Wednesday, April 30, 2008

just some pictures




These are Daddy's mad pretzel eating skills



























Leo loves to build with his "boo bocks" (blue blocks). We're not sure how the green block snuck it's way into the big tower. Such determination!








Nite-nite, Leo. Another one of his favorite pretending activities













So , once I joined our little group on yahoo, my wonderful husband started calling all of us girls(and a few guys) "Blogettes" The name stuck, and spread..... once so many of our kiddos started coming home, we decided they should become "Bloglings"

Here is our little blogling! Thanks to Jane for making the shirt!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

My first attempt at video

Ok, so here is our first attempt at posting a video.

Welcome to the viewing of : Our kid, the dog!


Saturday, April 26, 2008

Guess what.....he's still cute!

Leo and Grandma opening presents and cards - oh, how he LOVED the cards!

This is Sheila, the sock lady. I say that because whenever Leo opened socks (about 3 times) he ran over to Sheila to show her. We have no idea why she was the lucky sock lady......And she was the only one who got to see!
Leo showing off his Nike Baseball outfit to Miss Dori

Playing drums with Miss Patty


Cookie has to have some too!





Ice cream is good......but cold!







Here are some more pictures from this week. Alex's mom's friends (does that make sense) threw her a grandson shower and Leo and I got to come. Leo was so fun making new friends with all of the ladies and eating cake for the first time (gone in 30 seconds!)

He was so tired afterwards, he fell asleep in Grandma's driveway before we pulled out and ASKED us to go to bed at 7 pm! Alex had to keep him awake with books until 7:30 so he wouldn't wake us up too early on Saturday.


Also, ice cream is on his "likes" food list. So far, on his "Not like" food list is this:


(yep, nothing. This kid eats it all!) But he will occassionally share with Cookie Monster :-)


Other Leo Milestones for the week........


He started saying "Cheers" before he knocks cups and takes a sip from his sippy cup. We have to get the video camera out more often. Maybe tomorrow :-)



Leo is very concerned about where Mommy's "pee pee" has gone. (Yep, where IS my penis, haven't seen it........ever!)



Leo has been calling all people of importance - Baba. Except Grandpa, that he can say. And he is not happy when a grandma is around without a grandpa.



He sings nearly every song he hears - with some melody and hits mostly the end of the line words. We're hoping he will soon be like this little kiddo
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=29222505
By the way, if you haven't watched this video - do it now!

He cheers for people playing basketball - very loudly and even when they miss at the park.

He thinks all words say his name "L E O" he proudly announces!

When asked if he is a monkey, he replies "ee ee ee" and tickles himself, yet something else we need to capture on video.....

He LOVES tractors. He says "tractor" very cute!

He can do summersaults all by himself and is learning to jump (he can do one foot)

Leo is just a non-stop ball of energy who goes, goes, goes from the moment he wakes up until the second he goes to sleep! We're not complaining... sleeps at least 11 hours a night, and naps from 1-3 hours each afternoon. We are a very LUCKY mommy and daddy!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

uncle butch would be proud!






Leo's first pinball game!

Grandpa said he's headed to the pool hall.... he'll be poker pro and pool shark by next week!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Monday, April 21, 2008

First Family Pics!
















My friend Lacey from work gave us her time and talents as a gift for our first family pictures! There are so many great ones, it's hard to pick which ones to post, let alone which ones to print....but I'll do my best! The lighting and candids are just so amazing! We are so thankful for Lacey's fabulous work! Seriously, if you're in Phoenix, you should give her a call!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

fun day at the zoo!

Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma Stewart took Mama and Leo to the zoo today! The big hit was the Merry Go Round - oh what fun! Here's Grandma and Leo!


Can you even believe Leo got Grandpa on that thing?






I love any kind of turtles!



Grandpa and Grandma Stewart and Leo :0)
This is Leo playing with play-doh for the first time! It is fun! After Mama made him a "woo woo" (dog) Leo quickly grabbed a chunk and made something too. He proudly announced that it was a "gecko!" Little genius! It looks a little like something else.....but in Mama's eyes, it's clearly a gecko! Gotta love the counting geckos book we read 7 times a night!



Daddy's future hockey star!



Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Race tracks are fun!




Thank you, Hegi and family for the race track - it is super cool!


My aunt Sue also sent us an ice present and a really nice poem I wanted to share with all of you. It was originally given to her by my Grandma Flo...... (Thanks Sue!!!)


To My Mother

When Jesus decided to send me

From Heavens skies of blue

He searched the wide world over

For a woman, kind and true

Someone to love me always

Someone to keep spot lessly new

One who would really want me,

He wished his own mother would do

But then, at last, my Jesus found one

Who was as good as she could be

She had been watching, yes, longing

For a baby, just like me

So, he wrapped me in a fluffy cloud,

Tied with a ribbon blue, and

Slid me down the rainbow,

Yes, mom the Earth ---and you

Amen


Learn Chinese!

Timeline


January 8, 2007 Attend Adoption 101 Information Session in Mesa, AZ
January 22, 2006 - Apply for preapproval from our agencyand Taiwan
January 23, 2007 - Application for USCIS (I-600A) form submitted
January 28, 2007 - 1st Homestudy meeting
January 28, 2007 - Sign adoption contract with our agency
January 29, 2007 - Approved to adopt from Taiwan
February 1, 2007 - Clearance from state of Arizona
February 6, 2007- Maricopa application to adopt is filed
February 13, 2007 - Clearance from state of Michigan, Medical clearances, and Fingerprint invitation arrive from USCIS
February 24, 2007 - Fingerprinted for USCIS
March 11, 2007- Homestudy Complete and Court Certification from Maricopa County received
April 28, 2007 - Homestudy is translated into Mandarin
July 1, 2007 - Finally receive 171-H in the mail
July 6, 2007 - Get new case manager
July 22, 2007 - Sign adendum to contract
August 8, 2007 - Our lucky day! Referral for Lin Kai-Yi, born 6-3-06
August 8, 2007 - accept referral
August 13, 2007 - Sign Child Referral Agreement
August 23, 2007 - Paperwork arrives in Tucson
August 24, 2007 - Paperwork arrives to us
August 26, 2007 - Documents notorized (How many adults does it take to use a stamp?)
August 28, 2007 - Documents certified by AZ Sec. of State
August 29, 2007 Documents sent to TECO to be authenticated
September 4, 2007 - Documents arrive in Tucson from TECO
September 6, 2007 - Documents sent to Taiwan! YEAH!
September 10, 2007 - Update day! We receive 4 pics and a video!
October 2, 2007 - Receive word from TWCA that our hearing date is October 9, 2007 (this happened extreamly fast!)
October 9, 2007 - Keep your fingers crossed for a quick 1st ruling (even better yet, keep your fingers crossed for a final ruling!)
October 11, 2007 - October updates are here!
October 19, 2007 - Receive more pictures and videos from Ray's visit to Taiwan!
November 5, 2007 - November updates are here!
December 2, 2007 - December updates are here! Can't believe there has been no news all month!
December 13, 2007 - FINALLY! Word of our First Ruling! Yippeee! It happened on Dec. 13th in Taiwan (yesterday here)
January 4, 2008 - January updates
February 4, 2008 - February updates
February 28, 2008 - Leaving for Taipei!!!
February 29, 2008 - Arrive in Taipei!
March 4, 2008 - Gotcha Day! Can you even believe it!?!?!?
March 5, 2008 - FINAL RULING FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! (by the way, our paperwork says the final ruling was issued December 24th!)
March 6, 2008 - First AIT appointment
March 7, 2008 - VISA DAY!
March 10, 2008 - Leave for home!
March 10, 2008 - Arrive home with our boy!!!!!!!!!!!
July 5, 2008 - Find out about Wil's arrival!
March 10, 2009 - Wil Shan-Yi Shaffer is born at 3:38 am 8 lbs. 4 oz. 20 inches long