Merry Christmas!

Well, we are officially out of our house in Kansas, sort of. They came and got our cars last Tuesday and we have been driving a small smelly rental since. They packed up all of our stuff on Thursday and loaded the truck on Friday. All of our belongings now reside in Kennewick, WA thanks to a lot of help from Lance's mom. We, however are still here in Kansas, sleeping on the floor and getting a wake up call from Jack Jack about every two hours thanks to his ear infection, and now what I believe to be a bad case of croup. Lance and the boys leave on an early flight tomorrow morning (hopefully Lance will survive the trip!). I have to work this week, as well as clean the house from top to bottom, but will then meet them this weekend before Christmas. Doubt we will have much time to "blog" before then, so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Celebration

Well, this week has been an eventful one, especially for Jack Jack. He celebrated his adoption finalization by getting circumcised! He has actually done great and had a much easier time of it than RJ did, although to RJ's credit he was almost a year older than Jack Jack is now. Besides a few tears at diaper changing time he seems to have made a full recovery.
We are getting ready for the move, however due to some bad pizza Lance and I spent most of Saturday just laying around and not getting much done, using all of our energy to keep up with the 3 kids we had here Saturday (RJ had his playmate of several years here one more time Friday night and Saturday). We are feeling much better and Lance has gotten a lot of packing done while I mostly watched the kids and got my Christmas cards done. Keep posted, as this week has a lot of changes for our family. The transportation for the car company comes and picks up our cars Tuesday and the movers start packing/moving on Wednesday, all while I am working at one of our most busiest times of year as well as trying to get together with friends in the area for that last time. It should be an interesting week!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!

Well, it took another big event in our life to get me back on my blog. Yesterday, 11/27/07 we made the adoption of our son, Jackson Danai Beeson official! It took all of 10 minutes in front of the judge and cost us another few thousand dollars in lawyers fees but it was worth it, as Jack Jack is officially ours and his name has been officially been changed.

We have had another big event take place since I last wrote as well. We are moving to Washington! Lance was relieved of his coaching duties this past spring (and to quote Forrest Gump, "that is all I am going to say about that!" lest I get myself in trouble with the current MNU football staff.). We decided to use this opportunity to move closer to our families. I found a job that looks very similar to my current one (which I love) in Richland, WA and it is very close to Lance's family, and only 4 hours from mine. I think it will all work out for the best to have the boys close to their extended families so they can get to know and love Grandma, Grandpa and all their cousins (a luxury I did not have growing up).

Wish us luck, our moving adventure starts 12/15/07 and I will try to keep you updated with our experiences, pictures of the boys, and our families so that those who wish to, can keep updated on our lives. I hope you all do the same, make sure you email me with your phone #'s and current email addresses so we can keep in touch!

Another Post Finally!

Well, it only took me a month this time to post another blog. A lot has happened to our family in that short amount of time. We went to Pasco, WA to visit Lance's family. His mother, grandmother and all of his cousins live in Pasco, and actually most of them live within one mile of each other. We had a nice visit and Jack Jack uncharacteristically slept great while we were there (good thing for Mr. Rich, Lance's stepfather, as he was the one who still had to go to work daily!). The kids had a great time and it was very nice to see everybody again. Jack Jack has taken a real liking to his grandma JJ!

I went back to work, and leaving Jack Jack all day almost everyday since has been one of the hardest things I have had to do. He got sick with a bad ear infection almost immediately, most likely because he does not sleep (still!) and is sleep deprived and then you stick him in with a bunch of little human petri dishes in daycare and what do you expect! Luckily, we have a wonderful doctor named Kristi Baker, MD at the Saint Luke's Primary Care (a free plug!) who worked him into her schedule at a very late notice after the daycare called to tell us to pick him up because he had a 103.5 degree fever! 24 hours after the antibiotics and all is well again, except the sleeping part. Lance does much better than I being sleep deprived so he takes most of the early morning duties, but it still wakes me up and I have trouble getting back to sleep. Probably all those years of having to wake up at the sound of my pager that has turned me into such a light sleeper. It is definitely more difficult to concentrate at work when you don't have enough sleep. I have learned that everything is taking me that much longer and I have become much less efficient, not a good thing when you are wanting to get back home to spend time with your kids before they go to sleep. Oh well, things are bound to get better, right? Hopefully my next post will not take a month so stay tuned I am sure there is more drama to come!

Adjustment Continues!

OK, I know last time I said I wasn't going to wait 2 weeks to post again, but as you all know, time flies! Also, I have realized that I am definitely not an author, nor do I have that many interesting things to say or any clever way to say them. We have pretty much been the same for the past few weeks. Jack Jack still does not sleep more than 2hrs at a time before he is fussing. We attempted to get rid of the bottle all together, but that did nothing for the fussing and in fact, only made it worse, but at least we don't have to worry about the bottle, milk, and a diaper change in the middle of the night any longer. I took him to the doctor for a check up, but he is very healthy and cannot find any medical reason for his sleep disturbances (praise the Lord!). She thought this is all still an adjustment period and that if he is still doing this six months from now then we could investigate further (if we can all last 6 months). We went and got pictures of the boys, (see above picture of them together). Our wonderful photographer (Melanie Hayes of H & H Photography) was able to find a lot of really cute pictures out of an hour session that I thought would yield none, the ways the boys were running around her poor studio. I start work again after we get back from Pasco, WA visiting Lance's side of the family, and am more than a little anxious for Jack Jack as he has gotten very attached to me (and I to him) so the separation may be a little tough for us both. It is time, however, to go back and I think that i am ready for the more mentally challenging side of life again. Talk to you all soon (at least those of you who still check in after my weeks of not posting!)

I am not sure anyone is reading this any longer, but for those faithful, here are some more pictures. It seems like every time I write on this blog that things are doing better, they take a turn for the worse so I am not going to say it this time. I did find a good book called the "No-cry leep solution for toddlers and pre-schoolers" which seems to be helping so far. I highly recommend it for anyone who may have a child with sleep issues. Once you read it it all seems like common sense, but none that you in your sleep-deprived state actually think of. I am enjoying my maternity leave and the extra time i get to spend with the kids, however, I am looking forward to working weekends this month so I don't get too "rusty", as well as a few hours of grown up time, even though the adults I will be spending time with will be sick! Hopefully will post more sooner than the 2 weeks it took me this last time, stay tuned!

Needing Bedtime Help!

OK, Jack Jack looks happy and is adjusting well, making strides every day, during the daytime at least. Every night however, he loses ground. He is so fussy at night, waking up almost every hour, sometimes not going back to sleep for hours. He cries, fusses and demands a bottle frequently. There seems to be no pattern, he does not wake up at certain times, there is not just one thing that he needs or that we can blame it on (such as being wet, needing a bottle, etc.). Lance and I are alternating nights so we can sleep at least every other night but we are stumped as far as what else to do. If anyone is still reading our blog, or has any suggestions, we are open to them, one and all!

Update

OK, so it has been a while since my last post, sorry! It seems as if I cannot get a minute to myself! I need to get Jack Jack used to napping when he is not actually on me or touching me in some way. I think we have been home long enough that he should be able to know that we love him, and that we will be here when he wakes up. I am hopeful that he trusts us enough now that he doesn't have to have me in his site 24 hrs a day, or at least if he is not there yet, he will get there soon. My mother-in-law will be here this week, so I will try and see if we can leave him at home without us here for a while. Jack Jack's transition/adjustment period seems to be taking a lot longer than RJ's. It is a good thing I took so much time off work, I cannot imagine having to work and go through all of this at the same time.


.

Another Day

Things are going much better of late (I say as I hope not to jinx myself). Jack Jack is sleeping better, although still cannot get through the night without 2 bottles! I think it is a little excessive for a 14 month old, but his foster family was still giving him one bottle, and with his food changes he may not be getting as much as he had in the past. Plus, they say their developmental steps regress some with the adoption and all of the changes so I am not too worried about it yet, except for the fact that I don't get a full night's sleep and every time I get up to get a bottle I end up lying there for 4 hrs before I can fall back asleep. I have a new respect for those who suffer from insomnia. What a horrible thing, laying there knowing you are exhausted, knowing you need to go back to sleep because you have`2 little ones that will be up soon and need your attention and care. I'll post some more pics once I get my camera charged. Thanks for all the emails and calls, I must have sounded fairly desperate with my last post!

Spoke too soon

I spoke too soon about everything being back to somewhat normal. Last night was a rough one for the little guy. He got sick to his stomach again, had horrible diarrhea and gas most of the night so he didn't sleep much (and neither did we!). He awoke with a rash over his abdomen and back which has spread to involve most of his body by tonight. I am not sure what it is he is allergic to as almost everything in his new world is new and different to him. I think this may all be part of his viral syndrome, I m not sure. I have been giving him some benadryl which seems to help a little with the itching but has done nothing to slow the progression of the rash. Pray for us, and especially Jack Jack as we explore his, and our, new worlds together. I just hope he makes it by unscathed as this is new territory for me as a mother. RJ was older and had none of these problems thankfully.

Getting better

Well, what a difference a few days makes. Jack Jack is now over all his vomiting and diarrhea, as is Lance. He actually slept through the night last night with only a couple of fusses, but settled down quickly. I slept really well too, and it is amazing how your attitude changes with some sleep. We were able to go to the store and find some clothes that fit finally. My next challenge will be to try and get some running in, as I am feeling very sluggish and fat not having run for over 10 days.

still adjusting

Well, Jack Jack was still sick today and started spiking high fevers so I took him in to see a pediatrician. She checked him out pretty thoroughly and thinks he just has a virus so hopefully will get better in a few`days. He is keeping water down OK today. I am still going on around 3 hrs sleep a night with a 2hr nap during the day with him so I will be lucky not to pick up his crud myself if he doesn't start sleeping soon, especially since I have been covered in vomit several times! I am hoping that Jackson will soon let me out of his sight so that I can at least get some things done, like unpack! He won't even let Lance hold him much yet. I haven't even been able to go to the store to get him clothes that fit, so are just doing a lot of laundry on the 3 outfits we did have, that and just doing a lot of rolling up of sleeves and pants on RJ's. Hopefully things will get somewhat back to normal soon. I appreciate all the offers for help from friends and as soon as Jack Jack will let anyone else hold him will be happy to have friends over and take them all up on their babysitting offers.

So far

I think Jack Jack is having a harder time adjusting than RJ did. He still is not sleeping over 2 hrs at any one time and this morning woke up vomitting and has continued such most of the day. He is finally resting now so am hoping will sleep through most of the night tonight as Lance & I are getting pretty tired and cranky too! I am sure it will all pass, however, it is still somewhat difficult for us all.

Home

We finally made it home around midnight Saturday night, after a cancelled flight in Denver and a 4 hours wait for the next flight. Things are good, trying to catch up on sleep after spending about 32 hours in the same clothes with only a couple of hours of sleep. Both RJ and Jack Jack did well on the flight. RJ was content to play with his GameBoy between naps, while Jack Jack did fine as long as he could walk around the plane and entertain the flight attendants. Its good to be home and things will only get easier for Jack Jack now that he is settled in one place.

Heading Home

Finally ready to go home. Picked up Jack Jack's VISA, went on a boat ride and took naps today. We leave the hotel Saturday morning at 4:00 am (Friday afternoon in the US) and return to Kansas City Saturday evening at 6:00 pm. About 19 hours of flight time with a 13 month old who is scared and barely knows us. Pray that things go well.

US Embassy

Today's visit to the US Embassy went well. LOTS of people applying for VISA's to visit the US, we are really lucky to live where we do, because thousands of people per day are trying to join us.
We go back tomorrow to pick up Jack Jack's Thailand passport which will allow him to leave the country with us.
After lunch we finally made it to the Aquarium. It is on the lower level of the Siam Paragon Shopping Center, one of the nicest we have ever been in. Lots of sharks and crazy fish to look at.

It's official!

Well, it is official! We sat two hours for a two minute meeting in front of the adoption committee and got their final apporval. Jack Jack is officially our son (in Thailand at least, the State of Kansas will take considerably longer). All we have left is to go to the American Embassy and obtain his passport and Visa and we will be ready to go, unfortunatley as easy as that sounds it is stil a 2-day process. We are all ready to head home, I think we are all officially tired of Bangkok and its smells! Won't be too long now, only 2 more days.

The new addition

Well we went from 3 family members to 4 this morning when we got Jack Jack for good. He is doing fine, took a nap this afternoon and then ate dinner this evening, something RJ wouldn't do when we first got him. RJ is having fun being a big brother. They danced to the TV and laughed together at different things. RJ keeps sleeping through dinner and then wakes up at 5:00am ready to play, to early for us but he is doing great.
Tomorrow we go to the Department of Social Development for a morning meeting and then to the US Embassy on Thursday to start the VISA process.

First Jack Jack Video

Shopping

Today we went with Jack Jack to the department store and got him some new clothes, shoes, etc., and then ate lunch with him as well. We played in the hotel room for an hour or so, he is doing great, he even didn't want to leave when it was time for him to return to the foster family. RJ is having fun playing with him and wants to show him his favorite things to do. Jack Jack is already following RJ's lead doing what he does and watching his every move. Tonight is the last night he will spend with the foster family so tomorrow we will get to keep him for good.

Jack Jack

We finally got to meet Jackson Danai Beeson for the first time today. We were overjoyed, he however, was less than enthusiastic. Jackson, like RJ, cried for most of the first hour or two we were together. He finally warmed up to me, however I think Lance's size and his overall "caucasionism" scared Jackson a little. He eventually warmed up and by the end of our time together, he was following RJ around and mimicking just about every move he made. We will get to take him to the department store and buy everything we think we will need for the next few days, I am still at a loss as to what size he is, other than large! I thank the Lord for the blessing He has given us, and even as I held Jackson for the first few minutes, I knew he was ours and that it was meant to be. God is so good, praise Him!

Internet Access Finally

The blog is a great item but from Phuket, Thailand the lack of internet access made blogging difficult. We are in Bangkok now and will have access the rest of the week.

It was a very relaxing stay at the Phuket Aqua Marine Resort. It was a beautiful hotel that sat up high on a hill over looking the Andaman Sea. We took RJ on day trip to the Elephant Sanctuary and went for a long ride on the elephants (I am not sure how people used to travel by elephant, as it wasn’t the smoothest ride!). Lance even got an elephant “massage”. I personally enjoyed my Thai/deep tissue massage better, although was a little sore afterwards. We also enjoyed a meal and show at the Phuket Fantasea show, quite an elaborate production (although RJ wasn’t too impressed as he slept through the whole thing!). We finally get to meet Jack Jack tomorrow so will let you know how it goes.

first leg

So far, so good. We made the first leg of our trip without any major problems (I don' t call gum stuck all over the clothes I plan to wear for 2 days a major problem!). RJ has been relatively well behaved, we met my parents at San Fran airport without a hitch. Wish us luck, as our next leg (10 hrs to Tokyo and 8 hrs from Tokyo to Bangkok) will likely be a little more trying! Stay tuned...

Jackson 11 months old

RJ helping us pack for Thailand

Photos of Jackson

preview

We have created a blog at the good advice of a friend. You will be able to track the adoption of our son, Jackson Danai Beeson (currently know as Danai Thinkogsop). Here you will get to follow firsthand our travel experiences (which will prove to be trying I am sure with a 21hr flight and a four year old). We leave Feb. 11th so stay tuned!!