Could it be true?

I simply can not believe that Christmas was 1 month ago. I don't know whether I am more shocked at how recent it seems or how terribly long ago it seems, and I don't know how it can seem both ways, but it does.

We were so excited to have Ivan home for Christmas and loved all of the "firsts" associated with the entire season. As I previously stated, Advent is my very favorite season and he joined us for our nightly Advent devotions as a family. We did have to move our time of reading, singing, and candle-lighting to the kitchen table so that he could be secured in his highchair and not run away with any lit candles :) Ivan loved the flickering lights each night. And I loved that when we sang our songs every evening he also would "sing". He loves music and can often be heard "singing along" in our music-filled home...absolutely priceless!

The Christmas tree decorating tradition had to be slightly altered as well (i.e. Ivan could not be ANYwhere near anything that might break...he is so stinkin' fast!), but it was so special and fun to hang the ornaments and see his eyes light up in wonder as the tree became more and more filled. Well, it was really only "filled" from about 3 feet off the floor and up, the bottom only held those felt and cross-stitched ornaments that are very, very shatter proof.

Because we wanted to keep our plans fluid and wait to see how we would all be doing in terms of adjustment, etc. we decided to DRIVE from our home in southern California to my family's home in Nashville, Tennessee. Yes, I said drive. 33 hours. 4 days in our minivan with 4 children. It was wonderful! We had such a fun time singing, reading, laughing, talking, and taking in the very long drive. We spent a full day in Dallas, Texas visiting friends and family and all in all had a great trip. We would do it again. Although next time we will wait until we do not have a child in diapers (a stinky diaper has no mercy on a closed-up minivan looking desperately for anywhere to stop!) and we will also remember that in Texas, even when the speed limit is 80mph and there seems to be NOTHING around anywhere, there are highway patrolmen who will stop you and "issue you a speeding violation" (Phil, not me!).

Christmas in Tennessee was wonderful also. We loved all of the time to play outside, enjoy some good rainstorms, and see dear family and treasured friends. All of the kids were so good on our long vacation there and we loved the opportunity for our family to get to know Ivan more and for him to be more and more comfortable with them. Phil's sister and her family even came down from Indiana with Phil's mom and we loved spending special time with them. Ivan loved exploring my mom's house too. He was into everything and up ON everything. We have a serious climber on our hands. There is a theme that emerges as I look at the photos of Ivan over the last few months--he loves to be "in" things--boxes, laundry baskets, toy buckets, upside down pic-nic tables, dollhouses, dog crates, etc.

Since returning from Tennessee, things have seemed full-speed and a bit overwhelming at times. Our life is wonderfully full, but VERY full. Our walls feel like they are closing in on us at times. It is not "Ivan", it is the addition of another breathing body. It is adjusting to a child who is almost fully dependent after a time span of fairly independent kids. It is not being able to take your eyes off of a child for a SINGLE second that he is awake because he loves the toilet, dumping the dog food into the dog's water dish, climbing up onto a chair and the ONTO the table, pushing every button imaginable--especially the ones that turn on that fabulous dishwasher, and throwing things into the dirty clothes hamper or trashcan! He a busy little boy who is such a sponge right now--watching and listening, taking it all in. He is learning a few words (more, dog, NO!, MaMa, DaDa, baba for bottle, that, bye-bye, night-night, etc.), and is signing a bit, but is mainly communicating through pointing. He understands everything it seems and will RUN for the bathroom if anyone mentions the word "bath" or immediately do the sign for "eat" if you mention snacks, food, or eating.

Wow, Christmas was a month ago. And so much has happened since then. So many changes and firsts and experiences I never want to forget. It sometimes feels like we have had to cram a full 21 months of life and newness and relationship into the 10 weeks that we have been home. There are times when that feels exhausting. Some times I feel like my mind and heart can't keep track of it all. I can only imagine what must be going on in Ivan's little mind...what a change of life for this sweet little soul. I can't imagine anotherday without him!