Great weekend with family and attachment thoughts

This weekend was very busy on the family front. Gavin met Papa and Myrna Friday night. It was a great introduction- with him being very comfortable with Papa (the man) and warming up to Myrna very quickly. By the end of the night, he was joking with both of them.

Yesterday, after the girls sang at the Rock Stock, we drove up the mountain to meet the Mangus Crew--again, he was very comfortable with Curtis, Benjamin and Noah and then warmed up to Maria, Jacqueline and Bernadette. We're so blessed to have such supportive family who have welcomed Gavin with open arms and treated him just like he's always been with us. We can't wait for all of the other cousins to come to TP this summer!!!

On attachment- Gavin is doing so very well at home. He says more and more each day and is so joyful. When we're out in public, he becomes very withdrawn and leans into us for all he's worth. This is so good! It means he is attaching to us and seeks us for comfort. So, my wonderful friends, who have been so supportive through this process, please understand if he's not overly friendly with you right away, it is exactly the response we are hoping for! As he becomes more and more confident with being a member of our family, he will start being a little more outgoing. What we were hoping not to see, is indiscriminate affection. We are so thankful that he doesn't run up to just everyone he meets and want to be held! Since day one, he has wanted to only be with us. God's grace is covering this entire process. Thank you for being understanding.

2 pounds in just over a week!

We just put Gavin on the scale at Dr. Bower's office. He's gained 2 pounds since we got home! I think he's also growing height wise, but we'll measure that at a later visit.

We've had a busy few days- Slippin and Slidin in the backyard was so much fun! Yesterday, we went to Kendrick Pool and he went down the big slide twice with me-- I'm amazed everyday how resilient he is and open to adventure. I'm enjoying hearing, "Hey, Mom!" and then looking at whatever he wants to show me.

I just have to say, again, how great the other kids are doing. Layne is so kind, all day, even when the toy she has gets grabbed away. I need to spend a little more cuddle time with her this weekend, with Mike home. Elli, Janika and Kael are really enjoying Gavin and again, are so patient with him. Thank you, Lord for my family.

Have a great weekend! We get to meet Papa and Myrna today and then enjoy my big girls singing at a concert in the park tomorrow.

Health Update and random thoughts

We got Gavin's bloodwork results back and verified that he is healthy (barring a need for some more iron in his diet)! Dr. Bowers thinks his iron levels will correct on their own with his new American diet...He eats just about everything, except sour things and dairy products and lets us know quite quickly when he doesn't enjoy what's on his plate- the faces he can make!!

We spent most of the day yesterday up at the cabin. It was a terrific day! Gavin has now seen the horses twice, but isn't quite ready to want to pet one yet. He's met several nice TP folk, and still prefers MEN! Bill Rader was a huge hit- we'll have to visit his cabin regularly. Elli, Jani and Kael had a terrific fishing day- catching and releasing about 10 fish in about an hour's time. Gavin and Layne played in the sand, building and wrecking several sand castles--all in all a great Wyoming mountain day!

We were met with some very interesting questions/statements from a little girl who visited our cabin. She plainly stated, "You can't have 5 kids!" My reply was "Sure I can." She then asked things like, "What does he call you?" "MOM! I am his Mom!" The funniest comment though, came when she said, "Well you really only had 4 kids and adopted one." This really is funny, since Layne looks so much like us all. I think she was very suprised when we told her Layne was adopted too!

So- here are my random thoughts--I wish more people had at least 5 kids, especially if it meant removing some of the 143,000,000 from the ranks of orphan. I wish more people could see all of the faces that we saw in Ethiopia, street orphans who have to beg daily to get a bite to eat or a drink of water, the beautiful faces warehoused in orphanages, hoping someone will come to love them.
I wish more people would embrace the idea of family, no matter what it looks like.
I find it interesting when I hear people say, large families are "JUST WRONG" There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving a child, whether it is biological or adopted, even if it means your family is larger than others. Every child wants the same things, whether it is in the U.S. or in Africa- they want a Mom and Dad to love them. They want to be fed and clothed and feel safe and they want to laugh and have fun! In my opinion there is something "JUST WRONG" when a child is not loved.

Finally, just because my son is from Africa, he doesn't understand "Hakuna Matata!" This is directed to the nice lady who stopped by as Gavin and Janika were riding bikes and Janika told her that he didn't speak English yet and was from Africa!! She said, I'm sure he'll understand what I just said to him!!! The funniest part of that is, Janika thinks she was serious!! I think that will definitely be in our top 10!!
Those are my thoughts.

Sorry it's been so long

My good friend Kristi reminded me that I haven't blogged in a while. I apologize- On Thursday Mike and I celebrated our 15th anniversary!! We also attended the most beautiful service to remember Ana Olson, hearing Pastor Tony declare that we are all adopted by God- Ana was also adopted into the Olson Family, where she came to know Jesus as her Savior. It really was the most beautiful memorial service ever and a testimony to her sweet spirit and love for her family.
Friday was ROUGH- just being really honest. Gavin needed to have some blood work done to give us some sort of baseline for his diet and to verify the labwork done in Ethiopia (It all showed he was very healthy in Ethiopia). It was very traumatic for him, as he didn't understand why we were doing it. We had to go twice, with a little help from Valium the second time. Dr. Bowers earned her doctor's badge again, drawing blood on a most unhappy Sweeney and her nurses were incredible. Hopefully we won't have to do many more of that type of visit. For families in the future- I would recommend finding out how your child responds to needles, before heading into the physician when you get home. It might save you several hours of screaming.

We learned that Benchi is a tonal language with 6 levels of tones- I think we may have heard them all. Thankfully, though, the incident gave him an opportunity to finally grieve some of the changes he's gone through, something he hasn't done up until now and really needed to.
Mike was awesome, getting down on the floor with him to console him. He definintely is Gavin's favorite person, a true Dad of all Dads on this Father's Day. I hope he knows how very much we all love him as he heads off to Pinedale to work again this week!!
All was forgiven, though after a nap, which is when we captured a video of my boy dancing to "I Like to Move it Move It". He really can move it--cracking us all up with his antics. He's been super happy the rest of the weekend, when we're at home, playing, laughing and dancing. He did well at church this morning, but did get a little overwhelmed in the crowd--again, Daddy saved the day and went to Childrens Church with him.
Overall, he's adjusting far better than we ever dreamed and is attaching to the entire Sweeney family. He's very affectionate to all of us, especially right before he falls asleep. Here's a picture of him having a snack while watching Janika gut Elli's fish--our fishing made us think of our new friend Billy Foote and our desire to get them out here for some Wyoming fishing!

Video from yesterday

Elli had a lot of fun yesterday putting Gavin on her laptop video. He thought it was hillarious and this morning when we were looking at them again, he cracked up. He has the same reaction to the webcams, when we were testing them and then when we chatted with Mike last night. Gavin absolutely loves to see himself, whether it is in the mirror, the digital camera or on video. We take technology for granted, but for someone who lived in a mud hut before, this truly is amazing and worth giggling at.

Last night was a fantastic night for this Mommy. After a little bit of tickling, Gavin crawled into my lap, curled up into a ball and stayed there for 1/2 hour. We rocked and I rubbed his back. I really didn't expect him to cuddle so soon, but cuddle he did and didn't want to stop. We then gave him his first bath- he's been taking showers up until now- another 1/2 hour of pure delight. He put his head under while prone and on his back, kicked his feet, let me wash his hair and NEVER stopped smiling. After lotion and teeth brushing- he climbed into bed and was out!! He has slept all night ever since we've had him. My boy is just SO VERY HAPPY!!

Today is his check-up with Dr. Bowers. He met her yesterday, because we had Layne in there for strep (she is much better today). We weighed him yesterday- 39 pounds! That's up 2 pounds from his referral weight. I'll be really glad to sit with Dr. Bowers and make a plan for him..he seems so healthy so we'll see what she thinks.

I've got to run...Have a blessed day! Travel Group we miss you and are anxious to hear how all of your beautiful kids are doing!!

From Elli

This has been such a great experience. I'm just thankful for all of the prayers because we had a great trip and I have a wonderful new brother. He's been exploring new things and building all sorts of things with Legos. He is great!

Great first night for us but sad news from some friends

We arrived home last night to the news that the daughter of our dear friends, and business partners, Terry and Remelle, had gone to be with the Lord. Ana had heart surgery in Denver, the day we left for Ethiopia. For some reason, her body did not recover and she needed a subsequent liver transplant a few days ago. Friday night, she went to see Jesus. Olson family, we love you so much and our hearts are breaking for you, yet rejoicing at the same time, as we know that Ana knew Jesus and is with HIM now! Your encouragement through our adoption of Gavin has been incredible and much appreciated. You continue to be in our prayers.

All of the Sweeney kids slept through the night and Gavin has been playing with toys and Legos all morning. He was delighted with a flashlight, cracking up as Janika shined it on him and then the wall. He is now friends with the big dogs, Nick and Bailey.

On the family front, I have a very upset tummy and frequent trips to the potty. Flagyl is my friend, with Cipro possibly making a visit tonight, if things don't slow down a little. Janika just started making the same trips to the bathroom, so I've started her on the bactrim. We would appreciate your continued prayers for health as we get to know each other.