Learning to hold Dennis

We are nearing the two month mark of Dennis being home. It feels so much longer. Doesn't it seem longer? He has developed into such a little character----- not only do I see a uniqueness about him that makes him Dennis, but I also see a little bit of everyone else in this family in him that has loved on Dennis since the moment he has been home. He is truly my son----- and everything about him rocks my world. His smile, his sweetness, his kisses, his laugh, the way he wraps his arms around my neck when I carry him up the stairs, to the way he hurries over to me when I show him I've got his shoes. He is amazing and the way my other children have accepted him unconditionally makes me realize how silly I was for ever thinking they may not.

Since Dennis has been home many changes have taken place in not only him and in John and I, but in each of our other 10 children. I remember how awkward a few of them felt holding their new baby brother for the first time.

"Mama, I am so afraid that I will drop him. Show me how to hold him right."

"Mama, will I hurt him if I hold his hand like this?"

"Mom, do you think he likes when I wrap him up like this?"

"Mama, I have never held a baby before. Am I doing it right?"

Sure even I had to get used to how Dennis liked to be held and sure Dennis had to learn how to fit snugly in the crease of my arm and the crook of my neck as I carried him up the stairs, but for my adopted daughters, being able to learn how to properly hold and carry a baby was very serious to them and they wanted to make sure they did it right. The only advice I could really give them was to give it time and before they knew it they would all of a sudden have this baby holding thing down.

Sure enough, within a matter of days Annalyn came up to me and said, "Mom, look. I can finally hold Dennis. And he likes it!" I know this made her feel very proud as his big sister.

As time goes on, I see less and less of Dennis' eye and more and more of a perfect angel of a son. It is so hard to describe, yet my kids feel it too. It is strange how in the very beginning I felt like we had to get him fixed as soon as possible because it just had to be done, and yet now, I feel like there is no rush because I see past the eye and have fallen in love with Dennis. Maybe this is what they mean when they say love is blind------- my feelings wouldn't change if I were told today that there was nothing any doctor could do to help him. Thank you God for placing Dennis into our lives.


Here is a picture of Jonny trying to lay next to Dennis. Jonny always tries to make Dennis feel loved by either cozying up to him or trying to make him laugh.


Adam thinks Dennis is the coolest little brother. I didn't realize how I would be doubly blessed by watching my kids interact with their baby brother. Not only are they very protective of him, but they also vie for his attention and enjoy watching him discover all of his surroundings.


Even Sveta who probably showed the least interest in Dennis in the beginning is stepping up to the plate and being the big sister I knew that she could be. While she does a fine job helping with him, I am thankful to hear her say that she has no interest in becoming a mommy anytime soon. She is planning on taking care of lots of dogs and cats when she grows up--- not babies. And you know what.......... I have no doubt that Sveta would make an excellent animal caretaker when she grows up.