Not for the Faint of Heart

The following two entries are not for the faint of heart, so flee now if you have issues with disease or dead mice. For the brave among you, read on....

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness of infants and children. The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often with a sore throat. One or 2 days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus genus (group). This group of viruses includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses. (CDC)

Daniel's run-in with HFMD commenced on September 16, 2009 and had mostly run it's course by September 20, 2009.

The Gift Giver

Our cat Mira loves to bring us gifts -- little dead mouse gifts. Even though I praise her profusely, I truly do not like her gifts. I am dependent upon Will to dispose of the gifts, which he does with his mouse scooper tool! Unfortunately, I have to wait for Will to come home from work to deal with the gifts!

Homework

Will called me a nerd when I told him that as a student I loved homework. Well, he can call me any name he wants, but I'm not backing down! I LOVE homework! Earlier in the week, Abby's teacher sent an email saying that homework would be sent home on Friday. I'm not ashamed to admit that ALL week I've been anxiously awaiting Friday to see the homework assignments!!! Abby fussed at me a bit and told me that it was homework for the children and parents were only allowed to help. Drat! Oh, well! Helping is better than nothing! Right?

I of course thought she/we should start the homework yesterday, but she refused, saying, "We have all week to work on it! I need a rest."

Well, one can only be patient so long, so I insisted she (we) start the homework tonight. Abby did really well and even said, "I can't wait for the next day of school! I like homework!" That's my girl!!!!!

P.S. The next post will very likely be about the pure joys of the Scholastic book order form which also came home in Friday's book bag. Oh, first grade is really fun!!!

P.S.S Abby insisted on "eating" school lunches all week and appears determined to eat them next week as well. She told me she is experimenting with school lunch and she told my sister Lisa (Tonto) that she might as well give it a try because she has "nothing to lose!" She even ate two green beans on Friday!!!!!!  (For those of you not in the know, Abby never allows a vegetable to clear her lips unless she is under total duress!)

First Day of School for Abby and Daniel

Abby started first grade today and Daniel started at his new nursery school. Abby has been "freaking out" (her words) for the last week or so. She has been so stressed out about changing schools.

Noni and Granddad joined us for breakfast and the school drop offs.

Abby was so nervous, but she put on a brave face and when the time came, she marched into school with her classmates.

I stopped by Daniel's school during his lunch and was pleased to see him doing very well. He was sitting at a little table eating chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and peaches. Each time he picked up a green bean, he growled at it before popping it into his mouth. He does have a great sense of humor!

As I waited for Abby after school, I was nervous and curious to see how her day had gone. She came out with a determined walk and immediately started telling me about her day. She was excited to be able to check a book out from the school library and kept telling me that she gets to keep it "for two whole weeks!" I asked Abby about the hot lunch she insisted on trying today and she made a face, but she said she wants to experiment again tomorrow and give the school meals another try!
Waiting with me was Abby's best friend Olivia from her Montessori school. (Olivia's sister is in second grade at Abby's new school.) Abby was delighted to see her and the two friends sat down and looked at Abby's new library book.

Another old friend from Montessori called Abby tonight to see how her first day went. He said, "I heard you were kind of nervous." She said, "Yeah!" He told her he was kind of nervous today as well.

And what a sigh I have sighed tonight! I hope tomorrow goes as smoothly!

We just got back from Itasca State Park -- home of the Mississippi River headwaters and beautiful red pine trees. Daniel and Abby loved the great outdoors and both were fine travel companions, including the 5.5 hour car ride. Unfortunately, Abby's trip was rudely interrupted by a bout with the stomach flu, but she rebounded nicely!

Daniel is a big fan of walking sticks and even walked up to a hiker and attempted to steal said hiker's walking stick. Here he is holding his own mini version of a walking stick.

Abby loved walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi and did so SEVERAL times!

Daniel and Abby pose with Noni and Granddad in front of the CCC built cabin in which we stayed.

Five

Today Abby is five. Tomorrow Abby will be six. In celebration of her last day being five, the Stotts came up with the following five cool things that happened when Abby was five:

1. Abby became a big sister (and a great big sister, at that)!
   
2. Abby traveled internationally for the first time.
   
3. Abby learned to read.
   
4. Abby lost her first tooth.
   
5. Abby graduated from Montessori.
   

(Abby is not doing "jazz hands!" She's actually informing the viewer that she is still five!)

First Steps and New Words

Tonight Daniel took his first steps -- three to be exact -- and he took them as he walked into Abby's outstretched arms. We were so excited. Abby celebrated by accidentally dropping Daniel on the floor. He wasn't amused and refused to take any additional steps!

Last night Daniel added "more" to his vocabulary. When he wants more food, he says "mo!" It's rather cute! He also has recently started saying kitty and peek (for peek-a-boo). Both are said in a really high-pitched voice that makes us laugh every time!

He's a great baby!!

Finally!

Tonight I was sitting in the living room with Will thinking that I should probably come up with something to post on the blog when Abby came running into the living room! She was so excited and speaking as fast as she could said, "I think my tooth fell out!" We looked and sure enough, THAT DARN TOOTH finally fell out.

I'd been trying for weeks to pull THAT TOOTH. We tied string around it and a doorknob. It didn't work. We tied string around it and attached the other end to Daphne (I think that was Noni's idea). It didn't work. I tried tweezers, pliers and this handy dandy suture remover. None of these worked. Abby rocked THAT TOOTH back and forth with her finger, but it refused to come out!

Abby's new smile is pretty cute. Her permanent tooth is already coming in and can be seen behind the hole where THAT TOOTH resided.

My difficulty with THAT TOOTH is really not that surprising given that it is basically the size of a grain of rice.

By now I'm sure you are wondering why THAT TOOTH finally fell out. Well, your wait is over! THAT TOOTH fell out while Abby was brushing her teeth. It actually got stuck in the toothbrush and she had to hammer it against the counter to get the tooth.
Abby was so excited she called her Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt, Noni and Granddad, and Tonto to share the exciting news. Grandma Engelhardt warned her to keep her tongue out of the hole where THAT TOOTH was. She explained that that would cause the new tooth to come in gold. Abby assured her that the new tooth was white. Grandpa Engelhardt said he would match whatever the tooth fairy left under Abby's pillow. However, he did say he would take that back if the tooth fairy left a one hundred dollar bill under the pillow!She tucked THAT TOOTH in a pretty little bag we bought in Korea...
...patted the bag for safe keeping...
...dropped the pillow onto the tooth...
...and announced that sleeping on THAT TOOTH felt "a little lumpy!"

The Chronicles of Narnia

Abby just came up to tell me that she and Will have finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia. She had been crying, so I asked her if the book was sad. She said it was a happy/sad ending. She asked Will if they could go through each book and discuss what happened.

Initially, Will wasn't certain Abby was old enough for the series. But she loved the books. And now Will continues to be amazed at how much of the stories Abby remembers!

Turning One Has Its Downside

Poor Daniel had to have four shots today! He was indignant!

The Doljabi

Yesterday's dol (first birthday celebration) was great fun! I said a prayer for Daniel and we then performed the doljabi. A ceremony that is said to determine the future of the baby. Abby helped explain the traditions and symbols to our guests. She was so great!!

Will showed Daniel various items and encouraged him to pick up two.

Daniel's options were:
a book -- scholar
string -- a long life
money -- wealth
calligraphy brush -- artist
baseball -- athlete

The first four options are traditional. I substituted the baseball for a bow and arrow -- I didn't want Daniel to pick the fate of being a great military leader.

Daniel's first choice was the string -- a long life!

And as much as Will hoped that Daniel would pick up that baseball...

...Daniel instead chose the calligraphy brush -- an artist.

The table was decorated with fruit, candy towers and the screen of Korean kings.

After the doljabi we ate bulgogi (Korean beef dish made by the vegetarian) and kimchi. And as he has done for each of Abby's five birthdays, Will made Daniel's first birthday cake!

And without doubt, our long-lived artist birthday boy had a great day!

(Daniel's hanbok is really big on him! Hanboks are expensive, so it is common for the one-year olds to wear a size two -- that way it will fit next year too!)

Daniel's Dol

Today we had Daniel's dol -- first birthday celebration. Dols are huge events in Korea and we attempted to celebrate in a traditional Korean fashion. Daniel wore his hanbok that his foster mom gave to him. I'll post more photos with additional information tomorrow! (I'm wiped out!)
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Daniel is ONE!

Today is Daniel's first birthday. Will and I took the day off from work and we spent the day in Minneapolis (and St. Paul). We started the day at Children's Home Society and Family Services for our three month check in with our adoption social worker. (Double click on the above photo to enlarge it and see Daniel's squished up nose smile. It's his latest cute trick!)

We then had lunch at a Korean restaurant. Daniel ate kimchi pancakes, bulgogi, and bibimbap. He LOVED it!! Abby -- not so much!

We then spent the afternoon at the Minnesota Zoo. Abby of course LOVED that and Daniel really enjoyed it as well. His favorite animals seemed to be the otters, grizzly bear, Amur tiger and the goats (yes, the Minnesota Zoo has goats)!

But Daniel's favorite zoo activity was patting Abby on the head -- over and over again!

Our party for Daniel is tomorrow, so instead of cake, Abby and Daniel had ice cream. And because she is Abby, she wore much of the ice cream on her face!

But alas, turning one is really hard work and when you have your favorite pacifier and you're snuggled with your super snuggler, you've just got to give it up!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY DANIEL MIN JAE RICHARD STOTT!

Take a Good Look...

...because the next time you see Daniel, he's going to be ONE!!!!