Our Journey to becoming a Forever Family: 2/1/10

Sean is an amazing little boy! He continues to adjust so well to his new home. He has had a very busy month and has experienced a few milestones recently!

First we had Sean's Baptism on Valentine's Day! Sean behaved very well in Mass, in fact after communion as he was singing in the back of church (apparently loud enough for the entire Church), Father Keefe commented on it and said the next commencement hymn would be “La La” and everyone laughed. It was the first time we were able to stay through the whole mass.

When it came time for the Baptism Sean did not want to be held at all. He protested just about the entire time. Oh well a typical two year old he was. A couple of factors weighed in: one it was his nap time and two he got a taste of walking around in church before the ceremony so that was more fun that standing still.. What was also very special for us was that we were able to put Russian snow water in with the holy water for Sean's blessing.

We had a great party for him afterwards back at home! Sean wanted to go right to bed for his nap even though we had a houseful of family. Sean did get to enjoy his party when he woke up. Sean also attended his first (well, his next door neighbor’s) birthday party at Whippersnappers. He had lot of fun and we had fun watching him.

Patrick and I also had our first night out without Sean but he was in good hands with his big sister Molly. We were able to toast “Gotcha Day” that evening.

Sean understands English so much more now. For example, when I ask him if he wants to go “night, night” he takes my hand and leads me to his crib. Or when I say, “You want to go bye-bye?” he knows it’s time to put his coat on. He also lets me know when he is ready to leave as he will take me to the door wherever we are.

If Sean is hungry he will take me to the cabinet and pull out the food he wants and he goes to the highchair. He also learned pretty quickly where I keep his forks and spoons and will get his own when he is hungry.

Sean is giving us more and more hugs. As he runs back and forth to us, he would run right into our arms and give us a big hug. (Mom and dad where thrilled!) Sean wants to play more with mom by sitting on my lap or when we are on the floor he will sit on me to play. He also likes to come into my bed and wrestle around with mom or we just sing.

Sean has been going to a playgroup at our local school and he seems to enjoy it. He went down the slide all by himself. I was talking with another mom and looked up as saw that Sean had climbed the stairs and slid down the slide. I was happy for him! Sean also sat down with me for the arts and crafts part of the class and helped mom make a heart for Valentine’s Day. Sean is still receiving Birth to 3 services and they continue to come out to see him bi-weekly to help him get to where he should be. Sean continues to thrive in all areas.

Sean went the doctors this week for the last of his vaccination shots. He now remembers what happens in the doctor’s office, like Goldie the dog! Sean did not want to go inside and started to cry when we went into the doc’s office. The only good part was Sean looked for me to console him. He was so sweet nuzzling his little head on my shoulder and I kept saying mommy is here rubbing his back.

We know he has grown at least two inches since he has been home. He is eating a lot more and still is sleeping well. Everyone keeps telling us he is going to have a growth spurt. I think Sean will be out of 18 months size clothes soon.

Here are a few more new things Sean has been doing and what he loves to do :

Our big breakthrough - Sean has been using his fork and spoon for several weeks on his own. I will load up the spoon and he takes it right away and sometimes will fill the spoon himself.
He is starting to climb on our kitchen bench to turn the lights off and on also climbing up on the couches.
Sean is starting to copy what I do. I shake my head back and forth and then he does it. We roll our tongue and then he does it.
New words we have heard: Goldie, Hi and Dad and many new sounds too.
Running after mom and dad. He will push on the back of our legs telling us that he wants us to run so he can laugh and chase us.
Likes going down the stairs on his butt with not help from me.
Loves when mom sings Old McDonald had a farm and you are my Sunshine.
He truly enjoys sitting in our laps and watching Sesame Street.org or River dance videos on the Internet.

We are so truly blessed!!!

Here are a some pic of our happenings.