Update

It's been a big couple of days on the adoption front. The line between parenting and adopting is very, very blurred right now as 99% of our day is spent focusing on eating, sleeping, pooping and playing. In the back of my blurry frontal lobe I had some vague recollection that we still had more paperwork to do. Yesterday our social worker came out for our first post-placement meeting to indeed remind us that we need to fill out our name and send in more money to approximately six more government agencies. Excellent.

Just so you know, when our social worker did his first home visit back in April it was preceded by three days of deep-cleaning of our house. I also took the time to make a carrot cake from scratch including cream cheese frosting with real vanilla beans. The whole process took about three hours. It was worth it. God, I loved that cake.

This time around I vacuumed the middle of the floors on the main level of the house and made sure that Jaden's changing table didn't have feces on it (not joking...). I thought that was enough for us to be in the clear. How times have changed.

For those interested we have several steps left in the adoption process. We need to finalize the adoption in our state's court system which allows us to apply for a birth certificate for Jaden. We will then apply for a passport and a social security number. Finally, we will apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. After all of that -- Jaden should be able to pay taxes, register for the draft and begin the process of identity protection. Thank goodness. How long will all of this take? A year or more. Honestly. But, really, what else do we have to do?

We also went to the Place that Pokes Babies today. Yes, another doctor's visit. This time it was to a place that specializes in international adoptions. Jaden is nearly 21 pounds now thanks to his love affair with all things edible. He has popped four new teeth in the past week as well. But, the big event was the blood draw. I never really need to hear that cry again. Ever.

We are all back home now. Jaden is sleeping in his crib dreaming about Cheerios and wheels, Dustin is conducting a very official phone call in the office and I am ready to take a nap. After I fold some diapers, clean some bottles and contact our local immigration office.

A Happy Day

I woke up this morning and tried to remember why I didn't care that I have been sleep deprived for the past 30 days. Then, I looked in Jaden's crib and saw him scrunched up in the corner sleeping soundly -- my heart stopped just for a second as it always does. I also remembered that at 11:00 am Barack Obama would become our new President. What a day.

As I look into my son's face and think about our interracial family, I am beyond inspired by this new man who understands race better than any contempory figure I've been familiar with in this transformative era. All of the pundits and people smarter than myself have made the necessary comments upon the historic nature of this presidency. I would simply like to add that I am proud to be an American and proud to be the mother of a Asian-American child on this day.

Dear Dad

I know it has almost been a month now since we've first met. I guess I wanted to let you know a few of my favorite things. First, I love it when you make funny faces at me and make me laugh. I also really like bathtime (don't tell mommy, but you are the better singer...). It is really fun when you come home from work, I like to give you hugs even if your face is so cold. It is also fun when you read books to me. I like your nicknames for everything -- like "Diaper Dino" and "Donnie Duck." It is really funny how you press the buttons on my toys just as much as I do. Who knew we had so much in common? I do know you get tired with me at night, but thank you for coming in and talking, holding, walking, rocking, and cuddling me when I am sad. I guess I really like just spending time with you doing just about anything. I'll miss you when you are gone for your business trip.

I love you dad.

Jaden

P.S. Bring me home something cool.

Ommahs and Oppahs

My dad, keeper of all knowledge he has come across in his 69 years of life, heard me talking with Jaden about "ommah."

Dad: "Are you teaching him German already?"

Me "?" (Sidenote: I took 4 years of German in high school and couldn't remember these two basic vocabulary words. Yikes.)

To Jaden this word means "mom" and he lights up when I say it. But, he also lit up when he had both sets of grandparents visit over the holidays. He is a little skittish around strangers, and can take a bit to warm up. But, he literally flew into the arms of (German here) "oma" and "opa" from both sides. My dad claims he went into his arms a bit quicker than into my mom's, but who's keeping score? He did jump into Dustin's father's arms before I had a chance to dress him (see photo).

I've been ready to parent for a while now (I'll spare you the details on exactly how long), but I didn't know how ready I was to introduce our son to his grandparents. The love they showed this little guy just made me burst with my own love, pride, happiness...enter any other fulfilling word here.

So, whether it be his "ommah and "oppah" or his "oma and opa" -- I'm pretty sure he won't get confused as to who loves him. That = all of us.

And a Happy New Year...

Jaden's New Year's Resolutions:

1. Sleep.

2. Eat.

3. Play.

4. Use the "restroom".

5. Be cute.