We couldn't be happier

Heelllo!

(By the way, it is not Christmas, don't be confused!)

Well, it is high time for a big update on Lance. He continues to amaze John Michael and I each day with how much he is learning and developing. I happened to look back at some of the pictures I had of Lance my first trip to Ukraine and it is unbelievable. He now seems like a different child than the one in the pictures. Probably because I know a little more about the true Lance and how he looks at the world.

Anyway, I have to brag on my little guy for a bit. He is now signing "more, please, eat, drink, bye, all done, and baby" and saying "Bi Bi Bi" for bite. At some points, he will combine 2 or 3 signs to communicate effectively. For example: more eat please. He is trying to climb up on his high chair, can climb into his crib (when the side is lowered) and into the tub. Lance will eat most foods now if he likes the taste, but not as much of a concern for sensory issues. He can stack 5 blocks pretty consistently, too....just a reminder, he has only been home for 2 months as of tomorrow. I am proud of our little Lance.

Our lives have been completely blessed by having Lance here. He is now a daddy's boy big time so on the weekends and evenings I try to steal as much time I can to hang out with him.

Here is a comparison of Lance from March 06, April 07 to now July 07

Don't worry, Mattie got close, but never actually was able to share the beater with Lance.

Lance is(has been) 3 years old!!!

Well, we have definitely fallen behind once again on the blog posting. Sorry to those that keep reminding us of that. So without further delay here are some recent pics and commentary.

We've got an addition for the "Lance Don't Like'em" List. He was a little curious when they were far off, but terrified when they are going off in front of the neighbor's house. If you don't know about NW Arkansas and fireworks, it is common place to set them off several days before and after Jan.1 and July 4th inside the city limits. A little different than what we were used to!

If you know about our tornado drills then you know what's going on here. BTW, he hasn't climbed in and out like that since that day.
Lance and momma(rockin' the A's lid) at his birthday party. This day was pretty rough for Lance. He did have some fun at times, but we think it was just a little too much stimulation.
First attempt at the "gift opening" did not go well. This is later inside and a little more relaxed. He got a Fisher Price Little People Noah's Ark. He is obviously not the only one interested. Leks and Myrah were stoked as well.
We didn't get to the birthday cake on the 6th so that Monday the 8th we presented his first birthday cake to him. It is well docmented on video however, the quality and length of the video made the file too big to host on the blog....for free anyway. It didn't take much coaxing and he tore into it. Karen made the cake and did an excellent job. It was still very moist 3 days after.
Cake demolished. It didn't all go into his tummy but, the parts you don't see here were at one time in his hands. Baby Bjorn bib was a lifesaver.Karen caught him just wildin' out making some funny faces. These are also unprovoked. I guess the weirdness makes him normal, eh? Gotta love the hand gesture.

And another one. He has started to do this face a little more often. Everyday is at least a little different. New sounds and quirks. He was evaluated yesterday on his speech. Thanks Cindy! With the eval. and some pointers from Aunt Judy we are starting to do a few more activities focused on his speech. We might regret this later, but I guess we should probably teach him to talk. Ha.

Tornado Drill

This is real time posting here. I'm posting this within 6 hours of this actual event. It is unscripted, unrehearsed, and absolutely occurred under natural circumstances. Its hilarious.

The latest

Here are a few more... Did I mention he is a sunshine in our lives?

Bowls, wisk, and Toys R Us coupon...What else could anyone want? Oh, he loves banging metal bowls together. The hard tile is an added bonus.

John Michael and Lance made Oma's famous oatmeal cookie recipe. Lance obviously enjoyed licking the beaters. Yummm! Lance will be three in a couple of weeks. I can not wait to see what he will do with his birthday cake!

we're back!

Wow, it has been a long time since I have update you guys, but in a way it only seems like yesterday. I have to admit a lot has changed for our little guy since then. I am sorry we have not kept up with this a little better. I can not wait to share some pictures and a few stories with you all!
Lance has adapted amazingly well. Again, all of your prayers continue to pay off! Our first week here Lance was scared of anyone new and especially if I talked or dared to hug them. That was a huge 'no no.' The second week back we visited both sets grandparents as well as some cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. He became comfortable really quickly. That was a blessing because no one knew how he would handle it. That is a lot of attention. Since then, he has welcomed our friends- especially if they are going to throw him in the air. He is all boy and loves daring things these days!

I love looking back at these pictures. The first few days at home we stayed primarily inside our house. When we first took Lance out in the front yard he became scared, cried and only calmed down when we went back inside. The next day I left the back door open and walked outside to see if he would follow. He quickly realized being outside is not so bad after all. I like to call this the "I'm free!!!" picture.

Lance has learned to love taking a bath. As you might be able to tell he enjoys blowing bubbles in the water...hence the small bubble beard.

Lance's first day in a pool at Oma and Opa's house! We were not too sure of it at first, but relaxed a little with Daddy's help.

Ahh! Isn't water great after a day in the hot sun. Gotta love it!

Here is our family minus mom. John Michael had walked down Nana and Pa's drive to show Lance the corn field. I was glad I was able to capture the scene with my little clan. To me, it is just classic. By the way, so far Lance, Mattie, and Rookie are all buds. Lance especially likes trying to throw things for them to fetch. Unfortunatly, he doesn't quite understand we don't throw everything for the dogs. Ha!

He continues to follow a regular schedule, learns to chew a little better each week, is walking far better than ever before with attempts to run occasionally, and shines his little light in our life daily. Current favorites: tuna (with applesauce), cottage cheese, yogurt, still loves bananas and playing with doors, throwing toys for dogs, being thrown up in the air or carried while we run around the yard. Oh yes, our little man turns into a maniac around 7:30. Somehow he has this huge spurt of energy and pulls us to the door to go outside to rough house with him. It is hilarious (although it can be quite tiring as well, hee hee.)

Okay, I guess that is about where we are now. I will post a few more pictures for you all. I wish I could put them all on here. Thanks for your continued support!

Love, Karen

Finally...

Sorry for all those that have been sticking with us and haven't seen any new pics or videos. Here is something for now.
Nana and Pa saw how much Lance was into jumping and bouncing so they found this cool Frog Trampoline for Lance. Pa, I got it put together in under an hour! I had to recruit the services of Karen to run the rubber cord though. Not a difficult task.
Thanks so much.

na na NA, na na NA

I love when I can get the camera rolling before I lose the shot.