Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Who are these 2 little people in my house???

Many people ask, so here is a little insight



G.A.B.E.


6 years old

Weighs 25 pounds (gained over 2lbs since we got home)

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Spent his whole life laying down in a crib

Doesn't stand or walk

Sits up on his own and crawled for the first time this week

Is not vocal at all

Doesn't cry unless he is in pain or frightened

Doesn't take naps, but does sleep through the night

Does not eat solids, doesn't even know how to chew and swallow

Eats blended fruits and veggies mixed with baby cereal and goats milk or formula, from a bottle

Health wise, his teeth are a mess. Very decayed and will probably all need to be removed. He will need glasses. His medical record stated that he needs heart surgery.

He has blossomed in just a weeks time!

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He connects with all of us

Reaches his arms up to be held

Loves to snuggle

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L.E.V.I.

5 years old

Weighs 30 pounds

Was in a different building than Gabe (they were not biological brothers) and was thankfully in a group of children that was able to be more mobile

He walks...and RUNS if the door is open :)

Is not vocal at all

Has the most pitiful little cry and will usually do it when he is tired and wants food

Naps and sleeps through the night

He did eat anything while we were in Ukraine,
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but as soon as we got home he became very picky. He rejects almost anything but yogurt, oatmeal, banana's and spaghetti
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Health wise he seems pretty healthy. He does appear to have cavities but not nearly as bad as Gabe.
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He has the.BEST.laugh

He learns fast, already signing "more" and obeys when I call him to come. Sometimes

I love when he comes to me and backs up to my lap for me to hold him

And how he clings onto my neck, or plays with my hair as he sucks his 2 fingers


Both boys seem to have several institutionalized behaviors such as rocking, banging the head, constant rubbing the head, hands twisting and in the mouth.
We have seen these already get less and less everyday already.

Levi seems to get overstimulated with activity but calms right down if we put him in a secure environment such as a stroller or playpen.
Gabe gets very nervous and will cry at certain sudden movements or new surroundings.

We plan to get both of the boys hearts checked as heart defects are common in children with DS, and Gabe's medical records indicated he needed surgery.
We will also have their ears, eyes and such checked out. In time we will look into therapies for sensory disorders and speech. Right now we are using good old fashion love and nourishment.

Both boys are fitting in wonderfully. Of course Sissy is totally attached. She will hold Gabe for hours and loves to get them dressed everyday.
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Jude is sweet and caring with them and will ask me again, "who was in a crib their whole life? where did they use to live?"
Zane is kind of indifferent towards them.
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He doesn't like when Levi yells, but will stop and let Gabe wrap his little hand around his finger. That makes him very proud:)

Life around here has totally kicked up several notches. With all the diaper changes, food and bottle making, baby toys sprawled all over the living room floor, it feels like having twin newborns or toddlers at any given moment.
Oh but do I Love these boys!! I had wondered if I would at first feel like I was babysitting an would eventually feel like these are MY boys. But it has never felt that way. Gabe and Levi feel just like my other three to me.

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They are my sons and I thank God for allowing me the privilege of being their mommy.

21 comments:

Lisa (DanielsMommy) June 28, 2011 at 7:33 PM  

What an awesome post. I'm so glad to see both boys making so much progress...imagine the possibilites for the future :) I love that his sister loves to hold Gabe. That poor child never had anyone to snuggle, now he knows what love feels like. Levi, what a doll face, reminds me of my Danny...always into something!! Glad to hear things are going so well, you have a beautiful family!!

Anonymous June 28, 2011 at 7:58 PM  

Love you all! Can not wait to see you again!
Aunt Dawn

The Monier Family June 28, 2011 at 8:17 PM  

Absolutely amazing. Praise be to God that those awesome boys are right where God intended them to be.

We hope to make a visit soon, but we've had the stomach flu and do not want to infect your family;op

(((HUGS)))

Congrats once again. And thank you. Without your encouragement we would not have found Dima:)

Inga June 28, 2011 at 8:23 PM  

Followed your journey and loving the photos. Amazing what love and nourishment will do and you can already tell the difference in them.

God Bless your family!

The Aldrich Family June 28, 2011 at 8:59 PM  

love your honesty !!! Thanks for sharing despite your busy world right now :)

Kat June 28, 2011 at 9:00 PM  

Amazing! It's so wonderful to see them HOME and safe. Gabe looks incredible compared to the pictures from before, I can tell he is blossoming already.

amyl4 June 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM  

I just love reading about your new boys. They are beautiful. I am adopting Liam "Ivan" who is 6 and has Ds. Just waiting on my USCIS approval.:)
Amy Lucas

Hope Harder June 28, 2011 at 11:08 PM  

all I can say is...AMAZING!

Hope Harder June 28, 2011 at 11:09 PM  

all I can say is...AMAZING!

Erin June 29, 2011 at 9:01 AM  

What a beautiful sight! :)

Becca June 29, 2011 at 9:31 AM  

So encouraging! So inspiring! Really made my day to read how well they're doing. BTW, I can recommend a great cardiologist if you need one.

Rochelle June 29, 2011 at 10:15 AM  

Awesome post, thanks for taking the time to update us on your sweet boys! Glad you have seen them developing well already. Can't wait to continue to watch them flourish in your home.

Rochelle June 29, 2011 at 11:09 AM  

Thanks for sharing! It does take some getting used to, but in time you'll adjust...they will, too :D

Rochelle
Elk Grove, CA

Amy June 29, 2011 at 1:23 PM  

I love seeing the transformation in your sweet boys, especially Gabe. I have followed your journey and it is good to see you safely home. We came home one month ago from China with our two boys so I understand the busyness and the blessings. We have lots of doctors and dentist appointments ahead of us too but we are making sure we have plenty of time for summer fun and bonding. It is a big support for me to read about other families who have answered God's call to step out of their comfortable world and make a difference. It is good to know there are many kindred spirits out there even if there aren't many near by. Wishing your family lots of love and blessings this coming year and also strength for those stressful days that will be part of it too.

one_plustwins June 29, 2011 at 3:13 PM  

The life in the boys is AMAZING...they literally have COME TO LIFE in full animation since you got them, Lindy. I will forever be grateful for knowing some of your story--yours is intertwined with mine. God bless you all real, REAL good!!!

Carissa June 29, 2011 at 3:42 PM  

They are looking so GOOD!! I think its a good sign Levi is a picky eater-- it means he knows he will get fed and can be picky!

Emi June 29, 2011 at 4:33 PM  

I'm glad they are already making progress! Levi sounds like a busy kid ;) Love the picture of your five children! Genesis looks so happy!

connie June 29, 2011 at 6:13 PM  

You are a joy. Your family is a gift. I love you and don't even know you. :)

May God always richly bless you and your family.

Traci June 30, 2011 at 6:57 AM  

What blessings you have! I am so thankful that God sent you and your husband for these boys. Many people would have walked away without Gabe because of his behavior and issues that he had when you first met him. They would have walked away and missed out on the blessing that you chose to accept. It is amazing to see how far he has come in such a short amount of time. May God continue to richly bless your family.

annie July 1, 2011 at 7:01 AM  

Just heart-warming... The boys are so blessed to have been rescued, and your family will be so blessed by having them in it.

So impressed by Genesis and her maturity. My 14 year old could use a dose of that!

Thank you for sharing the journey. I look forward to seeing their continued progress!

God bless.

Pam July 1, 2011 at 6:26 PM  

So glad you rescued these precious little guys! Levi is adorable, and sweet Gabe... can't wait to see him blossom! He is already looking more grown up especially in the last photo with all the kids. God bless you all, thanks for sharing your story!

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