I'm still alive

Today, was a test. Steve had to go back to work. His last day is Friday, for 3 weeks. I still have all my hair!! HA HA. Today was actually not bad. I really thought I would be pulling out my hair by the time Steve got home. Drew slept in his crib until 2:30 am. I gave him a bottle and he fell back to sleep until 6:15. I was even able to take a shower. I put Drew in the chair that we borrowed from Grandma and Grandpa T. He loved it. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa T for letting us borrow the chair and jumperoo. We want to thank Grandma and Grandpa for the saucer play thing. Also a BIG thanks for all the gifts that we have received. We really appreciate all the offers off help.

First full day with Drew

Last night Drew slept in his crib from 9:30 till 3:00. At 3:00 he had a bottle and went back to sleep. Today we spent the day getting to know each other. Some of Drew's dislikes are: Cereal, not getting what he wants or saying NO and his DIAPER CHANGED. (I want to thank everyone HA HA for not telling us BOY'S don't like to be CHANGED)
Some of today's first: Sofia has already told us Drew needs a Time Out. Sofia feed Drew some puffs today. He really likes his sister and watches everything she does. Drew also had his first bath. He liked it.
Drew and mommy are going to lose weight. My arms are killing me. Drew is 20 pounds. I put some of today's pictures and yesterdays pictures on a slide show.
We wanted to thank everyone that wrote a special note to Drew on the airplane quilt. Thank you mom, for putting the quilt together so fast.
PS. If I was able to take pictures while holding Drew there would be a lot more.

Introducing!!! Drew Michael Park Tallacksen

Well, the day has come. This morning we went to O'Hare and picked up the newest member to our family, Drew Michael Park. He was escorted by Michelle, the Vice President of International Adoption for Lifelink....A very important person. His flight was actually early, believe it or not! He slept for about a half hour of the 12 hour flight. He took to mama right away!!!!! Daddy on the other hand was a different story (wahhhhhhhh). Sofia didn't know what to do. She went to daddy when he was with mama and went to mama when daddy had him. He slept for about 30 minutes on the way home from the airport. We just finished lunch. Boy, can he eat. Today will be a day of getting to know each other. We will accept company at a later date. More to come later.

Sofia and G PAW and Grandma

Here are some of the pictures I took this week of Sofia. Hope you enjoy.

Sofia got a new booster seat. Thank you so much for the gift. We really appreciate it. We haven't test it out yet.

Sofia wanted to brush G Paw's hair. Sofia and G Paw coloring. Can anyone Guess where we are at? Hint one of Sofia's favorite places.

Grandma was teaching Sofia to sword fight with the Christmas paper. Grandma was sorry she did, because Sofia hit her in the head with the roll of paper.

Sofia was gift wrapping Grandma's foot. I don't know where she comes up with some of the things she does.

Sofia and Alyssa Playdate

Today, I watched my niece Alyssa. She came early this morning. So the girls were still in there PJ's. They were all smiles in Sofia toy box. Sofia loves to get in the toy box. She also likes to take the lid off and stand on it, and use it as a skate board.

The girls playing with Sofia's blocks.



After lunch, I had the girls paint some pictures for me. They turned out beautiful. Then it was time for Alyssa to leave and Sofia to take her nap. (and mommy too)

Pictures of my nephew Brody

Brody is my nephew who lives in Georgia. Brody got to help put up the Christmas tree. We don't get to see my brother and his family very often. It's been a year since we seen them. I wish we could see them more often. I know Sofia, Brody and Alyssa would love to play together. I just don't which one would be in charge. I think it's would be a tie between Brody and Alyssa. Sofia is lover not a fighter.

Busy Weekend

On Friday, we went shopping for Sofia and Little M. The stores were not busy at all. We learned that you can't take Sofia shopping. We told her that the things we bought were for her cousins.

On Saturday we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa T's. Sofia and Brandon had alot of fun playing together.

Sunday, we went shopping again. Sofia showed her Grandma and Grandpa T what she wanted for Christmas. Tonight we went to our Sunday dinner with my family. After dinner we tried to get Uncle Dale to show Sofia how to make a snow angle. (We didn't have any luck). Sofia and daddy went out tonight and built a snowman. I lost count on how many times Sofia kicked the Snowman over. Sofia LOVES the Snow.......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Sofia was helping Grandma cook lunch. Daddy and Sofia enjoying all the food.

Sofia asked Grandma to make her apple pie. She loves apple pie.

Alyssa and Sofia playing tea party and dancing. They had to burn off some of the food so they could have seconds. Sofia was showing Grandma what she wants for Christmas. All Sofia wants for Christmas is TARGET and APPLEBEE"S

Sofia loved her bath tonight. We got our her bath paints. She loves paint.

We had a wonderful lunch at Grandma and Grandpa's today. We are so full. The food was the awesome as always. Mom's cooking is the BEST.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

PS Sofia is in Bed, so I can eat my piece of pie all by myself.

Korea has the paperwork.

I just got off the phone with the State Department. The person I spoke to said it has been processed and picked up. I ask if they had both the faxed copy and hard copy and he said yes. I don't know what that means. I did ask how long would it take for the paperwork to be processed, He said to call back next week. So next week I'll be on the phone to the State Department.

National Visa Center Has Spoken!!!!!!!!

Today, Steve called the NVC. (My voice is almost gone!!) (Steve is Loving it!!)
The first time he called they had no idea what he was talking about. When he called to tell me this, I said to call back. So he did. The guy on the phone said they had received the paperwork from Immigration 2 days ago. He said they already sent the paperwork to the Embassy in Korea. So we are thinking in the range of up to 8 weeks we should be getting our CALL. (Don't quote us on the timeframe. As we have learned that nothing is definite)

Flu, then a Cold & Paperwork

Sofia and I had the flu last week. Steve was lucky and didn't get it. He wasn't so lucky with the cold we all have. I wanted to post some of the photo's from last week before we were all sick.

Sofia on "Rocket" Sofia was not to sure of this moving horse. Grandma was able to save her.

The first Snow of the year. Sofia wanted to go outside and make a snowman. Well it didn't snow enough for that. But Daddy made one with her anyways. After Steve made the snowman Sofia ate it. And what was left the boys got. Sofia and the boys sure do enjoy playing, and eating snow.

Before heading outside Sofia wanted to see the snow. So we put her on the ledge and she just stood there licking the window. (Guess who taught Sofia how to do that?)

We did get notice that Immigration approved us on 11/06 and sent the paperwork on 11/12. While I was sick and in bed, I was thinking about how selfish I have been. I was only thinking about myself when I was so mad that little M won't be home for Christmas. I feel at peace knowing that he will be with his foster family. They love him very much and have cared for him the first 9 months of his life. We plan on having a special Christmas when he gets home.

USCIS

Just wanted to say its been 5 weeks since our paperwork went to immigration. The past week I have been in contact with our local Congressman. Carol from his office has contacted immigration. They told her it would be sent out in the next couple of days. Well guess what they must of lied to her also. They have been telling us they had reviewed it two weeks ago. It just needed to be approved and then it would be sent out. I have tried several times to email the officer, guess what they won't return any emails. I also found out it takes 2-4 weeks from the time immigration sends it to the NVC. So, what does this mean? For us and for all the people praying that Baby M would be home for Christmas it's not going to happen. I do want to Thank You for all your prayers and kind words.
I just want to say that when we were waiting for Sofia it was easier. The hard part was waiting the 13 months to see her. But after we got her referral we knew in 6-8 weeks we would be holding her.
With Korea you have this picture of your son or daughter and it could take 3-6 months. Tomorrow will mark our 3 month anniversary of our referral. At the rate our paperwork is going we still have another 2-3 more months of wondering when he will be home. It just very hard having a picture of Little M and not knowing when he will be home.

2 years ago and Sofia turned 33 months

Two years ago today, we were on a plane coming home with Sofia. We spent the day talking about our time spent in China and the long plane ride home. We sure can't believe its been two years. Sofia also turned 33 months today. Lately Sofia has been very assertive in what she wants and what she doesn't want. Whoever said "Terrible Two's" hasn't seen the Terrible Three's. We don't know what it is lately but she is slowly becoming a "Little Princess" I know we have been spoiled by her behavior. She is still a very good child, its just that she is saying: "No I don't want it" or "I want it" has started. (with a little attitude) She wants to be in control!! We did celebrate with a little ice cream tonight.
Also we have now waited 4 weeks for our Immigration paperwork!!!!