Matt, Stacey, and Ben Uhrig

Emily and Keith being "attacked" by Ben and his cousins Jack, Payton, and Timmy!

Sunday night we hung with Stacey's dad, step-mom, brother, sister-in law, and grandmother. We had a lot of fun just relaxing, eating, and opening gifts!

Ben and GG

Monday morning was nice and quiet. Just relaxed with Ben, opened gifts and made a yummy breakfast!

Posted in: The Holidays on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at at Tuesday, December 26, 2006 0 comments  

Well, the holidays are upon us and we apologize for being "incognito". However, a lot has been going on!

Besides the everyday hectic life of a working family with a 2 year old, Stacey found out she has a damaged disc in her neck and is suffering a lot of pain down her arm from the nerve that is pinched. This has laid her up (literally in bed) for the better back of the past week or so. With a 2 year old - this is a CHALLENGE! When the doctor told her - bed rest for 10 days she just looked at him - are you kidding?

With a number of beautiful drugs to help her on her way, a chiropractor, and lots of rest - she is getting there....we are super thankful for the support of our babysitter Tara, Stacey's Mom, and everyone else who has pitched so she can "lay low".

But what about Ben? What's he been up to during all of this? He has been such a big help! He clearly has a high emotional intelligence as he has been very sympathetic during this time and has really be super good! In addition, we are thankful for the Polar Express movie!

Last year, Stacey's sister Becky gave this to Ben as a xmas gift (albeit he was a bit young for it). However, this year - given his love for trains and all large vehicles that move - The Polar Express has become like a second family member in our household. From the music to the story - Ben loves it in its entirety! Note: not big fans of the TV on for long periods of time - but what a god sent - given it allows Stacey to rest her neck!

Here are some of the top 5 things we have been hearing from Ben lately...

1. 6am - in bed..... "THIS is the POLAR EXPRESS"!!!
2. All aboard!
3. Mom - I want some "hot hot hot hot chocolate"!
4. The boy was on top of the train! It was very dangerous!
5. I love trains!

Oh - and 2 other things we thought we'd never hear...

1. I am NOT taking naps anymore!
2. I do NOT sleep in a crib anymore!

God help us! Is this the beginning of the end??? Luckily - he has done both...napped and in his crib. But he is finally starting to test the limit and trying to see if he can crawl out. Might be time for an upgrade!?!?

And lastly...Cutest thing ever...

Two nights ago, we are sitting on the couch. Ben comes up to us and says, "Its time for night night. I'm going up now. I love you mommy, I love you daddy, going to bed, I'll be right back".

We couldn't believe it! Our little boy is turning into a BOY! A big boy who makes his own decisions and very clearly! Needless to say he came back and wanted us to help him go to bed. It really was a sign that he is growing up (way too quickly).

Posted in: on Friday, December 15, 2006 at at Friday, December 15, 2006 0 comments  

How can one not LOVE the holidays when a kid is involved! In the past - we thought we enjoyed the holidays - but nothing compares to the excitement and magic of the holiday season with a child.....

Everything is so NEW and exciting to a 2 year old as the holidays. BRIGHT lights on trees, Santa at the stores, and of course the idea of MORE presents!

This past weekend we went to get our Christmas Tree. Last year when we did this, Ben was only 1 year old and didn't really "get it". Well, this year he does! Everything had to be BIG! Big tree Mommy! Big Lights Mommy! Big Big Big! This year "Grandpa and Lala" went to get the tree with us. It truly is adorable....

looking for the perfect tree!

Waking up the next morning to see the lights on the tree! Note - Ted, and the pups are laying on their bellys to look at the tree....Ben thinks they like to watch it best this way....

Posted in: on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at at Tuesday, December 05, 2006 1 comments  

They say to watch what you say around a toddler as they are like sponges...they soak everything up and repeat it verbatim...

Knowing this - we are very careful of what we say around Ben as we don't want him picking up words that we wouldn't want to hear from him. In addition, we are uber-sensitive to what he is hearing from others as well...not just people but in his enviornment.

Ben's favorite show right now is the Charlie Brown Christmas Movie. In the movie Lucy calls Snoopy "stupid". In the past, I would have NEVER even noticed it - but now I'm thinking - ugh...I don't want him to hear that - god forbid he repeat it. In addition - we have been reading a childhood favorite lately - The Very Hungry Catepillar. Those with children know - this is an awesome book and loved by most kids. In the book at one point they refer to the catepillar as "fat". Not a big deal...however, again - I cringe thinking he'll see someone in the store that is overweight and scream - He is Fat!

We can control what we say in front of our child -
but how do you control their "environment"?

This is a struggle that every parent deals with....the start of a long journey for sure. What is funny is even though we are careful about saying "the wrong" things - its all things that they listen too and repeat. Here is a top 10 list of Ben's new phrases...its hysterical.

10. Daddy, How was YOUR dinner?
9. Mmm...delicious!
8. That outifit is cute!
7. Go Rutgers!
6. Mommy, Jazz or Classical?
5. I want that SOOO bad!
4. I'm serious!
3. I'm talking to you!
2. Mommy, you have to earn that.
1. I'm bringing Sexy Back (ok - hello...it was a song on the radio! God help us!)

Posted in: on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at at Tuesday, November 28, 2006 1 comments  

Ok - I apologize for the delay in posts...just been super busy! Its been about 2 weeks since I've "blogged"...so there is a lot of catching up....

Last week we were in Atlanta from Tuesday to Saturday to visit with Matt's family and spend Thanksgiving with them. I don't know who was more excited...us OR Ben!

This was just too cool with a 2 year old...air train from the parking lot to the airport..."a party" at the airport (according to Ben - he sees tons of people and all of a sudden its "a party"), riding on a "big plane" that is "way big" (ben's terms not ours)...yet another train (at the atlanta airport) and then 4 days of doting aunts and uncles (ok - mostly aunts) - playing with Ben and just having a ton of fun! In total, Ben spent 4 days with 4 aunts, 1 great-aunt, 3 uncles, 1 great- uncle, a baby cousin (nathaniel), a second cousin (david) as well as extended family of our sister-in law, etc.

A trip with a 2 year old can really go either way - completely horrendous - or totally fun.

Thankfully it was the later! It really was a great time! Ben loved all of the excitment of "taking a trip". He helped us pack his bags, get his toys together, buy snacks. Then once at the airport - taking the trains, the planes, and the cars to get to and from...let alone seeing all of his relatives! The travel logistics were ridicously good...no lines or waits on Tuesday - right to the counter to check in, right through security both going and coming home on Saturday...We couldn't have been happier with the outcome. It didn't hurt that we had a 2 on 1 situation as well...Ben was outnumbered!

We are "thankful" for all of our family but I think more so "thankful" for such a smooth trip....it really was a Great "Thanks"giving!

Posted in: on at at Tuesday, November 28, 2006 0 comments  

In May 2005, when Ben was scheduled to "come home" from Korea - we had an option...we could go to Korea and get him or we could have him escorted home. For a variety of reasons we chose the escort.

When we arrived at the airport to "receive" Ben so much was going on and it was just a crazy time (more on that in another post) but what I will never forget is the generosity of Ben's escort - Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee seemed young (maybe early 20s) and this guy flew 21 hours (and 3 layovers) with a 6.5 mo. old baby boy that he did not know - just to bring him to us. Again - the overwhelming feeling of "thanks" cannot be expressed in words (for more on that see post: A time to reflect).

At any rate - he did not speak much english at the time, so our ability to communicate with him was limited - but a nod and smile was enough for him to understand we were saying "Thank You!!!!!!!!".

About 1 month after Ben came home, I received an email from Mr. Lee (i believe I put our email address into a card we gave him when he arrived (we had a korean friend write it in "hangul" for us) just asking how Ben was - so from time to time I send him emails with pictures.

Last night - I received an email from "Hwan Lee" titled "Hello" I opened it...and here is what I read....so touching......

"Hello~.

This is Hwan Lee who escorted Benjamin. How are you and Benjamin?? I remembered that Benjamin's birthday is in November, but I don't know when is his birthday exactly. How is he?? Is he healthy??

You know what? When I saw him at first time, he looked so healthy. He was bigger than other babies. However, he cried just 2 times totally. He cried in the restroom of the airplane and at the San Francisco Airport when he left me for 2 hours. Everybody on the plane told me he was lucky boy because he always smiled. I remember his smiling. Anyway, say hello to him even though he doesn't remember me. T.T

Have a nice day!

Min Ho's escortor Hwan"

Posted in: on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at at Tuesday, November 14, 2006 1 comments  

Just a quick update since everyone is asking how "big" ben is...

25 lbs.
33 inches

Still a small pint for his age (around 25-50% for weight and height) but he has a big head (75-90%) which means he's smart (according to the doctor ;-) ). Ben did a great job at the doctor, sans a few screams and wales when he got his flu shot...poor guy! Otherwise, healthy as a horse (and has been since April) - fingers crossed for a sick free flu season!!!

Posted in: on at at Tuesday, November 14, 2006 0 comments  

Hanging with Grandpa....
Playing with my new piano
opening gifts with my cousins Jack and Time
Hanging with my cousins, Payton, Tiim, and Jack...they are so cool!
Having a great time!

Posted in: Birthday on at at Tuesday, November 14, 2006 1 comments  

having fun before mom goes to work
enjoying the crisp fall morning
practicing drinking out of a bottle like mom's!
here i go!
success! SO PROUD!

Posted in: on Friday, November 10, 2006 at at Friday, November 10, 2006 0 comments  

In less than 48 hours, Ben will wake up and celebrate his 2nd birthday. I've been thinking a lot about this day...what it means to me, to Matt, to Ben, and most likely Ben's birthmother.

5 Years ago, we began our journey - trying to grow our family of 2 to 3. It was 5 years ago exactly, on A beach in Kaui, Hawaii (just after 9-11) that Matt and I decided we were "ready". 3 years later (almost to the day of that discussion), Ben was born.

During the time that we struggled with growing our family....our focus was always on why, what's wrong, and for the most part the focus was on us and how we were feeling about all of this. It was a very very diffucult time. However, when Ben joined our family and filled our hearts, we realized our journey our struggle had NOTHING to do with us.

Matt said to me after Ben came home, "I really don't think our not being able to have a child biologically had anything to do with us. I think it was meant to be". (Have my "everything happens for a reason" or as my father calls it "woo woo" philosophies rubbed off on my husband???) He continued..."I believe we were meant to adopt. Our purpose was to bring Ben not just into our lives but into the lives of our friends and family - and to help us and everyone else see beyond all boundaries and to accept all people. We are an inter-racial family. Isn't it cool that Ben's cousins can say to other people - yeah that's my cousin Ben - even though he is Korean and they are not." This conversation really struck a chord with me for a number of reasons. A)1. My husband believes in my "woo woo" philosophies of life ;-) and B) I completely couldn't have said it better myself...he was so on the mark!

This gets me to my next thought - Ben's birthmom. Last year on Ben's first birthday - I thought a lot of his birthmother. This year will be the same. When we celebrate Ben's birth, we celebrate Ben's birthmother, in our own quiet way.

Not a week goes by where I don't think of her. When Ben does something new, says something new, shares a new idea or thought - I think of her. Ben is a brilliant, sensitive, amazing little man. Though I know as parents we have a lot to do with the way he is - I will never disregard or forget that she has had quite an impact as well.

To say that Matt and I are blessed is a severe understatement. Her generosity and self-lessness to share this amazing soul with us is beyond words. Simply beyond words.

Posted in: on at at Friday, November 10, 2006 3 comments  

Ok - so a follow up to Halloween...Ben doesn't really know that he got all the candy that he did...we did a quick swap when we got home of his candy for some other things into his halloween basket. Regardless - you would have thought that Ben ate every piece he received. He seemed so high on sugar...he clearly caught the excitement and vibe of the night.

After trick or treating with his cousins, we went home to eat a late dinner and welcome the trick or treaters at our door.

This is what we experienced at the dinner table....and he didn't have any sugar?!?!?

Video 1
Video 2

Posted in: on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at at Wednesday, November 08, 2006 2 comments  

Trick-or-treating with the cousins

Ding-Dong!

With Mom!

Can I have it??? Please???

With Dad!

Hanging in the leaves! This is a fun day!
Arrrrh Matey!

Our beautiful fairy - Pay Pay

Posted in: on Thursday, November 02, 2006 at at Thursday, November 02, 2006 2 comments  

Today is one of those perfect autumn days....the sun is shining, the weather is a crisp 65+ and many of the leaves have fallen off of the trees creating a "crunch" everytime you take a step!

We did our normal running around this morning, food shopping, etc (oh! might I mention Ben HAD to wear his halloween costume to ShopRite?) - got home and just played outside for a few hours: painting a pumpkin and playing in leaves with our next door neighboor, Rama! A perfect Fall Morning!

Posted in: on Monday, October 30, 2006 at at Monday, October 30, 2006 0 comments  

Its funny, watching a two year old (or almost 2 we should say) evolve and begin to recognize the world around him! This time last year, Ben was truly unaware of all of the holidays including his Birthday. This year, however, its clearly different. Take Ben's birthday for example. Ben will be two in 2 weeks....and he knows it!

We were at the food store the other day and he saw a Thomas balloon (for those unfamiliar with Thomas as we were prior to ben: he is a cute little train with friends...who speaks with a british accent!). So anyway, Ben sees this ballon and says "I want Thomas Balloon my birthday mommy". Ok - I got that one....

a) he knows its his birthday around the corner

b) he knows thomas in many shapes and forms

c) he is clearly requesting an item specifically for his birthday.

Quite a change from last year. Needless to say - he continues with the same request, while we are standing in line - about 50 times..."mommy, I want thomas my birthday...".

This lovely conversation continues for many many days....We got a catalog in the mail: Birthday Express. How they got our name / address is beyond me but somehow THEY know Ben's birthday is around the corner and have decided to send about 3 catalogs in a 5 day period full of birthday themed party items! Ben thinks this is the coooolest thing ever!

Each night he likes to sit on the couch, with his Milk and froggie and review his options....At this point we believe Ben is deciding between Thomas and Friends OR John Deere...



Though we are definitely experiencing "the terrible twos": tantrums, power struggles, and more - this truly this is an AWESOME age...he is such and joy....and are loving every day of him!

Posted in: on Sunday, October 29, 2006 at at Sunday, October 29, 2006 1 comments  

OK - so its been a week since we posted, so we have quite a bit of catching up to do! Last monday (really a few days last week) it POURED! What is one to do with an active 2 year old when you can't get outside?

We set up a tent / playhouse for Ben to call his own. Note: this stayed up through the entire weekend! Ben really enjoys the tent...he uses it to pretend playing house, feed his stuff animals, read books, and hide from daddy!

This came in super handy when we (Just Stacey and Matt) went away for the whole weekend (without Ben)!!! We left him in good hands: stacey's brother dave / his wife julia (who is a nanny!) had ben on Friday and then her sister, Becky and her boyfriend Jim had him Saturday - Sunday. Ben had a lot of fun! They took him to a circus AND on yet another hayride!!!!!

Meanwhile.....Stacey's college roommate, Kim, got married over the weekend in Penn Yan, NY. For those not familiar with Penn Yan - its in the middle of NOWHERE! Its about 5 hours north of where we live (1 hour south of Rochester). It was a great weekend!

Penn Yan is known for its winery's (NY State Finger Lakes Region). Located on Keuka lake and only 5 minutes from Seneca lake we had about 50 wineries to chose from!

We got up there on Friday just early enough to hit 4 wineries before we got to our hotel! It was sooo much fun, and clearly something we could never do with a toddler...so we felt like "real people" again!

Saturday was the wedding. It was held on a dinner boat that cruises Keuka Lake for 3 hours. What a blast! Note - it was peak fall weekend up there so the colors were amazing!

Posted in: on Monday, October 23, 2006 at at Monday, October 23, 2006 0 comments  

We had a great weekend! Saturday Ben attended a birthday party for his friend Paige who turns 3 this week. At the party Ben rode a pony, not once - but twice! We couldn't believe it - he really enjoyed it. In addition to riding a pony for the first time, it was a first experience for all 3 of us with Korean Pears! If you have never had a Korean Pear - you must! Apparently Korean Pears are different from "asian pears". They are crisp, kind of buttery in texture and not overly sweet! Paige's mom, Ky, is going to point me in the direction of a local asian / korean store to get some...they were amazing!

On Sunday we went pumpkin picking AGAIN. This clearly is one of Ben's favorite things to do. He talked about it all week and even told his aunt becky on the phone that he wants to "go on a hayride SO BAD!'. Well, he did - and this time with his cousins Payton and Tim, Uncles Joe and Rob, and friends Mike and Maria Pisano. He loved it!!!!!

Posted in: on Monday, October 16, 2006 at at Monday, October 16, 2006 0 comments  

Last Saturday we went pumpkin picking with our friends: Braydon, Heather, Kyle, and Owen....we had a blast. Ben in particular loves hayrides and the pumpkin patch.

Sure to be a place to visit many times this fall!

Posted in: on Friday, October 13, 2006 at at Friday, October 13, 2006 2 comments