The leopard and the pandas

I bought this costume for Amelia before she even came home from China. It's a hand made leopard costume. I thought she could wear it on her first Halloween but it was way too big last year. Considering Amelia has gained 4 lbs since last year and grown 4 inches, it is still too big. She had fun wearing it and playing with her pandas.

Speaking of pounds, I just got off the treadmill. I dusted it off a couple of weeks ago after not using it for about two years. I am hoping I can be disciplined enough to work out several days a week and hopefully lose some pounds.

Not much else is new with us. Tyler might have his first girlfriend. But shhhhhh don't tell him I told you! He would be so mad at me!

Mothers - hug your babies a little bit tighter

I attended the wake of a 4 month old tonight. She died at day care. She seemed to just stop breathing and the family isn't sure what happened yet. My heart is breaking for her family. I graduated from high school with her mom. The baby's great grandmother told me that the parents got to hold her today for one last time. They rubbed her body with lotion and dressed their daughter in her pajamas, one last time. But instead of laying her down in her crib, they had to put her in her coffin. This is something no parent should ever have to do.

Little Cailyn, I'm sure tonight the angels in heaven are arguing over who gets to hold you in their arms. May God give Cailyn's family to strength and perseverance to get through this difficult time.

And mothers, hug your babies a little bit tighter, kiss their tiny heads a little more often and snuggle them just a little bit longer.

Are you ready for some football?

Tyler had his second game of the season today. He has changed a lot from last season. He's mean, he's tough and he's ornery. Am I disappointed in this change? No way! Last year he was the biggest but gentlest kid on the field. This year, he is a force to be reckoned with. On Tuesday the opposing team had 4 guys guarding him by the end of the game. Tyler was understandably frustrated that he couldn't move on the field but understood that it was good for his teammates, because 3 of them were not being covered. Today he shoved the QB after the whistle blew, just to make a point. Lisa - you'd better to Scott to send some recruiters, only 4 more years until he's a senior!

Here are some pictures. He is number 62 or as Amelia identifies him "the one with the brown legs." The last shot is his teammate Aaron in the end zone. I anticipate that sports illustrated will be calling me with a job offer after they see this shot.

He was crabby when I spoke with him after the game. I asked him what was wrong and he said he wasn't going to run his mouth. I asked what that meant. He said the guy he was guarding was a jerk and he wanted to leave it at that so he wouldn't say anything inappropriate. For those of you who know Tyler well, he must have been mad. This is as mean as he gets.

I've emailed his schedule to his aunts and uncles. If any of his great-aunts or cousins want his schedule, let me know and I will forward it to you.

Tyler is the one with his arms wrapped around the QB.

Here Tyler is the 2nd from the right on the line.

Here he is the big guy in the huddle (on the left)

I love this one, he is the guy chasing red #18

3 year check up

Today Amelia had her three year check up. Well, her 38 month check up since I procrastinated in scheduling her 3 year well child check. At 38 months of age she weighs an even 26 pounds and is 35 inches tall! She recently went through a "growth spurt" and is finally on the American growth charts - 10% for height and <5% for weight. She was so brave when it was time for shots. She didn't cry at all until the nurse left the room. Then the tears fell down her cheek and she needed to cuddle with her mama. But after a hug and a kiss, she was all better and was ready to go shopping (her favorite past time). She helped me pick out some new jeans for her big brother and some other things we needed for around the house.

Paul got some bad news today. His mother has been living with ovarian cancer for the past two years and will have to go through chemo for the rest of her life. Today his dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. The family doesn't know a lot yet but because of his dad's age, it sounds like surgery is pretty risky. I guess they are going to talk about his options on Monday. Please keep Emmett and Joann in your prayers.

Amelia's first day of school

Here are some pictures of Amelia's first day of school. I have to apologize for the quality of the photos. I left my camera in the car over night so the lens was steamed up. The first is a photo of her leaving the house. The second was taken at school. I caught her at an awkward moment. It looks as if she was terrified but really, she was excited. She had a great day at school and said that they had crackers for a snack and played on the parking lot (she meant playground). She would like to go to school everyday! She has been weaning herself off of her afternoon naps in recent weeks and months but tody she took a two and a half hour nap. She was exhausted!

First day of school

Tyler at his judging.

Amelia inhaling cotton candy

Amelia and the big pig she was dying to see.

The merry-go-round.

Today was Tyler's first day of school after a busy labor day weekend. We were at the state fair on Friday and Saturday. Tyler won a blue ribbon for his project. We met up with some fellow adoptive parents and Amelia made two new friends, Maddy and Charlotte. Then we were off to the lake for one last hurrah and sadly, the maple leaves were starting to turn colors and fall off of the trees. Today Tyler was back in school. He had a good first day. He saw his friend Austin, who is now in the same school as him, likes his teachers and started football practice. Amelia will not start school until next Tuesday. We have her open house and conferences on Thursday of this week. She is brushing up on her counting skills and abc's. However, often if you ask her to say her abc's, she starts counting in Chinese. The number one in Chinese sounds like "e" and two sounds like "r", thus the confusion.

Before I sign off for the evening I must make a confession. Tyler and I are the world's worst cat sitters. We are looking after Traci and Willie's fur babies this week while they are on vacation. Yesterday when we left, I locked Mel in the garage. The poor cat had no food, water or liter box for about 22 hours. When I opened the door tonight, she made a mad dash to the liter box and then drank a healthy amount of water. Poor Mel! I am so sorry kitty! Yesterday when we checked on them their carbon monoxide detector was going off and I must have gotten all flustered.

Have a good week!