One year ago today.

He seemed so *polite* when he was sleeping.

Detail of an 18th century fresco by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

I've been thinking lately about the idea of maintaining my kids' heritage, and what "heritage" means, and the extent to which an American of recent Euro-African descent can actually somehow embody Chinese culture. My conclusion: I can't. I can only embody international adoption as its own culture within America, and... more

Every now and again I write these things that don't seem to have too much to do with "adoption" per se, at least at first. But the thing is the "adoption" part of my family actually seems pretty minor compared to the lasting reality of being a parent who isn't Chinese raising children who are. So, this is one of those things.

It started listening to classical music in the car last week.

... more

They're making movie out of Iron Man. He's a popular Marvel comics superhero, and special effects now are such that he'll look great. Robert Downey, Jr., is playing the title character, so he'll probably sound great, too.

And Shaun Toub will be playing The Mandarin.

Yes. Farhad from Crash will be playing ... more

There's been some sort of lingering spring sinus infection hanging over our house, which, as one might imagine, has not contributed to domestic tranquility between the often warring factions of Daughter and Son (son!). The other day, the forces of fatigue and congestion led to a kind of crying match between the toddler, who was armed with a pretty annoying toy whistle, and the little girl, who had been taking a pre-dinner nap on the sofa.

I, being a young man about town, missed the screaming part, and only got home in... more

Son (son!) remains intact despite the latest pro-circumcision talk from the WHO. Yes, the doctors say getting the snip actually can save lives....

In a report issued on 28 March, the World Health Organization and UNAIDS issued a series of recommendations to increase rates of circumcision in countries where the HIV problem is most serious.

"We reviewed all the evidence,... more

I haven't actually read 10 Steps to Successful International Adoption - A Guided Workbook for Prospective Parents by Dr. Brenda K. Ueckert, so I can't actually call this a book review.

I know nothing about the book other than what it says in that press release:

there... more

In case you missed it in the recent comments:

Blessed Art Thou, Angelina Jolie.

It's art.

Yikes. Totally Doing Star Business....

But domestic babies lack that dramatic edge!

Adopted foreign babies. Hot new accessory. Asian baby!

Laughs, yes. Uncomfortable, yes.

And just in time for Angelina Jolie's latest addition.

We're working on Daughter's habit of asking when we can send Son (son!) back to China. Children. Always saying the unsayable.

Until we can break their spirit, we're keeping them on display in a wrought iron cage, as you can see here.

Meanwhile, for those readers who're into stories of the miraculous, here's an unusual audio experience: Angels in Shandong. Ahem.

I really don't buy this guy's line, but, y'know, it's a pretty good story... more