Two Years On

I've been trying--desperately trying--to find time to update...but there's a new baby in this house and Sleep is not thine name.

Let me start at the beginning.

Two years ago, this weekend, we were on a plane bound for Seoul to meet our first son, H. He was about 5 and a half months when we met him, a lean mean jumping machine. H. had the biggest smile of any baby ever in the history of babies. He soon became the love of our lives. Five million diapers, three kajillion viewings of Finding Nemo and nearly two years later, the three of us headed back to Korea to meet our new son, W.

And here I interrupt to bring you a public service announcement: when traveling on a 14.5 hour flight with a two year old, the thing you need more than toys, DVDs, cookies, crackers, etc. etc. is another version of yourself. A well-rested doppelganger to handle things on the other side. Because, sometimes--and I'm not naming any names--sometimes kids decide not to sleep until the descent of the plane and by then, well, by then it's just too late. Thanks for nothing, kid, and all that.

Korea was amazing. With our eyes pried open by toothpicks, we took in as many sights as we could the first few days we were there. When we traveled to pick up H, the trip was much shorter. This time, we spent nine nights there and got around. The first three nights, H. was jet-lagging big time. And thus, so were we. But after that, we got back on track and by then it was time to meet W. That meeting is a longer post for another time but suffice it to say it was everything we could have wanted.

Two days before we departed Seoul, we headed over to the Korean agency. There we were reunited with H's foster parents. It was very emotional and touching for all of us, and we hope it's not the last of such visits. After that tear-fest, W. showed up with his foster mother and her daughter. They really loved him and it was hard watching them say goodbye. But again, we hope to see them in a few years, when we don't throw up at the thought of flying that far with children again. We'll send pictures and keep them up to date on this 5-month-old's fine accomplishments as they happen.

W. was 4 and a half months old when we met. It's now just about a month on, I guess three weeks. But when you factor in the lack of sleep, it's more like six weeks, since we've been up and working doubles. The jet lag was not as easy to overcome this time since we had a toddler who needed to watch. Wonder. Pets. NOW. At 2 am. This lasted a week. From then on, it's been your basic, garden variety up-at-night with a baby sleeplessness. And we are tired. So very tired.

But it's all good. W. is a bundle of cute. He's very happy and loves to flirt. He smiles a lot and is so alert.  He watches every move H. makes. H. is starting to come around. He's been very cool about having a new baby in the house, and his days of indifference get cancelled out every time he places one of his prized possessions in the palm of the baby's hand just to look at it there, and say, "Sharing."

When W. cries, H. says, "Baby laughing." I started asking, "Is he laughing or crying? What do you think?" Now every time baby makes a noise, H. says, "Baby laughing. Is he laughing or crying?" H. is talking a lot these days, repeating everything we say, like a parrot. When he's not saying, "To infinity and deyond," he's usually saying, "Daddy says, I love you. Mommy says, I love you. H. says, I love you." When the baby first got here, we'd ask, "What does baby say?" The answer: "Baby says, Goo ga ga." But now, it's "Baby says, I love you."

***

This post was interrupted by some early-evening-into-late-night-crying. Not mine, if you're wondering. But by midnight you wouldn't have been far off.

And now it is Thanksgiving, and time to end this, the most rambling of posts. I am out of practice and a wee bit scattered. Gooble gobble, as H. says. Enjoy everything that's good in your lives today.

Comments

[Mr. Toast Himself]

Gooble gobble, indeed.

Thanks for finally posting. I've missed seeing our lives through the clearest and most insightful of perspectives... yours.

ILY,
T

[mortimersmom]

wow! so good to hear from you and I can't wait to hear all about W.

[Brooklyn Mama]

Oh!! Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you guys, and I would loooooove to see pictures of both of your little guys.
xoxo

[greenkooka]

Lots of love and hugs to H and W and you both! R & D & A

[chicagomama]

So glad to hear from you, even if you sound very very tired. It does get better, jsut keep on saying that. :) Though - where are the photos you promised me?!?!? Don't email someone promising photos of baby cuteness and then not deliver! That's one sure fire way to not get anymore care packages. ;) Actually - I totally understand that you must be completely tired and exhilirated and every other emotion right now...and then add the holiday season and shake. Whoa. If you get a chance to send pictures - that would be fabulous, but I won't blame you if they are delayed for quite some time. Give lots of hugs and kisses to H. and W. - and take care of yourself. Maybe get someone to babysit after the boys go down for the night just to get dinner by yourselves. Sending hugs and good juju! Happy belated Thanksgiving!

[Sara]

So very happy to see you're back! W sounds divine, and I'm glad H is getting used to him. I'm looking forward to reading more once you're better rested.

[Marla]

Hugs

[c]

Congratulations! I can't wait to hear more.

[Figlet]

And yes, W is all that and a bag of chips. In our house, baby says "wah wah" in a very small voice.