Update: Roxy Graduated & Lost 3 Teeth! Carissa Is Walking & Has 3 Teeth!
Carissa & Roxy on Mother’s Day
Princess Panda of Bacon (Roxy) decided we should all wear panda outfits
We’re due for a Roxy & Carissa update! In short, Roxy graduated from Kindergarten and has lost 3 teeth. Carissa started walking and has grown 3 teeth. Both girls are doing well and growing like weeds.
Roxy
Roxy sailed through Kindergarten at Merryhill Calvine Elementary School. I really think Roxy has blossomed in the Merryhill system. The staff at Merryhill is excellent and they really care for their students. Roxy will be starting 1st grade in the fall. She is beginning to read and to add. She has gotten very good at expressing herself and has an astounding memory for her age.
Our family at Roxy’s Kindergarten Graduation, Merryhill Calvine Elementary School
There’s a funny story I must tell about Roxy’s first lost tooth. We had thought Roxy was prepared to lose it because we had talked about the tooth fairy. What we didn’t anticipate was that at the time she lost the tooth, Roxy saw the blood and thought she was having a medical emergency. So she screamed her little head off and it took quite a while to calm her down. She calmed down after I reminded her that she gets money from the tooth fairy. Then she doubled down trying to negotiate how much she would get. We gave her $2 for her 1st tooth and I told her she’d get $1 for each tooth after.
By the time we got to tooth 3, she tried to negotiate.
Roxy: Mama, I lost another tooth! Can I get a dollar tonight?
Me: I’m sure the tooth fairy can leave you a dollar.
Roxy: Tell the tooth fairy, I’ve been extra good. I’ve been taking care of my teeth and I’m a good jie jie. I deserve an extra dollar.
Me: Roxy, you’re aren’t getting more than a dollar.
Roxy: Mama, don’t you tell me I shouldn’t settle for less than I want? I deserve 2 dollars.
Me: Roxy, you aren’t getting more than a dollar.
Roxy: Mama, if I settle for less than I want, you wouldn’t be proud of me right? I’m making you proud.
Me:
I’m in deep ****. At the age of 5, Roxy knows how to throw my own words back at me. Aiya, I’m not looking forward to those teenage years!
Roxy right after she lost her 1st tooth
The 1st tooth that Roxy lost
Roxy showing me her teeth growing in
Carissa
Carissa is really growing up as well and I love just watching her play and walk around. She’s now approximately 17 months old. The video posted above is of Carissa’s very 1st steps! She is walking all over now and is into EVERYTHING. Sometimes I have to put her in the pack and play just so I can cook, clean, or blog.
Carissa always wants to be held because she got used to being in someone’s arms all the time her first few months of life. She is a happy baby but doesn’t like being excluded or not being with the rest of the family. We always need to include Carissa in the action. Carissa has been a little fussy lately because she is teething. I was so excited when I saw that 1st tooth finally peaking out. Our dentist, Dr. Joe You, has assured me that nothing is wrong with Carissa’s teeth and it’s okay if they come in slowly. So far she has 3 teeth and I can feel another underneath her gum about to surface.
Carissa still drinks formula and I make a lot of jook or Chinese chicken rice congee. We have started feeding her bits of other foods like chicken, eggs, banana, yogurt, etc. Carissa is a pretty good eater and is growing rapidly. She is in 18 months size clothing and isn’t 18 months yet. I can’t wait until Carissa hits size 2T because at 2T she inherits Roxy’s wardrobe. When we adopted Roxy, we bought way too many clothes in 2T and too many toddler shoes in size 5. I’m thrilled that I don’t have to buy as many clothes for Carissa anymore.
Carissa at 17 months
A view of Carissa’s teeth
Blog & Adoption Ministry Update
My blog is doing well because I have put a lot more time and energy into it these past few months. Jax Chronicles has engaged with a lot of great new partners and I am really expanding Jax Chronicles both as a blog and business, an adoption ministry, and as a base for my freelance writing. Our adoption ministry is doing well and it is growing nicely.
We have the satisfaction of helping many families trying to adopt.Kenny reviews the files of children with neurological issues. We have another doctor who reviews the files of any children with audiology issues. Because reviewing a medical file is time consuming, they can only review so many a week. I do Cantonese translations for any family considering adopting or in the process of adopting a Cantonese speaking child.
I enjoy especially when a family comes home and we do a Skype call. They have me speak to their newly adopted child in Cantonese and see how they are doing and if they need anything. The parents often have me communicate things they need their child to know. If you are in the process of adopting a child internationally or domestically and we can help you with any of these things please contact me. You can reach me by clicking the Contact Jax button near my profile pic and using the contact form.
Kenny, my Mom, me holding Carissa, & Roxy on Mother’s Day
Overall
Overall, my girls are doing well and I’m very happy with how well they are doing. I’m not going to lie because I think it is important for people to know that my life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I myself am in a transitioning mode and a survival mode. It has not been an easy year for me, therefore I also haven’t been getting as much sleep. I’ve had a challenging time since December 2016 when we had to let go of an adoption of a 6 year old boy from China for reasons I am still struggling to cope with. I’d still like to adopt him, but it seems unlikely that will ever happen for reasons that are out of my control.
We are still grieving the loss of my husband Kenny’s mother and some days are harder than others. I still feel her absence and it hurts. I am asking for prayer because there are some issues that we as a family are trying to work through that will need time and space for us to heal. Please pray for healing. I’m just trying to relax and focus on my family. Having a pool and jacuzzi in our backyard definitely helps us all to decompress.
Thank you all for supporting me and my family. I send all of you blessings, love, and light.
XOXO Jax
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