Malachi is changing so very fast. Every day he is learning and doing new things. Here is a brief rundown over the last several weeks.
* Malachi started to crawl!
* Malachi started to walk! (See it here, on Aaron's blog ... no point in reloading it.)
* Malachi can sign: more, please, thank-you, all done ... and does all 4 often and usually for the wrong reasons. But it is still really cute.
* Malachi can say: bye, hi, mama, dada, sissy, bro-bro, ba-ba, that, here-ya-go, love you, thank you, done, ball, and Jesus (according to the kids).
* Malachi is now sleeping with Bro-Bro (aka, his big brother, Sam) after almost 3 months in our room.
* Malachi is now sleeping through the night, and has been for almost 4 weeks ... after 3 months in our room of NOT sleeping through the night!
* Malachi is down to just 1 bottle a day. (As of today that is, I just took away his nap time bottle this afternoon. He didn't even notice .... I don't think.) The boy eats MORE than enough throughout the day. He is no longer malnourished, nor in need of 36 ounces of formula a day (which is what he was getting the first 3 months).
* Malachi is finally drinking from a sippy cup, although he isn't very fond of milk.
* Malachi STILL has giradia (sp?) after 3 rounds of treatments. Ugh.
* Malachi loves when we play Ethiopian music. Again, check it out on Aaron's blog if you want. Calms him down when nothing else will.
* Malachi had his first night with a babysitter. (Meaning Aaron & I had our first real date in almost 4 months.) ***Thanks again PJ!!!!!!!*** He did great, says the sitter and the kids.
* Malachi hates the church nursery with a passion. So did my other kids though, so I am not really surprised.
* Malachi is insanely jealous of his big brother if I am involved. In other words, when Sam has my attention (especially my lap), he HATES it .... screams until it's over in fact.
* Malachi loves to be outside, only he doesn't like the grass. If he sees that you are about to put him in the grass, he will lift his legs up in protest. It's very funny. :)
* Malachi is brilliant!!!!! So many changes (especially in the last month). A new language, new environment, new family, a lifetime of sorrows and lack of opportunity (until he came to us that is) .... and he's come this far!
That's my Malachi!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Malachi and I are Famous!
My Dad just sent me a link to this blog that was written by a man named Tony Reinke. We went home (to NE) for Christmas. While we were there, Malachi and I were in worship service together. Tony sat behind us, and as a result, was inspired to write a poem about M and I. Kinda cool!
Check it out....
Check it out....
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
3 Months Ago ....
Three months ago today our lives were forever changed by one, tiny, Baby Man. We met Malachi for the first time and our hears will never be the same. He was unsure and scared, malnourished and weak, sad and lonely. Remember???
Just 3 short months later, he is a different child! He's secure and lively, fed and strong, joyful and loved. And it shows.
"Peak-a-boo!"
Malachi continues to steal our hearts and wrap them around his little finger every single day. He is such a joy. The 3 months have flown by, and yet I feel like he's always been part of our lives. Proof that God made a place in our family for him long before we did. It hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination. But it has been blessed. God continues to guide us as we figure out and learn just who our Baby Man is. We see Jesus in his eyes, and hope and pray that others do too. He's made us laugh and he has made us cry .... and not a second goes by that makes me think I wouldn't do it all over again! I would ... in a heartbeat!
Just 3 short months later, he is a different child! He's secure and lively, fed and strong, joyful and loved. And it shows.
"How big is Malachi?"
"SOOO BIG !!!"
"SOOO BIG !!!"
"Peak-a-boo!"
"Look at my big belly!!! Yum!"
Malachi continues to steal our hearts and wrap them around his little finger every single day. He is such a joy. The 3 months have flown by, and yet I feel like he's always been part of our lives. Proof that God made a place in our family for him long before we did. It hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination. But it has been blessed. God continues to guide us as we figure out and learn just who our Baby Man is. We see Jesus in his eyes, and hope and pray that others do too. He's made us laugh and he has made us cry .... and not a second goes by that makes me think I wouldn't do it all over again! I would ... in a heartbeat!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Look who is mobile !!!!
Well, he did it! Malachi crawled! Despite being told by the Dr. and the Therapists that Malachi would 1) Walk before crawling, or 2) Not ever crawl ... he proved them wrong! They told us that "tummy time" wasn't necessary for a child his age, it would just make him mad. They were right, it did. But I wanted to see him crawl. He's never been given opportunity to do anything but sit. He's a smart one, and aside from many tummy time tears, he got it! Time to get out the baby gates! :)
Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com
Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com
Saturday, January 31, 2009
It's been a while, huh???
It's been too long. I know. I'm sorry. Can I just tell you how much I hate getting pictures on the computer??? A lot. But, it's worth it for anyone and everyone to see my sweet family!
Malachi is doing AMAZING!!! He continues to fill our hearts with joy every day. He still loves to make people laugh, which I love! He is "cruising" all over the place. He has figured out his own little obstacle course through the maze that is our home. He has a lot to say too...typical Britton. He says "Dadda, Momma, Ba-ba (bottle), Ni-ni (good night), hi (of which he also waves very dramatically), love you, light, ball, that, and Jesus (according to Providence)". He also signs "more" and "please". SO CUTE! He's gained about 5 lb's since we've been home! He loves to dance to anything with a beat, even Daddy's random drum sessions on the table. (And he's got rythym too...Malachi, not Dad. Well, Dad does too, he is a drummer after all!) He's starting to let other people look at him without crying ... and a few have even had the privaledge of holding him. One babysat for 2 hours during the day. Crazy! He loves being outside, but hates the grass. It's a twisted humor I have, when I try to sit my child in the grass and he lifts his legs and cries in protest ... yet I do that over and over again because it is just funny.
The pictures are much cuter than my words. So, here ya go!
Christmas Eve. All dressed up for church. I think it is funny that Malachi and Eden are making the same face in this picture.
Just cuz he's cute....
Sleeping like a baby (which is a joke of a term really...) in Mom and Dad's bed...cuz Dad lets him. :) At least he is cute in that big ol' bed!
Our future Tiger Woods??? :)
Hi !
"What-chyou-talkin-bout-Willis???" hehe
Malachi is doing AMAZING!!! He continues to fill our hearts with joy every day. He still loves to make people laugh, which I love! He is "cruising" all over the place. He has figured out his own little obstacle course through the maze that is our home. He has a lot to say too...typical Britton. He says "Dadda, Momma, Ba-ba (bottle), Ni-ni (good night), hi (of which he also waves very dramatically), love you, light, ball, that, and Jesus (according to Providence)". He also signs "more" and "please". SO CUTE! He's gained about 5 lb's since we've been home! He loves to dance to anything with a beat, even Daddy's random drum sessions on the table. (And he's got rythym too...Malachi, not Dad. Well, Dad does too, he is a drummer after all!) He's starting to let other people look at him without crying ... and a few have even had the privaledge of holding him. One babysat for 2 hours during the day. Crazy! He loves being outside, but hates the grass. It's a twisted humor I have, when I try to sit my child in the grass and he lifts his legs and cries in protest ... yet I do that over and over again because it is just funny.
The pictures are much cuter than my words. So, here ya go!
Christmas Eve. All dressed up for church. I think it is funny that Malachi and Eden are making the same face in this picture.
Just cuz he's cute....
Sleeping like a baby (which is a joke of a term really...) in Mom and Dad's bed...cuz Dad lets him. :) At least he is cute in that big ol' bed!
Our future Tiger Woods??? :)
Hi !
"What-chyou-talkin-bout-Willis???" hehe
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
Just Imagine
6 weeks have come and gone. I can hardly believe it. It has dawned on me over the last couple of days (and nights, ouch), that I thought things would have been different by now. As quickly as the 6 weeks have gone, the "honeymoon" is over ... and I'm just plain tired. I guess somewhere in my vast parenting skills .... I just assumed that we'd get Malachi home, treat him like a newborn, and have the same expected results as my other children. (Well, except Sam ... he was a mystery.) I thought if we just gave him lot's of love, responded to every cry like there was a desperate need, got him on a sleep/eat/play schedule, that he would mold into this perfect child that they write books about.
Okay, so maybe I didn't really have THAT unrealistic of expectations. In all honesty, I didn't know what to expect. But I didn't ever think that 6 weeks in, I would feel every day that with every step we make forward, we often take 2 (or 3) back. I didn't imagine he would still be scared to have me out of his sight (or put him down for that matter) 6 weeks later. I'm making this all sound horrible. It's not. Like I said, I'm tired. All the cute things Malachi did upon his arrival aren't as cute as they were at first ... but perhaps, dare I say, sometimes just kinda annoying. Things like throwing his bottle, or hitting his siblings (or chucking toys at them ... the kid has got an arm!), or pulling my hair while he eats, or his idea of a meal, or his cry that moves from low octave to high in seconds, the way he cries when a stranger even looks at him, and the way he won't let go of my hip. He's still really cute, still really playful and joyful, and still makes us laugh all the time. I'm just tired. I've looked around and realized that 6 weeks later, I still don't know how to cook dinner again, or get the laundry done, or the bathrooms clean. (Good for me, all the books tell me none of that stuff is important anyway.) I still don't know how to be a friend again, or to teach my kids, or to serve again. My, how life has changed since my desperation in our waiting for him to come home.
Now that the whining is out of the way .... let me say a few more things. I ended all of that with - "My, how life has changed since my desperation in our waiting for him to come home" statement for a reason. I still so vividly remember all the feelings that would attach without ending prior to his arrival. The ones of fear for his health, sadness for his life, wonder of the first 7 months of his life, heartache for him being alone, heart wrenching for him not being with his family. These feelings haven't ended. Now I just get to be the one holding him, trying to put all the pieces together ... of his life, of our family, of my mommy heart. I count it a blessing, and joy, and honor to be the one God chose to do this for little Malachi. He has blessed me beyond belief in just 6 short weeks. Perspective is something I'm never very good at. (Anyone surprised? Didn't think so.) But this time around, I know that Christ alone is daily granting me with the perspective I need to continue in this ... especially since all my mommy potions and tactics aren't working this time around.
This is what runs through my head on a regular basis now that he is home:
Imagine yourself as an Orphan. Imagine how many nights you go through your days and nights with cries that NEED response, only no one is there to respond. Imagine being left for who knows how long, probably in the middle of the night when no one could even see you, by someone that was supposed to love you the most and keep you safe. Imagine being so hungry you didn't even know what to do with food when you got it. Imagine forming habits that don't come naturally to most children - habits that are needed for survival. Imagine being found by strangers. Imagine being given to strangers - a lot of them, who happened to be caring for 75 other kids. Imagine doing that again, only with 50 kids in their care. Now imagine it one more time ... this time being given to funny colored strangers who speak in "alien" and with just 3 other kids around. Imagine having attention for the first time in your life. Imagine realizing that you hold a power to make people smile. Imagine everyone that passes you wanting to hold you, and kiss you, and touch you. Imagine eating only new foods. Imagine having someone trying to break you of all the bad habits in attempt to show you love and family and stability. Imagine being scared to go to sleep because your life has proven to you that what is there when you wake up is a mystery. Just imagine.
I do. A lot. And then I realize that my imagination is my sons reality. And my heart breaks for him all over again. So I pick him up again, I kiss him again, I tell the friend who wants to hold him that they still can't, I don't try to make him shake hands politely with a stranger, I tell his siblings he doesn't know better when he smacks them, I pick up his bottle (again, and again, and again...), I keep trying to find foods that he will like, I keep waking up with him for hours on end in the middle of the night when he's too afraid to go back to sleep, I keep whispering at the end of everyday - "I love you, and I WILL be here when you wake." I keep praying his soul gets it.
There is a song that Aaron wrote (well, he sorta stoll some of the words from this one really cool book.... ) that came to my head over an over the last few weeks before getting Malachi. I kept thinking it was strange, as it wasn't all that comforting to me at the time. The song went away for a while, then returned one day amidst a fit that Malachi was having. Now I understand. He now also hears this song daily, along with my whispers.
Bring Peace to My Soul,
Let your Healing Waters Flow again,
to my thirsty soul.
Earnestly I seek you,
my body longs for you.
In a dry and weary land.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
My soul clings to you ,
you uphold me with your right hand.
And I will praise you Lord,
as long as I live.
This is my prayer for my sweet child who has found a home.
Okay, so maybe I didn't really have THAT unrealistic of expectations. In all honesty, I didn't know what to expect. But I didn't ever think that 6 weeks in, I would feel every day that with every step we make forward, we often take 2 (or 3) back. I didn't imagine he would still be scared to have me out of his sight (or put him down for that matter) 6 weeks later. I'm making this all sound horrible. It's not. Like I said, I'm tired. All the cute things Malachi did upon his arrival aren't as cute as they were at first ... but perhaps, dare I say, sometimes just kinda annoying. Things like throwing his bottle, or hitting his siblings (or chucking toys at them ... the kid has got an arm!), or pulling my hair while he eats, or his idea of a meal, or his cry that moves from low octave to high in seconds, the way he cries when a stranger even looks at him, and the way he won't let go of my hip. He's still really cute, still really playful and joyful, and still makes us laugh all the time. I'm just tired. I've looked around and realized that 6 weeks later, I still don't know how to cook dinner again, or get the laundry done, or the bathrooms clean. (Good for me, all the books tell me none of that stuff is important anyway.) I still don't know how to be a friend again, or to teach my kids, or to serve again. My, how life has changed since my desperation in our waiting for him to come home.
Now that the whining is out of the way .... let me say a few more things. I ended all of that with - "My, how life has changed since my desperation in our waiting for him to come home" statement for a reason. I still so vividly remember all the feelings that would attach without ending prior to his arrival. The ones of fear for his health, sadness for his life, wonder of the first 7 months of his life, heartache for him being alone, heart wrenching for him not being with his family. These feelings haven't ended. Now I just get to be the one holding him, trying to put all the pieces together ... of his life, of our family, of my mommy heart. I count it a blessing, and joy, and honor to be the one God chose to do this for little Malachi. He has blessed me beyond belief in just 6 short weeks. Perspective is something I'm never very good at. (Anyone surprised? Didn't think so.) But this time around, I know that Christ alone is daily granting me with the perspective I need to continue in this ... especially since all my mommy potions and tactics aren't working this time around.
This is what runs through my head on a regular basis now that he is home:
Imagine yourself as an Orphan. Imagine how many nights you go through your days and nights with cries that NEED response, only no one is there to respond. Imagine being left for who knows how long, probably in the middle of the night when no one could even see you, by someone that was supposed to love you the most and keep you safe. Imagine being so hungry you didn't even know what to do with food when you got it. Imagine forming habits that don't come naturally to most children - habits that are needed for survival. Imagine being found by strangers. Imagine being given to strangers - a lot of them, who happened to be caring for 75 other kids. Imagine doing that again, only with 50 kids in their care. Now imagine it one more time ... this time being given to funny colored strangers who speak in "alien" and with just 3 other kids around. Imagine having attention for the first time in your life. Imagine realizing that you hold a power to make people smile. Imagine everyone that passes you wanting to hold you, and kiss you, and touch you. Imagine eating only new foods. Imagine having someone trying to break you of all the bad habits in attempt to show you love and family and stability. Imagine being scared to go to sleep because your life has proven to you that what is there when you wake up is a mystery. Just imagine.
I do. A lot. And then I realize that my imagination is my sons reality. And my heart breaks for him all over again. So I pick him up again, I kiss him again, I tell the friend who wants to hold him that they still can't, I don't try to make him shake hands politely with a stranger, I tell his siblings he doesn't know better when he smacks them, I pick up his bottle (again, and again, and again...), I keep trying to find foods that he will like, I keep waking up with him for hours on end in the middle of the night when he's too afraid to go back to sleep, I keep whispering at the end of everyday - "I love you, and I WILL be here when you wake." I keep praying his soul gets it.
There is a song that Aaron wrote (well, he sorta stoll some of the words from this one really cool book.... ) that came to my head over an over the last few weeks before getting Malachi. I kept thinking it was strange, as it wasn't all that comforting to me at the time. The song went away for a while, then returned one day amidst a fit that Malachi was having. Now I understand. He now also hears this song daily, along with my whispers.
Bring Peace to My Soul,
Let your Healing Waters Flow again,
to my thirsty soul.
Earnestly I seek you,
my body longs for you.
In a dry and weary land.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
My soul clings to you ,
you uphold me with your right hand.
And I will praise you Lord,
as long as I live.
This is my prayer for my sweet child who has found a home.
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