Roar!

Hello, everyone!

We recently visited the AZ Museum of Natural History. We've been members for a while and it just gets better. They will have a Mars exhibit next month. However, the current Feathered Dinosaurs exhibit is worth the trip as well. Sean and Leah are big fans, but Sarah is pointing and roaring right along with her brother now. The second video clip with Sean was taken during the "monsoon storm" that occurs every half hour or so. The dinosaurs are roaring right along with the thunder and lightning.

Jake's First Week

Hello, everyone! It's Sunday morning and we have a house full of happy children. Jake has settled in well and his bother and sisters are making him feel right at home. Jake is never without a toy or a bottle. If he cries, there is a child's hand to help comfort him. Sean and Sarah are anxious for Jake to join in. Sarah wonders why he can't play ball with her but that hasn't stopped her from trying.

After a weekend of living in the Sonoran desert, we decided it was time for a haircut for Jake. He was sweating so much that his hair was always wet. Father and son went together for the big event and both returned covered in hair. I'm including a picture taken right afterwards...he seems pretty happy!

Jake spent most of the week in a carrier with mom or dad. He is now crawling around with confidence, but still let's us know that he prefers that we are in the room.

We had a small Labor Day celebration on Monday and learned that Jake is a pretty social little boy. Where Sarah wouldn't allow anyone else to hold her for weeks, Jake enjoys being with both grandmothers. A special thanks to all our friends and family for the food, gifts, help with diaper changing, and just the general support. You allowed us to focus on Jake's transition and make this as easy as possible for all of our children.

Stay posted for more pictures!

Love,

Chris

Bringing Jake Home

Hello, everyone! Yes, I am posting a week after the event, but I am now the mother of 4 small children and beg your understanding. We left Eastern Social Welfare Services at 1:30pm, after a short meeting and prayer by the director, Dr. Kim. This is the moment we all look forward to yet fear just a bit. The word that comes to mind is simply "Bittersweet". Yes, we are bringing him home and he will be our son. On the other hand, his mother of the past year is the one who places him in our arms. Jake's foster Mom handled it with a dignity that I will never forget. She is a better person than I am, I think. Her last words were of his nap schedule for the day, when to use the pacifier, and when his next bottle should be. Words of advice that we used to the letter. She even packed a pair of socks for the trip, in case his feet were cold. Words are hard enough to find in these situations, even without the language barrier. "Thank you" falls so very short.

Jake did very well, smiling and laughing for most of the 15 hour trip. He did cry a little before his nap on Daniel's shoulder, but that was it until he was tired again. He played in the Children's Play Room at the airport before the flight. I think this tired him out, since he slept a great deal of the first half of the flight. Of course, there is plenty of activity to distract a 1 year old on a large aircraft. I am including a few pictures. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all smiles. However, just like any child, when Jake is tired he will cry.

These pictures and videos show Jake during the van ride to the airport, playing in the airport and having a snack at the airport. Finally, you will see him on the airplane. We could not have asked for a happier child on this trip. Jake is obviously a content and fun-loving boy.