handsful

The first thing we’ve bought for Dylan!  Couldn’t resist the sale rack at Old N*avy the other day :)  Size 2T, 27-30lbs. 

With our update last week, we received current measurements for Dylan.  Here are his stats:

24 1/4 lbs.

33.5 inches tall

18.5 inches head circum.

I looked at an online percentile calculator to see how he compares to other kids his age.  For his height and weight, Dylan is in the 3rd percentile for both weight and height…so, 97% of other kids his age are bigger than he is. 

For fun, I checked Lainey’s percentile stats.  Right now, she weighs about 38lbs and she’s 39 inches tall.  So, she’s at the 75th percentile for weight, and 37% for height.  I also looked back to see how old Lainey was, when she weighed what Dylan weighs now (at age 2 years 10 months).  She was 1 year 8 months old.  :)

I’d love to find some way to predict, based on a normal growth curve, what Dylan might weigh when we travel to get him.  Anyone know how to do that?

When we realized we were going to be able to rent this home on Lake Norman, we decided we’d try and get a couple of kayaks…Abbey has lots of experience on them from marine science camps, etc. and the other big kids were eager to try.  We’re considering them our moving in presents to ourselves :)

By now, you’re bound to be getting sick of water pictures! 

Randy and Abbey have a special relationship…here, Abbey is sharing some “water” with her dad. 

…and, “helping” him into the lake.  What a sweetie. 

Randy wanted them to practice tipping over, to make sure they’d know what to do if (when) it happens.  Marley needed help tipping hers! 

she can flip it back over, though.

Here comes a back buster!  The lifevest helped break the fall. 

Like my new tee? 

Abbey tried to help me into the lake, too. 

And, I’m ending with this.  She’s fearless with those floaties :)

I knew our agency requested an update on Dylan last week…they routinely ask the orphanage for new pictures/measurements 3 months after the Letter of Intent is sent in.  Orphanages aren’t required to send anything – some do and some don’t.  I was so happy to see these pictures and info in my inbox today! 

Notice the concentration and that amazing stack of blocks!  Love the split pants and this is also another shot of him using his small leg (knee?)  for support.  Randy isn’t thrilled with his choice of football team, though :)

This one melts me…I think I see a dimple?! 

There were current measurements included, which I still have to convert from metric.  Here’s the info they gave us:

health is good – can express his wish and request – potty trained, but needs diaper at night – knows red (this makes me laugh…he’s a NC State fan already!)

They call him Yu Hai – He is outgoing (Abbey loved that) – He is in the orphanage (he could have been transferred to foster care, I’m glad they confirmed where he was) – He received our care package – he eats noodle, rice, and drinks juice.

We are thrilled to have this new information on our son!  We seem to be on schedule to have our dossier go to China next week, and families “usually” travel about 4-6 months after that.  We’re still guessing November…we’ll see!

My mind is full these days.  Full of big things and little things…

The annoying way the washer and dryer hookups are backwards, which makes doing laundry a pain.  Thinking of my grandmother’s possible last days in a hospital in NJ.  The huge task of finding our doctors, therapists, horse riding trainers, homeschool groups, etc. etc. in a brand new town where we know no one.  How DO you homeschool high school??  What is Dylan doing right now?  Missing someone we don’t even know yet.  Thinking of the repairs going on at the FL house.  Will it sell?  When?  Finding our new church home…and friends for us and our kids who miss their FL friends terribly.  Randy making his way in a brand new job, with lots riding on it.  The pressure he undoubtedly feels. 

In the midst of this season, full of all these big and little things, I know that God is closer than ever…walking with us, guiding our path, our steps.  Giving us a peace that the bumps will smooth out according to His will in our lives.  I believe that because it’s true.

So, we’ve been in our new place for a week now.  What did we do yesterday to celebrate? 

We slept in a bit.

Did some major unpacking in the family room and kitchen. 

Went to the Dockside Deli for lunch

Took the kids for haircuts

Mom and Marley went for a pedicure (we skipped haircuts)

Went to the store for various house items

Came home, grabbed the camera, and enjoyed the dock…

As of today, we FINALLY have our internet back (woo hoo!), so I thought I’d do a quick post with some pictures of our new place.  We had a few rocky moments during our move…maybe I’ll do a post about the “adventures” of moving? 

Anyway, we’ve been here 4 days and LOVE it.  The area we’re in – Mooresville/Lake Norman – is absolutely wonderful.  We are renting for now, until we sell our home in FL and find the home we might want to buy.  Randy found an amazing home that’s on a cove of Lake Norman.  We feel like we’re on vacation…

Until we look around and see ALL these boxes that need to be unpacked.  Little by little, we’re getting it done.  And, I’m loving my new GPS that allows me to explore our new area without getting hopelessly lost. 

A few shots from our first days…

A view of the back of the house. 

First morning here…Ethan and Marley woke up early to fish.  Ethan caught a catfish (since then, they’ve each caught more of those, plus brim).  They throw them back in :)

Looking down the cove.

On the second day, they decided to take a swim. 

Goofy boys.

Lainey and I just enjoyed the sun and the view. 

Abbey decided she’d stay dry, too. 

Tea party time in Lainey’s room.  She knows she might eventually share it with Dylan (depending on the timing of our travel), and it’s causing her to ask about WHEN he’s coming home a lot.  It’s hard to explain the long process of adoption to a little one. 

We see this bluebird everyday…beautiful!  Abbey took this picture. 

Marley and Ethan were back out this morning to fish (yes, in their PJs).  I looked out the window and saw two families of geese swimming by.  So, of course I ran down with bread and the camera.  8 babies total, flanked by their respective parents.  The dads were hissing at us! 

A little while later, Abbey got this shot (along with about a zillion others…she loves to take pictures)

In a nutshell, we love this place.  We miss our friends.  But, we know we’re where we’re supposed to be.

Today is moving day.  We are very sad to leave this home we’ve had for 5 1/2 years…our life here has been extremely sweet.  But, we know – even when the sadness hits – that God wants this change for our family.  So, we are trusting that He has amazing things for us in NC. 

See you there…