Beach Photos

Ok- so these are late. I have new pictures I need to get on from Sept/ Oct also- but better late than never, right.

Holden Beach 2009 Video

We had a great time at the beach this summer- Pawley's, Shrimp A Roo and Holden. I'm going to post some pictures also in the next couple of days I hope!

Gotcha Day!!

Wow- one year since we held Davis for the first time. I just went through all the blog posts and his journal about this time last year. I am so glad we have so many ways to reflect and things he can read and see to learn about this time as well. (It also motivates me to try and write more often b/c it is so easy to forget the details). We are very excited to soon receive a video from one of the families that traveled with us that has been working on getting out footage they took to us and the other family. I really look forward to watching that.
So in determining ways to celebrate one year with Davis...we decided we should just take the kids to their favorite spot... Chick Fil A. I laughed b/c the first thing he ate with us in Nanning was McDonald's (even though we don't eat that here unless the rare car trip situation) and then we had fast food tonight..maybe that will be our tradition! They had a great time and we split a milkshake also. Sarah Bess said "This is a special treat!"
Both Davis and Sarah Bess were unsure what 'Gotcha Day' is and I tried to explain in the best way I could. We plan to really celebrate August 1st as our Forever Family Day- this is the day we arrived home and all four of us were together for the first time. This year it will be easy to celebrate b/c we will be at Shrimp A Roo at Wrightsville Beach with the Eskridges! Davis will get to meet many cousins he has not met before and Sarah Bess will see folks she hasn't seen in over two years (last year we missed Shrimp A Roo as it was the day after we got home from China).
Reading about the excitement of leaving Davis for 10 minutes with a friend with no tears shortly after we got home to our life now...wow what a difference a year makes.
We are so thankful for our blessings- especially our two wonderful children Sarah Bess and Davis Ke Eskridge.
Thank you again for all of you that have supported us and continue to support us in this journey. We love you.

Happy 3rd Birthday Sarah Bess

OK- so if only they didn't list the date at the top of the blog posts, I wouldn't have to tell Sarah Bess why it was over a month until I posted on the blog happy birthday to her!
Truth be told- we are busy!!! But in a fun way most of the time. I did want to post a few birthday pictures. Their party was great- at the pool with their friends and lots of family. They received 80lbs in donations for Wake Crisis Minsitry. This year they took an active part in taking it to church to be delievered.
Sarah Bess had the most delicious birthday dinner at her request- chocolate chip pancakes, ice cream and homemade whip cream (she and her Daddy even put syrup on top of that!).
We then spent a wonderful week at the beach with Sudie and Papa Rob. It isn't 'relaxing' really to have two 3 year olds on the beach, but they did really enjoy themselves much more this year. They loved to play in the sand and go out deep with Daddy, Mommy and Papa Rob. Davis was a little scared of the waves but got braver each day. We're off to the beach again next week for Shrimp-A-Roo and can't wait! (I guess with my record you can expect some photos of that around October).
Happy Birthday to our sweet baby girl. We love you. We can't believe how quickly you are growing up.

May 21, 2009 Happy 3rd Birthday Davis

We were so glad to have Davis here at home this year for his birthday. We had a GREAT Day. Cupcake party at school, afternoon at the pool then a homemade strawberry ice cream party at home! He and Sarah Bess will have their big birthday party together June 6th. Happy Birthday Davis!!!!

Cast is OFF

So much has been happening these last two weeks it has been hard to get on and update. On May 18, Davis got his cast off. He did great. He was very brave when they were cutting it off (which was interesting that they use this machine that had blades that vibrated, and were not sharp). I think it helped that he saw Mom and Dad stick it on his arm. We were all there even Sarah Bess and Sudie. He got somewhat upset after it was off. He felt weird and was itching all over. He also didn't like the XRay's. He was screaming, Sarah Bess couldn't see him. Sudie looked over and SB had tears running down her face. Sudie said "What's wrong". She said "Poor Davis". After we left the doctor, all was well. We went out to Breadman's for brunch to celebrate.
The first couple of days Davis didn't want to move much. By the third day, we went to the pool and he started to really get around. Now, two weeks later, he is walking holding our hand or furniture, he can get up and stand by himself and is using it more everyday. He is primarily using his right leg and then using his left leg for only balance.
It has been a long three months. I have been proud of both Sarah Bess and Davis for how well they have done. We are also so thankful for Sudie who gave up three months in order to help us and go to school with Davis. We are so thankful that the cast is off now just as it starts to heat up and before Davis's birthday.

A First Dance

This is at Thomas Vinson's 3 year old birthday party.