This coming Sunday, two days from now, will be two months since we picked up our sons from the baby home in Volgograd, Russia. They are now approximately 16 months and 17.5 months old, respectively. It is amazing at how much they have changed in just two months.
Our first visit to Volgograd, l1/2006. Ben was 13.5 months old in this picture.
Nick at 12 months old, during our first visit to Volgograd.
Hotel room in Volgograd, second trip. 1/18/2007, the day we really became a family, although we legally became a family the day before in court.
15.5 month old Ben and 14 month old Nick.
Ben, almost two months later. He has one of the most charming smiles you will ever see. Everyone comments on it, in addition to his big, beautiful, brown eyes.
Two months ago, he would hardly play with a toy and would be more likely to throw it down or drop it quickly if you handed him something. He immediately pushed any food that was placed on his highchair tray to the floor and could not feed himself at all. In fact, he never, ever brought anything to his mouth to chew on, except sometimes his finger. He could crawl but he could not walk. He could pull up but was not very good at cruising and didn't show much interest in it. When he did pull up, he did not stand for very long. He did not babble a whole lot and could not say any words.
He can now feed himself finger food very well and he also chews on toys. He hardly ever throws anything on the floor when he is eating in his highchair. He is now walking pretty well and spends a good part of his waking hours walking all around the house. He has become more assertive and he no longer lets Nick take away his toys:). He now babbles all the time and he says momma, dada, kitty, all done and he tries to say many other words.
Nick, almost two months later. He has an adorable smile too...maybe a bit mischievous.
Nick was pretty much on track developmentally when he came home and was actually ahead in some areas. His latest interest is talking on the phone. He was holding a block to his ear the other day and saying "hello?". When the phone rings he also says "hello" (although probably only his parents could understand what he is saying:). If I am busy and don't answer the phone, they both look at me expectantly, like I should be answering it. They both love to listen as someone talks to them over the phone, especially when daddy calls. Nick is also now starting to run a little bit and loves climbing all over the furniture. He can say quite a few words and tries to say many more that are hard to recognize. He understands so much more of what we say as each week goes by, it is amazing. He knows where we keep the drinks and snacks and will point to the fridge or cabinet when he wants something.
They are interacting more and more with each other every day and it is obvious they enjoy being with each other. They follow each other around and mimic each other a lot.
Sometimes they are pretty good about sharing and they enjoy playing together or near each other.....
...sometimes not so much:). Actually, times like these are pretty rare, for now anyway. This type of behavior is more likely to happen when they are playing very close to each other and they accidentally fall into or onto each other and/or they are wanting to play with the same toy. They normally stop before I have to intervene but sometimes I have to tell them to stop. Nick tends to enjoy sitting on or rolling on top of Ben and Ben doesn't care for that too much:).
They both love pushing everything around, including cups that are turned upside down or anything that is not suppose to be pushed and may ruin the wood floors. We try to keep them interested in pushing around the things that are made to be pushed around.
They both know how to "give me a kiss" and also "give me a hug" now and it really warms my heart. They think it is so funny. They are so sweet and cute and huggable!
We are so very very blessed. These two little guys are our miracles and blessings from God. That they have done so very well with this major transition in their short lives is just a miracle. I thank God for them and for how well they are adjusting to their new lives.
Go Go Go Go Go!!
