Overdue to Post

Seth's new wheels--a Bob Fitness Strides Stroller

Two kids who love the merry go round Riding at Six Flags

On the playscape at Long Branch, NJ

Seth at the NJ Marathon Expo

Playing while Seth sleeps in the stroller

Papa, Sheila, Mommy, Savannah and Seth on Long Branch Boardwalk

Savannah and Seth at the soft play area in Wiggles World in Six Flags

Beach Beauty, even when it is chilly

This is my life. Welcome. Now please get down.

Don't know how long we can do this, but it is SOOOOO very cute. There are more toys than kids.

Serious rider. He had so much fun.

Savannah and her amazing swimming progress

Seth at Rooney's on the Ocean

View of the ocean

Little climber on his way up

Family photo with one extra

Savannah on the big slide in NJ

Swinging Ride

My new hat

She can get out of the pool herself

2 climbing kids

Look at me swim

Such progress in a short amount of time

Taking in the sights

My stroller and my blankie

In the Big red cars

In the teacups by herself

A whole bunch of random photos from the last few weeks. Our point and shoot disappeared again, so a new one is on the way for CA next week, so these photos are from Rich's Iphone. We have been having lots of fun and enjoying the weather when it is nice out. We spent a day at Six Flags Over New England and both kids had a ball in Looney Town, Wiggles World, and Thomas. So glad we got season passes. Savannah has been swimming and doing great. We also went down the Jersey Shore and Rich ran the Long Branch 1/2 Marathon in preparation for the big one this fall in D.C. We loved Long Branch and all the urban renewal into an array of beachfront condos, rentals, oceanview restaurants and upscale shops. The race was hot and humid, but Rich finished and his percentiles were right where they usually are since everyone was slowed down by the weather conditions. We also celebrated Rich's Dad's birthday and got to visit with my aunt at her condo (who cheered Rich on the entire race). It was a busy and fun weekend.

Savannah had her 4 year old check up and she is happy and healthy! She is 37 lbs and 39 inches tall.

Seth still isn't walking, but he is standing and climbing and very active. I just got him the snazzy new wheels above since he loves his stroller and still sleeps like a champ. Love that happy go lucky drooly boy. We celebrated Boys Day, a Japanese Holiday celebrated on May 5th. Of course we had Seth's favorite Japanese delicacies.

We can't wait to fly to California next week and meet and see all our friends from our agency and their cuties from Japan. It will be a great reunion.

Seth Stands

At 4:30 p.m.. on Sunday, April 25th, Seth stood on his own for approximately 30 seconds. He was so interested in the fruit he picked out of the fridge drawer that he forgot to hold on and stood trying to open it. He did not realize he was balancing. Savannah got so excited and said, "Mommy, look. He is standing. He isn't going to fall." When he noticed he was standing, he just bent his knees and sat down (on purpose). He did not wobble or fall. We were all clapping, jumping up and down and so excited, but he just wanted me to open his fruit. Then he went in his highchair and ate his fruit and some pasta and now, almost an hour later he is napping. That took a lot of energy to stand like that, so now it is time for a nice nap.

He stood with Rich yesterday at the playspace at Six Flags in Wiggles World. But today he did it with something in his hands, with barefeet, on ceramic tile. Savannah stood on her own for about 6 weeks before taking a step. Then for two weeks she took 1-3 steps before taking 12 steps, then 15, then walking. We will see how Seth's walking progresses from here. Very exciting time.

Happy First Forever Family Day Seth

I could climb all day Through the tunnel

In a spinning chair

On the trampoline

Sliding down or maybe I will just hang out up here and watch Savannah on the playscape

Playing with my sister for my fun day

Sweet sister kissing tiny baby last year

First Forever Family Day Dinner at Sakura Garden

Embassy Day, April 20, 2009

Hard to believe it was one year ago today we were at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo finalizing Seth's adoption and visa to come home. Our month long journey in Tokyo to meet and receive our son was coming to a close and a new chapter was beginning. We are the happiest family in the world and we couldn't imagine a world without Seth in it. He is playful, fun, handsome and so loving. He has a glimmer in his eye and the one dimple smile melts your heart forever. Seth we love you and celebrate you, our speical and wonderful son (and brother). You are number one and like no other. You are our perfect fit and amazing miracle and joy! Looking forward to many years of celebrations and jubilations!

We were planning to go to Six Flags to celebrate, but the weather did not cooperate, so we went to an indoor play place with lots to crawl and climb and play (pure joy for a 1 year old) and then out to Sakura Garden for Japanese food where Seth dined on his favorite--miso soup, veggie maki rolls, rice, and tempura. A meal fit for a king.

Adoption Rocks!

My Miracles Sister and Brother--A dynamite duo My Princessa--Savannah Hope, 4 years old

Prince Seth, 13 months

Today is a sad day in the adoption community. Russia has put a freeze on adoptions from the USA. This is due to the actions of one adoptive parent, who made a poor decision on how to handle an adoption she wanted to disrupt. The media has made a debacle out of this case and that infurates me. Why don't they publicize the THOUSANDS of successful adoptions from Russia and all countries and the USA? Why don't people who save children's lives and bring them here for surgery and with special needs get on the news? Then the media generalizes that all adoptions are horrible and it is a huge risk to adopt. Everything in life is a risk. Not just adoption. Plenty can happen with any child. Parenting is tough and if you want to parent it doesn't matter how the child joins your family and there are going to be days, months, years, etc. that are difficult. But, it is illegal to abandon your child, which is what she did. I am not saying that this woman did not have it hard, that she wasn't desperate and it was more than she could handle. I am not faulting her for not being able to parent and older child. I am faulting her for how she handled the situation and the choices she made that now affect the entire adoption community. There are people in process and deserving children waiting for their forever families, many who have already met each other. Russia requires a visit trip (at least one, some regions more) before finalization. My heart goes out to these children and families.

Today is We Are the Truth, Adoption Blogger Day. It is to let the world know about successful adoptions. Even though my blog is private, I am still participating, because I have the two most wonderful internationally adopted children in the world. BOTH our adoptions were extremely positive and special. Were there bumps in the road and stumbles along the way? Of course. Anything that is worth it in this world is a risk and a challenge and is HARD. That is what makes it worth it. I lived in a 16 room hotel with my daughter in Guatemala where it wasn't safe to go out for 88 days. And, I wouldn't change anything for the world. You make sacrifices for your child. Savannah is the most amazing daughter ever. I love her more than words can say. She is strong willed, beautiful, smart and funny. She fills our lives with laughter and joy. That 8 month old bundle of love that came home on November 16 2006, has grown into a gorgeous little girl full of life, love and vitality. Then Guatemala closed adoptions (due to politics, not parenting) and our hearts were saddened, but we still wanted to add another child to our family. We started a Kazakhstan adoption and then Kazakhstan closed and reopened and slowed to a standstill. We considered adopting from Russia and a domestic adoption. We were again a bit distraught, but never gave up. Then we found out about Japan through some wonderful lifelong friends and had some hard times and some loss, but in the end perservered and have our fantastic son. The bundle of joy that we met at 16 days old is now a fun loving, climbing, crawling, into everything, toddler boy. He is full of love, affection, smiles, and hugs. He is growing up so fast, but grew in our hearts for so long. Seth and Savannah are perfect to us and our family. We could not be happier and are touched by the miracle of adoption everyday of our lives.

Yogurt Anyone?

Sharing Feeding

Helping

Even catching the drips

Saying MMMM

Definitely a little Mommy

Trying "by myself." It is so funny. Savannah will say to Seth, "Do you want to do it by myself?" She thinks by myself is something you do. She doesn't know by yourself yet.

Both eating "by myself" It was so cute, who cares about the mess. That is what a bath is for.

I could watch them interact forever

Messy but delicious

I know I still need to blog their birthdays and Puerto Rico, but this was so cute I couldn't resist posting it. Seth was in his high chair and was pointing to Savannah's yogurt and unprompted she got out of her chair went over by Seth and started sharing with him. She fed him like a little Mommy. It was so adorable and sweet. Their relationship has blossomed over the past year and they love each other so much and are so close. Nothing makes my heart happier.

Savannah's New Hairdo

Found this picture on my dad's camera and I just love it. Snuggle bunnies Beep, beep

Riding on the ride on toy

Here I come

Playing in the ballpit

So cute together

Here comes big girl down the slide

NO smiling for you

Little smile

Smile with my new haircute

These are out of order, since they are from my dad's camera. I tried for two days to upload birthday party photos and Blogger would not cooperate at all. I hope I can do it when I get home. But, for now we are in New Jersey for the weekend and I took some pictures of the kids on my dad's camera and found some cute ones that were never uploaded. So here they are.

Savannah got her hair cut today and we took quite a bit off. It was just looking straggly and stringy and was always falling in her face. I want a cute new do for the warmer months ahead. I love it. She looks older, but that is ok. She is so pretty. She also got her nails polished pink and silver glitter on them. She was really good and patient for both her haircut and her mini-mani. She is starting to love girly things like that. Seth got his haircut and looks so handsome, but it wasn't a dramatic change. Just out of his face and no longer down his neck. The photos are on Rich's iphone of the process.