A changing face

I thought it would be fun to post some pictures that capture Zac's changes.  Everyday we simply marvel at how much this little guy has changed.  

Check it out:

His databank picture:  (Approx 10 months old)

His referral picture:  (Approx 19 months - The first picture we saw of him)

Trip 1:  20 months old.  

Gotcha Day:  30 months old

Today:  33 months old.  Home for less than 3 months. 

Surgery, Attachment Disorder, Post Placement Visit, Summer and Too many Dishes

You can tell by the title that we have a lot going on these days. Let me start with...

1. The Sugery. Zac had a surgery. You can guess what elective surgery that was. He is doing very well post operatively all things considered. He was a trooper at the hospital and didn't even complain that he was hungry after going all day until 2:30 with only some clear liquids in the morning. That leads to...

2. The Attachment Disorder. Not to mock anyone that is dealing with a real attachment disorder at all, but we are thrilled that Zac's Attachment Disorder is being too attached. Before the surgery and even more so since then he shows SO MUCH attachment to Ryan and I as his parents. He loves to kiss (on the lips) and hug with his whole body. He loves to be carried and rocked and is constantly saying, "Mama, Mama, look. Mama, Mama up please, no whining. Mama, Mama, ummmm I want __________. Mama Mama, I love you." It really is great! That leads to..

3. The Post Placement Visit. We our first PP visit today and it was so much fun to talk about Zac and how well he is doing. He was great to begin with, but each day we are more and more impressed with his language development (he has over 100 understandable English words), attachment to us (see #2) and physical development. We are beginning to see his humorous side more and more (he likes to copy his brothers antics) and even though we can still get a big tantrum from this kid his affection toward us is more than we thought possible. So, since he is doing so well, we have had lots of opportunities to try fun , new and creative things this...

4. Summer. With help from Family Fun magazine (all moms should get this magazine) and a little ingenuity we have come up with some fun activities this summer. Our latest was using a $3 white full size sheet, hanging it on the fence with duct tape and using sidewalk paint to make a messy mural. This kids were so messy when they were done but it didn't matter because we just got out the slip 'n slide to wash off. Jacob was sneaky and got me in the back with a water shooter and that's when the real fun began. All the kids ganged up on me and I was a soggy mess by the time Ryan got home. The kids would have nothing to do with a dry parent and proceeded to drench their dad too. We used the $.94 spray bottles and $2.48 water pumpers to have a fun outdoor water party! Well, after that we were hungry and headed inside for baths and dinner. Ryan and I instituted a new after dinner routine because there always seems to be...

5. Too many dishes. We all picked our favorite color of kid plate (yes, Ryan and I are now using children's plates at our family meals) and after dinner each person is responsible for dumping the excess in the trash and cleaning the dish in the sink, then putting it away. It is the ONLY plate they ever use. It has cut down on dishwasher loads tremendously and so far the kids think its fun (that probably won't last forever). Just an idea for those of you who hate doing load after load of dishes.

Well, that's about enough for now. More random thoughts on another day! I'll leave you with a fun video...

Happy Fourth of July

Here's a picture update:

We're moving forward on the potty training. He's actually showing interest this week.
Yeeah Yeeah BOI!!! Waddup Brotha!!!!

He isn't afraid of fireworks. Even the big ones don't seem to phase him.

This blog is evolving into a "Horner webpage" rather than an adoption blog.... It's kinda nice actually. Here's the other 2. They also seem to really like the fireworks. This is the first year that any of our kids have shown a positive interest in fireworks. This makes dad smile!

Day to day life with the boys

This week we have missed having our daughter around because she has spent the week with my (Katie's) parents. What has been fun is seeing the the boys relationship grow. Jacob seems like he has grown up over night and is really getting the hang of this big brother role. He has taught Zac all sorts of tricks and sounds!

Thought you all might like to see what we have been up to this week.

Playing with the new fireman hose and getting the babysitter very wet in the process!





Peter Pan and Spiderman



Playing in the rain

Counting to 10

Here's a cute video we captured today. This is where we get to brag about how SMART Zac is! Keep in mind he's been home for less than 2 months. The really amazing part is that we haven't been "coaching" him on this. He just.... did it!

My favorite part of the video is where he shakes us off and lets us know that he wants to do it BY HIMSELF. He seems to want to do everything by himself lately. Except using the potty chair... dangit.

More pictures

We're really into professional pictures if you haven't been able to tell. Here's another plug for an excellent local photographer.

http://beckynovacek.typepad.com/

If you look hard, you may find pictures of a little guy that look like this...

One year

This post is a few days late. As always, it's been a little crazy around here. (Have I metioned lately that having 3 kids is more work than having 2 kids? Duh....)

Wednesday was a special day for us. It was exactly 1 year ago on Wednesday that we met Zac for the first time. (Trip 1) What a year it ended up being. Although our wait was extremely tough, it all seems like a forgotten dream (nightmare) now that he's HOME. Many people told us that would happen, but I didn't really believe them. I guess they were right. (A message of encouragement to all of you in the "waiting" phase of adoption).

But the story doesn't end here. Zac had 2 doctor appointments on Wednesday. To make a long story short, he was running around with a pen in his hand at the second appointment and managed to fall and impale himself in the face. It went right in above his lip. (See picture) Although Katie called me in a tizzy on her way to the hospital (resulting in his THIRD doctor appointment) it ended up not even requiring stiches. Merely a butterfly bandage that he pulled off on the car ride home. (sigh)

Of course, it should be noted that he didn't even cry! (He DID cry with the tetanus shot.... but not for very long)

Up close picture of "the wound".
Look Mom!! I have a cool arm band!