Saturday, July 19, 2008

Home at last!

They got home at 2:00 am. We were outside waiting to greet them.

Julia and Rachel were so excited they could hardly stand it.

He is even more perfect than I remember.

Everyone wanted to take a turn holding Dennis before we all went to bed.

For the most part, Dennis didn't mind.

I think he remembers me from before. At least I like to think so.

Dennis and Daddy have a bedtime ritual that include playing tug-o-war with their teeth. Don't worry, it wasn't rough. :) Dennis slept with us last night. I learned that he sucks his fist for comfort and loves to have his bottom patted as he is going to sleep.

We all slept from 3:00 am to 8:15 am. Pretty good start to getting on a California baby schedule in my opinion.

For breakfast Dennis ate a whole mashed banana with 1/2 cup of rice cereal. That wasn't
enough for this champion eater so I fixed him the same amount with pears instead. He ate every last bite, and his belly button popped out to let us know he was full.

All of the kids are getting along great. Dennis seems to enjoy all of the attention, and the kids just adore him.

As for me, I couldn't ask for a more amazing son.

BTW, he is sound asleep taking his afternoon nap, and I have been asked about a million times if he could be woken up by the kids. My response..... NYET!

69 comments:

kitzkazventure said...

What a Happy Homecoming! He will be so loved....how awesome!

The Flying Eagle said...

A perfect ending to an amazing adoption journey! Please give Dennis a big squeeze and a kiss from me. I am so glad everyone is together again!!!

jennifaye said...

Oh geez...we are so happy for you guys...

jen, Hannah, Bekki, and Mary Beaver

Mongoose said...

That's so awesome. Congratulations!

Julie said...

What an amazing homecoming he received!!! You have a such a wonderful family. I am so glad that he is finally home and everyone just adores him. What a wonderful blessing to see!!!

Melissa said...

yay. so happy your journey for Denis is complete. Enjoy this time as a family

Priscilla said...

Congratulations! I am happy he is finally home with you!

Salzwedel Family said...

That is a BEAUTIFUL site! Dennis home with his family. I look forward to following the rest of your journey...this is only the beginning! Praise the Lord he is home!

THE CAMPBELL FAMILY said...

awesome news!!!! glad to see daddy & dennis made it home safe and sound. hugs to you all~~~

Christie M said...

Awww what a great home coming. He is going to be loved to death! :)

How wonderful.

EasterApril said...

Awesome news - sounds like you are having a great first day

amyl4 said...

Thank you for taking the time to share your homecoming pictures so quickly with us. Dennis is LOVED!:):) You have some wonderful children so full of love for their new little brother. You must be very proud! God Bless!
Amy

Shelley said...

Welcome Home Dennis! Congratulations to your entire family!

Jill (& Bob) said...

I'm crying happy tears for you all! We're thrilled that Dennis is home where he belongs!!

Tanya and Don said...

More happy tears here! You all sound so elated and he looks like he is loving every minute of being the baby of such a fantastic family! Thank you for sharing with all of us.

Andrea said...

Yay!!! It looks like he is fitting in just perfect! :)

One Crowded House said...

wonderful wonderful wonderful
I am glad you are all together at last! Enjoy all those precious cuddles!

Missy said...

He has such tiny little legs. If he keeps eating like that...they won't last long. :) So glad that he is finally home!

Anonymous said...

What awesome pictures, Christine. I'm so happy Dennis is finally home where he belongs, with a big ol' loving family. What more could a little boy ask for?

Tina in CT said...

What a lucky little boy to now be part of such a warm and loving family with parents, sibblings and grandparents with so much love to give. He now will get the love and medical care he never would have received back in the Ukraine.

Tina (Moscowmom's mother)

Is Eight Enough? said...

So glad to see you altogether! Congratulations!

Martha said...

Awesome! I love it! I love that they're home! I love that your kids love him!. I just love it!

Anonymous said...

WOW - i am SO EXCITED for all of you!!!!! especially little Dennis... i can only imagine what it is like for him to be in a house where he is loved, touched, cared for, all the time. even the best of caretakers in orphanages simply don't have the time or resources to do for the kids what a family can... to know Dennis has a family forever and will never lack anything he needs again is just mind-blowing.

it's awesome that Dennis has been adopted at this age because when he gets older, he won't really have memories of anything other than being in your loving, caring family.

congratulations to ALL of you!!!!!

you're in my prayers...
- michelle (D.C.)

Kevin and Pam said...

The Big Day finally got here! How exciting for you guys. I am so thankful to have followed your journey.

Anonymous said...

Woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo!!!! Congratulations to everyone. What great pictures. :-)

jenna said...

John and Christine and Crew of 11

Well done. How beautiful to see pictures of the homecoming. What a gift you have all been to share your story. And we have been learning as we move forward in our own adoption of a boy from Ukraine.
You must be absolutely exhausted but the joy of the Lord really is your strength. Blessings to you.

Kathy and Matt said...

Congrats!!!

All the pictures are so wonderful! It's great to see how excited all the kids are to meet their new brother.

Thanks for sharing this special time with all of us.

Get some rest, when you can!

Paula said...

Yea, I'm so happy that Daddy and Dennis made it home. Dennis looks so happy with all his brothers and sisters around him. What a happy ending for him.

Kevin and Tammy said...

What a beautiful family. You have captured all the perfect moments in the meeting of Dennis.

Thanks for sharing this with all of us.
Tammy

absees123s said...

I have been following your blog as a "lurker", lol, and am so THRILLED he is with you all now in your home. I have been so touched by your family, as you all are amazing! Congratulations!

crispy said...

So glad he is home. Congrats!!!! He just fits there. =)

~ Teresa ~ said...

Our son is home! The words that I was waiting to hear....Congratulations on your new son! My prayers will continue on as your son and family ease into a happy life together.

liesel said...

He must be on Cloud 9 realizing how many brothers and sisters love him now! Thanks for letting us all be a part of his homecoming!

La Viajera Insaciable said...

I've been lurking on your site for some time now, and it is so very wonderful to see Dennis in your home at last! He looks so comfortable with everyone. Your family is amazing!

Rebecca, a fellow adoptive mom

kelly said...

Dennis looks so happy all ready! He looks like he is eating up all that attention. I have to laugh seeing all your sun kissed skinned kids and Dennis's pale skin, that was what Ulia looked like next to the boys when she came home

Cheryl said...

Congrats to you! He looks so happy and you got some great little helpers too!

I'm very happy he's home safe and sound.

I love reading your blog. Thanks for sharing your wonderful journey!

Cheryl

Jules said...

He just fits right in! That is so awesome. Congratulations on finally having your baby boy HOME! :)

Anonymous said...

I loved looking at your pictures! It is so great to see how excited his siblings are to see him, hold him, play with him, and even wake him up! He's home!!!! And, he's eating!!! I can't wait to see what he looks like a month from now.

Linda said...

I have never left a comment before but have followed both of your blogs for some time and feel almost emotionally involved myself with you on this journey to Dennis! You are such an amazing family! So glad your little angel is now home with you. You have a whole flock of angels! :) God Bless!!

Linda in NC

Janine said...

I was so excited to open the blog and see that Dennis was home. He looks happy and loved, and eating so well, those skinny little arms and legs should soon fill out. All the best for the weeks and months ahead as he really settles in...looking forward to more pics.

Bethany said...

That is so awesome! I am so happy for you guys and Dennis couldn't ask for a better family!

Amanda Jones said...

Congrats! I'm so happy for your family!

Liz said...

So happy that Dennis is home surrounded by all that love!!!! Congratulations!!!

Leah Spring said...

Hooray! Hooray! I got chills reading this post! I'm so glad they've made it home, and the other kids have FINALLY gotten to meet their new brother! What a glorious day! I have to say, I'm always shocked at how skinny the orphans are when they come home. No matter how many times I see it, it still shocks me. I can't wait to watch him fatten up with his new family. So many wonderful days ahead of him.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I've been reading your blog for a while and rooting for you all the whole time! best wishes!
Kate

Julie said...

I am so thrilled for you and your family! Dennis looks like he is just eating up all of the attention from his brothers and sisters. He will certainly be bringing you lots of joy in the days to come! What a blessing to see those happy moments of his homecoming. Thank you for sharing your joy with us!
~Julie (RR Group)

Martha said...

Hey, what do you mean "I think he remembers me from before"? Of course he does! He was probably wondering where you were when John arrived at the orphanage. Little people don't forget that fast.

Mary and Michael said...

Home at last!! Congratulations to you, John and your family! It is wonderful to see Dennis being the center of attention. I'm so happy for all of you. What a precious addition to your family.

Stephanie @ Ralphcrew said...

Wow! If he keeps eating like that, he is going to fill out in no time. I've been so anxious to see his homecoming, but now I can't wait to see what the weeks and months ahead have in store for you all. I can't say it enough - thank you for sharing your lives so honestly. You are planting seeds!

Brent Monroe said...

What an awesome homecoming!
Ya'll must be on cloud 9!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with us!
Amy

6blessings said...

So glad he is finally home. What precious pics of his new family. Thanks for sharing.

Hollands said...

I am so thrilled for your family! Praising God!
Gina

Anonymous said...

That is awesome! We are glad that he made it home.

So not wanting to bother you or risk waking him up by calling, but Jenn and I would LOVE to come up and meet him (and see all of you again) real soon. Please give us a call and we can plan a visit.

Love Cousin Matt + Jenn

Stefanie and Bill said...

Yea, Thanks for sharing this awesome love story! I am so excited to watch Dennis fourish! Our God is so amazing. Thank you for being such a beautiful human form of God's faithful and untiring love.
Stefanie

debi9kids said...

ok, so I read your other blog first and now i am sitting here crying. It is just so beautiful to see your whole family already in love with dennis!

Chelley said...

awesome news!!!!

A perfect ending and what a way to start a new life

Rachel said...

Welcome Home Dennis!

Anonymous said...

It is ABSOLUTELY amazing to see him home!!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!

Anonymous said...

YAY! I love how your kids are just falling over themselves in their excitement to meet their their new brother! What a wonderful sight.

I`ve only been following your adoption for a short time, but I have to say that Dennis is a very lucky little guy. My oldest son is just a bit older than him and this is such a great age. I hope you really enjoy it. He`s an adorable little boy who totally deserves the love he`s getting.

Kathy Cassel said...

Awesome!

Sarah said...

Well this blog entry has been a long time coming hasn't it? Congratulations to you all! Such an exciting time. I can't wait to see how little Dennis grows and changes in the love and warmth of your beautiful family!

Rachael said...

Congratulations and a huge welcome home to you! How nice to finally have all the family together.

Tony and Dawn said...

Congratulations! We are so happy for your family! God Bless -

Rachel said...

I have been away for a few days and am just catching up here. I am so happy he and John are safely home. Everyone looks so happy!!

living4him5 said...

WOW! It's so amazing to see him home with his mama and siblings. Enjoy this precious time!

Many Blessings,
Amy

ArtworkByRuth said...

Couldn't wait to sit down and see this post! What a perfect ending to this part of the story! You look like a natural with him on your lap by the way...didn't I tell you it was like riding a horse? :) LOL!

jessy said...

Wonderful! Everyone looks so happy. I know you are one relieved mommy!

orphans4me said...

I am so glad you are all together at last. Yeah, God!!
Joy,RR

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story with me. It´s brave people like you who really make a difference.

Children are beautiful