A Happy Thanksgiving!

We are especially thankful for Jake in our lives this year. This was his first Thanksgiving dinner and he seemed to really enjoy the day. He had lots of cousins to play with. His favorite food was the cranberry jelly :). I remember back to last year and how difficult it was to celebrate with our travel plans uncertain. We knew that Melkamu was waiting for us, and there was no way to speed up the process. This year, we know that Zhi Gu is waiting and again our travel plans are uncertain. But the waiting is easier with Jake to keep us busy. And, we know that Zhi Gu is being cared for by his foster family. Just today we sent out the second package to him. Next Thanksgiving our family will be complete and there will be even more to smile about.

A Trick That Worked

Jacob does not like to have lotion put on him after his bath. For most of the summer, I just let go of that step. But now his skin is dry. So, the other night I put shimmering lotion on him and he giggled and giggled. He thought being sparkly was just great. I tell him that he looks like Christmas and smells like cookies. I don't know how long this trick will work, but I am happy it is working now. :)

I don't have a picture of his sparkly skin, so I will include one from Jim's birthday on the 17th. We celebrated; just the three of us and it was special.

Timmy

Timmy will soon know about us as our package with photos should arrive in China soon. I can only imagine how his brain will process the idea. Meanwhile, Jake is excited and wants to know why his brother isn't here yet. The other night, as I was rocking Jake to sleep, he looked over at the toddler bed and said, "That's Timmy's bed." Sometimes I hear him talking about his brother in his childish conversations to himself.

The idea of a second child brings up new worries about how Jake will transition. He is LOVING the full attention of both of his parents. Will he be jealous of the time we will need to give to Timmy? How will he react to my long trip to China?

I've thought of some ways to help him to understand that I will be back. Of course, we will communicate when we can, but also I thought a visible countdown might help. Something like an count-down calendar or a paper chain with messages to him from me.

It is wonderful to watch Jake's excitement and love for his brother as we all grow our hearts to include this special little boy.

Package to Timmy

As we prepared a package for Timmy, I was reminded of when we sent our package out to Jake. They actually returned the photo album as well as the voice recorded card. I remember him showing us the items at the final ceremony. He loved opening the card and hearing our message to him. This time Jake was able to help us pick out items for his brother's package.

I am less sure that any of the items will get to Timmy. Our information says that he is staying in a foster home. Is this home close to the orphanage that will receive the package? Will the items ever make it to him and his foster family? We may never know. We are allowed to send multiple packages, so I will continue each week. Even if the items do not get to Timmy, they will brighten the day of other orphans. For this first package, I included the following items: socks, a sleeper with feet, a special spoon and fork, a toy car, markers, chocolates (for the family), a nail trimming kit, a disposable camera, perfume (for his foster mom), a photo album and a book.

I hope he at least receives the photo album with labels in Chinese. We love you little guy!