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!
Forever Changed
16 years ago
69 comments:
What a Happy Homecoming! He will be so loved....how awesome!
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!!!
Oh geez...we are so happy for you guys...
jen, Hannah, Bekki, and Mary Beaver
That's so awesome. Congratulations!
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!!!
yay. so happy your journey for Denis is complete. Enjoy this time as a family
Congratulations! I am happy he is finally home with you!
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!
awesome news!!!! glad to see daddy & dennis made it home safe and sound. hugs to you all~~~
Awww what a great home coming. He is going to be loved to death! :)
How wonderful.
Awesome news - sounds like you are having a great first day
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
Welcome Home Dennis! Congratulations to your entire family!
I'm crying happy tears for you all! We're thrilled that Dennis is home where he belongs!!
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.
Yay!!! It looks like he is fitting in just perfect! :)
wonderful wonderful wonderful
I am glad you are all together at last! Enjoy all those precious cuddles!
He has such tiny little legs. If he keeps eating like that...they won't last long. :) So glad that he is finally home!
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?
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)
So glad to see you altogether! Congratulations!
Awesome! I love it! I love that they're home! I love that your kids love him!. I just love it!
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.)
The Big Day finally got here! How exciting for you guys. I am so thankful to have followed your journey.
Woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo!!!! Congratulations to everyone. What great pictures. :-)
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
So glad he is home. Congrats!!!! He just fits there. =)
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.
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!
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
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
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
He just fits right in! That is so awesome. Congratulations on finally having your baby boy HOME! :)
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.
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
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.
That is so awesome! I am so happy for you guys and Dennis couldn't ask for a better family!
Congrats! I'm so happy for your family!
So happy that Dennis is home surrounded by all that love!!!! Congratulations!!!
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.
Congratulations! I've been reading your blog for a while and rooting for you all the whole time! best wishes!
Kate
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)
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.
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.
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!
What an awesome homecoming!
Ya'll must be on cloud 9!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with us!
Amy
So glad he is finally home. What precious pics of his new family. Thanks for sharing.
I am so thrilled for your family! Praising God!
Gina
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
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
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!
awesome news!!!!
A perfect ending and what a way to start a new life
Welcome Home Dennis!
It is ABSOLUTELY amazing to see him home!!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!
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.
Awesome!
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!
Congratulations and a huge welcome home to you! How nice to finally have all the family together.
Congratulations! We are so happy for your family! God Bless -
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!!
WOW! It's so amazing to see him home with his mama and siblings. Enjoy this precious time!
Many Blessings,
Amy
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!
Wonderful! Everyone looks so happy. I know you are one relieved mommy!
I am so glad you are all together at last. Yeah, God!!
Joy,RR
Thank you for sharing your story with me. It´s brave people like you who really make a difference.
Children are beautiful
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