social security office, new phrases, and pictures

We have been doing well - staying busy as always. I finally went to the Social Security office and applied for Wesley's social security number. I made an appointment because I thought that would be faster than just showing up at the office. I went to the office in person so I wouldn't have to mail away all my original documents. Turns out that the appointment was not any faster because I was still at the office for over an hour and a half! The woman at the office hardly looked at any other documents beside the Certificate of Citizenship and Wesley's Ukrainian passport. We received his number in less than 10 days. Most people have to apply for the number as soon as they return to the US for medical insurance, but our insurance did not require his social to cover him, so I just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I did want to get it though before we did our taxes - I am looking forward to seeing how low our tax bill is this year :) I'll update as soon as we do our taxes.

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Wesley is picking up new words and phrases every day. His favorite this week is "no, no, no." He has gotten the phrase from me, and he uses it whenever he hears me say it (which is quite often) or when he starts to do something he shouldn't. It does make it easy for me to know when he is doing something he shouldn't and he is out of my sight.

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Damon and I haven't made any decisions regarding our second adoption except that we would like to get a girl this time. I am not sure why, but the country for our second adoption is proving to be a much tougher decision than the choice of Ukraine for our adoption of Wesley. I think the reason has something to do with the fact that we have a better idea how "things work" in the adoption process. We aren't as naive as we were the first time. I am asking a lot more questions, where I took people at their word the first time. We know about dishonesty, bribery, and the amazing amount of uncertainty involved. I don't want to let my questioning though get in the way of doing what God has for us.

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Wesley has his post-op visit with urology on Monday. Then on Wednesday we have an appointment with the surgeon who will repair Wesley's esophagus. Damon and I are hoping that the doctor schedules the surgery at that appointment, but I am trying not to get my hopes up. I am SO READY to get rid of the spit fistula on Wesley's neck!! He is constantly wet and it is just a lot to manage. I can handle the idea that it will take a while for Wesley to eat enough food to sustain him without feeding through the g-tube, but to not have him soaking wet all the time...it makes me smile thinking about it :)

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Tomorrow is the inauguration of President Obama. Please pray for him and the decisions he will make that will affect our lives and the lives of our children.

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Have a great week!! I've posted lots of pictures for your enjoyment! The many faces of Wesley...

practicing eating baby food

we've been working on eating a lot more (can you see the excitement in his face? I also like the dogs watching in the background)


Wes has figured out how to drink out of a straw, and he doesn't want to stop!

Here's a comparison picture from two days ago (on the left) and the first full day home (on the right). You can see that Wes has grown at least three inches (look at the diamonds on the glass)!!

talking to Grandma on the phone

apparently unhappy about something... probably the girly hat his mom was making him wear

playing in a plastic tub

riding up to northern Ohio for a late Christmas celebration

This is the face Wes gives me when he wants me to stop taking his picture.

opening a gift

talking to a stuffed moose

Wes giving his Aunt Donna a kiss (I love this picture!!)