In Our Arms For Three Months!

Three months ago (February 25th) we we held our sweet Tovin in our arms for the first time! However, it felt like we have had had and known Tovin forever.  These months have been nothing less than action packed, and basically a blur due to sleep deprivation, countless medical appointments and Tovin’s recent surgery. 

Tovin loves to put his new pull up on his head while reading?

He continues to amaze us everyday.  He is learning and growing right before our eyes, it is so much fun to watch his face light up when he learns a new skill or says a word for the first time. 

As you can tell he is so proud of himself!

Gotta love his silly side!

Tovin’s communications skills are getting better everyday as well.  He picked up the basic signs for the “important words” such as please, thank you, more, and all done while we were in China.  While he has been home he has started to communicate more with his voice.  Even though Tovin was almost three years old when we first met him, our guides in China didn’t think that he was speaking Chinese.  In other words, communicating is a whole new skill for him, but we have faith that he will catch on, when he is ready to!

Tovin

Addison

Tovin’s personality is all boy, – a feisty, strong, survivor who knows what he wants – (so different than our soft spoken girly girl), but he also has this extremely sweet and loving side that just melts our hearts! Tovin’s current “loves” include tractors, trucks, trains, airplanes, cars, creating noise, giggling at all body functions especially his own, dirt, being outside, and basically just being on the move all the time!  This momma is quickly learning how to be a “boy’s” mom, and I’m loving it!  Tovin does have a quite side to him when he likes to sit and stack cups, color, organize beads, look at books, or just be in our laps and soak in all our love. 

As you can tell from the pictures Tovin is starting to enjoy his bath time!  In China we ended up just giving him baby wipe baths – he totally freaked out at the sight of water – and now he is willing to sit in the blow up tub and play!  This is a huge step!  He is even willing to show a smile from time to time during bath time! 

Tovin has also learned how to walk since he has been home!  We are thinking that his orphanage did not push him physically because of his medical condition.  He would get out of breath by just standing.  When Tovin sees other kids running he just wants to take off running with them!  I'm sure by the end of the summer he will have learned how to get where he wants on his own!

Beautiful "pinkalicious" feet and toes!

Tovin we are so glad that you're home!  This song is for you...

HOME by: Phillip Phillips

Hold on, to me as we go

As we roll down this unfamiliar road

And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone

Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear

Don't pay no mind to the demons

They fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone

Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Ooo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo. Oo-oo-oo-oo [x2]

Aaa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa. Aa-aa-aa-aaaaaa [x4]

Settle down, it'll all be clear

Don't pay no mind to the demons

They fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone

Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Ooo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo. Ao-oo-oo-oo [x4]

Aaa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa. Aa-aa-aa-aaaaaa [x4]

I will leave you tonight with a wonderful quote from Mother Teresa...

"Do you want to do something beautiful for God?  

There is a person (a child) that needs you. 

This is your chance! 

and this one from Steven Curtis Chapman...

"Adoption is a perfect picture of what 

God has done for each of us in 

making us his children through Christ."