Monday, November 23, 2009

Something interesting happened today with Hanlin...

While getting groceries, he spotted a bottle of Peps*i. Something we never buy. He said to me
"when I was in... in.... in...China... did I drink that??" and I told him that I wasn't sure, and he said "I did!! and I LIKED it warm!!"

Now you have to understand that when it comes to his life in China, he will NOT speak of it. Not at all. He says he doesnt' remember any of it, and will not speak any mandarin either and claims not to understand it. So we've been very careful, letting him take the lead with questions.
He lived in China for 4.5 years he must have some memory, but we think his little brain is still in shock and has (for lack of better wording) "turned off" this part. We think right now his mind is learning 2 new languages, new life, new school etc.. He will remember when the time is right for him!!

So when he mentioned the pop, it took everything in me not to stop and shout out "YES, yes, you did and you did like it warm!!" Instead, I calmly smiled and said "yes, your right!! I remember, you did like that!"
I didn't dare add that his foster sister would buy the pop from under the counter instead of the fridge, just so he could have it warm, or if my sister would have a pop, he would cry at her to drink hers!
Lily asks questions all the time, "did I eat this in China?" "did I dance to music in china"? "did I drive a car in China"? ....it goes on and on....and on... and usually Hanlin will ask a question too and I was taking those opportunities to tell him a bit about his life in China. (for example"yes, you went to the park in China, we have pictures of you there.") but right after, he will "shut down". not wanting to hear anything else. So for now, we are letting him come to us with questions, and answering with very brief, but true, answers. (for example, "yes, you went to the park in China, when you want we'll look for pictures") Sometimes, he is willing to look at a photo, but mostly, I think he is looking for the same answer I give Lily. (yup, Lily, I'm sure you danced in China! Yes, Hanlin, I'm sure you danced in China too!) Then they run off and play!

However, this is his very first memory that he has been willing to share!!
We're very excited!
I have to laugh that it about P*psi, as while in China, we had to avoid the pop aisles and anything that had the symbol on it!

Thinking about switching from I*BM to M*AC...

Any suggestions?? Comments??? Advice?????

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Well, Lily has finished her medicine and seems to be on the mend. She is in a much happier mood and its so nice to see her dancing around and being silly!


I spent the day cleaning and baking bread! There is a bake sale fundraiser tomorrow and I baked 5 loaves of bread for it. 3 Oatmeal Molasses and 2 loaves of 15 grain bread. Both are a favorite around here!

My poor oven is just about dead though! It's being held together with a bungee cord now!


The bolt on the oven door snapped off the other day and went flying!! Now the oven door drops to the ground when you open it and it won't stay closed. The front burner gets red hot then luke warm! So maddening! Especially when your cooking risotto, which takes a constant temp not to burn. The clock has said 5:47 for the last 11 years!
This old doll came with the house when we bought it 12 years ago, and it was 20 years old then!!



Those who know me, know that I cook a lot, a whole lot actually and I could use a second oven, but what I want, what I really really want is a nice cobalt blue 36 inch gas oven, 6 burners.. but its way too expensive!
After 2 trips to China, there is no way we can afford this right now.. or for a long while..


This is my dream.....




But this is my dream come true!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Alright, remember I said that Lily was feeling under the weather for Halloween??

Friday night we went to get the kids the H*N1 vaccinations. (thanks Lu for the heads up on the line up).
So when Lily started a fever I thought nothing of it, thinking it was a normal reaction to the needle.
Her fever kept going up.. 38.9, 39.3, 39.9... (now you may remember back in China in September 08, she had febrile seizures?? ) I started to worry, Ibuprofen only brought her temp down to 38.7!
She would wake up and say things like "my bedroom is annoying me, things are moving in the room" or she would be very still, very glass-eyed, weird look...
Over the next 48 hours (the length of time the vaccine reaction is supposed to be) We watched her closely, tepid bathes, lots to drink. She was always hungry and thirsty so that was a good sign! Her chest was full and so was her nose, but nothing would come out?? It was like it was blocked solid in there!
So by yesterday morning after her temp reached 40.2 I brought her to the walk in clinic.

I knew she had an infection somewhere, either chest or sinus! Her breathe smelled like "fever/infection". Have you ever experienced that?? My sister gave me that advice years ago.
They always smell funky when they are fighting an infection... or maybe my kids just smell funky, either way, Lily smelled funky!!

Alas, she has a sinus infection!!!!!

So 10 days on Amoxil, and the rest of the week out of school. Why couldn't the doctor prescribe something for the mommy who has to stay home for the rest of the week with whiny, funky smelling Lily???
Actually, I don't mind at all, only when she is sick will she let any of us cuddle her. So I am taking advantage of every cuddle moment. We are having breakfast and snacks in mommy's bed, (sorry daddy about the crumbs)! and watching lots of TV and playing games!! ( and getting NO house work done!) oh well!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Happy Halloween!!


The 2 little kiddos went out as a giraffe and a tiger lat night! Although Lily was running a fever, and feeling a little under the weather, they had a great time. We didn't stay out too late, and they were in bed before 8pm!!
The big kiddos went to their friends houses for a sleep over and had a blast. 1 one was a bat and the other a dead princess!! I didn't get pics of them, so here are some of them from earlier in the day.



Getting ready to go with their friend batman!!



On Thursday, the kids were allowed to wear costumes to school.
So Bumble-girl and Superman went to school!!
They kept the costumes on from 7:30am till 7:30pm!! They loved it!