Thursday, May 1, 2008

Wow! We’ve been home for a week now, but it seems like Ethan has been with us much longer. His personality and temperament are very similar to ours, and we think his transition into our family has gone seamlessly so far. We really feel like he was meant to be with us! He did so well in China, and he is quickly adjusting to life here in the states as well. We are trying to settle into a routine and are getting used to having a toddler around the house again. Cody went back to school on Monday and has already played one baseball game and had two practices. Cody was able to introduce Ethan to his class, and we took Ethan to school yesterday to eat lunch with Cody. Cody is very proud of his brother, and everyone has been so excited to finally meet him. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed us home so warmly!

Ethan has enjoyed going to Cody’s baseball activities and around town with us. He is very social and loves any opportunity to play with other children and be out and about. Ethan is kind, compassionate, and shares with other children. He has been great with our pets and has done a good job of learning to be gentle with them. He is a smart boy and is learning more English everyday. Most of the words are not completely clear yet, but we know what he is saying and that his little brain is rapidly making the appropriate connections. He continues to be well-behaved, although we can tell that he is more comfortable with us now because he does throw the occasional toddler fit when he doesn’t get his way. He can be very active sometimes and loves to run around and wrestle with Ba Ba and Cody, but he also plays quietly with his toys and can be sweet and cuddly when it’s time to slow down. He loves airplanes and trucks and enthusiastically points out the “wa wa” whenever he sees the lake. We can’t wait to take him out on the boat—he’ll have a blast!

We are counting our blessings that we are all healthy and feeling somewhat normal again. The jet lag wasn’t too bad, but now I think we are experiencing some sort of “toddler lag”. I’d forgotten how much the completion of errands and household chores slows down when there is a baby in the house! I would not even be writing this update if Rob weren’t upstairs trying to convince Ethan to take a nap. I consider it an accomplishment to have done the dishes and some laundry in the last couple of days. I’m sure everyone will understand if we think it is more important to play outside with our boys than vacuum the floors right now! It’s kind of nice to be forced to slow down and to simply enjoy watching Ethan as he discovers his new world.

On Monday, May 5th we have an appointment with the international adoption doctor at Texas Children’s. Ethan will receive immunizations, a TB test, and have blood drawn for labs. The doctor will refer us to the cleft lip/palate team, and hopefully we will see them soon for an evaluation. I don’t anticipate any problems at Monday’s appointment. Ethan has been healthy and happy so far and seems to be bonding with us and figuring out his place in the family. I am anxious to find out what the doctors say about his lip and palate. He has no problem eating and drinking, but we do notice that a small amount of liquid sometimes comes out of his left nostril when he drinks something. I am curious to hear how many procedures the doctor’s think he will need, and when. BUT—for the time-being, we will continue to laugh, play and get to know our new son and little brother. We are so thankful to have these two beautiful boys who keep us busy with their little boy antics.

We’ll update again after we meet with the doctors and have more news to share. In the mean-time we’ll be keeping up with Cody and Ethan and looking forward to summer vacation!

Rob, Crystal, Cody and Ethan