The Beach

Kevin's brother was camping at the Indiana Dunes State Park so we decided to "visit" for the day. We visited at the campsite for a bit, playing corn hole and ate dinner-but the favorite thing for the kids was going to the beach area (Lake Michigan for you out of towners). Hannah and Emily absolutely LOVE the beach so it was not surprising that this was a great time for them. Our sister-in-law took some amazing pictures of the girls. (Thanks Traci!!!) Here are jsut a few.....

August-A Month of Firsts

A few "firsts" occurred in August.

Hannah's first day of school. She was so excited and scared to start 3rd grade. She heard so many stories about how old and how mean her teacher is this year. Well, after meeting her, Hannah says she is the nicest teacher in the school and says she is "not THAT old". Honestly, she looks to be around 30!!! She has the same bus driver, who also happens to be a friend of ours, and loves Hannah. I think it will be a good year!!!

Emily had her first official hair cut. I was cutting her bangs at home but not ALL of her hair. She did really good. Smiled through the cut and seemed to enjoy me taking her picture through the process. The hairdresser, Ann, was wonderful with her. She looks so different with her hair cut short. It can now grow out at one length and it is out of her eyes. Yah!!

A new baby is born into our family. Our niece, Ashley, gave birth to LAYLA on Fri the 13th (Aug). SHe is so adorable-and little!

Hannah celebrated her 8th birthday party. Her birthday is Aug 20 and we usually celebrate her birthday with a party on Labor Day weekend because everyone is over at our house for the 1st Notre Dame game of the season. However, this year she decided she did not want to share her day with Notre Dame. Hmmmmmm, who can blame her. She deserves her own day. The thing with late August is you can NEVER tell what the weather will be like in northern Indiana. Well, it was HOT-and the party was outside. I suppose it could have been hotter-but it was still hot.

OH-YEAH

Hannah would not forgive me if I did not tell you all she finally "lost" one of her front teeth!!! She wanted to lose that tooth so bad. Her friends are losing them left and right and she has only had 2 baby teeth come out and they needed to be pulled. She worked and worked on this front tooth for about 1 1/2 month, but it would not come out. We ended up having it pulled in order for the permanent tooth to come in. Dentist fears we may need to pull ALL of her baby teeth when they are ready. ARG!!!

FTIA Reunion Picnic 2010

This was FTIA's anniversary year get-together in Noblesville, Indiana. All the children who have been adopted in forever families (who were at the picnic) placed their hands in paint and then put them on the banner. Each different color of handprint designates where that child was born. All the red handprints were from a child adopted through FTIA from China. They say the banner will be displayed at the home office in Evansville, Indiana.

Hannah and Emily's handprints were put together with the year they where joined with our family and are joined together on the front of the banner with the word "Sisters".

The day was HOT and not many of Emily's group were able to make it but we did have a good time talking and catching up as the kids played together. Hannah's group did not meet at this picnic because we decided to get together later in the year with cooler weather in Southern Indiana. We did meet up and conversed with Betty Betz. She was with Hannah's group in China part of the time and was actually our coordinator from FTIA to help us get Emily when we did. When we were in China to bring Hannah home she was adopting an "older child"-"Sela". I remember thinking in China what a difference in age Hannah and Sela were at that time. Hannah is now the same age Sela was when we were in China. Amazing how fast the years go by. This is a picture at the end of the day of Emily with her "China Sister", Hannah G, and our Hannah with Emily's "China Brother", Jack.


They had games, face painting, tattoos, and of course the famous carrousel ride. Emily loved riding the "horses". I love this picture of her and her dad stealing a kiss and sporting their tattoos on their arms, although Dad's is real. She was so hot the paint on her face ran right down her face and by the end of the day she looked like she had a big smudge of grease or dirt on her face instead of a pretty blue and black dolphin.

"The Hannahs", as they have become known as, having a good time at putt-putt golf with Hannah G's dad, John. I think he did FINALLY get that ball in that hole.

We did not get a picture of our dinner on this evening, but we were thankful to have been able to meet up briefly with one of Hannah's "Chinese Sister's" family, the Magers, for pizza.

It was a very nice relaxing time in air conditioning before heading home 2 1/2 hrs in car seats.

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Driving home, Kevin "Snuffy" and I were discussing how lucky we are to be part of two awesome groups who we consider part of our extended family. All of our children play great together and even the older children in both groups look after and play with the younger kids as a family would do. Our only regret is that we eventually need to say good-bye (and most of the time with tears in our eyes) and drive back home saying to each other how we wished we all lived closer together. We ALWAYS miss them all and keep them close in our our thoughts and our hearts as they are all so very special people and have become so special to us.

July Update-vacation

We went on one of our annual vacations this month. We first met up with Hannah's China sisters (china travel group) in Fishers, Indiana. We started off going to Conner's Prairie. It was a very hot day but the girls seemed to enjoy themselves. They visited a colonial town, where they dipped candles in hot wax and learned about life in the "old days" and an indian village, where the girls practiced their spear throwing and animal trapping.

The girls (Hannah, Aubrianna, Annaliese, Emily, and Violet)

taking a "ride" in canoe made from a tree trunk.

Emily taking a break in the flower garden

The gang spent some time just hanging out at one of the family's home. The girls all played together. It amazes us everytime we get together that the girls never have a moment of shyness or a need to get to know each other since the last time together. They just start talking and playing as if they see each other every day.

All the girls together at the Magers' home.

(Thanks so much for your hospitality)

We seem to always go to breakfast together before we all head our separate ways to go home. This year we went to Cracker Barrell. (And just to say-they have some awesome blueberry pancakes.) After some of the families left for home, we stayed with another family and went to the childrens' museum in Indianapolis. The girls seemed to really enjoy this. They seen real dinosaur skeletons and petrified dinosaur eggs. They played Barbie's fashion designer and dressed as Barbie walking down a runway with photographers. They played in a make believe ice cream parlor and rode an antique carrousel. I think the best part though was when Emily danced in front of a crowd with the Disney Radio DJ and dancers. Everyone was watching her and clapping her on. She must have danced in front of 75 people. She is definately not shy.

After returning home, Hannah had her gymnastics team try-outs, which laster for a week. She was very nervous that week and she did made the team at level 4. We now spend 8 hours a week in the gym learning her routines. Her first gymnastics meet is in September at her home gym. Then she has the opportunity to compete in a meet approximately 1 time per month. YAH!!!

At home, we had a few days left before Kevin needed to return to work so we took the girls to St Joseph Michigan, where there is a nice beach on Lake Michigan. The girls played and played in the water and in the sand that day.

Hannah running through the tide.

Emily getting another bucket of water for her sandcastle.

The next day we relaxed at home and did some doctor appointments.

Then........back to reality, as we know it.

All in all it was a wonderful time spent with family and friends.

We miss them already and can not wait until we see them again in the fall.

June updates

Beautiful sisters!!!

Emily-

Seems to be excited about pre-school next year. Every morning she asks "I go to school, Mama?" Her speech seems to have taken off. She is speaking in really good sentences. It is really great to hear her personality come out. She has had some issues with bloody noses and allergy symptoms. She will be seeing a ENT July 1 to check her tonsils and adnoids. Other than that she continues to be happy and healthy. She does not know a stranger. We kid all the time that she is going to grow up to be a WalMart greater. She seems to love the outdoors but we have noticed she sweats SO much from her head. Just look at the picture below. And that was not a really really hot day!!! Just wait until it gets in the 80's.

Emily drawing and coloring a "flower" with side walk chalk

Every parent needs a picture to use as bribery in their child's future. This is Emily's picture. Snuffy can"t wait until her wedding day!!!

She has found her hips and she knows how to use them!!!

Hannah-

Has finished up the 2nd grade and looking forward to the 3rd grade. She is under the assumption that 3rd graders have cell phones. Sorry, Hannah :-) She is going to be busy this summer with swimming and gymnastics. She tries out for the gymnastics team the end of June. We are also getting together in June with Hannah's chinese sisters in Fishers, Indiana. This is always a good time!!! And she is going to be busy with mom this summer. Yes, I said "mom"!!! I am going to be a temporary "at-home" mom for the summer. So, I am hoping for a nice cool summer!!!

The next American Idol?

Hannah's bribery picture!!!

Just chillin' near Dad's garage

April Update (A Little Late)

Wow-it has been awhile since our last update. April seemed to come and go and we are already into May. All we can say is "Life Happens"!!! So we are going back into April for this update.

Easter landed in April this year so we will start there. Emily and Hannah went to the annual easter egg hunt a tthe town park. Hannah returned with a half bucket of eggs/candy in her bucket. I felt so bad for Emily as she had picked up 3 eggs and 1 piece of candy. One of her eggs was plastic and 2 were real. It had started to sprinkle a little so we decided to go home before the downpour of rain hit. As we are driving away, the girls open up the plastic eggs to see what kind of candy was inside. Emily's lonely plastic egg revealed a PRIZE EGG!!!!! Now, let me just tell you. I have been to that easter egg hunt ALL my life with my family and NONE has EVER found a prize egg. Emily picks up 3 eggs and just happens to pick up the prize egg!!! So we head to the American Legion to collect her prize and they were giving out free hot dogs, potato chips, and pop to not only the kids, but to the adults as well. My (Rusti's) mom is serving the hot dogs, my nice was serving the potato chips, my sister was pouring the pop, and my brother-in-law was taking the pictures of the event. You have to love a small town!!! Here are a couple pictures from that day.

Also in April, Hannah had a musical at her school. All the songs were related to recycling and taking care of the earth. All the kids even made an instrument from recycled goods. Hannah made a drum out of a gallon vegetable can. The teacher told all the kids they had to wear their "dress" clothes. Here are pictures of Hannah modeling in her clothes. Oh my............

And I think we told you about our new addition to the family, however, here is his first picture fo you to enjoy. This is "Sam K", our guinea pig. We had another but it did not work out as he seemed to be a biter and a fighter. Good thing he came with a 7 day guarantee. He went right back to Pets Plus!!!! Sam K is a good guinea pig though..... or as good as a guinea pig can be. He does seem to poop ALOT!!! But he is so cute and when you hold him and pet him, he purrs just like a kitten. Did I mention that he poops ALOT?

Emily-1st Gotcha Day Get-Together 2010

Gotcha Day Get Together 2010

This past weekend we traveled to Cincinnati (Home of the Bearcats) to meet with Emily’s travel group. We drove down Friday afternoon and after checking into the Holiday Inn Express in Sharonville and taking a short break (30 minutes) we met a lot of the group at the Blue Goose Sports bar for dinner, after a short wait we were all seated in the same area and had a great dinner. (Thanks Eric for going early to arrange this). After dinner we went back to the hotel and our Hannah and Hannah Gross just had to swim. On Saturday we met (with an even bigger group) at Larossa’s Pizza for lunch and a few cupcakes (thanks Felicia & Matt). After lunch we headed to Sharon Woods and the kids (and adults) visited and played all day, we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for March. All the families are doing great, it’s amazing what real American food will do. After some family’s left we decided to go to I-Hop for dinner, us and three of the other family’s had a great dinner and then the sad part came, it was time to part ways. A little teary eyed we went back to the hotel and once again Hannah & Hannah had to swim. Sunday morning we had breakfast at the hotel with the Gross’s and then headed north towards home. We had a great weekend but it seemed way to short. It was great to see everyone again. Even Hannah had a great time with Emily’s “China Cousins” as she calls them and their siblings. The bond we share with both of our (very wonderful) travel groups is hard for some to imagine but as Kevin (Snuffy) says it’s like we have four sides to our family, we have his side, my side, Hannah’s group and Emily’s group. We also have some very wonderful neighbors, I guess that makes five sides. We are very blessed!!! We hope we can continue to keep these groups together and meet for a long time to come. Also I would like to say thank you for the hospitality of our Cincinnati families and thank you for all those who helped in the planning of the weekend and researching the hotels for us, everything was perfect !!!! We look forward to seeing everyone in July at the FTIA reunion. Maybe there will be three boys from Cincinnati (Bearcat Fans) sporting their new “NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH” tee shirts.( We love you Shannon, Eric and boys as well as everyone in our groups) God bless everyone and have a great Easter.

Hannah and Hannah playing with Emily while waiting for spaghetti and pizza

Sadie "teaching" Emily

Emily sliding into Hannah, the monster of the playground

Hannah helping Jack on the bridge (Buddies)

1 YEAR FOR EMILY

It will be one year this Tuesday since we had Emily placed in our arms for the first time. In one way it seems like a dream, but in another, it seems like just a few months ago. She has changed so much. When we brought her home at 2 1/2 yrs old she was just wearing size 9 months pants. Now 1 year later, she is just growing out of size 18 month pants and wearing big 24 month pants. IT has been amazing to watch her change in such a short time. She is talking and playing ALL the time. This weekend we are traveling to see our travel group for the first time since last summer. I am sure all the kids have changed so much. We are so excited and it will be very nice to see them all.

Ever since Hannah met Emily, she has been the big sister to her. This includes being the bully of the two. We kept telling Hannah that one day EMily was going to grow up and was going to "get her back" for all the "things" her sister has done to her. I was taking a picture of the two in the bathtub and Hannah was doing her usual pose when Emily finally got her. Well, it looks like she got the best of Hannah this time!!! SISTERLY LOVE!!!

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY!!!

We are pleased to announce our newest member to the Chlebowski family. THis is "SAM K". I do not know how Hannah came up with the name but she was determined to give him this name. He is a 2 month old guinnea pig. We figured it was this or a dog and since we are not home all day, the guinnea pig won out. (Plus he is nocturnal so he sleeps all day when we are at work/school) In a couple weeks he will be getting a "companion" so he is not lonely in the cage. Wonder what his name will be. Yes-it will be a "he" as we do not want a bunch of lil' baby Sam Ks running around.

Just a quick update on Emily'. We had her tongue follow-up appointment and all seems to be doing well. She continues to develop the muscles in her tongue. The surgeon feels this may take up to a year. For example, she is able to stick her tongue out more but does not seem to be able to lick her lips. Her language is getting better. We often have difficulties understanding her but I think this is just being "3". We signed her up for preschool so she can be around children her own age. We did keep her back one year so she will be starting kindergarten at an older age. From the kids we saw going into her class, she still is the smallest of the kids. And she appears to be the most out-going of the bunch.

And a quick update on Hannah. She received her report card and was on the A/B honor roll again. She seems to be counting the days until summer break. She has her first musical this week. She is singing 5 songs and playing a home-made drum to a recycle song. She continues to be doing her gymnastics. She is almost able to do her back handspring on her own. Her coach feels she can do it on her own but she seems to be afraid of falling on her head. hmmmmmmm. We re traveling in June to see her "China Sisters". Her latest "thing" is reading Harry Potter. Have you seen these books? WOW!!! Big books with big words. She seems to understand them though. She continues to love anything to do with wizards and wizardry. We have been able to keep this on a level of Harry Potter and Wizards of Waverly Place though. I ask her often to use her wand to make the clothes fold themselves, but no luck yet........

Until the next update-be safe and healthy-and know that you are loved!!!

February Update

February in the Chlebowski household has been..........interesting!!! Hannah continued with her light case of the chicken pox. She had about 20 pox on her whole body!!! Now let us tell you-she had the vaccine for chicken pox 2 times. She had the vaccine in China but due to poor records of her vaccines and the amount of serum she received, she received the vaccines a second time!!! Santa Clause got Hannah a guitar for Christmas and she has been strumming to Taylor Swift songs in effort to survive the boredom of having chicken pox . Even though she has been playing with the guitar since Christmas, the picture looks better than it sounded, really :-). I think we may need to beg her Uncle Scott for some basic lessons, but until then, she seems to be having fun with it.

Hannah missed a week of gymnastics due to having the chiclen pox, but the next week was "watch week". This means I can go upstairs and take pictures!!! Hannah is in a bluish leotard in the bottom (3rd) row behind the girl in the green/black leotard.

A new family picture is taken!!! All the adoption families know what this means-HOMESTUDY UPDATE. Our 1 year update for Emily's adoption. WOW-where did that year go? Since our 6 month homestudy update, Emily (3 yrs old) has grown 2 inches (35inches), but appears to have not gained any weight (26.5). We had a family picture taken for the 6 month report, however, they were asking for a new and different photo. So thanks to one of our wonderful neighbors who was able to get a decent family photo the day before the homestudy appointment!!! Here is our "new" family picture.

When Hannah had the chicken pox, everyone was telling us that she had them light because she had the vaccine. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Guess what? The second week starts off and Emily REALLY broke out with the chicken pox. Vaccine, hmmmmm. She actually had to have the vaccine in China before we could take her out of the country to return home (thanks to the Hague Treaty) She had a fever for days and the spots just multiplied every day. I took several pictures of her skin. Here is one of her face when they jsut started to show up. As of today they are pretty well done and scabbed over. During the "high-itch" period she was so cute. We told her to try not to scratch herself with her nails so she moved around the house leaning on the furniture and walls.

Due to the chicken pox, her follow-up appt for her tongue surgery has been changed to February 25.

January Update

Just an update because I know some of you are watching and waiting for one.

Of course I had to put a sister-picture in here!!

EMILY is doing well after her tongue surgery. She has started eating meat and seems to be swallowing more of it, which is a huge improvement. Her communication seems to be getting better too. We are not sure if it is from the surgery or just more time listening to the English language. Her follow up appointment is Feb 8 and we are expecting a good report. She has fallen in love with Barney (the purple donosaur) and sings the song "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family, with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you-won't you say you love me to?" The problem is she can not seem to remember it all so we all end up singing it ALL day!!! After 9 months, she is really attaching herself to us. I know I said that about 4 months ago but it seems even more now. She seems happy and content in her home and those around her. At night she continues to say "My Mommy, my Daddy, my Hannah". And when we put her to bed we go through ALL our family and friends and give each one of them a blessing-then Emily will lay in bed and quietly repeat "....and God bless Mommy, and Daddy, and Hannah, and Mike, and Marie, and Dawn, and "Misser" Denny, etc........." Oh.....and the really good news-Emily is potty trained!!! It took 1 day!!! She is wearing "big girl" undies day and night without accident-even when we are out on the town!!! Here is a picture of her washing her hands after using the potty.

Hannah seems to have an unendless love for Emily as only a sister can have. There are good days and there are bad days, but at the end of the bad days, there are lots of hugs and kisses. They seem to be becoming good friends as well. They are playing more together without us to "referee". One of our dear friends are waiting to hear about a possible adoption of a child from China, which Hannah is all excited about. Now she thinks we should adopt a big sister for her. (Thanks-"dear friends") For those of you waiting for our announcement on this-we will not let you wait long, as this is not going to happen. We are very happy as a family of 4. That and I just received my 25th school reunion notice that said "please bring your grandkids". Wait until they see my 3 and 7 yr olds!!! Sorry-I digress-back to Hannah!!!!

She is flourishing in gymnastics. She almost has her back-handspring by herself and has been perfecting jump roping and doing cartwheels on the balance beam. She will try out for the team in July. We just found out that there are several on the team who are qualifying for Nationals in order to try out for the Olympics-So, this is her goal now. She has also recently entered the life of Harry Potter. (Oh boy!!!) And she has even made a wand out of restaurant straws to do her "spells". Too bad she has not figured out how to get the laundry folded with that wand!!! Hannah came down with the chicken pox this past week (and yes, she had the vaccine). She had to miss her cousins birthday party as some of the invited friends have not had them. So I kept her home with me. Now, I do not know what you do in this situation, but decided to have a blanket toga party. Of course I was on the OTHER side of the camera, but you can tell from the picture that we enjoyed some dancing in our toga outfits.

Emily's Surgery Update

The surgery is done!!! At 7:00am on January 7, we gave Emily the controversial Versed Syrup. After giving it to her and driving approximately 2 miles I noticed it had hit Emily. She was very quiet and was drooling. She was answering questions very very slowly-but was not "out". At one point she had her hand in front of her hand and was studying it as if she had never seen it before or could not figure out what it was. Once at the surgeon's office she wanted to walk but she just could not figure out how to put one foot in front of the other and would fall into our arms. After trying several times to walk unsuccessfully, she laid on the floor with a smile on her face saying "I uv ew daddy", "I uv ew, mommy". At around 8:10am, we handed Emily to the nurse for her surgery.

At around 8:30am, we were told the surgery was done and Emily was in the recovery waking up. She looked so little on the recovery bed with a wool blanket covering her. They ended up giving her an injection to "put her out", but it really did not take her long to wake up. Once she was awake, we took her to get a scoop of vanilla ice cream. She got to eat ice cream and popsicles throughout the day. She refused to stick her tongue out or move it from side to side for the first couple days, despite the surgeon telling us she HAS to do it so the scar tissue does not "close" it back up. Really, how do you make a toddler stick out her tongue when she has never been able to do so?!?! It is getting better now. She still doesn't stick her tongue out or lick her lips, although she is trying to. It is like she has not figured out which muscles it takes to do this.

I have seen a difference in the way she eats though. She is really opening her mouth for her bites of food and is actually starting to chew her food and move the food slightly in her mouth with her tongue in order to chew it up. Since the surgery, she has not had to have us "clean out" the excess food in her mouth. I seem to hear more "T"s and "L"s in her speech. She is still drooling ALOT. There is still "burned" tissue in her mouth as the new tissue grows to replace it. Her follow-up is set in 1 month.

Christmas 2009---New Year 2010

As we celebrated Christmas and as we begin a new year, we do not forget what we are thankful for.

• For starters we have a wonderful and healthy family-starting with our new addition to the family this year, Emily, who always has a smile-even through her tears. She has a smile and a hello for everyone she meets.


• Hannah has grown in so many ways and is becoming a beautiful lil' lady inside and out. She has discovered the world of Harry Potter and The Wizards of Waverly Place this year and is convinced we are keeping the secret from her that she is a real wizard.


• We have 2 wonderful "travel groups" who we do not see enough, but are greatful for. They are truley our our girls' "China families". Adoption is a stressful and frustrating experience that that brings total fulfillment in your life and it is a true blessing that we were able to share this with so many wonderful families.


• In these difficult times, we are been blessed to still have our work as many in our area have been laid off this holiday season. Kevin has transfered from GM to Nissan , and I continue to help help run the Alzheimer's unit and direct the social work department at St Joseph's.


• Kevin's brother had an emergency by-pass heart surgery November 22. The doctors say they never seen anyone survive following an 8cm aneurism-his was 10!!! Despite these extraordinary odds has returned back to work at the fire station!!!


• We just found out our niece is going to bless the family with a baby around August 19, 2010. The last word on the name is "Molly". (Now watch her have a boy.) Good thing she did not break the news before her dad had the heart surgery, huh?


• Kevin and I have been also been blessed with 3 great nephews on my side of the family this past year--Lucas, Heiden, and Calen. All these boys and all we have are baby girl clothing!!! Good thing most toys are universal.


• And I could not leave out our neighbors, who are the best friends we could have (other than you!!!). From reading the Sunday paper together in the summer to our neighborhood garage sale to Notre Dame garage parties (yeah, for the new coach-sorry Shannon & Eric!!!) to ice cream sundae parties, we could not ask for a better bunch of neighbors who have been a good support for us and the girls. And to think I did not want to live in a sub-division!!!

Life is good and God is gracious. Enjoy some pictures taken since our last post

Emily loves to talk about Santa and even told Santa "I uv ew", but when it came her time to sit on his lap..........NO WAY!!! Maybe next year!!!