A Busy Bunch of Days

Since my last post a lot has happened. My job at The Collaborative ended; Oliver and I went to St. Louis for our first visit home; Tony went north for an annual guys' fishing trip; and I started my new job. Given all of that, I hope you can forgive me for not posting about each thing as they happened! It's been a wee bit busy. 

In my last post I wrote about my role with The Collaborative ending, and it is still bittersweet. I pass the office building on my way to the new place and it feels strange to keep going. It has only been three days, so I'm sure that will change in time. My new job is off to a slow start thanks to a few computer issues, but everyone has been welcoming and friendly. The office is small (10 of us total, dropping to 9 soon), but after working in an office of three or four it's a pleasant change. It is clear to a newbie like me that this place has a family feel, just like The Collaborative. For now, I've been working here and there (when I am able to get on the computer), so I look forward to seeing what's to come with this new role. I'll also continue to work with my two coworkers from The Collaborative, so that connection isn't going away, just changing. 

This past weekend Tony had the opportunity to head north to Leech Lake for his annual fishing trip. Tony is the organizer so last week was busy with preparations for his trip. I am sure he'd say it was all worth it, though! From what I can tell it was perhaps their most successful trip yet -- and we have some walleye in the freezer to prove it! While I don't usually post Tony-only pictures, I can't resist sharing this one:

One of Many!

This past weekend also found Oliver and I making an inaugural trip south to visit my family and friends in St. Louis (in February my mom, Dan and Ian came up to visit, so Oliver was excited to see them again). Lots of firsts: first time for Oliver and I to travel alone; first time for Oliver to be away from his new home; first time flying since getting home from Korea; first time meeting most of the people he met in St. Louis; first time for him to be away from Daddy for more than one night. Tony and I were both feeling unsure about how Oliver would react to flying and to traveling without Daddy. Would he think he was going to another new home or new family? Would he understand that the trip was just a visit? Would the whole thing trigger a massive grieving session?

And....he did great. Yeah! 

We flew out late Thursday and returned Sunday evening. I will admit, the journey there was tough (leaving so late in the day did not help). Not nearly as bad as traveling home from Seoul, but challenging nonetheless. Here's a photo I took of us on the plane just before take off:

He was so excited to be on the airplane!

Bumpy travel day aside, our time in St. Louis was terrific. Oliver flourished as he played with his cousins, got to run around in the fenced backyard and was doted on by everyone around him. He met his Great Grams, his cousin Brooke, Aunt Sherry and a whole host of others. His Nana and Pawpaw showered him with love, spoiled him when they could and helped keep an eye on him so I could get a break every now and again too. They also hosted an open house so friends and family could stop by and meet Oliver -- it was nice to see everyone and I'm so glad Oliver took it all in stride. Here are a few photos from our time in St. Louis:

Enjoying a shake at one of Mommy's favorite places: Steak n' Shake

And the brain freeze that follows!

Monkey Joe's Bounce House with Cousin Ian

Playing with Brooke's Princess Wand, Necklaces and Reading Light

Cousins Watching Morning Cartoons

Oliver loves all things police, fire and ambulance -- he wants to play with them, wear them, make the "woooowooo" noises…and as it happened, he got to see them all up close this past weekend. There was an emergency call at a house across the street, so while they were busy working Oliver and I got a chance to look at the firetruck up close. Here's a photo Aunt Sherry took of us:

He's thinking about how cool the firetruck is!

The firefighters were so nice to Oliver. They had little plastic hats that they gave to Oliver and Ian! Had it not been an actual emergency I would have asked for a picture with them, or to see if Oliver could peak inside the truck, but perhaps there will be another opportunity to do that down the line. 

 I was nervous about how the trip would go, especially just Oliver and I, but it really couldn't have gone much better. I miss my family so much and I can't wait to see them all again! 

In other news, Oliver's language is really taking off! Lots of two and three word phrases, new words every day, and a better comprehension of using yes and no. Plus, he's just so darn cute that I just want to stare at him and cuddle him all of the time. I hope that feeling never goes away. It makes the hard moments bearable and the good moments all the better.

Mother's Day

I don't think there's a single person out there who didn't know that Mother's Day was yesterday. Between social media, television programming (even Oliver's cartoons addressed Mother's Day), church sermons and the plethora of folks out for Sunday brunch, you just can't avoid the day. Even if you try, as I've done in recent years. 

This year, however, I was able to celebrate being a mom. In real life. Not "mom" to a cute little one living on the other side of the world whom I had yet to meet. Not a woman trying to become a mom or navigating the prospect of never becoming a mother. For the first time in a number of years, there was no emptiness and sadness filling my day. No sobbing quiety in church during the worship music. No dread.

Instead, there was joy, love, humor, frustration (hey, he's 2.5 years old and acting like it -- every day has some frustration!) and family time. We had brunch with Tony's parents to celebrate and they snapped this photo of us after the meal:

Trying to get a family photo with an active toddler is a challenge!

Our family! I am blessed to be mom to this amazing, funny, loving little man. His hugs melt my heart, his laughter brings joy to my life, and I am immensely grateful.

I am a mother today to a child who has two mother's that came before me. Two other women who have had a significant impact on his life. I reflected on that yesterday and pray that his birth mother and foster mother somehow know just how loved and cherished he is. How blessed we are because he's in our life. How much we appreciate the roles they have had in helping him grow into who he is today.

Yesterday afternoon Oliver and I walked to the neighborhood park. We pass by a fire hydrant, which he always has to stop and touch. Here are a couple of photos -- can you tell that he just loves all things fire (engines, hoses, hydrants)?!

Hugging the hydrant; he's so happy to see it!

Love

And now it's Monday, the first day of the work week. Also my last day working for The Collaborative. I've been here for over 10 years and it is very much like a family.  Leaving this job, this role, this place....it's bittersweet. Our company is morphing and wrapping up much of its work, so we've been winding things down over the last month or so. I will begin the next chapter of my work life next Monday as I help manage the transition of The Collaborative's largest event to the local organization that will be taking over the co-hosting duties. I will still be in touch with both my current boss and my coworker as we will all have a role in the transition of the conference, so at least today isn't a good bye. It will be strange to no longer gaze out my window and see the adult "bookstore" and the topless bar; to hear the Hennepin Avenue traffic; to have the office temperature be far too hot or too cold (never just right); and to be working with these people that I've come to know so well. 

One Cute Bath Time & Two Cute Playground Photos

Oliver loves bath time -- and playing. The playground photos were taken by Grandma today after nap! So lucky to have someone taking care of him that is happy to text us photos and updates during the day.

My Son, Your Son

The "my son, your son" claims/accusations are finally happening!
Tuesday night I sent Tony the following text message:

I just caught your son drinking orange juice straight out of the container. It was nearly empty so it was light, and he undid the lid and starting drinking! Completely a boy move!

Apparently that is the first time I said to Tony "your son." I think he was tickled by it, and he thought it was pretty funny that Oliver dove right into the OJ (and to be fair to Tony, he isn't known for drinking from the OJ or milk containers at our house -- but he's more likely to do it than I!). It was a moment where I turned my back to get his sippy cup, and then found him drinking from the source!

As I reflect, Tony has used that claim before, saying that one of Oliver's traits is just like me. Especially when Oliver does something like line up all his cars or trains (which is does often) or when he panics over messy hands or messy face. So it was pretty funny that about an hour after the OJ carton incident I was in the other room for a couple of minutes and came out to see this:

Something you can't see well in this shot: there were quite a few rocks on the ground with the dirt.

Important things to note:

1. He IS allowed to play in the gravel and dirt that's in the planter, so long as he keeps it inside the pot. It was one of my "giving" points early on (I think he started playing in it the first night we were home when we weren't supposed to say 'no' unless it was a safety issue).
2. He's cleaning up the spilled rock and soil using the dish sponge, which means he got the chair to the counter and grabbed the sponge (I was wiping up the counter when I left the room). 
3. His nails are filthy with mud.
4. I couldn't have been gone for more than 3 minutes, so this all happened pretty fast -- he wasn't playing in the plant when I left.
5. He was very proud of the fact that he was "cleaning" and just beamed with self-satifaction.  

Getting into the mess might be more of a Daddy thing, but the cleaning and being proud of cleaning? Pure Mommy.

**love this little guy**