National Adoption Day

Since yesterday was National Adoption Day, it seems appropriate that I spent a few hours yesterday (totally by coincidence) working on Danny's baby book.

The other kids have traditional baby books that have the typical stuff written in them, lots for the first child and not much for the second child. Although we have a scrapbook of items from our Taiwan trip including all the referral and update photos, a photo album from the trip and I plan to do a life book at some point, I would feel bad if someday Kyle and Paige were looking at their baby books and Danny did not have something similar.

I was excited to find an baby book focused on adoption at a shop near my office when I was browsing one day. So yesterday, I looked at the e-mails from the referral day, my notes on the blog and completed a lot of it. I will add photos and then I will need to remember to go back and add more "firsts" as they occur (this is the hard part!).

This week I have been reading the blog of a fellow adoptive mom from Taiwan who I met after we brought Danny home. She has been reflecting on adoption this week and is truly gifted in her ability to put her thoughts and emotions into words. Thanks again for sharing Lisa! All this has led me to spend time thinking about Danny's story, what words we will use to tell it to him, his birth mom and her situation, and how Danny will feel when he is older and understands how our family was formed. I know it will all fall into place and I will learn to tell his story over time because he makes our family feel so complete. I would never have guessed when Ed and I met 20 years ago or when we were married 11 years ago that our journey would include adopting a beautiful boy from Taiwan but somehow it all fell into place and feels so right. We are very blessed!

One quick story- Kyle told us the other day that he does not think we should tell Bob (Danny) that he is adopted because he does not want him to feel bad (Kyle is very sensitive and worries about everyones feelings). We asked something like "Don't you think he will notice he does not look like you?" Kyle explained that he does looks like us- isn't that great! Of course, we explained that we will be open with Danny about his story and why. I love that he is oblivious to our conspicuous family and wonder how long that will last.

Kyle's suggestion to not tell Danny about being adopted is also funny because he cannot help from telling everyone. Whenever strangers stop to talk to us and Danny, Kyle tells them quickly and proudly that his brother is from Taiwan. (Yes this happened last night again)

11 Months Old!

Yesterday, Danny was 11 months old! WOW! He is crawling, better backwards than forward, and starting to really explore the house. He is starting to babble. I am working on Ma, Ma but he seems to be saying ga, ga or maybe da, da (what's with that!). Below are a few photos from his baptism last Sunday.

He has been home 3 1/2 months now and it seems much longer. I think Paige has gotten over her jealousy for the most part although she still needs lots of alone time with us. She seems to think Danny is her baby doll. One night she put glitter eyeshadow all over his head when I was out of the room and then put him in her baby's crib. He did not seem to mind either and enjoyed the bath later! He is very easy going to say the least.

Kyle continues to be great with him although even Kyle is starting to get mad at the crying in the middle of the night. Yes, we are still working on the sleep thing.

I can't believe we will be having his 1st birthday next month. Last night we asked the kids if they had any ideas on something special to do for Danny's birthday next month. Kyle thought we should go to the movies??? Obviously we know what he wants to do on the next cold, rainy weekend.

Although Kyle still calls him "Bob", he has recently said that "Dan" is better than "Danny" he may be able to live with that name. I think that is progress.. Except that now all his friends call him Bob...