The Magic of Santa

Much to my surprise, at our local Families with Asian Children Holiday Party, Santa was able to lift Tabitha into his lap. I finally have my pictures with Santa!

Christmas for Tabitha

This will be our second Christmas with our baby girl. Last year she didn't know what to expect and we didn't even attempt the "Santa" story. This year I've told her about the miracle of the birth of Christ and explained the man with the white beard. She had already heard about baby Jesus and can sing, "Jesus Loves Me" but her eyes grew wide when I told her about Santa bringing toys to the good boys and girls.

"To me, Mommy?" "Toys to me?" she asked incredulously. "Can I see Santa?" "Where is he?"

This I supposed she asked because she knows Jesus is in heaven along with our dog, Maggie, and various other people she can't see. Then my Mommy mind kicked into gear and I realized this might parlay into a chance to get pictures of her with Santa. Last year she buried her face in my shoulder and clung to me like velcro when we got within 50 feet of Santa Claus. This year, having blossomed into a somewhat gregarious, at least less clingy little girl, we may have a chance. So I told her, "Santa lives at the North Pole but he's at the Mall right now where you can go sit in his lap and tell him what you want for Christmas."

"Oh no," she replied, "I'm not sitting in his lap."

"But sweetheart, he's coming to our house on Christmas Eve to put presents under our tree for you," I explained.

"Mommy, I don't want him in our house!" she replied.

Well I guess Santa will have to leave everything on the porch. Later, when she pointed out a character in a book sitting in Santa's lap, I tried again to persuade her.

"Mommy, I want you to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what I want." she said.

"Sweetheart, old ladies do not sit in Santa's lap," I explained.

"Well, new ones don't either," she said.

Maybe I'll try again next year.

Introducing Tobey

We are ecstatically happy to announce our upcoming adoption of Tobey. Today after a year of paperwork, waiting, and general frustration with red tape, we were told that our official Letter Seeking Confirmation has arrived at our agency. All we have to do is check the “yes” box indicating we consent to adopt this wonderful child, sign the paper, and send it back to our agency. They will then send it on to China and the wait for Travel Approval or TA to be issued. At that point, we can begin to make travel arrangements. All this will take about 6 weeks so we may be spending Christmas or New Year’s in China. But what a Christmas present!!!!

As you can see from the picture, Tobey is a very handsome 5 year old. He is standing beside the fabulous birthday cake that the orphanage purchased on our behalf. Looking at his radiant smile, I think he really enjoyed being the center of attention that day. I would have rather have had one of our famous H family birthday parties for him but was glad we could at least send a cake for him.

Tabitha is excited about her new brother but I’m sure that excitement will wan when she actually has to share Mommy and Daddy with him.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I noticed, as I was dropping Tabitha off at daycare, that there was a new girl in class. I noticed her because she was scrutinizing me carefully. She watched with great interest while I kissed Tabitha bye. Tabitha skipped off happily and I smiled at the little girl. I thought to myself, "well, here it comes, she's going to ask why Tabitha and I look different." I have read volumes now on how to discuss adoption and racial differences with curious adults and children. I know we will always be conspicuous because we look different. I paused to collect my thoughts, after all, this was pre-caffeine, and then graciously turned my attention to the child to give her an opportunity to ask her question. After all, I want to make sure that Tabitha's classmates understand that adoption is a good thing and that our family is different only in the way it was formed. I had an opportunity, maybe, to buffer my baby from being singled out for being adopted. I could smooth the way for her at least this time. "Hey, Lady," the little girl said, "are you her Grandma?" After opening and closing my mouth a few times, I told her that I am a Grandma but I am Tabitha's mama. Wow, those pre-k kids are a rough group. It was just two days after my birthday and I had convinced myself that I still looked pretty good for an old lady. Maybe I need a new brand of wrinkle cream or a face lift. I think I'm going to stick close to Tabitha from now on when I drop her off, maybe she can be a buffer for me.

Ms. Potato Head Gets Her Arm Back

I'm really trying to be positive. After all, my problems pale in comparison to the problems of others. But, it is hot and I am chronically sleep deprived and I'm just a little grouchy. My dishwasher has quit dispensing soap, which, in my mind, is a major part of the cleaning process. Okay, we can wash dishes by hand. The AC in my car has also decided that August is the best time to quit working and refuses to be fixed even after my husband worked on it and spent money (we don't have) on a part. Okay, okay, I can drive with the windows down. It is still hot and I arrive at my destination sweaty with my hair standing on end but I get there. Best of all--my washing machine won't finish washing without beeping out in distress, flashing F codes, and dumping water all over the floor. We tried our various means of coping with this disaster, depending on our levels of hygiene requirements, before I was able to schedule a repair person through the Sears phone robot. The repair man came and spent several hours cleaning out the drain, replacing parts, and testing volts. $300 later (which we don't have) he declared the washer cured of its ills and left. I happily began washing only to have a recurrence of the F-codes and more beeping. I argued with the Sears phone robot (I'm sorry, I didn't get that response.) and think, hope, and pray the repair man will return to find the real problem. Never mind that I had to schedule a day off work to wait for his first appearance. The only bright side to all of this is that one of the items clogging up the drain was Ms. Potato Head's arm. It has a few chunks missing but I think we'll be able to reattach it. I can't say the same about my sense of humor.

Elmo Birthday Fun (Again)

Tabitha's Elmo birthday party was a big success! Thanks to all who helped to make it one. This year she really understood what were birthdays are about. Cake, presents, and a party, of course! She does get the concept of being a certain number and proudly tells everyone, even complete strangers in Target, that she is 3. She holds up the requisite 3 fingers as proof.

As a matter of fact she thinks she should have at least 3 of everything now that she is 3. Her Daddy told her just last night that she could either quit playing in his plate of food or get down out of his lap. She loves to finish her dinner then annoy her Daddy from his lap while he tries to finish eating. As her annoying behavior continued, he gave her the empty threat of getting off his lap or behaving. Her big brother told her, "Tabi, as I see it, you have 2 choices. Leave Dad's food alone or get down." "No, Tyler, I have 3 choices," she replied holding up 3 fingers. Silly Tyler forgot to count the choice where she does what she wants to do.


Hopers eyes the cake.





Birthday girl in the pool.





Birthday girl refuses to smile for the camera.

And now it is July

July? How did it get to be July? The days are just rolling by! Tabi will be 3 in just a few days. She's now a whopping 22 pounds and 33 3/4 inches tall. Here are a few pictures to bring everyone up-to-date.