10 month anniversary... riding the roller coaster

This month was like a roller coaster! June got off to a very rocky start for us. Our littlest angel would've turned four years old on June 2nd. This is the third time we've spent her birthday without her. It was, by far, the most emotional one.

I hate to admit it the many things that I took for granted with my daughters...like time. I thought, 'There will always be tomorrow." Looking back, I see how foolish I was. And thankful for how much I have changed since. I savor my time with my family much more than I used to. and try my best to make every moment I have with them count because things could change in the blink of an eye. After losing Katy, I doubted myself as a parent-- if I even deserved to be one. And then God blessed me with a son. Worried about tomorrow??? No. Tomorrow will take care of itself. I'm HERE today and savoring every little one of life's moments.

My "Blessings" sending birthday wishes to their sister and her angel friends.

Also during the month of June, however, Spunky Monk grew by leaps and bounds. Here are some of June's notable firsts:

First food that he fed himself... applesauce
First time drinking clear fluids in a bottle... Wow!
First sign: "More"
First steps:June 16th!!!

Spunky can really get into his dinner!
~ The first time feeding himself~

Because of the language delays, we started using signing to help Spunky communicate. He comprehends so much more than he is able to express. How frustrating it must be! I can only imagine what I will do when I hear him say "I love you" for the first time.... better stock up on the tissues!

The personality continues to explode. He really is quite the character. He doesn't like the way that his daddy makes his dinner, so he'll take the bottle from Dad and sit it in the palm of my hand. Heaven forbid it be in a tinted bottle or have anything other than a purple ring on top because he will absolutely refuse it. He will inspect it to make sure you have it right too! I just love his little quirks.

Spunky and his trusty little sidekick "Gentle Ben"
Nothing gets past these two!

He is SO much like his big sister...

It has now been ten months since we first held our little boy...and it is still surreal. At this time last year, I was eagerly waiting for the Fed Ex stork to deliver our confirmation letter from China. I had already packed for our trip several times over and couldn't fathom the enormity of our impending adventure. Just one year later, here I am... trying to post a new entry before my sleeping giant stirs this morning. There are several things that he simply can't resist... tractors, telephones and technology! And, of course...his mommy. =)

Tractors...don't leave home without 'em!

Then: June 4th, 2008... XuZhou City SWI

One year later...

Time to go! Spunky Monkey is starting his day!!! =)