Sweet Baby, Tired Parents

It's official - we are completely smitten with this sweet boy! But then who wouldn't fall in love with a face like that?! We have been blessed with a very affectionate baby and we are enjoying him to the fullest. He is now waving hello/good-bye and learning important things like playing "peek a boo" and clapping his hands. He's been taking steps ever since we brought him home, but yesterday (his ten month birthday) he took ten steps all at once! As far as we're concerned, he's practically perfect except for one tiny little flaw - he's NOT SLEEPING at night!! We were told that his foster mom let him fall asleep with a bottle so we finally capitulated and let him have it in his bed (something we said we'd never let our babies do!) but now that isn't even working and he's been waking up about every hour throughout the night! So, if anyone has suggestions for us (especially if you've adopted an older infant) please share! Other than this minor issue of parental sleep deprivation (thankfully the girls have been sleeping just fine), all is well in our household and we are thoroughly enjoying this sweet new addition.

Home at Last

It's been just five days since we set foot on American soil with our precious son, but it feels much longer!  For all of you who have been praying for us to have a smooth transition, God has answered your prayers in a wonderful way!  Now lest we paint the picture too rosy, we must say that a nine month old with jet lag (Korea is 16 hours ahead of us!) is not the easiest thing we've ever encountered, but Titus and his sweet daddy have enjoyed some special bonding time between  midnight and 2:30 a.m. for the past few nights! :)  It helps that Ronn is the night owl and I am the early bird so we've been able to take turns.  That aside, we have experienced a joyful transition to a family of five.  Our concerns about bonding have vanished as we've watched his face light up when we walk in the room or we've been able to console him after a fall.  It didn't take him long to attach to us and to feel secure in our arms.  He adores his big sisters and it is not surprising that Brielle has had the most success with coaxing smiles out of him.  Elaina is very good with him as well and seems to have relinquished her position as the baby quite easily.  We are, once again, overwhelmed with gratitude to God for this sweet addition to our family and we thank each of you for your prayers and love!!

Realizing the probability of three smiling faces is slim!

The Wait is Over!

After a tiring and emotional day we are back in our hotel room with a sleeping baby!  Our final meeting with Titus' foster mom was a bit of a whirlwind - finding out all about his eating, sleeping, etc., getting instructions on leaving the country, saying good-bye - all this done in just half an hour!  It turns out that Titus was her 50th foster child so she has done this many times, but there were still wet eyes as we said good-bye and expressed our gratitude.  What a dear woman and what a sweet gift of love she has given to our family!  We are very grateful that he only had two short crying episodes after leaving her. We'll see what happens in the morning when he wakes up to our faces!   

This video is a bit long, but we had the grandparents in mind! :)

Our Son!

Today we met our son for the first time!  It was the end of a very long wait and the beginning of a new relationship.  What an incredible day!

Safe in Seoul

Saying good-bye to our sweet girls

We miss them already!

The best airplane food we've ever had - our favorite Korean dish, Bibimbap!  After eleven hours in the air we arrived safely in Korea.

Our first day in Seoul with our personal tour guide - a very sweet college student who took us all over the city.  

Gyeongbokgung Palace built in 1395 

Insadong Street

A delicious Korean meal

We are so grateful to be here and cannot believe that we will be meeting our son tomorrow!  Check back for pictures!