Welcoming 2008

Today's confession ...I'm not a big fan of New Year's Eve parties; they feel like too much hope, expectations, regrets, and resolutions crammed awkwardly into a 10 second countdown. I'm not a fan of those "rockin" New Years TV shows, Times Square, or champagne, and definitely not of people who drink too much then get in a car to drive. Some of my best New Years have been spent with Bob and our friends Audrey and Walt, playing cards and talking into the wee hours (and of course that one spent in Pasadena for Penn State's appearance in the Rose Bowl was pretty great!).

Still, there is something undeniable about turning the page on the calendar that triggers certain thoughts, and so, my resolution for 2008 is this: to live more mindfully.

Sounds grand, but I think it's really pretty simple. I will attempt to be more mindful of the food I choose to put into my mouth: more healthy choices, less chocolate (but never no chocolate!), and perhaps more importantly, when and why I choose to eat (am I hungry or simply bored, lonely, stressed?). Same goes for shopping ... do I truly need the item or is it appealing because I'm trying to fulfill some other space inside?

I will try to be more aware of how I interact with Bob, Owen, Cearra, my family and friends. Sometimes in our closest relationships patience and courtesy and even kindness take a back seat; I will be mindful of their importance.

Finally, I will strive to be more aware of how I feel each day and what is important to me. I will try to banish the negative thoughts that do harm and make the conscious effort to look for the good, funny, touching, and wonderful in each and every day.

That's it ... no promises to loose a certain amount of weight, exercise every day, become the "perfect" wife, mother, daughter, friend. Just a willingness and desire to take each day as it comes and to live it mindfully.

I wish you all a year filled with that which is most special to you. Be happy and be healthy, and enjoy 2008!

Christmas 2007

It has become one of our family traditions to go to my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Rich's house on Christmas Eve to celebrate my mom's birthday and to exchange gifts. This year Bob took a moment to walk Owen into the living room and told him "Two years ago, this is where we announced we were coming to get you!".

Owen may not have understood the significance; but I was especially aware of how long we had waited for this day, and keenly appreciative of how incredible it was. And while I love giving and getting presents, the biggest joys this year were wrapped around Owen ... watching him play with his cousins, seeing his smile as he learned to open his gifts, dressing him in his "big boy" Christmas outfit, and sharing these moments with Bob, my Nana, my parents, my sister, my extended family.

Thanks to one and all who helped make Owen's first Christmas with us very special!

A Cumberland Christmas

I love that we get to spread the holiday out over several weekends! We arrived in Cumberland and first stopped to visit Bud, Bob's grandfather. After lunch at a fun local restaurant we went to Pap and Charlene's house, where there was more food (shrimp cocktail - yum!) and presents all around. Owen tried to explain the mechanics of his police cruiser to Pap, but after a quick change into some new threads he had better luck with Charlene!

With a winter storm threatening we headed over to Nannie's house, and woke the next morning to some ice but not enough to keep Uncle Todd, Aunt Maria and cousin Hannah away. After a big breakfast we exchanged wonderful gifts, and with Cearra's help Owen got into the unwrapping too.

One very special gift for Bob and I was a painting that Maria did and that I had long admired. Nannie also did a wonderful job matting and framing an article that Bob had published in "Turbomachinery International: The Global Journal of Energy Equipment" (sounds like light reading, yes?).

Later in the afternoon Bob's high school friend Randy stopped by with his wife Sunny and their adorable girls Sidney and Reagan. Nannie of course laid out more snacks and we had a great time catching up. Good thing one of my gifts was a pair of cuddly P.J.s; they might be the only thing that fits after all this eating!

All too soon it was time to load up the van and head home, but the Christmas cheer and love from our visit will last forever.

How Did This Happen?

Owen is 17 months today (how did that happen so fast?)! So, in honor of this milestone, here's a mini update ...

He's still very much the sweet, calm baby we first met, but there are now times when he will "try out" a mini-fit (a few crocodile tears, a little whining) if I tell him no or take something away from him. It never lasts long.

He feeds himself most things and is getting better and better with a spoon and fork. His food favorites are grapes, watermelon, Craisins, yogurt, turkey, noodles and peas. He doesn't like carrots and red peppers.

Not only does he now skillfully walk backwards - he also likes to turn in circles! And he signals "touchdown" on command (very useful skills all).

When he hears the garage door open at night he goes out to the kitchen to greet Daddy.

Owen still loves to read; his current picks are "This is My Puppy", "Pajama Time" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider".

If you're lucky, he'll give you a "fish kiss", the open mouth, slobbery kind.

He loves to push around toys - his lawn mower, ride-on truck (he likes to stand on it too!), ambulance, firetruck, animal train and block bus. He also likes his mega blocks, balls and the fish that squirts water at him in the tub.

When you ask him what a tiger says he growls. Of course he also seems to think most animals make this sound.

He's a great, happy kid who is a joy every single day!

In a few hours my 17-year old special daughter (I've never really liked that whole "step" thing) arrives for the weekend. Nope, I have no idea how she got that old either!

More Pictures

My cousin Scott's wife took these pictures at the family party - I love them! Thanks so much Deb!

No Snazzy Title Today!

As usual, I was too busy chatting, eating and running after Owen (basically having fun!) to remember to take pictures at our family holiday party last weekend - but I did manage to persuade Malia and Nicole to take a break from reading stories to Vanessa (the dog) and pose in front of one of my parent's two Christmas trees; and I had the camera ready the next day as Owen masterfully played the piano. And Bob managed to get a shot of Uncle Rich and his buddy Owen relaxing.

I promise to try to do better as we get closer and closer to Owen's first Christmas at home!!

Baby News!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I think my adorable nieces Sam and Mackenzie share the great news from Green Bay better than anyone ... yes, my sister and brother-in-law are having another baby!

Please join me in sending them congratulations and prayers for a safe and easy pregnancy for Kris, and the birth (in June) of a happy, healthy baby.

Oh, and despite Sam's somewhat somber face in the pic, Kris tells me she is very excited and always talking about her new "baby brother"! I'll let you know in a few weeks if she's right on the gender!

Snow & Our Little Flake

Owen's first snow in the US! Hmmm, what's going through his mind ... perhaps "Oh man, I thought I left this cold white stuff in Kazakhstan - you mean it's here too???"

I'm sure it didn't help that I spent more time putting on his snowpants, boots, jacket and mittens than we actually spent outside; and that he took about three steps and promptly fell face first into the fluffy stuff!

I think we'll stay inside the rest of the day, enjoying some hot chocolate (me) and warm milk (Owen). Stay cozy!

Joshua's Request for Santa

Joshua (Amy and Jack's eldest) went to see Santa last week, and being the good buddy he is, asked Santa to bring "Baby O" a workshop like the one he wants! I think he will be happy with the results of his request. Don't you sometimes wished you still believed in Santa?

No big post today, just some pictures of Owen playing, sorting our plastic bag collection, bumming ice cream from Daddy, and, well, just being cute!

O Christmas Tree

Although I'm not sure how it started, it's a family tradition that each year I hang the first ornament on our Christmas tree - a felt donkey that was originally my parents. Mom claims as a child I thought it was ugly, but somehow over the years I became attached to it and they gave it to me when I moved out and had my "own" tree.

This weekend we put up our tree. And right after I placed the donkey we started a new tradition by having Owen hang his own ornament, a felt ram (we also have a felt camel and yurt) we bought him in Kazakhstan. That was pretty special for me. Nana was visiting and helped us decorate the tree too, and it's now giving a beautiful, sparkly glow to the family room.

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas!

Is There Any Stuffing Left?

So here's what we all learned this Thanksgiving:

1) Owen might have promise as a professional golfer (I'm behind that 100% if the vet thing doesn't work out!), 2) eating lots of turkey really does make you tired and requires a nap, 3) Cearra and Curt make a really cute couple (OK, so we already knew that), 4) we have some really great kids (and adults) in the family (yeah, we already knew that too), and 5) neither Hannah nor Owen like to sit still and smile for the camera.

We'd loved catching up with everyone, and really enjoyed having Cearra and Curt here for a few days. Curt is a great young man - very intelligent, polite, attentive, and interesting. And he brought me fabulous chocolate! Cearra was, as always, a joy to have around; we are so proud of both of them.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful - let the Christmas season begin!

Thanksgiving Blessings

I'm thankful for many, many things this Thanksgiving ... family and friends; our health; our comfortable home. I'm thankful that Cearra and her boyfriend Curt will be joining us tomorrow, and we will be surrounded by the love and welcome of family for the holiday. The list could go on and on - big things and small - because I know we are truly blessed.

This year, my heart is especially thankful that a little over a year ago Bob and I held hands and took a huge leap together, and in doing so we found our son. I am thankful for Owen's birth mother and for the doctors and nurses who cared for him before we arrived. I am thankful to Kazakhstan for making official what we knew the moment we met him.

Most of all I am thankful for Owen himself - this bundle of cuteness who makes me laugh a hundred times a day. Who claps for himself when he walks backwards or successfully maneuvers a noodle to his mouth with his new found fork skills. Who brings me a book to read and sits peacefully in my lap while I do. This little boy who has brought me more joy than I ever imagined and has forever changed our lives.

And yet while I celebrate, I am aware there are many today in need of blessings. Family members in need of healing from serious illness; friends missing loved ones or worried about a beloved pet. There are people throughout the world who are scared, or lonely, or hungry. There are hundreds of children still waiting for their parents.

This Thanksgiving I will count my blessings and thank my God, and I will ask that others also be blessed. I hope you will join me.

Just Cute

Owen sporting a Ranch salad dressing mustache and his new "big boy" haircut.

And The Kid Is Alright

Owen had his 15 month check-up last week, and in some ways I'm beginning to dread these appointments. Beyond the vaccinations (and resulting tears), it's the conversations like this:

Nurse: "Does Owen scribble with crayons?"

Me: "Um, no. I haven't really given him crayons."

"Does he walk backwards or sideways?"

"He turns around and backs up to sit in my lap when he wants me to read him a book. Does that count?"

"Does he imitate household chores? Sweeping, wiping, etc.?"

(Mmmm, why would he when he rarely sees them) "No, but he likes to take the laundry out of the basket."

"Does he stoop and recover?"

(Oh finally ...) "Yep, he's great at that!" (He's also great at tearing paper into little, tiny shreds; opening and closing doors; sitting and standing on command; and figuring out how to get around the baby gate to the stairs, but I don't say any of this).

"Does he have four to five words, or speak in any two to three word sentences?"

"He says Daddy, and DaDa, and sometimes cat, and we are working on that ..." (and hey, he didn't hear English for the first six and a half months of his life!).

So we move on to temperature and measurements (he's gained a little over a pound since the last appointment and he's up to 22lb, 12 oz; he's now 32 1/4" tall - more than two inches growth since August! - and his head is still in the 90th percentile) and Dr. Mike comes in to look him over.

Me: "I'm a little concerned about his language development ..."

Dr. Mike: "We don't even worry about boys until they are at least 18 months old and I can tell by watching him interact he's just fine".

Well, OK then. We come home and that evening I sit Owen down with crayons and paper. He makes one attempt at coloring but has much more fun taking the crayons out of the cup and putting them back in one at a time. Later he walks backwards across the entire foyer, and the next day I swear he says "apple" and "umbrella" as we do flashcards. Yeah, my little guy will be just fine.

But he still won't learn much housework around here.

What Time Is It?

Game time! We are serious about our Raven rooting around here! Owen and I are a bit (mmm, maybe more than a bit) jealous today though - Bob got offered tickets to today's game. We could have both gone and taken Owen, but as he still has a bit of a runny nose we thought having him out in the cold and wind wouldn't be the best parenting decision. So Owen and I will stay home, watch for Daddy on TV and cheer on the home team.

Speaking of football, Bob's high school team and former squad the Allegany Campers, is one of six high school rivalries chosen by NFL Films to be featured in a special series on their cable channel, Versus. From their web site:

Episode 6 FORT HILL vs. ALLEGANY, CUMBERLAND, MD: In a town of 22,000, 10,000 (one year 15,000) attend this game. This year, both teams are currently undefeated. Allegany will be led by the asst. head coach. The head coach has been called upon to serve in Iraq. His wife and 5 children will be in attendance. The two high schools share the same home field. On game day of the Fort Hill-Allegany game, half the stands wears red and the other half wears blue. Homes and streets will be decorated either red or blue. Couples that happen to have married a person from the other side of town will sit the first half on one side and the second on the other. In the past, fans have rented small planes to fly over the stadium with signs. The athletic director at Fort Hill, his father and his son have all played in the event. Concessions stands are manned by the Fort Hill Band parents-some of whom are in their 80s and have not missed a game in over 60 years. A black kettle with the results of all the past games is presented to the winning team.

Believe me, I've been to this game and it's a huge deal. The 71st Homecoming meeting was yesterday and Allegany whooped Fort Hill 33-14! The show will be broadcast 11/29 at 8PM and 11PM, 12/2 at 11PM, 12/6 at 5PM, 12/8 at 3PM, Christmas Day at 8Pm and 11Pm, and 12/29 at 10PM. Check it out if you get a chance.

DejaWool Sweaters for Kids

It started as just a rainy day project for my friend Jill and I, but quickly grew into "DejaWool"!

We purchase old 100% wool sweaters, felt them in a process that involves lots of hot soapy water and high heat, then cut and sew each one to fit a children's size pattern. Next we add grosgrain ribbon on any cut edges, and handsew decorative trims and buttons (some vintage). We like to say we are recycling and refashioning!

As you can see in the pictures (just click on the picture above to see the entire collection) each sweater is unique, and I must say, pretty darn cute. A small fits up to 1 year, medium is 1 to 2 years, and large is 2 to 3 years. All the small sweaters and some of the mediums have snap closures because as moms we know how hard it can be to button up a squirmy baby!

Each sweater sells for $25 plus the cost of your option of shipping methods. If you have any questions or interest (Christmas shopping anyone??) please leave me a comment or email me.

Visiting with the Bornhofts

Owen and I returned home yesterday after a great visit with Amy, Jack and their gang. Owen and Joshua really enjoy playing with each other, and the twins (Madison and Jackson) are getting so big and becoming so much fun. With four kids all under the age of three it's kind of controlled chaos, but at the end of each day, with the kids sleeping peacefully, Amy and I were able to put our feet up, enjoy chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven and catch up on "girl talk". We had a wonderful time. As you can see from the pictures though, it's really (really) tough getting four kids to look at the camera at the same time!!

A note on the newly added Kazakhstan National Anthem ... I saw it on another families blog, and when I played it, Owen stopped what he was doing and came over to the computer to listen. Perhaps each morning at the Children's Hospital started out with a stirring rendition?? I think you can definitely hear that old Soviet influence, but I have to admit it's kind of growing on me. Thanks to Alison for helping post it here.

And of course I have to mention that Bob is now a member of the "40 and Fabulous" club! He was unfortunately out of town for his actual birthday (the 7th) but we'll celebrate with him tonight.

Kazakhstan National Anthem

BOO (or is it boo-hoo?)

The Halloween festivities started off just fine for Owen ... he and I spent a beautiful Tuesday walking around the yard and that night he got to help carve the pumpkin (slimy fun!). Wednesday morning Nana and Pop-pop came down to play, Nanny sent a package full of yummy treats, and Daddy came home early for dinner. Then it was time for costuming! And this is when, for Owen, the holiday became more trick than treat.

Black turtleneck, black pants and socks, no problem. Bee costume no problem. Bee wings (that Mommy went to four stores to find) ... big problem. Our happy-go-lucky little goblin melted down.

So this year Halloween consisted of Daddy carrying Owen to two houses to visit friends before we headed home, changed into PJ's and just had fun greeting the princesses and ghosts and pirates and witches who came to our door.