Monday, July 21, 2008

Loving Life with Dennis

I must say that I am in love with my new son more than I could have imagined. From the moment we knew of him back in March to now, he has been such a blessing to our family. Everyday he is surprising me, as are the rest of my children and I feel like a very blessed mother.

Each of Dennis' older siblings have finally got to spend some one on one time with their little brother. Not only has each of them accepted Dennis and labeled him the cutest baby in the world, but Dennis seems to approve of all of them. I am amazed at how quickly each of them have seen past his eye and into his sweet little soul. I can't count the times that I have heard one of my children say today how perfect Dennis is.

Andrew just loved letting Dennis touch him as he got to know him. Dennis quickly learned that if he threw blocks down, Andrew would quickly run to pick them up. This was very entertaining for Dennis.

I just love this picture of Andrew and Jonny lying on the floor watching Dennis.

Jonny is so happy that he is finally a big brother. After being around Dennis for a while, Jonny noticed Dennis babbling after waking up from his nap. Dennis babbled and babbled and it was quite loud. Jonny's response? "Mom, I didn't know that Dennis speaks Spanish?"


Dennis always has someone just waiting to hold and play with him. This time it was Julia.

How funny! The girls put the socks on Dennis that John got from first class on the plane ride home. But William was way more entertaining.

Look at all the girls around Dennis. I bet he is loving life!



I don't think that Dennis had ever had his teeth brushed before us. His poor little gums bled a lot the first time John brushed his teeth. Now we brush them at least twice a day and his gums bleed very little. He is such a smart little man. When he sees the brush he opens his mouth like a little bird.

Daddy took Dennis swimming. Boy, did he love it!

Thanks Mom for the baby floaty. It is perfect!

Dennis was all smiles. He just loves water!

Today I got Dennis in to see our primary care physician. They were able to move it up from Thursday, praise the Lord. That means he will get to Valley Children's all the sooner.

His visit went really well.

Here he is being a big boy in the waiting room.


Here is Dennis waiting to see the doctor.

Dennis was very good during the exam. I also found out that he is very healthy. His ears look very clear as did his nose and throat. His unspecified heart disease was unfounded (surprise, surprise), and he has already gained over a pound since his exam at the Embassy last week. He is shy just one once from 20 pounds and is 31 1/2 inches tall. His head circumference is 19 in and he is not as delayed as I thought he would be. Praise the Lord again!

He got four shots, two in each leg, and little Dennis let me comfort him afterwards. Rachel and Julia were impressed how quickly he stopped crying.

He has now been officially referred up to Valley Children's to have his cleft palate closed.

As we were driving back to Grandma's to pick up the rest of the kids, I took this picture. I think it is so sweet the way Dennis wanted to hold his sisters' hands.

Dennis loves his oldest brother Adam because he makes him laugh. What makes me love this picture so much is the way that Adam was getting Dennis to laugh and smile. I see so much of his Dad, my husband in him and I already know what an amazing father he is going to make one day.


I just had to share this picture (edited of course) of Dennis at his first bath here at home. BTW, he just loves bathes. Don't worry, I am trying my best to fatten him up, and I bet he will look completely different in a couple of weeks.

52 comments:

Rachel said...

Precious pictures! Dennis looks so happy to be home and the rest of your kids look so excited to have him home at last. I am so glad to see that the Lord selected such a perfect family for Dennis!

alison said...

Dennis must truly think that he is in heaven!!! The joy in his face reaches right through the computer screen.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your life with us! I love to read your blog(s) and my oldest daughter (13) is hooked now too!
Blessings,
Erica

Anonymous said...

Christine, the love for your children comes through so loud and clear. Best to you in these first precious days together. Its wonderful that you let us share a little.

Emma said...

I have to say that Dennis is SO CUTE! I am so glad he has blessed your family and that your other kids are loving him so much. Thanks for all of the pictures!

Doriana Gray said...

I look forward to seeing him get fatter too (in a good baby kind of way- my 4 year year boy still has some of those lovely pudgy round baby limbs....but starting to lose it)!

Renia

rockybucky said...

Ive been following your journey, And Dennis is so so blessed. Your family is such an inspiration. And I just love love reading about your family. My prayers are with you always.

Tina in CT said...

Imagine what is going through his little mind. His first two years lacked loving, nuturing, cuddling, touching. Now his every waking moment is full of it. With all his brothers and sisters, there is always someone wanting to hold him or play with him (plus his mom and dad).

Swimming for the first time too.

Great doctor's report. He's off to a wonderful start.

Chelley said...

Dennis was so ment to be with your family!!!

I think he really is so precious

Unknown said...

Great pictures. What a difference for Dennis from his previous life, all these family members just loving him up! Glad to hear he is healthy, I'm sure he will continue to gain weight now that he is home.
Donna

Christie M said...

What a true blessing! Dennis has entered a new world of love. How great! Your family is perfect for him. :)

Loved the spanish comment.

Little ones are just so funny. :)

Christina said...

To see the love your other children have for him is just amazing! What a very blessed family you have! :)

Anonymous said...

So sweet. He is one blessed little guy to have so many people to love him. He is going to be spoiled, I can tell!

It is truly amazing to see him at home with you guys. Somehow it seems like he was just always there.

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

Dennis is a precious child, all of your children are!! My heart goes out to Dennis and I pray all the best with correcting his "physical" problems. Dennis seems to have the heart of an angel.

Rachel said...

Thanks so much for sharing these pictures. I loved looking at the interaction between Dennis and his siblings. Don't you wonder what's going through his mind? He has to be one of the happiest little boys around! I can't wait to see and hear more!

Svetlana said...

He is so cute!!!
He is showing that he is belong in your family :-). I am exited that the medical went very well and he is healthy.
Sveta

Stephanie @ Ralphcrew said...

It seems as though Dennis fits into your family effortlessly, like a missing puzzle piece found once again. What a gift you all are to one another. Thank you for all the pictures!

Kathy Cassel said...

It's awesome how he has just fit right in.

Anonymous said...

Christine, as I said in a previous comment on another entry, your children's acceptance of Dennis - seeing beyond his "owies" & LOVING HIM UNCONDITIONALLY - speaks so incredibly strongly of you & John as parents...

...they would NOT know how to love unconditionally without being SHOWN unconditional love & acceptance.

Thank you for sharing your family with us - wonderful pictures! Keep 'em coming!

- Michelle (D.C.)

Debora Hoffmann said...

He is precious! I love that your children have been so excited to spend time with him and love him, and it sure looks like he loves them right back! I'll keep checking in and praying. I praise God that He set Dennis in your family!

Jenny said...

I love his bib... "No Autographs Please"

-Jenny

Missy said...

It is so amazing how relaxed he has let himself become. He just snuggles in when someone holds him and lets himself be loved. I can't even tell you how many tears of joy have been shed in my house because of your sweet family!

Jules said...

You guys have such an awesome family! I love the photos of the kids playing together.

MyGirlElena said...

Isn't unconditional love awesome?!?
Dennis looks so well adjusted in your home. There's no doubt it's all the TLC he is getting from his family :)

amyl4 said...

I love all the pictures! Dennis looks very happy to be the center of attention and he deserves it. Your kids are all so beautiful, you are very blessed!
Amy

Sara said...

Dennis was always meant to be yours.....he is loved,loved, and loved!!! How Wonderful!! Such a brave boy for his doc.appt :-)

Julie said...

It is so wonderful to see how well he "fits" into the family!!!! He is so adorable!

Anonymous said...

So sweet! He is so lucky to have so many older brothers and sisters to play with and help him along the way. Glad to hear he is doing well and adjusting!

Hollands said...

I love it! God is doing such great things!
Gina

Kelli said...

I dont know what exactly it was like in his orphange but I am sure in your home all the love, touching and attention is worth tons to your little man. I bet inside he is bursting with love for you all. Great job

kitzkazventure said...

What sweet pictures of his family just loving on him. My favorite part of adoption is just watching what love can do for a person (the child and us!) So happy for you all!

Rita Andrews said...

Christine..I am so happy for your whole family and for sweet Dennis to be surrounded in love! It is so evident that Dennis is happy!

Bless you! Glad your journey to Ukraine is over and you can start the rest of your lives together.

Rita
RR

Anonymous said...

Please don't take this the wrong way but are you getting his eye and face repaired?

junglemama said...

Dear Anon, yes, we plan to do all we can for him and that includes repairing his eye and cleft. He is now in the process of being referred to Valley Children's here in California where he will be seeing a doctor that specializes in this and has already agreed to see him.

La Viajera Insaciable said...

Thank you so much for sharing the fabulous photos. Dennis looks so at ease that one would think that he has been with you forever! Your family is truly amazing.

Kristen said...

Everyone seems to be settling in wonderfully! It's times like this that I wish that I was still in CA! My son spent his first 4 days in the NICU at Valley Children's, so I know that Dennis will be in the hands of awesome physician's. I wish that I could be there to come say hello!

Kathy and Matt said...

It is such a delight to read this post and to look at the pictures of all your wonderful children. I can only imagine how incredibly great this change is for Dennis! To have so many loving, caring people providing him hugs, touches, laughter, stimulation, caresses, etc. Compared to what he's experienced up to know, it must be amazing to him.

It is a blessing!

Salzwedel Family said...

He just looks like one of the gang now! Keep the pictures coming...

Anonymous said...

Oh Christine, ya just make me wanna cry! Those pictures of family life are just beautiful. You and John have done such a great job with your family. Not only do you as adults accept this little one, but your children are also so caring and nurturing. It's beautiful!

4 princesses & then 1 prince said...

Your family is precious and you are so blessed to have Dennis in your home. He is a miracle! I always enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for continuing to share with all of us your story. Looks like Dennis fits right in with your family.

Amy said...

Christine-
he is such a cutie! He looks soooo happy with everyone! I hope that you and your dear hubby are all caught up on sleep!

Hugs!
Amy

ps- I added a little blurp about you and Dennis on my blog... I hope that you don't mind... let me know if you want me to change/delete it!

liesel said...

Any videos?

Jeri said...

I love his swimmer's physique! Many a man would love to have those wide shoulders and slim hips. :)

Tracy said...

Yay!! Great to see pictures of the whole family finally! It's so great to see he is so happy and settling in well. I noticed straight away how skinny his upper arms are. I'm sure he will be transformed right before our very eyes now that he's home. The cleft palate repair will go a long way to fattening him up too. :o)

ArtworkByRuth said...

What wonderful pics, I am amazed you have time to take them and blog at this point! The last one is perfect! I think the first three weeks home we were SOOOOOO exhausted! So glad about the cleft palate, when will he be able to try and eat other foods? When does he have his eye looked at?

ArtworkByRuth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
absees123s said...

I am just blown away at how well he has just perfectly fit into your family. Thank you so much for sharing your family with all of us here in cyberland, lol..I feel blessed! He is just PRECIOUS!

THE CAMPBELL FAMILY said...

YOU ALL LOOK SO HAPPY !!! YOUR FAMILY IS AWESOME!!! JODY

... said...

Beautiful pictures and memories! There is no lack of attention or love here!

Congratulations again!

Lisa
http://payne-familyadventures.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

The universe thanks you for what you have done and are doing for all of us.
David Cottrell www.ukraineorphans

ukraineorphans said...

That's www.ukraineorphans.net
Smile
David Cottrell

Laura said...

LOVED the speaking Spanish quote. My older daughter still thinks my younger daughter (born in China) is speaking Spanish (she has a cleft lip/palate and is hard to understand)