more Bangkok pics

This is a repost I think, but so edible, eh?



receiving gifts, so fun


And books...


And clothes, she is getting into those small 4/5 size clothes, so big!


they love these dresses




Bella loving on Tobin. Yes, that is 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' on Tobin's outfit, a children's classic book that we love, his onesie says: 'He was still hungry.'

The baskets

4.9.2011

No, not Easter Baskets. Sophia was given a basket because she completed learning her ABC recognition and sounds, and a lot of Bible verses. Daddy gave her a quiz, because, I , the teacher, was at the hospital on a fetal monitor if you recall. I was sorry to miss it but because I had talked it up all week, I could not disappoint them just because I was having contractions.

her basket had bubbles, M&Ms, other candy, a Winnie the Pooh pen and..


a belt. weird, I know. Sophia had been asking for a belt to wear...she loves it, though it is a little big.


this is 'pop' candy that sizzles in your mouth. she hates carbonated drinks, but loves this candy, go figure.

Bella's basket card said: 'Bella will be a Big Sis.' And we gave her her own baby doll. Sophia has one like it in China. This was to help her try to transition to being a big sis, I had this inkling she would be jealous and pouty about my always being with Tobin (but she hasn't been at all).



because I am a 'Toys R Us' member, I got the juice cup, milk bottle, pacifier, and bib for free!


she really is a good big sis, and loves to kiss and touch Tobin.

B.E. #20 Leaving Bangkok

Tomorrow, we leave our Bangkok home of almost two months. On Mother's day... somewhat fitting...Our new family of five will embark early and hopefully arrive by almost 7 p.m. local time.

Sophia just called us from her room, supposed to be asleep. She said: 'I cannot wait to go back to China and play with all my China toys, and I can't wait for Mother's day!'

Tomorrow Tobin will be four weeks old. He is growing leaps and bounds, he gained a kilogram (2.2 lbs) in two weeks almost, that is crazy. He is now almost eleven pounds! He is not sleeping great, but I am hoping he will mature out of it.

The girls are doing better health wise and we are all so ready to get home. I will post more once we get back home and into the swing of things.

We spent our last day packing up, David let me go find a gift for the managers of our apartment and I sat in Starbucks for thirty minutes and read a chapter of a book. It was great little alone time. After naps we headed back to one of our fave places, Emporium mall and their 'play land.' David gave me a mother's day gift while Tobin slept in the stroller and the girls played in the play place. It actually was a sweet little 'date', we even played scrabble on the ipad. My husband is so thoughtful and knows how to make me feel special in the middle of chaotic mall's play place.

Our time in Bangkok has been so blessed. We are so thankful to God for his provision and grace that is constant in our lives.

B.E. #19 more fun pics

Taxis, taxis everywhere. The girls got quite good at telling the drivers in Thai how to get to our apartment.


Love kid friendly restaurants....


Hard Rock Cafe, always a good burger...


Sophia loved wearing these goggles, and was determined to swim 'under water' this time. But she kept having ear problems and a cold so we prevented it. We are glad she is eager and hope to capitalize on this when we return to China.


looking at pics with Poppy


coloring with Aunt Laura (goggles still on, she looks like a pilot)


The whole crew. Everyone except sleepy Tobin is looking at the camera, what a feat!
Thanks Poppy, CC, Laura, and Ryan for traveling so far to see us and take care of us!

B.E. #18 fun pics con't

Grandmother of four!!! Baby Tobin not so 'newborny' anymore.


New dresses! Sophia says this is her favorite 'four year old' dress.


The girls had so much fun quality time with P, C, L, and R, lots of reading, lots of learning songs, play places, swimming and just plain fun!



who does he look like? We are not so sure at this point, though his nose looks a little pointy like mine.

Tobin is doing okay, seems to be gaining weight, just very gassy, uncomfortable, spitting up a lot, and I really do not think I am 'overfeeding' him at all. Just hoping his body matures out of this soon, sleepless nights are getting even less sleepier!


CC helping cook spaghetti in our apartment. Thanks for all the help, it was priceless!


at a playground. 100 degrees in the shade.

B.E. #17 fun pics

For the record, I have taken about zero pics lately. All of these come via Poppy and his camera, for which I am SO thankful!

My time is running short so this will be one post of many that will showcase our happenings the last 2.5 weeks, since we became a family of five.

Poppy, CC, Laura, and Ryan got on an airplane less than an hour ago. The parting was sad (again), knowing all the changes that will take place as the kids grow over the next year. The sadness never changes, just deepens the respect for the challenge of living a world apart from those whom we love so dearly...I used to shrug it off as what 'we signed up for' but no more shrugging. It actually is hard. And only gets harder.
But what blessing we experience day in and day out from families that love us so sacrificially, and a God who loves us even more and comforts our sorrow in missing them.


Thankful capturing these moments:


Sophia would like this desk for her 'school work'.


They could share it (yeah right).


This is hilarious, the Coker kids are all in strollers, while Laura holds Ryan! Sophia was way too big for this stroller, but it was helpful for a few minutes anyway!


The boy cousins, four months apart.



All four grandkids together



drinking milk together...


Bro and sis with the boys


First family photo. Crazy

B.E. #16 We are alive

Tobin Elias is now two weeks old. He is doing quite well, gaining weight, and super cute!!!


Everyone is enjoying him. And I am 'enjoying' the sleepless nights once again.

Sickness has wreaked havoc on our family, each one of us with a cold of some sort that torments the body, we took everyone to the doctor...


But all in all we are doing well. We have been enjoying family and have been so thankful for the help.

David has been incredible through all of this. Seriously, I am not sure how he does it all. Laundry, dishes, instructing and loving the girls, instructing and loving me (in my grumblings of newborn days). Yes, he has been unbelievable. I am so thankful. More later, when the moment arises. Still having no idea what our new normal will look like, but looking forward to what God has in store....