Forward Facing Fun

Well, it was about time! We finally turned Cheng-Yu around in the car and it has opened up a whole new world for him. I am afraid he will never nap again in the car. He is so intensely fascinated with all the new things he can see. He first ride was to GiGi and Popa's house, I think he was in shock.

Happy Ben Cheng-Yu

I am not sure if this is a happy look or a sneaky one, but it makes me smile.

Ben at the Ballgame

Tonight, we took Ben to see the Lookouts play.  We thought he might enjoy the excitement at the ballpark and he did.  When everyone would cheer, he would smile, look all around and start clapping.

Through a lens

Photo from Ben's 1st birthday party...by Melinda
Mel & Mel Smooching on my baby!!!

Through a lens, she captures God's beauty.

A smile on a child's face. 

Tears of joy in a sister's eyes.

Twinkle of wonder in the eyes of a child.

A grandfather's relief at the first sight of his grandchild.

A mother's love.

Sparkle in a daddy's eye.

The peace of a sleeping baby.

The love and support of gathered family & friends.

An embrace, a kiss, a longing, a dream realized,

a milestone, a homecoming, friends....love.

She looks through a lens with more than an eye,

God gave her the gift to see his beauty in a special way...with her heart.

Melinda, thanks for sharing your gift.   Love you-Robin

Cheng-Yu had is One Year check-up today.  He weighed nearly 24 lbs. and is 31.25 inches tall.  He had to have 3 shots today and that wasn't a pretty scene, but he is in great health...praise the Lord.  He never cries in the lobby, but as soon as the nurse puts him on the scale the screaming begins.  I guess eventually he will recognize the parking lot and start screaming before we make it through the door!

Under the Stars

I am not really a routine kinda person, but there are some things that really need to happen for a baby...like bedtime.  Tonight, I thought that bedtime just wasn't going to happen for Ben Cheng-Yu.  He seemed so wound up.  At 11pm, I waved the white flag and put him in the bed with me, but he was still quite playful.  So I turned on his Twlight Turtle that Melinda bought him.  Twilight is the coolest little thing.  It casts a blanket of twinkling stars and the moon on the ceiling and down the walls.  It is actually really beautiful and soothing.  When I turned it on, Cheng-Yu exploded with excitement.  He stood straight up in the bed babbling "Wow, Whoa, OOOHHHH!"  My first instinct was to feel aggravated because it was time to go to bed.  He continued to beam with excitement and lifted both hangs up toward the ceiling as if he were praising the Lord.  At that moment, a smile came across my face.  He was so amazed and watching him, full of wonder, brought tears to my eyes.  Who cares about bedtime, what will a few more minutes of lost sleep hurt?...I didn't want to miss this moment.  Only seven months ago, I would have given up hours...days...months of sleep for a single moment like this. 

As I watched him, literally, under the stars--I remembered a time when I would think about how I couldn't be with him, but was comforted by the fact that we were existing under the same sky.  So, I watched as he was facinated and thanked God and celebrated the wonder of His unfailing love.  I thanked Him...now I am not only under the same sky as Cheng-Yu, but the same roof!

Thanks, Melinda, for that cool little Twilight Turtle.

Happy Benniversary

Six Months!!!  We met Ben Cheng-Yu and held him for the first time 6 months ago today.  It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon in Taiwan & about 1:00 am in Tennessee.  Oh what a Happy Day!