Tuesday, June 23, 2009

More Father's Day Weekend Pics



Father's Day Weekend

We ventured out to celebrate Father's Day last weekend. Saturday we went to Riemen Gardens to see the flowers and their dinosaur exhibit. Since we were in Ames we HAD to stop at Hickory Park for lunch. This was our first dining out experience since we returned from China. Zach was a trooper. Normally, he gets a little impatient when he knows food is coming, but he stayed content by eating raisins and looking around at all the people and pictures until our food came.

On Sunday we decided to try the hiking pack that friends gave us. We went to Jester Park and hiked on some trails. Zachary loved being up high! Dad got quite the workout! After hiking we played in the water at the play area. We didn't come prepared with a swimsuit, but Zach had fun splashing in his clothes and shoes.

Zachary had his first experience in a real pool today. We met some friends at ChildServe to swim in a warm indoor pool. Mom and Zach really enjoyed the warm water. He liked being able to touch and walk in part of it; then mom carried him around the other parts of the pool. He especially liked watching the other kids there.

We don't believe in coincidences

God taught us so many things while we waited for his timing to grow our family. It is neat to look back through our journals and blog entries and compare them to what was happening in Zachary's world at the time.......


November 4, 2006: Nancy & Lonnie went to an adoption fair. Initially we thought about waiting a few more months before submitting our application to our agency of choice (Holt), but we decided to proceed with the adoption process. China was the country that God put on our hearts. Nine months later, Zachary was born.

August 3 2007: Zachary was born in Shanxi Province, China.
August 2007: Nancy & Lonnie vacationed in northern Minnesota. This is where they purchased the first item for the future nursery--the Brian Andreas Print "Such Small Things". It says the following: For a long time, there were only your footprints & laughter in our dreams & even from such small things, we knew we could not wait to love you forever.

December 2007-December 2008: Zachary moved from the orphanage into foster care. The foster family and God prepared his heart for being in a forever family one day.
December 2007-December 2008: God prepared Nancy & Lonnie's hearts for modifying their adoption dream. He planted seeds of possibly adopting a child of either sex (not just girl as initially thought) as well as considering a child with minor correctable health concerns.

August 3, 2008: Zachary turned one!
August 2008: Mom and Dad really struggled with waiting on God's timing to build their family. Mom re-read the book The Dream Giver and was reminded how the wasteland is not a waste. She blogged her frustrations on August 10, 2008.

December 2008: Zachary came back to the orphanage and was ready for his forever family.
December 2008: Doors closed for Nancy &  Lonnie to adopt other kids--both domestic and from China. Christmas day Nancy & Lonnie informed Holt that they would be interested in adopting a child with cleft lip/palate.

January 2009: Nancy & Lonnie got a referral on Zachary

May 18, 2009: Zachary joined his forever family!

The above journey is full of God's fingerprints. I like what 1 Peter 4:12 says: Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. (The Message)

We went through some tough spots and sometimes we questioned if God was "still on the job". Now looking back we KNOW he WAS and IS on the job. We thank him for the refining he did in our hearts. Give Him the glory.



Friday, June 19, 2009

Cousins


We went to cousin Kyle's baseball game this week. Zachary wasn't too impressed by the game, but he loved walking around with aunt Linda, looking at the flowers. She event taught him to say "flower"! Other favorite words of late include hi, bye, oh boy, look, hey. We continue to teach words with sign language, which he is picking up quickly. "More", "eat", "please" and "all done" are signed frequently. Zachary's comprehension of English improves daily as well.

Zachary likes to watch Bandit when he comes out to investigate. He does not like it when Bandit sits near his toys. He must think that Bandito is going to steal some of his favorite toys!

Attached are some photos of Zachary playing with cousins Collin & Rebecca. They are thrilled to have an addition to the family. Now they are no longer the youngest! Zach is excited to meet more cousins in the upcoming weeks!

First Swim


Since it has been so hot and humid this week, we got out the little pool and went for a swim. OK, maybe not a swim--more like splashing. Zach loved it. Mom also got out the sprinkler but he wasn't so sure about that.

Zachary and Dad came down with a cold last weekend. So we have been practicing blowing the nose. Dad has it down pat;) Zachary has picked up on it pretty well too. He can blow on command--works pretty well unless he decides to do it spontaneously when he is in his car seat, out of reach of mom or dad!

Zachary experienced his first sitter this week. Aunt Marcia came over to play for a few hours while Mom & Dad celebrated their anniversary. He did great with her.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

First Haircut!!!

We assume Zachary had his hair cut in China--most likely shaved. Aunt Marcia graciously volunteered to give Zach his first haircut with scissors! He did super well. First he watched mom get her haircut. Next we placed him on mom's lap to sit for a haircut, but he couldn't sit still! So we bribed him with Cheerios in his booster seat. Amazing how it worked! Aunt Marcia gave him a full haircut. He likely ate a bit of hair while eating those Cheerios, but it didn't hurt him. Hopefully this cut will keep the busy man cool. He is one hot dude!


Thursday, June 11, 2009

A few more family photos.....


Playin' With Family


Thought we'd post some family photos from the last few weeks. Zachary has been enjoying meeting his extended family. He is a very social boy, once he realizes you aren't going to take his toys!

Besides meeting all kinds of friends and family, Zachary has had a ball exploring at several parks in the neighborhood. He has mastered walking/running on the grass without fear and has progressed to being fearless of pebbles and wood chips as well! He loves to play with (mainly watch) other kids. We imagine he used to play with kids at the orphanage a lot. So mom and Zach have had several  play dates the past few weeks. It's been good for both!

Some "firsts" the last couple weeks include going to church, playing in the basement, experiencing new food (ice cream, hot dog, broccoli), and being licked by the neighbor dog!

Feel free to stop by and play. You will fall in love with this little guy when you meet him. His smile and laugh melt your heart!






Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Cats, Swinging & Grass

Everyone keeps asking "How are the cats adjusting???" Bandit has been exhausted. He comes out briefly to see what Zachary is all about, lets him touch him a bit, then goes into the bedroom to sleep. Storm hides in our bedroom til it's quiet (nap time or bedtime), then he comes out for some lovin'.

We have been introducing the house slowly to Zachary. Too much space seems to overwhelm him. As of now, he has only seen his room, his bathroom, the kitchen and dining room. We have not  gone down to the basement yet, nor to our bedroom/bathroom. He has been getting more comfortable with these areas, now exploring on his own. He is beginning to cry when mom or dad leave the room. Our social worker tells us it's a good sign that he's attaching to us.

We assume that Zachary had never seen grass until Iowa. When we first came home he wanted nothing to do with it. He wouldn't even step on it. Dad coaxed him onto the grass last night; tonight he was running all around on it, pushing his Tonka truck around. Other "firsts" we have enjoyed the last few days include playing on the swing and slide at the park.

Zach is still adjusting to the time change. Saturday and Sunday nights were a bit rough, but we made it through. Then yesterday he had his first experience at the pediatrician---2 shots, blood test, urine sample, TB test, etc. Today he was worn out!

He has been excited to meet aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpas, and friends since we have been back. He is such a social guy! Can't wait for you all to meet him.


Monday, June 1, 2009

Videos from China

We took video while we were in China, but had no way of posting it to the blog as we could not access YouTube or the blog in China (or any video sharing website).

We received Zachary on May 18. The Story Time and the Playing Blocks video are from May 19 when we got him laughing and playing. The First Steps video is from May 20 when he decided he felt safe enough to walk around without us. It was the end of a progression of gaining autonomy from mom and dad and fun for us to watch him motor around beaming!