Forgot to post

I forgot to post something. When we went to the doctor today Ethan weighed 30 pounds. He has gained 4 pounds since his appointment in November. I think it is all in his belly. He has some of the littlest legs I have ever seen. He is the cutest thing. I just want to go get him out of bed right now and squeeze him and give him lots of kisses. He is so cute you want to eat him. God has given us two beautiful children. I look into Hannah's face and just want to grab it to kiss her non-stop. When she looks up at me with those big brown eyes they make my heart melt. Even when I have to get onto her for misbehaving. I love my little rugrats. Here is a picture Greg took of them while we were waiting for the doctor. I love Ethan's fashion look. He did not want me to take his shoes off.

Christmas With the Shockleys

We had a great Christmas this year. It was so good to have Ethan home with us. He really enjoyed opening the gifts. He was very happy that he had presents of his own. He also enjoyed our time with the extended family. We went to my mother's on Saturday. All three of my sisters were there with their families. We took some pictures of the whole family. I have added a slide show of them.

Hannah was very excited that she got what she asked for. She really wanted to have a baby bed, diapers, aqua doodle, and pink cow girl boots. She really loved the boots. Today is the first day that she has not worn them. She looks very cute in them. We have started spiking Ethan's hair. I have a picture of the new style.

Today we had to take Ethan to the doctor. He had a spot come up on his side that had a cluster of little bumps on it. It had a yellow crust on it. He also has some spots on his face. Gwen's friend Kristi whom is a PA looked at it Friday. She said it looked like impetigo. I checked out WebMD and it did look like it. I called the doctor on Wednesday to get him in. She said that it is impetigo. she gave us an oral antibiotic and a antibiotic cream. I hate how they get hit with everything when they get here from China. Their poor little systems have to get used to so much. Other than this he is doing great. Him and Hannah are getting along like siblings.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and have a great New Year.

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Merry Christmas to you all. We pray that you are enjoying your your time together with friends and family. Take time to remember that God loved us so much that he came down to Earth to make a way for each us to be with Him in Heaven one day.

How Many Kings
(by Down Here)
Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe, after all we've projected,

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -

Just a child -

Is this who we've waited for? 'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior

All that we have, whether costly or meek

Because we believe.

Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross he will suffer

Do you believe?

Is this who we've waited for?

All for me...All for you...

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The Nutcracker

Hannah and I spent the whole afternoon together on Saturday. We left the house at 12:00 to go to the big downtown. It was cold and rainy so I decided I would do valet parking. It was sad that it cost $18.00 and then I gave a $2.00 tip. It was worth it though just so I would not have to carry Hannah through the streets in the pouring cold rain.

I asked her if she wanted a snack before but she did not. We go and find our seats. She kept asking when it was going to start. I showed her my watch and told her when the numbers 2,0,0 were on the watch it would start. Of course she kept asking every 5 seconds what time it was. She seemed to enjoy it. She kept asking where the nutcracker was. She stayed awake during the whole ballet. It was a lot of fun. After the ballet we went to Krispy Kreme to get doughnuts. It was almost bedtime by the time we got home.

Today while we were driving home Hannah started singing along with the radio. One of the songs was "Do you hear what I hear". All she kept singing was "Do you hear what I see?" It was the cutest thing. She is doing a great job with Ethan. She is trying to teach him words. It is so cute.

Ethan is doing great at daycare. They all say that he is so sweet (which he is). He will wave hello and bye to all of the other parents as they come and go. It is just great though when we come in to pick them up and he comes running to us with a big smile on his face.

Plastic Surgeon Visit

Ethan and I got up this morning around 6:30 so we could leave by 7:15 for his doctor's appointment. As we were getting off of the elevators we run into Gwen, Scott, and little Miss Maggie. It was great to see them. It is sad that we leave so close to each other but do not see each other that often. They were leaving the doctor as we were coming. We actually were seeing the same doctor.

While we were waiting to be called back into the room a lady came in with her son. Come to find out she had adopted him and his older sister from Kazakhstan. It was good to get to talk with a fellow adopting mother. Her son was there because of his head.

The actually appointment was probably about 15 minutes long. We are waiting for Ethan's consult about circumcision before scheduling the palate surgery. They will do them both at the same time. The next appointment is January 11. Once we do the surgery Ethan will be in the hospital for one week. He will not be able to feed himself or suck anything for 3 weeks. They actually wrap their arms so they cannot bend their arms and place their fingers in their mouth. This should be really interesting. The boy loves those fingers.

Greg got home from work with a nice surprise for Hannah and myself. We will be going to see our local ballet companies production of The Nutcracker this Saturday. I am very excited to take Hannah to see this. I hope that she enjoys it as much as I do. I was showing her a few clips on Youtube tonight. Oh, I'm also taping Mary Poppins for us to watch. I know she will like that one.

Christmas Shopping

I have finished my shopping this season. I went today to do shopping for Ethan and Hannah. I spent a little more than we usually do. I could not help myself this year. I really want it to be great for Ethan and Hannah. I bought the VSmile system to be a gift for both of them. I know that Ethan might not be able to use it that much right now but he will learn how to use it. The gift that I thought would be the easiest to find was the hardest. One of the main things that Hannah asked for was a bed for her baby. I could not find just a baby bed. I ended up getting her a set of stroller, bed, carrier and new baby for her. The baby actually talks so I know she will like it. It will help her learn to take care of a baby. I am really excited about Christmas this year. It is going to be great.

Sound of Music

Yesterday Hannah and I watched The Sound of Music together. She now has a new favorite movie. I was later watching some of the extras on the DVD. When ever they would show clips from the movie of them singing she would start singing along with them. It was cute. Anytime I would look at her she would stop singing. I love that we now have this special movie to share together. I remember always watching it when I was younger and singing along with it. Special memories.

Blog Fairy

Thank you Verna for the new pictures in my header. I love the one of them walking toward the house along with the new title.

Ethan's Doctor Appointment

Update on Ethan's appointments:
We went last Friday to the Peds doctor. She said everything looked good with him. His ears looked fine. He weighs 26 lbs and is 3 feet tall. We have an appointment December 10 with the plastic surgeon concerning his cleft palate. We then have an appointment January 11 with the urologist about circumcision. I am not sure what all is involved with the palate surgery. We will find out all of this when we meet with the doctor on Monday.

I will be going back to work on December 11 instead of the 10th due to his appointment. I'm looking forward to going back to work (kind of) but not all of the drama that it includes.

Playing Outside & Ethan's first visit with the Horses

Today Hannah stayed home with Ethan and me. It was a very nice morning. We went outside to play. Here are a few pictures. We also went next door to visit the horses. This was Ethan's first time to see them. He tried to pet them but got a little scared. The young colts were out in the field but ran to the fence when they saw us coming. They are beautiful horses. I was trying to get Hannah to play ball with Ethan but he did not seem to understand that he was suppose to play with her.

After playtime we came back in for lunch. While they were waiting for their lunch I put on "The Sound of Music." Hannah is really enjoying it. I have let her stay up from nap to finish watching it while Ethan is sleeping. This will give us some time alone together.

Enjoy the pictures!

Update on Lyn Clark

I wanted to update you all on my friend's brother. He is now at Walter Reed Hospital. He is going to have to have intense speech therapy but is doing much better. Heather sent an email out with his address at the hospital. I do not know if any of you would be interested in sending him or any other soldier a Christmas card. Here is his information. The address would be the same for any other soldier.

Hey! This is a great idea to do for Christmas! I'm sure that any soldier would be glad to get a Christmas card! This is where Lyn is also, so if you would like to send him a card, whether "Get Well" or Christmas, I would appreciate it as well as he would I'm sure! Just address it
Ward 58: Attn.- TSgt. Cecil L. Clark instead of the second line written here!
Thanks again for your pray and support!
Heather

*A Great Idea!!!* *
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please
include the following:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Attn: A Recovering American soldier
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001



I will be posting pictures of the rugrats soon.