Donuts & Trains

 
 

After a very, VERY long Friday transfusion day.  We decided to venture out for a Saturday morning donut breakfast.  Since we are finally living in an area with Krispy Kreme, we thought 'nothing but the best' for our boy's first donut!

On the way we noticed a train in a park we knew we'd stop at on the way back.

Krispy Kreme was a hit w the little guy! He loved watching the donuts on the conveyor belt as they were fried & iced.  He couldn't wait to try one! We all had one, fresh & hot. :)

Then we decided to go check out the train... We got there right as a little train that gives rides around the park pulled up!! Chengbin was incredibly excited and hopped on for his ride! It's such an amazing thing to see this precious little boy experience things that are so exciting to him.  He loves trains and we love watching him light up as he finally has an opportunity to explore some of the things he loves.

 

"Driving" the red train!

He loved the little train that went around the park!  I LOVE smiles like this!! They melt this mommy's heart!!

And some iphone pics of our day!! ;)

 

What a great weekend!!  We're looking forward to next weekend even more!  Can't wait to share where we're going next!! ;)

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Fannie, Matt, Katie, & Chengbin

First trip to the dentist

The first month home you find yourself in triage mode.  There's only so many doctor appointments a 5 year old child is going to sit through! (Especially when so many involve needles.)  So in our first month home we focused on Chengbin's immunizations & thalassemia treatment...

Now we are in the 2nd month & while there is a lull before we go to the thalassemia clinic for tests next month, I thought it was a great time to tackle the dental side!  Believe me when I tell you, he has extreme dental needs.  Damage on his upper front teeth. Chipped teeth.  4 molars with serious cavities.  My kiddo pretty much lives life w a toothache! 

So off to the pediatric dentist we went!  It was a new dentist office for us, since we recently moved.  I had NO idea what to expect and was SHOCKED when I walked in the door to this amazingly themed space!!  It looked like Disney had designed a finding nemo area, it was just so well themed.  Needless to say, it helped Chengbin!  He explored the waiting room, played games, & was a happy kid waiting to see the dentist.

 

Then the time came to go back and check out those teeth!  He did GREAT!!  He took his x-rays, let them see his teeth, and to my utter shock and amazement, even let them clean his teeth!  (Guess that Crest Spinbrush helped prepare him!)

 

So the not-surprising verdict is he needs his teeth repaired under general anesthesia at a hospital.  There's just TOO MUCH work to do in the dentist office expecting cooperation from him.  With that news comes a whole new set of issues!!  Trying to set up a dentist in one state and deal with hematologist in another state is pretty much impossible, so we're coming up with a plan.  Hopefully we'll get it all worked out and he will have his teeth repaired in the next couple months.

 

Can't wait to see his beautiful smile with no more toothaches!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Fannie, Matt, Katie, & Chengbin

 

 

One month home!!

I can't believe our son has been home one full month!  To be honest, I can't believe how well he's doing when you consider what a tumultuous month it has been!!! Unlike most adoptive families, we didn't get to just settle into our house & routine and build up his security...

Instead we had to move...

To a new state...

Into a hotel room for 17 days since our house closing was delayed...

Starting school for Kate & work for Matt & many, MANY doctor visits for Chengbin from the disorganization and chaos of a hotel room!!

You would think with all the changes he would be freaking out.  He would have attachment issues or worry when someone leaves... But he's just not that kind of kid.  From the second we stepped onto the plane in Hong Kong he has trusted us, loved us, played with us, and never looked back!! 

He speaks a decent amount of English and says more everyday! Yesterday he told Katie "Sissy no! Not right now!"

He & Katie play VERY well together!  These two genuinely love each other and enjoy playing together.

He has started kindergarten.  God opened the door and he has shown us time & again that he is ready.  He has a long road ahead of him to be ready for 1st grade, but we didn't expect kindergarten in the 1st place! So we'll let our little man continue to lead the way & show us what he's ready for.  He tends to surprise us a lot!!

 

In the time home we've been working on a few issues that are definitely getting better with time:

1. Food issues.  

This one was difficult in our first week home.  Especially at breakfast time... In one week of consistent rules about eating what's on the plate we went from tears & screaming to quiet resignation to asking for more. :). He will still shed an occasional silent tear or two when he looks at a plate of unfamiliar food in front of him, but each time he tries a bite anyway, decides it is yummy and goes to town on it!!

2. Toilet issues.

For 11 straight days from China to home, our little man held his #2.  (I know this may be TMI for some of you, but it was a serious issue that some APs face.). We finally figured out through trial & error that when we see him sitting weird & scrunching his toes, we have to just take him to the bathroom, tell him to go poopoo, & close the door.  He will always say he doesn't need to go, so we don't ask or give him an option.  We tell him to go try & that's that. ;)

***One week later note: this is an issue again!  Pooped underwear in the car place while buying a car.. yeah that happened!!  Again the next day, must be the change in routine... Just keeping it real!  Letting ya know the truth!! ;)

3. Sleep issues.

(Is this starting to sound like the list of power struggles they teach adoptive parents they shouldn't engage in??? Yep, all 3!!)  It seems that because little man is so happy with his life, not surprisingly, he hasn't been interested in voluntary naptime or bedtime!!  The naps usually occur if we are in the car. If we aren't, there's no chance he will take one no matter how bad he may show he needs it! As for bed, we've struggled.  During our transitional time we did what worked... He can't sleep with anyone because he is all over the place & beats us to death.  So instead I would lay down with him, he would wiggle an hr or so and lavish me in night night kisses to stay awake, & then he'd finally fall asleep.  Now that we're moved in and he has his own room & bed, he has a consistent night time routine and each night the time it takes for him to fall asleep gets better.  Praise The Lord for that one!! (Mama was getting tired!!)

4.  Attitude issues.
This little guy can still be very obstinate.  He is also quick to shed a tear or many tears when he doesn't get his way.  He's learning though, this one takes time.  We are trying so hard to be patient!!

Chengbin has had so many firsts in this month!

First Airplane Ride
First Road Trip
First Day of School
First Ice Cream
First Bedroom
First Bike
First Trip to the Ocean
First time making sand castles
First time saying 1-10 in English
First transfusion where you go, get it, & go home!  (This one is BIG, in China he was dropped off at the hospital for transfusion & had to spend 3 days in the hospital to get a transfusion.)

We are looking forward to some very exciting firsts in the next few months!

First time to meet Mickey Mouse!!
First trip to Disney!!
First Halloween!!

One month home has gone fast!  I can't wait to see what the next month will hold!! :)

Thanks for stopping by,
Fannie, Matt, Kate, & Chengbin