On January 31st Kaleb turned 3! We celebrated the day with donuts for breakfast and pizza for dinner, two of his favorites. It's simply amazing to think how much Kaleb has changed in this past year. Last year we were in our rented house in Ethiopia chasing a little boy who couldn't stand us and ran from us every chance he got. HE wasn't comforted by anything. He didn't say anything except "caca" and he threw up several times a day because he couldn't chew anything and he has a bad gag reflex. He had a huge swollen belly from giardia (and LOTS of extremely stinky diapers everyday). He was crying for HOURS a day and wasn't ever comforted by anything.
Today our 3 year old loves us and loves to be held and cuddled. He especially loves his daddy.He runs TO us anytime we walk into the house! He is saying many words and some phrases. He likes to ask people "are you ok?" if he thinks they got hurt or sometimes he likes to say it to be funny. When I am driving he always says"watch out mom" if a car is anywhere close to us. He often says "I like cake. I like chips. I like cookies. I like donuts." Those are some of his favorite things. He is a good eater (except vegetables) and he has learned how to chew and swallow his food. His favorite foods also include pizza and french fries. After 3 rounds of meds (recently) I *think* the giardia is gone (please Lord, please). He still whines and cries some, but he can turn it off quickly and its much much less than a year ago. He loves shapes and has been finding them everywhere for several months. He often says "triangle" and I can't find it but he will point to the smallest most hidden triangle, somehow he finds them all. He knows the colors orange and blue. He loves Thomas the train and the train table he got for Christmas. He also likes Mickey Mouse, Diego, and Elmo. He counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 7. He will be the first one to make sure someone is OK and to give a hug. He is great at saying sorry with a hug. Every once in awhile we see a characteristic from his behaviors at the orphanage, but we are so thankful it is not very often and its usually just when he feels overwhelmed. He has come so far in the last year, we all have. Kaleb's life has taught me so much about God's love and is a beautiful picture of Redemption. I can't wait to see where he is another year from now.
He is learning the goofy "cheese"
so excited to blow out a candle on his pizza
Last year we had a teeny little party with our family and our roommates in our house. This year our house was filled with friends and family celebrating this sweet boys life! His first "real" American birthday party. He LOVES trains and was in awe walking around our house looking at all the trains everywhere for the party.
cupcake train
Taco train
lots of playing with trains by everyone
Kaleb's favorite spot of the night choo-choos and cupcakes within reach :)
it was Aunt Em's Birthday too (and Uncle Joes, but I didn't get his picture)
playing with his new tools from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Brian
yummy felt hamburger that Aunt Amy made
feeding his new Mickey
new googles, they both said "go swimming??"
Love our 3 year old!!
"all done Mom"
No mom, I didn't turn the AC on, you won't wake up FREEZING in the morning
cousins Kylie and Taylor got to the spend the night!
