Actually it's from Ohio to Ukraine, back to Ohio, then to China

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Merry Christmas

We are looking forward to our first Christmas as a family. It's hard to believe that we've been home from Ukraine for over three months! In some ways I feel like I was just there, and in others, it feels like years ago. Wesley has gained 8 pounds (almost 50% of his body weight) and had grown about 2"! From what I can figure, he's in about the 15th percentile now - much more than the 2nd percentile a few months ago. He is talking almost constantly, and I am starting to understand words here and there in the babble so I know what he is talking about. He is much more affectionate with us than when we first brought him home. He also loves to give our friend's children hugs as well. That is fine, but I am sure the other kids get annoyed because he wants to hug them a lot!
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I cannot get over how much his personality has changed. When we visited Wesley in the orphanage, he was a quiet boy who played most by himself in one spot. I can assure you - he is no longer that child!! He is definitely a boy who loves to be loud and run around. Sometimes he just yells out to hear himself. We're working on that, but I think it's just the age. I am so happy to see that he is a typical tw0 year-old!!
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Please pray that we can all stay well through this Christmas and New Year's as Wesley has "man surgery" on January 5th, and this has been scheduled for months. Once that surgery is over, we can schedule the bigger surgery for his esophagus repair (YAY!!). I don't have the words to tell you how ready I am for that surgery. I can handle the tube feedings just fine, it's the neck fistula that is wearing on me. The poor child is constantly wet because all his saliva and drainage comes out the hole in his neck. And this may be TMI (too much information), but Wesley has sinus issues, so it is not exactly a pleasant odor. We change the wrap on his neck often, but as soon as you change it, he is wet again. But anyway...
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I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We are spending this year as the thankful parents of two year-old!!
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I'll leave you with a few recent pictures








8 comments:

Tami said...

Have an absolutely wonderful first Christmas together! I can't wait to hear how Wesley enjoys the big day! :)

ArtworkByRuth said...

Enjoy your first Christmas together! I had to re-read who was having the "man surgery" LOL! I would be tired of the fistula draining too! There are times I just don't want to do the exercises or put on Z's equipment each day...thank goodness only his morning breath stinks!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chris Haven said...

I love the picture ofthe 3 of you infront of the tree. So beautiful. He is such a good looking boy and looks so much like you guys, you would never know he was adopted. I am sure he will be 'crazy' on Christmas day with all the hoopla. Merry Christmas Staci and Damon and Wesley. God has been so good to your family!

Amy said...

Congratulations on your first family Christmas! It is hard to believe that it has been 3 months! My how time flies!

Enjoy your Christmas!!

God Bless!

Debora Hoffmann said...

Merry, merry Christmas to you all! How wonderful to have a sweet boy running around and thriving in your care.

The McEacherns said...

Great picture of the three of you! Happy New Year!

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Merry Christmas to you all - I'm sure it was fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Vitali thought he was going in for some Un-natural male enhancement surgery. When our daughters got home he proudly announced "The doctor made me bigger!"

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