The Stroller as an Attachment Tool

Before traveling to Korea, we read many books and even attended classes on attachment.  We knew that attachment was a major factor in bonding with internationally adopted children, and we were prepared to do whatever Hailey needed to attach as quickly as possible.  We had no idea that the stroller would be such a huge attachment tool for our precious Hailey!

Haily absolutely LOVES to be near me in her stroller (if she's not being held).  Providentially, we moved to a one story home last April with wood and tile floors.  We have never lived in a one story home and have always had carpet.  We know that God led us to this home for many reasons, but one specific purpose was the easy use of strollers for Hailey.  I use the stroller daily when I'm washing dishes, putting on make-up, folding the laundry and can't hold Hailey.  We often joke that we have "stroller parking" in our entry, since we usually keep two strollers "parked" there at all times.

Hailey often experiences anxiety when we go in and out of the house.  If I set her down on the floor upon entering the house (because I usually need to put away my purse, bags, etc.) she immediately panics and cries.  However, if I set her directly into the stroller, she is as happy as can be!  Since Hailey is so heavy, I have been unable to use a carrier, but the strollers have been a wonderful solution.

Hailey loved trying on my shoes while I was getting dressed on Valentine's Day.  This is one of my favorite photos of Hailey (and she's chilling in the stroller, of course!)...

Today we had our final visit with our social worker.  Korea requires four post-placement visits with a social worker before an adoption can be completed.  We have met with our social worker, Joe Ramirez (with Angels Haven Adoptions) for almost six years while living in three different homes!  Today Joe affirmed that Hailey has changed dramatically since arriving home and has transitioned well.  Hailey didn't want to be held, so I put her in the stroller and pushed it near him.  I had to capture the final visit on film! We are so grateful to be nearer to our court date for finalization and to hearing the judge pronounce Hailey as "Hailey Jane Ramsey".   Stay tuned for updates on the court date!

A Month of Celebrations!

This past month has been filled with many memorable moments in our family.  While we continue to watch Hailey progress in her walking, language development and attachment, we also celebrated major accomplishments with our boys.

Jordan officially became a Boy Scout!  The Cub Scouts has been the perfect environment for Jordan to thrive in and he loves it.  He and Mike worked very diligently to earn the awards required for the "Arrow of Light" award, which he received last week along with his other troop members.  Jordan had an unforgettable experience at his first Cub Scouts camp this past fall and recently told me, "I wish that Boy Scouts met every week"!  He has "bridged over" to Boy Scouts Troop 243, which meets at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tustin, and we cant wait to watch him grow and flourish in his new troop.

Aidan recently completed his i9 flag football season and was drafted to the Tustin Western Little League AA Angels team.   His football team won their final championship game and Aidan was awarded the "Sportsmanship Award" for being a strong team player and encourager.  Way to go Aidan!

We also celebrated a huge accomplishment for Mike this month.  After completing a two year, intensive Bible training course and serving full time for many years as the elder over missions, Mike was ordained as the Missions Pastor at The Village Church or Irvine.  It is such a blessing to serve the Lord together as we oversee missions and orphan care/adoption in our church body.

We have so much to celebrate and so much to be grateful for.  "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever". - Psalm 136:1

Road Trip!

This past weekend we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday at my brother's home in AZ.  It was Hailey's first road trip and we survived a long, six hour drive!

While we had a wonderful time celebrating my mom and being together, the trip was difficult for Hailey.  She was very clingy in the new environment and "out of sorts".  This behavior is typical for children who are still attaching, experiencing separation anxiety and have experienced many transitions.  Hailey was cared for in two foster homes and also spent time in a baby home/hospital during her first year of life.  She may have been wondering if my brother's house was her new home, or if this was her new family.  These kinds of situations remind us how far Hailey has come and how well she has transitioned into our family. But they also remind us that she is still fragile, insecure and needs constant reassurance of our unconditional love.

I love this photo of Sadie Jane and Hailey Jane in the tub.  Both girls were named after my mom, Linda Jane, and her mother, Jane.

We had a blast celebrating my mom's birthday at The Rawhide Western Town.  It was the perfect environment for kids and we made some wonderful memories!

Hailey wanted to be held by me or Mike constantly in my brother's home.  I'm so grateful that she finds comfort in our arms.  She finally became more relaxed on the last day of the trip and ventured over to the toy table (away from our sides).  It took her three days to wander away from her "safety zone" of mom and dad and by that time, we were packed and ready to head home.  We know that the next trip will be easier and are so grateful for the progress that we see day by day!

We appreciate your prayers for patience and wisdom as we shower Hailey with love in her "forever family".  We often feel exhausted and the transition has been challenging for each of us in different ways.  Just as God promises that He will never leave or forsake us, we will never leave our precious Hailey.

Hailey's First Family Christmas

Last year Hailey spent Christmas in a hospital in Seoul.  She was admitted due to stomach issues and spent the holidays in a crib, without family.  This year was completely different.  She was smothered with love by her all of family and friends who adore her, not to mention her dog and cat who love to lick her and all of the new and exciting Christmas decorations and traditions!

We purchased a Christmas stocking for Hailey (which matched ours) over two years ago.  There were many moments when I wondered if we would ever adopt and use the stocking, or if we'd have to give it away.  It was so special to finally personalize her stocking and marvel at five Ramsey stockings hanging on our mantle.

One of the highlights of our holidays was introducing Hailey to her new family members for the first time.  My dad and his wife loved meeting Hailey and she loved being held by her grandpa.  We're so grateful that she warms up to new people so quickly!

We celebrated Christmas with my mom's side of the family at my grandma's home in LA.  I love this sweet photo of four generations of women!

Mike's sister and her family visited from OR for New Year's week.  Their adoption journey in China inspired our family to adopt, so it was very special to introduce them to Hailey for the first time.  We also spent a day together at Disneyland, what a blast!

Two years ago my dear friend Krista had a vivid vision of our new daughter being celebrated at Christmas as we were praying together.  I was discouraged when Christmas passed in 2011 and we still had no news of our adoption.  However, I was reminded of her vision many times throughout this Christmas season.  Hailey was the only girl referred to our adoption agency from Korea in 2012.  We are constantly reminded that God's timing is perfect and Hailey was definitely worth the wait!  As we reflected this Christmas on the miraculous arrival of Baby Jesus, who was adopted by his father and changed the world forever, we were even more grateful for the miracle of adoption in our own lives.

Hailey's Baby Dedication

Yesterday we dedicated Hailey to the Lord in front of family and friends at The Village Church of Irvine.  Hailey wore her traditional Korean dress from her "dol" (the Korean first birthday celebration), which was given to us by Hailey's foster mom in Korea.  Our church has been so supportive throughout our five year adoption journey and it was a special morning as our church family clapped, cheered, giggled at Hailey's squirminess on stage and celebrated this special occasion with us.

Mike and I often talk about the dramatic transformation we have observed in Hailey's personality.  When we accepted her referral, we were told that she was shy, withdrawn, and cried around strangers.  However, since Hailey has joined our family, she has become extreme outgoing, joyful and full of life!  The following photos reveal how much Hailey has changed in just a few months.  The first photo was taken at her "dol" in June in Korea.  The second photo was taken yesterday at her dedication.  What a difference!  Hailey's smile and vivacious personality are contagious!  We are so grateful to be part of the miracle of adoption!

Family Photos

Last month we took our first professional family photos at The Jeffrey Trail in Irvine.  We used these photos for our family Christmas card and our adoption announcement. Our friend from church, Julie Horn, did a wonderful job capturing our family on film.  Here are a few of our favorites...

Three Months of Hailey!

Has it really been three months since Hailey arrived home?  In some ways, time has flown by like a whirlwind.  On the other hand, the past three months have been filled with major adjustments for our family, life changes (yawn!) and daily victories for Hailey.  In reality, it's hard to imagine what our lives were like without her.

The biggest change this past month is that Hailey has started to explore her world.  If you visit our home, you will find our little "Magellan" crawling, taking steps, opening drawers and investigating everything.  She is less clingy and is interested in everything.  Our little baby has become a toddler right before our eyes.  We purchased child locks yesterday and will install them ASAP!  Hailey's desire to explore and venture away from me is a huge achievement, which brings new challenges and joys.  

Here are a few of our favorite photos from the past month.  

Although Hailey bring so much joy to our lives, there are days when I feel like I have no energy left to give.  One one particular day last week I was feeling exhausted and was struggling with Hailey's clinginess and whining.  In those difficult moments, God reminds me that it is pure religion to love and care for Hailey.  "Religion that God our Father accepts as true and holy is this:  to care for orphans and widows in their distress."  - James 1:27.  A friend reminded me that God desires for His children to cling to Him in everything.  I often ponder this truth when Hailey is reaching out and screaming for me.  On this particular day I was creating a photo montage for our wall (of our new family photos).  I picked up my photos at Walgreens and upon arriving home, was shocked by this note included with the photos:

I was blown away that God chose to use a total stranger to remind me of what a wondrous gift we have been given!  We have experienced the fingerprints of God throughout our entire adoption journey and there is not enough space on this blog to recount the unbelievable things our God has done!