Easter in Kansas

Kansas may not sound like Disneyland to most people but ask Maddy where she wants to go and "Kansas!" is always her answer.  Who can blame her when Kansas means lots of people who love her, free-flowing candy and fun adventures. 

Dad had to work on Easter, so the kids and I headed home. While we had been to Kansas City in 2014, I had not been to my home since 2013 so I was anxious to have even a short trip back.  Because sometimes, I just want to see some fields and run in the grass around my parents house. Luckily, that's exactly what we did. 

Nonnie and Poppi pulled out their egg dying skills and the Easter bunny found us, although, he stayed outside as specified by Maddy who was scared of the bunny she saw across the mall.  Poppi reassured her that no bunny would be breaking into the house and he would protect her.  If you know my dad, that was not an idle promise. 

Six Months

Six months ago, our little man ran into our lives. Literally, ran. He probably would have run at just about anyone at the moment because he was so overwhelmed. But thankfully, he ran to us.

We have learned a lot being a family of 4 for the last six months. We have all grown- with our own set of growing pains. But just like spring is finally starting to show up, we feel like we are emerging as well.

Max's personality has begun to blossom. Our last update before we traveled described him as 'introverted' and instructed us that he doesn't like to be told 'no' and to leave him alone at those times when he's really upset. Well, we didn't follow the instructions which is probably good. He no longer likes to be left alone when he's upset but instead wants to be held and right next to us.

Here are some highlights of our Max.

Max leads with his head.
      There's a small dent in our dining room wall where he pushed himself backwards in his booster seat, smiling at me just out of reach, and hit the wall. The wall gave way, not his head.  While this is not an every day occurrence, trying to prevent head injuries is a a daily worry.

Max loves stuffed animals. 
   This kid lights up and snuggles anything cuddly. He loves to be snuggled himself and prefers to do it with arms full of stuffed animals.

Books. 
    Max didn't care for books when we came home. Similar to his sister, he threw them, wouldn't sit down or even look at the pictures. However, this is one area we won't budge on. Reading continued with naps and bedtime despite the need to dodge Goodnight Gorilla. Six months later, he can't get enough of being read to. He will carry books to us any time of day and gleefully plops himself in our lap to read. Current favorites are The Escape of Marvin the Ape, Brown Bear, and All Through My Town.  The development of his interest in reading has been quite amazing to watch over the last six months. (And actually much faster than his sister.)

Nonnie came to celebrate her birthday. Unfortunately, Max had a virus and was cranky most of the time. He did try to bake cookies. And by bake cookies, I mean throw flour around. 

Ear tubes placed a hour after a blizzard stopped at the beginning of February.
Thank goodness for  Daddy's driving and the Jeep!

Goofing around during our stay at Weber's Hotel when the furnace went out.  We headed out when the temp reached 56 and were tucked well into our home away from home when it hit 39 degrees before the new furnace went in.  

It's like camping. But with room service and a pool. 

Celebrating Chinese New Year with AA FCC. Not sure what to think. 

Haircut!

Bathing Beauties!

Visiting Great-Grandma Margie in St. Louis

Quick stop at the Shedd Aquarium. Maddy left within minutes as she was scared of the fish. Max wanted to get in the water with the fish.

Best Buddies.
This really is how they are. While they have their fights over toys, their fair share of pulled hair and pushing, they are really buddies and love to be together.

Our happiest moments are the four of us together. 

Two Years Old!

On Max's first birthday, we had just seen his face for the first time a few days earlier. We hoped and prayed we would be able to spend his 2nd birthday with him, thinking we might even be in China during that time. Thankfully, our prayers were answered and we traveled to bring him home a little faster than we originally thought (although it didn't' feel like that during the long wait periods over the summer.)

First Birthday at Shanghai Healing Home

Not a happy camper.

Max celebrated his first birthday with several other December babies, most of whom are now home with their families as well. He had some tears in those pictures and when I saw those pictures, I promised him that there would be no tears on his 2nd birthday.  He would have his own cake. We would joyfully celebrate this boy. 

And we did. He happily ate his cake, played with his gifts and loved balloons. And there were no tears. But lots of sugary happiness. From all 5 of us (even Annie snuck some cake.)

Maxwell- age 2. 

Favorite foods: anything covered in red sauce- pasta, chicken, rice. Also likes oatmeal, cheerios, goldfish crackers and veggie straws.  Cookies. But who doesn't?

Least favorite food: Vegetables with the exception of red peppers. Secret talent is finding green vegetables despite mom's attempts to hide them.

Favorite toy: Play kitchen, vacuum (seen below), anything Little People, duplo/large lego blocks

Likes: Music- singing, radio, DVDs. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is his favorite song and can calm him down quickly.  Jumping and dancing.

Loves: Being outside. Max doesn't seem to be fazed by the cold. Happiest when he's heading out with his dad. Annie. His LOVES his dog. He wants to be next to her or in her face as much as possible. He doesn't quite understand why she gets grouchy at him when she pulls her paws or tries to lay on him.  They are heavily supervised because Max is too enthusiastic. Giving Annie treats and walking her is one of his top things to do. And finally, BATH. He would spend all day in the tub if we let him.

Completely dislikes: having his diaper changed when it's not in his plan (stop playing to change poop- no way!).  Being told no- he's two- what do we expect?!

I absolutely love his face. He was so happy to see the cake. 

Fist full of cake and frosting. Happy Boy!

Where have the last 3 months gone?!?

Somehow between parenting two children, working full time and the holidays, we haven't found time to update the blog. Surprising, right?!? 

This week (on my birthday, actually) we will have been a family of 4 for three months. In some ways, it feels like Max has always been here, in other ways, we feel like such rookies at this two kid thing. 

After a bout with food poisoning, we all recovered from jet lag. No, the food poisoning wasn't a leftover from China or bad airline food.  Probably some bad cider. Yuck. Thankfully, the kids didn't drink any so it was just Mom and Dad feeling poorly while trying to parent two jet-lagged children, one of whom was trying to figure out what just happened in his life. 

We made a full recovery and Chris went back to work a week after our return. 

November was filled with medical appointments including a cold trip to Minneapolis for Max and I. That's how much I love the U of MN Int'l Adoption Clinic. While it was a long 36 hours for us, it was worth it and we feel really good about the overall plan for Max. In a nutshell- surgeries were done well,  ear tubes soon and he's a health little guy!

Aunt Ana came to visit for Thanksgiving which was just the right amount of company for our adjusting little family. Maddy loves her Aunt Ana and Max quickly saw why.  

Adjusting to Michigan weather

We managed to work in some playground time before the weather turned too cold. Max is our outdoorsman, trying to run out the back door anytime he gets a chance. Come spring, I don't think he will ever come in. 

What is this stuff??? I can throw it? Awesome!

One month home. He's a pretty happy guy.

Maddy showing off our pumpkin chiffon pie. Success!

One cute little turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

While not the biggest fan of the traditional Thankgiving meal, he is a HUGE fan of all things Italian.   Making his Poppi proud! 

December was very busy. I headed back to work in early December. It was very hard to leave my littles. We are very thankful to have our wonderful nanny, Katie. It's such a relief knowing we are leaving our babies with a wonderful person. Returning to work after leave is a hard transition to begin with, add adoption and attachment to the mix, it becomes even more stressful. We are thankful that at both of these transitions, God has provided us with loving caregivers.

We were able to see Santa- not once but twice.  Once at a department event (Santa visited the bowling alley) and second at the Notre Dame Christmas Mass and breakfast with Santa. Side note- this is one of my favorite things about this group and living here. Despite Daddy being on call for the second half of December, we were able to celebrate a quiet Christmas together.  While we missed our families, it is such a treasure to have these moments with the four of us. There was a moment of such fullness of joy looking at my two little blessings playing together around the Christmas tree while their daddy and I looked on. I will forever keep that moment in my heart.

A mild day for finding our Christmas tree. 

Not sure why there's a tree in the house but really liked the lights and pulling off ornaments. 

Not happy about the mistletoe.  I hope he feels the same when he's 16. 

Candy for breakfast? Nonnie St. Nick is the best! 

My sweet boy
"For this child I have prayed." ~Samuel 1:27

First haircut at home. Despite two suckers, he was not impressed by Miss Anastacia's attempts at symmetry. Now I understand why his hair is a bit uneven. He's a moving target. 

Notre Dame Club Mass and breakfast Santa.
There was no lap sitting.
Maddy really wanted to talk to Santa but was scared to sit on his lap so talked to him from the safely of Daddy's arms. (Despite sitting next to Santa at ND board meetings monthly for the last 6 months.) Max was terrified and can't be seen because he's crying.  

Isn't Max's face great? The many thought bubbles for this are endless.  

Our adorable babies on Christmas Eve. Oh, how we love them. 

Leaving milk & cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.  Neither are very happy to leave the cookies. 

Sweet boy!

Christmas morning. New Kitchen!

Cookies for breakfast!

Fun on Christmas morning