4 Months Later

Well last weekend was our second post adoption visit. I can't believe we've been home for over four months and have two of our three post adoption visits finished. Since the visit I've been thinking about how far Eyob's come these last four months. The little boy who would not even hold my hand in Ethiopia sat on my lap during most of the time the social worker was at our home hugging and kissing me. He regularly says "I love you" just out of the blue. The first few weeks home Eyob refused to listen to anything we said and would throw MAJOR 30min tantrums at any attempt to discipline him. He now responds very well to warnings about his behavior and when he does require discipline he does his "time out" with a smile on his face(most of the time). Although food is still an issue, that has shown some wonderful improvements making mealtime so much more pleasant. While at first Eyob would push his plate away if we had any food he wasn't familiar with, he now happily tries most food and most of the time replies, "um, mom this good." The biggest adjustment though has been his relationship with the other kids. He was very aggressive at first and didn't seem to know how to play much better than a toddler. Eyob was also very strongwilled and always wanted to do things his way. Now the kids play great together. They are typical siblings who love each other one minute and are fighting the next. Eyob adores the baby. One day this week he was "playing with her." She was running around the house as usual and he was following her saying "you so fast Ilannie, I can't catch you." It was great to see him making her feel special when usually he trying to be the center of attention. Although a comment Izzy made today might bast sum up how he's doing. Our family was taking a walk around our neighbor hood. Izzy and I were behind the others because the older kids were riding bikes. Izzy says out of the blue "I like Eyob" and then went on to tell me all the reasons she liked him. This comes from the same child , who after a week of being tackled and pushed around by her new brother, said "I don't want a brother from Ethiopia, I want a brother from your belly" (thank goodness he didn't speak English yet!). The two of them are now best friends and inseparable.

Here are some pictures of the kids playing

The kids playing school the day of our post adoption visit

Eyob and Izzy playing

My future muscians

Better late than never

Well today is September 12th and it has been nearly two weeks since the big kids, Ella and Patrick, went back to school. While Ella has been going to a public elementary school for the last four years, this was Patrick's first venture in the public school system. Up to this point in time Patrick has been sheltered in safe harbor of our local Christian education system. Everyone woke up to see the Ella and Patrick off to school.

Eyob finishes breakfast before our walk down to the bus stop.

The first day was a little anxious for us and we both stayed home and saw the kids off to the first day of school.

Ella and Patrick pose for Dad before our short walk to the bus stop.

Just as we both made an effort to be home in the morning we made sure we were there to see Patrick come off the bus. The Christian school offered all day kindergarten so he was accustomed to going to school all day. As we waited at the bus stop toward the end of the day our biggest concern revolved around whether they would challenge Patrick enough on a day to day basis.

Ilana hams it up for the camera with Mom while waiting for Ella and Patrick.

Of course not to be outdone Isabella pulled out her classic aren't I cute look.

Well over all the day went well and the kids made it home fine. But as we expected soon after he made it off the bus Patrick was complaining he didn't have any homework. I can only wonder how long that will last for our little scholar. He already wants to know when he can test for challenge so he can go to special classes with Ella.

Patrick exits the bus to meet his adoring public.