3 Months Home Today!



Today is three months that Justus has been home. The number one question I get asked is, "How is he adjusting?" The number two question I get asked is, "How is his language?". For answer to the first question, I think he's adjusted fabulously. He adjusted much quicker than the rest of us initially. We are "gellin" now. It's working. He eats great (LOVES pasta), sleeps purty good, goes to sleep all by himself, is now fully independent with toileting needs (in Ethiopia at the transition home, they wipe their boodies.)Think we've got that one down now. He likes to do "bucket" with me when the big kids are in school....

In his bucket this week, I have paper towel/toilet paper rolls of various lengths working on shortest, medium-sized, and longest, he is learning to write upper and lower case "A"s, writing the number 5, coloring in the lines, putting together a 24 piece interlocking puzzle, identifying and telling the worth of a dime, drawing paper to learn how to draw simple objects.

Some of Justus' big accomplishments this last month:

• riding his bike WITHOUT training wheels. woot woot! He has to have help getting up on the bike b/c his legs aren't long enough, but other than that, he can go, pedal, and stop by himself.
• first trip to the dentist....NO cavities....PRAISE THE LORD! 
• first lost tooth and visit from the tooth fairy
• Saying...."Can I have ____ please mama?" Then, he says, "good manners". Cracks me up
• drives a mini buggy at Kroger and hasn't taken anyone out with it yet
• writing his first name correctly (with me showing him an example)
• identifying upper and lower case: c, i, j, l, o, s, t, u
• counting to 20 actually making the "th" sound when saying 13
• answered a stranger when they said, "What is your name?"....He said, Justus.
• answers the question, "How old are you?" He says, "I am four".
• learned how to draw his first stick person of himself (and house, sun, tree).
• identifies and knows the worth of a penny and a nickel
• identifying several body parts and is facinated by his "ankles" and "belly button" right now

Justus enjoys spending time with everyone in the family now. Initially, he was in awe over Trevis, but now he has things that he likes to do with every member of the family....whoever will play with him at the time. He's also VERY helpful.

He'll say, "mama messy" and pick up the broom and start sweeping. He likes to help Trevis push the lawn mower. He'll help sort laundry or pull weeds. It's great honestly.

He is a precious boy! I love him dearly. There's nothing like his big hugs and his loving heart. We are so blessed.

Here's a pic of the three kiddos playing soccer.

This is one of the things he really likes to do....He likes to get on the "dolly" and have Spencer push him around. He actually will push the dolly around for a long time if he doesn't have big bro to push him around.

He's absolutely smitten with Natalie....She can do no wrong in his eyes (except run to hug daddy first in the afternoons.)

He is quite the "ham" to and can add some serious craziness to an already nutty family.

He keeps me laughing....He is so funny without meaning to be. One quick story....Mom and I were out with him one Friday and he was looking at toys....He said, "I get it." I explained how you had to pay money for the cars. Mom and I asked almost in stereo, You got any money? He said....without missing a beat...."NAW! Tooth fall out. Get money."

There you have it. I love you Justus Derero! So happy you have been in our family three months now.
With Much Love,