Wednesday, May 7, 2008

home sweet home


Our first family photoSilas at Kids Care Orphanage

We are home at last! Kind of in a daze, but we're good. Silas was a champ on both flights. Hard to believe that last night at this time we were sitting at the airport in Africa playing Phase 10 and Marshall was teaching Silas how to stick his tongue out.
We had the bassinet seat on the flight to Amsterdam and got some rest. Silas woke up at his usual times for feedings. We got some sleep, but it wasn't sound since I kept having visions of waking up and him being gone....like somebody could have taken him out of the bassinet right in front of us. I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I think the delirium gave me those crazy thoughts. Silas stayed in the sling for the second flight...he slept from the waiting area until we got to the car. He likes his bright orange car seat. His good travel was definitely an answer to prayer!! Thank you Lord!
Today we've taken it easy and unpacked. There are several large piles waiting for me to launder them. Silas has been a little overwhelmed too....this place is all new and stimulus overload for sure. I've had him asleep on me in the sling for the past few hours to reassure him. We think he is also mourning. How scary it must be to go from the orphanage to the Transition Home to the Hilton to some airplanes and then to a house that has more new smells and the biggest crib you've ever seen (he slept with other babies in a smaller crib at the orphanage and a small, low to the ground type crib at the TH) and swings and toys with lights and sounds....I would be frightened too. Right now our main job is to make him feel secure and show him that we are his constants. I think we'll be staying close to home the next several days and laying low. We have a great attachment so hopefully this transition will go smoothly as well.
Marshall went to pick up Sophie...she sniffed Silas but was more interested in smelling the laundry piles and souvenier pile. I think she'll be more excited when he's awake.
What kind of friend would I be if I didn't FINALLY share some pictures? You'd likely never read my blog again....
Our travel group...miss you guys!!


Our special moment


Me & Apryl and the dynamic duo

My treasu(RED) boy

Boys just want to have fun!

Mommy & Silas at Entoto Mountain



Being silly at the airport

Silas is home!!!

29 comments:

Jori said...

OH Jill, ABSOLUTLY THE BEST!!! You look wonderful altogether and a precious memory is the 1st family photo!! Congrats again and so glad everyone is home safe and sound!!
Blessings, Jori

MarksMomma said...

Oooooh, Jill and Marshall, your little son Silas is ADORABLE! My favorite pic is the one of him in the bath towel. What a cutie. And you guys are GLOWING in the family pics. CONGRATULATIONS!
Love,
Ben, Katie and Mark Bradley

Andrea and Peter Kidd said...

Wow, beautiful! What an amazing post this was to read! I ahve been checking, stalking, checking, stalking and stalking some more. Thank you for sharing your pictures and your gorgeous family! He is a KEEPER!! Welcome home.

Andrea

OurFamily said...

He is adorable! Your family is so gorgeous! We are so very happy for you!! Welcome home, and God Bless!

Amanda said...

Jill and Marshall,

I've been keeping up with your journey through the blog. Congratulations on finally having Silas home! What a special blessing.

Amanda Frazier

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and welcome home to all four of you [I didn't want to leave Sophie out :)]!! Your family is absolutely beautiful and I know Silas will love being your son! Congratulations!
Jenna, Jason and Rena Murphy

Unknown said...

Jill& Marshall, So glad to hear all went well. He is so cute let me know when we can meet him. I would love for him to meet baby Kalissa also and share a moment with her.What a sweet lil blessing
from above..

Stephanie Page said...

YAY!! I'm so glad to see photos! In fact, Jenn Dodson just called me and said "There are no photos up yet" so I had to check...and there they were! She'll be checking when she gets home from Allie's soccer game. We're your Maryland Blog Stalkers! HA HA!!!
Loving reading about that sweet boy! Steph

Anonymous said...

Congrats and welcome home! Thanks for sharing such great pictures. How old is Silas again? He's adorable :)

Janet
YG

K.P. said...

Welcome home sweet friend! It's good to know you and your family are safe! Thanks for the pics!
Much love to you!!! You rock!

I want to call you, but not sure how....

Love ya,
KP

jammie said...

aaawwww jill i just love the family picture...what a dream come true. i was checking 5times today if u already posted something, i was so excited. words cant describe how happy i am for u guys! silas is adorable...so tiny in the carrier with marshall ;-) i am even more excited now to see u after more than a year again and to cuddle this beautiful lil boy of yours

Kari said...

Jill,
The post is incredible to read!! The photos are spectacular and we appreciate allowing us to join your journey!! THANK YOU for pics of our children @ TH!! It's a the gift of love!! Silas is simply stunning!!!! Ohhhh myyy!!
Welcome Home!!
love ya lots,
Kari

Sheryll said...

How precious! And, yes, like so many others, I've been staking your blog from the West Coast . . . thanks for sharing the pictures!! Silas is totally adorable! Enjoy being back home and try to get some rest! Thank goodness you have all those W/D at your disposal!
Love and miss ya,
Sheryll

kim said...

Jill and Marshall,

Thank you for allowing us to share in this journey with you! What a blessing! Silas is adorable!!!

Can't wait to see more pics,
Kim (YG)

Anonymous said...

Marshall & Jill,

These are the pictures I've been waiting to see! The whole family together!!! I am so overjoyed for you and have been blessed by seeing you so blessed. I'm praying for your family as you adjust to being home and together. I don't need to tell you to enjoy this time!!!

Amy Davis

Rob and Candy said...

Yah! you are home with Silas. He is adorable. Thanks for sharing the journey with us.
xxoo
candy

tisha said...

Jill,
It is so good to see that you are all home safe and sound. Silas is so sweet and cute! Your family pics are wonderful! :)
Tisha

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, just beautiful. I am so tearing up looking at the photos. I love the one of Silas and Marshall on the slide, too cute! Enjoy this sweet time together. Oh and of course, keep those pics coming! I am totally addicted to your blog. :)

Anonymous said...

Jill,
He is the cutest thing I have ever seen!! Love, love, love the pictures. I know you are so glad he is home. I will keep you all in my prayers that everything transitions well. Love you all! Ash

- said...

Marshall and Jill,

we have been stalking your blog for pictures! Thank you so much! We really weren't expecting anything until tomorrow. Silas is adorable, of course--love the pic of him in the towel.

Can't wait to see if you have any pics our little girl.

Laura Ducommun

Anonymous said...

So cute Jill...Glad the travel went smoothly. Get some rest, and enjoy your time as a new family of 3!! Congrats.
Mary Kimbrell

Anonymous said...

you guys....this is truly amazing!!!!! thanks for sharing...can't wait to meet you all in real life!!! we are so beyond excited and can't wait to hear more - praise God for great traveling babies! we got one of those :-) love you guys!!!

Cindy Foote said...

WELCOME HOME!! You are the most precious family. You all look GREAT! and I know you must be so relieved to be at home with your son! God is so good! Thanks for sharing your journey!
The Footes

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! Welcome home! What an amazing post and amazing pics! Even though you have 23 comments (such love! :D) we just had to add ours as well. Silas is amazing! Thank you for allowing us to share your journey.
XOXO,
Dietrich & Amy

Rob & Bri said...

I could never read the blog again (like I really wouldn't!) and know it finally has a happy ending... but wait!! this is only the beginning isn't it? Oh, how.. simply, utterly marvalous... now I really must check back in for all the juicy (and drool-y) details. =)
But this was definetly a highlight post. Congrats. Rest up, we can't wait to see you.

Heather and Stephen said...

He is just beautiful, and looks so "home". Your family is truly God sent. :)
Saw Marshall at the commissary, he looked a little beat, but so content. Of course you will lay low, you are his contstants-I love that!
ALL my love, prayers and best, Heather B

Anonymous said...

Marshall Jill and Silas:
So glad you are back safe and sound. Will call you and reqeust time to be introduced to Silas.
Blessings,
Mike

Carpenters said...

Welcome home! It is so wonderful to see pictures of your trip! Silas is such a cutie! I love seeing the pictures of your whole fam together! Thank you so much for sharing. (And we'll be stopping back.)

With Love,
Penelope

Team Dragovich said...

Home Sweet Home :D!!!!! I was stalking and stalking, and then this week sort of hit me like a crazy dance and I couldn't stalk until today-- but YEA!!!!!! It is a great day to check in!!! Silas.... his name fits him, ya know??? I can just tell by the pics. I can't even pick a favorite, he is a beautiful boy & he DOES look like a Coen!!!! I can't wait til' Silas-- I mean, You ALL get here!! :D Ha, ha, just kidding!!
Love, Shari