UKRAINE
It has been a little over a month since we brought our new son, John Paul, home. He is a miracle in every way to us and we simply cherish him and are so grateful for the opportunity to have him as our son. God even gave us the miracle of adopting him on what would have been our daughter?s third birthday.
It is so amazing to watch him grow and change every day. We hardly recognize him as the same little boy that we went to meet in June. He is just transforming right before our eyes and it is unbelievable how quickly he has adjusted and how well he is doing. Smiles were few and far between when we first brought him home, but now joy just shines in his eyes and in his smile, almost constantly. He had some behaviors that he had learned while in the orphanage that he used to cope with the stress/frustration of being confined, without the nurturing and consistency that a family would have provided him. He would hit himself in the face and grind his teeth constantly. L He has since replaced that behavior with smiles, giggles, and babbling to us. He has emerged from the darkness that he lived in for the first four years of his life and is embracing his new world and learning what it means to be loved by a mommy and daddy that think the world of him. He?s becoming the little boy that God created him to be and we are in awe by how God is healing him from the wounds of his past through love. Love truly does heal all wounds.
He has a way of making you stop and notice all of the beauty that God has placed in this world for us to enjoy. When he first walks outside each day he stops to feel the grass. He waves at trees, flowers, and shrubs while smiling and babbling at them. What a miracle it is to be a part of this special angel’s life and to experience with him the newness of his world.
He has learned to walk independently for the most part and is even learning to go up and down the stairs (on his bottom). J This is amazing since when we first brought him home he would only walk if he could hold our hand. When we first got him he was terrified of baths and cried every time, but now he loves them! Now he cries because he doesn?t want to get out. He originally would only play with infant toys and would push more difficult toys away. He has ventured out in the playroom and has gravitated toward the toddler toys now. It took a few weeks, but he has learned to wreak havoc on the playroom like a four year old should. It?s so wonderful to not only see him make a mess, but for me to have another child here that makes me so proud to have one to clean up! Teaching him to clean up will come later. J It?s so wonderful to have him here!
We are so grateful for the miracle of adoption and for being blessed with our little John Paul!
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at newboldfamilyadoption.blogspot.com
