A new addition!

Em, Evie, and Andy are getting a new little brother! Next month we will travel to China to meet our newest addition, Jack. Join us at http://waitingforbabyjack.blogspot.com/

One Year with Andy!

We met our sweet little Andy a year ago today in Lanzhou, China. Happy Andy Day! I can't believe that it's been a whole year! We love you, Bubba!

School stuff

We just had Evie's annual meeting with the school about her IEP. She is having
trouble communicating (due to her cleft palate) although she scores very high in receptive language. She physically cannot make many consonant sounds, which can make understanding her difficult.

The school wants to provide her with an electronic speech aid to use in class - it is about the size and weight of a brick, and has pictures that she can point to with a stylus, and the device will say the word. It is like an electronic PECS device, I guess.

Does anyone have experience with this type of speech aid? We were told that it is often used for older children/teens with autsim. I am just not sure if it is the right thing to do at this point. She is 6, she desperately doesn't want to be different or stand out in any way. I am concerned that this will become a crutch for the teachers who will encourage her to push a button to say a word instead of trying to listen to her.

We have a meeting next week to speak with the surgeons about options to help her as she seems to have hit a plateau with the speech therapy.

Andy's first dentist appointment

We saw the local pediatric dentist today. Andy had fun playing with the toys in the waiting room, but when we walked in the examination room and he saw the medical equipment, he started to freak out. The hygienist gave him a toothbrush and little zipper bag to carry it in, so she was cool, but then the dentist came in. Andy listened really well and opened his mouth on command, but started yelling "OW! OW! OW!!! HURTS!" before the dentist even touched him. He did his best puppy dog eyes and poor baby impression, and by the time the appointment was over he had charmed everyone in the office, and all of the ladies at the front desk were in love with him.

The good news is that he doesn't have any cavities, and we don't have to go back for six months.

for Papa and Grandpa H

My small fall garden! Are you jealous?

when we first planted the tomatoes (there are two big boys and a roma if I remember correctly!)


a couple weeks ago


Today - there are lots of blossoms now! I need to put the tomato cages on, they kind of got away from me!


A "pre-existing pepper"! It was planted by the family who lived here before us. They are little peppers that start green and turn purplish-black. I don't know if they are a jalapeno variety or not, but they are nice and spicy and good in a big pot of pinto beans!


the pretty morning glories that Richard bought for me

They are blue with purple around the edges.

The Beebee and Bubba Show

We call Andy "Bubba", he calls Evie "Beebee"

Evie got to pick a toy from the treasure box at school today. She shared it with Andy when she got home.

Back to school 2010!

Emily's first day of 8th grade! She is not excited about school or getting up early, but she is looking forward to seeing her friends and starting volleyball.






Evie's first day of kindergarten! She was so excited that she had trouble sleeping last night.









Andy needed his picture taken, too!






Andy is pretty upset that we left Evie at school and came home without her, and then Emily wasn't even home when we got back (she walked to the bus stop after we left!) He kept pointing at Evie's carseat and yelling "Beebee! Beeeee-beeeee!", and when we got inside at home he had to check everywhere for Emily! He is feeling a bit lonely without his sisters today.