About Me

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My husband and I, the Dynamic Duo, have been married since 2003. We've weathered the storm of chronic disease (diagnosis 2006), infertility (diagnosis 2007), turning 30 (2006/2007 respectively) a first adoption (2009) of a tender hearted, compassionate Ukrainian BIG boy (born 2006), who has told us he'd like a baby sister, baby brother, big brother, and REALLY big sister. We recently completed our second Ukrainian adoption journey, which brought us a daughter (born 2005). We'll see what else God brings our way!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Week One - Update

Well, today marks almost a week since we've been home. I've already sent in the info to get Eli registered with the Ukrainian embassy, and am looking in to the forms for his new birth certificate and SS#. We've added him to our insurance and been to two doctors. I have a third apptmt with a pediatrician on Monday to start the process of evaluating his health conditions. We've met lots of new friends, been lots of new places, and experiences lots of new tastes, smells and touches. What a week it's been!

So far, Eli is doing great. We still have yet to figure out his routine, although I have him in a great routine for now. I ended up putting him down for his nap early today because he was so cranky! He almost slept through the night last night, which was nice for me. I'm sleeping on a matress on the floor next to his bed because he gets a little frightened when I'm not around. I think within a few weeks he should be able to sleep by himself, but I'll let him tell me when he's ready.

Food is fun. He loves to feed himself, although he makes a huge mess and immediately wants me to clean it up. It's really funny. Breakfast is a bannana, bowl of cheerios. Snack is either pretzels, a piece of fruit or animal crackers. Lunch is some sort of soup (to get more liquids in him). Another snack of pretzels, fruit or animal crackers. Dinner is a Gerber babies dinner of some sort, and whatever else he wants until he says he's had enough. And right before bed I give him a yogurt. Big appetite, I'm happy to say.

He loves apple skin, bannanas, mashed potatoes, soups, chicken in various forms, ham, apple juice, orange juice, cashews, strawberries and cheerios.

He hasn't quite found a cheese he likes, and he really doesn't like carrots or blueberries or any of the bread we've tried. I only count out foods when he's tried it twice at different times and he doesn't like it.

He loves cars (really anything that rolls), his train set, his cell phone, puzzles and is slowly getting in to books. We "read" to him before bed.

He's quite a snuggle bug when he wakes up from his nap. We sit on the couch and he flops on my lap (I have to remember not to have my cell phone in my pocket!), then sits next to me, plays for a moment or so, then comes back to give me a hug. It's really a great time with him. He's really a very affectionate and loving child.

When Papa gets home, he tumbles freely in our back yard. He rolls around in the grass, digs in our garden, and helps Papa with little chores, like putting mulch in bags. He came in covered from head to toe in dirt yesterday...it was great! He loves tossing the ball around and dunking it in the hoop our neighbors got for him.

His greatest loves are car rides with his toddler music blaring, and being outside with Papa.

He's learned three words so far: Hello, Hi, and Ball. He understands most of the time and is learning fast!

5 comments:

Tami said...

Sounds like he's doing a great job of adjusting to his new life. Congratulations and if I haven't said it lately - Welcome Home! :)

ArtworkByRuth said...

What a busy and productive week! Our son home almost two years now still does not like to sleep alone. Our 15 year old misses her sister when she's not there sharing the room as well. They have NEVER been left alone in their life and it is a scary thing! You're doing great, keep it up!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful. It is good to hear your updates. It is fun after nap times. Hannah does the same with me. She is almost a 2 1/2 and I still have to lay down next to her bed for her to fall asleep or when she wakes up in the middle of the night. If I don't pass out I get back in my bed soon as she dozes off. Have fun!

Love ya and miss ya tons!

Malisa

Chris Haven said...

Thanks for the update, sounds like you are adjusting to motherhood very well:) How are his tantrums? We plan to do the same thing with our son at night, sleeping next to him if he has issues! Blessings.

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

I love to hear he is doing so well. I haven't even registered the kids yet. Keep up the good work. It's great to home, isn't it?!