Smart Cookie

He is one smart dude!
I know parents brag a lot about their own kids, but I’m sure mine has to be at the top of the smart cookies list! Here are four things that have happened recently that make me pretty certain you’ll also agree that God has created a special little monkey!
1) Four days ago, I taught him to raise his hand if I asked him, “Whose my baby? Raise your hand!” I only showed him about 5 times, and to this day, he still remembers it!
2) Today, we were singing “If You’re Happy” and he actually raised both arms in time when it came to the “Shout Hooray” part of one verse.
3) Also today, he was sitting in the bathtub and started to stand up. I said, in Chinese, “Sit down.” And he immediately did so!
4) And fourth event of the day: We were getting ready for bed, and I said, again in Chinese, “Go get a book.” He went straight for his section of the bookshelf, and picked out Hungry Caterpillar!
5) He loves my hairbrush. He picks it up every day and carries it around the house. Today, I showed him how to brush his hair with it, and right away, he learned and started to do it (with the non-bristly part, though!)

In other news, we now also know what his cry of fear sounds like. It’s terrifying. Kris put his hat on Kaeden yesterday – backwards.  Kaeden was thrilled to have it on his head and walked around everywhere with it. Next thing we know, he’s screaming/crying. I guess somehow Little K started trying to take off the hat, and ended up with the whole hat covering his face, which terrified him! It was a funny sight to see, as it really wasn’t very traumatic for anyone but him. We tried to hold back the laughter.
May 31

Fun at the Mall

Little K is hilarious. He makes me laugh ALL the time. Today, we went to help a friend find an apartment. Little K jumped on every single bed in each apartment we went to, and charmed every single landlord.
This evening, the three of us went to the mall. When we got up to the floor with Tom’s World (sort of like a Chuck E Cheese), he went beserk. His hands and arms were flapping as he ran towards the rides and machines. He stood in the entrance for what seemed like forever – he was in awe of the noise and blinking lights. Later, we went upstairs where there were those car rides – the kind you put a quarter in. He especially loved this red convertible and wouldn’t get out (we never even had to put money into the thing!).
We then checked out the toys, and as soon as he had looked at all of them, he headed straight back to the car ride! He knew exactly where to go!!!
He is so much fun and I love him so much. He’s always in such a good mood and enjoys making everyone around him laugh. What a huge blessing he is!!!
May 26

Little K is ONE today!

Happy Birthday to my darling little boy. He’s such an amazing little guy, so we had to throw him one amazing little party.
We had some families over for lasagne, then had pretty much the whole building and some others from outside at our house for cake and presents (there were over 30 people!). There was a rule that no presents under $1 Million NT/US was allowed, but apparently people don’t follow instructions well! :)
Kaeden was such a trooper through it all, and was both shocked and awed by the events. His stomach was probably even more shocked as we fed him his first real people food – a large helping of lasagne!
We played one game in which several objects were laid out in a circle around him, and whichever one he chose would be his future career. We had a stethoscope (doctor), gavel (lawyer), ruler (teacher), thick history book (scholar), basketball (athlete), steering wheel (racecar driver), tractor (farmer), and a drum (musician). We think he was going for the ball before the noise overwhelmed him and he ran crying from the circle. OR maybe he’s just really smart and didn’t want us to put his future in a box. :)
After the birthday song was sung and the candles on his ultra-gigantic (over 1 foot in diameter) basketball cake were blown out, he had his first ever cupcake – covered in sugary icing. He enjoyed it, as you can see by the photos. Then he opened his presents – including a giant raft with over 100 balls!!
We think he had a terrific day and are glad he seemed to enjoy it. We’re blessed by all those who came to celebrate this milestone in Little K’s life!!!
Happy Birthday, sweet one.

A Year Ago Today May 4 10:12 pm

It's hard to imagine that at the same time last year, we had no concept of what Dudicus was like. We didn't know he'd be so good-natured, so hilarious, so independent, so active and so loving and lovely.

I watched him in the playground this afternoon and my little dude was already letting me go to catch up to his little (well, to me only - they were all at least aged 3 or above!) friends.

From before he was born, my prayers have been that he would grow up following God's heart. As for me, I keep praying that my heart would be prepared to let him go, little by little, and that I would cherish the time when God has entrusted this child to us.

We've never been baby people and frankly, were worried that we wouldn't be able to love our little guy enough. While the miraculous events I was hoping would come with motherhood, like cooking and cleaning, never happened, the incredible "I never knew I could love someone this much" feelings did.
To our little Superman: We love you.