Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted
according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or
slow to do the humble work.

- Mother Teresa

About Me

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Sunny Florida, United States
I am the proud mom to 6 kids: Natasha, 24, Nikolai, 20, Reese, 20, Maylee, 14, Erik, 10 and Violet, 7. The kids come from Russia, Ukraine and China; I'm so proud of my family sometimes I think I'll burst and I needed an outlet for it - so I've created this weblog. :o)
If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
- Mother Teresa

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One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
Mother Teresa

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Monday, November 9, 2009
One thing that we are working on with Erik is taking initiative. For example, if he sees a toy that he likes, he'll simply look at it and not try to take it. He'll just look at it and talk to it. He sits until he's moved. He does not try and help put his arms through his sleeves when getting dressed though he knows how and is perfectly capable. I'm sure this comes from years of not being allowed to do anything for himself. The caregivers were busy and it was just faster to do things for the kids rather than let them try to do things for themselves.

We are seeing a lot of improvement in Erik in this area! For example, he doesn't just sit in the tub and enjoy having me pour water on his head, now, he takes the cup himself and pours the water out himself! He doesn't just simply wait until you shovel food in his mouth (though he does wait patiently for a few minutes in case you are going to come and feed him) but he will oftentimes grab for the food now or even for the spoon. It's fun to watch him learn that he can DO things!

One big thing that he's done just recently here is move himself through space! He can walk with handheld assist fine, but, as implied, a person is required to lead him. Well, we acquired a walker the other week and he took to it like a fish to water! He turns with it, goes up/down small steps, over thresholds, etc. and today I took him in the driveway and he was thrilled to have such a big, open area to walk around in! He did a circle around the car until he landed in the grass and got stuck a little bit. He is so confident with it!

Not only is he walking with the walker, but he even gets OUT of the walker and CLIMBS ONTO THE LOVESEATS!! By himself with no one watching!! It sounds like not a very big deal, but to this doting family, everything this little boy does is a big deal. ;op We love seeing him grow, develop and learn!!
I had to practically RUN away and turn around to get this picture before he caught up to me! He's FAST in this thing!!

Making a U-ey.

"What? Was I not supposed to get up here???"

10 comments:

Kelly said...

Oh yes! Look at him go!

OUCH! What a limber little guy! ... impressive! :)

Mom/Gram said...

Remember when I was there a couple of weeks ago, I was sitting on the love seat and he came over to me in the walker, got down and pulled himself up to sit by me on the love seat! I was shocked! He's a smart little fella!! How fun to see the progress!!

Milena said...

Such amazing progress! A whole world opens up to him as he learns that he is able to do things. What a joy!


- I'm blogging for Nadya; to help her find a family -

amyl4 said...

You GO Erik!!
He looks so grown up walking around! What amazing progress he has made in such a short time.:)
Amy

NDMom said...

Wow Missy, He is doing so wonderfully...and is soooo cute to boot!

Love, Paula

Jodi L said...

SO cute (and flexible!) where are the glasses?? Hope he didn't break them :)

Shelley said...

Look at that big boy!!!! He's doing so great!!!

junglemama said...

That twisted leg gets me! But woo-hoo on the walking!

Qadoshyah said...

He is doing so well!! That is so cool! Amazing how much he's changed since coming home just a couple months ago. So wonderful :).

Carmen said...

I LOVE these pictures!!! He looks so good in the walker!

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If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
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My family

My family
Nikolai, Mark, Missy, Reese, and Erik

Nikolai, 19

Nikolai, 19

Reese, 19

Reese, 19

Erik, 9

Erik, 9

Daisy

Daisy

Mary

Mary

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