Ahren and adjustment/attachment

If you can see, he has a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other and he absolutely shoveled the food in. Even thought the food was all new to him, he absolutely LOVED it!!!

On the advice of Ellie, I bought a small indoor jump house. It was a blessing during the day on Thanksgiving. They jumped and jumped and I cooked and cooked!

There is a check list of things to look for in the adjustment/attachment area when  you bring home a child through adoption. Depending on the age of the child, the history of the child and the inherant personality of the child things can be smooth or disastrous. When you bring a child into your family you hope and pray that your new child has an easy time of it. That they realize how much you love them, they feel safe and trusting, and that the bond forms quickly and deeply between all of you. Unfortunately, this is normally not the case. Trusting and bonding are hard. Really hard. And then sometimes, a miracle happens. A child just seems to know where they belong. They attach and bond quickly, as though they had always been there. That's the way it has been with Ahren. Someone once told me that the angels whispered in his ear and he knew where he was supposed to be. It started the very first time we met him. At 8 months old, he took one look at me and fell into my arms. He laughed and cuddled and snuggled like he had been mine forever. I lost my heart on that trip and I cried so hard when I had to give him back that I made myself sick. He was so certainly mine. In my heart and soul, mine. 

Even though it took 2 years and 8 months to bring him officially into our family, he has long been a part of it. The last time I visited, when his foster mom brought him into the hotel lobby, he immediately held out his chubby little arms for me to hold him. Oh yes, I cried. This child of mine wanted ME! I barely let go of him that trip and he smiled and laughed the whole time. He was a joyous child, the best I could have hoped for, the son I loved so much. 

When we arrived to bring him home I was so worried. He had spent so long with his wonderful foster family and he was about to say good-bye to them for ever. The last thing I wanted was to cause him pain. When they left (and they did it so beautifully, saying good-bye and suddenly disappearing) he whined only a moment and then fell into my arms for good. He never seemed to grieve or be upset. They had worked so hard to show him our photos, tell him who his family was, re-assure him where he belonged. And it worked. He just knew. Or maybe it really was angels. I definitely believe that God had a hand in it. The process to bring him home was horrible but his homecoming was delightful. 

Since he has been home he has absolutely AMAZED us. He is learning at an astronomical rate. He speaks in full sentences in english. He understand complex directions. He is potty training himself! But the best thing? He hugs us, he kisses us, he wants US! He shows every sign of attaching in a healthy and strong way. It's amazing!!!!

I keep waiting for the honeymoon period to end and the hard part to begin, but it just gets better. How can that be? Why aren't we dealing with terrible things???? I can only say that we are extremely blessed to have the best kid EVER!!! He is funny, and goofy, and loving and the true JOY of our lives. He has added to all of our lives in a way I cannot explain. He is truly very special. Muy especial!!!!!