Another year of blessings

Mike & Kieran made a delicious birthday cake for me.  My boys, what a blessing!  I have so much to be thankful for this year!

My wonderful sisters babysat Kieran for us so Mike could take me on a date for my birthday.   While Mike and I shopped and dined, Kieran had a blast with his aunties.  He kept them busy and entertained.  He demonstrated his yoga skills (downward facing dog) and some kenpo moves..."jab, cross, hook, uppercut!" 

Disclaimer:  No one was injured.

Progress on our adoptions seems to happen on my birthday.  Last year, we had a baby shower for Kieran the day before my birthday.  This year, we got our USCIS fingerprinting appointment notice in the mail.  Just one step closer to being ready for Marisa's referral.  I wonder if next birthday I'll be holding two kids.  

Look how much I've grown! (the sequel)

Kieran is officially a member of the one yard club!  He is 36 inches tall.  He weighed in yesterday at 32 lbs.  That means he's grown six inches and gained 10 lbs in one year!!  Amazing.

Although he's getting to be a big boy, he still loves his blanket.  

Kieran is outgrowing most of his jackets.  So we picked out a new one...Buzz Lightyear!  Size 3T.

We have a golf themed shower curtain in Kieran's bathroom.  (Leftover from Daddy's bachelor days.)  K. has been fascinated with the idea of golf for months.  I finally caved in and got him a plastic golf club and jumbo golf ball.  Well, he'll need lots of practice and coaching to get the concept, but he's thrilled with himself at the moment.  Adorable!

Mike was washing the moss off of the roof the other day.  Kieran and Piglet were both very intrigued with this strange phenomenon.  It was a rare moment to have both cat and son hold still for a picture at the same time.  I love my family!

"Is he yours?"

We were at the mall earlier this week.  Kieran and I were having fun at the kids' play area when a little girl, about 5 or 6, asked a simple question..."Is he yours?"  I was proud to answer, "Yes, he is my son."  End of conversation.  She asked what most of the adults at the play area were probably wondering anyway.  It didn't bother me at all that she was inquisitive.  I was glad to declare to whomever was within earshot, "This is my beloved son!"  I think it's natural for people to wonder what the relationship is between us since Kieran and I do not have any resemblance to each other.  

Speaking of appearances, I had also been wondering when Kieran would notice the differences in our skin color.  The other day he made a comment while he had his hand on top of mine.  He said something like, "Mommy's hand yellow."  I loved hearing his interpretation of my skin tone.  We'd had a conversation a while before that about the color of his skin.  I often tell him that I love his brown skin; it is beautiful to me.

Kieran with his dear bears.  He has named them Snacks and Snackers.  

Celebrating spring

We went to the tulip fields yesterday.  Spring was showing off a wonderful display of colors.   

Kieran and his daddy, both good lookin' guys! 

Kieran with Mommy and his aunties.  

Aunt Katie is due in June.  Kieran will have a new cousin to hang out with!

Kieran with his Aunt Kendra.

Our family :)

Happy Easter!

Easter 2009, we had five pictures of our son.  We'd just received our referral and we proudly showed off his pictures to anyone and everyone.  I longed to hold him in my arms and see him smile.  Now he's here with us...what a difference a year can make!

This year, we had so much fun celebrating our first Easter with Kieran.  After church, he got an Easter basket from Mommy & Daddy that included his favorite snacks (Annie's bunny grahams), 2 books (both from the Pup & Hound series by Susan Hood), and Harold the Helicopter to add to his train set.  

Kieran had a blast discovering plastic eggs hidden through out the house.  (It was too cold for an outdoor egg hunt.)  Each egg had a few bunny grahams inside, so every egg found was cause for a mini snack fest.  Funny side note, Kieran calls his grahams "bunny snackers".

Feasting on bunny snackers, yum!!

Each holiday since Kieran has come home has been a delight!  Kids exude so much enthusiasm about the simplest of surprises.  We had such fun watching him light up every time he found another egg.  

We tried to take a family picture via the delay setting on our camera.  The whole concept of waiting 10 seconds to smile is sort of confusing for a 2 1/2 year old.  This was the best of the four tries.  I had to include it here because it's just like Kieran to be dramatic.  He may have a future as an actor, who knows!

We were also blessed to spend the afternoon with my sisters and brother in law.  Unfortunately, we were so busy having fun eating and playing games that I didn't stop to take any pictures!  Kieran loves his family, and always looks forward to having somebody come over for a visit.  We are very excited that Aunt Katie and Uncle Jonathan are expecting their first child this summer.  Kieran will have a little cousin to play with.  

One year since referral

A year ago, we saw Kieran's picture for the first time.  It's amazing to look back and remember the journey that brought us to where we are today.  We have a son!  There are still many days where Mike and I just marvel that we are parents to such an awesome little boy.  On Friday, Kieran and I were snuggled up on the couch together watching his favorite Veggie Tale.  He spontaneously looked at me, put his hands on either side of my face, and gave me big kiss!   Parenting is the hardest job on the planet, but it's also the most rewarding.  Thank you, God, for blessing us with Kieran.