Mommy Brain

I was watching my sister handle in her remarkable way her two children, age 2 weeks old and almost 2 years old. In watching her it dawned on me all the things we do as parents that we never thought we would do.

* I have been known, yep I will admit it, to wipe food off of the Moose's face and not having any place to put it eat it myself. Yep. Never thought I would do that. Don't really even hesitate now.

* Today I caught my husband stuffing his clothing with pillows so that he could lay on the floor and "rest" while a forty pound sumo-wrestler" ran, dove, and pounced him. The pillows were thoughtfully and strategically placed in the most of important areas. He was protected and Moose had a blast.

*My sister is so efficient at breast feeding now that I am pretty sure I saw her do a double back handspring ending in the splits without her little son missing a beat. Ok, so she did not do this but darn close enough. Kudos to her.

Anyway, no real thing to say tonight and have lots of stuff to do around the house. Here in SuBRABia we started decorating for Christmas, which meant eating a lot of M&M's, dancing around with garland, and yelling at Puka-dog for eating the lights.

KLB

Ps. The Moose prayed at dinner tonight and said:
"Dear Jesus I love you. In my heart. Amen." Then he stated, "Great, let's eat!"

Ah, a walk.

I have internet for just a second and wanted to post these pictures. In all the choas of this family time together we stole away for a walk in the snow. It was nothing but wonderful.


Here is little adventure tip....just strap your kido close to you and go for a walk to anywhere.

Precious Little Fingers

Our sweet Moose had a horrible experience last night. Ah, it was terrible. There is a massive difference between a child's cry and a child's scream. Last night my ears were pierced with the screams of my little son and it was absolutely terrible. The poor little guy got his finger caught in a door and we ended up having to take a trip to the Emergency center. Many tears, a nasty shot, and a lot of bandaging later we found ourselves hugging medical personnel and laughing over lollipops.

In the car it was just me and Moose. Jason was driving home from work and was rushing to meet us at the hospital. Moose was screaming in the backseat. I could hardly think. Recently I read a survival manual and was reminded of the ongoing theme in the midst of a crisis~ breath. Breath I did, which helped. Then, I began to pray aloud. Moose started to calm his screaming. I do not know if it was the comfort of prayer or the tone in my voice that commanded his attention for a brief moment, but he started simply breathing too. We arrived at the hospital, ran inside, and immediately a team of wonderful nurses came to his attention.

Jason made it to us and we were both so happy to see him walk through the door. The doctor had just given me the news that Moose would need stitches. He was screaming again, mostly from fear. Each time he looked at his little finger he would start screaming. The doctor kept calling him "sweetheart" and was so kind to him.

We had to hold the little guy down while he got his shot. I was singing Barney songs and trying to not fall apart as he was calling my name. Jason elbowed me in the ribs. It was his way of trying to get me to stop crying so that I could be strong for the Moose.

As soon as the shot began to numb his hand the little guy relaxed. He started talking, smiling, and even laughing at the nurses and doctor. They were smitten by him.

When the entire ordeal was over he was lavished with lollipops and hugs. He left the hospital waving at the medical team and saying in his darling little boy voice, "Doctors make it all better! Doctors are great!".

We went home, ate ice cream, and fell alseep together in the big bed.

Today, he is doing well. He favors his hand, keeping it protected, and he is very proud of his bandages.

I will tell you, there is nothing more precious to me than that little boy and those little fingers. His Daddy will say the same. We are so grateful that the ordeal is over and for doctors who do indeed make things all better.

Woop Woop!

I am exhausted. My mom and I had a booth at a craft fair today and sold 43 Bolga Baskets! YIPEE! The adoption fundraiser is well under way and I am really excited about doing some more craft shows. They are fun and I met the most interesting people. I came away with a few neat items too, some through flat out trade of goods!

Anyway, it was a long day but it brought a renewed excitement in my heart about this upcoming adoption. And, now that Moose has a new baby cousin he has been asking me if I will get him a brother too. (Smile).

I have a lot more to write about, including a story about my amazing wonderful brother who does not yet have a blog because he is too busy reading mine (SPENCER!).
But, before I can write anything I have to go snuggle my son and get some sleep!

I miss my hubby. He is in Chicago. I am homesick. Anybody want a puppy? Puka is driving me nuts.

KLB

Welcome Baby Stewie

One year ago today I dragged myself off of a plane, excited and exhausted, after coming from Ethiopia with our Moose. My husband offically became a bonified Daddy this night one year ago today and I will tell you he has been one of the best in the world since that very night. I would like to go on and on about this and my memories of this night~ but I can not tonight because I have some really great news to share!


My darling sister had her second baby this morning. Please meet the sweet, precious from head to toe Leslie Harold Stewart III, aka: STEWIE!

Puka Dog at the White House?

We have just turned the TV off after being glued to it most of this evening. President-Elect Obama mentioned getting a new puppy for his girls at the White House. We would like to offer Puka-Dog to them. We think he would fit in really well at the White House. We are certain he would find plenty of things to chew, digest, throw up and chew again there.

We vote Puka-Dog as the Obama's new puppy!




Ok, ok, just kidding. What an exciting night!

A Suprising Blessing

I do not know why, after all these years, I am still utterly surprised when I receive a blessing which came as a direct act of kindness from someone else, but I am. A few weeks ago when I posted about my memories of our Gotcha Day with the Moose I received a comment from Candy Pearson, who was quickly going to become a friend.

I responded back to Candy and a serious of fun emails began taking place. Candy and her hubby are adopting from Ethiopia, they are excited, energetic, and full of anticipation. You can see this in her every word and it is so refreshing.

Candy purchased three Bolga Baskets from us that she is going to use as Christmas presents. The total came to $89.00 and she wrote to say a check was en route.

When I tell you what happened next I need to you remember two very important things.
First, we have never actually met the Pearsons. There is no shared history or family connection or sense of responsibility between us.
Second, the Pearsons are smack in the midst of raising funds for their own adoption and working creatively and diligently to do so.

I received a package from them, inside was the check but it was for $300.00!!!

It was not an error. A simple note said for us to keep the extra and apply it towards our adoptions. The Pearsons say that they have been so blessed recently that they have to pass some of the blessing on.

Please take a moment and visit their website, meet the couple that with no string attache, blessed our family as we work to adopt once more.

Pearsons, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are inspired by you.

Here they are:
The Pearsons Adoption Fundraiser, T-Shirt and Buttons~ Adopting Africa
The Pearsons Personal Blog, Georgia on my mind, Ethiopia in my heart.
The Pearsons Recording Label, P is for Panda.

Halloween

The Brabsons are having a really busy week here in SuBRABia so I do not think I will be blogging much this week. But, I had to hop on for two reasons. I wanted to share some pictures of Halloween.

Here is Halloween~ Brabson style.

Jason arrived home just in time, dressed in work attire. He remained in work attire as he said he lost his pirate suit. Likely story.

Katie greeted Jason at the door in a pirate costume and with an abundance of well said "arrr matey's".

Samuel Mussie ran around the house asking when the kids would be coming over.

Katie bar the door while uncostumed Daddy took the Moose on his first official trick-or-treat experience. They made it to three houses before the Moose tired out and asked to go home. All he wanted to do was give other kids candy. What a sweetheart.

We sat outside until it was dark, lit the pumpkin, and went inside to watch a great movie: Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium.

The movie was interrupted numerous times and each time created an air of excitement, especially for Mussie who yelled "Kids, the kids are here!" at the top of his lungs each time he heard a knock, tap, honk, russle, etc.

We ran out of candy, gave out crayons and stickers and the night was over.

Mussie collected one juice box, one hot tamale candy, one sweetart, and a piece of gum. Not great pickings this year. :)

Here are some photos.

Our pumpkin.


My Boys.


Oh, my other babies. Love them.


The pumpkin we carved. Mussie said, "Mommy, that is SO icky" regarding the inside.