No Face Like a Snow Face

Water's Edge

Dear Cheng-Yu,

Today...really for the first time, I looked at you and saw a boy.  It is amazing how it happens, like magic.  I watched you play at the water's edge.  A place where I would sit and pray for you and dream about the day I would hold you in my arms.  It was so peaceful to watch you in that place at the water's edge.  Your Dad and I spent countless hours there talking about you and longing to meet you.  I would toss rocks into the water, just passing the time.  I could soak up the beauty of the lake, mountains and sky all from one little spot at the water's edge.  Beauty for my eyes to see, while my mind held visions of you. 

Shortly after we brought you home, we took you down to the water's edge.  We held you and threw rocks in the lake so you could see them make a splash.  The nature around us was an incredible backdrop for the wonder of you.  By the end of your first summer, you were able to drop rocks into the water from the dock as I held you in my lap.  It was different now, at the water's edge.  

Today, you are 19 months old and I am amazed at how quickly time flies.  I don't throw rocks in the lake to pass the time anymore.  I am busy watching you.  I try to soak up each moment in hopes that time won't slip by too quickly.  Although I am with you almost every minute of each day, somehow...you grow up without me seeing it.  At the water's edge today, I saw a boy.  You didn't need me to hold you in my lap, or help you find rocks to toss in the lake.  You didn't even need me to keep you from tumbling into the water.  I watched as you would squat down to selected just the right rocks and then you would carefully walk to the water's edge.  With your toes just inches from the water, you would swing your little arm back and then throw that perfect rock into the water.  With each splash, you exploded with applause.  The beauty in the nature around us couldn't hold my attention, as my eyes were on you.  It is different now, at the water's edge.

I love you so much and am grateful to be your mother.  You are a masterpiece created by our Heavenly Father and to Him I give ALL praise.  I thank him, for each time...He meets me at the water's edge.

Happy 19 Months, Cheng-Yu

From every angle, you are beautiful...and LOVED!  

The Night Before Christmas

It is Christmas Eve and as I rock Cheng-Yu, I tearfully reflect on our Christmas last year.  Wow, what a difference a year can make.  

Christmas 2008:  By the window, there stands a little pencil tree with only 3 ornaments. One is a small photo of a baby boy in Taiwan.  Although we already love him, we have never held him. Hanging nearby, there are two little airplane ornaments which remind us that the time will soon come.  Two stockings are hanging above a cozy fire.  It is quiet.  Empty suitcases are on deck in a nearby room...should we start packing yet?    

I carry him to his crib and take a moment to relish in "The Night Before Christmas"

Christmas 2009:  By the window, there stands a tree adorned with ornaments holding images of Cheng-Yu.  Presents are wrapped and arranged underneath the tree...from: Mommy & Daddy. There are cookies and milk awaiting the arrival of Santa.  A new stocking has joined ours and is hanging above a cozy fire.  It is raining outside, so I sit and listen to the peaceful sound.  It is quiet.  A baby boy with red and white striped pajamas is sleeping soundly in a nearby room...has Santa been here yet?    

Happy One Year Benniversary!!!!

Check back later for post...I have been working on it, but my emotions have prevented me from finalizing the post....

Party of 2

February 17, 2009...our last day as a "Party of Two"  

A year ago, we were in Taiwan trying to take in as much of the city of Taipei as possible before meeting Cheng-Yu.  The day was cool and breezy with a bit of rain that evening.  We started our day by trying the complimentary breakfast buffet in our hotel, The Golden China Hotel.  We sampled a few things, but ended up at the Starbucks just a block away for breakfast sandwiches. We made a stop at a bank to exchange more money and then took a cab to the Taipei 101 area. 

We had lunch at a McCafe near Taipei 101.  The service was excellent and the food tastes just like our McDonald's.  The city was lively and welcoming.  It was adorned with oxen as the celebration of Chinese New Year had just come to a close.  The year of the OX, 2009 what a wonderful year!  We made pictures of several oxen as we toured the city.  I would have loved to have been there for the celebration.  I think we just missed the Festival of Lanterns.

I can remember us shopping for a small Le Sporte sac for me to use as a diaper bag.  Before we ever got out of the United States, I realized the diaper bag I had taken was NOT going to work. I used it as a carry-on bag and by the time we made it to the Alanta airport, I was ready to abandon it!  I found the perfect little sac.  It was a purplish grey with little hedgehogs on it.  And it did indeed come in handy...a best buy, I must say!

(the heavy diaper bag at airport in Japan)

Since the evening was foggy, we opted to forgo a trip to the top of Taipei 101 in hopes to visit later on during our trip for the possibility of better views.  But, we did enjoy dinner in the food court in Taipei 101.  We also sampled some goodies at a bakery in the food court.

We enjoyed our touring, but a more significant (actually, "once in a lifetime") event to come stayed in the fore fronts of our minds and emotions.

When we finally called it a night, we took a cab back to our hotel to prepare for the moment we had been waiting for.  In the hotel room, I packed my new diaper bag and prepared gifts for the next day.  We made sure our clothes were ready and prepared for a good night's sleep (maybe the last).  How do you sleep at a time like this?  With a little melatonin---that's how!  

Real

A year ago today, we left for Taiwan.  I had never been so ready to "Fly Away" in my whole life.  It was like I had been freed when our agency announced that they were ready for us in Taiwan.  As we flew around the world, it seemed surreal.  The flight is LONG.  I say prayers.  The time had finally come...we were really going to hold him, parent him!  It will soon be real! 

One year later, we are flying again.  But this time, we are on our way to the ER.   I had never been so ready to get to the hospital in my whole life.  The drive is LONG.  I say prayers.  I sit in the backseat to be near Cheng-Yu.  With a fever of 104.6, he still giggles as I talk to him.  What a precious gift of life.  It is so real!      

...Cheng-Yu is okay.  Probably a combination of an ear infection and shots from 18 month check-up.