I have to step back to his first few days with us and be honest and say it was a whirlwind. We brought home a very sick baby. He felt terrible and his world had just been rocked. The Monday after returned we spent the entire morning in the pediatrician's office getting blood work, nebulizer treatments and an abscess on his arm removed. It was all very painful for him and traumatizing for both of us. He was put on albuterol for wheezing. Anyone who has used albuterol knows what what I mean when I say I had a baby on speed. He was so confused and the medication made his so hyperactive. He would not eat anything. He weighed 15lbs 12oz.
Our biggest issue has been feeding. With is weight so low, the first few days I was freaking out trying to shove food in his face. He just pushed away everything. The more I tried the worse it was. After 3 days or this and all of the worry and jet lag I had had enough. I went to bed crying and vowed that the next day would be better and I would figure out this feeding situation. We left the orphanage with no instructions on feeding so it is all trial and error. He screamed in the highchair (don't think he sat in one to eat). I have realized the eating is also a control and independence issue. Bryant was self-feeding and drinking from a cup at the orphanage. Now home when given food he would throw it across the room and when I tried to feed him he got mad. It was not pretty. So I came up with the solution of making him think he was feeding himself and then I sneak behind him with a spoon. After a week and a half he is now doing much better. I think he also did not trust me when it came to food and now I have built a little trust. A few days ago Bryant ate his first Chick-fil-a chicken nugget and french fry (just one but better than none) so he is on his way to becoming a true American kid. He drinks pediasure now. He has started to snack on goldfish and crackers which is big progress. He will sometimes hoard food in his cheeks so I have to watch him. I have made sure that there are snacks at all times when he is playing so he starts to understand that there is no shortage of food. By the way, the girls are loving this. He also has lost his swollen belly he had when we picked him up, the diarrhea has resolved and he is now experiencing hunger. We are definitely making progress.
Bryant has also come a long way developmentally. He is now standing on his own, lunging forward to walk, walking behind a push toy and he has even learned to climb the stairs. He is also verbalizing much more and has new sounds. He loves to dance to music and sometimes we will catch him trying to sing. So funny. We think he knows some sign language because he does certain signs when finished eating or wanting more. He gets jealous of the girls sometimes and he will argue over toys with Amelia. All very normal responses for a 1 year old and much welcomed. He loves to throw things, is super active, stays messy and explores everything (see videos below). Typical little boy.
Christmas this year will be so nice having Bryant with us. Our family is now complete. I think about what Christmas is really about (not the gifts, to-do list and Santa etc) but it is about our Savior being born. It is a time of celebration. I am truly celebrating Christmas this weekend with my family. Thankful for the precious baby boy that lay in a manager and for the precious little boy that is mine. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas
Seeing his reflection
Hat just won't stay on
Microwave is endless entertainment
Outside on the slide
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