Guess who is trying tricks on his bike now??

   

   

He has gone from not being able to pedal at all to now trying to stand up on his bike while he is pedaling.  I guess I better add a bike helmet to the Target list.

 

2 Months in Pictures

   

We've been home for 2 months today !!!

okay...I don't know how many pictures 1 post can hold...

What have we been doing the last 2 months...

"B" didn't start school for 2 more weeks after "G" got home.  It was a good time for them to bond.  The water table was a big hit.  The weather was perfect, and they could play for hours with the water.

  

Another big hit was the trampoline.  The girls got it for their birthday.  "G" was a little unsure at first.  At first, he would only tolerate one person jumping at a time.  We used that opportunity to teach him about taking turns.  (Something that was a totally new concept.)  I believe it has also helped him with his muscle tone.  At first, he didn't know how to jump and was scared to fall.  Now, he thinks it's funny to fall down.

"B" started preschool in September.  She is in the pre-k program at church.  I LOVE her teacher and the entire program.  It is a perfect stepping stone to kindergarten.  There are 15 children in her class with 8 girls and 7 boys.  She has gone to school with these children since she was 2.  At 5, she already has so many wonderful friends.

Just 2 weeks after we got home, we welcomed one of "G" best friends from Ethiopia.  His friend, Yohannes, was at the orphanage with him and lives just 10 minutes down the road.  This was "G" first time out.  On the way to the airport, "G" kept saying "G's Yohannes".  He was so excited to see him as we were driving.  When we got there, he was a little anxious about what was going on.  Both of the boys weren't quite sure what to do with each other.  It was still good to see Yohannes home.

Since we are kinda housebound, "G" has washed just about everything on our deck.  I've even seen him take his cup out to the water table to wash it.  And, I have had to stop him several times from washing his shoes.  He is definitely reenacting something he either saw or did in Ethiopia. 

Isn't he just the cutest little thing.  I love this boy!

This picture shows 2 important details - ice and gates.  When "G" first got home, he only wanted tap water.  He has just discovered ice and has to have ice in his water.  The gates are also a must.  They keep the "woosa (sp?)" away.  I read in multiple places that Ethiopian children are often times afraid of dogs.  "G" loves ours as long as she is safely behind the gate.  I was hoping that this would quickly pass, but it hasn't.  Baby steps.

These girls love their new brother.  "G" can do no wrong in "A" eyes.  She just absolutely loves him.  "B", on the other hand, loves him, but he has to follow her rules - like he isn't allowed in her room.  It has been ummmm... interesting trying to explain why he has different rules than the girls, and why his punishments are different.  Some of the kiddos favorite games together is hide-n-seek and chase. 

After a month home, "G" has his first playdate with his friend Yohannes.  I had asked our social worker her thoughts on this.  She thought it would be a good idea since they already knew each other.  "G" was excited to see his friend, but I could also tell that he was a little scared.  He wasn't sure what I meant by going over to Yohannes' house.  I think he may have thought Ethiopia.  Once we were there, he still remained a little distant.  He had a good time though, and it was good for both of us to get out of the house.  I am so glad these boys can grow up together.  Yohannes had only been home for 2 weeks, and he was doing great.

From Ethiopia to America. 

These boys are just 1 month apart in age.

 

The first time I tried to take "G" to the park he wasn't up for it.  Once we made it to the playground, he was ready to get back in the van.  I waited a couple of weeks and decided to try it again.  This time it would be a family event.  It worked.  He loved it.

He was so proud of himself after going down the slide.  He was very uncomfortable with the big slides, so we stuck with the toddler slides.  We did this little slide about 20 consecutive times.  Everything is baby steps.

"B" thoroughly enjoys herself on the swings.  This totally depicts her personality.

We took the bikes with us to the park.  "G" wants to ride sooo bad like his big sisters.  He's just can't quite get the hang of it.  Daddy ends up pushing him the entire time.  He still tries and tries.  He still has a good time.

Yes, I know he is riding a purple bike and that he drives a pink Barbie jeep.  Remember, he has 2 big sisters, and besides, I think he can pull it off in his camo pants.

After the bike riding, we pull out the wagon.  "G" got a big kick that Big sis is pulling him. 

"G" has been to his first play group.  Normally, this would be off limits.  But it was a small group of other adoptive moms who understood what the rules of "cocooning" were - like direct all his needs back to momma.

I was very nervous, but he had a good time.  He loved all the new toys especially the big trucks.  He wasn't up for any pictures, and I didn't want to overload him.  So, I could only snap a few when he wasn't looking.  I still wanted to capture his first play group.

For our first big family outing...we went to a pumpkin patch.  It was a perfect day!

The first thing "G" says when he gets in the truck is music.  And, his favorite artist...Shania Twain.  "S" has a ton of old CDs in the garage.  The kiddos somehow found Shania Twain, and they absolutely love it, especially "G".  (Of course, they only like the first 2 songs.)  "G" can really bust a move when it come on.  It is very impressive.  There's a whole neck move that I've never seen anywhere except in Ethiopia.  I hope he doesn't lose it.

The girls love the tire swings.

 

We finished our perfect day with a picnic.

We had our first playdate with Yohannes at our house a couple of weeks ago.  "G" was excited to now have him over to his house.  Before he got there, he talked about how he wanted to show Yohannes his room.  It was very cute.  It was easy to get him ready for the day.  We eagerly awaited his arrival on the steps.

This time you could really see the boys personalities coming out.  They were truly enjoying each other and having a good time.  Again, the water table was a hit.  They kept trying to get each other wet, and then they would just laugh.  It was so wonderful to hear their laughter and to see how much fun they were having.

(The white in Yohannes' hair is suds.)

Since we got home, I have had to cut back on doing anything extra, so I could focus on "G".  I really feel blessed that I can be home with him and focus on him.  But, I have missed being able to volunteer at "A" school.  I was so glad to go to her Fall Party.  She just loves school, and her teachers just love her.  I am so proud of her.  She is turning into a beautiful young girl.  She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. 

Washing cars is one of "S" favorite home activities.  I think "G" is going to be like his daddy.  He loves cars and he loves to wash :)  Just precious seeing them together.

Okay...I think that about does it...that is a glimpse into our last 2 months.

So...Do you love him?

 
We've been home for almost 2 months.  WOW!  Most of the time Little Man seems like he has always been a part of the family.  Don't get me wrong, we are all still learning each other and the new rythym of our family.  But, it all just works.  Then there are times like when your social worker asks you "So, do you love him?" that you realize that you've only known him for 2 months.  No one has ever asked me that with my biological children.  It's just understood. And, the answer to that question was yes.  I do love him.  Is it exactly like "A" - no.  Is it exactly like "B" - no.  Do I love "A" like "B" or vice versa - no.  They are all different, and I love them all.

We've all come a long way in 2 months.  Little man is adjusting so well.  Hubby and I were commenting the other night at the dinner table about how Little Man seems to be so comfortable with us.  We have been trying to keep his world really small in order for him to learn and feel that we are his family.  When we do go out, our radars are on taking cues from him of when he has had enough.  He has been pretty easy to read, and has done wonderfully everytime we take him out.  Of course, we make sure that everyone gives him enough space.  And, most of the time, one of us is carrying him which helps.

His language skills are extraordinary, and he is so bright.  When we were picking him up at the orphanage, the director told us that his language skills were off the chart and that he was very smart.  At the time, we were like sure, sure, sure thinking that she probably says that about all the children.  But, now we know that she was telling the truth.  He has picked up the language really quickly and can already string 4 to 5 words together in a sentence.  And, he seems to understand most of what we say.  Communication was one of those areas that I really worried about, and I shouldn't have.  Now, we aren't having deep conversations or anything, and we still have a long ways to go before I would consider him compentent in the English language.  But, man this is his 3rd language, and I am just amazed.

He is very loving and easily gives hugs and kisses to the family.  We try to make it a point that he only hug and kiss us.  It is all part of teaching him that family is special and that we are family.  Everyone else gets high-fives, which has worked out well for us.  He loves to be carried and just hugged on.  Daddy still sleeps with him at night, which again, goes back to creating a special bond.  I did it for the first 3 or 4 weeks, but I wasn't getting much sleep.  He moves around quite a bit, so Daddy has taken over.  He doesn't require as much sleep as "momma".  It's been good for me too, as I have some time where I don't have someone "on" me.  When we started, our goal was to sleep with him for the 1st 6 months.  We'll probably just play it by ear.  Right now, it works.  And, I must say is the most special time that Little Man and Daddy have together.  Little Man will just lay in the bed and snuggle as close as he can possibly get to Daddy.  It's almost nose to nose. 

One of the areas that I read about, but didn't really think about much was the "survival skills".  This boy is really self-sufficient.  Usually, this is seen as a good characteristic, but it can be determintal to the connection/attachment process.  He has always had to do for himself.  We are slowly trying to show him that he doesn't have to go it alone.  That we are here for him.  I see him making progress in this area by leaps and bounds.  When he falls or gets hurt, he seeks us out to make it "feel better" even if it is a little fall, and we know that he really didn't hurt himself.   He also wants us to take him to the bathroom - and most of the time, we have to carry him to the potty.  Now, in about a couple more months, we will probably start discouraging this.  He totally did this on his own in Ethiopia.  But, for now, it works and I see it as positive that he either needs us there or wants us there.

He is just a joy, and I am so thankful that God chose us to be his parents.  This is an iron-man not a sprint, and we still have alot of growing and learning to do.   There are still hard times, and times when I analyze everything I did that day wondering if I did anything to screw up one of my kids.  But, I am confindent that God will lead us and that his grace is sufficient.
 

Homecoming

 
(okay...little behind...)

From the fullness of God's grace, we have received one blessing after another...
 
This is how I felt when we got off the airplane.  I can't put into words how I felt being home.  My cup overflowth.  To see God's plan come together, to have all my children together, to have family and friends there to support us, and to KNOW that God is sovereign is overwhelming.  I had done a great job holding it together on the way home, but after seeing everyone and feeling God's pressence and grace, I just couldn't hold back the tears.

We saw our girls first.  It was so good to see them.  I had missed them terribly, and I was so eager for them to meet their brother.

They both did so well and were so sweet.  They were thrilled that he could identify them and say their names.  It was very special for us to have a few moments alone before we introduced G to everyone. 

Daddy getting some love.

Now, it was time to introduce G to everyone...

We had a wonderful group of family and friends welcome us home.  Friends we've had for years, and friends that we have met through the wonderful adoption world.  We felt blessed.

Not only did we have a wonderful support group, but so did our girls.  All of the children were so eager to check G out.  They were just as excited as the adults were.  A kept wanting me to let G down so she could take him to go see her friends.  Now, my back was killing me, and I was beyond tired, but there was no way I was going to come this far and lose G in the airport.  Now, probably not realistic, but when you've only slept 5ish hours in the last 48ish and entertained a 3 year old at the same time, you don't think clearly.

After visiting for a bit, it was time to go home...YEAH!! 

Once we walked through our door, I felt like I could finally....EXHALE.  G could get down and run around, and he did.  It was Christmas time at our house.  We had made an alphabet book for him featuring everyday items around our house.  It paid off, because he recognized so much of it.  He ran into his room and just loved it!  The girls spent the next hour saying..."G look at this.  G look at this.  G look at this"  over and over and over.  They wanted to show him EVERY toy in the house.  I had to remind them that he is going to be here FORVER and that they needed to slow down.

They would pretend to be asleep and then yell and jump up.  They played this game several times.  Then, it was time for "real" bedtime.  I'm amazed he lasted till 8:00 pm. We didn't know how it was all going to play out, but it went great.  I'm sure little man was beyond exhausted.  I slept with him, and he did great.  He woke up once during the night to use the potty and then went right back to sleep.

He woke up happy around 7 am, and it was Christmas time all over again.

Welcome Home G!!