April Update

April was a crazy, busy month around here! 

On April 2 we went to the county courthouse and finalized Justin's re-adoption. Because China and the US are part of the Hague Convention his adoption was final and recognized by the US when we completed the adoption paperwork in China on January 21 (and he became a US citizen upon arrival in the US), but certain states have an optional re-adoption which allows parents to official change the child's name and receive a state issued US birth certificate.

We finally managed to get an official family pic!

Justin's first visit to Chuck E Cheese!

This month Justin started walking while pushing the walker!

(Jordan crocheted this hat for herself, but it was way too small for her and ended up being a perfect fit for little man.)

Fun at the park!

Justin's First Easter

March in Pictures

Stylin' in my cute outfit from sweet friends!

First swing!

First Birthday Party

Today we celebrated our precious boy's first birthday with family and friends!! He wasn't sure what to make of the singing, cake, and presents, but he took it all in stride and everyone had fun. This baby is such a joy and we are so blessed that God placed him in our family!

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. ~Psalm 139:13-16

Celebrations

Today was a very special day! Today is Justin's first birthday and I cannot even tell you how blessed we are to be celebrating it with him. When we received his referral back in September one of my prayers was that he would not celebrate even one birthday without his forever family and God graciously answered that prayer. Since we have been home less than a month we decided to do just a little party at home with our immediate family and then next month we will have a bigger party with friends and extended family.

My second attempt at a 4 kid photo!

In addition to being Justin's first birthday, February today was also the one month anniversary of his gotcha day, so here are some photos to celebrate!

Brothers!

Justin has the best big sisters in the world!

Sometimes you just gotta make a fish face!

I can't believe it has been a month since this precious boy was first placed in our arms!

Overall Justin is doing great, but he still struggles with sleep. He has attached very well to Jason and I, and is starting to really love his big sissy, Jordan. We are now able to lay him down once he falls asleep, but he still wakes up multiple times a night and needs to be rocked back to sleep which can sometimes take an hour or more. He is also a very light sleeper and will sometimes still wake up when we go to lay him down which means starting the entire process over.

Since being home we have had Justin's initial appointment with the pediatrician and a visit to the International Adoption Clinic at Children's Hospital. Both appointments went well and we are happy to report that Justin is only slightly behind developmentally, but all of the doctors are confident that he will catch up quickly. Up next are a bunch of tests and specialist appointments for which we are praying for more good news!