Last moments of summer

 

We're enjoying the last few days before Maggie starts first grade on Monday. Maggie has lost another tooth, this one the first on the upper row. We visited Grandma and Grandpa's house and did a little swimming, climbed on everything at the local playground and took a short trip to Longwood Gardens. 

JM loves to watch Keith, our neighbors, park landscapers, etc mow the grass. So he was excited to play with a mower at our friend Adam's house and at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Maggie is ready for school - her friend Sophia is in her class and on her bus, so that's making the transition to the new school pretty smooth. She's excited to buy her lunch in the cafeteria and ride the big bus. More photos of the first day of school later this week.

Getting back in toddler shape

We're starting to get back into toddler shape here - it's been a while since we've had a two year old running around the house (and driveway, and yard, and playing with the dog, and exploring everything.) It's exhausting and wonderful. 

JM is picking up some new words each day and some new songs. Though he is picking up new foods even faster. Luckily we discovered cantaloupe to add to his love of all proteins.

Maggie starts 1st grade on Monday. She's excited and we're thrilled that she'll have something of her own soon. I'm sure she'll run off the bus each day to see James though - right now she can't get enough of him. We'll have to remind her of this devotion in a few years!

Swimming

JM is taking to the water! He even pours water on his own head and doesn't seem to mind it much in his eyes. Parent & Me Swimming lessons start in September!

Week 2

JM has now adjusted to our time zone (yahoo!). In the last week we survived two illnesses (James and Maggie) and one birthday party - a much delayed gymnastics party for Maggie. New foods JM likes: eggs, tuna salad, ice cream and peanut butter. He's not a fan of Cheerios or raisins.

JM also is liking Maggie's old bike. All he can do right now is sit on it, but that seems to be enough. From time to time he tries the big wheel also.

Thanks to everyone who provided hand me downs also - I think the shirt below was originally Ben Housely's.

More later!

Getting settled

JM had a stomach bug starting Sunday, but I'm happy to report he is feeling much better. We also had a good visit with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's International Adoption Health Program - a great resource in our area for adopting families.

Now that he's feeling better, we're trying to get on a better sleeping schedule. Sometimes Mommy is equated with the "mean sleep lady".

So far, JM likes chicken, rice, applesauce (new!), bananas, mangos, puffs snacks, milk, apple juice, chocolate, donuts, guacamole, pancakes and green beans, anything with buttons (remote control, phone, etc.), Maggie and Lucy. His first understandable sentence was "No, Lucy."

More later!

We're Home!

Hi everyone - just a quick note to say we are happy to be home!

We'll post more photos up soon, but just one for now.

More later.

Love,

Amy, Keith, Maggie and JM

Korea, part 2

We're back at the Seoul airport, waiting to board our flight to Los Angeles. JM did well on the 4 hour flight from Manila to Seoul; we'll see how the 11-12 hour flight to LAX goes - fingers crossed!

We'll try to post from LA.