Yesterday morning Chuck and I took the twins to be assessed by our school district to see if they qualify for any special services. We didn't have any serious concerns; the boys are very smart. But, given that they spent 32 months in an institution, we wanted to make sure that we didn't miss any opportunities that they may be eligible for.
We were really impressed by the two ladies who assessed the boys. They obviously love their work and children. They just got down on the boys' level and played with them. We learned a lot in general, and in particular we learned a lot about some of Samuel's behaviors. The nurse used the phrase, "low tolerance for frustration" to describe some of what we are dealing with. So true! (In fact, I think I have that too.) He also has some sensory issues that we will keep our eye on - nothing serious, but definitely there.
They were just so impressed with the boys. In terms of size, they are slender, but tall. They believe the boys were probably premature (as have we... most twin pregnancies don't go 40 weeks in this country, let alone a third world country). They were amazed by their language. We have been concerned about language, but they had no concerns. They are articulating well. They know a tremendous amount of words, especially when you take into consideration that they've only been exposed to English for 10 months. There are absolutely no cognitive concerns. When shown a skill, the boys picked it up quickly.
I really thought we'd be referred to a preschool program. There are programs available... but thankfully our boys don't qualify. They are not behind! And all I can say is that God is so good. I can't take any credit. There is so much more I could have been doing with them, and yet still they are on target. At only 10 months home. It's all Him. I've had lots of situations in life where I could say that God was at work, but so was I. This is so clearly His work. And I'm SO thankful for it.
This blog was created to share information about bringing our boys home from Haiti. Now that they are home and we've had a baby, we share the day to day craziness that we now call life.
About Us
- Juli
- Mom to three fantastic little boys: Noah and Samuel, 6 year old twins, born in Haiti, who've been with our family since 9/08 and Tristan, our 4 year old handful! God's moved us all over the country and continues to move in our hearts.
Not a Surprise...
Chuck and I have noticed that most people make the assumption that Tristan was a surprise. You know, the idea of, "adopt a child and you'll end up pregnant." While that may be true for some, that is not the case for us. Believe it or not, Tristan was planned. At the time of his conception we were unsure our adoption would ever complete and we decided to stop putting our family on hold. God saw fit to bless us with Tristan, Noah and Samuel all at the same time! While the transition into parenthood was not easy for us, we trust that God knew what He was doing!
April 21, 2009
Brothers
Noah and Samuel, 3 years old
Samuel and Noah at 2 years old
Tristan, 5 months
Tristan, 5 weeks old
Noah and Samuel at 21 months.
Noah at 19 months.
Samuel at 19 months.
Samuel and Noah at 11 months old.
Our Timeline
May 2005 - God began speaking to us individually about adoption.
July 2005 - Decided to move forward with adopting from Haiti.
October 2005 - Applied to adopt through an orphanage.
November 8, 2005 - Approved to adopt through chosen orphanage.
January 19, 2006 - Committed to adopt the boys.
May 15, 2006 - Dossier arrived in Haiti.
July 14, 2006 - Dossier submitted to IBESR.
January 23, 2007 - Dossier exited IBESR.
September 21, 2007 - Exited Parquet.
October 2007 - Received Judgment Granted.
December 2007 - 2nd Legalization completed, which means Noah and Samuel's adoptions are complete. They are ours!!
March 2008 - Finally receive all needed documents from Archives.
March 13, 2008 - Birth parent interview completed.
Late March, 2008 - Submitted to MOI.
May 20, 2008 - Confirmed that our updated fingerprints have reached the USCIS office in Port au Prince.
May 20, 2008 - Received word that our MOI long form has been completed.
June 24, 2008 - Received MOI approval.
July 10, 2008 - Received word that Samuel's passport has been printed.
July 16, 2008 - Received word that Noah's passport has been printed.
July 25, 2008- Confirmed that our passports were presented to the USCIS office in Port au Prince and that out I-600 file has been approved.
July 26, 2008 - Emailed our request for the boys' visa appointment.
July 31, 2008 - Emailed 2nd request for boys' visa appointment.
August 4, 2008 - Spoke with the Embassy, awaiting email confirmation of visa appointment.
August 5, 2008 - Email confirmation of visa appointment received. Our appointment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12th.
August 12, 2008 - The visa appointment went well! Visas should be ready tomorrow.
August 13, 2008 - The visas are in hand and the boys CAN COME HOME!!
August 15, 2008 - Baby brother Tristan was born.
September 1, 2008 - Flew to Miami and spent the night.
September 2, 2008 - Woke very early only to learn that our flight to Haiti was cancelled due to Hurricane Hanna hitting Haiti. We spent the next few days visiting friends and family in Florida.
September 5, 2008 - The boys are HOME!! However, we are stuck in Miami for the night because Hurricane Hanna hit Virginia, too, and our flight home was cancelled. Hoping to get home tomorrow.
September 6, 2008 - We are FINALLY home. To God be all the glory!
July 2005 - Decided to move forward with adopting from Haiti.
October 2005 - Applied to adopt through an orphanage.
November 8, 2005 - Approved to adopt through chosen orphanage.
January 19, 2006 - Committed to adopt the boys.
May 15, 2006 - Dossier arrived in Haiti.
July 14, 2006 - Dossier submitted to IBESR.
January 23, 2007 - Dossier exited IBESR.
September 21, 2007 - Exited Parquet.
October 2007 - Received Judgment Granted.
December 2007 - 2nd Legalization completed, which means Noah and Samuel's adoptions are complete. They are ours!!
March 2008 - Finally receive all needed documents from Archives.
March 13, 2008 - Birth parent interview completed.
Late March, 2008 - Submitted to MOI.
May 20, 2008 - Confirmed that our updated fingerprints have reached the USCIS office in Port au Prince.
May 20, 2008 - Received word that our MOI long form has been completed.
June 24, 2008 - Received MOI approval.
July 10, 2008 - Received word that Samuel's passport has been printed.
July 16, 2008 - Received word that Noah's passport has been printed.
July 25, 2008- Confirmed that our passports were presented to the USCIS office in Port au Prince and that out I-600 file has been approved.
July 26, 2008 - Emailed our request for the boys' visa appointment.
July 31, 2008 - Emailed 2nd request for boys' visa appointment.
August 4, 2008 - Spoke with the Embassy, awaiting email confirmation of visa appointment.
August 5, 2008 - Email confirmation of visa appointment received. Our appointment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12th.
August 12, 2008 - The visa appointment went well! Visas should be ready tomorrow.
August 13, 2008 - The visas are in hand and the boys CAN COME HOME!!
August 15, 2008 - Baby brother Tristan was born.
September 1, 2008 - Flew to Miami and spent the night.
September 2, 2008 - Woke very early only to learn that our flight to Haiti was cancelled due to Hurricane Hanna hitting Haiti. We spent the next few days visiting friends and family in Florida.
September 5, 2008 - The boys are HOME!! However, we are stuck in Miami for the night because Hurricane Hanna hit Virginia, too, and our flight home was cancelled. Hoping to get home tomorrow.
September 6, 2008 - We are FINALLY home. To God be all the glory!
Labels
- Pregnancy (40)
7 comments:
I thought I was biased because I just love those boys so much, but I could have told you they were brilliant - I'm glad you had the "professional" opinion to confirm what we all already knew. I know it's God, but you guys have done an awesome job too!
Auntie Terri
Good News!! They're cute and SMART!!
Christi
So good to hear!
I really think Kenson has a very low frustration threshold too. Between instutional care that probably didn't encourage a lot of positive problem solving, to lack of experiences, to lack of language, he easily cries and gets mad. A bit of emotional immaturity in that aspect. I'm glad to hear the boys are doing so well.
Woo hoo!!!!
That's my grandbabies! I am so very proud of them. You and Chuck have done a wonderful job. God works through people, and He sure chose the best parents for all my wonderful grandchildren.
All my love,
Mom
That is just awesome!! You are obviously doing a fantastic job with them as parents. That is also an encouragement to me still waiting for mine to come home from the same O. Hopefully as Samuel's language continues to increase, his frustration level will decrease. If he continues to have any trouble with anger, you may want to consider some short-term play therapy to work on coping skills for anger if your insurance covers it. (I am a therapist who works with children, some as young as 3, so of course I'm biased=)
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