Of course, there was one special Butterfly enjoying Christmas across the city from us - because he was celebrating Christmas with his family. Jonathon is doing so well in his foster family, and you can just see the contentment in his eyes. This year was actually his first celebration of Christmas (as far as we know). He came to Butterfly Home early in the year with the expectation that he would most likely die before Christmas even came around. Just go and look at him now:
http://drewandrachel.blogspot.com/2011/12/pink-and-green-christmas.html
It brings our hearts such joy to see this little guy with his brothers. Don't they look like the best little buddies? We are sure they have their moments, but there is something special going on here, that's for sure. Jonathon has made huge developmental strides since he was welcomed into this family - we are so incredibly grateful for the way they love him. The best miracles begin with love!
Showing posts with label Jonathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jonathon. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Three cheers for Jonathon ( and one hundred and three cheers for his foster mom)
Jonathon is really settled in his foster family, and it shows in his development. Since he became part of a family, Jonathon has gained the courage to try eating proper food. This is a HUGE step. There was no way anything other than a bottle full of Pedisure was going anywhere near this boy's mouth. Even in play, he didn't like anything in his mouth. And a spoon - that was absolutely forbidden by Jonathon. He did not like a spoon anywhere near him.
His foster Mom, Rachel, decided to work on building trust first ( there's that word again - so important). Gradually, as their relationship strengthened, Jonathon became more willing to give things a try. Before long, he was taking all sorts of pureed goodness in that bottle of his. His diet looked super healthy - but it was still all pureed, and still all via the bottle.
Now he's taken the next step forward. Slowly he has shown an interest in finger food - little bits of tasty goodness that allow him to explore what his mouth can do. He's finding out about taste and texture and realizing that it's good fun. And now, he has eaten a whole bowl of rice cereal from a spoon! And Rach says she doesn't even need to coax him - he just opens his little mouth as if he has been doing this all his life. What a rock star!
It just goes to prove a point - babies thrive in families. For anyone who is thinking about fostering or adoption, please nurture that thought. There is just something about families that make them the absolute right place for children. Jonathon's progress proves that!
In fact, this is what gives us our motivation for our second hospice. We want it to be a community hospice for critically ill children with their families. We see the way grief magnifies our children's problems by a thousand-fold. They are trapped by grief for their families; families who have been overwhelmed and made the terrible decision to abandon. Imagine if these families can get support and information before they reach that point - we absolutely believe that with some-one to walk beside them, some of these families will stay together. Now that's something to aspire to!
By the way, you might want to hop over and give Rachel and Drew some encouragement. They've had a challenging time lately with Drew being very sick and Rachel caring for three wonderfully busy boys alone. And while you are there - you can check out Jonathon's progress.
drewandrachel.blogspot.com
Thank you Drew and Rachel, for loving our boy so well.
His foster Mom, Rachel, decided to work on building trust first ( there's that word again - so important). Gradually, as their relationship strengthened, Jonathon became more willing to give things a try. Before long, he was taking all sorts of pureed goodness in that bottle of his. His diet looked super healthy - but it was still all pureed, and still all via the bottle.
Now he's taken the next step forward. Slowly he has shown an interest in finger food - little bits of tasty goodness that allow him to explore what his mouth can do. He's finding out about taste and texture and realizing that it's good fun. And now, he has eaten a whole bowl of rice cereal from a spoon! And Rach says she doesn't even need to coax him - he just opens his little mouth as if he has been doing this all his life. What a rock star!
It just goes to prove a point - babies thrive in families. For anyone who is thinking about fostering or adoption, please nurture that thought. There is just something about families that make them the absolute right place for children. Jonathon's progress proves that!
In fact, this is what gives us our motivation for our second hospice. We want it to be a community hospice for critically ill children with their families. We see the way grief magnifies our children's problems by a thousand-fold. They are trapped by grief for their families; families who have been overwhelmed and made the terrible decision to abandon. Imagine if these families can get support and information before they reach that point - we absolutely believe that with some-one to walk beside them, some of these families will stay together. Now that's something to aspire to!
By the way, you might want to hop over and give Rachel and Drew some encouragement. They've had a challenging time lately with Drew being very sick and Rachel caring for three wonderfully busy boys alone. And while you are there - you can check out Jonathon's progress.
drewandrachel.blogspot.com
Thank you Drew and Rachel, for loving our boy so well.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Pink is for girls - right?
I know we have been celebrating Finlay's pink lips and fingertips .... but some of our other boys are pretty in pink too. It's a cute cultural difference that pink is not necessarily a girls colour here. Nor is purple. So be warned - if you come for a visit, don't ever assume that a baby all dressed in pink or purple is a little girl. Our ayis lovingly pick out clothing for "their" babies - making sure they fit well, and look cute and cosy. But colour has nothing to do with the selection process, as you can see!
Here is handsome Jonathon, before he moved to foster care. He is looking dashing in candy pink.
And here is Paul in sweet pastel stripes. You might notice that he is eating his snack with relish - this is typical Paul! He loves his snacks!
This one shows little William, enjoying a tender moment with his ayi. On this day, he was wearing a soft fleecy pink romper, and looking very cosy in it.
And this is such a cute shot of William with Paul, Hannah, Swallow and Angel. It especially makes me smile to see Paul's wonderful purple vest.
So next time you see a referral picture of a baby boy in pink or purple - it's probably not because there weren't any other colours available. Babies wear any colour at all here, and they always look cute!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Three Musketeers
Just in case anyone was wondering how Jonathon was adapting to life with his foster family, we thought we should share these pictures.
His smile tells the story – this is a little guy who is embracing life. Hard to believe it’s the same little boy who arrived at the beginning of the year with a mighty headache and a bleak outlook. Finding out that his brain tumour was actually an untreated infection in his skull gave us hope for Jonathon. After surgery and time to recuperate, just look at how that hope has blossomed.
He is full of life and full of mischief, and obviously loving being a part of this cheeky threesome with his foster brothers. We have to add that we are just a little in awe of Rachel! What a supermom to be keeping up with three dynamic little boys day after day. They are just so cute; I guess that much cuteness in your life makes up for a certain amount of weariness at the end of each day.
Thanks Rachel and Drew. You are giving Jonathon a wonderful gift by welcoming him into your family. The love that you are sowing into his life is a powerful magic, and Jonathon is thriving on it.
His smile tells the story – this is a little guy who is embracing life. Hard to believe it’s the same little boy who arrived at the beginning of the year with a mighty headache and a bleak outlook. Finding out that his brain tumour was actually an untreated infection in his skull gave us hope for Jonathon. After surgery and time to recuperate, just look at how that hope has blossomed.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Happy Birthday Hannah
Hannah - the birthday girl!
The amazing beetle cake.
Thomas
Ysmael
Jesse
Patience
Jonathon
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