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.