1 Month!

I found it very fitting that Thanksgiving day represented the one month anniversary of Nikita joining our family.  The day we picked him up from the orphanage seems like a lifetime ago to me (Ann-Marie).  I wonder what it seems like to him? I've sat down with him several times to look at photos of the orphanage and some of his caretakers. I wonder if he misses them. I wonder what he thinks of his new life here.  By all indications, he seems happy and is full of smiles. We are very blessed. 

It is amazing how much we have gotten to know him and how much he has changed in just one month.  He understands most of what we say now and is using quite a few English words. He has gone from being a great eater to a picky eater (I blame his picky eating brother and sister for the example on this one...).  We have learned ways to work with him and discipline him when necessary that seem to be working pretty well; overall, he is much calmer than one month ago.  He no longer gets car sick (hallelujah!).  And, he has developed a lot physically; he runs more and climbs more at the playground.  He loves to pray and sometimes prompts us to pray and loves to shout "AMEN" at the end of prayer time.

In just one month, Nikita has experienced his first meeting with a dog, first plane ride, his first restaurant, his first trick or treating, and his first thanksgiving.  Sadly, he also had his first emergency room visit the other day, after an accident on the back porch involving acrobatics with the patio chair. Most activities, from running errands to a visit to the library, involve a "first" for Nikita. It has been so fun to see the world through his eyes. 

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.

 

Yummy! Thankgiving Dinner! 

Pioneer Day at preschool. 

Out to eat!



Duck Pond! You cannot imagine how excited Nik was to see the ducks. 

Looking at the pond with Dylan...

Emergency room! Poor Nik flipped out of his chair while eating lunch
on the patio. After lots of bloodshed and tears, Nikita was given 5 staples to his head and is on the road to recovery.