The difference a year can make

BEFORE 

September, 2011
16 months old

Exactly 1 Year Later 

September, 2012
28 months old

Birthdays and Pirates

Yesterday was Jordan's 9th Birthday. 

Emma, the dog, is never one to be left out when food is involved.

Jordan is a great kid.  He just has the greatest attitude.  He is easy going, has a great sense of humor, go with the flow kind of kid.  He was the first one to love on Leo and is always looking out for him.  He asks at least once a month- "when are we going to adopt again?"  He loves kids and has a huge heart for those in need.  I know God has great things in store for him.  Jordan also loves food and really enjoyed his breakfast in bed. 

Today is Pirate Day.

We were spontaneous, dressed Ben and Jonathan

like pirates and headed to Krispy Kreme. 

Free donuts just taste better!

Leo was not too sure about this pirate business. 

Today was a good day for Leo.

He stacked 3 blocks (this is huge), 

kept his glasses on the majority of the day, and 

drank about 3/4 of an ounce.  It took him about 25 minutes

to drink it, but it is progress.

Terrific Two's

Summer was good for Leo!

He has made so much progress the last 3 months. He is not the same little boy that he was a year ago. We are constantly being reminded what it is like to have a two year old in the house. Leo is a man on the move. Into everything. Exploring. Learning. Growing.

We picked up his glasses today.  Keeping the glasses on his face

has been a full time job this afternoon.  We really think they 

make a difference in what he is seeing.  He just has this look

on his face when he is wearing them. 

We are also  making slow but steady progress in feeding.  

He is drinking about a half an ounce if we work with him.

It takes about a half an hour to drink that .5 ounce but his tolerance is growing.

He especially enjoys smoothies made by his sister, Amanda.

His latest trick- his version of standing on his head. 

His arms and legs are getting so strong.

We have come so far and yet we are reminded that we 

still have a long road ahead of us.  Leo is still non-verbal.  

He squeals, laughs, whines and yells, but no real sounds.

We are working on some sign language and I know he understands

some of what we are saying.

Sometimes, I just wish we knew what he was thinking!

Yee-hah!  Progress!

The above photos show Leo making some strides here.  Like, in that last picture, he is actually putting food in his mouth.  THAT'S A HUGE DEAL.

Then the first picture is a little bit of his birth certificate which arrived in the mail today.   Hooray!  That's been on the way for months now.  We can now apply for a social security number for him and then begin officially changing his name on important documents like health insurance and doctors.

Leo also got a new walker today (the shiny yellow one pictured above.)  We specifically prayed for that as a family last night, and (at last) here it is.  We had been borrowing one from our therapist but it was a bit big for him.

These are, of course, all good things for Leo.  But I was reminded recently of just how faithful God is to answer prayer in general.  My morning devotions had brought me to John 14 where I read:

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Really?  I thought to myself?  I believe this in theory... but how often do I fail to give my concerns over to God in prayer?

I have a lot of growing to do there, I am sure.

Still, a shot-gun smattering of answered prayers sure is encouraging.

--Jeremy