One year! And almost 3 years old!

It's been a year (last week) since we brought Maddie home. We adopted her on 3/3 and came home on 3/15. I can't believe it's been a whole year. And only a year. Feels like she's always been here. Same with Dylan. Speaking of whom, little man will be THREE YEARS OLD in 3 days! We've had to delay his party due to some family being out of town on both sides, but he'll have a party at school that day.

Both kids are doing great. Maddie and mommy just got over strep throat, but other than that, everything is good! She's really starting to talk more now, and I learned last night that she knows her colors! She had a bowl of fruit loops and picked them up one at a time and named the colors. I about fell over. She's so smart. Takes after her big brother!

Here are some new pics, for your viewing pleasure!

Maddie:










Dylan:

Oops

I forgot about my blog. So sorry! Does anyone even read this? Please leave a comment if you do. Otherwise, I may just stop blogging.

I'm thinking about taking a new direction with the blog. It was started to document the process of our adoptions. Now that those are complete, it has morphed into an 'about the kids' kind of blog. I may expand that to talk just about life in general. Is that ok? I think my only reader is Aunt Pat, and I'm sure she won't mind. ;)

So Maddie had her 15-month well-child visit yesterday. She's 23.5 pounds, 30" tall and NOT well. Much to my surprise, she has an ear infection. Again. I had no clue, as she's had no symptoms. But lo and behold, she was crying in her sleep all night and now she has a fever. So she's staying home and cuddling with mommy today. Dylan was none too happy about that. HE wanted to stay home and cuddle with mommy, too. But mommy has to work, and that's going to be hard enough with one baby here.

Speaking of work, I'm just praying I still have a job through the year-end. It's been a mess for about 2-3 months now and I still don't have answers. See, the position I'm in is a training type of position for new analysts. I was promoted into the position 2 years ago and it was supposed to last about 2 years. Well, at my last review, my boss said it's about time to move onwards and upwards. Only his suggestion was a swap with someone in a position below me. Um, ok...but will they be changing said position to my level?

In the meantime, another analyst position was posted, so I applied. I interviewed for it and the interviews went well. But they wanted to talk to other candidates as well, and I was being pushed to decide on the swap offer. My boss said if I didn't take the swap, they would be posting it and I'd have to apply and compete for it. So my choices were: back out of the posted role and accept the 'guaranteed' position (it was approved to change to an analyst position) or take my chances and risk losing BOTH positions. Well, since we really can't afford to lose my income, I backed out of the posted position and accepted the swap.

Well, last week, I asked if I should start training the guy who is taking my position and vice versa, and I was told they're trying to decide what to do. HUH? I thought this was a done deal. Nope, they may be reorganizing that department and may be eliminating that position. Ummm...so does that mean I stay in this position and the other guy gets laid off, or he gets my position and I get laid off?? Dunno yet. I feel like I'm being pushed out. Pushed to decide to take a job that may not even exist anymore. Great. Just freaking great. Until we get our tax refund and pay down the adoption debt, money is realllllllly tight. So tight, in fact, that I don't know how or what the kids are getting for Christmas.

In brighter news, the business (www.hyenacart.com/VinhThiDesigns) is doing really well. Sales slowed down with the economy, but we're still hanging in there and staying busy. Every weekend is full of embroidery work for Chris and I'm constantly knitting. My customs list is booked out to next May. Granted, I only make about $1/hour knitting, but I can do it in the car on the way to work (Chris drives), sitting in the waiting room at the doc, laying in bed, etc. And I really enjoy it. It's a great hobby for me, since I have constantly have my hands busy and have to constantly be multi-tasking. I just can't do only one thing at a time. Never have. So normally, I'm watching TV, checking the computer (email or one of the many boards I post on), knitting and talking to the kids.

Speaking of the kids, other than the current ailment, they're doing great. They're both happy, healthy and adjusted/adjusting well. Maddie is our little drama queen and Dylan's the independent one. He wants to do everything by himself and wants to help us with everything. They're both such great kids.

Halloween was fun. Dylan was a pirate and Maddie was a flower. We went to 3-4 houses to trick-or-treat, and also went to H'ween in the Park and Boo at the Zoo. I love the holidays and can't wait for Christmas!

My goodness-has it been that long?

Wow, I haven't updated in 2 months. So sorry! It's been crazy busy here, with our new business taking off (www.hyenacart.com/VinhThiDesigns) and two toddlers. Plus working full-time. Ah well, it's my life and I love it. The kids are wonderful. Well, Maddie is having a pretty bad flare-up of her skin condition right now. They never said for sure, but the ped derm thinks it's severe eczema and not acropustulosis. As of this morning, she has patches of red bumps on her legs, her belly feels like 'chicken skin' (per Christopher) and is covered in tiny bumps. And she has the tell-tale blisters on her feet. Poor thing is itching like crazy. Time to break out the benedryl and peanut oil (what they prescribed for her skin).

Other than that, they're great. She's saying mama, dada (when she sees us, so the words do have meaning to her!), bye bye and hi. Dylan is talking in sentences now (I like trains. I like cars. I like Dora. LOL). I'm just amazed by both kids on a daily basis. They're both beautiful and perfect. And I feel so blessed to call them mine.




































And these are from Maddie's first birthday party:

Guess who's walking!

Everyone is doing really well. Just really busy!

One more week!

Until I head back to work, and Maddie heads to daycare. I was going to start back 4/15, but I decided to go back a week early (mainly for insurance purposes-if I get half a paycheck, my insurance is covered, but if I wait until the 15th, I won't get a paycheck and will have to pay for my insurance).

Things are still going great with the kids. They are just perfect and wonderful. Still sleeping through the night and rarely crying. In fact, she's laughing at me right now. LOL

We did have a semi-rough week medically. Long story short, I got MRSA (a dangerous staph infection) in my armpit. I believe it's from exposure to Madison's head after I got razor burn in Vietnam (note to self: pack more than one razor for a 3-week trip). So we believe that's what's on Madison's head. We're still battling the oozing sores. They've come and gone twice now, and are back today. Her acropustulosis is back again already, and is on her hips, back, feet, hands, arms, face and neck. Much more widespread than last time, but less severity. We're treating it accordingly.

Anyway, the MRSA caused 4 abscesses (two large ones) under my arm, one of which was lanced (OUCH). I've been on two medications, but I believe the second one seems to be doing the trick. The abscesses have shrunk significantly and the pain is almost gone. I can lift my arm and hold my baby again.

My biggest concern is for the babies left behind at the orphanage. Madison had this when we got her. It's highly contagious. And can be fatal. I've informed my agency and offered funds to purchase medication for the babies. Hopefully something can be done for them.

On a brighter note, my baby turned TWO last week!! He's such a big boy. Where does the time go??

And what post is complete without pictures?

Home one week and doing GREAT

This trip was SO much smoother than our first. We were all over jetlag in 2-3 days, Madison is sleeping through the night, everything is great. It's been a fabulous first week!

Yesterday, we spent a couple hours at the park. Dylan played on the playground with Daddy and Madison played in her pack 'n play while I knitted her some shorts.

We went to the zoo today for EggstravaganZoo. Dylan did an egg hunt and had a blast. Madison seemed to enjoy strolling around the zoo. We only stayed 2-3 hours, as it was naptime/lunchtime and the kids were falling asleep. They both slept all the way home, plus some.

Dylan is going back to school Monday. Daddy will be home another week, then he goes back. Maddie and mommy have another 2 weeks after that for bonding before she goes to school and I go to work. We may do a couple half days at school during that time to get her used to it.

She's SUCH a happy baby. Always laughing and smiling. Well, not ALWAYS. I mean, she does cry sometimes, but when she's not crying, she laughing. All you have to do is smile at her and she laughs. It's so cute. See? I just tested it out and she laughed!

Anyway, the adjustment seems to be going almost TOO well, but I'm not complaining. She's happy, we're happy, Dylan's happy. It's all good! Here are some new pictures.






























Oh, and I don't know why the right side of all my pictures is cut off. If anyone can tell me how to fix that, I'd appreciate it!