Overheard

Many of the kids' most intersting discussions happen in the bathroom. For whatever reason, this is a time they do NOT want to be alone. The other day, I overheard Jacqueline telling Cameron “that it helps to squeeze your pinky finger”. So I peeked around the corner and, sure enough, Cam-O was on the potty squeezing his pinky. I couldn’t contain myself, so I asked “What are you doing?” Jackie replied “it helps the poopy come out.” Seriously, will we EVER be out of potty/poop obsession phase?

Since she doesn’t sleep in her crib, Lucy might as well get some shut-eye in the pool. (Taken with my cell phone camera)

Post Placement Visit

Tomorrow we have our first of 3 post placement visits by our LFS social worker. Once they are all completed, and the gobs of additional paperwork are submitted, we petition the courts to adopt Lucy! So I'm just about to start the paperwork due tomorrow and print out pictures to submit. I'm debating whether or not to include on our report Octupus arms, Lucifer the No Napping Cling-On, Scheming older siblings, Alcoholic parents, Oversexed dogs and a Triple Tornado House.

Unfortunately, we couldn't get Lucy to smile at all! These will have to do for now.

Full House

We are outnumbered. Both with kids and dogs. We added another dog to the mix, so we started drinking. Heavily. Bob, our new tennant, is not a regular, just a temporary. But he initiates the Mob Mentality. Something my sister knows all too well. So when Bob starts barking, Happy & Spanky start barking. No one knows why they are barking, they just do b/c the others are doing it. Also Bob never stops moving. I never realized how lazy my dogs were until we had Bob. Now they all walk around constantly. Pitter patter...pitter patter...

My help has all fallen to the wayside. Dave is on bedrest, due to a minor procedure in the nether regions (10# lifting restriction). Deane had major surgery last week and can’t lift over 10# for 6 wks. AND my neighbor leaves me, intermittently, to take care of her own children. The NERVE of these people! So I’m devising a way to make all of my children weigh 9.5#.

On to the kids that have outnumbered us. Dave and I have long forgotten about the Octopus Phase, in which the kid you are holding has an unbelievable ability to grab tons of crap in front of you at lightening speed. We remembered this phase today with Lucy.

Jackie and Cameron have decided to change their names to Daisy and Bubby- no joke. Jackie also said Lucy will change her name to Georgia Grace, b/c Jackie likes that better.

Last night, Chad put together the larger kid table. He had 4 kids helping him by screaming and plugging their ears. Then Jackie and Cameron, decided to poop and pee in the garbage can. I heard Hunter laughing hysterically, nearly busting a gut and realized they were up to no good. Fun times!

So, from 2 tired, alcoholic parents, Daisy, Bubby, Georgia Grace, Happy, Spanky & Bob, we wish you a restful, quiet few days. Lord knows, we won’t have that here.

Chad's only real helper was Hunter.

As you can see, Bob fit right in at our house.

Breakfast this morning at the new picnic table! Thanks Chad!

Not so much sleeping...

This is what happens when I'm getting Lucy to nap.

(Check out C's earrings.)
So this is how Lucy naps.

Summer days

We've been having a lot of fun at the playground and I personally like being a stay-at-home mom, even though it will only last another 2 1/2 weeks. (No, no, I'm not counting.) I have to say I've been really impressed how wonderful Jackie has been. She's my little helper and I count on her to entertain during meal preparation.

This was the best we could do today.

Although, I'm still afraid to leave home without my posse of help- Deane and Rita (one of Julie's nannies). Rita held Lucy Lu at least an hour this morning.

Milk and a Movie

Happy Father's Day!

I tried to get pictures of all the kids for Daddy-O, Grandpa & Grandad, but to no avail. So we just had fun in the summer heat.

Look out!

Keep a look out for Edward Ballon-hands and Curly Top. They will make you pee your pants!

Jail Time

I haven’t had much time to take pictures of Lucy lately, b/c she is now part of my body. In fact, I got another baby carrier, since the Bjorn is killing my neck & shoulders so we can officially make her part of my body. I actually have a dent in my side where she is now growing. Anyway, since I can’t take photos of her or the other kids, we’ve been spending a lot of time just playing. Or getting into trouble. Especially when I’m putting Lucy down for a nap. Jackie & Cameron turn into Beavis & Butthead and embark upon The Adventure of House Demolition. Their super fun scheme begins with drawing on things that are not supposed to be drawn on, like kids, dogs, couches, chairs, etc. Another fun scheme is shoving crap down the air vents or shoving crap down toilets. However, Beavis & Butthead’s MOST favorite is ‘skipping’ which is really flicking each other in the head or face until someone cries. (Cameron made up that term. He got that Superhero talent from me.) So, their punishement is fence cleaning. Since Hunter & Leigh are usually in on the crime, they do the time too.

Little Lucy is stuck in jail until she can figure out an escape plan. We’re hoping she doesn’t get any help from Beavis & Butthead.

P.S. Dave, when you get back in town, there's a couple of toilets that need unclogging.

Korea photos: Flights home

I had great intentions of uploading the final Korea photos last week. However, I now have 3 kids, and my time frames have totally changed. I know it’s an adjustment time for us all, but my house looks like a tornado has hit 3 times over, and guests just keep coming. I’ve stopped apologizing for the disaster b/c, well, I have 3 kids. I’d much rather have visitors & food than a clean house.

So here’s the pictures from Lucy’s first bath, given by Mom. This was the night before we flew home.

Three generations! On the first flight from Korea to Japan we were not seated together. But Mom still managed to help out from behind.

We had lots of help entertaining Lucy on the long flights. Here’s the older Korean gentleman who Lucy adored. And he certainly enjoyed her company as well.

I've learned over the years that if people offer to help, I will gladly accept. This flight attendant from JPN to ORD was awesome! She was born in NJ, but moved back to JPN and plans to stay there forever. Check out the Japanese newspaper below.

Lucy's bassinet was used mostly for storage, but ONCE she slept in it.

Picture Day

We managed to snap a few cute shots of Lucy.

Caught!

Since our attention was elsewhere, Cameron snuck into the sugar bowl. And throw a royal fit when we took it away.

Ta Wa!

Check out the little sweat monster in the middle! Woohoo!

Sleeping buddies

Lucy is finally sleeping through the night! Now its time to get her out of our bed and into her own.

Good thing he's got the helmet on

I don't have a clue what's going on here. This sort of weirdness is regular behavior at our house. Gam-sa-ham-nida. (Thank you very much.)

Daddy's Little Lucy

Daddy has a new appendage.

Homecoming Pictures

Day 1 pictures from Julie, of course!

The kids made this poster for Lucy.

This one was made by Jackie's school class. All the decorations were done by Julie, Deane & Serpil.

Cameron thought a little ball would be a great way to start the morning.
Lucy got lots of sunlight to try to switch her nights to days.

After naps, we ventured out to the pool today. Could Daddy-O be any happier?
Look who eats by herself! My only child who loves fish & cooked carrots!