Our birthday boy!

It has been a little over 8 months since Joshua arrived to his forever home in the States. It has been a little over 9 months since a judge granted us our petition to be his momma and daddy. And it was just a little over a year ago that I was sitting here at my computer posting how sad it was that he would be spending his first birthday without us and in an orphanage. On Friday, Joshua turned 2 years old and this year I was so excited to throw him his 1st and 2nd birthday (and yes the person who made the cake was a bit confused on that wording).

Joshua really wasn't too sure of all the fuss and people. I can't really blame him because since he has been home we really have only had everyone over about 3 times at one time. It puts Jacob into sensory overload so Joshua was not too sure what to do or think. B So he started in the beginning in Daddy's arms. And Daddy got a semi smile when he tried to tickle him. And he let Grandma hold him too.

One thing that Joshua loves to do and it always puts a smile on his face is ROCK in his rocking chair and he did not disappoint this night!

Here is a couple of pictures of his older brother Jake- one being a ham and the other one wearing his glasses!! Mind you he hates his glasses and this was right before he chucked them.

He really did not know what to make of all the singing and the candles on the cake. Momma helped him put his fingers in the frosting to get a taste.

He wasn't quite sure of the opening of presents but eventually after he saw his brother tear them he did attempt to as well.

I just have to add this onesie because although I did not buy it- it is so correct! And mind you my mother-in-law bought it for him so even she knows :)

It took him a bit to actually dig into the cake. Actually I do not think he truly got into it. He has the pincer grasp down and tends to try not to be a messy eater.

But Momma thought she would help him out a little bit!

Yummy

All that activity makes for a pretty tired boy!

I am still so amazed and truly humbled that I am this little boys momma! When we first got him all he could do was sit independently. Today he is crawling all over the place, pulling to stand, and cruising the furniture. Although he is not yet walking, we can put him behind his little shopping cart and he pushes it all over the place. And we have discovered if the gate is not latched properly he can climb one step. And yes we switched out the gate to make sure that did not happen again. When we were still in country, he could not drink from any cup. They literally spoon fed him water. Today he drinks from straw sippy cups. He could not and would not attempt to feed himself. He will attempt to now on his own. He does pat-a-cake and will put his hands together and babble when we pray. We are working on some signs and he has developed somewhat of an attitude which to me just reinforces that he is my child!

Health wise things have been relatively good. Weight gain has been an issue for us. This is not due to him not eating but rather how active he is now. We brought him home around 17 lbs and he is just over 20 lbs now. While his weight gain has not been huge he has gained immense strength in his legs. He has grown about 3 inches and instead of size 9 months or 12 months.. he usually will wear 18 month outfits unless it is 2 piece then his pants have to be smaller. He still has such a tiny frame to him and such a tiny behind (he is still in size 3 diapers). 

He is such a little blessing to our family. I am so looking forward to all the birthdays and days to come with him!!