Saturday, March 22, 2008

Easter Round 1

Decorating Easter Eggs
Sharing cookies with Grandpa - these two are going to be buddies!

Yep, water is FUN FUN FUN!!!



The hunt!!!



Leo got cookies in his eggs - here he is with Grandma!





Leo had a big day today! First, he went on his first Easter Egg Hunt! Boy, did he have fun! He went in a rinka-rinka (bouncy thing), he found some eggs, and he played some games!










Then, it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Shaffer's house to celebrate Easter. He was a very good boy! He was, of course, spoiled! The Easter Bunny left eggs all over Grandma's floor, and poor Leo had to run and get them to put them in his bucket (with a smile on his face the whole time!)





Then, since it was 90 degrees today, we took him swimming for the first time! Woh, was that the biggest hit yet! Don't think he stopped laughing the whole time, even when we dunked him! Grandma said her cheeks hurt from smiling so much! He was adorable! When mommy sneaked him out of the pool, he pointed to himself, then to the pool, yelling "more, more!" While doing the sign for "More" Too cute!










We started some simple sign with him two days ago and he is picking it up quickly - although he is speaking the words to go with the sign almost just as quick! It's fun though! Our favorite thing he learned today was the word for "kiss" which he will gladly give (at least today....)







Round 2 for Easter with Grandma Beth and Grandpa Bill is tomorrow. We're wondering if Leo believes that he should get at least one present everyday...... just a bit spoiled!




We're asking for prayers for Julie and family, who got stuck in the snowstorm in Detroit on the way to Taiwan and are a bit delayed. Also for our dog, Lilly, who is not doing so great with her cancer right now....sigh!

3 comments:

Rydley said...

Glad Leo enjoyed the pool so much! Looks like you guys had a great Easter! Sorry about your dog though. That's so hard...

Per your message, we love Knuffle Bunny and that gave us the boneless shirt idea. And I already made a blogling shirt! It was such a cute idea! You can click through the link on our site to see it.

Wishing it was warm here like there!

Stefanie said...

So I think *I* want to be Leo! He looks like he is just having the most fun every single day :-) And I am so impressed he signed/said "more" for you! Obviously a smartie-pants, as well as cutie-pie!!!

So sorry your dog is not doing well. Thinking of you and sending prayers your way.

Shana said...

I think it is great you are teaching him sign along with words. We are doing the same with Mia. It is hard to understand her sometimes so the signs make it a lot easier.

Looks like Easter was a blast and Leo had so much fun! I am so glad to see how well he is doing. Seems like you've had him forever.
-Shana
www.giroux5.blogspot.com

Learn Chinese!

Timeline


January 8, 2007 Attend Adoption 101 Information Session in Mesa, AZ
January 22, 2006 - Apply for preapproval from our agencyand Taiwan
January 23, 2007 - Application for USCIS (I-600A) form submitted
January 28, 2007 - 1st Homestudy meeting
January 28, 2007 - Sign adoption contract with our agency
January 29, 2007 - Approved to adopt from Taiwan
February 1, 2007 - Clearance from state of Arizona
February 6, 2007- Maricopa application to adopt is filed
February 13, 2007 - Clearance from state of Michigan, Medical clearances, and Fingerprint invitation arrive from USCIS
February 24, 2007 - Fingerprinted for USCIS
March 11, 2007- Homestudy Complete and Court Certification from Maricopa County received
April 28, 2007 - Homestudy is translated into Mandarin
July 1, 2007 - Finally receive 171-H in the mail
July 6, 2007 - Get new case manager
July 22, 2007 - Sign adendum to contract
August 8, 2007 - Our lucky day! Referral for Lin Kai-Yi, born 6-3-06
August 8, 2007 - accept referral
August 13, 2007 - Sign Child Referral Agreement
August 23, 2007 - Paperwork arrives in Tucson
August 24, 2007 - Paperwork arrives to us
August 26, 2007 - Documents notorized (How many adults does it take to use a stamp?)
August 28, 2007 - Documents certified by AZ Sec. of State
August 29, 2007 Documents sent to TECO to be authenticated
September 4, 2007 - Documents arrive in Tucson from TECO
September 6, 2007 - Documents sent to Taiwan! YEAH!
September 10, 2007 - Update day! We receive 4 pics and a video!
October 2, 2007 - Receive word from TWCA that our hearing date is October 9, 2007 (this happened extreamly fast!)
October 9, 2007 - Keep your fingers crossed for a quick 1st ruling (even better yet, keep your fingers crossed for a final ruling!)
October 11, 2007 - October updates are here!
October 19, 2007 - Receive more pictures and videos from Ray's visit to Taiwan!
November 5, 2007 - November updates are here!
December 2, 2007 - December updates are here! Can't believe there has been no news all month!
December 13, 2007 - FINALLY! Word of our First Ruling! Yippeee! It happened on Dec. 13th in Taiwan (yesterday here)
January 4, 2008 - January updates
February 4, 2008 - February updates
February 28, 2008 - Leaving for Taipei!!!
February 29, 2008 - Arrive in Taipei!
March 4, 2008 - Gotcha Day! Can you even believe it!?!?!?
March 5, 2008 - FINAL RULING FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! (by the way, our paperwork says the final ruling was issued December 24th!)
March 6, 2008 - First AIT appointment
March 7, 2008 - VISA DAY!
March 10, 2008 - Leave for home!
March 10, 2008 - Arrive home with our boy!!!!!!!!!!!
July 5, 2008 - Find out about Wil's arrival!
March 10, 2009 - Wil Shan-Yi Shaffer is born at 3:38 am 8 lbs. 4 oz. 20 inches long