One Year Update

So excited to receive a written one page update on our little guy!!  Seems this was faxed to our agency who then forwarded it on to us.  No pictures included (boo), but written at the bottom was a note that pictures are in the mail (yeah)....snail mail that is (ho hum).  So we must wait, I'm guessing a couple of weeks till we see his sweet face again.  I can only imagine they are mailing them because either (1) there are tons of pictures provided by his Foster Mother and they couldn't all be emailed or (2) Eastern took some semi-professional pictures of him in his Hanbok and had to wait for them to be developed.  Whatever the case, we know pictures are en route and just so happy to be getting yet another glimpse of Benjamin to keep our juices flowing : )  

September 7, 2012
weight: 21.82 lbs
height: 30.31 inches
4 teeth on the top & 2 teeth on the bottom

• 200cc formula 4 times a day
• Eats half a bowl of cooked rice twice a day
• Likes white meat fish, meat minced, cooked veggies, steamed eggs, watermelon, banana, cheese, and yogurt
• Takes a bath daily, but dislikes bathing and sometimes bursts into tears...oh my we'll need to address this cause water is super fun!!
• Goes to sleep around 10:30 and wakes at 8:00  during which he wakes for a bottle twice a night
• Takes 2 naps, one in morning and one in afternoon for 2 hours a piece
• Able to take 10 steps independently...so sad we missed this but can't wait to chase around the yard!!
• Understands most words and says some words like eomma (mom), mamma (food), moya (what), and eonni (older sister/girl)...so wish we could hear his jibber jabber : ) 
• If he wants something, he points to it
• Holds a toy out to another person
• Likes balls and toy cars
• Likes pretending to answer phone and clean the floor with a cloth...plenty of hardwood floors here that could use a little help : ) 
• Looks at books turning pages...wonder if our recordable books helped with this??  must send more!!
• Likes to scribble...sounds like it's time to send crayons and coloring book : ) 
• Puts small items in a box and takes them out
• Like practicing use of a spoon and cup...oh he will love getting his care package in October then, we've sent a few of each!!
• Sensitive to noise and easily startles at abrupt noises
• Shy of strangers and dislikes people touching or holding him...oh boy, hope he makes some strides in this area before we show up : (
• Likes going outside so often goes to front door...a man after my own heart, can't wait to go for walks, bike rides, and park play dates : )
• Very fond of foster father and gets happy to see him coming home from work in the evening...so sweet to hear about attachment!!

Pictures arrived 9/29

He chose money during the Doljabi game at his party given by Foster Family.

Care Package #7

This care package is our ode to orange and blue in honor of the Univeristy of Illinois.  Neither Fred or I attended U of I , but living within the Illini nation community it's hard not to warm up to the orange and blue fanfair.  We do however have a number of friends and family members who have attended or are currently attending U of I, so we thought only appropriate to have a little cheering section over in South Korea. 

• Illinois t-shirt from Aunt Karen, Uncle Greg, and cousins
• 2 Orange and blue collared shirts
• Orange and blue fleece
• Navy pants
• 2 Can cozies
• Orange bib and blue bib
• Stocking cap
• Benjamin ball cap
• Foster brother ball cap
• Illinois mini football
• Photo memory stick on Illini wristlet
• Pictures from birthday celebration
• Goldfish
• Animal crackers
• Hand lotion 

Special shout out to Benjamin's cousin Michael
whose part of the Illini Football Team!!
Hope to come see you on the field next year.

Care package #7 is off to Korea via another traveling family today, and we're off to the Illinois game thanks to our neighbors!  Catch you later.

Dr. Seuss's Happy Birthday Baby!

Another month, another great book buy!  Looked high a low for a special birthday book and stumbled upon this shiny little gem.  Happy Birthday Baby! is our the introduction of Dr. Seuss into Benjamin's library....I'm sure it won't be our last.  

Can't wait to read this to Benjamin
each year on his birthday.

Happy First Birthday - Part 3

Though we asked for "no gifts please," Benjamin received a number of awesome things of which we were more than pleased to open in his absence.

Grandma & Grandpa: Cool Disney sweatshirt to mail over now and then for later a fabulous personalized stocking, block puzzle, board book, and college fund gift

Grammy & Pops: Beautiful personalized photo album and college fund gift

Aunt Karen, Uncle Greg, Daniel, Andrew, Michael, & Nathan: Sweet little board books

Uncle Pete, Aunt Nina, Amanda, Sam, Emily, Jacob, Megan and Lauren: Awesome handmade bath hoodie

Julie, Jeremy, Gavin, Keaton and Emmit: Precious gold baby ring

Roy & Lola: Thoughtful college fund gift

So many more of you just being here or sending your birthday wishes our way was a gift in and off itself...Thank you!  

Oh and from Mom & Dad: Ultimate jungle gym

Happy First Birthday - Part 2

Many emotions and thoughts leading up to this day and as it comes to a close.  

Friday I thought about Benjamin's birth mother and wondered how she will handle this day?  I can only imagine she thinks of him everyday and even more as his first birthday was approaching.  I send her much love and support for the choices she had to make (on her own) in giving her precious little boy up for adoption. I wish her peace and comfort in coming to terms with her choice of placing her little boy in the hands of another loving family.  I am thankful for her choice to to give birth and bring sweet little Benjamin into our lives : ) She will be a part of Benjamin's family and my thoughts forever.  

Saturday I thought about Benjamin's foster mother and family and wondered how they would be  celebrating his birthday with him?  It is not a requirement of foster families to give a birthday party, but we do see many of our fellow families receiving pictures of birthday celebrations and children wearing their traditional Hanbok. I am thankful to her for whatever special treats or gestures they provided to him on his special day. We can see that Benjamin is being cared for very well by his foster mother, and appreciate everything she is providing him in our absence.  However, she too will have to give him up after months of attachment.  I send her strength to make it through the next few months and then the transition of him to his forever family.  She too will be part of Benjamin's family and my thoughts forever.

Sunday I thought about us and how we have so many people around us that love Benjamin very much, if only by picture and simple updates. Though he could not be here on this once in a lifetime milestone, my heart is filled with happiness in that we took the time to prepare, honor, and celebrate our little guy.  Knowing that turning 1 just brings us that much closer to bringing him home keeps me going.  I am thankful that you all get to share in this journey with us...family, long time friends, and new adoption friends.  We will all be part of Benjamin's family forever.

As another mom and friend who just brought her little guy home wrote to me, "This day will never be the same!  And next year, this day will be amazing!"  Indeed it will be for us!!

Happy First Birthday - Part 1

Dear Benjamin: Happy 1st Birthday, you're growing up so fast!!



Though you are 14 hours ahead of us and probably had your big celebration while we slept last night, your family and a few friends partied it up today while you slept : )  You are now 1 years old and that much closer to coming home. It is bittersweet to not have had you here to celebrate with us, but hopefully you got to celebrate with your Foster Family in the traditional Korean 1st Birthday celebration or "Doljanchi."  These are beautiful memories you will get to keep with you forever and hopefully share with us through pictures....just as we took pictures of our party to share with you!

Love Mommy, Daddy, Family, and Friends

 

Tried to create a lovely Doljanchi table with a
few traditional element.  

The Dojabi Board for guests to guess which item
Benjamin will choose.  Tradition says this item
dictates his future.  Go hammer (= strength)!!

Our Hanbok cake to represent
the traditional clothing worn
at a first birthday celebration.

 

  

 

 

 

 

The Doljabi tickets are cast and everyone's
votes are in for what Benjamin will chose.
We also placed wishes for him on the back of our tickets.
To be shared with him when he arrives home : )

It's Almost Time!

Rainy Weekend Projects

So we skipped out on a long camping weekend due to the weather....forecast = soggy & humid. Not sounding so fun with a dog in tow. We did miss our camping buddies and all the yummy food we would have enjoyed, but stayed home and caught up on some home projects and shopping.  Really what's a girl to do with a 3 day weekend...

Decided the cabinet bench on the front porch needed to be super cool and kid friendly.  So a little magnetic primer, chalkboard paint, and we're just about ready to reinstall. In plenty of time to start stocking them up with all things a toddler boy would love including magnets and chalk!

The next order of business was to tackle Benjamin's room.  I had some ideas here also to make it a super cool and inviting space including some Eric Carl prints and alphabet cut-outs.  Ran out this weekend to grab a few picture frames, shelf, and knobs.  We were then ready to get started making my vision a reality...hurry Fred before I change my mind again!!  Everything finally got hung up after much deliberation on spacing, locations, and heights.  Now if I'd just stop moving the furniture around!!   

Option 1: Chair on left and Dresser on right under self

Option 2: Dresser on left and Chair on right near shelf

All we need now is to top it off with some fresh linens, rug, and draperies.  Hope he likes it : )