The Wait for Our Second

This morning I read this beautiful post over at Julie's blog. It got me thinking about The Wait. Yes, capital letters for that. First, I want to say that I give so SO much credit to families who wait a long time for their first child. With Micah we waited all of 3 weeks from being put on the wait list to referral. After referral we waited only 6 weeks to travel. The entire process took only 8 months from start (attending an information meeting at CHI) to finish (landing home with our babe). We should revisit that moment, yes?

(Yeah... I took this from CHI's site because I can't find my own :)

Anyway, the wait this time around has been much longer, and very different. We started paperwork in July 2008, submitted paperwork (and were placed on the wait list) December 19th, 2008 and we've just passed the 10 month mark of waiting. Back in August, our wait surpassed the time it took for Micah's entire process.

Back to giving credit for families who are waiting, or who did wait a long time for their first child. Seriously. I'm in awe of you all. The Wait this time around is so much easier. Micah is all-consuming, so while I'm excited about the prospect of another child, I barely have time to actually register the idea within my mind. It's a little scary, actually. I know I need to mentally and emotionally prepare (not to mention finish her room at some point) but I don't think I'll be able to really do it until I have her picture in my hand, in my heart.

So, we'll continue to wait. Kevin will continue to think it will happen very soon while I'll keep checking the message boards and know that we have at least 3 more months of waiting ahead. In the meantime, I'm sure Micah will keep us more than busy. Yep.

La Bink

Last week our Parents as Teachers Parent Educator (whoah) came over for a visit. We discussed many things, but one thing in particular was Micah's language development. I'll save that whole story for another post, but one thing she mentioned was his beloved binky. Micah is a binky boy. Unfortunately, we've allowed him to have the binky whenever and wherever he wanted it.


Today, that's all a-changing. Over the weekend we talked to Micah about how we were going to start leaving binky in his room. I strongly believe in talking to kids about things and giving them fair warning. If we're going to leave the house in 10 minutes, I will tell him that we're going to leave the house in 10 minutes. That way, if he throws a fit about leaving, I can remind him that I told him we were leaving. Surprisingly, this works most of the time.


Anyway, the binky. So we had the convos and they usually ended with him saying, "NO," to the whole idea. But, we stayed the course (haha, sorry) and started with plan "Binky in Bedroom" this morning. At first, it was awful. I even cried a little (not in front of Micah) because he was so upset. But, after a good long talk with his dad, he willingly put his binky on his bed and came down for breakfast. He had to take a few breaks and go up to his room for "binky time," but he is doing amazingly well for the most part.

Truth be told, I'm impressed. As usual, Micah surprised me. Of course, it's only mid-afternoon on the first day, but still. Let a mama be proud for a minute. :)

Starting off Easy...

I can't believe I did this but I have just committed to a post a day for the month of November. So, if there is anyone out there still reading blogs, get ready because you'll be hearing more from me in the next month than you have in the past 6 months!

I figured I'd ease back into the blogging thing with some Halloween pictures. That's easy, I know, but I've been out of practice with this thing - I mean, I can't even believe I remembered how to sign into blogger! Okay, kidding, but still.

So, Halloween. Micah picked his own costume this year. Around the middle of September he spied a train engineer costume at the train museum and said, "I want that." I really thought I'd get to pick for one more year, but he was set on being an engineer. Unfortunately that costume was too small, but we did finally find a pretty cute one.

I'm thinking Micah might love Halloween as much as I do after yesterday. (It's my favorite holiday.) We had all of his friends over for trick or treating and then a candy party at our house after. He loves parties so he was pretty much in heaven. I loved having a house full of screaming, sugar-filled, crazy kids, so I was pretty much in heaven too. Good times.

Pre-party. Pickle volunteered to be Micah's train to complete his engineer costume. (Seriously, she loved it - she was wagging her tail and prancing around - cutie.)

Micah and his BGF, Snow White.

Micah's other best buds, Michael Jackson and Spiderman.

Okay, more tomorrow! Can you believe it? Me either.

Old News

I have lots to discuss, but it's all old news so I figured I'd just give you some snippets from the past month...

*Blog Union! Okay, yes, definitely old news, but I have to say how much fun I had seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Micah had an amazing time in Chicago - mainly because of the over abundance of public transportation. He rode the train (the L?), he rode a bus (he insisted on riding a bus) and of course, taxis. He loved it.

I especially loved that I got to see - wait no - MEET! - my very good friend Laura. She and I talk a lot about things - our kids, husbands, life, Twilight... so I felt like I already knew her when I met her. Needless to say, she is a wonderful person - funny, filled with spirit and spunk, and just a very, very good friend to have. I'm so happy we finally got to meet. Oh- and her kids are beautiful and fun as well.

Laura, Max & Mimi. Max was not into it. But he still looks adorable. :)

Laura and I with LAURA's Pocket Edward (I'm not the only one! :)

Shoulder rides with Josh & Silas

*Trains. Micah's fascination with trains is still riding high. He still wakes up asking to go to the Woo-Woo. We recently took a trip out to a small train... um... place? Anyway - it's a place where they let you ride these little trains and they have real miniature steam engines. Very cute. He was dressed for the part...

Waiting for the train

Very seriously waiting for the train

*smile*

*The Lake. We went to the Lake with family and friends in August and Micah reallyreallyreally loved it. Last year he was too small to get into the whole idea of swimming in the lake or riding the sea doo or tubing... but this year - he was all about it. He swam (with a life jacket of course) and wouldn't let anyone touch him. He also jumped off the dock into the water (where I was waiting). It's at least a two foot jump. He's very brave. And - he got on the tube with me and loved every minute. He was mad when we stopped. It became very clear that our child is not afraid of much. Except for the Ice Cream Truck, but that's a whole other story....

Riding the sea doo with Kevin

Riding the tube - clearly I'm having too much fun

Micah and Kevin swimming

Micah and Papa caught a fish. It's really small - but it's there. Promise.

I let Micah have a root beer
(Iknow, Iknow..but he was seriously so stinking happy. It's worth it.)

And I let PE have a PBR

Micah Day!

Last week was our second anniversary of the day we met Micah. Last year we celebrated with Tickle Me Elmo and Ethiopian food... this year it was Trains, a Leapster, and Micah's favorite meal at home...

We went to the Train Museum... Micah is very serious about picking out his seat on the woo-woo.

And very serious about riding the woo-woo.

You can't tell but we're sitting on the engine of the train. Because we're cool like that.

Sporting some of the wrapping while figuring out the new Leapster.

For dinner we had grilled chicken, roasted corn on the cob, and mac n' cheese.

For dessert...

CUPCAKES! YUM!

It was a great day. I still can't believe it's been two years since we first held that tiny baby in our arms. What an amazing two years it has been!

Blog Union Tees! Get Your Blog Union Tees!!

Blog Union tee shirts are for sale! (Finally!) First, I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU!!! to Tommy and Danni for helping with the tees! Tommy designed them for us again this year even though they won't be able to make it to BU. We'll miss you guys!!

I know everyone would have liked to have lime green this year, but in order to keep costs low they will be white tees. Everyone loves a white tee shirt, right? Adult and youth tees are available through Propell. This is a fundraising site, but I have made the prices so that we will make no profit. If there is any profit made through Propell or Zazzle for the tees (which I hope I made it so there is not), it will be donated directly to Ahope!

Adult, youth, and toddler tees...

http://bu2009tshirt.propell.com/

And for baby tees....

http://www.zazzle.com/blogunion09*


create & buy custom products at Zazzle

I am so sorry to have two separate stores, but Propell offered the easiest and most cost-effective way to offer these for sale but they did not offer baby tees.

FYI - Propell takes about 5 days for processing and 7 for shipping (unless you pay extra for expedited shipping) so keep that in mind and order soon!! Zazzle is usually pretty quick about their orders, but don't wait too long!

Remember This...

I don't want to forget all of the amazing and hilarious and adorable things Micah does. I want them branded into my memory. I want to capture each moment and store them away.

Micah, I don't want to forget...

The way you sing along with me to bedtime songs. We read books then turn out the light and sing. When I sing Jack Johnson's "Jungle Gym," you wait until the part that goes, "Shalalalala" and you sing along in the sweetest voice I've ever heard. When you want to hear that song you say, "Mom? Shalala?"

The way you think your dad is a hero. You think he is everyone - Jack Johnson, Albert Pujols, Barack Obama, Spiderman. We watched the All-Star Homerun Derby the other day and you said, "Go Dad! Go!"

Your inability to keep your clothes on. Child, you are a naked baby and it makes me giggle when you tear off your diaper (or big-boy undies) and run down the hallway screaming with laughter.

Your ability to connect with people. You say "HI!" to everyone you see. You wave to cars as they pass by the house. You greet everyone with a big smile and they can't help but smile back.

Your inquisitiveness. Your favorite new game is to walk around the room, touch things and ask, "What's that, Mom?" I answer "table" or "wall" and you move on, "What's that, Mom?"

Your air guitar. If you hear a guitar song you will instantly start playing air guitar - your version consists of your little fist hitting your hip to the rhythm of the song.

Buses & Trains. You love them. If we see a bus drive by you will yell, "MOM! BUS!" until I see it too and acknowledge the bus. If a bus is next to us at a stoplight you will say, "Bye bus!" after the light turns green. Trains - you call them woo-woos. You sometimes wake up in the morning saying, "Mom, woo-woo?" which means you want to go to see the woo-woo at the zoo. You talk me into it quite a bit.

And, these things... I don't want to forget these moments with you....