Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day to Sam's Daddy, his two wonderful grandpas, and his biological dad. We had a really nice day, starting with letting Ed sleep late (all weekend!) and homemade blueberry muffins for breakfast. Sam gave "Dada" a tripod for his camera and videocamera so he can take even more pictures of him. We went for a bike ride in the afternoon (pix at Spiritual Knitter) and out for lunch, then went to Foster Beach before dinner.

We should have been prepared from last time, but Sam surprised us by literally sprinting to the water. Even after falling down and swallowing some water, he went right back in.

For dinner, I made ribs, corn, green beans and watermelon--the perfect summer meal!

He's such a happy little boy!

Token Mama photo: from yesterday's outing to Blues on the Fox in Aurora, to see my nephews' band play. He was spoiled all day by all the Manion cousins.

He even slept six hours in a row last night, though he's going through a phase of going to bed super late (sometimes after 10 or 11). Hopefully he'll give his Daddy one more gift tonight and sleep through the night.

Getting in touch with Sam's German roots

(He does have "Schlumpf" in his name!)

Just another boring Saturday night playing in the laundry hamper.

So Mama and Dada decided to walk up to Maifest, the big German festival in Lincoln Square. Sam and Mama polka'd to "The Beer Barrel Polka." (bad photo, but you get the idea)

Speaking of beer barrels...

All polka'd out.

Hallelujah!

Happy Mother's Day Week to everyone out there: to my mom, my sister, all those who have "mothered" me throughout my life, to my grandmother who is celebrating her first Mother's Day in heaven, all mothers-to-be and those who desire to be mothers, including those waiting for their adopted children, and especially to those celebrating their first Mother's Day as a mom, including me!

Sam and Ed took me out to one one of my favorite restaurants for Mother's Day, Ethiopian Diamond. Yum! Sam felt at home since everyone was eating with their hands, and he liked the spicy food. Plus that had a little drum for him to play.

Our celebration was on Monday since I spent the actual Mother's Day at Aurora University's graduation. At first I was bummed I had to work all day on my first Mother's Day, but then I figured it was appropriate since my new job has been so darn family friendly the rest of the year. Really, it's amazing how everything works out. Two years ago I was hating my job and Ed was stressed about finishing his teaching credential. Now I have a great job and he's subbing, which has meant Sam hasn't had to go to daycare. It's really worked out for the best.

Sam also gave me a card and a flower. But the best two gifts didn't cost anything. First, about a week ago, he started saying "Mama." This, after about six months of saying "Dada." And... (Insert music from Handel's "Messiah" here), he finally slept through the night!!!!!!! For about a week, since getting over his latest ear infection, he's been doing much better, putting himself to sleep with his bottle (with Ed or me just lying next to him, not holding him) and getting up only once or twice at most. Then, on Tuesday night, he slept from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. He hasn't repeated it since, but I think we've turned a corner. Next: getting him out of our bed and into the crib.

On Tuesday night we went out for pizza with a group of other adoptive families and then took Sam to Lake Michigan. As soon as we put his bare feet in the sand, he got so excited. He said "Wawa" and took off for the shore. It was COLD, but that didn't stop him! He is such a water baby. It should be a fun summer at the lake, neighborhood pool and Lake Keesus.

And, just to remember how far we've come, this picture from Hanoi eight months ago. It's one of my favorites. Happy Mother's Day to me--finally.

Trip to Arizona

I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures from our Spring Break trip to visit my parents in Arizona in early March. Mr. Not-So-Happy in his cowboy hat posing near a cactus. This was right before we left. The weather was gorgeous the whole time we were there, and my parents were the best hosts.

Grandma made chocolate chip cookies just for Sam.

We spent a lot of time at the pool. We also got to see our friends Kathy and Kevin Misiewicz who spend their ND spring break down there too. They just go back from fall semester in Australia.

Sam is a true water baby. He loves swimming.

We got to go to my Uncle John's 70th birthday party. His four daughters surprised him by showing up for the party. The next day we went to a Brewers game. (Gosh, my hair looks dark next to these guys!)

We went for a hike one morning. Sam got to meet a horse up close!

Hiking with Daddy in the backpack.

Our friend Kevin (a Holy Cross priest) came over for dinner one night. This is his last year in Arizona, so I'm glad we got to see him.

Sam models his new swimwear from Grandma. The floatie vest if built right in. Handy, though it made him top heavy so he had a hard bending over and getting up when he fell.

Froggie robe, also from Grandma. All the cool people have terrycloth robes for at the pool.

Goofy froggy hat is a hand-me-down from Wisconsin friend Susie. I'm glad you like dorky hats, Sam. Mama loves them, too.

Sam's first haircut

Dear Sam,

Today you got your hair cut for the first time. You were 15 months old.

Before: We have never cut your hair, and you've got a nice head full of it. Not only does everyone think you're a girl, you can hardly see past those bangs. It's kind of has an 1980s Asian pop star look.

During: You started out great, liked sitting in the little car, and didn't flinch when she spritzed your hair with water and started cutting. It also was your first exposure to this thing called "Elmo." You seemed intrigued, since the only TV we let you watch is sports and PBS's "The News Hour."

Alicia from KidSnips (owned by my friend Sabrina's cousin) was good at cutting hair on a moving head.

But when she turned on the blow dryer to drown out the sound of the clippers, she lost her happy client. You didn't mind the clippers' sound, but hate loud noises like vacuum cleaners, blenders and blow dryers.

Mama had to hold you for the last part of the haircut.

After: I think the balloon was your favorite part of the day. Mama cried a bit because her baby is gone, replaced by a very handsome big boy.

Happy new year!

Dear Sam,

Chuc Mung Nam Moi! For your first celebration of Lunar New Year (or Tet), we took you to a party at St. Henry's Church, where everyone was Vietnamese American, except your Mom, Dad and your Daddy's friend, Dan.

Dan is married to Linh, who was born in Vietnam. Her whole family was at the party and they loved meeting you!

You got to meet Gabrielle, Dan and Linh's baby who was born last February. Isn't she cute?

You got lots of red envelopes with $2 bills in them!

There were guys playing Chinese chess.

And nuns selling sandwiches and spring rolls.

And bingo, featuring a guy who made up a song telling a story with the numbers. The whole party was very LOUD!

Of course, there was pho.

You ate the noodles.

Then we went to Mass (all in Vietnamese). I loved the music from the choir. At the end there were firecrackers and the dragon.

We have another celebration in February with the local Families with Children from Vietnam group. Happy first new year in America, Sam.

Blogging absence

Thanks to several of you who have written because you were worried about my absence from this blog (and from my Spiritual Knitter blog, too). Not only has it been crazy with the holidays and my return to work, but we have been dealing with some major sleep issues with our whole family.

Also, I wanted to return this blog to being one about adoption (both Vietnam and China), not just a showcase for photos of Sam. But I will leave you with two from Christmas, one from Wisconsin and one from Philadelphia, both with Sam's grandpas.


We have consulted lots of experts and friends about the sleep stuff. I'll blog about it when I have some time (which may not be until the sleep problems are solved!)