"So promise me you'll never forget...that you aren't an accident or an incident...you are a gift to the world, a divine work of art, signed by God. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth...Flooded by emotion, overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, 'You are my child. I love you dearly.'" Max Lucado, God Thinks You're Wonderful







Monday, January 5, 2009

It's getting interesting around here!

So, this is a post all about trans-racial adoption.

There are so many fun things that I keep meaning to post about, like hair tips, good and bad products, books and such.

I just always end up having something more fun to post about like my sweet kiddos and the crazy things that happen around here.

Yesterday, Owen asked a question that has prompted this post.

At breakfast he asked Blake and I, "Is daddy brown?". We both were shocked as we thought this was quite obvious.

Blake's pretty pale (sorry hon!) and Owen's pretty good with knowing his colors.

We both replied, "No honey, he's kind of peach."

Owen then asked, "Is mommy brown?"

Again, we were a little puzzled. But replied that mommy too was peachy, vanilla.

We then reminded him that he got his beautiful brown color from God and his birth-father.
We talked about how cool we thought it was that Cooper and Sadie were brown too!

Owen then asked, "Was daddy in Mandy's belly?"

It's a fun time for us because Owen is starting to understand his adoption in such a different way.

He's starting to put things together and we hope therefore appreciate his story in a deeper way.
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Blake's mom got us a really neat book for Sadie's baby dedication... here is a pic of it.


It is the coolest book and I recommend it not only for trans-racial families, but for all of our families as it talks about God's dream for all of His children.

Here is another book that we got from Christmas (also from Gigi!) that we read again this morning.

Reading it brought on a really great discussion about our skin being different and how cool that was. But it also brought us to the computer for some shopping for angels and nativities that matched the kids.

We found some great stuff! Here is what we picked out mostly because of price, but also because it was just what we were looking for.

Owen excitedly told Blake when he got home today that we "found a black angel". He was so proud!

Holden's mommy also had a cool find at the Cracker Barrel. See her post about diversifying their decor for Christmas!
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Hair stuff (this will really only be fun for some of you!!!)

Because I am always looking for cool things for the boys' hair, I am sharing what I have found and like.

The best thing I have found for Owen's hair is Paul Mitchell The Conditioner. It works wonders for softer curly hair. It leaves it soft and bouncy. But it's horribly expensive...so I have tried leave in conditioner (Garnier Fructis and Herbal Essence makes some great ones). It works really well for Owen's hair type, and smells fabulous!

For Cooper, I have to use something heavier because his hair is more course with tighter curls. The best I have found for him is Olive Oil Hair Moisturizing Lotion. It's incredible, not costly and not greasy. And the key for his hair is to get it damp with a water bottle before using product! He no longer cries when I pick through his hair! Thanks Rebecca for this tip!

Now, this stuff....sheesh! It's smell is the only thing I don't like about it. Otherwise, it would be perfect for Cooper. It sprays on which he loves, and combs through really well and keeps his hair from looking brittle and dry. It's name is the best... Sta-Sof-Fro - I love it!
If any of you out there have brown babies and you have found a website or a product out there, please share! I always learn new stuff and tips when I talk to other moms.

Also, I read a really good book before Owen was born and it really helped me! It's called "It's all Good Hair" I thought it was great. There was a lot of stuff in it that I didn't use because they were boys, but now I need to find it again since Miss Sadie arrived and I am sure I will be braiding before I know it!

This is a Christmas pic that I have yet to post because so many of you got it in the mail! But, had to share because it's one of my favorites with all 5 of us!

6 comments:

Becki Francy said...

Great post Molly. I love the soffroso (or whatever it was called). I love that Owen is starting to notice and ask questions. I have to say though, the Daddy and Mandy one makes sense....Daddy and Mandy are the same color...see??? That is too cute...Please teach ragon her colors...

kim said...

sta-so-fro...I LOVE it! what exactly would that do to my hair? :)

I seriously could eat up sadie...so stinkin cute!

Oh, and yes, I need help with names...Becki has thrown me some doozies! :O)

Trying to figure out how I can make Friday work...Ty and Ella will both be in school...hmmmmm

mom2many said...

I remember the day after we got Jacob, there happened to be a VERY pregnant black lady in the baby section. I asked her if she would look at my baby and tell me what to do! LOL! She was so nice about it...I just didn't want to mess him up! He had quite the afro for an 8 week old! This weekend as I was cleaning out our master bath/closet, I found a little baggie that has Jacob's first haircut hair in it. I also found the little jar of "pink" stuff that was suggested to me at the time. We ended up going with a shaved head for Jacob...it just suited him and his bio dad suggested it! Those chocolate baby girls are precious, but MAN, the HAIR!!!! Good luck with that!! (We actually had a class on braiding black hair at one of our foster care retreat thingys!)

Melodie said...

we must talk hair tomorrow! bought something saturday that seems to be working well for the dry scalp though. thanks for the book recommendations. i have looked at the site you suggested. i love post like these - so thanks for sharing!

Chassidy said...

I LOVE THIS POST! Sorry, I haven't commented lately but being gone and trying to unpack/laundry has taken my "blog time" away for a few days! First of all the new 4 month pictures of Sadie.....pure SWEETNESS. She is absolutely gorgeous! And those 2 sweet little brothers...they make my heart melt!

I haven't used any products in Turner's hair yet. Just good ole baby shampoo and towel drying ..I don't use a brush I just run my fingers thru it. But I'm going to print out your post because when the time comes, I'm going to use your suggestions.
And I can't wait to go to the bookstore and get those books you suggested..they look fabulous!

You're such a good mommy..I'm amazed at how you find time to do all your research. You win GOLD STARS that's for sure. Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Rebekah said...

Thanks for the hair tips! I just cut Steven's hair again (didn't really finish his first hair cut, and it looked awful!).

Both Steven and Michelle came with full heads of hair. In fact, the ultrasound tech commented on how much hair Michelle had way back then! I had no idea they could see hair!

Oh, and she's not in her own crib. She's in a bassinet next to our bed. We haven't even finished cleaning out her room let alone setting it up for her :( That's a project for tomorrow, but I doubt we'll make much progress. She's a little night owl (doesn't really go to sleep until 3:00 a.m.), so it helps to have her close by.

I have some great kids adoption books as well. I'll have to post them sometime (when I can get them out of Steven's room).