Ian is ONE!!

It seems like only yesterday that we were bringing him home.... :-) We celebrated a few weeks ago with family and friends (my apologies for not posting sooner). We hadn't invited Mother Nature but she invited herself so we had to reschedule for the next day. We tried to keep with Korean traditions and make sure we had the 4 parts of a good Korean birthday party. #1) Wear traditional Korean clothing (we left that to Ian, who wore the Hanbok that his foster mom gave him). #2) Prayers and blessings (Rev. Grandma Henson did a nice job with that). #3) Sharing food with friends and family (we fixed Bee-Bim Bop and Seaweed soup) #4) Preforming the Toljabee (having Ian pick an item that will predict what his life will hold).


We surprised ourselves with the Bee-Bim Bop. It turned out better than our trial run at home. Woohoo!! I wanted to serve seaweed soup because I had read that many mother's eat it after giving birth and then eat it again on their child's birthday to celebrate it. I wanted to honor his birth mother in some way and this seemed like the perfect way. I'm afraid we should have done a trial run on it too, because it didn't turn out nearly as good as it was in Korea.


We preformed the Toljabee. Here are the items we had and what they stood for:
Apple - He will have many descendants
Thread - He will have a long life
Book - He will be a scholar
Rice - He will be rich
Knife - He will be a warrior
Brush - He will be a talented artist
Puppet - You can guess this one (a last minute addition from Daddy)
Ian chose the thread and then went for the rice. A great choice! I was relieved that he chose the thread...with his dare devil ways I need all the assurance I can get that he's going to live a long life!! I secretly was holding out for the apple (because of grandchildren...it is never to early to start hoping). ;-)

We also had some American traditions as well. It just wouldn't be his first birthday without letting him eat his first piece of cake! He really liked it. Cake in one hand....a Star Trek tribute with the other "Live long and prosper." He didn't get quite as messy as I thought he would, but he still needed a little dip in the sink afterward.

We all had a great time. I think Ian had the best time of all. He was working the room like I've never seen. He loves parties and especially when they're for him!! Here are a few more pictures from the party....
Ian with Grandpa Henson enjoying an inside joke.
I think Cydney might be melting here. Just too much fun...

It was so wonderful to be able to celebrate Ian with so many friends and family! I can't begin to tell you how much we're enjoying having him as a part of our family. We're looking forward to many more birthdays!

Ian has been Served!

Hopefully this is the only time in his life that this will happen. Yesterday we met our lawyer. Well, more like his assistant and saw his office. We got the paperwork started to finalize Ian's adoption. Korea's rules are that the adoption is finalized in the US, six months after we arrive home. Our court date won't be for a while yet, but I knew there was paperwork and regulations that took some time to complete, so I wanted to get the ball rolling. It was really an interesting experience. Our lawyer's assistant took us around the court house completing paperwork. Our last stop was the department that "serves" people their paperwork to be present in court. According to the law, Ian is supposed to physically except the paperwork from the Lady working in this department. "Good luck, Lady." Was my only thought. She waved the paperwork at him and he did his shy pose (burying his head in my shoulder...I love that). His thoughts probably were (sorry, if this gets old...): "This is a trick! At home they don't let me play with paper, because it tastes so good and they're afraid I won't eat dinner. And I'm not supposed to take papers from strangers." Finally I took his hand and placed it on the paperwork and they called it "served". Phew! I thought we might be there all night. We celebrated with a trip to McDonald's. That's right, we celebrate BIG at our house. ;-)

Because yesterday was such a big day Ian's cold has gotten worse. Poor guy. You wouldn't know it to watch him. He just goes about his exploring, but when you look at his little face you can see how miserable he is. A trip to the doctor didn't provide any medicine, so he's got to just wait it out. Blah.... I'm just hoping he feels better in time for his birthday party. Cydney is so excited about his party. She's been picking out dresses in her closet for a few days now. She's hoping that there will be music for dancing. :-)

How to terriorize your soon-to-be toddler....

It is simple really....go through the automatic car wash. Today I learned about Ian's biggest fear. I thought it actually might be fun and I'd get the van clean...a win win. But once we were in place and the sprayers started, so did the crying. No amount of consoling or telling him it was going to be alright made any difference. From his perspective it was like this: There is a large monster outside my window! And not the kind from Sesame Street. Oh, o.k. I think it might be gone....Oh, wait here it comes again!!!! Oh, the humanity!!!! Will this never end?? The Mom in the van was beginning to wonder the same thing. Meanwhile, on the other side of the van was a whole different experience. Cydney would squeal with delight with each passing and exclaim "Ooooo we're getting soooo kwean!!" So the lesson learned here, was to leave Ian at home next time and wait a few years before we try it again with him. Poor little guy.

We have a new place to hang out during the day. We became a YMCA family last week. It appealed to me because I could take the kids with me and they would have fun in the activity room and I'd get a little bit of exercise and wean myself from the need for coffee. Everyone wins. I knew it would be an adjustment for Ian, but he has really done pretty well. I also like it because if he is upset for very long they'll come get me. Cydney likes to run the track after I come and get them. I carry Ian as we are chased by bears, bees, or lions. Although today he wanted to run it himself. He tries so hard to keep up with Cydney. It won't be too long before he can.