Crazy morning with the kids...

Our morning started off like any other morning, but quickly turned into something that I can thankfully now laugh about. Here's how it went.....Amelia has been on a hunger strike of sorts since I returned home on Sunday night. Leaving for the weekend then dropping her off at sibling care at school yesterday has her feeling pretty frustrated. This morning though, her hunger finally won out, and she ate a huge bowl of Cheerio's followed by a container of yogurt. After breakfast we headed over to play at Alex's house. The drive normally takes 30 minutes, but thanks to pouring rain, our drive time was nearly doubled. Mid-commute, newly potty trained Graham decided that he had to use the bathroom. I was able to convince him that he would be ok waiting until we got to Alex's house. Since I was spending so much time focusing on Graham and driving, Amelia became fussy. I handed her a book to look at which would turn into huge mistake. Studying the pictures in combination with the stop and go traffic caused her to become very carsick which caused her to get sick ALL over the car. So, I've got Amelia projectile vomiting, Graham reminding me that he needs a bathroom, Amelia crying, and Graham insisting that I acknowledge his comments that the car stinks. Yes, the car did stink. In fact, it was so fragrant, that I was doing my best not to gag! I finally arrived at our destination, flew into the driveway, left the car running, pulled Graham out of the car and shoved him into the house so he could use the bathroom, and returned to the car to deal with the mess. In the pouring rain, poor Amelia was being stripped down to her diaper which only caused her to become more upset. Oh, the drama.... Thankfully, we were able to throw the car seat cover and Amelia's clothes into the wash and Alex was kind enough to lend Amelia a clean outfit. Once we all settled in and got over our morning excitement, both of the kids had a great time playing. My only fear is that thanks to my most sensitive nose, that Amelia's adorable floral car seat cover may never smell the same. Life with two toddlers is never dull!

Pictures of the kids working on an art project after I managed to clean up the lovely mess in the car

Welcome Back Fall!

Fall finally made an appearance today. Honestly, it felt like we went from shorts and t-shirts straight to winter coats, so today's crisp, sunny weather was much welcomed. We stuck close to home today and both Amelia and Graham had a ball playing in the leaves that currently blanket our yard. Amelia wasn't so sure about the leaves at first, but once I was able to coax her out of my arms and onto the ground, she quickly discovered that she could actually have fun! The kids both ran wild in the yard for quite some time, ate very big lunches, and crashed for lovely 3, yes 3, hour naps today! I'm not sure if the fresh air wore them out or if they were just catching up from their busy weekend. Jeff and I were enjoying a relaxing weekend out of town and the kids kept my parents very, very busy! In fact, on top of the usual toddler chaos that normally fills my house, Super Grandma was even able to potty train Graham!!!!!!!! THANK YOU-MOM!!The best part of this, is that Amelia is insanely jealous of the stickers and M&M's that Graham is constantly receiving so she too has decided that sitting on her own potty chair and doing exactly what Graham does is worth her time. I'm beyond thrilled to be down to one tot in diapers, but could it be that the second baby will actually be eager to leave the diapers behind?!?!?!

Here are a few pictures of the kids playing outside today. Out of all the yard toys we have, the rake was by FAR, the toy of choice...

It's Officially Official!!!

Today was a very special day for our family! When a child is adopted from Korea, there is a waiting period before that adoption can become legally binding. During this waiting period (normally about six months), we have reports to send back to Korea, many legal documents to complete, and several meetings with our social worker. Although in our hearts, Amelia has always been 'ours', in the eyes of the law, up until today, her legal guardian has actually been the adoption agency. That all changed at 11:15 this morning though, when not only did we legally become Amelia's Mommy and Daddy, but she officially became an American citizen. Such big events, for such a little girl!

The hearing went very quickly and the judge the presided over our case was very kind. The last thing the judge said to us, or to Amelia actually, was an offer of congratulations on her new family. It was emotional to hear her say that-just a year ago, we were waiting to see our daughter's sweet face, and today, we were celebrating the union of our family. So, I'm thrilled to announce that it's officially official-She's ours!!!

Hanging out with Mommy just before the court hearing

This was the scene in the front of the court room

This was the scene in the back of the courtroom

Apparently adoption finalization hearings aren't all that interesting for a toddler, so Graham decided to provide some impromptu entertainment

After the hearing was complete, Amelia was invited to the front of the court room to sit in the most important seat in the room...notice Graham desperately trying to sit with her?

Graham arrives and reminds Amelia who is really in charge

Amelia's fan club (minus Sara, one of my dearest friends, who also attended but graciously took family pictures for us-THANK YOU!) Are you surprised to see who's still holding the gavel???

Miss Amelia Paige Olson-the newest little American citizen!

A Play Day

I think the kids are thanking me tonight. Not once today, did I strap them into a stroller, or take them to run a single errand. Today was all about playing! Amelia and Graham spent the morning playing with their friend Livia. Each time I see these kids together it's almost surreal to me. I 'met' Livia over 2 years ago through a photograph just weeks after I laid eyes on Graham's picture for the first time. It's been so much fun to see those pictures come to life and see Amelia added to their circle. Back to this morning though...I'm not sure what it is about toddlers and toys, but there are certain toys at our house that are rarely ever touched. Yet, today, when that exact toy is in Livia's playroom, some of those same items are a hot commodity! Apparently a change of scenery occasionally is a good thing! I did my best to get a picture of all three kids together, but it never happened. These are three BUSY kids that are constantly in motion heading in different directions! I tried my best to get a good picture of all the kids, but this was honestly the best I could do... Amelia and Liv playing with magnetic letters on the easel.

I'm not quite sure why Graham wanted to be in the dolly stroller, but Amelia happily pushed him along...

Just a cute smiley picture of Amelia playing back at her own house after a LONG nap :)

More Snow!

We woke up to multiple inches of snow this morning. It was the wet, heavy stuff that coats the trees and actually looks very pretty. But, I had a hard time reminding myself of the beauty since it's only October and not January! Graham was thrilled to see the snow and Amelia just stood frozen at the window watching it fall. The snowflakes were huge and I can only imagine what was going through her mind. Unfortunately, since Amelia is still without a proper winter coat or boots we couldn't really play in it. I have a strong suspicion though, that we didn't miss our opportunity. After all, we've got months ahead of us to enjoy the snow and freezing cold temperatures!

First glimpse of the fresh snow-Graham is excited and I'm not sure what Amelia thought...she just stared at it!

Winter?!?

No, these pictures aren't a trip down memory lane to last winter. You're looking at Amelia and Graham playing in the snow YESTERDAY! I opened the curtains bright and early yesterday morning to discover a white blanket covering our yard. Our weekend plans included a quick trip up the lake to get the dock out of the water for the winter...I guess we were just in time because a very thin sheet of ice was already forming on the surface of the water. The kids were thrilled with the snow and couldn't stop laughing as they got to play outside. I'm glad they thought it was funny, because I felt like crying. I am not ready to deal with bundling up two children, I am not ready to deal with an awkward double stroller in a snow covered mall parking lot, and I'm not ready to deal with begging Amelia and Graham to keep their hats and mittens on. Basically, I'm just not ready for winter. I'm so unprepared in fact that Miss Amelia doesn't own a winter coat, mittens, or boots! No worries though, I ordered a puffy, warm coat for her last night and it should arrive in a few days...hopefully sooner though since the forecast for tomorrow includes 3 more inches of snow!

Not sure about the cold, wet 'stuff'...

Graham was THRILLED with the snow on the deck at the lake. It's hard to believe that just a month ago we were wearing shorts and t-shirts in this very location!

Happy Girl!

Progress at school!!

I'm am thrilled to announce that both kids, yes, even Amelia, had a good day at school!!!! When we dropped Graham off in the sibling care classroom, Amelia did have a short hysterical meltdown that thankfully lasted only until she realized it was Graham being dropped off and not her. When we arrived in Amelia's classroom she happily began to play as she dragged her precious baby around the room with her. When it came time for the parents and children to separate Amelia was a bit apprehensive watching me walk away so I took her with me. She sat on my lap for a few minutes before her curiosity got the best of her and she moved herself into the other room to play with the toys. Every few minutes, Amelia would come check-in with me, but she did so with a smile on her face and normally a toy in her hand that she was excited to show off. I'm so happy that today went so well and am hoping that Amelia continues down this path to progress at school!

Amelia and baby play at the sensory tably