UPDATE!!!

All~
Yesterday we receive a fabulous update from the Terwelliger family. We also received 4 VERY FUNNY pictures of him with his new froggy hat and a black Harley Davidson shirt. Daddy got a kick out of that! Micah David looks uncomfortable but compliant in a few. Then he just starts to WAIL! We haven't seen him with too much expression so we were ecstatic at seeing his cry face! He's a sweet heart, ya'll. His daddy and I might have a real problem on our hands with his sweet cheeks!


Isaac and Kathee also gave us a wonderful update on Micah David. I thought you all would like to hear the good news yourselves!

"Kim, your little guy is gorgeous. His face is so expressive, he is responsive and happy. We, of course, couldn't coax a smile out of him for the photos but he is a such a sweet little boy. He interacted with the presents you sent and he is just ready and waiting for you to get there. When we were there, he spent his time sitting up in a special type of seat (I've only seen them rarely in the US). It's like molded foam rubber or something but it has high sides and back so that kids who can't totally sit up by themselves don't topple over. (A Bumbo Seat) Your baby looked to be sitting in it fine. He was looking around and smiling and playing with his fingers. I hope that you can continue to bond in your hearts with the thoughts and concepts of this little guy because when you meet the reality, he is going to blow you away!

Here are just a few comments about the TH in general. I thought it might help you as you imagine where your baby is now. One is that there are a LOT of kids. The facility is not as big as I imagined and so when many of the babies are in the one "day" room, as opposed to the rooms with cribs for sleeping, it is a very full room. A lot of kids means it's noisy and fun and chaotic and busy. For the babies, it seemed there was constant visual stimuli of people moving in and out (although clearly we only saw the home when there was twelve extra adults running around!) and constant auditory stimuli of voices and laughter and car horns and a TV on in the corner.

The second comment is regarding the nannies. They are women of laughter. They laugh with each other and they laugh with the children. They banter with each other and talk and seem to get along well with each other. They look to be happy women. They coo and tickle and cuddle the children. If they are feeding or interacting with one child, they don't get annoyed or impatient with another child's interruption. They just interact with that new child as well.

The third comment is just that there looks to be a lot of love in the TH. The children are cherished and embraced. They are not left to their own devices. They are held a lot and smiled at a lot... which makes them respond to the love we offer very quickly. Of course, I can't make specific statements or guarantees of the level of care, but from what I observed in two afternoons, there is much love lavished on these kids and the nannies are wonderful women."

We feel so blessed to have this news! Our hearts are a bit heavier today as we love him even more. We really are COMPLETELY ready to bring that little peanut home, regardless of the cost, travel, etc.

Please continue to pray for Micah David. He looks wonderful in the photos. He is very dark, which we LOVE, and is starting to look squishy, which we also LOVE in a baby! We can't wait to hold him for the first time and kiss is sweet cheeks. He has the SWEETEST cheeks, ya'll!

Please also pray for us, not for patience as I don't think this word covers the emotional/spiritual/physical act of waiting for your CHILD. Please pray for ENDURANCE as we are sidelined from our own child. Help us to endure with praise and joy.

Kim