Today I saw the big picture.
My eyes were opened to the amazing progress our family has made. The everyday sometimes makes it hard to keep focused….today I am so thankful for a day off to reflect on the beauty of progress.
We had a developmental evaluation of E today to check up on his progress and make sure he is up to speed considering his past. I was a bit worried because I had to wake him up from his nap in order for him to partake. He was such a trooper. He danced when we asked him to, he blew kisses when asked, he babbled, he played, and he ended up ranking in the 18-24 month range in most categories. Not that we can take credit for much of this since we weren't with him his first 10 months of life…..but good to know our lack of parenting knowledge has not held him back any.
After the evaluation, I took E to get a haircut. He was amazingly good. I had this Asian lady who I could tell was petrified at cutting this 16 month old boy's hair. I was so impressed with his ability to sit still when I asked him too. The haircut wasn't the best, but she got me in and out which is what I needed since we had a photo shoot at the house at 3:30.
This is actually pretty cool. CASA paid for the photographer to come and take pictures of the kids to hang up as large canvases in their office. The kids looked awesome. I totally reveled in the "kids with matching clothes" phenomenon (that I believe I got my my sister-in-law, Ann.) I didn't have the oppurtunity to take any pictures myself (I know-I stink) but X wore these and a white top and these new shoes. E wore some shorts similar to this and a white top as well. Seriously, cute! We went all over the house and in the backyard and the kids did great. Their CASA worker, who also came, couldn't stop talking about how happy the kids were. She has known them since day 1 of their foster life. It meant so much to me for her to compliment how much we've progressed.
This morning while fixing X's hair she was screaming singing a made up song where she referred to herself as "X Newcom" (well, not "X" but you know what I mean)
I listend today for the word "Ryan" from X. Never once…. each and every time it was "Daddy"
After fighting over eating applesauce at dinner, X voluntarily gave up her jellybeans she had saved for after dinner saying, "I don't need them since I didn't eat what I was supposed to."
Ahhhh, progress.
And now, the Debster has left Texas. But her presence will continue to be felt as we eat all the food she has prepared for us. Thanks Mom (and E for helping Grandma out today)!
