Well, it's been a very busy month so far for the Paulsen family. We've hosted several pool party play dates with the kids in the play group that we belong to. The group has 64 members who live in the area and we get together every week. Recently, we have been to two birthday parties (ages 3 and under) and Dakoda has had a blast while Joshua spent some quality time with Dennis. Dakoda LOVES to play with other kids his own age and is interacting very well with them. Today I took him to Country Adventures farm for a party and like last time, he just LOVED the animals. When we arrived, we saw Amber and Lizzie and his giggles warmed my heart as he said "look Mommy, it's Lizzie. I love her. Oh, and miss Amburger! I love her too. Then, when it was time to see the animals, he asked to "get in" with the sheep (as he did last time) and wanted to stay and pet the pigs (yes, I said pet the pigs) all day.
We've been swimming every day and Dakoda appears healthier and healthier each week. He has not used his nebulizer one time since May 1, 2007 and he is now down to 36.5 pounds which is really good for his age / height. We have taught him portion control and to "save the rest for later" when he is no longer hungry. He no longer binges, and never over eats. He trusts us that the food will not run out and is eating like a normal three year old now. He has very limited amounts of fried foods and sugary drinks and snacks. Sure, every once in a while we'll allow him to have those things (like french fries and cookies) but mostly, he prefers to eat healthy. He loves carrott sticks, celery, and green peppers. He has lost weight in a healthy way by eating small amounts of food (only when he is hungry) and getting plenty of exercise, fresh air and rest.
I am very happy to report that his potty training is coming along nicely. He awakes with dry pull-ups many days and tells us when he has to "go" most of the time. Of course there are still accidents and sometimes he will become upset at himself but we immediately remind him that accidents happen and we don't want him to be "perfect".
He is a good little boy, and not only extremely funny but really smart too. He has been practicing his ABC's and loves to count to 20. He hasn't had much time for TV, but we do plan to take the kids to another kid movie soon. I plan to start reading the Harry Potter books to him as it is something his Nanny loves too. They'll have another thing to talk on the phone about. The kids love book stores, so we'll make another trip out there soon.
This week, we went to Chuck E. Cheese. Whew! What a fun time the boys had. We gave them each 50 tokens and spent about two hours playing all the games. Dakoda and Joshua love to have sword fights with their star wars light sabers, wrestle each night and read together. Dakoda is learning to swim still and now uses the arm floaties instead of his life vest all the time. He jumps in from the side and is able to swim to the stairs all by him self! We are so proud of our boys.
Joshua is a SUPER big brother. He helps clean up, helps get Dakoda his soy milk each morning (he drinks 3 cups a day) and also helps him brush his teeth and comb his hair. Both boys help Daddy take the trash out and also use the swiffer sweeper around the house when it is cleaning day.
Both kiddies have adjusted way better than we could have ever imagined they would. We've been so blessed! Dakoda "should" be legally free on or around July 4th and we are contacting a lawyer tomorrow to start the paper work. We've signed all the pre-adoption papers and have a really wonderful social worker named Detra who is helping us with everything. There is so much that goes into "placing" a child and Detra put her trust in us with Dakoda, and we are happier than words can describe. :) If you could see me now, you'd see how big my smile is as I update this blog. How did we get so lucky I think to myself? It is as if it's always been this way, with Dakoda here as part of our family. He is such a wonderful little boy who is filled with such joy, optimism, and love. He thrives each day as each one seems like a big adventure to him. Sure, there are some sad moments, like the times he wakes up afraid and tells us that this isn't him home. He will ask us, "Mommy, Daddy, do I have to get another new Mommy and Daddy and Bubba?" He looks frightened when he asks us that, and we will typically hold him and tell him that he is going to stay with us. He then asks, "you promise?" ... we sure HOPE we are telling him the truth. At this point, it is highly unlikely (from what we are told from the Foster worker) that he would have to go anywhere else. We have had several home visits, taken training courses, and our fire inspection is up to date. We've done everything necessary and more than all of that, WE LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. We trust that God has put him where he is meant to stay, and for that and for so much more ... we thank him every day!
Well, I must sign off for today. It's after 9:00 PM. We just went on a mysterious hunting journey in the back yard to look and see if we could see any martians on the moon. It's a bit bigger than "half full" Joshua described and Dakoda added "hello little stinky martian boys, come play with us". It's really hot outside still, so we were relieved to come back in and get ready for bed.
Now, I must go as I have a couple of little earth angels to sing my goodnight songs to.
I hope you all had a great day too. Me, I could not ask for anything more. : )
We've been swimming every day and Dakoda appears healthier and healthier each week. He has not used his nebulizer one time since May 1, 2007 and he is now down to 36.5 pounds which is really good for his age / height. We have taught him portion control and to "save the rest for later" when he is no longer hungry. He no longer binges, and never over eats. He trusts us that the food will not run out and is eating like a normal three year old now. He has very limited amounts of fried foods and sugary drinks and snacks. Sure, every once in a while we'll allow him to have those things (like french fries and cookies) but mostly, he prefers to eat healthy. He loves carrott sticks, celery, and green peppers. He has lost weight in a healthy way by eating small amounts of food (only when he is hungry) and getting plenty of exercise, fresh air and rest.
I am very happy to report that his potty training is coming along nicely. He awakes with dry pull-ups many days and tells us when he has to "go" most of the time. Of course there are still accidents and sometimes he will become upset at himself but we immediately remind him that accidents happen and we don't want him to be "perfect".
He is a good little boy, and not only extremely funny but really smart too. He has been practicing his ABC's and loves to count to 20. He hasn't had much time for TV, but we do plan to take the kids to another kid movie soon. I plan to start reading the Harry Potter books to him as it is something his Nanny loves too. They'll have another thing to talk on the phone about. The kids love book stores, so we'll make another trip out there soon.
This week, we went to Chuck E. Cheese. Whew! What a fun time the boys had. We gave them each 50 tokens and spent about two hours playing all the games. Dakoda and Joshua love to have sword fights with their star wars light sabers, wrestle each night and read together. Dakoda is learning to swim still and now uses the arm floaties instead of his life vest all the time. He jumps in from the side and is able to swim to the stairs all by him self! We are so proud of our boys.
Joshua is a SUPER big brother. He helps clean up, helps get Dakoda his soy milk each morning (he drinks 3 cups a day) and also helps him brush his teeth and comb his hair. Both boys help Daddy take the trash out and also use the swiffer sweeper around the house when it is cleaning day.
Both kiddies have adjusted way better than we could have ever imagined they would. We've been so blessed! Dakoda "should" be legally free on or around July 4th and we are contacting a lawyer tomorrow to start the paper work. We've signed all the pre-adoption papers and have a really wonderful social worker named Detra who is helping us with everything. There is so much that goes into "placing" a child and Detra put her trust in us with Dakoda, and we are happier than words can describe. :) If you could see me now, you'd see how big my smile is as I update this blog. How did we get so lucky I think to myself? It is as if it's always been this way, with Dakoda here as part of our family. He is such a wonderful little boy who is filled with such joy, optimism, and love. He thrives each day as each one seems like a big adventure to him. Sure, there are some sad moments, like the times he wakes up afraid and tells us that this isn't him home. He will ask us, "Mommy, Daddy, do I have to get another new Mommy and Daddy and Bubba?" He looks frightened when he asks us that, and we will typically hold him and tell him that he is going to stay with us. He then asks, "you promise?" ... we sure HOPE we are telling him the truth. At this point, it is highly unlikely (from what we are told from the Foster worker) that he would have to go anywhere else. We have had several home visits, taken training courses, and our fire inspection is up to date. We've done everything necessary and more than all of that, WE LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. We trust that God has put him where he is meant to stay, and for that and for so much more ... we thank him every day!
Well, I must sign off for today. It's after 9:00 PM. We just went on a mysterious hunting journey in the back yard to look and see if we could see any martians on the moon. It's a bit bigger than "half full" Joshua described and Dakoda added "hello little stinky martian boys, come play with us". It's really hot outside still, so we were relieved to come back in and get ready for bed.
Now, I must go as I have a couple of little earth angels to sing my goodnight songs to.
I hope you all had a great day too. Me, I could not ask for anything more. : )
2 comments:
sweet! You are an amzing mom, Kris~~ I really admire you for being able to open your arms...and heart to little Dakoda! It's funto imagine the person he could become thanks to your love and your family.
Alisha, we are blessed with such great friends who have given us more support than we could have hoped for. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. :) Kris.
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