An Introspection 3

Celebrating 3 wonderful years with Andrew and Kathlena home!

Introspection3 from Gina Shiflet on Vimeo.

Be sure to see "An Introspection" from previous years!

An Introspection 2   2010

An Introspection      2009

Kathlena's Birthday Party

We celebrated Kathlena's first birthday party with both sets of grandparents and Uncle Todd at our home. Kathlena being 4 years old seems like such a big jump from 3. I am not sure why that is, but it has seemed an even bigger leap considering Kathlena has gone from looking/talking like an infant to being this vibrant, energetic, confident little girl. She is a rough and tumble and keeps up with her big brothers, but also is very prissy and loves pretty dresses and babies. She is such a little mommy. Having a little brother or sister soon will suit her very well.

Her Uncles keep her outfitted in pink camo and J.Michael topped the day with a pink cap gun that she had to wear right away as you will see in the slide show below.

*be sure to pause the music in the sidebar to hear the video.

Happy 4th Birthday Kathlena!

Hard to believe that our little Kathlena is already 4yrs old. All week we have been working with her to hold up 4 fingers and say "I am 4" when someone asks her how old she is. It is also hard to believe she has only been with us for almost a year now. This 4th birthday being our first together. We missed it last year by 20 days, although we were sad then it has been a sweet first celebration as we are finishing our first year together. We had so much fun going to Party city to pick out her birthday theme--1st Birthday Girl with pink butterflies in patchwork.

A funny story--when we were checking out at the store the clerk asked whose birthday it was to which I replied, "Kathlena" while pointing to her. The clerk then proceeded to ask her how old she was and Kathlena responded with "4" while holding her little fingers up. The clerk continues to check out our party favors, cups, napkins etc. that all state "1st Birthday Girl". At one point I think that she is going to make mention of this, but apparently decides not to. I would have gladly explained as I am always willing to share our story of adoption.

Kathlena's grandparents are also coming this weekend for her party on Saturday. Her Uncle Todd also. She received birthday cards from her great Aunt Susie and great Uncle Nolan as well as her great grandmother--Mema. Here are some pictures of her opening them

Card from Mema


Card from the Mackey's
*don't forget to pause the music in the sidebar when listening to videos

First Adjustment

Our first adjustments with the Chiropractor went pretty well. Andrew is liking them. He really likes the part where he gets to play with the toys in the waiting room, but he also did very well for Dr. Ky. Andrew actually received two adjustments today. He went early with Daddy for x-rays and was also adjusted. No surprises from the x-rays so that was good.
All of us went back a few hours later for our adjustments. Kathlena was very curious and watched closely as Dr. Ky adjusted E and J first then her. She liked it...especially the Cheeto crunch. Kathlena also showed some severe C1 and C2 misalignment's...not surprising as a result of her head tilt. We are hoping this will help her as well for her nystagmus and to strengthen her neck. She was really excited about her first time to go to the "fire cracker" this is what she calls the Chiropractor.
After their first adjustments I was talking to Dr. Ky and the kids went back over to the play area. I catch Andrew out of the corner of my eye pushing on something on the floor...almost as if administering CPR. I casually walk closer to see Kathlena on the floor with her arms crossed and Andrew pushing on her chest giving her an "adjustment". While I suppose this is the Chiropractic equivalent to playing doctor. I quickly suggested to both of them that we leave the adjusting to Dr. Ky.
I must say from my own adjustment that I have felt really good. Oddly, my nausea is gone. Hmm...I originally thought it to be unrelated except that it happened after my first adjustment too. It lasted for about 2 days then the nausea was back. Thankfully, I was in the next day and now it is gone again. I go back Mon. so we'll see if it holds.
I couldn't let the day go unnoticed. It has been 10 months today since our precious Andrew and Kathlena officially became Shiflets. It seems a lifetime ago since then and yet hard to believe not even a year yet.

An Introspection--An Interview with Andrew & Kathlena

Here's a slide-show I made of Andrew and Kathlena, complete with subtitles and Deleted Scenes!
-ha, ha, so much for deleted scenes! And yes, the subtitles are in English! :D

(Make sure to turn the music off on the sidebar)

Enjoy!!!!

My favorite Andrew and Kathlena words

When we first started this blog we would periodically post J.Michaelisms. While J.Michael still zings us with his wit, his two younger siblings take the stage with some of their cute linguistic concoctions. Here are a few of our favorites:

Andrew

"Mom, is this Breafkist?" (breakfast)

"My name is Andrew David Shiff-ah-let" (Shiflet, I must admit though I had trouble with this too at first when I became a Shiflet)

Kathlena

She was out whacking the bushes in the yard with a large stick yelling "I kill the dime-o-saurs!"

"Daddy wearing your meeting shirt" translation "Daddy are you going to work today"

In the morning Kathlena will greet me with "I sleep good my beg (bed)" the greeting when she gets up from nap is " I happy"

Mommy's little Helper

Kathlena loves to be where ever Mommy is. She is my shadow and little helper. Her sweet smile and willingness to help do anything bring her Mommy joy and delight. Here is a short clip of Kathlen helping Mommy snap some green beans for dinner. She sure makes you want to go get some green beans and snap them!

*remember to turn off music when viewing video, located in the sidebar of the blog -click stop/pause on the playlist box.

Kathlena Phonics

Kathlena has been working on her letters and sounds and she likes to practice them. During blanket time before dinner tonight she saw the steam rising at the stove over a pot of carrots cooking and said "HuhHuhHuhHuh...got!" Which is Kathlena phonics for sounding out the letter "H" but she pronounces "hot" as "got". It was too cute a moment not to record so here is our latest video.

Kathlena's Bed

David and J.Michael have been working on building Kathlena's bed for a few weekends now. We are nearing completion. We hope to pick up a twin mattress soon and finish the drawers and it will be ready for our Russian Princess who will now be living in the jungle hut.

Here are some pics. of the progress.

Kathlena's Fish

Emily, J.Michael and I were in Michael's recently shopping for various craft items for projects when we stumbled across a sweet reminder of Kathlena.--

The last day we visited with her at the orphanage we were able to observe her with her group and caretaker. We watched them eat lunch, clean up, and then play a game. The game was a magnetic fishing game. All of the kids were allowed to take turns trying to catch the fish. Kathlena was very excited about this game and loved to try and catch the fish.

While at Michael's J.Michael spotted the very same game. I couldn't believe that over 6,000 miles away we had stumbled on something familiar for Kathlena. Of course we had to buy one thinking it would be a great game for the plane trip home and something to break the ice as she leaves everything she has ever known. We praise the Lord for sweet reminders like this of our precious Russian children...you are always on our minds and close to our hearts. Missing you is so much harder than we ever imagined--we love you and hope to be coming quickly.