Happy Adoption Day!

Alex, October 2006 (age 13 months)

Alex, October, 2007 (age 25 months)
(Do you think he got some sun this summer???)

One year ago today we were at St. Lucy's in Tainan, Taiwan picking up Chien-Lu. We left San Francisco for Taipei on a 1a.m. flight. We arrived in Taipei around 6 a.m. Monday morning and boldly took the city bus from the international airport to the domestic airport ($1.50 instead of a $45 cab ride and just as efficient). A second quick flight from Taipei to Tainan, and before we knew it we were checked into the Evergreen Plaza hotel. We were treated to not one but two days of sight-seeing in Tainan by a St. Lucy's volunteer who provides translation services to adoptive families. She and her husband were so gracious! The second day (a day before we were to pick up Alex) we just happened to be near St. Lucy's and had the good fortune to be able to stop in and visit. It was wonderful to meet our son and made the next day a little less nerve wracking. This is not typical at St. Lucy's, but my earlier visit in July, to meet with the medical doctors concerning a vision issue that was discovered after referral made our whole 'gotcha' experience atypical. By the time Gotcha Day arrived both DH and I had previously met Alex and so it was 'gotcha' rather than 'metcha' day for us. Wednesday morning, first thing, we were back to St. Lucy's and this time we left with Alex in hand (actually, in arms) for our return flight to Taipei. By Friday night the three of us were back home in California. It was a whirlwind week!

It is hard to believe how quickly this year has past, until we look at our little boy and realize how very much he has grown in the last 365 days. He is a constant joy, even in the midst of being a very 'spirited' child with strong opinions about what he wants and how he should always get everything he wants. We are so glad he is a part of our family!

And since 'then' and 'now' photos may not be enough, here's the video of our Gotcha Day, which we had the good fortune to share with another Heartsent family. It still brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. God is good.

More traveling

In the last week Alex added four more states to his 'states visited since arriving in the U.S.' tally. We flew to Boston, Massachusetts, then visited family in New Hampshire and Connecticut. On the way back to Logan airport we took a quick detour over the bridge into Maine. As we departed for home I wondered, 'Why didn't we scoot down through Rhode Island on our way back from Connecticut??' Oh well, another time.

We were back in New England for Alex's big sister's wedding celebration. Jill & Craig eloped in August of 2006 but also blessed us all with a traditional wedding ceremony and reception at the fabulous Castle in the Clouds in Moultonboro, New Hampshire on October 6th. The weather was perfect - unseasonably warm so the sleeveless dresses we all wore weren't an issue. It was overcast and perfect for pictures. Sadly, with a two year old in tow, I took a grand total of 6 (lame) photos. But the official photographer has posted a sneak peak on her blog. It was wonderful to spend time with all our family and friends - thank you all for making the trip! Some of you came great distances to celebrate with us, and we all appreciate it!

Alex is 2!

Friday, September 14th marked the one year anniversary of our final decree in Taiwan. Alex has been our son for a year. Last year on the 14th we were still agonizing over the length of time our case was taking in court. We wouldn't learn until the 28th that the final decree had been issued, and we wouldn't learn until late October that the actual day of the decree was one day before his first birthday. It taught me once again that you need to be very specific when you pray for things. I'd said "I want to have him by his first birthday." I had meant "have him home with us" but I didn't say that specifically, and technically we DID 'have' him before his first birthday...we just didn't know it at the time.

Yesterday was Alex's second birthday, and what a joyful day it was. We'd had a party during our visit in Pennsylvania, with family, balloons, gifts, cake, candles, and ice cream, so yesterday was a low-key day. More gifts, dinner out (Chinese food, of course), and more cake. But no party. (This may be the last year he's oblivious to the lack of a party, so we took advantage of that!) Alex's dad has been working with him on the 'Alex is 2' thing....so now when you say "How old is Alex", Alex will say 'two'. Here are some photos of Alex, age 2!

With his snazzy "My First Toolbelt"


Engrossed in a book about trains (which he says as "timi", which makes 'More go train' sound an awful lot like "Uncle Timmy"!)