Laughing

We thought we'd include some video footage of our little one. Here is Sam smiling about a month ago. We'll have some new video to post later. This is more like a test. But, you should enjoy this test!

Walks in the Complex

We are so happy that the weather has changed lately. The mornings are a bit cold still, but afternoons are proving to be beautiful. Our friends are still coming over to visit us, which I am really grateful for. I was worried that we wouldn't get out much with Sam, but there was nothing for me to worry about, since they are coming to us! When we do make it out, our neighbors are more than happy to introduce themselves and tell us what a beautiful child we have.

Most of them think Sam is a girl...now let me ask you, is this the face of a girl??

Our foreign friends all say he looks like a boy, but I'm not sure if they're trying not to hurt my feelings or what. Whatever the case, Bill and I know he is ALL boy. His forehead, eyes, cheeks (that favor my father), lips, nose and chin (that favors Bill's mom). What a gorgeous boy at that.

Sam is so aware of everything around him that it is hard to keep him happy all the time. He's started sharing his feelings with us - when he's bored, he cries; when he's unhappy; he cries, when he's lonely, he cries; when he's sleepy, he cries. But, he laughs when he's happy, and keeps a straight face when he content. He seems content most of the time, so our friends are always asking us why he's so serious. We think he's just a critical thinker. He watched Bill carve a chicken tonight and was extremely interested.

Beijing called today. They said we're only lacking one document for the adoption: the criminal clearance. We're going to go pick it up early next week. We are considering not expediting it, which would mean an 18 month wait as opposed to a ten month wait. We're thinking it through.

I suppose we'll post something when we make a decision.

By the way, don't you love Sam's hat? I thought it might be too big, but Bill said it was just right. Thanks to the Raymicks for all their hand-me-downs. All of his clothes are hand-me-downs at this point and they're all so adorable! He's growing so quickly.

New Camera

Uncle Rob bought a new camera this week and we have been fortunate enough to be his test subjects. We are required to submit five photos of our family life for the adoption dossier, and here is one that we will absolutely have to include.

Sam has grown so much over the last few months. Here is a photo of his foot from October 7, 2006 - just five days old.

And here is his foot today (notice the socks barely fit him anymore). This one was taken by Rob.

Sam has taken to reading with me. When I open his favorite book on farm life, he immediately looks to the left side of the book.

Then he helps me turn the page (wierd, I know!).

Then he looks to the right side of the page. We were all talking about it today and it seems that maybe he is mimicking his father when he reads...but who knows how he knows to do this. It could just be a fluke too, I guess. Still, we like to think he's brilliant.

After reading time Sam wanted to ride my head. I don't know why, but he begged and begged me, so I put him up there. Our home has definitely changed - notice all the toys lying around.

Here is another photo of Sam's cute little face. Don't you just want to kiss those lips! Adorable.

We've really taken to watching the American Idol tryouts this week. We have satellite TV, so we're able to watch them about a day later than those of you in the States. They are SO funny. Rob and Bill keep asking the same question over and over, "Why would their family let them try out?!" That's a great question. You guys wouldn't let me try out, would you? I sure hope you'd tell me the truth - that I am NOT going to be the next American Idol.

Dog for rent

We are almost ready to go back to the States now. We are getting our tickets together and looking around at our place trying to figure out what needs to be done. When I say "we" I really mean me - Bill is still extremely busy with work right now.

Sam is still thin, but very long. This means that he doesn't fit into most of his 0-3 month old clothes anymore because he's too long. However, it also means he doesn't fill out his 3-6 month old clothes either. I put him in a new pair of jeans today. He looks like a little hippy-ish! He also seems very serious.

We have had guests every day for the last two weeks. We also have been going out quite a bit. On Monday, we finally got our criminal clearance for the adoption! Well, we don't have it in our hands yet, but they authorized us to get it. We should be picking it up on February 3rd or 4th. That means the adoption is finally moving forward again!

My parents are planning on moving to Thailand in June or July. Part of that trip entails a training period in May. Does anyone live in NC who wants to volunteer to take their indoor small dog from them for 8 weeks? They leave May 7th. If you do, please write my email address and let me know!

Guitars, basketball and Sam (again)

We have had a great time over the last week visiting with friends and renewing friendships. The Parris family, some great friends of ours, have returned to Kunming from a six-month visit to the States. I've taken some pics with my camera phone, which aren't great quality, but will work just the same. Sam is still trying to get used to the new folks in his life, but I think he's handling it well. A few breakdowns here and there are no problem. Here he is with Aaron holding him.

Sam got to watch his daddy and Uncle Josh play basketball this afternoon. It was really neat to see Sam follow Bill around the court. It was also nice to have a beautiful day where we could sit outside again and enjoy the weather. I threw a blanket over Sam in the Baby Bjorn so that passing grandmothers wouldn't get upset about him not wearing enough. It seems to do the trick. Here is a picture of Bill doing his chicken dance and one with him playing basketball. I took them with my cell phone, so they're not that great, but I think you get the general idea.

He also got to watch a foozeball game with Uncle Josh earlier this week. Josh was kind enough to watch Sam while Bill and I played a game of Settlers of Cattan with my girlfriends, Mei Yin and Xiao Tan. I was thrilled to be able to play games again! I wish I didn't have to keep leaving the game to feed...c'est la vie. Bill won, I hear. Nobody said goodbye either, I think they might have been upset that Bill won again.

Xiao Bai, our helper, was playing with Sam earlier this week. She rigged up this little area for Sam on my rocking chair so he would sit upright to play with her. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but didn't complain.

I will leave you with the final photo, also taken with my cell phone, of Sam this afternoon. He was watching Bill and Josh play basketball, but seemed more intent on licking his furry coat than really paying attention to the court-action. This shot is of him before the licking really began.

Out and About

Things have been happening quickly since Sam was born (how many times have I said that??). I weighed him yesterday and he is about 12lbs, which is around the 23rd percentile for boys his age. BUT, he is 25 inches long - which is in the 85th percentile for boys his age. Talk about a tall kid. We have some friends whose baby, Judah, was born 3 days before Sam. Here they are together. Check out Judah's adorable dimples!

Sam, Bill and I went out to play today since the weather finally turned nice. It was about 40 degrees in our living room last night (not exaggerating, I had a thermometer) and we were really excited to see the sun shining today. Lots and lots of grandmothers came over to tell us we didn't put enough clothes on Sam (he was in four layers) and to tell us his skin is too white. Many others were surprised that he could hold his own head up and stand up with our help. Apparently they hold their babies for long amounts of time, which inhibits their muscle development.

Before Gerry Ann (Bill's mother) left, she gave Sam a little stuffed bear that she had taped her voice onto (a small recorder in his paw plays it back). Sam just discovered said bear last week and smiles every time he sees it, but especially when he hears his Nana's voice coming from it. He really likes to suck the bear's ears. Notice how Sam's hair has grown - I thought it was supposed to fall out!

We are starting to prepare our home for when we leave in late March. I have a lot of stuff to do to get ready, but I'm trying to be a bit organized about it. I only hope I can get everything done in time. We leave for Thailand (doctor's visits and vacation with good friends) on February 13th (Happy Birthday Mom!). Plus, our helper leaves on January 25th to get married again to the same guy she got married to on September 3rd (long story, write me and I'll tell you about it). So, I've got to get some stuff done before she leaves. We get back on March 3rd and will only have about three weeks to get everything together before we leave for the States. In the meantime, I'm desperately trying to continue helping my girlfriends here with some family issues.

Here are Sam and me earlier this afternoon. He was wearing so many layers he could barely move!

It seems that our email is up and running again. I will have a mass email out this week, for those of you who wish to hear more details of the things going on around here.

Blessings,

Teesa

Internet Down

Due to an earthquake in Taiwan last week, our internet lines have been down. The estimated guess on how long it will take to repair is two more weeks. So, our email is still down and we can only seldom get to certain sites. Lucky for you, this is one of them...but I will admit that it is taking a lot longer to load pages than normal. Apparently, this site is owned by Google and Google has a branch over here in China, so it can be accessed internally (within Asia).

The weather here has been pretty rotten over the last few weeks. We've had fog so thick we could barely see to the other apartment buildings, rain, cold fronts, and sometimes even sun (that's not bad, but it is so seldom!).

Sam has been battling a cold, which he promptly shared with us and our helper, who is pregnant, by the way. I hate that she got sick, but I guess it comes with the territory. We've been trying to nurse ourselves and Sam back to health. He finally had a bath today after a record SIX days without one. Poor kid got a diaper rash that beats the band.

He's really progressing lately. He's learned to put his whole hand in his mouth and he is extremely aware of his surroundings. He can push himself up when he's having tummy-time and he can hold his head up by himself almost 99% of the time now. I love that part - I really love him being more self-sufficient. He also smiles a ton and gives us at least one good laugh a day.

Gotta love that tooshy.