Where does the time go?

Three weeks ago, I was just home from the trip of a lifetime. Holding the hand of my biggest and most verbal souvenir ever! I remember that first Friday. Thinking "oh my gosh, what have I done?"

Three weeks later, Emmett understands most of what I ask him to do - especially the regular phrases like "Take your shoes off" and such. He clearly says "All done" putting his hands out to his side which is more of an "I don't know" sign, but hey - I understand it! The funny thing about "all done" is that, in typical toddler fashion, he thinks the phrase is license to be freed of the situation. So "all done" means - I'm finished with these peas, and don't plan to eat anymore. Or I don't care if I'm supposed to have 'table time' for another 10 mins, I'm all done! He's learning that all done is really Mom and Dad's decision.

Now wait - before I'm thrown onto the burning pyre of strict parents. I'm not forcing peas down his throat or leaving him to sit at the table for hours at a time! However, I am trying to get him to eat veggies which are not his favorite. And table time is 20 mins sitting at the table with puzzles, books, coloring to do. It is a way to increase his attention span and prepare him for preschool/day care where he'll need to do the activity for as long as they want him to.

Words like "please" and "thank you" have a distinct Korean flare to them when Emmett says them. Please = peasda and thank you is kank ohah. Our most favorite game now is when I attempt to say choo-choo train in Korean and he laughs at my attempt. Shaking his head saying "no" as if conveying "you're nuts, mom!". Yesterday he was singing the Korean word for choo-choo train and then adding blah blah blah at the end. It must be what it sounds like when I try to say it!

We've received the first set of immigration paperwork yesterday, and it dawned on me, that although Emmett is now my son - he is not yet an American. I know that probably seems odd to everyone else, but he's become so much of our family, that I'd forgotten. The USA is gaining quite a little kid in this. And he's my son.