One Month Anniversary

Exactly one month ago today (8/21/08) we picked up our three wonderful boys in Pune, India and we began our lives together! The boys have brought us so much joy, and we sure do hope they are happy too. People have told us how lucky the boys are to have us, however, we feel like the lucky ones! Every day brings a new adventure, challenge, and fantastic surprise with each of them, I so wish I had time to document them all. First, the good news, we are all sleeping much, much better. We're hoping tonight will be #3 in a row where things are quiet and peaceful. This will be the first night we try sleeping in our own bedroom - at least both of us :). Owen has had no troubles with sleeping, and is also out-eating his older brothers these days. He continues to be active and alert and today got his first ride (self-propelled) on a riding toy. He tried but couldn't get up on it himself, but once we hoisted him up he loved it and scooted all around, in forward and reverse. We also played "laundry basket" for the first time today, enjoyed by all except Mommy who ended up running laps of the big room pulling 1-3 boys at a time!

Other tidbits of information:

Sam threw up in the "Pukon" yesterday just after eating his first orange-creamsicle soft-serve, it smelled lovely!

The getting to know the pets thing has been interesting - the older boys aren't doing as well as Owen with either our dog Henry or the 2 cats. Owen tries to call all animals to him (he gestures for them with his hand) but once they arrive he can't actually bring himself to pet them (most times); Sam & Charlie both taunt the pets (especially Henry) and are terrified when he actually gets near them. Henry really could care less, but he has barked and growled a couple of times so we aren't really at ease with it all yet.

Both Charlie and Sam can count to 10 now and sing the ABC song. They are beginning to enjoy following along in books and can turn the pages and like counting things and looking for colors they know. Owen is beginning to vocalize a lot more day to day, sometimes we think he is saying mum or aai for me and da for Eric - other times-not so sure. He says "hi" to everyone and sometimes everything and waves, which is adorable, but not necessarily what we hope he'll learn toward strangers. Although the words aren't there yet, Owen definitely makes his needs and wishes known clearly with gestures, facial expressions, and actually touching our faces to get our attention and pointing to what he is trying to explain. He gives little sermons at mealtime and his brothers happily mimic him and copy his every noise.

Bathroom habits are mostly good. We have had very few accidents and we seemed to have figured out when the older boys are telling the truth and when they are lying about having to go in order to play in the "zone:" toilet paper, flushing, washing hands, turning the lights/fan on and off and sneaking around on the forbidden shelf (containing towels, soap, toothpaste, and extra t.p. ). Owen is not ready for toilet-training yet, but sometimes lets us know he needs changing and has peed on me a couple of times (laughed both times!).

I guess that's all for now. Thanks for all the great comments and private e-mails! Please don't take it personally if I don't e-mail back or make comments myself, I am still amazed when I find the time to blog! Please, keep them coming - I'll eventually be in touch.