First Words

I wonder what my first words were, what nuggets of wisdom I had to spew forth on whomever happened to be near me at the time. Maybe "mamma," or "dadda," or "hamburger," or an enthusiastic "Go Leafs Go!" ... something of obvious yet great significance.

My mind wandered to this topic that I rarely think about because there may have been a slight possibility that Stacey and I heard Kaitlyn utter her first verbal discourse. Of course, we have happily been subject to the regular gutteral noises that babies generate from the very depths of their being. But, tonight was different. This seemed a little more clear, a bit more precise, and very well annunciated.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Kaitlyn's latest milestone, you need some background. Kaitlyn has this ritual that she follows religiously every night as she gets closer to bed time. We've been told this is a comforting mechanism that some babies naturally adopt to help them fall asleep easier. Still, it's crazy funny!

With the greatest of ease, Kaitlyn bolts her right arm straight up in the air in a way that would make Hitler jealous. She then cocks her head in the same direction, slightly upward and to the right, so it is resting ever so gently in the crook of her own shoulder. Then, the fun begins. Her mouth drops wide open - big enough to drive a bus through it - her tongue slithers out as if she's about to catch flies with it, and then she starts making this wet and slightly nauseating sound by rubbing her cheek against the little bit of tongue that happens to be left in her mouth. It's like she's chewing her cud. Depending on what kind of mood she's in, this ritual can last anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes, all the while, arms in the air, mouth open, and tongue out. Stacey and I have affectionately dubbed this, "The Hickey."

Let's just say that if Kaitlyn were to rub up against your face and turn on her facial vacuum, you would be going home with a few broken blood vessels you didn't come with. Welcome to "The Hickey." Live performances at around 7:30 every night.

Tonight, we were playing with Kaitlyn on the couch when she started showing signs of getting tired. She was rubbing her eyes, scratching her ears, and physically slowing down. When we held her up, she would smile but most of her body would fall limp and hang motionless in the air. She was getting tired; we knew "The Hickey" wasn't too far behind.

Ya see, we get big laughs because of "The Hickey." Kaitlyn couldn't be more serious when she performs "The Hickey." She's tired and she'll do whatever it takes to fall asleep. What we didn't anticipate this early was the possibility of Kaitlyn waking up enough to repeat our pet name for her ritual. That's right, there is a slight possibility her first word was in fact, "Hickey." It would have been one thing had she said this only once. But alas, she repeated it ... a number of times. Do your best to imagine a little one year old Chinese girl soon to be running around, arms straight up in the air, shouting to everyone in her path, "HICKEY ... HICKEY ... HICKEY!" Stacey and I will be close behind making sure that everyone understands how big a fan Kaitlyn is of hOckey. Score one for mom and dad on that one!

Perhaps I lost something in the Chinese to English translation, I don't know. I thought it sounded like "Hickey." For some reason, Stacey mildly disagrees ... hmm. Either way, I'm guessing it will be soon enough before more words are freely flowing from her, words that are more characteristic of babies, words that we can actually use in intelligent conversation with her. Like I said, that will be soon enough. For now, we'll enjoy the groans and the grunts that make us wonder if she's doing more than just trying to talk, if you know what I mean.

But until then, "All Hail The Hickey!"

Pleasing the Raging Masses ...

OK, here are a few more pictures to keep the raging masses happy. Seriously though, thanks for continuing to check in as often as many of you do. I know it's been a while since I've posted something but I'll be completely honest with you ... I am stinkin' tired! Kaitlyn is absolutely awesome but she requires a lot of energy. Even still, I wouldn't trade her for anything; she's more than a little hard to resist when she's wearing the blue and white.






I'll be sure to post something again very soon because there are some humourous things that have happened since we've been home. Stay tuned ...

New Video Clips ...

...to complement the Farting Preacher.

Check them out in the Video links below on the right side of the page.

More Pictures...

Reflections From Seat 21A

Though I'm writing this blog from home, I couldn't help but let my mind wander as Kaitlyn slept on the pull-down tray on the last leg of our journey home. Our last flight went well and surprisingly, did not involve any bathroom catastrophes. However, early in our flight Kaitlyn dumped a full glass of apple juice right on my shorts and that made it look like ... well, you guessed it ... like I didn't make it to the bathroom in time. The one time I order apple juice - the drink that looks like pee - on a plane, and I leave wearing it. Even still, thanks to all of you who showed interest in my bathroom well being. Like I always say, "Safety first."

Well, OK, I never say that. But it's a good principle nonetheless.

We left London, ON at 8:15am yesterday which meant we had to be up and at it by 5am. That's right, yesterday was chalk-full of good times. Our flight from London to Toronto was on the smallest puddle-jumper of a plane I've ever been on. The plane had 18 seats in total and we could see right into the cockpit. I think the sheep and goats were in the back with the people who couldn't afford first class.

Our flight into Regina arrived about 15 minutes early, quite the feat considering we left Toronto almost 10 minutes late. I guess we missed rush hour in the air. So we made it home just after noon our time. And let me tell you, it is good to be home and sleep in our own bed for the first time in close to a month.

Being home is a little bittersweet. It's good because we're back in familiar territory, and like my father-in-law insists, "If you wanna run around the house naked, you can because it's your house!" Not that I would do such a thing, but in the event that I ever lost my sanity - and all of my clothes - at least the option is there.

It's also good because we finally have the opportunity to get Kaitlyn familiar with her more permanent surroundings and get her into a regular routine. She slept in her new bed for the first time last night and did pretty well after a long day. She also met Dreyfuss, our dog, for the first time and she received a wet, furry welcome home. Dreyfuss also didn't leave our side for about the first hour we were here. We weren't sure if he was "in heat" or if he was just glad to see us. Turns out he remembers who we are.

And, we certainly won't miss an airplane or living out of a suitcase any time soon. The airplane food during our in-China flights was especially gruesome. Some of the Chinese food was questionable as it is, but when the meal they give you is the only thing that seperates you and the barf-bag in the seat back in front of you, you tend to have some second thoughts. Or you just scarf down the food as quick as you can, hopefully without tasting it, and pray for no turbulence. And as we all learned early in the trip, no matter how badly you have to take care of business, don't go to the bathroom when there's turbulence! Find another way.

On the other hand, there's a slightly bitter taste as well. We're home, and while that's a good thing, we're left to wrestle with the reality that almost two years of planning, praying, and sheer excitement has come to an end. In other respects, the excitement is just beginning. But the journey of paperwork and the thrill of finally receiving a proposal is history. Meeting other people in our travel group and questioning what the experience will be like is done. Preparing for a long trip and packing suitcases, not really knowing if most of what we're taking will actually be needed, is finished. China has come and gone. Our questions have been taken care of. Our dreams have come true. Our prayers have been answered. Finally.

It was hard to say good-bye to our family in Ontario because it was very evident that they bonded quickly with Kaitlyn, and Kaitlyn with them. It was hard to take our little girl out of the arms of Oma or Nannie and Granddad to leave, knowing Kaitlyn wouldn't see such important people in her life for a while to come. We saw scores of people - many relatives and a lot of close friends - while we were in Ontario that we wanted to spend more time with but simply couldn't.

And now, we're home. Alone. Just the three of us. Four, if you count Dreyfuss. No experienced extra hands living under the same roof to help us, though we know many people here who are more than happy to help. We make the bottles. We lay down for naps. We get to play. Just Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Kaitlyn, the beginning of our own little family.

Though the thought of saying good-bye still tastes a little bitter, life at home is defintely sweet. Sweet, indeed.

Answer to Prayer

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
- 1 Samuel 1:27












Meet the happy grandparents ...


Kaitlyn, Daddy, Oma, and
Great Oma ("Groma" for short)











Kaitlyn, Mommy, Daddy, Nannie and
Granddad ...

... and a whole lotta presents!!!

The Peril of Being A Leafs Fan

Did I miss the memo? Because I'm on the email list. I would have thought that since the Toronto Maple Leafs have pretty much fallen off the face of the earth at one of the most critical times, I would have at least found the email in my inbox to let me know.

The steep slide into hockey oblivion began when Leafs General Manager John Ferguson let the heart and soul of the team simply walk away. The free agency frenzy had barely started on Monday before Gary Roberts was snatched away by the Florida Panthers along with childhood friend Joe Nieuwendyk. We have also seen the unceremonial departure of a third future Hall of Famer in Brian Leetch. But this is only the beginning.

Since Monday at noon, the Leafs management has stood idly by, lemonade in one hand and TV remote in the other, watching many of the free agents who are actually worth pursuing, get signed to very respectable deals by other teams.

Since my first birthday, the major issue for the blue and white has been the same: defence. To put it mildly, it sucks. Consider the talent we have seen pass by the Leafs to sign with other clubs: Sergei Gonchar (to Pittsburgh, who by the way, will be looking very good in the next few years), Adam Foote and Bryan Berard (to Columbus), Chris Pronger (traded to Edmonton, but still, the Leafs were nowhere near the bargaining table at any time), Eric Brewer and Jeff Woywitka (on the other end of the Chris Pronger trade), Mike Rathje and Chris Therien (to Philadelphia), former Leaf Danny Markov (traded to Nashville; also a proven sparkplug), Alexei Zhitnik (to the Islanders), Adrian Aucoin (to Chicago), and Mathieu Dandenault (to Montreal). Throw unsigned free agent Scott Neidermeyer into the mix, who isn't showing any interest in the Leafs anyway, and this is one seriously talented group of players. Not to mention that some - if not many - of them have showed even mild interest in playing in Toronto in the recent past. But not this year. We're just along for the ride at potentially the most pivotal time in NHL history. And this list is just the defencemen who were available.

On the other hand, Leafs management has indicated in the past they may be willing to sacrifice this upcoming season to go after potentially big name free agents next year. Like Joe Thornton (who will likely re-sign with Boston) or Jarome Iginla (who has re-signed with Calgary) or Marcus Naslund (who has also re-signed with Vancouver). Yup, good plan.

And then there's Peter Forsberg, who at one time also indicated interest in playing in Toronto with fellow Swede, Mats Sundin. That option was kicked in the teeth when Forsberg signed with Philadelphia and well known big-mouth Jeremy Roenick was subsequently traded to Los Angeles. I suppose we could revert to Plan B, but is anybody really sure what Plan A was?

And therein lies the problem. John Ferguson, the inexperienced GM of the Leafs, assured fans that a plan was in place to be competitive in the circus that has been NHL free agency. But when a doctor performs heart surgery, he replaces the old heart with a new one. On Monday, the old heart was taken out and has yet to be replaced with anything worth fighting for. A disgruntled Tie Domi who has given his team of choice every chance to make an offer worth accepting, a 80-year old goaltender who was good in his day but is too injury-prone now, a defensive core that has barely improved in four seasons, and a handful of less-than-sub-par players who accepted outrageous qualifying offers from Toronto because they knew they'd never get that much anywhere else. Sounds like a 25 win season to me with little hope of anything to get excited about beyond that.

So, at this point, the most attractive options on the table for the Leafs are players with head injuries: Eric Lindros and Jason Allison. If the rumours hold up, they'll sign Allison in the next day or two, and Lindros could wind up in TO or in Nashville within the same timeframe.

Usually, I don't like to be this cynical. But that's the beautiful thing about being a Leafs fan. You can rant and complain and cry all you want, and let everybody know how you feel even though they could probably care less, and still feel justified in your diatribe. But when management throws their line into the water and pulls up something nobody expected and it appears to be a good thing, you can claim the Leafs as "your" team. It's no longer "them" or "they" ( ... "they" screwed up ...); it's "us" or "we" ( ... "we" got a great deal or "we" made a great move ...).

One wonders if anyone, especially John Ferguson, knows exactly what the Leafs plan is now that almost everything worth pursuing has been accounted for. There are still a few treats out there, but they don't appear to be interested in a home in southern Ontario, and you can't really blame them after watching the Leafs watch everything else.

It's the peril of being a Leafs fan. Today, they suck. But tomorrow's a new day.

Transition

BEFORE ...













AFTER ...



From Chinese to Mennonite in 5 seconds or less!

I was thinking about some of the transitions that parenthood tends to foster in a person's life. Like the jibberish that becomes the language of choice whenever you're with your little one. You know you've bit the bullet when you unconsciously start speaking jibberish with other adults. You're hooked and there's no turning back. In a matter of moments, English becomes a foriegn language. It was like someone flipped on a switch inside of me when we got Kaitlyn two weeks ago. It's not like we're fluent in baby-ese, nor is everything we say completely incomprehensable to all living things except deep sea fish and rare breeds of dogs who hear high-pitch squeals that nobody else hears. But when your tone of voice elevates to a stratosphere that belongs solely to Michael Jackson - and you haven't taken any kind of lethal blow south of the border to prompt such a drastic alteration - then you know a transition of some significance has taken place in your life.

Life is full of transition, some good, some bad. Frank Herbert once said, "Without change, something sleeps inside us and seldom awakens." I have no idea who Frank Herbert is, but I think he's right. It's hard to believe that two weeks have passed since life changed as dramatically as it did.

Now that we're home and free from some of the chaos that was China, we're starting to recall some of the background of Kaitlyn's situation and living conditions before we adopted her. We learned that even though she was paid some fairly specific attention in her orphanage, she would sleep every night for the first 10 months of her life on a piece of plywood that was covered with a band of beads that you normally find taxi drivers draping over their seats. As mildly therapeutic as beads might be, imagine trying to get comfortable on something like that. Without a pillow. In hot temperatures in the summer and cold temperatures in the winter. No air conditioning and probably just enough heat in the winter to keep the snot from freezing and completely clogging up your nose.

When we recieved Kaitlyn from the careworker that made the trip to the hotel with her, we also received the bottle to which Kaitlyn had become somewhat attached. When she finished drinking the bottle, we opened it to clean it to find it covered with mold on the inside. We were completely grossed out at the thought of drinking from something like that. It was horrifically normal for her.

Though the little yellow outfit that Kaitlyn was wearing when we received her looked nice, it also looked as though it hadn't been washed in a long time. A little ratty-looking outfit wasn't about to keep us from taking her but we changed her at the first opportunity we had. And now the time-change is making things difficult for Kaitlyn but she's still doing quite well.

And don't get us started on her appetite. She has definitely earned her new nickname: "Hoover." She's only 12 pounds - don't worry, the doctor's assure us she's very healthy and will grow like a weed in no time! - and I'm sure she has the dubious distinction of being able to eat her weight in food. She barely ate for the first two days we had her which was more than a little nerve-wracking as parents, but completely understandable. Now, we can't shovel in the food fast enough.

Moreover, her personality has changed incredibly. She smiles for no reason whatsoever, something we can't get enough of. I could look at that one-toothed gummy redneck grin all day long. Whenever we walk in the room, she becomes fixated with us, something I hope she never grows out of. And when she stops playing just to smile at Mommy and Daddy and then starts playing again, I can't help but stop what I'm doing, smile back, and take it all in.

Her life is different. So is our's.

Without change, something sleeps inside us and seldom awakens. We've changed and I'm glad for that. It's nice to be awake again.

(PS ... and there you have it ... a whole post without any mention of a toilet!)