Maui

This past week, we took our first family vacation together with Nash! This trip was special for many reasons. Eight years ago, Bret and I honeymooned in Maui and couldn't wait to experience it this time around with Nash. I was very nervous about the long travel schedule. All together, it estimated to about 14 hours of travel one way, with a 5 hour time difference. Nash did beautifully. He slept, played, watch videos and ate lots of snacks. The trip was all possible because of Bret's work. We brought along both our mom's to help with Nash in the evenings we had events. We split our time between our beachfront hotel and a rented condo. I was worried about the stress of the different sleeping arrangements but he did awesome! Bret and I managed some adult time at night with his colleagues (we attended a luau and formal dinner event), while Nash had a sleepover with the grandmas. We spent our days roaming and exploring the beach, swimming at the condo pool, day road trips up the coast to explore the views, shopping, and eating the local fair (fish tacos, shaved ice, and Mai tai's for the adults). Throughout the week, Nash kept saying how "fun" everything was. He spent hours scooping the sand and pretending he was an excavator. At first, he didn't think much of the ocean waves. Probably because he ran right in and one knocked him down. Oops. But by the end of the week, he was having fun running in and back, trying to not let the waves touch him. The best part about the week? Believe it or not it wasn't the beautiful views, smell of the ocean, or my whale sighting (IT WAS SO COOL!). It was being able to spend so many consecutive days together as a family. Having nothing to worry about but having enough sun screen. I'm hoping we don't have to wait 8 years again to go back to Hawaii. It's my favorite place on earth. But one thing is for sure, next time we will have TWO boys in tow. I'm one lucky, mama.

WW: Hawaii Life

One Year

Today marks one year of being together.  Can you believe it?  I can't. It's hard to pen about how much this day really means to us. I'm quick to relive all the feelings of anxiety, excitement and anticipation that 22 months of waiting felt like.  As well as reliving how emotional and sad this time was for Nash.  Loosing everything he's ever known.  As we now wait for Leo to join our family, I'm often reminded of how much the waiting stinks. Like really stinks. Can I sum up a years worth having Nash in our lives in one post? Nope.  Not even going to try.  I have been weepy lately.  Thinking about how much the year has meant to us, how it's been the most challenging, rewarding year of our lives. How I could never picture our world without Nash and how blessed we are to be his parents. Kids change a lot in 1 year.  The pictures prove it, but for us it's really so much more than just looking back at pictures.  It's about how Nash has grown into this silly, out-going, boisterous, imaginative, adventurous, compassionate, sensitive and lovable little boy. Nash talks our ear off and says hilarious things like calling his daddy "Mr. Pirate Booty Head" and expresses his feelings "mommy, I'm mad at you" (two seconds later) "not mad at you mommy, happy face". I think he changes daily.  I can pick him up from school at the end of the day and I swear he has grown. We can't wait to see what the next year brings, and the next, and the next.  Remembering to live in the moment and enjoy every little milestone is what parenting is all about.

Today-4/10/2013

Year ago-4/10/2012

WW: Care Package No. 2

We received almost everything back that we sent Nash.  It's fun to log and take pictures
of the packages because you end up sending so many you forget what you sent!
Currently, I'm obsessed with stripes.  The outfits are courtesy of Grandma Berg!  Thanks, Grandma!

Vacation for Two

Last week, Bret and I packed our bags and headed to the Bahamas.  Let me say, leading up to this trip, I was filled with anxiety.  Anxiety about leaving Nash for the first time.  To date, we had yet to spend a night apart.  From everything I read and heard from other adoptive parents, your not suppose to leave your child until he goes to college.  But, we couldn't pass up a free trip!  Judge away (selfish parents we are!).  Nash has never displayed any sort of separation anxiety.  Transitions are hard for all kids, but Nash (unfortunately) is an expert at transitions.  He's had more in one lifetime at two years of age than many of us do as adults.  I truly feel secure in our attachment and ultimately knew Nash could handle us leaving.  For weeks leading up to our departure, we talked with Nash a lot about us leaving for a "work trip".  Bret has had to travel periodically for work so when he is gone, Nash seemed to understand that daddy was on an airplane and he would return.  Nash seems to do better when we talk a lot about upcoming situations.  He likes to know what to expect, even if I'm leaving to run an errand, I always give him notice.  This seems to help with the separation.  The plan was to keep Nash's routine the same.  My mom came and stayed at house so Nash could attend his daycare everyday.  So do you think everything ended up as planned?  Nope.  My mom managed to get through a snow storm, Nash coming down with a fever and our dog who only used the basement as a bathroom (seems Butch was upset we left too).  I'm proud of how well Nash did under the circumstances.  It was not ideal but he was a trooper, not to mention how much my mom was a trooper!  She did her best to reassure me that everything was ok. 

We missed Nash like crazy-cakes.  I was ready to come home on Wednesday (we left Monday).  I realized that 4 nights was too long, but a weekend getaway would be perfect.  I'm sure we will try to squeeze one of those in prior to Leo joining our family.  It was great for Bret and I to spend some alone time together, even though most of the conversations revolved around Nash.  I mean, what in the world did we talk about before Nash?  Must have been something for 6 years.

I'll let the pictures from our trip speak to the details. Lots of sun, food, tropical drinks and R&R.  The best part?  In April, we get to do it all over again but this time, Nash gets to come with!  We, along with both grandma's, are heading to Maui.  Jealous? Well, let me remind you that we have to endure a 8 hour flight with a 2.5 year old.  Still jealous?

February Mash-Up

Wow, I've been SUPER lazy about blogging.  I have material, but just needed to find motivation to get.it.out.  February has turned into a busy month.  Busy doing what?  Well, I can't really answer that.  I guess with swimming lessons, weekend gymnastics and celebrating a few holidays in between.  The Lunar New Year fell on February 10th.  We were supposed to get together with our little Korean holiday group but the weather didn't cooperate.  Nash did manage to celebrate at school, where he brought in treats, a little write-up about the upcoming year of the snake and his favorite book "Bringing In the New Year".  His teacher mentioned that when she read it to the group, he said a lot of the story out-loud.  It's been really fun to share Nash's Korean heritage with his school-mates.  Everyone has really embraced it, so much so that I came to school and one of his teachers had bought another one of our favorites "BibimBop" to keep as reading material.  I'm yet again reminded at how lucky we are to have found a daycare so great for Nash. 

We also celebrated valentines day, with pink pancakes (which I'm sad to report I had to re-make because the first batch of Bisquick didn't turn out...Bisquick people.  Not difficult for most) heart shaped balloons and valentines for Nash's class.  We walked into his class and one of his friends yelled "Happy Valentines Day Nash."  It was so.dang.cute. 

Nash loves to talk, ask questions and keep tabs on his excavator. He is OBSESSED with excavators. He sings about them, sleeps with them and will only read books about them.  I can't wait to see what the next "obsession" will be, but frankly, I can't ever picture him moving on from his love of excavators.  The best part?  He pronounces the word perfectly. Like better than I can.

Something Nash does not love...broccoli.  Funny story. We were eating dinner one night and often I'll say to him, "just try one bite, then you can be done."  Well, indeed he took one bite, immediately following the worlds smallest bite was projectile vomit everywhere.  So, I have forever scarred Nash from eating broccoli.  Who can blame him.....really.



I think I"ll have the broccoli. Thank you.



WW: Big Bro's

First (of many) Deliveries for Leo

First order of business was to get Leo's first care package together. Sending these packages and anxiously awaiting updates is the thread that keeps you together during this long wait. So my cc has been busy buying stuff for Leo. Nash seems a little puzzled that not every package that gets delivered is no longer for him (well some are for his mama who is supplementing her vacation wardrobe), but the packages are mostly for Leo! I think we are allowed to send one over every month. I currently have enough stuff for six months. Not much can fit into a gallon size bag. I took Nash along to the agency to send it off. He held it the whole drive over.