Family

Every year we spend the last weekend in April with Matt's dad's side of the family at an 8 bedroom retreat "cabin." This year was obviously Krassi's first year, and I was freshly aware as we traveled down that adoption doesn't just provide a child with a mom-dad-brothers-sisters kind of family, but also all of the family that goes beyond that - grandmas, grandpa, cousins, aunts, uncles, second cousins, etc, etc.

A year ago this boy belonged to no one.

Look at him now!

Krassimir has a family! Here he is, all lined up with all of the second-cousins from oldest to youngest (with the exception of 2 month old Abram sitting on the lap of the oldest on the far right, and a few adults thrown in to help keep little ones in their places because they either can't (Krassi and Evania) or won't (yes, that's Rinnah with her hands over her eyes and Grandma keeping her from running away!))

I've heard that the first six months home are critical months for bonding for an adoptive family. Krassi has just passed up six months home with us, and it was interesting to watch him over this weekend - he was so comfortable, and at ease, which is such a contrast from other potentially-overwhelming events that he's been to over the last six months. Christmas was celebrated at our house (so even a familiar setting), and was tough for him. We visited my parents house for his first time back in February, and though he did great during the day, the nights were rough for him, with him waking at least once nightly whimpering, and many tooth-grinding hours during the night.

This trip was so different - he was confident and curious, regularly going "exploring" around the cabin, doing just fine with all of the people around, most of whom he'd never met, and sleeping so soundly during the night that we didn't hear from him once.

And so many fun experiences for him! Playing with extended family (how neat for him to learn that it's not just us who like him and enjoy spending time with him, but there are other people in the world who think he's worth their time, too!)...

...or sitting with Grandma...

Don't let his expression fool you - he loves his Grandma, but he's a challenge to hold, so his look is reflecting the effort he's putting in to keep himself in a comfortable position.

...or playing out on the big lawn outside...

(I'm not quite sure how Matt managed to get a photo with no one else in it - usually the grassy area between the play set, where Matt is, and the cabin, is swarming with uncles and cousins playing baseball or soccer, or just running around!)

I don't have photographic evidence, but Krassi got what I'm nearly certain are his first grass stains ever! That's just what every nine-year-old boy should have on his pants, and it's little things like that that surprise me with the thrill they bring - Krassimir has grass stains on his pants!!!

And, because we traveled with a brand-new baby, Krassi also spent a fair amount of time just doing this...

...playing on the floor while I laid on the couch and did "nothing." But even that he seemed to enjoy pretty well.

And I sure enjoyed what I was doing!

I don't think I could ever get tired of holding my tiny little baby.