Sunday, December 30, 2007

Post-Christmas

Well, we seem to have survived Christmas. The not sharing and not listening has not been too bad. I think partly because they don't have much to not share. We really limited their individual gifts. I think Maicol's remote control car still works. Andrews does too. Juan has lost his Nerf gun on and off, but it still works and he can still locate a couple of darts, so that's pretty good for him. Maicol and Juan wore their new dress clothes to church this morning. They really like dressing up.
I played Candyland with Juan and Maicol last night. Juan did really well. He has played Chutes and Ladders, but didn't do very well. He has trouble with the counting and paying attention for the period of time it takes to complete the game. Candyland was much better. He was able to move his player to the colors, and it didn't take too long to finish the game. He even played a couple of short games of Uno with Maicol and I and did pretty well.
They have had a pretty good week. We managed to ride bikes a few times. Maicol and Juan were out riding today. It was just too cold for me tho. Dan took them to the Children's Museum Monday, but it was very crowded so they didn't get to do much. We used some of their Christmas money to buy a membership for the year, so we can go back later.
Lots of working to be done tomorrow. Bethany will be babysitting, so let's hope they are all still happy by the end of the day!
Have a good last day of 2007.

Karen

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Our First Christmas

Well, we've almost survived our first Christmas together. :) It has been alot like we thought it would be - fun, but mucho "mine, mine, mine". We only gave them 3 individual gifts and the rest were either for everyone or they all got the same thing. Juan managed to break his and Maicol's remote control car in the first hour. He also managed to use his Nerf gun inappropriately and lost it for the day. And that was just the first hour! Juan was probably the most excited. He was the first one up and could hardly contain himself. They woke Andrew up, so he was a little confused at the beginning I think. Maicol had a good time and I hope the day was what he was hoping for.
Dan took them for a long bike ride and a trip to the playground to try to get some of the "mine's" out of them. Not sure it helped, but it didn't hurt. They played outside some and rode the 4-wheeler.
Jonathan came last night and stayed over. We made it to the 7:30pm Christmas Eve service last night, took them to see a light display and then came home to have Dan's birthday cake. It was nice to have all of our children here for Christmas. We managed a meal together and have just hung out together most of the day.
Hope your day was memorable.
Karen


New clothes - just what he and Maicol wanted - really! They love to dress up.





Spiderman slippers!














What's going on?














Saturday, December 22, 2007

Riding the Heat Wave

Our good friend Frosty is gone. :( The boys have been lamenting the loss of the snow and their snowman. They were trying to replace Frosty's eyes, arms, etc today as he melted away and they fell off. Their constant question is, of course: when will it snow again? Maicol very carefully watches the weather forecast and listens for the word snow. He wants to know what the colors on the weathermap mean so he can see if there is snow coming.
It was in the 50's today, so of course we had to ride bikes. Anytime it's at least 32 degrees Maicol wants to ride bikes. Actually, he wants to ride his bike no matter what the temperature, but I have my limits! There were a few little piles of snow they could ride through, which is evidently great fun.
Not much going on. Playing, eating, house cleaning, baths. I finished the Christmas shopping last night after work. Now we just need to get ready for Dan's birthday on Monday. The boys are very excited about it. I think that part of the excitement also might be the fact that the day after is Christmas. :)
Have a good evening.
Karen

Frosty: the boys first full size snowman.

Frosty: on his way out in a heat wave.

Frosty: Muerto!


Riding bikes to take our minds off the loss of our good friend, Frosty!



Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Snow Adventures

Here are some of our adventures in the snow the last couple of days. They got to go sledding two days in a row. Today Dan helped them make a snowman. He is obviously much more talented in that area than I. :) They really love the snow. The first time it was cool here (50's) they complained a little about being cold, but since then they have rarely complained. Occasionally they will say they are cold, but it doesn't seem to matter to them. They love the snow and if that means it will be cold they don't care.
We went to the lab today to have their blood tests done. I had really dreaded going, but they all did fantastic. No tears and no fussing at all! There was a couple in the waiting room and I heard the wife tell her husband that he fusses more than they did. I don't think he agreed, but it was funny. We also finished the three days of stool specimens. We wanted to write something more about it, but Bethany didn't think that was a good idea. :) It has been quite an experience tho.
Not much else going on. We got some Christmas shopping done tonight. Jonathan has the gifts at his house, so we are going to have to get together before next Tuesday and get things wrapped. He didn't volunteer to do it. :)
Have a good night.
Karen

Back up the hill. Andres taking the easy way.
This is what happens when you go sledding during naptime.

Snow Angel?


Snow Angel?








Sunday, December 16, 2007

Sledding

We didn't get as much snow as we were hoping for, but I guess it will have to do. I think we ended up with about 5 or 6 inches. It was beautiful this morning when we got up. It was still snowing and the wind was causing drifts. The pine trees are really pretty with the heavy snow and ice on them. Juan thinks it is "mucho snow", so he's happy.
We went to the later church service this morning, had lunch and then came home to prepare for sledding. There's a park with good hills that is fun to go to. There were alot of people there and we had a really good time. Maicol found someone who would let him use a snowboard and help him get started. He did very well and of course wants one now. :) Juan made many trips up and down. I rode with Andres. He was happy until he had gone through his second pair of gloves and his hands were pretty cold. We stayed there a little over an hour. They are hoping Dan will take them again tomorrow.
Bethany is home and Maicol and Juan have been very excited to have her here. Andres is not so sure. He doesn't want to look at or talk to her. Not sure what's going on there. He saw her for over a week less than a month ago, so it's not like she's someone new. Maybe he doesn't like her coming and going? If I'm not here she says he's a little better with her, but when I'm home he only wants me. I guess I'm not sure he understands that she is his sister.
It's off to work tomorrow, so enjoy the pictures (cause there won't be anything tomorrow).
Karen

Maicol
Putting Andre's gloves on AGAIN.








Thursday, December 13, 2007

Semi-Productive Day

We had a semi-productive day today. Dan had a job which took most of the day. I packed up the boys and went to the Social Security Office to apply for their SS cards. All in all it went very well. They were very good while we waited for our turn and they processed our paperwork. We made a couple of other stops and then came home to ride bikes. Anyone else still riding bikes for fun in 34 degree weather? I think we're the only crazy ones. :) After we came in they helped do some house cleaning and had a really good time racing cars up and down the hallway. No naps today, so everyone was in bed and asleep by 9pm. Yeah!
Here's a picture of Maicol getting his most recent haircut from his own personal stylist. His hair is so coarse and thick Dan can cut it with the clippers.
Looking forward to our winter storm this weekend!
Karen


Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Countdown

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. When Jonathan stayed with them a couple of weeks ago he took them to the park. It looks like they had a good time. He was over last night for dinner and then a few rounds of Hide & Seek in the house.
The main talk around our house is how many days it is until Christmas and how many days until Papa's birthday. Papa's birthday is the 24th, so of course they are anxiously awaiting it since Christmas is the next day. Maicol is the only one who has mentioned what gifts he would like. Both he and Juan want dress clothes - pants, shirt, tie, vest, etc. They really like to get dressed up to go to church. Juan just keeps asking how many days and Andres says "Santa Claus" every time he sees a picture of him. His vocabulary is expanding rapidly. He even put together a two word sentence last night, so his language is coming along quickly.
We are anxiously awaiting Bethany's arrival for Christmas break. She'll be home on friday. Juan is particularly interested in when she is coming, but I'm not sure why. I'm not sure he know either. :)
They had a hard time getting to sleep tonight. I came home from work right after Dan had put them to bed, so that didn't help. They had to get up and see me and were very talkative. It's never good when you put all three to bed at the same time. Too easy to get into trouble. We threated to have a no TV/computer day tomorrow, so we'll see if that helps.
Maicol and Juan Pablo tell me there is going to be snow on Saturday, so they are very excited. Hope the weatherman is right again. :)

Karen

Jonathan & Andres at the park.
Maicol on the rock climbing wall at the park.

All dressed up to go to church at Grandma's.


At church for Thanksgiving lunch.



Saturday, December 8, 2007

More Snow

We were blessed with an additional 3 inches of snow on Wednesday night. If you know me, you know I do mean "blessed". I love the snow, but hate the cold. Too bad they seem to come together. The boys have been out at least once a day, if not twice the last 4 days. Dan took them to a park yesterday to go sledding. We've done some sledding down our next door neighbors driveway, but it's not the same as a big hill. They thought it was mucho fun! We tried to make snowmen today. We managed a small one and then later Maicol and Juan worked together to make a larger one. It's amazing that for children who have no experience with snow they know alot about it. Making snow angels, snowball fights, and making snowmen. Maicol sent Juan to collect things for the snowmans face, arms and buttons. It was very cute. We're expecting rain for the next few days, so this was the last day to play in the snow for awhile.

The snow has been our big excitement the last few days. We had our first post placement visit from the social worker this week. That went ok, I guess. The boys also had their first visit to the doctor for physicals. We need to get their labwork done before we go back in two weeks to complete the second part of their assessment. That should be great fun. :) From the experience of having their TB test placed, it sounds like Juan will be the most resistant. Oh well, some things you just have to do.

Everyone is in bed and asleep. Time for a little rest for the Mama and Papa.
Karen




Wednesday, December 5, 2007

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

This morning I got up early and found Juan Pablo and Andrew on the couch covered up in blankets to keep warm and looking bored. I knew they could not have looked out the window. When they looked at me I looked out the patio door and drew Juan's gaze with mine. He immediately leapt off the couch and started jumping up and down screaming "snow! snow! snow!" Then he made a mad dash into the bedroom to wake Maicol with the exciting news. They were all ready to run outside to play immediately. Of course none of us were quite ready for that, so I reached out the door for a snowball to show them. Maicol's goal for the last few weeks has been to throw a snowball so I let him throw it out the back door. The boys escaped outside before I was quite ready. Not having experienced snow, they thought they were ready. They didn't quite understand that there is a price to be paid for the beauty of snow. In just a few minutes Andrew came in covered with snow and bawling his eyes out. At first I assumed his brothers had done something to him, but he just held out his hands and cried "cold!" So I spent the next few minutes warming him up and finished getting myself ready. When we finally did make it outside the first order of business was to pelt Papa with a few snowballs. We then got some sleds out and went sledding down the neighbor's steep driveway. The boys spent the rest of the day with Papa picking up garage door stuff, visiting Mama at work and replacing a neighbor's garage door springs. It was after dark when we got home, but Maicol had to end the day making a snow angel in the front yard. And of course the other two then had to do the same. All in all it was a pretty good "first snow" experience.
Well, I better get to bed. Our first post-adoption home visit by a social worker is first thing in the morning.

Night ya'll,

Dan

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Spanglish

TOP 10 WORDS OR PHRASES USED BY THE BAKER BOYS:

10. I don't know. (when Maicol can't remember how to say something in Spanish:)

9. No comprendo. (when they don't like what Mama or Papa says)

8. Me no like! (when we have something to eat they've never tried before)

7. Bichicle? (when they want to go out to ride bikes - no matter what the weather)

6. Cuando snow? or Por que no snow? (When is it going to snow or why hasn't it snowed?)

5. Mira or Look Andres! (Look at what Andres is doing to get into trouble.)

4. Just a minute. (when Maicol isn't ready to get off the computer or Andres repeats it
when it is said to him)

3. Chi chi (gotta go to the potty - combined with the grabbing of the crotch)

2. Mine (whenever anyone even looks at something that belongs to them)

1. Don't touch! (used 100 times a day by everyone in the family, but primarily when "mine" doesn't work)

They use more English everyday and I am afraid in the process are forgetting their Spanish. Maicol is beginning to have trouble recalling words in Spanish. Juan still uses Spanish primarily, but is beginning to mix in some English without being prompted. Andres just repeats whatever he hears.

We are anticipating our first measurable snowfall tonight. The boys are really counting on the weatherman to be right, so I hope he is this time (although I do not look forward to driving to work in the morning in it).

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Dan & Karen

Thursday, November 29, 2007

PowerWheels

Here's a picture of one of the greatest sources of great fun and great conflict for us. Someone Dan did a job for gave him this and of course the boys love it. Problem is there's not enough battery for each one to ride as long as he wants so they must take turns. When it's not your turn it seems that everyone else is getting more time on it than you. When it's your turn it seems that you are being cheated on you share of the riding time and you accuse Mama of not being fair. This of course causes you to not be able to ride anymore for the day. When Papa tells you you can't ride anymore until tomorrow in order to let the battery fully charge you might sneak out and do it anyway because it's so much fun. Then when you're caught the punishment that is given makes Mama and Papa suffer too. It is never too cold to ride - you just need a "acket" (as Juan says).
Jonathan is coming over to stay with the boys tomorrow afternoon and evening. He has the day off work, and volunteered to come and give us a little free time. I knew that boy would turn out OK. :) Anyway, I'm not sure what we're going to do, but it will be nice to get away for a few hours. We haven't done much of that lately.
Have a good evening.
Karen




Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Happy Day







It has been a good day. The sun was shining, we got to go outside to play and everyone has had an overall happy day. We both took turns riding bikes with the boys. We went to the lake and watched the ducks. The boys took turns riding the powerwheel vehicle. We played two games of Chutes and Ladders (Maicol won both). We had dinner together with lots of funny faces made between bites of chicken. Each boy got to rock with Mama before going to bed. In other words, lots of fun and only two very brief visits to "sit on your bed" for Juan and Andres. Everyone is tucked in and asleep. Hope your day was as much fun as ours!

Karen

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving

Gee, what could we be thankful for this year? Today it is three boys. Yesterday, maybe not so thankful because they were all "little monsters". It seemed like nothing was going right, but today everyone is happy again. Dan was home with them while I worked today so maybe that was it - although they do like me much better than they used to. :)
Last year I was making the decision to actually take the plunge and adopt. Dan was going along with it. :) We had talked about it on and off for years, but never did any serious investigation into the possibilities. I had always wanted more children and it seemed the biological route had ended and we needed to take a different road. As another birthday approached it seemed it was really getting down to "now or never" and I knew I would always be sorry if I didn't pursue it. We sent in our initial application to the agency in January 2007 and in just 7 months added three sons to our family. What a year it's been! I can't imagine life now without them. While they certainly aren't perfect they are a wonderful addition to our family and have made our lives so full.
We're off to Grandma's tomorrow for a Thanksgiving weekend. It's a four hour drive which none of us are looking forward to, but it's the only way, so we'll make the best of it. I'll be glad when they can read or play games to pass the time more easily.
Talk to you after the weekend.
Karen

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Highs and Lows

What a day of highs and lows. It seemed like one minute everyone was happy and the next they were all crying for various reasons. Juan is still having trouble behaving since his birthday. At least I think that's what it is. After we tried to be as simple as possible, I think it was still too much. He had a terrible time this morning listening, but after a nap and some Motrin he was better this evening. They have stuffy noses, so maybe that is part of it too. The boys and I had a great time playing tonight. I was holding their feet so they could walk on their hands, flipping them over, standing them on their heads, etc. They were laughing so hard! I like it much better when they can go to bed on a happy note. Everyone got a chance to rock and went to bed without much protest.
Maicol is still suffering since he can't ride the battery powered 4-wheel vehicle someone gave Dan. He snuck out and rode it when Bethany was watching them and so he lost the privilege of riding for a few days. He remembers and pouts about it a few times every day.
They are still hoping for snow tomorrow, but I think the best they're going to get is some flurries.


Taking a nap with Bethany. Andres has been climbing on the couch and snuggling up to her since she's been home.
The two-head "monster".

Monday, November 19, 2007

Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Juan's 6th birthday. He did not know it was his birthday, so was quite surprised to get up and see the decorations and find out it was his day! We tried to keep it as low key as possible. Just had one set of grandparents over and had cake and opened a few gifts. The cake was nothing special - but he was happy and wanted us to sing Happy Birthday more than once. In the evening we went to McDonald's with a couple of families so the kids could play together. It was good, but I think we have been paying for it today a little. Juan has had a really hard time doing what he should. He has been very big on saying "mine, mine, mine" and "don't touch" concerning the gifts he received. He was even unhappy that I had "touched" the movie he received. So Dan fixed that pretty quickly by telling him the TV and DVD player are his and Juan couldn't touch them. Without those things the movie is useless. Maicol got it right away, but Juan took a little longer. Then he was following me around saying "touch, touch" (the movie). We're having a hard time getting them to understand the line between having things that belong to you and being reasonable about it so that others can enjoy them too. I realize they are probably not accustomed to having that many gifts at one time and being the center of attention. We'll get another shot at making it work come Christmas. The afternoon was a little better.
We're expecting warm weather tomorrow and then it will cool off and maybe S-N-O-W. They heard the weather forecast of TV tonight and are just sure it is going to snow alot in 3 days. I sure hope there's at least enough that they can see it.
Have a good night.
Karen
Enjoying a little birthday cake.
Is this a happy boy or what?

Gift from the "fishing" Grandma.

A big dump truck that makes NOISE. (what was I thinking)



Thursday, November 15, 2007

Rearranging

It has been a good day overall. Cold here, but we did go out and ride bikes and jump on the trampoline. I even jumped. Then we got into wrestling on the trampoline. It was fun and no one lost any teeth!
Juan has been arranging things in the house today. He started in the living room, then went to the entryway, bathroom and our bedroom. What he likes to do is line things up and put things out as if they are on display. He lined up the boots and shoes and then hunted up enough things to cover the coffee table and end tables. He lined up the tub toys and rearranged the things in the bathroom. He wanted to rearrange the furniture too, but I said no to that. He also did some sweeping, so I can't complain too much. He has been very "charming" today.
We're off tomorrow to attend the National Missionary Convention and see a missionary we support from India. It's a long ride in the car and we won't be traveling during nap time, so we are not looking forward to that part. I've packed toys and snacks so hopefully we'll get there without too many tears.
Still looking for snow......
Karen

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Rocking

This is how we end our days when Mama is home. The days I work 7am-11pm it's not possible, but otherwise we do it. I started out just with Andres, then a few days later Juan wanted to be rocked and now Maicol too. I think the older two especially wanted to rock at first to avoid going to bed, but even if that's the case they still benefit - they just don't know it yet. I really enjoy the time with each of them. Andres usually just grins and looks really cute. Juan many times actually falls asleep. He seems to like to snuggle up. Maicol just wants to talk. Usually about who is working tomorrow, if and with whom he can ride his bicycle, what happened during the day, etc. He doesn't go to sleep, but I still like the time and hope he has good thoughts when he goes to bed. I have to admit I do it as much for me as for them. I obviously missed doing it when they were babies, so I really cherish it now, because I know it won't be long til they think they're too big. They don't know you're never too old to rock with your Mama. :)
Good night,
Karen




Saturday, November 10, 2007

Toothless

The picture below will let you know what the excitement was at our house today. Juan lost his two front teeth! They have been loose (we think since they came to us), but of course he didn't want anyone to touch them. He had not been biting any food with them, but was always using the teeth on the sides. Hard to eat an apple that way, but he did it. Anyway, Maicol, Juan and I were jumping on the trampoline and there was a little accident between the two brothers. When Juan got up he was minus his two front teeth! Maicol was afraid he had done something bad, but I told him "it's OK" - which is a phrase he uses frequently even if it's not "OK". He still hugged his brother to let him know he was sorry. After a very few tears and a good mouthwash he is very excited to be minus the teeth. I think from what he said he thinks he'll have new teeth tomorrow. I'm afraid he is going to be really disappointed. The new ones are not even visible yet. We did find the missing teeth on the trampoline, so we have saved them. He was very excited to show Papa when he got home from working today.
They are excited to go to church tomorrow. They all went to their respective Sunday School classes last week and evidently had a good time. I'm glad to see them getting to know other kids. They seem to get along and be able to play even with the limited English they know.
Still no snow even remotely in sight. The weatherman had better come up with some pretty soon, or my boys are going to think they have been lied to. :)
Enjoy your Sunday.

Karen


Thursday, November 8, 2007

Rocks

Just an average day here. Dan worked some this afternoon and then joined us at the park to play. I think we spent almost 3 hours there. After Dan came we went down to the lake and he skipped rocks. Maicol was quite impressed. Juan and Andres just picked up rocks and sticks and threw them into the water. We haven't had much rain so the lake is low. That leaves lots of rocks from the lake bed to be picked up and thrown, which is why we spent so much time there!
I don't know when they would have had enough of it - we just decided it was time to go home and fix dinner. We did see a bald eagle while we were there. I don't think I've ever seen one (except maybe at a zoo).
The colds that Juan and Andres have had seem to be getting better. The coughing and sneezing seem to be gone, just a little runny nose left. Maicol has not been sick yet - lots of bike accidents, but no illnesses. :)
We're still waiting for our first snowfall. I think they still ask everyday if it's going to snow. I can't wait til they wake up to a good snow.
Enjoy the pictures. Talk to you in a couple of days.
Karen



Cold, wet and miserable.
Brothers

The "babies" in the baby swings.


Look, no feet!




Would you like fries with that?



Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The Days Just Fly

"Watching" a movie with Papa.
Playing Sorry with Jonathan.

Juan without training wheels!


It's been a good day - but boy does the time fly! Seems like the day is over almost as soon as it started. I was home today and Dan was home part of the day also. He finished the laundry room last night, so I worked on getting things back in there today. By the way - it looks fantastic! He put carpet down and redid/added shelves. It's so nice.
It was a little cold to be out much, but the big boys did ride their bikes a little and they all jumped on the trampoline some tonight. Juan can now ride his bike without training wheels! Maicol had been helping him and in just a day or two he was successfully riding. Not ready for a Tour de France, but he can make it down the street and turn without falling over.
Jonathan came over for dinner and to play games and do a little movie watching too. They always love it when he comes. We do too! Bethany will be coming home next Friday for Thanksgiving break. We're looking forward to having her home for a few days too.

Here are a couple of pictures to enjoy. Talk to you later.

Karen