As the jet fog settled over the next (several!) days…
We enjoyed our close family visiting and meeting Samuel. We cannot wait for everyone to get to know him, but due to attachment (the process where a child learns about family and mommy and daddy…that we won't be changing in the next shift or moving him to another room or ever leaving him). Aptly termed a process, we know this will take time - months. So far, he has been home two weeks and we feel like he is doing extraordinarily well, but again, we realize this is a process and must be reinforced over and over to literally "undo" two and 1/2 years of people coming in and out of his life.
His personality is becoming more apparent every day. He loves to laugh and make everyone else laugh…loves people and is friendly to everyone…. especially GG...
when she feeds him cake…
Somebody loves their Papaw! (well, don't we all!)
He loves to slide and swing at the park,
and loves riding with Avery and Silas to school every morning… he is so excited when we pick them up. So sweet!
And of course, he loves the dollar aisle at Target…
and so far, loves the piano… :-)
The week after we came home, it was time for Silas and Avery's 5-year old check-up at the pediatrician. FIVE years… I canNOT believe this.
They are both growing and maturing and so amazing to watch.
All went well at the appointment until the "finger prick"… oh my, you'd have thought the world ended… and 5 year old 50 pounders are harder to hold down for the tiny stick and flu mist than they used to be!
SueSue has been coming even though I'm at home so Samuel can get into some sort of routine and get to know her… It didn't take long. I wondered how she would do with all three… looks like just fine… :-)
So far the only meeting that has not gone well is with Millie. Poor dog, Samuel obviously thinks she is a monster. This shows our huge progress. He will "go find" her and say "woof woof" with a pointed finger, but don't think about suggesting we go outside again…
Samuel can say Mama, Baba (Daddy in Chinese), nana (banana), book, ball, woof woof (with a cry because he is still scared to death of Millie!), and "no".
I love this picture - This is one of our first days home. Silas helped Samuel onto
his bike then held him and helped him roll around the driveway being so careful. Wow. If anyone has shown us the picture of not only grace and acceptance but true spiritual adoption, it is Silas and Avery. Praise God for these children.
With fall comes new school pictures!! I had to do a side by side comparison of 2014 and 2015… how much they are changing… and too quickly!
He had obviously never been on grass before… especially barefooted! He is fearless with a little encouragement… his first steps looked like he thought it was quicksand… then he quickly figured it out!
Our walks look a little different now… and guess who is in the lead. Of course.
Mimi came to spend the night and go with Samuel and me to Birmingham to the International Adoption Clinic last Wednesday - we are so glad she went. Samuel did great in the car and slept most of the way there and most of the way back. The doctors are so thorough and spent about an hour in our exam talking and examining him as well as talking about attachment and adjustments, transitioning as a family. We were there about three hours and then he had a few x-rays and blood work (I didn't know that much could come from a two year-old!). We will get those results in the coming weeks as well as start immunizations (he has had none) and see a few specialists here in Jackson. Samuel was a champ!!
And - the splash pad is always a hit. Poor Samuel had to just jump right on in - Silas and Avery practically drug him out there while spraying him. He loved it.
These cooler nights are wonderful. Samuel loves hitting a ball! (and wearing a baseball hat… so cute!) Silas' ball machine thing talks with music and says "hey batter, batter, batter"… I'm trying to catch Samuel saying it in his Chin-glish. It's awesome.
After the Rebels' (AWFUL!) loss to the Gators last weekend, I totally wasn't thinking when getting the kiddos dressed for church. It was a little cooler out, so we picked this dress outfit for Avery. I put a big old orange bow in her hair and looked at her - then it hit me. I said "OH!! AGH! Avery we must change at least your bow!!" She said "why, Mommy?" I told her she looked like a Gator… she looked puzzled then asked "you mean, like a crocodile??" I said, yes. Mercy me.
He went with me to orchestra rehearsal for a few minutes Wednesday… sat in my lap at the piano and every time Tim stopped us to rehearse a part, Samuel said (with his arms in the air) "yaaaaay". It was comical. He also had his first violin lesson, thanks Sarah! Maybe someone in our house will end up learning the violin I've had for years that I can't play a lick.
We have had lots of company (but we LOVE it!). Gay Gay came last week for a little visit with the Sturdivants and us (and to meet Samuel!) - what fun we had! I love this of her leading all the ducklings in a row.
I don't know who is happier…. AND this is before 7am! Wow, Gay Gay!
Last Friday, I was able to help drive students for Silas and Avery's field trip to the pumpkin patch. Pretty sure I was even more excited than they were - I was assigned to Avery's class, so three of them and Samuel rode along to Nichols-Boyd.
This is Avery's sweet class - I didn't get one of Silas' (but equally as cute, of course)
Both classes piled into a trailer for a hay ride to see all the animals and pick out a pumpkin.
Samuel had a blast! He mostly sat in my lap, but loved all the animals and especially being with the big kids!
Great friends!
Avery just had to take a picture with the other Avery in her class - this is Avery Mae.
What a fun morning!
