I thought I would write a quick post on how we are doing now that we are back in the states. I will be posting more about our trip soon but for now a quick update will have to do.
Johnny is doing wonderfully. The first night home he woke up every two hours to eat, then three, then four and last night he went a solid six hours between feeding. He is still having a hard time sleeping from around 4am to 7am but progress has been made.
Emma loves her baby brother and he definitely loves her back. He gets a huge grin on his face whenever she comes in the room. He seems to have gotten used to being in our house and is even doing well sleeping in his crib. Emma and Johnny are sharing a room and as of now seem to be taking well to each other as roommates. Emma doesn't wake up when Johnny cries to be fed in the middle of the night and Johnny doesn't seem to be bothered by Emma's many excuses to stay up during her bedtime routine. We were planning to have him sleep in our room until he settled in but the crib seems to work better for him. He lets us rock him to sleep and just loves to cuddle prior to sleeping.
Johnny is a vibrant six month old that is actively teething. We know this by the enormous amount of drool that comes out of his mouth all day. For those of you that know Emma well, you will know that this drooling problem is Emma's worst nightmare. When she walks in the room she immediately asks for a kleenex to wipe his face or insists that we do it for her. She has been slimed a couple of times while hugging and kissing him and has needed several shirt changes due to her baby brothers drool. As long as his face is clean, she is all over him. With drool, she is a bit more careful with her hugs and kisses.
My parents left today to go back home to Washington. They were a huge help with Emma while we were gone and also with our transition once we got home. We have been sticking to John and I being the only ones to feed and put Johnny to sleep so they weren't able to help us with this but Johnny loved playing with his Yaya and Pappy and they were able to give Emma the attention we couldn't give when we first got home. We are just now feeling caught up with sleep (at least as caught up as you can be with an infant) and ready to have two children. We can't thank them enough for all of their help these past two weeks.
I will try and post some more pictures soon along with my journal entries from our trip to Ethiopia soon.
I think the drool is a defense mechanism against his sister. It keeps her from smothering him too much!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad he's doing so well Sarah! I'll call this weekend- and if it's a bad time, just don't answer! :) Talk to ya soon!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to have Johnny's "newborn" pix taken soon! :)
Janet
Now a fmaily of four!! Everyone at the center is getting a follow up every day. You all look so wonderful together and I just thank God everyday for my wonderful family. February 15, can not come soon enough. Love mom
ReplyDeleteThat's great news. I know how much our girls enjoy sharing a room and how they fall asleep better (or sometimes not due to monkey business) knowing they have one another. I think that's great Johnny & Emma get to share that bond and probably makes it even easier for Johnny to transition.
ReplyDeleteKamille
I have been stalking your blog and all of the other families linked to yours. :) I've loved learning all about this process! Maybe it is a road we will travel one day...and btw, completely ignore my husband's insensitive email, he is so clueless!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear how well things are going!
ReplyDeleteYay... i'm so happy for you guys!
ReplyDeletethe drool thing cracks me up!
ReplyDeletePraising God for you all as you keep transitioning :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you all are doing well! I was wondering how it was going for you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad things are going better for you, one thing at a time. Praise God!
ReplyDelete-Biz
Sounds like you are having a relatively smooth transition! So cute about Emma changing her shirt b/c of her brother's drool! I could see our Lil Man being bothered by that too, lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the update! I think of you each day and try to imagine how you all are doing. Can't wait to see you on Sunday...dinner in tow.
ReplyDeleteSo glad things are going well! I love that Emma isn't a drool fan...that's too funny:) Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteSarah--love the update! I can just picture him with a big smile. I love your airport pictures--some great family shots. You two don't look at all like you had been so desperately ill just days before! Tell me your secret...
ReplyDeleteyour little guy is a doll!! love his hair!! So much of what you write sounds similar to us....soooo good to be home and settling in, huh? :-)
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