New in the Shipman home

Joe and Jack I had to remove the photo of the boys. I just found out as long as they are in the foster care system I can't post any pictures.

One week ago today, we took in these two handsome brothers. They ave been friends of ours for almost two years. Brian and I have come to know and love their family. In the past few months thier mom has been having some trouble so the kids were going to be placed in foster care. We were asked if they could live with us. It's preffered the kids live with someone they know and trust if at all possible. We just couldn't say no.

Carter adores them and vice versa. We are so lucky that we all had an exsisting relationship.

Joe and Jack are identical, 12 year old, twins. (Joe is the "bottle" blonde.) They have an older sister living with Grandpa and two younger sisters living with a foster family. Everyone seems to be adjusting well.

Who's the nut job?

Now that Joe and Jack are with us, dinner time is a new adventure.  Carter is easily distracted from eating.  He thinks Joe is hilarious and will laugh at him regardless of what Joe does.  Of course we probably don't help the situation by videoing the process and Brian egging him on.

Mother's Day 2009

I love this stage of being a mom.  Carter is talking and I mean talking up a storm.  He is super loving.  He is more physically capable every day which means my back is able to take a break!  He counts from 1-10 (when he is in the mood) in perfect order.  Blurts out shapes and some colors at random and is usually correct.  

His favorite show right now is called, "Ni Hao, Kai-lan".  Super cute show with Chinese characters and language.  He goes around saying, "Ni Hao mama".   

He can relate his life with the characters.  I tell him he needs to listen to mama and he will remember the episode where one of the characters was not being a good listener.  

Our conversation will go like this:

Me:  "Carter, I need to you to listen to mommy."

Carter:  "Like Ho-ho?"  (the character that learned to listen better.)

Me:  "Yes, Carter.  Like Ho-ho."

Carter:  "Ok mommy."

All of the sudden the task will be completed.  He can watch that show all he wants!  

Of course he is going through the "mine" phase as all toddlers do.  It can be frustrating, but sometimes it's very adorable.

For example;  His playmate, Lachlan who's six weeks younger.  

When I tell him we are going to play with Laclan, Carter says, "Oh, my Lachlan, my Lachlan!"

Brian, Carter and I can have fun being anywhere.  So far we have found our favorite time is right here at home after Carter has had his bath, got his jammies on, and getting ready for story time.  You can just tell by Carter's mood he is so happy when we are all together.  We roll around on the floor hugging and laughing.  Those are truely special moments.