ONE YEAR HOME!

THEN

NOW

HOME SWEET HOME, ONE YEAR

It's been one year since this picture.  The moment I heard his squeaky shoes coming and saw him turn the corner.....

My Objectives: entice him with his two favorite things, balloons and suckers...

This was my experience of "Gotcha Day".  Drew and Anna received Judah in China and he was our family long before that.  But when he's placed in your arms, somehow you feel like you've melted together and never known a moment apart.  So, that happened for Drew and Anna while they were in China.  For me, though, these moments captured it all.  The waiting, the anticipation, it all came together.  Our family, all together, finally.  

So thankful for those who stood by us, present in the airport and present through cheers and prayers states away.  Those who encouraged us as we grew our family- to bring our Judah home. 

UPDATE ON OUR BOY SINCE COMING HOME:

*He has gained about 7 pounds and nearly 5 inches.

*He has gained probably 100 words and putting two words together frequently.

*He is still a great eater.

*Still wakes through the night crying at least once, but goes back to sleep.

*Still a thumb sucker but only when he lays down in his bed to sleep.

*He can say everyone in the family's name now, or a version of it.

*Refers to himself as "you"

*Loves swimming and splashing in the water, without fear.

*Is still super active and busy.

*Has begun to enjoy books, pointing, naming things, turning pages. 

*He attends preschool.

*He is still Evan's shadow. 

*He's still very inquisitive and tenacious.

*He loves to identify colors and shapes and sing children's songs.

*He has started to count.

*He wants to be doing everything Levi and Elizabeth are up to.

*He started a screaming phase when he doesn't get something he wants or can't express his needs. 

PSALM 92:4

"You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done."

Home 11 Months

                 

OUR RAY OF SUNSHINE

Oh Judah- You keep us running.  And you always bring a ray of sunshine with you wherever you go.

This month brought your preparation for 1 year Post Adoption Placement with our agency.

The reality that it's been almost a year already... WOW! It's flown by!

You were introduced to Cincinnati's Skyline Chili this month:

 I'd say he liked it okay.  Drew put the hot sauce on the crackers and let him eat those... wish we would have snapped a quick picture of that face!  He made the most awful face and requested more😂

His Aunt Marci, Uncle John and cousin Tommy picked out special, HUGE balloons for him when they saw him as a gift for his birthday.  Of course, he loved those!!!

Evan took it upon himself to show Judah how to work on abdominal training doing sit-ups.  

    It's been really hot, we've enjoyed cooling off with popsicles.        "C-O-L-D"   

EXPLORING a park together, enjoyed a fun bench swing.

Still taking an occasional moment here and there to snuggle for a nap together.  💙

Celebrating Anna's new job at Dairy Queen...

 He enjoys playing in the small blow up pool in the backyard.  He's still working on potty training.  He's doing more imaginary play with Levi and Elizabeth. The summer is going fast.  And in just one month we will celebrate his Family Day! 

Thankful for this spark of activity and joy in our lives 💗

Home 10 Months

The update this month includes some fun activities.  The sun has started to shine and it has heated up.  So there is more outside activity, which Judah loves!

He is making great headway in potty training.  His vocabulary has grown.  He still gets really frustrated when we don't understand what he wants.  He is able to say the names of all is siblings now.  He had short versions of their names, but now he says "Evan" instead of "Ehhh".  And "Becca" instead of "Behbeh".   He's more frequently putting two words together.

Backyard play is the best!:

Age old practice of peeing outside

 

He has started to use a fork well this month:

Sometimes ya just gotta shove it in

Sometimes, Judah sleeps with his eyes cracked open, ewwww!

THIS BOY LOVES HIS PIZZA!!!

First Corn on the Cob!   Nailed it and proud!

 

 Learning Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes...

 

Plays until he crashes

Fun play at our church playland.

Bringing the Red, White and Blue for Memorial Day

 

Books and reading have continued to become something Judah enjoys!

He turned THREE this month!!!!


 
 


ALSO got to celebrate that one year ago this month, we received Judah's referral-

I have a few glimpses of our reactions as I got the phone call and then shared the info with the family...  Sadly, the littles were out of frame when I made a video.... so no pictures of them.

I took that pictures of myself right as I hung up the phone and looked at the referral info they sent. I saw Judah's picture.   My tears were a mix of surprise, excitement and joy.

 I drove directly over to where Drew was working to surprise him with the news. That was SO FUN!  *Now remember, he was growing his beard out for our Beard Be Gone Fundraiser to finish raising funds for the adoption.