He speaks...

Alec has been home 3 months. His true personality is shining through...and he is beginning to communicate with more than just grunts and body language (although I must admit he was amazing at it). He is mimicking everything he sees...good and bad. He is using the 3 main signs (that Ava learned in about 2 days) starting yesterday. I didn't know he knew them - until he showed me in earnest that he definitely wanted MORE chocolate chip PLEASE! And then he said "thank you" with words and signing. Pretty impressive! He is a very funny little kid. He thinks Ayden is hilarious...no one makes him laugh as hard as Ayden does. He loves to eat. And he still loves his bottle before bed. He is rough and tumble and can take a fall....that would make other kiddos cry hysterically...without a whimper.

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and I think he has about the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen. His eyelashes are to die for.

Ayden ran a fever all day Saturday...and said his head hurt. Today he was better....but I was a bit under the weather...or just exhausted from lack of sleep...who can tell the difference...I cannot. He still hammed it up for the camera even if his head did hurt!Ava is in full force potty training mode. She is well on her way....still having a few accidents...but getting the hang of it quickly. (you might notice the reading material in our bathroom..."Strong Willed Child"...hmmm.)
Friday night we had a huge treat...ice cream cones. Too fun.

Other noteworthy items from this weekend...

*Erin got a consulting offer from University of Alabama!!!! Electronic Medical Records implementation......the perfect 6 month contract!

*Aaron is in a safe, comfortable place and is staying busy...which will make the time pass so much quicker.

*Ali is nearing the end of her 3rd trimester...and we think Miss Korbyn is preparing her entrance into this world pretty darn soon!

*Sam survived his first week of college!

*Shannon and Sam worked their buns off Saturday and got the wiring done for Korbyn's room!

*I survived a day alone with 3 under 3 (and one sick to boot) while Shannon and Sam wired...although I did have Ayden chanting "Daddy better get his bottom home soon" over and over by around 7PM!

*And we made it with all 3 kids in church during music...didn't have to leave until the sermon started...we did have help though - Savana spent the day with us! Yeah!

*Daddy put up a swingset this afternoon...in record time!

*And I got about 10 loads of laundry done...and put away. Now that is noteworthy!

kids...

You know - most of the time I think I am so much calmer this time around as a mom....about alot of things. But one thing that still makes me into a frantic mess is when I think a kiddo has eaten something rather old. Ayden poked his head up in the back of the van one day eating a piece of cheese...that had to be two days old. OH MY GOSH. They eat stuff off the floor almost daily. OH MY GOSH. Alec tonite probably drank about 4 ounces of not very new milk. It had to have been from yesterday...I am praying it was not and that the bottle Ayden brought me was actually the old one...but I really do not know. I guess we will know in a couple hours if Alec wakes up with a belly ache. OH MY GOSH. From now on - no matter what state of exhaustion I am in - all drinks get dumped immediately when they are "finished". Yuck. And poor old Alec really doesn't need a belly ache since he is still on the mend from his outpatient surgery Monday. He really really really dislikes all people who wear stethescopes or scrubs or white jackets. And he really really really lets people know it. So needless to say it was a noisy morning at University Hospital....and an even noisier afternoon because he really disliked the anesthesiologist. That is until they gave him some happy medicine...then he blew bubbles and chortled to anyone and everyone. His surgery (which I will not detail on this blog - as he will probably read this someday and not appreciate it) was a success and actually ended up being medically necessary. Which made me very happy since I had been worried about him since they day we picked him up and this just verified that I am not a completely over the top crazy mom.

Mr. Alec feeling no pain.. I don't think I posted about Ava's trip to St.Louis Children's for her last MRI. She has gotten to be quite the trooper...and really did great this time...thank goodness since it was just the two of us! They were able to get an IV in this time which allowed them to use one less drug...and she had no weird stuff happen when she woke up...she was just her normal, happy self.

Darn the luck but we will have to repeat this whole thing in December as her optic nerve looked a little thick....could be nothing...but we are taking no chances. Can you believe that we have survived 5 toddler general anesthesia recoveries in less than 12 months? Who would have dreamed...?

Ava is our kid who gets bit by every bug....and those bites get huge. We knew that they did - but today - she must have stepped in a mosquito "nest" or something because her little leg swelled up and gave us all quite a scare.

After a panicky call from pre-school - I ran her up to our beloved pediatrician and he and two of his very attentive residents assured me that she is just a kid who is going to "blister" from bug bites and that we need to be prepared with benadryl...which is really all we can do. Lots of Deep Woods Off and Benadryl. Nice.

Ayden.....does not get bug bites or even get sick...certainly not as sick as his siblings do with normal viruses. He does not cry or scream in the doctor's office...in fact quite the opposite. He is extremely friendly and cooperative. He is becoming quite the little man. And he is one healthy guy with a big appetite and LOTS of energy.
And so tonite I end this post...hoping the milk that Alec drank really was from tonite...not yesterday. That Ava can sleep even though her leg looks like a tree trunk. That Ayden doesn 't have any more bad dreams worrying about Daddy climbing in Sam & Ali's ceiling.

And...that I can sleep and not lay there worrying about old milk and bug bites, outpatient surgery not completely healed yet, MRI's that are not quite perfect, Aaron in Iraq and Erin job hunting and missing her husband in Iraq, our college freshman and his lovely Ali who is feeling extremely pregnant, grandbaby room not finished yet and grandbaby due any day, a lost calf (long story), work, messy house, unkempt garden........(maybe I need a Tylenol PM?)

Ah..but in the end...worrying doesn't solve anything and....smiles like these make it all OK.

This day....

Mr. Aaron is on his way to Iraq. He has been "deployed" since he went to Omaha in May...but this day he is on a plane across the world and it seems much harder to comprehend than California or North Carolina. Our little family has never really experienced a loved one on active military duty...so this is all new and difficult for us. I know Erin is struggling...and I can only imagine how Aaron's mom and family feel. (I miss him and I only just got to know him!) I found myself saying little "Aaron prayers" off and on all day. It is going to be a long 7-9 months. Hopefully it will pass quickly....Lord knows we are all very busy and Erin has a job opportunity with a consulting firm that could prove to be the perfect job during her husband's absence. She has lots of work to do on her little house so they can buy a new one together when he returns. But it is still going to be one hard road.

Your prayers would be appreciated....

Baby Korbyn is really only a few weeks away from introducing herself to us. Ali is probably one of the most beautiful pregnant people I have ever seen. She and Sam had some professional pictures taken yesterday - I can only imagine they will be amazing.

We are getting very anxious to meet this little person...our baby Korbyn!

We had a good busy day today...moved cattle (that is always fun) went to Lowes with 3 toddlers, and went to a little country church ice cream social...listened to mom play her bassoon with the community band and had a great time. Kids were extremely funny...didn't get in "time out" once today that I can remember...and I call that a good, good day!

Beautiful bride

Erin had these professionally taken by Alea Looney for Aaron as a gift.

I think they are stunning.
atographyphoto.com

check her website out!

Reflections

I happened upon a photography website that looked intriguing and there was a "reflections" contest underway...so I thought I would enter. A couple of my favorites...nothing close to the photos they have entered...but I gotta start somewhere! Easter 2009 - bubble blowing

and last night - Alec found a mirror.... so I just had to put it out here.

This is the site that truly has some amazing photography. I can't figure out how to link my post to the site - so I am not truly in the running for the contest - but still fun stuff.

Only supposed to have two for the contest - but this one isn't really a reflections picture - just is one of my favorites -taken inside a moving vehicle with a little tiny digital kodak by our son Sam and I think is one of the best we have of Ava in Korea....and the "reflection" off the window is perfect on her chubby little cheeks.

A whirlwind week

I don't even think I can remember Monday? That is how busy this week was. Being back to work is good....but definitely busy. Daddy had a very stressful technical implementation of something or other and I had to stay in St Louis one night as well....so it was truly kinda crazy! The weekend has started out fun (we actually went out with some friends last night and the kids stayed with their daughter for a couple hours - and we only called to check on them twice!!!) This morning is relaxing...french toast and bacon....Ava still sleeping at 9:20 AM. We may swim in the little pool this afternoon...and not do much else. Happy Saturday everyone!

Swim park!

Yep - out of our comfort zone again with 3 under 3! But we did it and they had a wonderful time! Some adoptive families met at a local swim park...we were a bit late due to toddler naps - but we made it in time to see everyone and swim for an hour, have snacks and make it home with no major mishaps!

Mrs. Erin Clark is home safe and sound....sad but home. We look forward to seeing her later this week. Miss Claire Francis Clark misses her terribly!

Ali and Sam have been really really sick the past 12 hours - we hope it is about over. That is a scary weird thing to be sick for the first time without your mom or dad around.....I know they both were feeling that today anyway. I remember the first time I was sick all alone - it was so lonely.

Until later! Kim

Sensory Overload

I have learned alot from Ayden about sensory overload. I don't know if it was the orphanage environment or Haiti - but he is easily overloaded...and quick to let us know. This week we pushed him out of his comfort zone numerous times and he was pretty darn amazing. He has matured so much these past two months. Answered prayer actually since he and I were at odds consistently for the 4 months prior!

We had an adventure at the county fair Thursday (sensory overload for more than just Ayden)! But it was a beautiful night and so fun again to watch little people try new stuff....cotton candy, rides, lemonade, funnel cakes and a little monkey that put quarters in his pocket! We had tons of help which made it fun for us - Kristi and family, Ron & Carol and Eric and Kelly and family - thank goodness! It was still a bit over the top with 3 under 3 I must admit.....but we have to start doing this kind of stuff....we can't stay home forever!

Two of our three also ventured to the dentist this week! And they did it...with no tears....and just a few "I scared momma" declarations. Ava was first because her chipped tooth was just looking more chipped and making me nervous. She did great after a bribe of ice cream and let everyone look at her teeth. Ayden heard about her adventure and decided he also needed a trip to the dentist immediately. He was WONDERFUL. He did everything they asked him to do - he was friendly and talkative and cooperative....and I didn't even have to bribe him. We bought ice cream cones for school and he went back happily so I could finish working. Pretty darn amazing.

Alec had a wonderful week. His cold is finally getting better...he was more comfortable at preschool....he seems to have given up his biting habit (no more innocent baby toes or Ava)....he is happily playing and exploring....and he is communicating excellently even with no language skills (somehow he gets his point across effectively with body language). He has been the easiest of the three to make the adjustment to our lives and home that is for sure. He is such a brave little man and loves a challenge. He is a loving cuddly child too...which is such a gift...especially when you are trying to make sure everyone is cuddled and loved enough in this crazy house. He makes sure he gets his share!

Ava and I will be roadtripping to STL bright and early Monday morning as she is scheduled for a brain MRI at 7:30. Not our favorite thing...in fact I have cancelled twice now...but our NF specialist really wants this repeated....so we are gritting our teeth and going. She has to be put under general anesthesia because the MRI takes so long....so that is the yucky part. Prayers for normal NF variations and nothing "specific" would be welcomed. If this MRI is "normal" then I do not anticipate any more brain MRI's unless we notice developmental issues....and if anyone knows Ava....they know she has NO developmental issues. She is right on track.

Our honeymooners are enjoying their time together.....I know they wish they were both coming home to begin their lives as the Clark family today instead of saying goodbye again. But they are entering the last phase of this military journey and once that is done they can look back on this and reflect that it probably made them stronger...as people and as a couple. Difficult situations seem to to do that. At the time we think we cannot bear any more...but when it is behind us....we know why we had to endure....and we are better for it.

Introducing....

Mr. & Mrs Aaron Clark!!! We had heard that a wedding might be happening today in North Carolina....in an old courthouse in Wilmington....and the rumors were true!

We only got tidbits of information this afternoon (and these beautiful pictures - sent via cell phones!) but word is that their day was perfect! Stay tuned for details about their "big wedding" to be planned after Aaron's return.

We love you Aaron and Erin Clark....and we wish you all the happiness in the world.

Weekend fun

Aunt Marilyn's celebration of life was a day she would have loved. Weather was perfect...memories were shared...kids tried totally new stuff and loved every minute of it....yummy food....and family gathered together relaxed and enjoying themselves.
Our boys tried a boat ride.....and loved it. (Ayden had such a great time....he has come such a long way in such a short time - Alec of course is game for anything...Ava politely declined.) Ayden LOVED Eric from the minute he met him.....and anyone that knows Ayden knows how unusual that is. Ayden takes his time to warm up.....but not this time. At home we had a wonderful weekend as well.

Ayden is super proud of himself for petting Claire. And she is being so good....staying calm when the kids are close by and even staying cool and collected when they FELL ON her yesterday! Daddy got crazy and bought a tent...which he put up in our front yard. Of course that was huge fun to have a "little house" to play in!

And Ali and Sam came for dinner and took a moto ride too!

Alec decided he liked cherries (I didn't know he was eating cherries and turned around to this!)