Life with our little Man

Hi Everyone,

So it looks like I am a twice a month blog updater. I look at other people's blogs and I am amazed at all their links, designs, pictures and frequent posts! When do they have the time?? Speaking of time I will try to make this quick before Talo wakes up from his nap.

Tomorrow will mark 6 weeks of us having been with Talo. We can hardly believe it. Over these 6 weeks we have seen Talo not only grow so much physically but also confidently as his strong and beautiful personality emerges. He is quite the little man with very dramatic expressions, laughter, different tones of voice and high energy play. We are loving growing more as a family everyday. Today was our first time back at church since Talo came home and we were talking about how much better we know Talo and he knows us compared to when we went to church only 6 days after having him in Ethiopia. We couldn't even help him understand yet what we were doing or how to be quiet in church. But today we kept telling him we were going to sing to Jesus and he just kept saying "Desus" "Desus". He also did so well when we told him to be quiet during church and he made it all the way until the middle of the sermon.

I feel like there is so much to talk about and where to begin but let us tell you what we are learning after 6 weeks. . .

Orphaned children have lots of grief and fear so trusting a loving caregiver takes a long time. . . how does Talo know we aren't just temporary until the next set of "caregivers" comes along?

A child who has been through starvation has many trust issues with food. Will there be enough? When will my next meal come? How can I know these people will feed me?

We have to bond to Talo just like he has to bond to us and every day we become more of a family!

Routine and structure truly do build safety, trust and security for an adopted child.

The more we see Talo trust and feel secure with us the more we see his behavior become more natural and his personality more real.

Here are some picture of Talo's first month home. Enjoy them and thank you to all of you who have given support to bring Talo home. Through your prayers and financial gifts we have been blessed beyond measure!

Talo and his favorite friend "Froggie" out for a night walk.

Apple picking! He loved it!

Auntie Jamie loves her little nephew!

Talo Juggling and Grampy trying to save the apple! Talo learned this from Grampy!

Talo and Mommy making Apple Sauce, he is a good helper!

Talo's first look at the ocean, not sure what to think!

It didn't take long for him to love it!

Look out here comes the water!

Just the three of us!

Ohhh, a crab!

After Mommy runs it's Talo's turn!

Doggie "one, two" as Talo calls them!

Just a typical morning of chasing the birds. Notice the one on the top right!

I am a brave little man!

My new best friends from Viginia, trying to take a picture of 3 children under 3 isn't easy!

Outside on a warm fall day!

I love my new ball from Grammy and Grampy!

I love these leaves!