We had a nice Christmas, although the weather was so bad (worst snow storm we've had in YEARS blew in on Xmas Eve) we didn't get to see all of the family members we hoped to see. Fox had a nice first Christmas overall, though. On Christmas morning he demonstrated how he could scoot backwards--his first method of locomotion! He still isn't much of a roller--he pretty much refuses to roll. Here is a video of him scooting backwards, captured the day after Christmas :)
Happy New Year everyone! It would be AWESOME if we received a referral in 2010, but very unlikely. You never know, though!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Baby Fox is 6 months old!... and Taiwan adoption statistics
oday my baby Fox is 6 months old. I can hardly believe it! He grows up so fast. He is now in the 90% for height, 60% for his head, and only 3% for weight. He's a tall skinny boy, apparently! The doctor wasn't worried, though--she said he is consistent and he is healthy, so we're not worried either. We will keep making sure he eats a lot, though--I don't know how this little guy is so skinny since he is such a good eater! I steamed and blended some spinach that Grandpa Dan grew, and so Fox celebrated his 6 month old birthday by eating some tasty tasty spinach. He wasn't sure about it at first, but by the end he seemed to like it pretty well. I've attached a video--this is definitely the messiest he's ever gotten!!
In other news, the US State Dept has released the total number of international adoptions in the US for fiscal year 2009, which is interesting. Last year there were 219 Taiwanese adoptions, and this year there were 253! So they are still on the rise. It really is a pretty interesting table overall (http://www.adoption.state.gov/news/total_chart.html) As a whole, international adoptions are way down.
In other news, the US State Dept has released the total number of international adoptions in the US for fiscal year 2009, which is interesting. Last year there were 219 Taiwanese adoptions, and this year there were 253! So they are still on the rise. It really is a pretty interesting table overall (http://www.adoption.state.gov/news/total_chart.html) As a whole, international adoptions are way down.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Adoption Movie Review #1 - Pinocchio
I've decided to start my series of "Adoption Movie Reviews." These won't necessarily be movies specifically about adoption, but rather movies which happen to have adoption elements in them. Rather than just give an overview of the plot, I'll discuss what the adoption-related messages are, and if I feel they are positive or negative adoption stories. For my first review, I'm going to look at Disney's Pinocchio.
We were babysitting my niece Ellie and nephew Theo last night, and decided to watch our DVD of Pinocchio. I hadn't realized it, but it has been many many years since I've watched it! I was struck by Geppetto's relationship with Pinocchio--it really is quite touching. Geppetto wishes on the wishing star for his wooden puppet to become a real boy, and the blue fairy brings Pinocchio to life. Although Geppetto is startled at first, he adjusts very quickly and before long he has Pinocchio snuggled next to him in bed with a matching night cap. The next morning he is already calling him 'son', and Pinocchio is calling Geppetto 'father.' I found myself thinking "wow, they are bonding really well! What a great example of an older child adoption!" While Geppetto doesn't exactly ADOPT Pinocchio, the movie really does emphasize the fact that Pinocchio isn't Geppetto's biological child--yet he loves him as if he were. It does a great job of demonstrating that families are created in many different ways, and that a non-traditional family can be a wonderful, loving thing. The only negative aspect I'd point out is the fact that the blue fairy tells Pinocchio he has to prove himself before he can become a 'real boy.' Considering older children who have been adopted sometimes have issues feeling like they have to be 'good enough' for their new families and are fearful of not being wanted, such a concept might be distressing to some children. Overall, though, I felt it has quite a positive "adoption" story.
We were babysitting my niece Ellie and nephew Theo last night, and decided to watch our DVD of Pinocchio. I hadn't realized it, but it has been many many years since I've watched it! I was struck by Geppetto's relationship with Pinocchio--it really is quite touching. Geppetto wishes on the wishing star for his wooden puppet to become a real boy, and the blue fairy brings Pinocchio to life. Although Geppetto is startled at first, he adjusts very quickly and before long he has Pinocchio snuggled next to him in bed with a matching night cap. The next morning he is already calling him 'son', and Pinocchio is calling Geppetto 'father.' I found myself thinking "wow, they are bonding really well! What a great example of an older child adoption!" While Geppetto doesn't exactly ADOPT Pinocchio, the movie really does emphasize the fact that Pinocchio isn't Geppetto's biological child--yet he loves him as if he were. It does a great job of demonstrating that families are created in many different ways, and that a non-traditional family can be a wonderful, loving thing. The only negative aspect I'd point out is the fact that the blue fairy tells Pinocchio he has to prove himself before he can become a 'real boy.' Considering older children who have been adopted sometimes have issues feeling like they have to be 'good enough' for their new families and are fearful of not being wanted, such a concept might be distressing to some children. Overall, though, I felt it has quite a positive "adoption" story.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Christmas decorating
We decided to go with a small tree this year, and ended up getting a potted tree that can fit on our table. We got out our decorations earlier today and decorated it with the help of a certain little elf.
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