2 Weeks Already!?

It is hard to believe that we have been in Bogota for 2 weeks. It has flown by for me, but, no surprise to those that know me. I love Colombia, in many ways it has become my home away from home. So much has taken place in the last 2 weeks...

Marta, our little 18 month old baby girl, who came to us much like a 6 month old, unable to roll over, barely sit up, no desire to crawl, often would just throw herself back or forward and just lay on the ground, now is crawling all over the place (today for the first time-up a flight of stairs with daddy close by), strolling along furniture, sitting up in the bathtub by herself, waving to everyone that says hola to her...amazing! God is so good! She still has a long ways to go, as eating is a huge challenge. We've had some intense meltdowns as she get's very frustrated. But, even with our challenges, she has become a roly poly little bundle of love in the last 2 weeks. Our focus now continues to try and get her to babble, it is as if she wants to so bad, but, is locked in herself a little bit...she giggles like crazy, has a very strong will, and loves mostly being with her mommy and daddy!

2 weeks with Caroline...coming to us a shy little girl, trying to impress, fearful of her daddy, always wanting to be with mommy, watching her big sis and brother from a distance, smiling and laughing at them often...now, our most extraverted (I know, this is hard to believe if you know big brother Silas), most silly, loves to tease, giggle, full of hugs, kisses, and "I love you's!" An unbelievably dynamic little girl. She has come a long ways in a short time...still learning to trust, testing us daily, working very hard to get all of our attention, still finding her place in our family... She is a delight. She needs constant hugs and affection, but, has become more free to play with her siblings-ok mostly Isabel and Marta, and friends at the hotel. Our most diffiuclt time with her is bed time...she still has some fears she is working through. I don't think I've ever in one day been hugged, kissed, or needed in my entire life that I have in the last 2 weeks by this precious little girl!

Ahh...big brother, Silas! He is such a good one! This journey has been the most difficult on him. I can't help but have tears when I type thinking about this wonderful little guy! Being sick has made it harder, and his asthma is triggered with the high altitude...so, he has not had a chance to really be himself yet. He seems to be turning a corner, we'll wait and see! Silas, too, is trying to find his place with his new sisters. He has some really great moments, and lots of laughs with all his sisters every day...but, there are several moments he ends up frustrated, telling me that he does not feel special, and that nobody likes him. You have to understand, he, too, is a teaser, and now he has a sister that dishes it back to him, he is not liking it one bit. If Caroline is talking during a meal, he will get louder and louder and say "Nobody is listening to me...mom LOOK at me, I'M TALKING TO YOU" So, you can see, we have 2 very charismatic little ones, 9 months a part, both used to getting a lot of attention...now having to come together and share it...he will be ok, I am so proud of how far he has come, but, I'd be lying if I said he wasn't struggling with it...even in the picture below, he is so trying hard to make himself smile. We know God chose him to be big brother, and I have no doubts that He is going to use Silas to play a very important role in all of his sister's lives!



Our first born, Isabel...we had no idea how she would handle her new role as big sis, to 2 new sisters...she has had some rough moments, but, I am blown away by how kind and gentle she is with both of them. She is a "mother hen" with Marta, and her and Caroline are more and more enjoying eachother. Their little rhymes and songs are a huge in their bonding, and can bring on lots of giggles. She still needs her space and quiet moments, as, she too, like John and I, are intraverted...so, as long as she get's that and special time with her friend, Camilla, I think she has handled all of this with grace and ease! She, like myself, loves adventures, and going out each day, and seeing more of her birth land. We've had some sweet talks, and she has a very mature look at being adopted, thinking about her birth mom, and is grasping the realities of what all had to take place to bring her into our home. She is seeing how very Big, and very loving our God is!

A side note...we found out we are in court 6, this is a "fast" court! The courts do shut down Friday for the next 3 weeks, so, nothing can happen on our case, but, our Representative thinks it very likely that we will be home by the end of January (she never gives this kind of info out-so it could be sooner than that). We'll wait and see. You never know, but, it looks good! My prayer is that God brings us home when each of our kids is ready! This is a sweet time for our family!

Also, to fellow Colombian Adoptive Parents:

1. If you would like your child's file (highly recommend requesting this as we received more pictures of Silas, more info about Isabel's birth mom, and more pics/info about Caroline and Marta), you need to write a letter to your Adoption House or ICBF, give it to your Adoption Agency, and they will give it to your Colombian Representative!

2. We just found out that we were totally not to tell anyone that we were loaned our Representatives car...after I blogged it of course...so to future Colombian adoptive parents, please do not request to drive her car or say anything to her about us driving it...thanks!