6 months ago....

Rafael now (well a few weeks ago)

Rafael on Feb. 19, 2011. What a sweetie!

Meeting Rafael for the first time!! He initi.ally came towards me, but then ran away

It was six months ago on Friday that we first met out son. It is still hard to believe he has only been in our lives for six months. It seems like he has been with us forever! It seems to us that he is doing wonderfully. He seems to be well attached to us, he is saying more and more words everyday, he seems to be understanding more and more of what we say, and he is just the cutest and happiest little boy ever! We have been so blessed that Rafael was chosen to be our son. He is just perfect for our family. Yes, there are days when he drives me a little crazy. Like Friday afternoon when he poured the dog's water bowl on top of his head, then he marked on the walls in pen, and then he threw his supper on the floor, but I guess that's just part of having an almost two year old in your house! I'm sure there lots more of that to come so we'd better get used to it. The terrible twos are just around the corner!

We had our final post placement visit a week ago. I can't believe that six months has passed since we first met Rafael!! Our social worker is very pleased with how well he is doing and she is hoping to have his report finished by the end of this week. We are really hoping to have his adoption finalized by Christmas but I don't know if this is realistic or not.

Rafael has been busy entertaining his little girlfriend. He is totally googlie eyed when she is around and he runs around laughing and smiling and does funny things to make her laugh. Adorable!!!!

We've also started to potty train Rafael. I'm not sure how long this will take. He still doesn't seem quite ready to me but we said we'd give it a try just in case. He doesn't mind sitting on his potty but he doesn't pee in it. We only started this yesterday! So far he will sit on the potty for 20 minutes, then he will get up and pee on the floor! Patience, patience, patience! Doesn't he look so adorable sitting on his potty!

All dressed up!

Here are a few photos of Rafael that were taken on the weekend at my cousin's wedding. Rafael LOVED the outdoor wedding, especially playing with all of his cousins. He loved hanging out with the older kids in the gazebo and I caught him eating handfuls of chips with a huge grin on his face!
Rafael also had his first horseback riding experience this weekend. He did great but he had an awfully serious expression on his face throughout the whole ride. Our little boy is growing up!!