In Pursuit Of Him: November 2008

Well, I know I promised in my last post that I would be updating our blog at least a few times a week. I am such a liar. I was so naive to think that I would have time every other day to sit down at the computer and write updates. All that to say, please, please forgive me for taking so long to do this!! The only reason I can right now is because all 3 kids are sleeping. Madeline is the only one who naps daily, but Abby and Max are both sick so we decided they needed naps as well. So I have an entire hour to myself. So I am finally getting the chance to update on our life. I am desperately wanting to do this more often-but I realize that until things calm down a little bit, I need to be patient with my expectations. I simply cannot keep up with everything like I would like to. But I do promise to do the best that I can to update on how things are going.

So life at the Paredes' house has been crazy lately! I know that it will not always be like this-eventually things will slow down, we'll get into a routine, and I will feel like I have some control over life. At this point, I don't feel that at all. It has been a huge adjustment going from 2 kids to 3-especially since the newest one is not a newborn, but a highly active 3 year old who is learning English and learning to trust his new family. Slowly but surely, I am conquering things that have been oppressing me. The laundry is a neverending battle, but I am fighting it each day. I am back on top of my meal planning and cooking. The kitchen will eventually be completely cleaned. The kids rooms are staying a bit neater. The same cannot be said for their bathroom however. Jason and I are finding time to spend together in the evenings. And the bonding with Max has been showing great signs of progress. I am sure everyone is wondering how he is doing (and the girls) so I will quit talking about me and get straight to the kiddos.

Max is doing really, really well. He is learning English so fast, it is astounding. He shocks us sometimes by the things that come out of his mouth. The other day he was looking at something (I can't remember what it was for the life of me!) and he said "Oh my gosh." It was hysterical. He is a little mimic. So I am having to be even more careful about what I say. No more calling the kids doofballs, spazoid, etc. I don't want Max to call anyone else those names! His comprehension is really high. I am so impressed by him.

He is loving his sisters. Abby is a wonderful playmate and actually, 2 times a week when she is at school, Madeline and Max have a great time together. It's cute to see the two of them playing, because they are almost exactly the same size. They are a hoot together. The kids are really enjoying each other. I wonder sometimes if Madeline truly comprehends that Max is here to stay. We did our best to prepare her-but you never know. If I could only get in her little brain-the wonders that I would encounter!

We have seen great signs of bonding with Max. He is more timid around others and doesn't pay them much attention anymore. We are finding that the less attention they pay to him, the less he gives back, which is a start. He has grown into quite a little cuddler. He loves to be held and while he's been sick, has wanted to be rocked more at night. He is also giving out hugs and kisses more freely-without even being asked. He is getting tons of modeling and examples from the girls. What a blessing they are. He is seeing every day that we a family. Even if he doesn't quite understand the concept, he knows that the 4 of us are his everyday life now. He understands that Jason goes to work each day, but that he always comes homes. He knows that when I leave, I always return. He is seeing consistency. It will still be quite some time before we leave him anywhere without us (like at church or with a sitter), but we'll get to that point before we even know it.

There have been some tough times in the past few weeks. All 3 kids got sick about 2 weeks ago, then I caught it. It was crazy! Poor Jason was trying to take care of all of us and catch up on all of his work that had been piling up from our trip to China. I bet no one was more relieved than he was when I was finally well again! He did a great job taking over for me.

We are looking forward to the holiday next week. Jason will have several days off, so we'll be able to relax for a bit. I am curious what Max will think of the upcoming holiday season. We go all out for Christmas, it's our very favorite time of year. He will probably begin to think that is just another example of how crazy Mommy and Daddy are. What's incredible to us, is that a year ago is when we first received his paperwork and officially began the "paperchase" to bring him home. At Christmas, we would say over and over again, "Next year Max will be home!" Incredible that it's next year. Incredible that he's home!!!

I will leave you with pictures that have been taken over the past month or so. I also leave you with a promise that I will update the blog as much as I can. I am not going to promise a specific number of times per week, because I don't want to be made into a liar again! But don't give up on me! Don't give up on the blog. We will meet again!!!