We're Home!

Well, we're home, almost over jetlag, and we're borrowing a friend's computer because ours died, and I can finally update you all on J.! Tim and I are so blessed to have two amazing little boys! Mom and I had a fabulous trip to the Philippines. We toured Manila, went to Pagsanjan waterfalls, walked through parks, rode a horse wagon, and ate Filipino food. I can't wait to go back when J. is older so that he can see his beautiful homeland.
We met J. Monday afternoon at the orphanage. He took about an hour to warm up to me-which is a very good sign. If he had ran up to me with open arms it would have been a huge sign of attachment disorder. This way, he proved he was attached to someone else-Sister Emma, and was weary of strangers. That's a good thing. But eventually, he took my hand and showed me the fish pond on the orphanage grounds. Then he let me carry him and played peek-a-boo with me. The nuns had a nice good-bye ceremony for him, blessed him, and sang, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." He was well cared for, certainly. They had over twenty babies, and one full time nursery worker. Needless to say, though 2 1/2, J. was still drinking from a bottle and sleeping in a crib when I met him. I haven't given him a bottle since we've been home and he hasn't missed it, so I think we're beyond that now.
He didn't cry when we got in the car to leave the orphanage, but he looked terribly sad and terrified. He made a pitiful sound all night that resembled a crying cat, and he clung to me.
Many of you know we were very conncerned about his speech becuase he isn't speaking in any language. But my friend, who is a speech pathologist, spent some time with him, and she thinks he'll come along just fine. She said that many bi-lingual kids don't speak until they are closer to three years old. And since he has been home, J. has tried to say, "chicken," he said, "Ruff! Ruff!" to his toy dog, and today he started saying, "Up!" when he lifts his hands up and wants to be held. He has picked up several signs in sign language, like "more," "eat", and "all gone." There is no doubt now that his brain is fine. It is just a language delay.
Another piece of good news is that his leg isn't bowed as severely as it was in the referral photos, but he is definately crooked. One leg is longer than the other, and his spine is not straight. He has an appointment the first week of March to begin the process of straightening him out so that he is more comfortable and stable. That said, he has compensated tremendously! He runs, climbs, jumps, etc... With pants on, no one knows he is deformed.
Today, a friend came over with her son, and J. played with him like any other 2 year old. He ran, jumped, kicked and threw a ball; he laughed, initiated play, and got mad when he lost his toy. These are all wonderful signs that he will acclimate well.
We're pleased that he responds to "J." already. Since they called him Kuya ("Big Brother") in the orphanage, and Kuya sounds like J. he quickly switched.
As you can see, he is beautiful! Mom has all the best pictures of him on her camera, but here's a few. I'd love to send pictures of J. and C. together, but we aren't quite there yet. C. is still the baby that is taking Mommy's attention. But everyday, J. gets closer to him.
Please pray that he gets over jet-lag SOON. Being up from midnight to 4:00 am is getting old fast. He and C. are on opposite nap schedules, so there is no time for a nap for me in the day to cath up on sleep. When my mom leaves, I'll be beyond exhausted! Also, pray that his body heals, and he catches up developmentally. Thank you for your prayers, and we'll be in touch! Blessings,