Thought I'd share a current picture of our "family tree." Everyone is growing up so fast!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Family tree
Thought I'd share a current picture of our "family tree." Everyone is growing up so fast!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Long overdue
"Oh, where, have you been, Shelly Girl, Shelly Girl, oh where have you been, Charmin' Shelly...?"
Old song, supposed to be Billy Boy. Nevermind.
Like a thorn in my side I've been putting off posting here for a million years. Which is sad because so much has happened with us worth sharing. So many little memories lost because I couldn't make myself sit down and write them out here. *sigh*
Big news over here is that we're expecting another baby! *picks you up off the floor* Another little miracle will arrive around the end of January. We're thrilled. Well, aside from the bout of gestational diabetes that showed up again, we're thrilled. I wasn't thrilled with the holidays falling right in the middle of my "no/low sugar" diet, but nobody asked me. *wink*
I think the last time I posted was talking about Abrielle worries. I decided to not worry anymore, and just leave the poor kid alone. She eats when she wants to eat, and while she's tiny, she does have "tiny genes" working against her, and she's really healthy as a horse, so I'm happy. She just turned two last week. Can't believe it. She's talking up a storm, and we are having full-fledged conversations with her. Our eyebrows are constantly raised at what she is understanding and saying to us. She's a smart cookie. She also goes potty on the "big girl" potty now. Has been since this summer. Evidently I was potty-trained pretty early too, so I guess my side of the family isn't too surprised to hear about this trick, but boy was I shocked to see that she was asking to be put on the potty at so little of an age.
We celebrated FIVE YEARS HOME this summer as well. Wow. Ya know, though, while this was a huge milestone for our kids, it didn't strike me as such... They feel like they've always been with us, and a part of us. The first thing I tell folks about them isn't "that they're adopted" - it's that Adam hates math, and won't change his socks, Liana is a second Mama to Abrielle, and Aleksa is on a major horse-kick that means she crawls around on the floor for long periods of time thereby putting holes in every pair of pants she owns. Normal kid stuff. While their adoptions aren't secrets, I try hard to just let us be a family doing normal family stuff, and if their being adopted is somehow relevant to whatever, then I'll bring it up, but otherwise, we're just trying hard to "be us."
Perhaps that's been my hang-up about this blog lately. I just want to be us. Just want to be a family without having to analyze everything and wonder if they'll have life-issues because of certain things having happened to them. It has just felt good to be the Fishers and not have to wonder who is thinking what about whom.
Anyway. That's the deal. I probably won't post much anymore, but I thank you for checking in, (if you're out there!), and thank you for being my friend on this wild ride of international adoption. There are happy endings in older kid adoption. We're proof of that. I hope our story has helped your own somehow. If you are on facebook, I'd love to add you as a friend so we can still "keep in touch." I have enjoyed the two-sidedness of Facebook very much. Instead of dropping a note in a bottle, like it feels like I do here, I actually get to "see" and interact with others. Much more gratifying.
Take care!
Shelly
Old song, supposed to be Billy Boy. Nevermind.
Like a thorn in my side I've been putting off posting here for a million years. Which is sad because so much has happened with us worth sharing. So many little memories lost because I couldn't make myself sit down and write them out here. *sigh*
Big news over here is that we're expecting another baby! *picks you up off the floor* Another little miracle will arrive around the end of January. We're thrilled. Well, aside from the bout of gestational diabetes that showed up again, we're thrilled. I wasn't thrilled with the holidays falling right in the middle of my "no/low sugar" diet, but nobody asked me. *wink*
I think the last time I posted was talking about Abrielle worries. I decided to not worry anymore, and just leave the poor kid alone. She eats when she wants to eat, and while she's tiny, she does have "tiny genes" working against her, and she's really healthy as a horse, so I'm happy. She just turned two last week. Can't believe it. She's talking up a storm, and we are having full-fledged conversations with her. Our eyebrows are constantly raised at what she is understanding and saying to us. She's a smart cookie. She also goes potty on the "big girl" potty now. Has been since this summer. Evidently I was potty-trained pretty early too, so I guess my side of the family isn't too surprised to hear about this trick, but boy was I shocked to see that she was asking to be put on the potty at so little of an age.
We celebrated FIVE YEARS HOME this summer as well. Wow. Ya know, though, while this was a huge milestone for our kids, it didn't strike me as such... They feel like they've always been with us, and a part of us. The first thing I tell folks about them isn't "that they're adopted" - it's that Adam hates math, and won't change his socks, Liana is a second Mama to Abrielle, and Aleksa is on a major horse-kick that means she crawls around on the floor for long periods of time thereby putting holes in every pair of pants she owns. Normal kid stuff. While their adoptions aren't secrets, I try hard to just let us be a family doing normal family stuff, and if their being adopted is somehow relevant to whatever, then I'll bring it up, but otherwise, we're just trying hard to "be us."
Perhaps that's been my hang-up about this blog lately. I just want to be us. Just want to be a family without having to analyze everything and wonder if they'll have life-issues because of certain things having happened to them. It has just felt good to be the Fishers and not have to wonder who is thinking what about whom.
Anyway. That's the deal. I probably won't post much anymore, but I thank you for checking in, (if you're out there!), and thank you for being my friend on this wild ride of international adoption. There are happy endings in older kid adoption. We're proof of that. I hope our story has helped your own somehow. If you are on facebook, I'd love to add you as a friend so we can still "keep in touch." I have enjoyed the two-sidedness of Facebook very much. Instead of dropping a note in a bottle, like it feels like I do here, I actually get to "see" and interact with others. Much more gratifying.
Take care!
Shelly
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Abrielle update
Well, this weaning thing has been easier than I thought. Abrielle still gets her mama before bed/naptimes, but she has been easily distracted when she's asked to nurse other times of the day.
Thank you everyone, for your notes of encouragement. I know there are plenty of worse things in life to have happen, I realize, but it has been hard for me nevertheless.
Abrielle, however, is completely oblivious to any problems whatsoever, and is happy as a clam doing her own thing. She's busy, learning new things all the time, talking up a storm, and will pretty much repeat anything we ask her now. She calls Adam "Da-da," Liana is "La-la," and Aleksa is "Lessa" (light on the s's). She also tells us when she is wet, and when she has had a diaper leak (we use cloth diapers at home) -She says "Uh-oh, peeeeew!", and because of her tell-tale concentration look, she's even gone potty on her little potty once when we rushed her to the bathroom. (Got it on video to pull out when she starts bringing boys home...) *tee-hee* She's a fearless climber, loves her babies, tucks them in and kisses them good-night in their little beds, puts her own shoes on, and absolutely loves her big brother and sisters. They take her places. For a while she was calling Adam "Wing-wing" (swing-swing). It was so cute, Adam just could not say "no." She's a little spoiled.
Anyway, just wanted to post a quick update to thank you guys and to say we're hanging in there and doing well.
Thank you everyone, for your notes of encouragement. I know there are plenty of worse things in life to have happen, I realize, but it has been hard for me nevertheless.
Abrielle, however, is completely oblivious to any problems whatsoever, and is happy as a clam doing her own thing. She's busy, learning new things all the time, talking up a storm, and will pretty much repeat anything we ask her now. She calls Adam "Da-da," Liana is "La-la," and Aleksa is "Lessa" (light on the s's). She also tells us when she is wet, and when she has had a diaper leak (we use cloth diapers at home) -She says "Uh-oh, peeeeew!", and because of her tell-tale concentration look, she's even gone potty on her little potty once when we rushed her to the bathroom. (Got it on video to pull out when she starts bringing boys home...) *tee-hee* She's a fearless climber, loves her babies, tucks them in and kisses them good-night in their little beds, puts her own shoes on, and absolutely loves her big brother and sisters. They take her places. For a while she was calling Adam "Wing-wing" (swing-swing). It was so cute, Adam just could not say "no." She's a little spoiled.
Anyway, just wanted to post a quick update to thank you guys and to say we're hanging in there and doing well.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Stressed
Been having a rough time with this blog thing, haven't I? I figure that by not writing anything on it, that nobody will be getting any older, and my babies will stay my babies just a little while longer. My older crew is really old. Makes me teary. *sniff, sniff*. I don't even want to write about the baby, because SHE is also growing up. *sniff, sniff*.
I've got issues, man.
Actually, I have been a little stressed. Abrielle, now 18mos., has not been gaining weight as she should. She actually fell off the growth chart and is now considered "Failure to Thrive." Can I just say, this is pretty devastating to hear? MY BABY???? She's developmentally just fine, and even advanced, but she just isn't gaining weight.
It is so weird having this happen after having the opposite happen with our oldest crew. They came to us starved and they instantly grew seven stories tall. Then we have a baby "on our own" and she's having a hard time gaining anything. It's definitely not something I ever expected to have happen, for sure! The doctor just told me Friday to wean her immediately - like by next week. (!!!!!!!!!!!). Having a hard time with that. Baby Girl is not going to like that much at all.
Anyway, been feeling a little melancholy about writing. Hope you understand... (I doubt there's even anyone out there anymore anyway, but anyway, in case anyone does check in from time to time, this is what's up...)
I've got issues, man.
Actually, I have been a little stressed. Abrielle, now 18mos., has not been gaining weight as she should. She actually fell off the growth chart and is now considered "Failure to Thrive." Can I just say, this is pretty devastating to hear? MY BABY???? She's developmentally just fine, and even advanced, but she just isn't gaining weight.
It is so weird having this happen after having the opposite happen with our oldest crew. They came to us starved and they instantly grew seven stories tall. Then we have a baby "on our own" and she's having a hard time gaining anything. It's definitely not something I ever expected to have happen, for sure! The doctor just told me Friday to wean her immediately - like by next week. (!!!!!!!!!!!). Having a hard time with that. Baby Girl is not going to like that much at all.
Anyway, been feeling a little melancholy about writing. Hope you understand... (I doubt there's even anyone out there anymore anyway, but anyway, in case anyone does check in from time to time, this is what's up...)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
She's growing up
Bought Aleksa her first bra today. She's growing up. *sniff, sniff*
On the way home, she asked, "Mama, how do you put it on?"
Jokingly, I said, "Well, first you put one foot into it..."
... and she said, "That's what Liana does!"
LOL
After I laughed a few minutes, she asked me another question.
"Mama, which way is the front?"
I laughed the rest of the way home....
On the way home, she asked, "Mama, how do you put it on?"
Jokingly, I said, "Well, first you put one foot into it..."
... and she said, "That's what Liana does!"
LOL
After I laughed a few minutes, she asked me another question.
"Mama, which way is the front?"
I laughed the rest of the way home....
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Valentine's Day? *sigh* Well, I do!! I do!!
In an effort to squeeze every ounce of mushiness out of the holiday, we've actually been celebrating all week! I bought little felt "Valentine bags" at the Dollar Store, and kept them hanging on the backs of everyone's diningroom chairs. Then every night I'd add a few treats for the kids to find in the morning. We've also been working hard this week to fill out some Valentine fill-in-the-blanks for each other. "One thing I admire about you is ________" kinds of things. The answers ranged from silly, to waaaay mushy. The last question was "I love you more than _____" Answers ranged from "bubblegum" to "myself" which is what Liana wrote on Abrielle's valentine. Since we each had so many to write, we've been making one each day and putting them in each other's Valentine bag to be read the morning of the 14th (today!)
Our homeschool group had a Valentine party last night where we not only exchanged cards and goodies, but we also made cards for the folks in the assisted living home next door. The little old grandmas sure loved to see all the little ones.
The kids have been working on memorizing I Corinthians 13 - the "Love Chapter" since mid-January, and they've had a few chances to recite it already. Mama forgot to ask them to do it at last night's party, but we've had company a few times in the last few weeks, and the kids have been able to practice it for them. Good public speaking opportunities you know. ;o) They'll do it for John tonight.
We opened our Valentines to each other over our nice breakfast (french toast, fresh fruit), and the kids were also able to read their valentines from last night's party.
The postman brought a package from Grandpa and Grandma with some Valentine goodies in them. That was sure fun! Oh! And this morning, I woke up to a great big heart on the floor made by my favorite - Kit Kats! Num! I also got some roses! (He loves me!)
Tonight I'm planning to make one of John's favorite meals... Nice and quiet day otherwise though.
I just love this lovey-dovey day!
In an effort to squeeze every ounce of mushiness out of the holiday, we've actually been celebrating all week! I bought little felt "Valentine bags" at the Dollar Store, and kept them hanging on the backs of everyone's diningroom chairs. Then every night I'd add a few treats for the kids to find in the morning. We've also been working hard this week to fill out some Valentine fill-in-the-blanks for each other. "One thing I admire about you is ________" kinds of things. The answers ranged from silly, to waaaay mushy. The last question was "I love you more than _____" Answers ranged from "bubblegum" to "myself" which is what Liana wrote on Abrielle's valentine. Since we each had so many to write, we've been making one each day and putting them in each other's Valentine bag to be read the morning of the 14th (today!)
Our homeschool group had a Valentine party last night where we not only exchanged cards and goodies, but we also made cards for the folks in the assisted living home next door. The little old grandmas sure loved to see all the little ones.
The kids have been working on memorizing I Corinthians 13 - the "Love Chapter" since mid-January, and they've had a few chances to recite it already. Mama forgot to ask them to do it at last night's party, but we've had company a few times in the last few weeks, and the kids have been able to practice it for them. Good public speaking opportunities you know. ;o) They'll do it for John tonight.
We opened our Valentines to each other over our nice breakfast (french toast, fresh fruit), and the kids were also able to read their valentines from last night's party.
The postman brought a package from Grandpa and Grandma with some Valentine goodies in them. That was sure fun! Oh! And this morning, I woke up to a great big heart on the floor made by my favorite - Kit Kats! Num! I also got some roses! (He loves me!)
Tonight I'm planning to make one of John's favorite meals... Nice and quiet day otherwise though.
I just love this lovey-dovey day!
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