Monday, April 20, 2009

Busy little bodies.

Well, every once in a while all of our "stars" align, and Dave and I actually share a true "weekend." The last three days, thanks to training and a changed regular day off, was such an event, and we made the most of our time... all together in the same space. This is what we did:

I went through the boys' closets, sorting and separating winter things and spring/summer apparel.  Between the two kids' bedrooms in our house, we actually have 4 closets (2 in each room.)  I successfully put together a space for each of the boys' things, with some room left over for me!  I think I have just about everything I will need to keep Rubin clothed this summer. (How could I not, with two big brothers and a neighborhood full of boys?)

Dave and I put Rubin's crib together (Facebook status: "Emily has two cribs in her crib now!") and rearranged Theo's room to make it fit. Theo has been pretty insistent about sharing his bedroom with his youngest brother.  I can't wait to see what happens!

I was able to cross off a number of items from my "to do" list.  These are the things that I still need to accomplish:
1.) purchase an extra mattress pad and more kids' sized hangers.
2.) purchase gifts for rubin's foster family and SWS staff.

I got a couple of good, long runs in. In record times. Nothing feels better than that. AND, we took a family trip to the Home Depot.  We agreed that such excursions might be really ugly once we are outnumbered by the boys.  Better get all of our shopping for the summer in before we get the travel call.

Yard work! (Inappropriately named, in my opinion, because it doesn't feel like work to me. I love "working" in the yard, raking, mowing, weeding, mulching. Sigh. Pure joy.)

We cleaned out the garage. THIS felt like work. Whose junk is this, anyway?!

Emmett started knocking my socks off with his excitement for going potty on the toilet! Every time he tries, he succeeds. And he is thrilled about doing it. Of course, I'm sure the four of us look ridiculous whooping and hollering and dancing around the bathroom every time he tinkles. But, that isn't going to stop us. I'm having lofty daydreams about bringing Rubin home and only having ONE CHILD in diapers. Crazy, I know.

Last minute road trip to Nanny and Grampy's house in "At Fortkinson."  My mother and father-in-law always know just how to spoil us when we need it. And, on Saturday night, we needed it.
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I had a wonderful start to my week this morning at Theo's parent/teacher conference.  Even though I already knew everything his teacher told me, it was great to hear her say the words, "eager" and "respectful" and "sensitive" in describing my little boy.  I am so proud of him and I love the boy that he is.  

Tonight, he brought me When You Were Born in Korea and asked me to read him "Rubin's story" before bed. (He's also been insistent about coming to Korea with me.)  When I got to the part that talks about how Rubin will look a little bit different than we do, I explained to Theo, again, that Rubin's hair will be a darker color than his. Tonight he told me, "that's okay, Mama, because Emmett's hair is different than ours, too."

5 comments:

janiece said...

Ahhhh, smart and observant. Yes, hair is different but we are all the same. And a family.
I had the same wish--and Julia somehow managed to potty train just before Rauan came home. It wasn't all perfect--but it helped with the diaper bills!

Norbyah said...

oh how sweet! and he's quite right. emmett's hair is quite a bit different from yours. what a wonderful family weekend it sounds like. i can't wait to hear more. and what a journey we'll go on when you get your travel call. love you. xo

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

I think I'm tired just reading all of this!! Glad to hear you're crossing things off the list... sooner rather than later! :-)

Cause you know, later could be _too late_ and then you would feel like I do - which is No. Fun. ;-)

So, calling DC ever again!?!?

Anonymous said...

Yeah! Progress on the homefront!
I really need to get a copy of that book...

Casey said...

Emily, I have an extra crib mattress pad if that is what you need...brand new, never opened. For some reason I registered for two, but I've never used it. It's yours!

Our Adoption Timeline

  • December 23, 2009- Adoption Finalized.
  • May 7th, 2009- Family circle complete in Madison.
  • May 6th, 2009- Mama's got Rubin in Seoul.
  • May 4th, 2009- meet Rubin
  • April 23rd, 2009- Visa Interview
  • April 22nd, 2009- TRAVEL CALL!!
  • April 14th, 2009- Packet 3
  • April 7th, 2009- NVC out
  • April 1st 2009 (no foolin')- I171 received
  • March 9th, 2009- I171H received
  • February 27th, 2009- progress report from SWS
  • February 24th, 2009- Fingerprinted at USIS
  • February 19, 2009-Rubin's legals arrive in state.
  • February 16, 2009- mailed referral acceptance.
  • February 12, 2009- received referral paperwork.
  • January 29, 2009- verbally accepted referral
  • January 27, 2009- received unofficial referral.
  • January 20, 2009- I600A received and filed with the Dept. of Homeland Security
  • January 16, 2009- submitted I600A
  • January 12, 2009- homestudy document complete.
  • January 12, 2009-received Foster Home Licensing
  • December 22, 2008- A.I.A.A. director approves application, establishes our file, and requests our homestudy documents from J.D.
  • December 5, 2008- submitted Foster Licensing application.
  • November 25, 2008- A.I.A.A. accepted official application.
  • November 15, 2008- submitted formal application to A.I.A.A.
  • November 13, 2008- final homestudy meeting.
  • November 12, 2008- autobiographies completed.
  • October 30, 2008- second homestudy meeting.
  • October 22, 2008- received formal application from A.I.A.A.
  • October 14, 2008- first homestudy meeting.
  • October 1, 2008- submitted pre-application to Americans for International Adoption and Aid
  • September 25, 2008- submitted application packet to Adoption Advocates, Inc.
  • September 18, 2008- first meeting with social worker (J.D.)
  • August 2008- decided to adopt

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