At Home

We've been home a week now. Its been a challenging and exhausting week but a joyful one too. Every day we learn more about our boy, and how to better communicate and care for him.

The first few days were a challenge with the jet lag and more grieving from Sam. He would not go to sleep at night. He pointed at the door and screamed and cried, expecting that we could just take him back to his foster family I think. One spooky moment we had was when he was in the middle of a crying fit, he pointed directly at the picture we had of him and his foster parents in the living room. Needless to say that picture is now hidden away. He's constantly surprising me with how much he recognizes and understands. He recognized a picture of Julie too, and carried it around for a while. He misses his Gomo!

It's taken a while for him to get comfortable with his new home and new parents. In Korea he was incredible with how well he handled the situation. He slept fine, ate fine. He would wake up from naps smiling and say "Hello mother and father. I love you!" But reality set in when we got home. He was no longer as cheery and well adjusted as he was. He was tired, fussy and clingy, would not take naps, would not go to bed at night. Of course we were just as tired and cranky. But little by little he has adjusted. He still does not like to go to bed at night, but he is no longer grieving for his family. He is not as tired during the day. We have slowly given him more interaction with family and friends. He's such a social little guy that I think it has helped him to be around others. Being around others brings out his separation anxiety too though. He usually cries when friends and family leave. Of course he hates it when either of us are away. It's natural given what he's been through.

It has been an incredible blessing being a family at home for a full week though. We've taken strolls through the neighborhood, visited several playgrounds. He got to visit both sets of grandparents. He's had fun getting to know our rabbit Blanco! We share in his joys and share in his sorrows.

Many more adventures to come! Enjoy some of the pictures of Sam and his new home and family: