The Great Adventure...: Our first days home...

Sunday, August 3, 2008

We all slept well last night. Benjamin woke up around 4 wanting in the bed with us. We slept a few more hours and he woke up a happy boy. Most of the day, we relaxed and played... and enjoyed our little guy.

Yep, already his first tea party in the girls' room.
He walks really well in these Princess shoes...
And can even ride wearing the Princess shoes...
Alaina enjoyed pulling her baby brothers around in the wagon...
First ride in the van as a family of 8. Benjamin's first trip to church.

Monday, August 4, 2008
Our first day at home without Dad.

Today, he woke up again at 6:30AM. He loves yogurt! I've been mixing things and trying to encourage him to eat other things besides yogurt. He loves Juice Plus capsules...and begs for more. It won't be long and he will be moving up the growth chart.
So sweet!
First spaghetti dinner...
Hudson is such a sweet happy boy...and such a wonderful big brother. He takes care of his little brother and shares nicely. He's thoughtful, making sure that his baby brother's needs are met. Love you, Hudson!!

August 6, 2008
Benjamin was on a very rigid schedule at the orphanage and well, sometimes, I can't be so strict. Bless his heart, every day he falls asleep at lunch. It's really funny. We all talk to him and encourage him to wake up and eat. He just has to close his little eyes just for a second and then he is ok to finish lunch. Precious.

Hudson and Benjamin wake up at the same time and they nap at the same time in the afternoon. Last night, I decided to put black trash bags over our bedroom windows to see if it helped him sleep longer. It makes the room very dark and cozy. It worked!!! PTL!! He slept to 8:30AM this morning.
They have sooooo much fun together. Benjamin loves the stairs. Amazingly, he tries to go down the stairs facing the front. We taught him how to go down on his tummy so now it's super fun for the two of them to do it together. They laugh and laugh.
Benjamin got on the back of Hudson and wrapped his arms around him. So precious!! My big brother...

August 8, 2008
08/08/08
Noah Benjamin Hui's Welcome Home to America Party!!
Matching Patriotic outfits!! This is the best picture we got of the three of them...hmmm.
Loves all shoes...any shoes and actually walks in them well.
Celebrating with Red,White and Blue!! Even the cupcakes were Patriotic!!
It seemed that everybody arrived at the same time. Many brought fabric squares and best wishes for Benjamin's quilt. We will share those later as they are very, very special.

Pastor Jim (family pastor), Carson and their little grandson helped us celebrate! It meant so much to have them here.

Marcie made and served the yummy punch and Robin brought brownies and helped me set up. Thank you both for helping me. It meant so much to have you here to welcome our little guy!!

Laurel and Micah, friends and neighbors next door came for a visit!

And more friends enjoying our time together...

Jennifer brought a yummy dinner this week. Thank you so much!! That mid-week meal was perfect and just what we needed as we recover from jet lag.

Emily, Kayla and Renee were here!! Renee's fabric square was an American flag print with a wonderful family picture of them. Can't wait to share it.

Elizabeth, Adam and Anna were sweet to come!!

The big kids had so much fun outside...

Hudson and Benjamin enjoyed the yummy Red, White and Blue cupcakes...

Grandma and Grandad were here enjoying our little guy, Benjamin!

Ainslee, can I have a bite? So cute!!

Lily and Lucy's family were here!! What a blessing...they are to us. Can't wait to share their fabric!

As well as Emma and Allie's family!! So happy they we were here...as they just got home from China,too!!

Brad's parents joined us from the neighborhood...our new sweet friends. Brad was on Joel B's baseball team this year.

Sweet Jillian's family was here!! Jillian is my "niece" as they were one of the first parents at our very first adoption seminar. PTL she's home!!

Ryan's parents helped us celebrate! They are such an encouragement to our family as they have adopted several children.

Benjamin and Jillian...new friends! Jillian is three months older.

"I like my brothers' swords and my Mommy's shoes!"

Ainslee's (another sweet "niece"..PTL!) family, Dr. Steve, Rachel, Aaron and Abby...so glad you were here helping us celebrate!! Dr. Steve actually cut up his lab coat to share for Benjamin's quilt. I almost cried when he gave it to me...sweet.

Yep, more shoes!!

What a sweet picture! Barb and Stew, thank you for being apart of our lives!! We recently learned that Barb's dad's hand was just like Benjamin's. We enjoyed hearing all about her dad and what an amazing man of God he was. She said there wasn't anything she can remember that he couldn't do. He was an amazing man!

The 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening ceremony. Wow!! We watched it throughout the party and recorded most of it so we can watch it later. We have prayed for 9 months that we would travel before Olympics and God paved the way. Praise the Lord, we enjoyed sitting in our TV room, celebrating with our friends as we watched the Olympics!!

August 10, 2008

Noah Benjamin Hui's Baby Dedication

Before the baby dedication, we took several pictures of our family. We were so happy that my Aunt Tammy was able to come for such a special day!!

We pray that Benjamin will love the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul!

Kisses from Daddy!!

All the babies' pictures!

What a beautiful baby dedication! Benjamin was given a certificate and a sweet little Bible. He enjoyed the music but as soon as our children's pastor started speaking, Benjamin had waited long enough. He spotted Alexis and Zachary in the front row and wanted to go see them. So...I'm bouncing him...trying to distract him. Nothing worked. I was sweating. Joel and I had to laugh. He bent his back and cried...rascal. Sweet little Benjamin was so relaxed once we made it back to our seats. He loved the music and was so happy. He was a very good boy during the service, eating his Cheerios.

After the service, we took the kids into the indoor playground. Benjamin and Hudson loved the slide....and hiding inside the playhouse...so cute!

After we got home, the boys loved running and running in the front yard.

Soooo happy!!!

Hudson taking care of his brother...

We love nap time. The boys are doing great on their sleeping schedules. Benjamin loved this little doll. He would put the pacifier in it's mouth and say, "De Je" so now we think that De Je means "more". I guess he was feeding the baby...so sweet.