Saturday, August 15, 2009

I Love This Little Boy

Honestly, God has us in a pretty good place right now. Back in Ukraine, I was a bit concerned that Alex might has some behavior issues, but now that he is home and things are pretty predictable around here and he has so much love surrounding him, Alex is in every way a very loving and happy child. He is sleeping through the night and goes down really well too. He is continually trying new foods. He is picking up English. He is able to go to WalMart with me and sit in the cart and doesn't scream or cry for me to let him touch things. He will sit and snuggle with me on the couch, and he comes to me when he is hurt so that I can kiss his owie.

Today I left to go to the store and he began to cry. I promised that I would be right back and when I asked how long he had cried, it had only been for a minute or so. I left again later in the day and he only had a quick sniffle. I think it makes all the difference in the world having so many siblings to learn from.

For the last two or three days, I have been putting on a thumb sucking medicine when he goes to sleep. I was concerned about how he would get to sleep and how he would sleep through the night, but I was just as concerned about his overbite and the big callouses on his fingers. I figured I would give it a try and if he cried or had trouble sleeping I would hold off doing it until he was home for a few more months. When I put it on his nails, I explained that it would taste bad if he put his fingers in his mouth and I even encouraged him to taste a tiny bit with me. We both made faces that it was very yucky tasting-- and he even chuckled and threw his hand down. I pretended to put a little on my own fingers to be like him and I showed him that I would not put my fingers in my mouth. He nodded that he understood and he has been fine ever since. He is not sucking his fingers, nor is he crying himself to sleep, nor is he even so much as stirring in the night. He also reminded me at nap time once to put on the medicine by holding out his fingers. It was really cute. He is just utterly amazing---- and such a big boy! I think it helps that he sleeps next to Dennis every night. (And for those that want to say it is too soon---- I would agree if he was showing signs of distress and I would stop if he was, but I know from experience that the longer a child is allowed to suck their thumb or fingers, the longer it takes to break them of the habit. And I did the same thing for Jonny and Dennis-- only with bandaids because they were much younger and didn't try to pull them off.)

Alex and Anna have so much fun together. She is a wonderful big sister to him.


Alex loves to take baths. He understands so much more than Dennis does. When I say that bath time is over, Alex doesn't whine like Dennis does. He understands that he will have another bath tomorrow.
A fellow adoptive mother and blogger sent my two little boys these adorable towels. I think they are awesome-- both the towels and the boys!
Alex and Dennis encourage each other to do things. At first, Alex was not to excited to get into this floaty, but when he saw that Dennis was getting in one too, he wanted to get in his so that he can be like Dennis.

23 comments:

Milena said...

I'm so glad to hear all these positive things; how he adjusts and fits right in. I'm truly happy for you and for Alex too!

I would love to send a small gift too, but I don't think
The Reed Family
California
USA
will do as an address :-)

However, the towels are really sweet, and I'm so happy to hear how much Alex understand!

Grannysaurus said...

Alex's personality and a loving family will win through. I reckon he will blossom. Let the doom-sayers eat dirt. (metaphorically speaking of course)

Missy said...

Great to hear how well he's doing!!!

And I agree, having siblings helps with adjustment a LOT.

Julie said...

HOW WONDERFUL that Alex is doing so well! I can only hope the same for Daisy once we get home.

I do have your candy!! As soon as I get home, I'll send it straight to your family! I hope to be home by the end of the week!

Oh, and we are going to have to do the same thing with Daisy on the finger sucking. She has sucked hers so long, it has messed up two nails on her left hand. Her fingers are HORRIBLE. I am not going to attempt to stop it while here, since that is how she gets herself to sleep, but once home for a while, I sure how we can stop it and get her nails back to normal. Plus, she too has been doing it for so long that her teeth are messed up from it too.

I'm thrilled to see how well thing are going for you all.

Mummy McTavish said...

Kids in hooded towels are super cute!

Heather Brandt said...

What kind of thumb sucking medicine do you use? I have a 2 year old who is sucking thumb some still and hope that maybe we can work more diligently at getting him to stop once he is done teething...

heatherlbrandt (at) verizon (dot) net
www.russianblessings.wordpress.com

Rachel said...

Such an awesome post. It's so neat to hear how he's adjusting. Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us. :)

lovey said...

Just wanted to mention that Dennis is so looking like a preschooler these days.. no longer a toddler!!
I went back and looked at a year ago, when he still was very much a baby. He went from a baby, through toddlerhood, and into "little kid" in a year! He has gained and caught up so much!!!

Tina in CT said...

Take it from a former thumb sucker, the earlier the better to break the habit. You are very wise to do it right away. Since everything is new, this can be too. Glad that it's working.

So happy to hear that everything is settling in so easily.

Anonymous said...

In the picture with the towels, Dennis looks like he has a bit of red in his hair. Maybe just the camera angle. What a blessing for you all to have Alex home safe and sound and adjusting well. Central CA

Anonymous said...

He looks so happy. What a blessing!

Terri-Anne said...

Alex is probably thinking "Pinch me, I must be dreaming" and wondering when this WONDERFUL vacation is going to end! What a blessed little boy :o)
Unless I'm mistaken, you haven't mentioned how he made out at his doctor's appointment Monday. Did everything go okay?

Zactly said...

So happy everyone is adjusting so well. I too would like the name or website of the thumb sucking medicine. My 4 y/o adopted son is having trouble stopping the thumb sucking.
thanks,
Vickie
vickiesalmon@sbcglobal.net

A said...

Absolutely a blessing to read! The Lord is so good!!!!!! I am so happy for your family!!!!

Unknown said...

I love the pics and the stories. I am encouraged to read about the thumb sucking. I need to try something with both of mine, but one is pretty old and the other just doesn't even realize that the thumb is in the mouth sometimes because it happens in the middle of the night. But I am also worried about teeth, especially b/c our dentist has commented about it to our older child. Such a hard thing for me (and them)! We also love the floaties for the pool. Grady has one just like the one Dennis is in, it is so helpful! But he flipped himself out of it last weekend! I guess that means he is getting stronger! :) Have a great night. Jen

Unknown said...

I'm just so thrilled I can hardly stand it - wonderful pictures, wonderful family

Carey and Norman said...

I'm so glad that Alex is loving his family and adapting so quickly. He looks so happy. I'm so glad he and Dennis have become buddies. So sweet.

Kathy Cassel said...

So nice to see them together.

Karen said...

I am so happy things are going well... he really looks happy. I know you are so glad to be home and back into routine with the family!
I can't get over how much he favors you... he fits right in.

Blessings~

Connie said...

Alex always has such a BIG smile on his face :-) I am happy to see how well he is doing.

See you VERY SOON! :D!!!

Love and hugs from all of us, to all of you.

Stephanie said...

So glad they like the towels! They look adorable in them, as I knew they would!

So happy we are both home with our new sons!

Laurel said...

Sounds like things are going very well. So happy for you all.

blessings,

Laurel :)

Amy said...

I have followed your blog for a while now. But wanted to say that I think you and your family are truly amazing. I enjoyed reading about your trip to bring Alex home and also your other stories of your children. My husband and I are in the final stages of adopting our 2 children through the foster/adopt program in our state. We hope to someday adopt more children and bring them into a loving family. I am praying for you and your family daily. May God continue to bless you.