My Boys

While it is New Years Eve, we are having a quit night hibernatinging and catching up. We are SOOOO gratefulf for what 2008 brought our family. These are pics from our recent visit to Austin and feeding the ducks. We ARE the Rubber Ducky Chronciles, so what else do you expect? Ty had more fun eating the bread then feeding the ducks, but it was an experience to say the least!

Prayers Please!

As we close out 2008 and go into 2009, I desperately ask for your prayers for our little Ty. He is scheduled for palate surgery in Chicago on Monday, January 5th. We ask that you pray for complete health, clear weather and an easy recovery. We have been told the recovery is harder then the surgery itself. Ty will be syringe fed for 10 days along with wearing "No-No's" or elbow restraints for 10 days. We have been practicing feeding him with a syringe and I am not worried about that. Ty is an index finger sucker when he is tired and his is our main concern as this will not be a source of comfort for him. Please keep him in your prayers. We have been "hibernating" for a while so we do not expose him to any harmful germs, but we are tired of this lifestyle. The idea of having to postpone surgery for a runny nose or anything else and hibernating any more is really discouraging. We will keep you up to date as what happens.

Tickling the Ivories

Ever since we have been home with Ty, he has showed an interest in music and seems to have some natural talent, especially with rhythm. He loves to drum and create music with his Bee-Bop Band created by Parents. He will stop in his tracks if he hears a commercial on T.V. with techno type music and start to dance and clap his hands. Over Thanksgiving, he got to try out his stuff on a piano. The little guy went wild and would not stop. He sat on the bench and played a few notes, then he went from one end of the piano to the next and was swaying in between. I caught it on video on my camera only to DELETE it while trying to replay it. OUCH! I did capture these pictures which say it all.

Our Artist in Residence

I took these pictures earlier this month as Ty was creating some wrapping paper to use for Christmas presents. The little guy was having more fun and fluctuated between painting the paper and himself. He was quite the mess when we got done, but that is all part of the experience. We look forward to more creations as we put up a "line" from IKEA in our basement to hang his future artwork.

In Honor of Tom Cruise

I have been told this year marks Tom Cruise's 25th anniversary in Hollywood with the movie Risky Business giving him his push into the business. Ty decided he would do his own interpretation of Tom (on his way to a bath) in honor of this celebration.

Ty's Evangelism Kit

Ty was on his way to take a bath when he had to stop and grab his Nativity set. He loves to carry it around and play with Baby Jesus. Do we have a budding evangelist on the way?

Three Months Ago...

...two days ago, we became a forever family. I know I am a little late, but I have been struck with a nasty stomach virus. If either Troy or I get this again (2nd time for both of us since we have been home from China) we are going to get tested for Giardia. So far Ty has escaped all of this.

We're Back...

...and tired. This will be a very short post. Just the basics. We had a whirlwind trip to Shriners in Chicago (INCREDIBLE !!! The team is the best!) and then a quick trip to Texas for an early Christmas and a chance to see family and friends for a Meet and Greet with Ty. Ty was a CHAMP during the entire trip despite all the new people, places, flights and doctors. We are sooo proud of him.

Ty's palate surgery is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2009. He has to be totally healthy. No runny nose, cough, fever, etc. PLEASE pray for complete wellness and clear weather. Chicago in January can be cold and snowy.

Sorry Guys...

I have heard from several of you that we haven't posted in a week. Yes, there is much to say and pictures to see, the time to download has been minimal. I went back to work this week and even though it is very part-time, it has been an adjustment with all the other stuff that must be done for our household to function and eat.

Updates:
*Ty did great on his road trip to Iowa. We were VERY proud of him. He slept, sang and played. Praise God for Justin Roberts, Dan Zane, Ralph's World and Jim Gill.

*Ty is getting baptized this coming Sunday.

*We are preparing for our trip to Chicago for Ty's appointment with Shriners' Hospital on the 10th and flying to Texas the day after.

*We had our first snow, just a dusting though. Ty likes to catch snowflakes.

Baby Giggles

This video is long overdue. It were taken while we were in China with Ty enjoying special moments with him. It is AMAZING to see how far he has come in such a short time! The guy is now a little chub compared to this video. That explains the pain in my lower back.

Fun with Daddy.

And He's Walking!

These videos say it all. He is so proud of himself and we are too!

From Pre-Walking...

To walking!

Indoor Sledding

Indoor Sledding: Take a laundry basket+ a dog leash + cool dad = loads of fun!

More Dad, More!

Baby Ainsley

While we continue to wait for a decent snowfall to use our new sled (Thanks Kristina!), we are practicing indoor sledding. This is what I came home to last Thursday after getting my haircut. Troy was doing laundry and of course Ty had to help. Troy added a new spin to laundry and this is what we got...

Ty has since recreated the scene for himself using Baby Ainsley, a Cabbage Patch Doll we received months ago from one of our Secret Pals from our original log-in date group.

Child At Work

No, we are not breaking any child labor laws. Our son desires to help out with cooking and cleaning/chores, so why not model it now and take advantage of his eagerness. Maybe he will be the next Top Chef or helpful husband. Troy enjoys vacuuming and dusting on Thursdays which is his day off. While I was outside cutting back our rose bushes for the season, I came inside to find Ty in the "Poppy Pouch" while Troy was vacuuming. I also took some pictures of Ty using the duster which Troy said he was fascinated by and couldn't get enough of.

The weather has been gloomy this past week, so Ty has been my "dumper and stirrer" when it comes to baking. We made some oatmeal cookies and banana/pumpkin mini muffins which he cannot get enough of. I modify recipes and have been using canned pumpkin instead of oil, in addition to flax seed meal and whole wheat flour instead of white flour. The kids doesn't know any better. I figure the habits I start him on now will stick with him for a while.

In The News...

Here is the link to the article on us in our local paper. Clarification is needed: Ty was abandoned in Zhengzhou, not Kaifeng. He also only had one surgery, not multiple. The actual paper had more photos which are priceless!

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/11/09/news/local/1036918.txt

"Mom.... Please, Don't Spank Me"

Of course I am not going to spank my son for this. I know it is part of exploring his surroundings and it is NOT going to hurt him. He has been into everything, "non toy" the past two weeks...kitchen cabinets (especially our recyclables), bathroom cabinets, bookcase, craft room supplies, smushing bugs... the little guy has the BEST fine motor skills as he gives me EVERY crumb and bug he finds on the floor. He points out the details... just like his mom.

1962

When my parents came to visit, they brought my grandmother's dining room table and credenza I always tagged as "mine" whenever she passed away. Unfortunately, she went to heaven a few days before we left for China and her funeral was on the 12th of September, the day we arrived in China. Of course were unable to make her funeral, but it is so wonderful knowing we have a family heirloom. I love the clean lines and it fits perfectly into our space. It is made by Broyhill in 1962 from their Brasilia line...labeled "Danish Modern". (Excuse the pee pee pad in the picture. We leave them out for Jack whenever we leave since this is his way of relieving his anxiety. I guess I am so used to seeing them I was oblivious when I was taking this picture.)

Great News!

We received our appointment for Ty's consultation with Shriner's Children's Hospital in Chicago on Dec. 10! This will be a full day of meeting with a plethora Dr.'s and specialists to see what the plan of action will be for our little man. At this time, his palate does not really inhibit his eating. He is not fond of fruits and vegetables, but little does he know he is getting them. I have become Jessica Seinfeld and hide them in any thing that works. Just tonight, he had pureed watermelon, honey dew and cantaloupe in his yogurt/rice cereal mixture. Anything mushy and falls in the meat/potato category are his preferred choice. Sounds like a typical guy!

New Gifts are GREAT!

Dad enjoys the new toys too!

And the boy dunks and he has on the right outfit too!

Gifts continue to trickle in for Ty and who doesn't like to receive a little something new. At this point in time, cars and balls are his favorite toys. Thank you everybody for giving us lots of fun times and laughter!

Pre-Halloween Party

Jen from our house church invited us last weekend for a peanut free pumpkin party and it was Ty's first experience with Halloween. Since the Sunflower Pooh costume didn't work, we decided to be as noninvasive as possible. A friend of my mom gave Ty the cutest bibs and when we saw the one for a cowboy, we immediately knew what he would go as to the pumpkin party. All he needed was a hat, which he was OK with while in his PJ's, but once we put the whole outfit together, he didn't want anything to do with it. He had more fun playing Peek-A-Boo with which brought tons of toddler giggles.

Warning: Baby Lumberjack on the Loose

Ty enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Ty's first house to Trick-Or-Treat: Our neighbors Jack and Eloise.

"What happened to my puppy dog?"

"I am going to chop this stem off."

Ty's first Halloween was a blast and he understood more then what we expected him too. The idea of ringing a doorbell and getting treats was not a bad deal. We started the evening dressing him as a lumberjack since he wasn't too fond of the whole costume thing. We couldn't decide if he should go as a baby grunge rocker or lumberjack, but he fell in love with the homemade axe. He thought it was pretty cool and his pumpkin candy pail was even better. He is very close to walking and was trying so hard to walk with his pail in one hand and axe in the other.

The entire family headed out right at 6:00. Troy wanted to be the first on the street. We were back by 7:00 and Ty was enamored by all the treats he got. Of course the majority of it will be for Mom and Dad, but he enjoyed the toothbrush (Thanks Melinda!) and Teddy Grahams. It will be interesting to see what next year brings as he surprised us by his understanding this year. This kid has no fear...just curious!