Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Well it was almost two months ago that we boarded a bus in Guangzhou in the wee hours of the morning on our way to Liam’s new life in America.  That bus ride was the beginning of a long journey, which ended some 30 hours later in Baltimore, Maryland.  At each new airport we bid farewell to another family as they continued on in a different direction to their home.  It was an exhausting trip for us not to mention Liam, but all and all he did wonderfully. 

In some ways those plane rides weren’t the end of our journey but the beginning.  Once home, we all had adjustments to make.  Parents caring for two children where their had been one, a little boy reuniting with his Mom and Dad and learning to be a big brother, and another little boy learning what it’s like to have a family for the first time. 

We’ve had good days and bad, and lessons learned through smiles and tears.  Each day things get a little closer to normal.  We are really all learning how to navigate our new family.

Liam continues to blossom and adjust to life with us.  He has done so well that at times it easy to forget how new this world is for him.   His Velcro grip on me is slowly subsiding.   It is still a challenge to leave a room without hearing a British sounding “mummy, mummy” within seconds, followed by the pitter-patter of little feet hot on my trail. 

But with each new day we see a bit more independence.  He is now playing like a more typical child his age.  When he first arrived his games might be balancing a variety of objects on any flat surface he could carry around with the dexterity of the best restaurant server you’ve ever seen or following me around as I did household tasks.  Believe it or not, he’s actually ok at dusting!  Those games are fewer and further between and he has moved on to cars, puzzles and other activities favored by the two year old set.

The boy, who not so long ago, wanted nothing more than to be carried around is now actively asking to go outside to play.  He loves his swing set and sandbox.  Watching Liam and Emmett create a variety of games, their favorite being “bumpy ball” has been a joy to behold.  That being said, their relationship does have it’s ups and downs and it is not unusual to hear the refrain “no Emmett no” when a game begins to head South.

This journey we’ve been on has been amazing, exhausting, exhilarating and a labor of true love.  As I mentioned before, coming home was only the beginning, but with each passing day we are a little wiser, stronger, somewhat better rested and more confident in parenting this special little boy.  These few months have been filled with many “firsts” for all the members of our family, most notably Liam.  We are slowly moving past the joys, the unknowns and anxieties that come along with those first experiences.  Some that are typical to all families with a new child in their home, others specific to adopting a child at the ripe old age of two.  The fact that I actually have the time to sit here and blog after a post China hiatus and communication black out is a testament to how far we’ve come!

So what else can I tell you about the Liam of today in this long overdue blog post?  He has a smile that can melt your heart and a belly laugh that can be heard throughout the house.  He is often content to be held and will bear hug you and wrap his little legs around you monkey style with amazing strength considering how tiny he still is.  He has quite an appetite and is slowly adjusting to foods with unfamiliar tastes.  He will tell you he loves pizza, but still refuses to eat it.  After all he is a Chinese boy at heart!  His language skills are nothing short of amazing.  He was initially a wonderful mimic, but will now speak to you spontaneously with often crystal clear pronunciation.  He is a rabid Curious George fan following in his big brothers footsteps and loves to jump and tumble.   While he wears his big smile much of the time, he does have an incredibly stubborn streak and is known as a bit of drama queen in these parts.  He will tell you of seemingly invisible injuries and demand they be kissed for entire afternoons.  He is smart, funny, and full of little surprises.  If you haven’t had the pleasure of making his acquaintance I really look forward to introducing you soon.