Today we are celebrating life, Ethan’s to be exact. It has been an emotional day, as I think on where and how his first six birthday’s were spent. Alone. No one to tickle him, cuddle him, kiss him, and tell him he is loved, and treasured more than he will ever know. Instead, his frail little sixteen pound body fought to sustain life in an orphanage in Ukraine. He spent most of his days just sitting, or rocking to himself. We know his birth mother left him not long after he was born, never holding him or nursing him. While, I can’t even begin to fathom that, I am still so grateful to her for giving him life! A life in which today, he is more than just existing in, he is THRIVING in!! Surrounded by our family of 10 that think he is pretty amazing!
Ethan has come a LONG way in the four months since he’s been home. Some of his accomplishments include:
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Drinking from a sippy cup. Wouldn’t drink from anything when we first got him.
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Eating from a spoon. This one is huge!! The first 3 months home he ate only with his fingers….even if it wasn’t technically finger food.
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Seeks out our attention. At first he was content to be left to himself.
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Enjoys kisses and hugs. He used to fuss when we would attempt any affection!
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His taking independent steps. Was just starting to cruise furniture.
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Is beginning to play with toys. At first he would play with NOTHING, and I mean nothing. All he wanted to do was eat fuzz balls of the carpet!
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He smiles and giggles. I think we got three smiles out of him the entire 5 weeks we spent in Ukraine getting to know him.
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Has fewer episodes of rage. In the first month home, Ethan would loose it over any simple thing, like getting his face washed, or changing his diaper. He would scream, flail, bite, kick and head butt. He still gets upset sometimes but now it is typically just crying.
He is a different boy from the one we met in the orphanage these months ago!!
This was Ethan’s first bath, on his first night out of the orphanage. Seeing him without clothes was heart wrenching.
Ethan today, weighing in at just over 23 pounds!
Ethan will always be small for his age. It is hard to believe this little peanut is 7!
Happy Birthday little man!! We are so blessed and privileged to call you our own!!
Blessed Be The Name of The Lord, Great Things He Hath Done!!