job, or Miss L for short.) asks me for my documents. Just as she gets the words out, Cullen says in a really loud voice, "MOM! KIEREN STINKS!" He then grabs his nose and gags. I tell him to get a grip and turn back to Miss L with an apology.
So we start the document tango again. "What is this document? Where is this information? What is your address, again? This isn't the document I want." Every sentence is punctuated with a squeak from Kieren's shoes, followed by Cullen complaining about the smell. I finally turn to Cullen and tell him to watch his sister. I then let the squeaky-girl loose on the floor! She runs everywhere, giggling, squeaking, and stinking! Cullen noisily chases her yelling, "Mei Mei! Don't do that!" He is also still complaining about the stinking diaper! As Kieren runs, the smell seems to engulf everything!
By now, everyone else is gone. The guard is even on break. Miss L is developing a nasty facial tick! It tends to jump every time Kieren's shoes squeak! I have to spell Kieren's birth city 4 times before she gets it right. (Evil laugh!!) Everytime Miss L questions a document, I make sure to loudly tell Cullen to keep Kieren out of trouble! Miss L keeps losing her train of thought (and her eyebrows from the smell)!! Finally she just hands me a form and tells me to sign my name. She then says to expect Kieren's SS card in about 10 days!!! I couldn't tell if it was tears of relief that she was done with me or if the smell of Kieren's diaper was making her eyes water!
As I call the kids back to me, the guard returns to her post and tells me how adorable Kieren is! AND how much she loves those squeaky shoes!!! I pick up Kieren, trying to breath shallowly, and ask Miss L if there is a counter where I can change Kieren. She quickly tells me that she's not sure and asks the guard. Yes, the public bathroom has a changing table. So I tell Cullen to wait and take Kieren down a short hall. (I bet you thought this story was over, huh?)
The bathroom and the office area share the same common wall. The bathroom is very clean and standard. It has tile floors and echos like you wouldn't believe!!!! As I place Kieren on the changing table, she looks at me and grins. (My first thought is "Now what"!) Then she starts YELLING at the top of her lungs "Bruh", *deep breath*, "Bruh"!!!! She takes another deep breath and does it again! She continues this the entire time I am changing her diaper!! ("Bruh-bruh" is Kieren's version of "brother".) I try to shush her, but she is having a grand time! During the re-dressing, Kieren grabs the wipes container and throws it across the bathroom. It hits the wall with a loud WHACK!!! and then drops to the floor with a deafening BOOM!!! This makes Kieren scream with glee!
We quickly leave the bathroom to find Cullen. He is sitting as close to the door as possible, with his back to us. I ask him if he could hear his sister and he informs me everyone could! I put Kieren down, grab her hand, and she turns to her audience, and waves and yells "die-die" (Kieren for bye-bye)!!! The guard laughs and tells her good-bye, but everyone else is silent! We get in our car and head home. As we get off the highway, Kieren sighs and falls deep asleep. Mission accomplished!
The End.
Well! Aunt Sam is now finished with her tale of triumph! If you learn anything from this adventure it's don't mess with me and my annoying children or you will suffer! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Yesterday afternoon, I took both Cullen and Kieren to try to, again, get Kieren's SS card. Cullen is home on Easter Break this week and was unlucky enough to be in the car when we drove by the SS office. I had all of the documents with me plus some we didn't need. When we drove by, I noticed there weren't many cars in the lot, so in we went.
This looked promising! There were only 6 other people in the waiting area. I checked to see if my buddy, Ms. Stoneface, was working and didn't see her! So I take the kids to a corner and sit down. Kieren just grins at me, pulls out of my grip, and starts walking laps around the other people. Now, this is where my evil plan starts to unfold...
I have put squeaky shoes on this adorable child. Not just any squeaky shoes, but the loudest, most piercing ones you have ever heard! Also, I have brought Cullen with me. He loves to chase his baby sister and doesn't know how to control his volume level! Imagine this: Kieren squeaking merrily through the waiting area, evading her brother; Cullen loudly calling her name and trying to catch her; all taking place on tiled floors that really echo!!! (Sinister laugh!!!) The security guard is charmed by Kieren and the joy she finds squeaking her shoes. The civilians are also enjoying the show! The workers keep flashing me dirty looks and grumbling.
Just as they call our number (about 15 minutes later), Kieren fills her diaper to capacity! (I love this child! She deserves a pony!) She doesn't just smell, SHE ROTS!!!! So I pick up the little darling (careful not to squish the nappy), call to Cullen, and we head for the counter. I stand her on the counter (if she sits on the counter it might ooze) and place the diaper bag with all the documents just out of her reach. The lady today (Let's call her Miss Looking-for-a-new-job, or Miss L for short.) asks me for my documents. Just as she gets the words out, Cullen says in a really loud voice, "MOM! KIEREN STINKS!" He then grabs his nose and gags. I tell him to get a grip and turn back to Miss L with an apology.
So we start the document tango again. "What is this document? Where is this information? What is your address, again? This isn't the document I want." Every sentence is punctuated with a squeak from Kieren's shoes, followed by Cullen complaining about the smell. I finally turn to Cullen and tell him to watch his sister. I then let the squeaky-girl loose on the floor! She runs everywhere, giggling, squeaking, and stinking! Cullen noisily chases her yelling, "Mei Mei! Don't do that!" He is also still complaining about the stinking diaper! As Kieren runs, the smell seems to engulf everything!
By now, everyone else is gone. The guard is even on break. Miss L is developing a nasty facial tick! It tends to jump every time Kieren's shoes squeak! I have to spell Kieren's birth city 4 times before she gets it right. (Evil laugh!!) Everytime Miss L questions a document, I make sure to loudly tell Cullen to keep Kieren out of trouble! Miss L keeps losing her train of thought (and her eyebrows from the smell)!! Finally she just hands me a form and tells me to sign my name. She then says to expect Kieren's SS card in about 10 days!!! I couldn't tell if it was tears of relief that she was done with me or if the smell of Kieren's diaper was making her eyes water!
As I call the kids back to me, the guard returns to her post and tells me how adorable Kieren is! AND how much she loves those squeaky shoes!!! I pick up Kieren, trying to breath shallowly, and ask Miss L if there is a counter where I can change Kieren. She quickly tells me that she's not sure and asks the guard. Yes, the public bathroom has a changing table. So I tell Cullen to wait and take Kieren down a short hall. (I bet you thought this story was over, huh?)
The bathroom and the office area share the same common wall. The bathroom is very clean and standard. It has tile floors and echos like you wouldn't believe!!!! As I place Kieren on the changing table, she looks at me and grins. (My first thought is "Now what"!) Then she starts YELLING at the top of her lungs "Bruh", *deep breath*, "Bruh"!!!! She takes another deep breath and does it again! She continues this the entire time I am changing her diaper!! ("Bruh-bruh" is Kieren's version of "brother".) I try to shush her, but she is having a grand time! During the re-dressing, Kieren grabs the wipes container and throws it across the bathroom. It hits the wall with a loud WHACK!!! and then drops to the floor with a deafening BOOM!!! This makes Kieren scream with glee!
We quickly leave the bathroom to find Cullen. He is sitting as close to the door as possible, with his back to us. I ask him if he could hear his sister and he informs me everyone could! I put Kieren down, grab her hand, and she turns to her audience, and waves and yells "die-die" (Kieren for bye-bye)!!! The guard laughs and tells her good-bye, but everyone else is silent! We get in our car and head home. As we get off the highway, Kieren sighs and falls deep asleep. Mission accomplished!
The End.
Well! Aunt Sam is now finished with her tale of triumph! If you learn anything from this adventure it's don't mess with me and my annoying children or you will suffer! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Thursday, April 20
Social Security - An Oxymoron: Chapter One
Okay, I kept my mouth shut (Go away, Heather!) on my fight with getting Kieren's SS card - up until now. My blood pressure is reasonable now (my doctor will disagree), so I will tell you a little tale I like to call "Social Security - An Oxymoron". Why that title, you may ask? Because dealing with those idiots does not make me feel social and if they could read my mind, they wouldn't feel too secure! As for "oxymoron", only an ox could be a bigger moron than the people I've dealt with!!!! So let's all get comfy while "Aunt" Sam tells you a story.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Kieren... Okay! Okay!! I'll cut the theatrics, but it just won't be the same!
More than a month ago, I went to our local Social Security office in Springfield, Ohio. I've dealt with this office before when I lost my SS card and had no problems. It is a smaller office and most people don't know it exists. So I dropped off my taxes with our wonderful accountant (also in Springfield) and headed for the SS office with Kieren.
We were early and the office hadn't opened yet, but Kieren was sleeping so it wasn't a problem. As I sat there waiting patiently (yes, I can be patient sometimes), more cars pulled up. The last time I had been here it was first come, first served. Most people checked the hours and returned to their cars, but then about 20 minutes before the door was to open some fool decided to start the line-up. EVERYONE rushed from their cars to get in line! I grabbed the diaper bag and a groggy Kieren and raced to secure my place in line. So we stood in the chilly wind and waited.
As we waited, people stared. Yes, an adopted Chinese baby is a novelty in Springfield, but get a grip (and learn some manners)! I don't mind the questions, I don't mind the double-takes, I don't mind the nice comments or flirting with my baby, but finger-pointing and blatant staring are so juvenile! (Sorry! Where did that soapbox come from??)
So, the security guard felt sorry for us and unlocked the door 5 minutes early. There was a new procedure in use. You have to register yourself on the computer in the waiting area. No big deal. We register and sit down to wait. I wasn't too concerned because we were the 6th to come in the door. HA!!! The computer pulls your number RANDOMLY!!!! HELLO? The man who came in 20 minutes after we did, went ahead of us! GRRRRR... (Okay, I can entertain a bored 12 month-old who doesn't want to sit or be quiet.)
An hour later, our number is called. So I grab Kieren and our stuff, walk the gauntlet of staring (Take a picture! It lasts longer!), and report to the front desk. The woman looks at me like I have a giant booger hanging from my nose when I sit Kieren on the counter between us. What else am I supposed to do with her? My arms are lead-weights from keeping her under control for the past hour and how else am I supposed to get out the documents!
So I hand her Kieren's documents, answer all of her questions 3 times (If you want to know my address AGAIN, why not read it off the driver's license in your hand???), and try to keep Kieren happy. Well, Ms. Stoneface (Names have been changed to protect the idiots!), who is now holding Kieren's citizenship papers, looks at me and asks for Kieren's Green Card. WHAT??? I explain that Kieren does not have or need a Green Card as she is an American citizen. Ms. Stoneface looks at me and again asks for Kieren's Green Card! Lady, that thing in your hand with the baby's picture on it tells you she is an American! After the fourth request for the Green Card, I start to become annoyed! So, she finally accepts it and moves on.
She then looks at our Chinese adoption certificate and our translation. (Okay, are you ready for this?) She looks at me and says, "How do I know that's what this really is? How do I know this is a Chinese adoption decree?" (Heather says at this point she would have been screaming!) She then tells me that it doesn't look like any of the other adoption decrees she's seen from China (We truly doubt she has seen one before ours!). So she makes a copy and tells me she will send it out for translation. Then she tells me she needs three forms of ID for Kieren that show her new name. Our insurance card would work except it doesn't have our names on it too! An Amercian passport will work. Am I the only one seeing a problem here?? Don't you have to have a (GASP!!) Social Security card to get a passport?
Next she tries to get rid of me. Ms. Stoneface has me fill out a form that gives the exact same information that she entered into the computer already. I refuse to go away and stand right there and fill it out. (Now, keep in mind that Kieren is now walking around on the counter. She is trying to grab anything within reach! And keeps getting too close to the edge!) So I hand Ms. Stoneface the completed form, she doesn't even look at it, and attaches the copy of our documents to it. She tells me she will send it to their translation department and someone will get back to me. Then she tells me to have a nice day and is calling out the next number.
By this point, we have been here for two and a half hours (including waiting in the car). Kieren has had E-N-O-U-G-H! She is tired, wet, and hungry. I have a headache, my back is killing me, my arms throb, and my eye is starting to twitch!!! So we head home to lick our wounds.
This is the end of Chapter One.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Kieren... Okay! Okay!! I'll cut the theatrics, but it just won't be the same!
More than a month ago, I went to our local Social Security office in Springfield, Ohio. I've dealt with this office before when I lost my SS card and had no problems. It is a smaller office and most people don't know it exists. So I dropped off my taxes with our wonderful accountant (also in Springfield) and headed for the SS office with Kieren.
We were early and the office hadn't opened yet, but Kieren was sleeping so it wasn't a problem. As I sat there waiting patiently (yes, I can be patient sometimes), more cars pulled up. The last time I had been here it was first come, first served. Most people checked the hours and returned to their cars, but then about 20 minutes before the door was to open some fool decided to start the line-up. EVERYONE rushed from their cars to get in line! I grabbed the diaper bag and a groggy Kieren and raced to secure my place in line. So we stood in the chilly wind and waited.
As we waited, people stared. Yes, an adopted Chinese baby is a novelty in Springfield, but get a grip (and learn some manners)! I don't mind the questions, I don't mind the double-takes, I don't mind the nice comments or flirting with my baby, but finger-pointing and blatant staring are so juvenile! (Sorry! Where did that soapbox come from??)
So, the security guard felt sorry for us and unlocked the door 5 minutes early. There was a new procedure in use. You have to register yourself on the computer in the waiting area. No big deal. We register and sit down to wait. I wasn't too concerned because we were the 6th to come in the door. HA!!! The computer pulls your number RANDOMLY!!!! HELLO? The man who came in 20 minutes after we did, went ahead of us! GRRRRR... (Okay, I can entertain a bored 12 month-old who doesn't want to sit or be quiet.)
An hour later, our number is called. So I grab Kieren and our stuff, walk the gauntlet of staring (Take a picture! It lasts longer!), and report to the front desk. The woman looks at me like I have a giant booger hanging from my nose when I sit Kieren on the counter between us. What else am I supposed to do with her? My arms are lead-weights from keeping her under control for the past hour and how else am I supposed to get out the documents!
So I hand her Kieren's documents, answer all of her questions 3 times (If you want to know my address AGAIN, why not read it off the driver's license in your hand???), and try to keep Kieren happy. Well, Ms. Stoneface (Names have been changed to protect the idiots!), who is now holding Kieren's citizenship papers, looks at me and asks for Kieren's Green Card. WHAT??? I explain that Kieren does not have or need a Green Card as she is an American citizen. Ms. Stoneface looks at me and again asks for Kieren's Green Card! Lady, that thing in your hand with the baby's picture on it tells you she is an American! After the fourth request for the Green Card, I start to become annoyed! So, she finally accepts it and moves on.
She then looks at our Chinese adoption certificate and our translation. (Okay, are you ready for this?) She looks at me and says, "How do I know that's what this really is? How do I know this is a Chinese adoption decree?" (Heather says at this point she would have been screaming!) She then tells me that it doesn't look like any of the other adoption decrees she's seen from China (We truly doubt she has seen one before ours!). So she makes a copy and tells me she will send it out for translation. Then she tells me she needs three forms of ID for Kieren that show her new name. Our insurance card would work except it doesn't have our names on it too! An Amercian passport will work. Am I the only one seeing a problem here?? Don't you have to have a (GASP!!) Social Security card to get a passport?
Next she tries to get rid of me. Ms. Stoneface has me fill out a form that gives the exact same information that she entered into the computer already. I refuse to go away and stand right there and fill it out. (Now, keep in mind that Kieren is now walking around on the counter. She is trying to grab anything within reach! And keeps getting too close to the edge!) So I hand Ms. Stoneface the completed form, she doesn't even look at it, and attaches the copy of our documents to it. She tells me she will send it to their translation department and someone will get back to me. Then she tells me to have a nice day and is calling out the next number.
By this point, we have been here for two and a half hours (including waiting in the car). Kieren has had E-N-O-U-G-H! She is tired, wet, and hungry. I have a headache, my back is killing me, my arms throb, and my eye is starting to twitch!!! So we head home to lick our wounds.
This is the end of Chapter One.
13 Months Old Today!!!
Kieren is 13 months old today! Wow!!! I can't believe it. I have Kieren's referral photo sitting on my desk. I look at it every day and thank God for her mother. She loved her daughter so much that she left her between two orphanage gates on a very busy side street. She knew her baby would be found quickly. She risked so much to leave her there. In the Chinese language there is no word for "abandoned". The closest word translates to "left to be found". I hope she finds peace today and knows in her heart that Kieren is safe, happy, and loved. Thank you for leaving Jiang Cheng Li to be found.Wednesday, April 19
Cullen & The Bus
Cullen doesn't normally ride the bus home. If he did it would take him almost 1.5 hours and he would have to take three busses, so I pick him up from school everyday. Last week the local schools were on Spring Break while Cullen's school was still in session. The bus driver was able to do a straight shot from our town to the school both ways. Cullen was thrilled!!!! So was I!!! Kieren loved not being stuck in a carseat for 1.5 hours every afternoon too. Cull loved his freedom and his chance to visit with his friends all the way home!
Sunday, April 16
A Very Happy Easter
This is the Easter egg hunt at my parent's house. My parents decided that Cullen's area would be the back yard. Kieren's area would be the deck. Just so you understand, the house sits on three acres with an orchard in the back. Poor Cullen!!! That's a lot of places to look for eggs!!!
This is Sunshine (also known as Sunny). He is one of my favorite furry-people in the world!!! He loves it when Cullen and Kieren visit my folks! He follows them everywhere and lays at their feet waiting to be loved!
Kieren had so much fun looking for eggs on the deck!!!! After she found all of them, we hid them again. After she found the eggs for a second time, Kieren decided to hide them and look for them herself! She screamed and cried when I made her go inside for dinner!
This is Cullen still looking for eggs in the orchard!!! Notice how heavy his bag is. I think we had over 60 eggs. 12 were for Kieren, the rest were for Cullen!!!
This is the best thing the Easter Bunny brought me!
I love this picture!!!
Happy Easter from our family to you and yours!!! May God bless you as He has blessed us!
New Squeaky Shoes, Too!!!
What's that sound?!
It can't be my shoes. My squeaky shoes won't fit me anymore! I cried when Mommy packed them away.
IT IS THE SHOES!!!! Mommy got me bigger squeakies!!!!
Now I'm really cool and happy too!!!!Kieren's New Do!!!!
I was so excited this morning!!! Kieren's hair is actually long enough to put into little pony-tails! Doesn't she look adorable?!?!?!?!Friday, April 14
My Cullen
Okay, I have to do a little bragging here. (Yeah, so what's new!) I have to tell you what a wonderful, sweet, spiritual, caring son I have!!! Cullen is the big brother that every little girl needs! He adores his little sister and does so many things for her without even thinking about it.Cullen is always making Kieren laugh and smile. From the moment Kieren was placed into my arms, Cullen has been special to her. She looks for him everyday and squeals when she finds him. She runs to him and loves it when he yells "Mei Mei" and scoops her up! Cullen gets in trouble everyday for picking Kieren up everytime we turn around. He wrestles with her (and lets her win!). He plays with her (even with her dumb baby toys!). He reads to her from her children's Bible whenever he can. He kisses her boo-boos and hugs her when she cries. He picks up her Lovey and gives it to her every time she drops it in the car. He doesn't even think about these things. He just does them naturally.
We were driving to the store yesterday after school. Cullen was starving (as he always is after school) so I bribed him with Snackers from KFC. He and Kieren were sitting in the back of the van watching "Lilo & Stitch" for the millionth time. Kieren LOVES it so Cullen humors her and watches it. I looked back in the mirror and saw Cullen gently placing tiny pieces of bun in Kieren's open mouth. Kieren would eat the bread and look at Cullen for more. Without missing a beat, Cull would break off more bun, flatten it, and put it into Kieren's mouth again. After a couple of bites, he would reach over, grab her sippy cup and give her a drink. It was so sweet!!! Cullen saw me watching him and told me that Kieren likes it best when he flattens each piece for her. Nothing else, just that.
On the way home, I saw Cullen holding Kieren's hand. Without even looking at her, he would gently kiss her hand and rub it against his cheek. Kieren just sat there with a small smile on her face, holding her brother's hand and watching a video. This is just normal behavior for Kieren and Cullen. They love each other and that just comes naturally to them. To look at them, they are complete opposites. Cullen is big, blonde, and all boy. Kieren is tiny, dark, and very girly. But together, they are equal and complete each other with their special bond.
I know it has been hard for Cullen to share me. He was an only-child for over 9 years. He was used to gettting all of my attention. But if you ask him if he loves his sister, he won't hesitate to tell you "yes" and let you know that the adoption was all his idea! Would he send Kieren back to China so he could be an "only" again? He will give you a look like you must be the dumbest person he ever met and say "no, Kieren is my sister". It's as simple as that. Kieren is Cullen's sister.
Thursday, April 13
Fishies In The Crib!
Kieren has one of the musical crib ocean aquarium things. I usually only use the music part of it and not the fish and bubbles. Why? Because I didn't want Kieren to become enthralled by it at bedtime and it eats batteries. Well, the other day I showed Kieren the fishies and bubbles.
She stood there in shock for a couple of seconds and then gently touched the front of it. She then looked at me and got this HUGE smile on her face and kept pointing at the fish!
She was so thrilled by it that she bent over and kissed the fishies!!!!
Then she decided to figure out how to change the settings herself so she can make the fishies go when Mommy says no! She now knows how to change the music settings and turn it on and off. She has almost figured out all of the controls!
I know I'm going to go into Kieren's room in the next week and she will have those little fishies swimming in circles! AND she'll be wearing a silly smile like she is in this picture!!! She's so smart it scares me!!!!Wednesday, April 12
4 Months Ago Today...
Kieren then (12/12/05) and now (4/12/06)It was 4 months ago today that we returned to the Civil Affairs office in Guangzhou to complete our paperwork and officially adopt Kieren Olivia ChengLi Campbell. It doesn't seem like 4 months. Sometimes it feels like Kieren has always been here. Sometimes it feels like we just got back from China. And sometimes, it feels like she was just placed in my arms. When you compare the photos, you can see the physical changes (not to mention the teeth) in Kieren. Her hair is now dark and thick. She is full of life! She is healthy. But you can also see the most important change - she is loved!
4 Months Ago Yesterday...
Jiang, Cheng Li was placed in my arms. She didn't cry. She was just curious. She was also very ill. Kieren looks so much bigger than she actually was. It was over 80 degrees in that room, but all the babies were dressed in snowsuits!Monday, April 10
We May Need To Find A New Church
We attend church with my parents. Cullen loves to sit next to my folks and Kieren loves to flirt with everyone. Kieren also loves music! Any type of music!!! So I thought yesterday's service would have been a big winner. It was the Palm Sunday Cantata. It was absolutely beautiful! Cullen decided to forgo Children's Chapel because he wanted to see it. Kieren was at her cutest! She was dressed in her light green party dress (see birthday party photos), a white sweater, and her Spring hat. She was melting hearts left and right!
So let me give you the line-up. Pop (my dad) was sitting toward the inside aisle of the church, then Cullen, Andy, Nanny (my mom) and me. I was holding Kieren and was seated at the outside aisle. We had two pre-teen girls in front of me and a couple of friends behind us. The girls were flirting with Kieren and getting dirty looks from their parents. The couple behind us were talking to Kieren. Many people kept looking at my little sweetie! You know, a normal Sunday at Sulphur Grove UMC.
Well, the service starts with announcements by our Pastor (Pastor Tom). We then stand for a song. (Remember, Kieren LOVES music!) So the music starts and we begin to sing (what I do is not considered singing on any planet!) and Kieren gives me this weird look. (Yes, I know Mommy sounds like a wounded animal!) Then Kieren gives a giggle and purses her lips like she is howling at the moon!!! (Great! A music critic!) She then starts opening and closing her pursed lips like a demented guppy! At this point I let out a snort and my mom elbows me. So then I start to giggle and elbow my mom back! She looks at me to tell me to cut it out and then sees Kieren. My mom (prim, petite, proper, VERY English lady) busts out laughing in the middle of church! Kieren continues her "singing" while we try to control our laughter. The song ends, we sit down, and my family just looks at us like we have totally lost our minds!
BUT KIEREN ISN'T FINISHED WITH US YET!!!!
Pastor Tom goes into the prayers and Kieren takes this as a personal challenge. She thinks that Tom is talking only to her and she must answer him. Furthermore, she feels that she needs to talk LOUDER than Tom. Have you ever tried to silence a one-year-old during a church service? It is impossible! After a couple of attemps, my mom and I start to giggle again.
Now the pre-teen girls turn to watch Kieren. (Great! More people to entertain!) Jen has her long hair in a ponytail. As she turns to whisper to Lauren, Kieren watches her hair move. (All the women in my family have short hair so this is something new to Kieren.) Then Kieren lunges for Jen's pony! OMG!!! At first Jen doesn't notice. Then Kieren gives a big *YANK*! Jen and Lauren start to giggle and their parents start to glare. Jen tosses her head and the pony is now out of reach. (AH! It is now a game!) Jen sits back again and Kieren grabs her hair again. Jen now decides that this is a heck of a lot more fun than the service so she flips her hair out of reach again. As the game continues and the glares intensify, I pull out my ace. A bottle of formula! Kieren grabs the bottle and drops the hair. (YAY! Game over!)
Now Kieren is leaning back against me, drinking her bottle. The music is playing. She is a happy girl. But there must be something else to do! So Kieren starts kicking the pew in front of us! I turn her away from the pew and she throws her Lovey (a White Swan wash cloth). I retrieve Lovey from the floor. Kieren is not happy about this. So she throws her bottle!!! It made a lovely arch in the air, formula spraying out, and landed with a thump in the middle of the outside aisle. (Yes, God does punish you for past sins!) Now Kieren starts to scream. Why??? BECAUSE HER BOTTLE IS ON THE FLOOR AND SHE WANTS IT NOW!!!!! So I turn to my mom and SHOVE Kieren into her unsuspecting arms. Then I get up and lunge for the bottle and quickly return to my seat (next to the thrashing, screaming banshee). Kieren makes a dive for my arms and I shove the bottle back into her mouth! She quickly drains the bottle and starts to wail. (I swear I will never do anything wrong again...) Being the calm mom that I am (Shut up, Heather!!!), I toss the bottle into my mom's lap (Sorry, Mother!) and shove the corner of Lovey into the offensive opening (also known as my daughter's mouth). Ah... Silence. (Well except for the service that is still going on around us.) Kieren flips herself around to a more comfortable position (I guess the pincher hold was a bit uncomfortable) and falls to sleep. Five minutes later, the service is over. As we stand to leave, everyone comments on how beautiful and well behaved Kieren is.
HELLO??? Were we in the same service????? I guess all of this must have happened on a different plain of existance!
We slowly make our way to the car. Kieren is still sleeping in my arms and Cullen is talking a-mile-a-minute about how nice the service was and how he liked the music. (There was music???) As I carefully place my little angel in her carseat, she wakes up and starts to scream! (Now I know that God is making a point.) When I get in the car, Kieren just looks at me and smiles. What can I say? God has a sense of humor!
So let me give you the line-up. Pop (my dad) was sitting toward the inside aisle of the church, then Cullen, Andy, Nanny (my mom) and me. I was holding Kieren and was seated at the outside aisle. We had two pre-teen girls in front of me and a couple of friends behind us. The girls were flirting with Kieren and getting dirty looks from their parents. The couple behind us were talking to Kieren. Many people kept looking at my little sweetie! You know, a normal Sunday at Sulphur Grove UMC.
Well, the service starts with announcements by our Pastor (Pastor Tom). We then stand for a song. (Remember, Kieren LOVES music!) So the music starts and we begin to sing (what I do is not considered singing on any planet!) and Kieren gives me this weird look. (Yes, I know Mommy sounds like a wounded animal!) Then Kieren gives a giggle and purses her lips like she is howling at the moon!!! (Great! A music critic!) She then starts opening and closing her pursed lips like a demented guppy! At this point I let out a snort and my mom elbows me. So then I start to giggle and elbow my mom back! She looks at me to tell me to cut it out and then sees Kieren. My mom (prim, petite, proper, VERY English lady) busts out laughing in the middle of church! Kieren continues her "singing" while we try to control our laughter. The song ends, we sit down, and my family just looks at us like we have totally lost our minds!
BUT KIEREN ISN'T FINISHED WITH US YET!!!!
Pastor Tom goes into the prayers and Kieren takes this as a personal challenge. She thinks that Tom is talking only to her and she must answer him. Furthermore, she feels that she needs to talk LOUDER than Tom. Have you ever tried to silence a one-year-old during a church service? It is impossible! After a couple of attemps, my mom and I start to giggle again.
Now the pre-teen girls turn to watch Kieren. (Great! More people to entertain!) Jen has her long hair in a ponytail. As she turns to whisper to Lauren, Kieren watches her hair move. (All the women in my family have short hair so this is something new to Kieren.) Then Kieren lunges for Jen's pony! OMG!!! At first Jen doesn't notice. Then Kieren gives a big *YANK*! Jen and Lauren start to giggle and their parents start to glare. Jen tosses her head and the pony is now out of reach. (AH! It is now a game!) Jen sits back again and Kieren grabs her hair again. Jen now decides that this is a heck of a lot more fun than the service so she flips her hair out of reach again. As the game continues and the glares intensify, I pull out my ace. A bottle of formula! Kieren grabs the bottle and drops the hair. (YAY! Game over!)
Now Kieren is leaning back against me, drinking her bottle. The music is playing. She is a happy girl. But there must be something else to do! So Kieren starts kicking the pew in front of us! I turn her away from the pew and she throws her Lovey (a White Swan wash cloth). I retrieve Lovey from the floor. Kieren is not happy about this. So she throws her bottle!!! It made a lovely arch in the air, formula spraying out, and landed with a thump in the middle of the outside aisle. (Yes, God does punish you for past sins!) Now Kieren starts to scream. Why??? BECAUSE HER BOTTLE IS ON THE FLOOR AND SHE WANTS IT NOW!!!!! So I turn to my mom and SHOVE Kieren into her unsuspecting arms. Then I get up and lunge for the bottle and quickly return to my seat (next to the thrashing, screaming banshee). Kieren makes a dive for my arms and I shove the bottle back into her mouth! She quickly drains the bottle and starts to wail. (I swear I will never do anything wrong again...) Being the calm mom that I am (Shut up, Heather!!!), I toss the bottle into my mom's lap (Sorry, Mother!) and shove the corner of Lovey into the offensive opening (also known as my daughter's mouth). Ah... Silence. (Well except for the service that is still going on around us.) Kieren flips herself around to a more comfortable position (I guess the pincher hold was a bit uncomfortable) and falls to sleep. Five minutes later, the service is over. As we stand to leave, everyone comments on how beautiful and well behaved Kieren is.
HELLO??? Were we in the same service????? I guess all of this must have happened on a different plain of existance!
We slowly make our way to the car. Kieren is still sleeping in my arms and Cullen is talking a-mile-a-minute about how nice the service was and how he liked the music. (There was music???) As I carefully place my little angel in her carseat, she wakes up and starts to scream! (Now I know that God is making a point.) When I get in the car, Kieren just looks at me and smiles. What can I say? God has a sense of humor!
Saturday, April 8
Photos From Heather's Baby Shower
Yummy!!!
Ain't I cute?!
I look good enough to eat!
Tummy shot: Which one is Katie and which one is Heather??
The beautiful Mommy-to-be!
Happy group!
Tea time for the Ladies!
Grandma Marcia (on left) and Nanny (on right)!
More tea, please!
Look at the loot!
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