Fabulous Fall

The colors this fall were amazing.  They were late coming but were so deep and intense.

Before I knew it, it was almost gone and I hadn't taken any pictures.

My camera is not in hand as much anymore...

This one cracks me up!  It looks like Marc is saying,

"What are you lookin at!?"

Farewell Fall... Winter is here!

We went to the beach in October and Marc loved it.

He liked the sand much more than the water... the waves kept him off balance.

Napping under the tent. 

Riding carosle with daddy!  He loved it and rode it twice.

We also went to Virginia in October for the annual family reunion.  The weather was perfect and Marc has a great time getting to know his cousins... and eatting, of course.  This child can EAT!

Marc is doing great.  His language has just exploded.  He can say anything and repeats everything!  He is very funny and his personality is just blooming with the explosion of his language.  He knows several colors (blue, (boo) green, (geen) and pink!  He gets orange and yellow sometimes too!

His emotions have calmed down a lot but he does seem to have some high anxiety at times.  We give him time to get control and he does so... more than not. 

November was a rough month for us.  Abby had a downward spiral with seizures and we were back in the hospital.  Things are much better now and we pray God's continued mercy and blessings over her.

 We hope you all are well.

Introducing Group Green!

Yes, we have been missing in action.  Summer was crazy and I got out of the habit of taking pictures... and blogging.  Mommy's time is very taken!  But here they are... Group Green! 

One of the favorite past times of the kids is to put on a concert for us in Taylor's room.  They LOVE dressing up and really love dressing up Marc!  He dances and sings with his toothbrush just like the

rest of them!  It is too cute.  They go into the closet for costume changes and then come out and sing another "set".  We have special seats, tickets, and snacks for the costume change!

This one totally cracks me up.  He reminds me of Elvis!  He was having a wardrobe malfunction!

Marc is really doing pretty well right now.  He is growing.  His speech continues to grow almost daily.  He says things like, "Mommy, me do it," and "Abby school" and "Marc school too."  It's amazing to see how it has just clicked on.  He is a crack up.  He has spells where he is attacked by meltdowns but we are consistent in teaching him to use his words and control his emotions.  He is getting great at sitting on the edge of his bed, getting it together, and working through it.

His absolute favorite movie right now is "The Wizard of Oz".  He calls the witch a "bad boy" and tells her "No" when she is being cranky with Dorothy!  (He gets "bad boy" from what we tell Dusty  when he has eatten someone's panties or underwear!  We do not call Marc a "bad boy"!  I think he likes the way it sounds.  He loves saying people are "bad boys".) It's funny.  And he falls into a trance when Dorothy sings "Some where over the rainbow".  It's hilarious.  And he loves the munchkins and the lion.

He loves going to school twice a week and his teachers adore him.  He also loves playing in his new sand box in the back yard!

I'll take more pictures soon.  Hugs and love to you.
Dawn



Summer Time

This is actually from the Fall but I just ran across it.

Just Hanging... hmmmm... not really

Summer is under way and we are trucking along at warp speed.  Don and Brenda are on their way back from Latvia today.  We have three more trips there before her adoption is final.  Whew.

Marc is hangin out.  The above picture is from our May trip to the lake.  Brenda and Abby were jumping in and Marc decided he wanted to give it a try.  I LOVE to promote an adventurous spirit and so he was soon off for his first jump from the boat's edge.

With is life vest on, he was under water maybe one second before daddy had him up again.

There were no tears but there was also no celebration... he just kinda processed it.  I think he liked it... a little and didn't like it a little.  We'll see what he thinks the next time we go.

All tuckered out!

I always try to be positive, but I also don't want to just paint a bed of roses all the time.

Honestly, we are having a little trying time right now.  Marc is super emotional and it makes for some difficult times.  He cries at the drop of a hat.  His verbal skills are also slow in coming and I think that adds to his (our) frustration.  IF he tries a word, he often gets it... or even close.  But sometimes he won't even try.  And he doesn't try most unless prompted or made to at this point as I am making him speak (or try) instead of just making noises or nodding.  We have had him evaluated by a speech therapist since his tongue is attached.  She says she doesn't think we need to be worried right now.  So I am trying not to worry or compare him with others.  We'll see what the next three months or so bring.

He also really doesn't play.  This is really trying too.  He'll play if someone is playing with him... but won't play by himself.  He'll cry or just sit there.  Even at the pool, he'll sit on a step for an hour and hardly move rather than play with a ball or pool toys.  I asked his teachers at his school if he played there and they said he did... with other children and by himself.  They suggested that when he is around me... he is just holding out for that one on one.  So we are having "mandatory" play time... and it's helping some.

So these are some things you can pray about for Marc.  It's a more realistic glimpse instead of just happy pictures.  He is a happy child.  Please don't get me wrong.  We are just at a hard "stage" right now and I know we'll GROW through it.  But I thought you might want to know and I know you will pray for him.

Speaking of play time, he does LOVE to play dress up with the girls!  He is such a ham.  They love putting their clothes on him and having a fashion show!  Here he is in Brenda's bathing suit and putting on Brenda's shoes.  He loves it.

And here he is in a get up from Abby's fashion line!

Love to you all.  Prayers too.

Dawn

Today is the year anniversary of Marc joining our family.

He has grown so much.

He loves his dog, he loves his sisters, he loves his books, and he loves his family.

I pray blessing upon him.  Blessing of healing... blessings of growth... blessings of protection...

blessings of health... blessings of speech... blessings of love.

Helping Out

Marc is a helper... he loves to help.  One of his favorite things to do is help unload the dishwasher.
He has a drawer down low with his cups and plates in it so he can put those things away and get them.  But the other day, all his things were put away and HE decided he needed to put the silverware away too.

So one by one, he walked each piece over to the drawer and THREW/DROPPED it in.  Doing it one by one allowed me to get everything else before he moved on to the glassware!

When he was done, he was very proud to say the least.  And from the looks of this, it was a job well done!

This is Marc late at night, in mommy's "hat" and his sister's glasses... in his sister's bed!  Yeah.  We laughed for a long while and had a hard time getting him "undressed" for bed!

Hugs.
Dawn

The Lake Trip

We went to the lakehouse for Spring break and had a wonderful stay.  It is always so nice to be surrounded in nature and away from computers and phones!

It was a bit windy and so one day we went up into a cove and beached the boat.  The kids played in the mud for hours!  Marc had a blast playing in the rocks, throwing them into the water, sitting in them, and trying to eat them.

He cracks us up all the time.  His verbal skills are increasing almost daily... but so is his squawking!  He is pretty toody but listens very well when you explain to him that his behavior is not acceptable.   Funny... most of the time!

We have taken potty training to the next level and have bought him some big boy pants.  He LOVES them!  When I put them on him for the first time, he looked at me and said, "Daddy?" as he patted them.  "Yes, they are like daddies (kind of! :0)  It was very sweet.  And I am in total love with his baby legs!  He goes every time I put him on the potty but still doesn't have the concept of telling me before... but he'll be there soon.

Hope you all are doing well.

Hugs.  Dawn

Happy Easter!

Sweet Family in Florida,  So sorry for the lapse in posting.  I hope some of these pictures make up for it.

Marc enjoyed Easter and was content after finding two eggs in the yard.  I couldn't make him take another one... he had his two and that was enough!  It was funny.  But he IS all about the candy inside and the Easter doogies (cookies).  I love his outfit.  He looks like a Baby Gap model in his linen pants and striped shirt.  

We hope you had a wonderful Easter.  Our prayers and hearts are with you.

Love, Dawn

We are back!

Abby's seizures are under control and Brenda has returned from Latvia!  Things are much calmer. 

Marc is doing great!  He had his two year doctor appointment today and has gained over 4 pounds from his 18 month check!  He is 33 inches tall and weighs 26.8 pounds!  He got two shots and cried for a total of 3 seconds and then told the nurse, "Tae Too"... aka, "thank you".  It was so precious!

  

His emotional break downs have decreased greatly over the past month... making it much more fun!

I think his confidence is growing and he is learning to handle his emotions better.  Along with his growth in confidence has come a huge increase in how funny he is!  He cracks us up all the time now. 

And he likes it when we laugh!

We were at grammy and poppy's house this weekend and the weather was amazing!  The kids got to play outside in the sunchine all day!  Marc was loving his ball!  He was so funny kicking it all around the yard.

He also got to hang out and play with his cousins Christian and Gabe. This is Christian.  They were so funny together as Marc babbled and Christian pretended to understand.

 

Speaking of sunshine and playing outside... I didn't get a chance to share some snow pictures.  Marc was loving it and was so perplexed at the crunching noise beneath his feet.  He got over pretty quickly though... good thing since it was all melted the next day.

Thank you for your patience and for your prayers for Abby.  We'll be back much sooner than last time!

Dawn

Hello Florida Family

I just wanted to let you all know that Marc is doing well.  I am behind on the blog.  Abby had 22 seizures last week and went into the hospital on Sunday.  We are trying to get her seizures back under control and praying for God to be MIGHTY as He has been in the past.  Once things have settled down... I'll get some pics of the little guy on here for you.  Thank you for your patience.
Love, Dawn

Thing One... Thing Two... Take a look... Marc's now 2!

When is this party starting!?

We could not have asked for a nicer day on Saturday for Marc's birthday party!  The sun was out spreading warmth and cheer and little two year olds were running everywhere!  They played with balls, blew bubbles, and rode around in the wagon.  I think most of them were just happy to be outside... I know I was!

I made little cupcakes to go along with the Dr. Seuss theme and they were a hit for sure!

 

Marc did a GREAT job blowing out his candles...

 

and an even better job eatting his cupcake...

cupcakes including the second one he snagged when I wasn't looking!

His favorite thing to do is to be read to... and we read several books a day.  So he ended up with a great collection of Dr. Seuss books as gifts!  Note:  The little girl next to him in the red is his "special" buddy!  Her name is Camille and they are in nursery at church together and also in the same class at preschool... they hold hands!  Too Cute!  

One of his little friends gave him a harmonica and he loves it.  He can already play it!  We are very impressed.

Thank you for the sweet emails on his birthday.  I know his Florida family was celebrating with us in spirit and heart.  I hope you enjoy these pictures and know I have given him a hug from you all.

Hugs to you.

Dawn~