Life is as crazy as ever with 3 boys 5years old and under but I think this is it. . .the new normal. We are so used to having Judah around that most times I forget that people see us differently. We get a lot of looks and smiles when we're out in public and often times it will hit me, "Oh yeah, we have two white boys and a little African boy." This isn't a typical sight in Grand Junction, CO. So far it's all positive comments which is good. But I just forget that we are not the norm.
Judah's really part of this family like he has been here since the beginning. He is sleeping great, enjoying his brothers, obeying more then at the beginning. It just feels like he should have always been with us. :-)
A couple days ago our adoption agency sent us our video lifebook. We saw the hut were Judah was born and lived with his family. They interviewed his uncle and his Grandmother. We found out that Judah's uncle has 10 kids from his two wives but didn't feel like he could afford to take J in. Judah's dad died right after he was born and his mom died when J was 3 and shortly after his BROTHER was born. His brother from a different father died as an infant. A lot of this info we never knew until we watched this video. Judah's grandmother talked about how much she loves him and wants him to be taken care of. She says that Judah was her favorite granchild (out of 11). So sweet! The uncle said that J was always sick and they worried about him. It was emotional to watch this but quite amazing to think that he is now doing so well and happy and healthy. If the grandmother hadn't relinquished him, he most likely wouldn't have lived long. God knew he needed us. Thank you, Grandmother, for being willing to give him a good life!!
Showing posts with label adjusting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adjusting. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
"Honeymoon Stage"
So, when it comes to adoption you'll here the phrase "Honeymoon Stage" which is referring to how well things might go at the very beginning of bringing your child home. This, of course, implies that this honeymoon will come to an end and things will get harder. I think I have realised that our situation with Judah "might" (and I say this with my fingers crossed and praying I'm right) be the opposite of this. Our first week and a half home were hard. Granted, Dave and I were trying to adjust back to CO time but it was tough. Judah threw fits (kicking and screaming) daily. He pushed every limit imaginable. He bit both of his brothers at some point and would pinch and hit them if he was upset. All of these things have gotten better. He respects us more and is really learning how to share and wait his turn. His fits are less often and much shorter as I think he's realizing he won't get what he wants all the time. So, are we entering the "honeymoon stage" now after 4 weeks home? It feels like it. I am not complaining by any means. I just pray that things stay the way they are now and only get better. Don't get me wrong, we still have our days (like yesterday!) but over all Judah has come so far in only 5 weeks in our care. Praise God!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Our travel home AND since we've been home
Travel home:
So, we headed to the airport Friday night and were all so excited it was time to head home and see our two boys who were waiting for us in Colorado. We got to the airport and made our way to the airport entrance with all our luggage when we were stopped and told that our flight was postponed till the next night due to feet of snow in Washington DC. My eyes welled up and I tried to fight the emotions. I was so excited to be headed home and now we had to head back to the Guest House and spend another 24 hours in Addis living out of very unorganized suitcases. It was tough to be optimistic and not just cry and cry. When we got to the GH Judah threw a major fit when bedtime came. The emotions soared and I let it go. . .
The next day we got to go visit Birtukan and Nesibu's boys' home and see the ladies roast the coffee. We also got to see them serve lunch to a ton of little kids. The kids were thrilled to see us and it was quite the experience. It killed a little time but the rest of the day we stayed at the GH counting the hours with Kevin and Lori (the other family staying at the GH). They would be heading to the airport a few hours after us that night.
We went to the airport that night fully aware of the fact that the flight could be delayed again. Luckily, it was on time as scheduled. Getting through security and what not was tiring and very overwhelming and it was good to finally sit down on the plane. 18 hours later we landed in DC. Judah did really well on the whole flight sleeping a good amount of the time but during landing he didn't want his seat belt on and cried and screamed for a long stretch. Nothing we could do since he had to keep the seat belt on. The comforting part was that there were MANY other families on the plane with newly adopted kids and throughout the whole flight there was plenty of crying from other kids.
Once in DC we found out that our flight was canceled because they didn't have a plane since so many other flights hadn't come in with the weather the day before. Again, the tears came fairly quickly when we were told we couldn't get on another flight till Tuesday (two days later). I couldn't help it and could only think of how badly I wanted to see Liam and Gabriel. We called our travel agent who told us that we were actually confirmed on a Monday flight instead. This was a relief although that would mean we'd still have to get a hotel. Our travel agent booked us a hotel and gave us the number to call a shuttle. We waited around on stand by for the next flight to Denver but didn't get on. So, we took off for the hotel.
We had a nice restful time watching the Super Bowl and eating pizza. Judah had fun investigating the room and was a good boy the WHOLE time. He fell asleep on his own and slept most of the night through which was great since he was in such a different time zone. It turned out to be a blessing staying the night cause we got a fresh start to a much shorter day of travel. We didn't fly out until 4:30 so we took our time getting back to the airport.
We had a little hiccup when trying to check in though. They told us only Dave and I were booked on the flight and Judah was on a flight the NEXT day. What in the world? I was not happy. Found out United did it and our travel agent missed it when checking. We tried getting Dave's seat changed to Judah so Dave would stay behind catching the next flight. God worked a miracle and somehow got all three of us on the flight that afternoon which had been totally booked. God is good! I was so thankful.
We got home from there without any problems and were welcomed by many friends and family at the airport. I was a little tearful again just due to lack of sleep and the relief of being home. What a wonderful homecoming for our little boy!
Now that we're home:
Liam and Gabriel weren't too sure about their new brother. I think they were just intimidated which is ok. Gabriel's very hands on which Judah doesn't get. Gabriel gets close and pushy not in a mean way. Liam tries to talk to him a little but seems reserved. They're all going to get along like brothers soon. . .:-) The fighting will be like typical brothers eventually.
Judah's not a fan of bed/nap time so that's been our biggest challenge. He cried for over an hour yesterday when we tried putting him down for a nap. The crying is the usually worst when he's tired so we really felt like he needed the nap. Anyway, he finally fell asleep but went to bed without a fit that night which was good. He woke at 2am and then 3 when I ended up sleeping in his bed with him. He doesn't like being "alone" (although Liam's in the room) so I had to stay with him since he seemed very awake. His little body is figuring out the new 10 hour time difference. We're hopeful that we'll get better sleep soon once he starts sleeping all night again. After that's worked out we'll work on him getting to sleep with out us in the room.
So, we headed to the airport Friday night and were all so excited it was time to head home and see our two boys who were waiting for us in Colorado. We got to the airport and made our way to the airport entrance with all our luggage when we were stopped and told that our flight was postponed till the next night due to feet of snow in Washington DC. My eyes welled up and I tried to fight the emotions. I was so excited to be headed home and now we had to head back to the Guest House and spend another 24 hours in Addis living out of very unorganized suitcases. It was tough to be optimistic and not just cry and cry. When we got to the GH Judah threw a major fit when bedtime came. The emotions soared and I let it go. . .
The next day we got to go visit Birtukan and Nesibu's boys' home and see the ladies roast the coffee. We also got to see them serve lunch to a ton of little kids. The kids were thrilled to see us and it was quite the experience. It killed a little time but the rest of the day we stayed at the GH counting the hours with Kevin and Lori (the other family staying at the GH). They would be heading to the airport a few hours after us that night.
We went to the airport that night fully aware of the fact that the flight could be delayed again. Luckily, it was on time as scheduled. Getting through security and what not was tiring and very overwhelming and it was good to finally sit down on the plane. 18 hours later we landed in DC. Judah did really well on the whole flight sleeping a good amount of the time but during landing he didn't want his seat belt on and cried and screamed for a long stretch. Nothing we could do since he had to keep the seat belt on. The comforting part was that there were MANY other families on the plane with newly adopted kids and throughout the whole flight there was plenty of crying from other kids.
Once in DC we found out that our flight was canceled because they didn't have a plane since so many other flights hadn't come in with the weather the day before. Again, the tears came fairly quickly when we were told we couldn't get on another flight till Tuesday (two days later). I couldn't help it and could only think of how badly I wanted to see Liam and Gabriel. We called our travel agent who told us that we were actually confirmed on a Monday flight instead. This was a relief although that would mean we'd still have to get a hotel. Our travel agent booked us a hotel and gave us the number to call a shuttle. We waited around on stand by for the next flight to Denver but didn't get on. So, we took off for the hotel.
We had a nice restful time watching the Super Bowl and eating pizza. Judah had fun investigating the room and was a good boy the WHOLE time. He fell asleep on his own and slept most of the night through which was great since he was in such a different time zone. It turned out to be a blessing staying the night cause we got a fresh start to a much shorter day of travel. We didn't fly out until 4:30 so we took our time getting back to the airport.
We had a little hiccup when trying to check in though. They told us only Dave and I were booked on the flight and Judah was on a flight the NEXT day. What in the world? I was not happy. Found out United did it and our travel agent missed it when checking. We tried getting Dave's seat changed to Judah so Dave would stay behind catching the next flight. God worked a miracle and somehow got all three of us on the flight that afternoon which had been totally booked. God is good! I was so thankful.
We got home from there without any problems and were welcomed by many friends and family at the airport. I was a little tearful again just due to lack of sleep and the relief of being home. What a wonderful homecoming for our little boy!
Now that we're home:
Liam and Gabriel weren't too sure about their new brother. I think they were just intimidated which is ok. Gabriel's very hands on which Judah doesn't get. Gabriel gets close and pushy not in a mean way. Liam tries to talk to him a little but seems reserved. They're all going to get along like brothers soon. . .:-) The fighting will be like typical brothers eventually.
Judah's not a fan of bed/nap time so that's been our biggest challenge. He cried for over an hour yesterday when we tried putting him down for a nap. The crying is the usually worst when he's tired so we really felt like he needed the nap. Anyway, he finally fell asleep but went to bed without a fit that night which was good. He woke at 2am and then 3 when I ended up sleeping in his bed with him. He doesn't like being "alone" (although Liam's in the room) so I had to stay with him since he seemed very awake. His little body is figuring out the new 10 hour time difference. We're hopeful that we'll get better sleep soon once he starts sleeping all night again. After that's worked out we'll work on him getting to sleep with out us in the room.
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