Bienvenido A.!

This morning we welcomed a new little (baby?) boy! He is a year old and came to us from the Nutrition Center where he was living for the past several months. Just from observation, he seems like he might have very recently turned one as he seems more like a baby than our other one year olds. He doesn't walk but it does look like he crawls or at least scoots around. I don't know that he can pull up yet but my guess is no. When I tried to get him to stand, he didn't want to bear any weight on his legs. He was asleep when he arrived and was scared when he woke up which might have been part of the problem. He kept looking around at all of us and his arms were shaking. We gave him a bath and he did great… No tears! He also ate his lunch and was happily playing with the other kids while the rest of us finished lunch. 

We're expecting him to have a pretty easy transition to us as he wasn't with family before coming here, and in the Nutrition Center, it's likely he was in his bed most of the day surrounded by other children in his room. 

As you can see in the pictures, he has pretty unruly hair and lots of it! Sarah and I will be taking him for a haircut this afternoon so you might not recognize him in future pictures!

9pm update: He's still doing well! No more shaking and he's been really happy, playing and giggling with the other kids. He crawls and does pull up to stand. However, if you hold him in your arms and try to get him to stand, he tenses up and refuses to put his feet on the ground. If he does it by himself, he pulls up like it's nothing! 

Adios, L.M.!

Just over a month ago we welcomed Baby L.M. into the baby house. He arrived at about 10:30pm on a Friday night and based on the little information we had on him when he arrived, we weren't sure if he would stay with us long-term or not. It didn't take long before his mother started doing the paperwork to get him back, and just this morning we received a call from the people who brought him saying that they would be coming by with his parents this morning to pick him up. It was quite a surprise! They arrived, a paper was signed, and he was handed over just like that… And now we're down to 13 kids!

An Ice Cream Afternoon

This afternoon, four of the kids from the baby house and I met up with three of the big kids and Sarah, Daniel, and Danyelle at Globos, a local ice cream shop. We arrived just in time for an afternoon snack, and then they got to play in the big play set inside Globos. They were kept entertained there for several hours and then we had dinner in the upstairs food court before heading home. I'd say it was a successful afternoon!

Quick group picture before they ran off to play! 

Sharing their 1/4kilo ice cream… Yummy!

Baby Benjo (we think his nickname is funny!) followed in Carmin and Angel's footsteps and had ice cream for his first food!

 He stopped playing just long enough to take a picture!

 Best-dressed award goes to…S!

 This was the only good picture I got of K. all afternoon!

Not convinced that this playset was the most fun thing ever…

 Totally convinced that this playset was the most fun thing ever!

 Brother and sister sliding!

 Spin until you vomit!

 Waiting on our dinner to arrive... They behaved SO well!

L. was really happy to be out and about for the afternoon!

Adios A.!

This morning we were told that A.'s parents had their court hearing this afternoon. It's always a bit of a surprise when the hearings are and none of us were expecting it this week. His parents came for their normal visit this morning (this time with an older cousin in tow), and then after lunch all headed to the court house with Rosa. The children almost always go to the hearings with their parents. If the judge says that the adoption can continue (which they have always done since I've been here), the children can go home with their parents so it's easier if the children are already with them in court (one less trip back to the orphanage). 

A.'s adoption had a bit of a rough start so we were all happy to see some big changes throughout their two weeks of visits. His parents were so excited to take him, and he was equally happy to be with them! While saying our goodbyes, he wanted nothing to do with any of us and instead just looked around for his new dad! Their court hearing went well (as expected) and he was allowed to go home with his new family! 

As I've said after other adoptions, it's always so different when even one child leaves the home. In this case, it's even more different. Throughout the past year and a few months, A. was always with Lindsey/in my room while C. was always with me. Nearly all of my memories with Lindsey also include A… He was always around! "Our" babies grew up together and it has been SO much fun to watch. As much as I love all of the babies, it's definitely a different type of love for him and C., so I notice his absence a bit more. We're hoping that his parents will bring him for a visit in about a month so we'll see!

 C. is really going to miss her best buddy and partner-in-crime!

 A. saying goodbye to his favorite tío!

 One more family photo during their last visit!

 A.'s new cousin came for the second time today, and he really likes playing with her!

 He loves all of the toys I keep in my room… He decided to read "Rolie Polie Olie" one last time!

 Freshly bathed and changed for court! His parents have kept me entertained these two weeks with some of their ways of dressing him… My favorite moments: 1.)One of his pairs of pants has a moose on the back. They couldn't decide if the moose goes on the front or back. His mom tried to put it on the front while his dad insisted that it went on the back. His dad won the battle and the pants were put on correctly. 2.)His parents weren't sure how to change diapers during their first visit. Right now we're using disposable diapers which seemed to be even more complicated for them. Upon undressing A. one night to change his diaper, I discovered that they had put the diaper on backwards! A quick lesson the next morning from the tías and it hasn't happened again! 3.)Before heading to court today, I asked his parents if they had brought a diaper for him or if they needed one of our diapers. They said they had bought one at the store down the street but it was too small. I questioned them about the size and they bought one of the smallest sizes possible (just a step up from a newborn size diaper). Another quick lesson in diaper sizing and what size A. wears and I think they're now good to go!

 Tía Lucy was working the day A. arrived as a tiny newborn, and she was also working today on the day he left!

A. saying goodbye to his favorite tía!

Chau Tía Techy!

Today was Tía Techy's last day of work so we got all of our big kids together for dinner with her one last time. While the Boohers were working with Casa de Amor, Tía Techy worked with them and when their two years ended, she went to the girls' house and has worked with them ever since. The girls love her, the tías love her, and she's always a favorite among volunteers too! We hate to see her go but are sure it won't be the last we see of her!

Wordless Wednesday~ Our Budding Photographer

What We've Been Up To!

M. and S. dressed in their Christmas best for church!

The girls were invited to sing at church one Sunday morning. They did a great job!

Someone donated these treat bags right before Christmas. While bathing the big kids one afternoon, we went back in the playroom and found them enjoying their treats… without permission!

Savannah brought all of the big boys these shirts with capes. I just happened to have one in 9 month size as well so Baby D. got to wear one too!

 L. found this hat in the playroom one day and wore it the rest of the afternoon!

 BATMAN!

 Santa Claus and his elf look strangely similar to Baby B. and Rocio :)

 N. and D. ready for church!

 Still little enough to share the swing!

 He asked for the pigtails!

Watching a little Pocahontas before bed!

S. begged me for a picture of her and her little brother L. "to hang on the wall beside her bed"… How could I say no?!

We might have used the stickers Savannah brought for the kids as our tape to wrap their gifts... 

Not sure what she's doing here but she sure looks cute!

I spy a baby in the laundry pile!

 M. loves these pink, princess pjs and he looked oh so fashionable with his pink purse as well!

 Is there room at the inn?

 Combing out her lice before sending her back to House 3 just to get it again!

Sometimes kids punish themselves for getting down for their highchairs!

Just getting ready to visit my new house with my new parents!