While I'm at it....New Photos for all!

NEW PHOTO!!!

Hey! Here is a new photo of Lewis! He's so cute. He's in the 75% for weight and less than the 50% for height. He is 26.91 inches and 20 pounds! He drinks 5.3 oz every three hours. If I'm reading the well baby report, he's got two teeth on the bottom. He rolls over now! He also plays peek-a-boo and prefers mama. He also says, "umma" when he cries. He still has a flat head, though, so pray for that.

I think this is his foster mother in the photo. You will also notice the blanket I made for him. I think the blue fabric in back of the blanket and in front of Lewis is the Lion's onesie we sent him. Getting anxious!

New Info

Crazy happenings over here - well, I should say over in South Korea. All of our paperwork that was sent to South Korea is finished. It was supposed to take 6 weeks, but it didn't. Our caseworker said that us and another family's paperwork was the fastest she'd seen coming out of Korea! So, that being said, here's what is going to be happening next, and what you can pray for:

We are waiting on the legal documents to be signed by the Department of Human Services in Lansing. That should be accomplished some time this week. Those documents will then be delivered via my caseworker to Ottawa County Court for our petition to adopt. That should take a day or so. Then all of that information and documentation and, of course, some sizable checks will be mailed to Immigration so they can issue Lewis his visa. Apparently Immigration, while it's a slow moving machine, is moving quicker than it has on other occasions. Once the approval for Lewis' visa is issued, Immigration will cable that information to Seoul. Holt International (the agency over there) will get that information and then give us the call to go get him!

Again, things seem to be moving quicker than I had anticipated (whether right or wrong). Please just pray that Immigration will not be the hold up. I've known a lot of USCIS Agents, and granted, they're on the criminal side, but it's like anything, over worked and understaffed.

THANKS!!!

Theological Questions From a Kindergartener

Audrey and I were just talking about Heaven and Hell. We were discussing her Children in Worship story about being a fisher of men. She didn't understand what that title meant. I, being the good Reformed Baptist tried my best to explain it to her. She was asking very good questions. One of which was, "Is there sin in Heaven?" I said that there was no sin, or crying, or pain in Heaven. She said, "Because God is there?" I indicated that that was correct. She then said in a very matter of fact way, "Well, I can make myself cry." What does one say to that?! I told her that that was kind of like lying, so you shouldn't make yourself cry. We continued on the conversation which included many questions about what Satan looked like, is Satan mean, and why did Jesus go to Hell for us. Then she came up with, "Is Satan like Batman's friends?" You have to realize that all of her cousins love playing Batman. They have the action heroes and figurines. Audrey just plays along with them. I asked her what she meant by her question and she clarified, "Well, Joker's mean, and Satan's mean. Is Satan like that Joker?" I told her he was worse than the Joker and her eyes became huge. Apparently the Joker is the worst being she's ever come across.

Stressed and Working

Well, over the last two weeks I've worked double time on getting things done around my house in preparation for our little guy. I am officially stressed, but the stress level is diminishing. I've cleaned out every cabinet, closet, counter top and cranny of my house. I've never been so organized - except for when after my father visits. Meanwhile, I've had my computer crash, we've taken a mini vacation up north, and I've made 20 freezable meals. I'm tired and thankfully Todd is with Audrey so I can take a much needed rest! All I have to do this week is clean my house and enjoy my daughter! Tomorrow she is 5!!! CANNOT believe it! We'll have pictures soon.

Latest and Greatest

Well, we received a 2nd child report from Holt International (the agency Bethany Christian Services works with in South Korea). With it we received some SUPER cute pictures!!! Oh man, he is certainly filling out and appears to be kind of a big guy. We received the report 7/31/09. Apparently it was taken on June 15, 2009. He has since gained a few pounds.

According to the report he was 25 inches long and weighed 16.8 pounds. From 6/15/09 to 7/13/09 he has grown. He is now 26.5 inches long and weighs 18.8 pounds. He takes about 5 ounces of formula every three hours and empties it without a break. He sleeps from 10PM to 8AM (which is 11AM to 9PM our time - what a joy that will be to fix!). He also wakes up once during the night and takes a whole bottle of milk (Anyone else watching me squirm as he's 6 months and still waking up in the middle of the night!). He takes a nap once before noon and twice in the afternoon. He sleeps one to one and a half hours at each time. He apparently is a little "fretful" (better than saying he cries loudly as they said before :) ) before he falls asleep, but falls asleep soon after the foster mother sings him a lullaby or gives him milk. He sleeps on a mattress on the floor beside the foster mother. That is good news because I was worried about the transition from floor to crib, but if he's on any sort of mattress and not a mat, then it should be a lot better.

He likes to be bathed, but doesn't like his head wet. Lewis also likes the outside. He seems very well attached to his foster mother. He has a new one. I didn't realize this, but he was raised in a foster home in Daejeon and transferred to Seoul on April 22, 2009. He babbles a lot and giggles when he is happy. He sucks his thumb and lifts his head up when placed on his tummy (yeah!!). He recognizes foster family and recognizes when his name is called and becomes happy. He also loves to be kissed on his cheek and tickled on his feet. He snuggles often with his foster mother.

I sent his foster parents a disposable camera, and hopefully they will take pictures with it for me. We'll see. I will send him an outfit from his Grandma Coni this week along with one of the stuffed animals that Audrey doesn't like. She said she didn't like a particular, small stuffed animal, so she said Lewis could have it. Nice of her.

Here's the prayer requests: that Lewis comes when he's supposed to come and we'll all be at peace with that. We have made the decision to take Audrey with us, so pray for safety and patience.

Also, here is what my adoption case worker said in regards to our status:

"Just wanted to let you kow your child's documents were submitted to the ministry this past week (that was the last week in July)! They are reviewed there which takes about 6 weeks. During that time we are getting your visa approval here (which usually takes a little longer) and then the major steps are done!" That's all the information I have right now, but it seems to be fast approaching. I went to get a ton of food today to make and freeze, so I'll have it ready. Wish me luck!! Any healty freezable food ideas would be MUCH appreciated!!

Enjoy the photos!