First Day of School

My kids are off to school again and I can't believe my son is in second grade and my daughter is in kindergarten.  Yikes!!

So, that leaves Will alone at home with Mommy!  I thought he would cry the first day because Jack and Grace were gone and Jeff started easing back into work.  

But we had a great time!  

One-on-one time with him will make a big difference.  

This is what he's needed all of his life; love, attention and stimulation. 

He is already walking about 15 steps unassisted, his legs are getting stronger, learning some sign language, speaking some words, starting to feed himself, eating basically what the rest of the family is eating, and no longer takes a bottle before bed.

He is handling all of these changes so well, I'm amazed that he doesn't throw too many fits about it. 

 I think I would.

He loves to play with all of us, loves to communicate, and loves to eat!!

Will also loves to go places so I have taken him on my bicycle.  The weather in Beijing will be nice this fall so I am hoping to take many bike rides together.

On the back of Mommy's bike

Target, I miss you, I NEED you!

So, a big problem we are facing right now with living in China is this:

I know EXACTLY what kinds of toys would be good for Little Guy.  

I know what kinds of crafts and activities we could do to help him develop, catch up, and learn.

The problem is...I either can't find what I'm looking for, or

it's 2-3 times the price!!  Ugghh!!

For example, Little Guy and I have found great stores with great toys like this...

 So, Will started to play

But then a lady comes up to me and is trying to tell me something in Chinese.

She points to a sign (all in Chinese of course except some numbers)

I start to realize (after about 15 minutes of charades and a few tears later)

 that you have to pay money to play for a certain amount of time.

Okay, okay, I think, it's still worth him playing here for a while. 

 So I go ahead and pay and he DOES have a great time! 

 I'm just sad that I can't find these toys at a reasonable price.

This puzzle that would sell at target is the equivalent of $20.00 here in Beijing.

I cannot bring myself to buy these toys.  A shape stackable shape sorter is $50.00!!

A package of 8 Crayola crayons is $15.  

We saw a kitchen where he could stand and play at was about $120.00.

So, I'm making a lot of toys like this...don't laugh...if you know me, you know that I would probably make toys out of recyclables anyway!  Ha!

 Next time you go to Target, Wal-mart, wherever, be thankful for good quality toys that are priced fairly. 



Getting to Know You

I hope I haven't left you hanging too much...I've wanted to write, 

but I was just waiting for the right opportunity, 

AND....I have been a little busy.

Going from two children to three is definitely what I thought it would be...BUSY!  

But very rewarding!!

I feel like right now I am very attuned to the emotional levels of all three of my children.  

Maybe I'm on high alert.  Yes, that's for sure.  

Every emotion, every sentence, every action that my children express right now I probably over-analyze.  Ha!  That is totally me, good and bad.

 

 

The children are getting along wonderfully, praise be to God!

They all seem to really like each other.

In fact, Jackson has gotten upset with Jeff and I for scolding Will when he throws toys or food on the floor.  Jack started crying, saying, "Daddy, stop or he won't love us!" 

We informed him that we taught him the same valuable lessons and tried to imagine what it would be like if we left that type of behavior unmonitored.  We thought that was pretty sweet of Jack.

I'm not sure about this slide...once is good enough for me right now

So this sand does NOT go in my mouth?

Are you sure?  It tastes kind of good.

William (Will) is fascinated with boys.  We thought that might be the case.  So, he loves Jack and Jeff and is very interested in playing with them.  He loves the physical play that they naturally are more inclined to do.  

I like these things...Cheerios?  Keep 'em comin'.

It keeps striking me over and over how the little things that we naturally did with our babies 

 were probably never done for Will.  

Like......

 

holding his hand

letting his whole little hand hold my finger

 

caressing his face as he has his bottle before bed

 

tickled until he's giggling like a chipmunk

 

sung lullabies as he is getting ready for a nap or bedtime

 

read a book on someone's lap 

 

rubbed his back while holding him

rocking him as he falls asleep

told "I love you" or "Wo Ai Ni"

He's probably thinking....

"What does that mean?"

"Why are you doing that?"

"Who are you, really?"

"When are you going to leave?"

"Where are we going now?"

Yes, sometimes he gives us a look, almost a scowl, with eyebrows furrowed and squinty eyes that asks these questions.  I have a friend who observed this look and related it to an old t.v. show called "Different Strokes" where one of the characters said, 

"What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"

 That is totally the look that he gives.  It's quite comical until I think about the previous thoughts.

Yes, we have attached as a family, we are doing well.

But I am really looking forward to the time where he will feel comfortable enough to fall asleep in my arms, ask me for a lullaby, want to read a book a little longer, and say "I love you" back. 

Peanut butter....YES...more of that please.

mmmm...hmmmm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William will be three at the end of next month, however, you will get to experience with us more milestones than we thought we would get to experience at this age.  

We will get to see his first crawl and first steps

His first words

No more diapers

His first experiences with so much!

Just in the two weeks he has been with our family he is now eating more than when Jeff and I first picked him up.  Today he was even eating with a spoon by himself!  There is a different look about him as well, it might be better nutrition that is giving him more sparkle in his eyes.  We've noticed his cheeks are more round and Jeff has a theory that it's because he's been smiling more than he ever did before.  

We are so thankful!