Getting wet and dirty!!

The weather here has been cooler and wet the past several days so when the sun came out yesterday evening, we headed outside. Rafael made a beeline to the ditch and proceeded to climb right into it and then to lie down in it. He was having fun so who was I to stop him!!! He really is all boy!!

It was just over 5 months ago that Rafael came into our lives and it is now hard to remember life without him. He is doing wonderfully and is finally beginning to say more and more words although he still prefers to grunt to let us know what he wants. Our final post placement visit is on August 9th. We're hoping and praying to have the adoption finalized by Christmas but this may be overly optimistic. Does anyone know how long it takes for ICAB to give their go ahead once your social worker sends over the final post placement report? Our social worker said that once ICAB gives her the okay, she can get a court date for the following week!!! I just don't know how long ICAB takes to do their part. I'd love any feedback that anyone has on this issue!

Water fun

We've spent alot of time at the beach this week since the beautiful summer weather finally hit us!! Rafael loves the beach, especially dipping his hands and feet in the water and splashing. He's also spent alot of time in the kiddie pool that we bought him a few months back. He is really loving summer!

He now weighs 22 pounds and he's grown around a half inch since two months ago. He is always saying "uh oh" for when he does something he shouldn't. He has a few new words but he mainly just talks off in jibberish to anyone who will listen. He continues to eat well and just loves watermelon and pears. He could eat just that all day long. He has started to pretend that he is like Sid, the dog, and he will put food on the floor and eat it without using his hands. We really need to get him out of this but I have to admit that it is pretty funny to watch. He laughs and laughs after doing it. He really thinks that he is super duper funny and he's right!!

We have been so blessed to have been matched with such a wonderful, happy little boy. At times he can definitely try your patience but overall he is just a great little boy. I just love it when he comes up and gives me a hug and a kiss and then the world's biggest smile. How can you say no to a boy like that!

We are also so happy for Tammy and Eric who have been matched with a little boy after 31.5 months of waiting. We can't wait until they all visit us here next year and the boys get to know each other better. I'm hoping that all the families who continue to wait, especially those at and above 30 months of waiting, are matched very soon. Believe me, your little one is worth the long wait. We are also so happy for Rafael's roommate, Peter, from Dorcas House who just went home to Australia with his family. We are so lucky to be in contact with Peter's family and we plan on staying in contact as the boys grow.

Happy Canada Day!!

We decided to skip the Canada Day sunrise ceremony this morning because it was..............raining, foggy and cold. Surprise, surprise!! I heard on the news yesterday that we only had three days of sunshine in the whole month of June. Now isn't that depressing?? But the forecast for the rest of the weekend is good and we can't wait to get outside and play! Rafael is tired of being cooped up and can't wait to get out. We are going on a hike in the morning and then to the playground of course. We did have some nice weather yesterday and we went to the beach for a bit. It wasn't warm enough for shorts and t-shirts but we were just thankful for the sunshine. Rafael enjoyed throwing rocks into the water and watching the birds fly overhead. I wish that I had taken my camera because it was a perfect day to get some nice photos. Next time!!