A beautiful day!!

The joy of running water. We had multiple buckets and even a plastic bag filled this morning.

Little man is all ready to go out. He didn't even complain about his snowsuit.

Well, it really was a beautiful day today. But, we didn't get to enjoy it quite like we had hoped. Since we were all home today, we were going to spend most of the morning outside. However, we got a call from our pediatrician at about 8:30 am saying that Andrew's blood work was abnormal and that it showed his thyroid hormone was low. He wanted to run a repeat test just to make sure. I told Henry that Andrew needed to have blood drawn and he cried for 10 minutes. He thought Andrew was going to have an operation. Oops! We headed out the door, and were relieved that Travis was able to meet us. Andrew first had to have urinary catheter to recheck his urinalysis. Of course, they got they cath in but he had just pottied and there was no urine in there. Instead, they stuck another bag over his privates to catch any urine/potty that may come out (the cath was removed.) The other day I was thinking about the indignity of having a plastic bag stuck on to catch urine. But, today I thought it seemed so much more pleasant than being catheterized. Then we headed down for blood work. This went very smoothly, and they were able to get blood on the first stick. Then we returned to the pediatricians where, to our delight, Andrew had pottied in the bag. Yaaaay!! We went home to wait for the results which, thankfully, came back negative. So, he does not have hypothyroidism.

We did make it outside this morning while Andrew napped. The boys spent about 45 minutes catching water from the gutter spout in sand pails. What glory!! They mixed rock soup with some added greens... grass. Then Henry started asking questions...'Why does water come out of this spout (in the sun) and not that one (in the shade)? Why won't all the snow melt in water? We had a short science lesson including: standing in the sun and then in the shade to see which is warmer and concluding why one gutter has running water and the other doesn't, and then leaving the bucket of snow/water mixture in the sun while we went in for lunch and rests and returning to find it all melted. It was beginning to remind of the days when Henry pelted me with questions about God and heaven. 'What does God look like? Does God sleep? What does God eat? Where will we live when we're in heaven?' We did go out again this afternoon with Andrew. He didn't say much, but at least he didn't complain. It was so great to be out in the fresh air.

*****Please, please, please pray for Baby James. His surgery did not go as they had hoped. There is still some remaining cancer that they were unable to remove without removing the little remaining kidney. This little guy has been through more in his 11 months than most people go through in a whole lifetime. Again, the link to his website is in my links area.*****

Rolling over!!

Our three sons. The boys are certainly bonding.
Charles was asking to hold his baby. It's the first time he's asked since we got home. Charles was loving it.
Kisses for mom. If Andrew gets his mouth on your face, he tries to chew on your cheek. We call them kisses. We tried to get a picture of the four of them. Charles, Andrew, Henry, and Sofia. It was not easy.
I rolled over!! I didn't really like it on my tummy anyway.

Well, our little Andrew has reached a major milestone. He can roll from front to back. Of course, he doesn't particularly like lying on his tummy since it's so much work. So that is an added incentive. But, he can flip over with the best of them. Rolling from back to tummy is coming along, but he needs a little more time on that one. We had a very nice weekend. Dad studied all morning on Saturday as he always does. But, decided to stay home the rest of the afternoon and evening with the family. It meant he had to skip church, but... we had a really nice evening. I did manage to swing getting all 3 boys ready for church on Sunday. And, we made it on time... at least the boys made it to Sunday School on time. Andrew and I hung out in the lobby until the singing was done before we went into church. We didn't want a repeat of last week. He did great! He had a bottle and fell asleep during the prayer. He slept right up until the end. Our good friends, Aaron and Lexie, and daughter, Sofia, came to meet Andrew that evening. We had a wonderful time. Lexie is due to deliver her second baby any day. She must be close because she had so much energy she made supper for us and brought it over. We're lucky to have such good friends. My guess is that we'll provide the same favor when she gets home from the hospital.

Andrew and I ventured on our first outside trip this morning. It's finally warming up!! We made it about 15 minutes. He wasn't terribly impressed, but it was a little breezy. We'll try again tomorrow. Charles has been into a new stage of drawing. He says he's drawing streets, and then colors them brown. I love to see that intense concentration when he's working on something new. Henry is learning to read words from a game that he received from Ja Neal for Valentine's Day. He's very proud of himself.

Dad has another busy week, but he and Andrew are going to get haircuts on Wednesday. Charles Gotcha Day is on Saturday so we'll have a family party that night.

***To all the prayer warriors out there, Baby James went to surgery at about noon today. He and his family would appreciate your prayers. This little guy isn't even a year old and he's fighting very hard for his life. ***

We love our baby Min Seong!!

This is what I've been hearing from the boys for the past couple days... 'We love baby Andrew. We love baby Min Seong.' I hear myself in their words when they come up to him and say in a high-pitched, sweet voice (as Henry calls it)..'Hello, sweetie! Hello, my Min Seong.' They seem to be really bonding. Even Charles was instigating a picture today. Thus, the first one downloaded. If they hear one peep from him, they say, 'Mom, baby Andrew is crying for you.' They're the first ones to run upstairs when they hear him awake, and, if they get there much before me they crawl in the crib with him. Poor boy. He seems to be adjusting well though. We're getting a lot more laughs, and an all-around more relaxed baby. Like most babies, he loves to be without clothes, at least most of them. I do insist on a diaper since I got a small shower one morning : ) (Thank goodness it was just on my pants.) But, he loves to wiggle and laugh when he gets those clothes off.

Henry and Charles have been great. They're usually pretty helpful, but they are still kids. I took them to Target today to pick up a few things. Charles threw a fit and we left with only a package of pacifiers. Yes, in my haste, I did pay for them. And, yes, we have a pacifier boy. They told me in Korea that he didn't really take it. He usually sucked his thumb. This would have been fine, but he was having trouble finding it. We tried the pacifier and he seems to do okay. It makes him happy to have it, but I don't really like it much when we get up in the middle of the night to find it so he can go back to sleep. So far, we haven't lost it.

We got to meet our good friends baby boy last night. They left the day after me to get their son in Guatemala, and came home the day after me. This is also their 3rd child. We had a house full for supper, but the kids played great. Zachary is the smiliest baby I've ever seen. What a happy boy.

***Again, please pray for Baby James. He is having surgery on Monday to try to remove more of his kidney tumor. A link to his site is in my links list. ***

The baby is still here!!

Sorry, I don't have any pictures this time. The battery on my camera was dead so I'm recharging. Yesterday, when Travis got home from work, Charles came running up to him. He was all excited and said, 'Dad!! The baby is still here.!' We've been so happy with how they've adjusted to having a baby brother. Henry did very well when Charles came home, and has done fabulous with Andrew as well. We were a little worried about Charles, but he's been kissing and hugging him for the past few days. Andrew seems to have finally settled in. He's always been good and smiling a lot, but we've been hearing a lot more laughing over the past couple days. I think he's figured out who we are. When he's around strangers he looks for us, and if he fusses he quiets when we hold him. It's been only a week and a half since we've been home, but it already seems as if he's been here forever. Aside from taking longer to get anywhere, we're all doing well. I did manage a solo trip to Target yesterday with the 3 of them. Thank goodness it was a quick trip...it only took 1 1/2 hours from leaving the house to returning. The boys did as well as can be expected. Even when it was just Henry and Charles I was forever telling them to ...'sit down, watch out for people, don't run into the man with a walker.' I can't believe we've not knocked down an elderly person and sent them to the hospital. Andrew hung out in the front pack and was happy the whole time. Of course, watching his brothers is like watching a comedy act. They insisted on the limo cart. You know, the one that's a regular cart with two extra seats on the back. It's horrendous to try to steer down the aisles and around the racks. They kept sliding off the back because it's impossible for them to sit still longer than 5 seconds and they didn't want to walk. Thank goodness for the cookies at the bakery.

****I'm sending a prayer request out to all of you. Please pray for baby James and his family. James and Charles have the same foster mother, and they are friends of ours. If you look in my links section you will see a link to his site. Please read it. Baby James has cancer. They are going to have a busy and stressful week with medical tests and surgery. THANKS!!!!****

Boys! Boys! Boys!

This was after church on Sunday. Andrew was not impressed with church. He started to cry at the first hymn. Travis took him out, and then every time they tried to come back in he would cry again.
Dad and big brother, Henry. Charles wasn't in the posing mood. Henry has been such an awesome big brother. What a great helper, and he can always get a smile out of Andrew.
Another after church picture. Don't you love that hair?
Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub. Does anyone know where I can find a copy of that so I can frame it for the bathroom? Andrew was tired on this day, and didn't like a bath with two noisy brothers. However, tonight was a great thrill for them all , until Andrew peed in the tub. Oops!
We call this the Mad Scientist look. He was laughing at Henry, but had to post it because of that hair. I love it!!

We've had a busy day and weekend. Andrew ran a fever all Friday night and Saturday from his immunizations on Friday. His appointment went well, however, and our pediatrician seemed happy with his development. We had company on Saturday to see Andrew. He was not too perky because of those shots. Then again, neither was I. I was still tired from the trip, sleepless nights with Andrew, and then a sick boy the night before. We had a quiet day on Sunday which was nice for us all. This week proves to be busy. Andrew was in for blood work, a urinalysis, and TB test this morning. He wasn't very pleased with that at all. He wouldn't potty in the bag, so now I have a urine specimen in the refrigerator. Travis is at school tonight, and then has some other school-related engagements on Tuesday and Thursday night. We won't see him much this week, and I'm so relieved the big boys have adjusted so well. Henry has proven to be the epitome of a big brother. He gladly gets things for me, entertains Andrew whenever possible, and has been taking his plate to the sink after meals without being asked. Charles has also done much better than I expected. He has suddenly hit a new cognitive level, and thinks so much more like a big boy. He initiated picking his toys up all on his own today. And, has been playing so well with Henry...even sharing without being asked. Of course, he is 3, so this changes quickly and at any whim. I feel so badly tonight. Charles has been crying whenever I say goodnight and leave the room. He wants me to stay and sleep with him. I finally figured out that he's afraid I"m going to leave again. We talked about it, and when it was time to say goodnight tonight, he let me leave without a fuss. Bless their hearts!! They've been real troopers through all this chaos and change. It's been good to get back on a regular schedule.

A new brother

Oops. I see I got two of the same picture on here. This is Charles feeding baby Andrew. This was the first day we were home.

This is Andrew on the second day he was home.
Andrew and his big brother, Henry.
Travis and Henry couldn't get Charles to wake up yesterday afternoon when I had gone to run errands. This was how they got him to wake up...piling baby toys on his head. Poor boy!!

Things have gone pretty well since we got home. Andrew is gradually switching to our time zone. He is sleeping his longer hours at nap. This does not mean that he doesn't wake up...sometimes for 2 hours. My mom helped me out the first couple nights because I was so tired, and Travis had to work. Bless her!! I was sorry to see them go yesterday. I had had help for awhile and all of a sudden I was on my own....with 3 boys!! We actually did pretty well. We had only two time-out episodes...not for me. But, I think I would really like a time-out sometime. 30+ minutes alone on the couch or in my room. Why don't moms get time-outs? Andrew has his first doctors appointment today...and he was deemed very healthy and on target developmentally since he was born a few weeks early. He weighs 14# and is 25 inches long. He did have 3 shots, and was absolutely livid for about 5 minutes and then periodically after that he would let out an angry cry. We have blood work, TB test, urinalysis on Monday. We hope for a really great lab tech for drawing blood. All else is well for us. We're a little tired, but adjusting well. The boys have been fantastic and really seem to be bonding well with Andew. Henry likes to sing to him, and they both come and play and talk to him when he's sitting with me. No jealousy so far, we'll hope it continues. I'm heading out to have a small party with Dad and the boys. We're all tired so we're watching Lady and the Tramp with popcorn. Sounds good to me. I hope I don't fall asleep before the boys : )

FIgured out the pictures!!

These were some other families at the guesthouse. We went out for supper the night before I left Seoul.
Mrs. Kim, Charles foster mom, came to the going-away ceremony. She spent some time talking to Andrew, because he is Charles brother.
Dr. Kim founded the agency. He is here for the ceremony.
This is Dr. Kim praying for the babies as they get ready to leave with their families.

This was a very emotional experience for everyone. It was especially for me, because Mrs. Kim came to be with us. She had a special card for Charles with a message for when he is older.

Still on Korea time

Well, Andrew has done great getting home and being sorrounded by two wild older brothers. The boys are loving him, but are at times a little over-helpful. They both want to feed him, hold him, talk to him, etc. He's a little overwhelmed by all the noise and attention. I managed to sleep for about 3 hours before he woke up last night. My mom and dad were still awake so they played with him while I updated on our trip. He was up for a couple hours and then back to sleep. I just slept in the bed with him which is what he's used to. He slept like that with his foster mom. He was fine, but I woke up at every little noise, and then he would wake up hearing me. At one point, he slept on my chest for a couple hours. That was when we moved from his room to mine, and then Charles and Henry ended up with as well. A little crowded...I guess that's what they mean when they talk about 'family beds.' We moved back to his room and then slept until about 6 a.m. My mom got up and took him and I went back to bed for awhile. After lunch, Andrew fell asleep and the boys laid down with me to read books. We all fell asleep for 3 hours. Wow!!! That was the best nap ever!! I'm feeling pretty good. Andrew has a stuffy nose and a little cough. We're hoping it doesn't turn into anything more. We have an appointment with our pediatrician on Friday.

It was Travis' last day at his old job today. He starts his new job tomorrow. I feel badly that I'm so distracted I haven't even been able to think about the stress he must be feeling. The boys will be going to Ja Neal's tomorrow...the first time since we got home. They seem excited to tell all their friends about their baby brother. I have a few errands I need to run tomorrow as well. My mom and dad are leaving on Thursday, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I go from having 2 kids, to having 3 kids that are all being cared for by others (vacation for mom in Korea), to having 3 kids with 4 adults around, to having 3 kids with just me. Travis has to work on Thursday. Yikes!! I'm not sure what I'm in for, but hopefully we won't have to leave the house. I'm going to add some more pictures. Hopefully, it turns out better than yesterday. Now that I've already written, I'm wondering if I should add the pictures first. Oh well. Here goes!!

Annyong haseyo!!

This is Andrew and I in the van on the way to the airport.

Well, I made it. The flight was long, but Andrew was a little trooper. We met downstairs at the agency at 7:45 a.m. on the 5th (the Korean 5th which is about 14 hours ahead of us.) There is always a going-away ceremony where the elder Dr. Kim, who started the agency, comes to pray over the children who are leaving that day. We were prepared for a sad occasion. I was not, however, prepared for Mrs. Kim (Charles foster mom) to also come. This was especially sad for me, because I know how much she misses Charles. She spent some time talking to Andrew before the ceremony. I'm sure about his brother. Dr. Kim prayed over the children and then we left in the van. 3 families, who have become close friends, left that day. The driver helped us unload our luggage and load onto carts. Then we were on our own. I managed to push my cart, with Andrew in the front pack, into the airport, check in, make it through security, and to my gate. God bless many Korean people along the way who helped me, especially Andrew, out that day. The flight from Seoul to Tokyo was uneventful except for a puking episode, by Andrew, not me. A wonderful dad and his son were able to distract Andrew during the descent when he was a little fussy. I made it through the Tokyo airport and to my gate. Andrew took a short catnap. The flight to MSP was packed. I had requested a bassinet but wasn't able to get one. Needless to say, from the time I left the agency to the time I arrived in MSP, I didn't put Andrew down. My arms are a little achy right now. I had some fabulous help from the people at the airport, and made it down to the gate where Trav, the boys, and mom and dad were waiting. What a welcome!!! Andrew seems to be handling all the attention from the boys fairly well. He took a great nap this afternoon, a bath, and then fell asleep again. He woke up at 10 pm, thank goodness I had already slept for 2 hours, and is wide awake with my folks right now.

He has done great since we've been home. He only cried when he woke up just now.

This is us at the airport.

I'm having a little trouble getting the pictures in right, and in the right size. The one with Andrew alone is taken in the agency van. The one where he is sleeping was taken on the plane. Yes, he slept. I did not : )

This is us with my mom and dad at the airport.

Annyong!!! Sarang hyo, Korea!!

Well, this will likely be my last post from Korea. I was so exhausted yesterday that I couldn't post. I had slept well until 4:15 a.m. when I was wide awake. I finally came down to check email and found another dad I hadn't met (though I had met his wife on an adoption forum), a mom and her 8 year old son who was doing homework. We decided to go get some Dunkin' Donuts and we could all meet for breakfst in the kitchen. THat didn't work so well since Dunkin' Donuts didn't open until sometime after 8. I guess they don't eat donuts for breakfast here. Me and another couple went to the National Korean War Museum, which was truly amazing. The exhibits were simply incredible, and they had a huge area of trucks, tanks, airplanes, and helicopters. The boys would have loved it. We then went on to Itaewon for some shopping. I didn't particularly care for that shopping area since they tried to hawk their products on you. It was alot like being at a fair, except they weren't trying to get you to play games. When we got back, I was exhausted....I had been up since 4 a.m. after all. I had eggs and toast for supper, visited with a couple other famlies, showered and went to bed. I had a really great night sleep last night, however. Thank goodness!!! I feel pretty good today. My husband and family would have never approved, but I felt brave and ventured into Seoul on my own today. I did great!!! I made it to Doeksugang Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This was particularly special for me because both Henry adn CHarles had been there and their pictures taken with the guard. I had my picture taken too!!! Then I went to Insa-dong which is another shopping area but much more traditional, artistic, and antiquey than the others. I found some fun gifts there. I made it back to my subway station with no trouble at all. I was so proud of myself that I got an ice cream cone at Baskin-Robbins. Now, I"m back at Eastern and am going to spend the rest of the day packing and finish washing clothes. Most of the families are going to go to dinner tonight before we leave. There are 3 of us leaving tomorrow morning, and then another couple who is leaving on TUesday. We've gotten to be such good friends while we've been here. It will be sad to say good-bye.

This trip has been simply amazing. I can't put into words how much it has meant to see where my childrens lives began. Meeting their foster moms has been so special. They feel like my family. And, truly, they are. They were the boys foster family and always will be, and it gives us a special bond. They knew and loved my children and were, in a sense, their second. Thank goodness I will be the last mom they have. I can see that they have been loved by so many people while they were here. It's amazing to think that my kids are loved all over the world. Because Korea is my boys' homeland, it feel a little like my home too. I had that feeling when we flew over Seoul and I was able to look down at the city, and it has never left. It will be sad to leave tomorrow, but so exciting to get home. I miss my boys a lot. Tomorrow, at 7:45 I report to the 1st floor for the going-away ceremony where Dr. Kim prays for the babies. I'm sure there will be many tears shed. Then, we will travel to the airport. My flight leaves at 11:05 a.m. from Seoul to Tokyo. I have a short lay-0ver, and then on to Minneapolis. I am relieved to see that the first flight is an hour shorter than coming into Seoul, and the flight to Minneapolis is 2 1/2 hours shorter. Thank goodness!!

My next post will be from home. Please pray for a good flight for Andrew. I'm sure he will be sad and confused without his foster mom, and then having to fly for the first time, too.
Thank you all for the prayers!! See you in the USA!!

A wonderful day

Wow!! Today was an amazing and busy day. I met with Henry and Charles foster moms today. What a couple of great ladies. We had a wonderful visit with the help of a social worker at the agency. They don't speak English, and I don't speak Korean. That didn't stop them from asking me to go sightseeing. I really wanted to go to a couple of places that were on a lot of pictures taken of the boys when they were here. They took me Doeksugang Palace which is a very historic site in Seoul. It was a little chilly but we were brave. We took lots of pictures. There was a couple there having wedding pictures taken in traditional hanbok. They made me take my picture with them : ) That was fun and a little embarrassing, but it will be a nice picture to have. They took me to lunch and then Mrs. Kims sons girlfriend came to translate for us. After lunch, we wandered over to a fairly ritzy part of Seoul. They took my picture on the most expensive land in Korea, and then we found baby socks with 'made in Korea' on the bottom. I'm struck by the differences in Seoul. THere is the very traditional smack against very modern. It really is an amazing city. I've really enjoyed the time I"ve spent here, and can't wait to come back again. I got back to the agency in time to meet Min Seong a second time. When Mrs. Lee came in I thought...'where is he?' Oh, he was in the podaegi (on her back) under her coat. You couldn't see him because he was all covered up...and sleeping. He woke up and was pretty happy. We had some very nice one on one time today. He's a smiley little guy. He looks so chubby because he was wearing about 3 layers of clothes. I went to eat with some others who are staying here. We found a Japanese restaurant down the street near Hongik University. I got an main dish, some relishes, and tea for $4.80. Not sure what the plan is for tomorrow. We're going to try to make it to Insa-dong which is a very traditional part of Seoul but may not get there until Sunday. Here are some pictures of my day.

This is a shopping street in Seoul with the Seoul Tower in the distance.

Me taking a picture with a couple having their wedding pictures taken.

Mrs. Park (Henry's foster mom), myself, and Mrs. Kim (Charles' foster mom).

2nd visit with Min Seong

Second visit with Min Seong today. Here are photos!!!

Greetings from Min Seong

Okay, I was finally able to get some pictures up here thanks to a very nice family who helped me. I had a very busy day today. I woke up at 5:45 a.m and was unable to go back to sleep. I was pretty proud to venture out on my own this morning. I made it to the end of the block and across the street to the bakery : ) I met with the travel lady who gave me all Andrew's paperwork for flying. I got to meet Andrew after that. He is so beautiful and happy. He has dimples and a beautiful smile. He has hair that fits right in with his brothers. He weighs 6.2 kilos and is trying to roll over. I had a meeting the Kim's who started the agency after that, and then attended a Korean lunch here at the agency. I'm meeting Henry and Charles foster famlies tomorrow morning, and then Andrew again at 3. There is another family here from Minnesota. THey are also leaving on MOnday but are flying KOrean Air. We managed to make it to Namdaemun Market today. Wow, was that an experience. It really makes you appreciate the wide open spaces in Minnesota. Well, here are the pictures!!