The Evening After

Aidan had been awake for a while this afternoon. Had some applejuice and applesauce. Didn't stay down long. First time he ever vomited, so I think the whole thing freaked him out a bit. He had been pretty calm until that moment.

Julie headed home around 7. At that point, Aidan and I watched some TV and videos on my laptop. The TV here doesn't have Sprout, so Aidan can't watch his favorite shows, especially Caillou. What was funny was that once he got his hands on the remote, he turned to ESPN and started watching a basketball game. He actually seemed to enjoy it. Either that or he just wasn't in the mood to care. Probably the latter. We hardly ever watch basketball at home.

So I finally went to the Sprout website and we watched some video clips there. Tried YouTube and found a whole bunch of Caillou episodes there. Aidan managed to watch them until about 9:30. I finally told him that it was time to try going to sleep. As soon as I took the computer away and adjusted his bed, it didn't take long before he started to fade. He's sleeping soundly now. Let's just hope it lasts until his next vitals check. Or his tiny roommate's next session of loud fussing and crying.

Aidan's Second Surgery

Aidan's sleeping soundly right now following his second surgery. This one was to repair his lip following his palate repair back in October. He's all stitched up and pretty puffy, but he's certainly taking it all like a trooper.

We arrived at the hospital this morning around 10:30 for a 12 noon surgery. Everything started right on time. After meeting some of the medical team who would be caring for him, I was invited to come back to the operating room to be with Aidan while he was given the anesthesia. I had to suit up in some protective gear (pictures to follow). We laid him down on the table, and I watched as the anesthesiologist offered him "bubble-gum flavored air." It wasn't long before Aidan's little eyes rolled back and he was fast asleep.

The surgery itself was about a 2 and a half hour procedure. Aidan arrived in his room around 3:30. If all goes well, we'll be out of here by noon tomorrow. That's the plan, anyway. Julie will be heading home soon to relieve her mom who has been on "Lily duty" today.

It's the Year of the Tiger

Break out the red envelopes, oranges, red banners, new clothes, dragons, lions ... and don't forget your Tigger doll, since it's the Year of the Tigger ... um, I mean, Tiger.

We were invited to a Chinese New Year celebration in Everett tonight. Most of the families who attended were also adoptive parents (some were neighbors and friends). The potluck meal consisted of some delicious Chinese cuisine and one Alfy's pizza. The hosts also provided some entertainment for the kids ... decorating a dragon, story time (led by a neighboring mom from up the road in Granite Falls), firecrackers (actually, it was bubble wrap which the kids stomped on), and a dragon piñata. Our kids were tentative about getting involved in the activities, which was fine with me. The crowd got pretty riled up around the piñata. Every time even the smallest bit of candy dropped to the floor, there was an immediate swarm of rugrats diving forward, elbowing and shoving one another to get their mitts on the sugary morsel.

We have a new year celebration of sorts three times annually in the Onken household. The first is when the liturgical year begins the First Sunday of Advent, usually at the end of November of beginning of December. Then comes the civil New Year on January 1. And when the second new moon after the winter solstice arrives (usually in early to mid-February), we get to celebrate Chinese New Year.

So, "Happy New Year!"

"Congratulations and be prosperous!"

Or, as they variously say it in China:

Xīn nián kuài lè!

Guò nián hǎo!

Gōng xǐ fā cái!

Gong hay fat choy!

Suì suì píng ān!

Nián nián yǒu yú!

A Whole Host of December Pictures

We just celebrated Epiphany last Wednesday, and managed to put all the Christmas decorations away on Thursday. Now it's time to catch you up on all our December activities and celebrations.

Aidan's First Advent and Christmas

Here's Aidan opening up the first door on our Advent calendar/tree. The kids each got to open a door every other day, finding either a tasty or fun treat inside.

At the Bethany December Brunch

Early in December each year, our adoption agency, Bethany Christian Services, hosts a brunch for local families who adopted internationally. Here we are in front of the tree in the church where the brunch was held.

St. Nicholas' Day

"Daddy...Mama...what is this doing in my shoe?"

Treasure on St. Nicholas' Day

Lily and Aidan showing the candy, coins, and oranges they found in their shoes on the morning of St. Nicholas' Day (Dec. 6).

Lily decorating the tree

Kids in the Creche

Our two crazy kids climbed under this throw on one of our chairs. It made it look as if they were part of the Nativity scene. This picture inspired my Christmas Eve sermon, which I entitled "Seeing Yourself in the Stable." You can read it over at my church blog by clicking here.

Can't wait to tear in to those presents!

Aidan and his stocking

Lily and her stocking

Kids, Dad, and Grammie O

We enjoyed having my mom up from California for a couple weeks over Christmas and New Year's Day.

New Christmas Clothes

Aidan seems happy to pose, but Lily looks she's copping the attitude that says, "Just take the picture already!"

Oh, PUH-LEEZ!!!

Lily' and her baby's new ballet clothes

Lily loves her dance lessons, so it was only appropriate that her favorite baby "Lexi" have some dance clothes of her own.

Aidan's New Bike

Aidan is the proud new owner of a "Lightning McQueen" bicycle. He's still got a long way to go before he can successfully pedal it. His leg strength isn't quite yet where it should be.

Brother, Sister, and the New Bike

Dad loves trains, too

Not being the handiest of fellows, I was pretty proud of the fact that I was able to put this thing together. What little boy doesn't love a train set under the Christmas tree? This little boy in the picture sort of likes to play with it, too.