[stevenstwin]

and man, there are a lot of AWFUL pictures. The child is not photogenic - because he's often growly and glaring, and went through a long phase where he wouldn't bathe or brush his hair. But I included almost EVERY picture I have of him, 'cause hey, it IS his history. But I wanted to share a few of my favourites :-) (yes, I do have the legal right to post pix, so don't worry. I figure someone will worry about me, LOL) So there is only 7 pictures, but they include the first ever picture that I took of him, the day he moved in, and one from this fall that is probably the most recent picture I have of him. He really can be a handome boy, and he looks more like me than one of my bios does!

Pictures by stevenstwin - Photobucket

[EandDmom]

Good looking young man.. and my son is 14 and we are in that won't shower or comb hair faze now. It is driving me insane.

[ca-bigsister]

He's cute - thanks for sharing your photos. I know that our kids' stories are similar so I see my FD in your son. That's such a great present - I'm definitely going to do it for my FD's 18th birthday, too. Time goes by so fast.

[deadcalm]

WOW!! Those are really nice. I was thinking of doing the same thing. I have over 8800 pictures of my fd's. Yes, I am photoholic. I can't stop taking pictures!!

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by deadcalm

WOW!! Those are really nice. I was thinking of doing the same thing. I have over 8800 pictures of my fd's. Yes, I am photoholic. I can't stop taking pictures!!

Oy, now I have guilt. I only had 67 pictures of him and lots of them were dreadful ;-)

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by ca-bigsister

He's cute - thanks for sharing your photos. I know that our kids' stories are similar so I see my FD in your son. That's such a great present - I'm definitely going to do it for my FD's 18th birthday, too. Time goes by so fast.

Yep, that it does. He's sick today - got the flu really bad - so he spent the day texting me at school. I'm not sure WHY he's feeling all sad and introspective, but it was all stuff about how he doesn't think he ever showed me he loved me enough because he always takes people for granted until it is to late... I think its all related to a recent break up with a girl, but I guess I do still like how he still seems to need hs "mom" when he's sick or sad.

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by EandDmom

Good looking young man.. and my son is 14 and we are in that won't shower or comb hair faze now. It is driving me insane.

One thing I like about a couple of these particular picture is how it shows the really close relationship between him and my youngest DD :-)

[Scrapsathome]

Completely Off Topic:

Hey! I used to have that same table and chairs!

*Now back to your regularly scheduled programming*

Jess

[vegaschristina]

He may not love it right away, but he will love it. My nephew is 25 and stuff like that he treasures...but he'd never let you know it.

[goodvibes]

Very handsome young man. Also, very pretty young ladies.

He will cherish his very special birthday present, but he may not let you know it right away.

We (members of the male species) are not good at showing our feelings - we sometimes act as if we would "lose face" by letting on too much.

From my experience, boys with emotional special needs tend to hide behind the mask much more than healthy males. (Incidentally, I have been successful in opening a few shells and thus revealing a few pearls, but these cases are still in the minority.)

The fact that Austin needs you when he is sad is a huge positive, something to remember whenever you get to doubt his attachment to you.

Best wishes to your beautiful family.

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by Scrapsathome

Completely Off Topic:

Hey! I used to have that same table and chairs!

*Now back to your regularly scheduled programming*

Jess

LOL! (and now because it won't let me post just that, I'm inserting gratuitous wordage. Please ignore what is between the parentheses. ;-)

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by goodvibes

Very handsome young man. Also, very pretty young ladies.

He will cherish his very special birthday present, but he may not let you know it right away.

We (members of the male species) are not good at showing our feelings - we sometimes act as if we would "lose face" by letting on too much.

From my experience, boys with emotional special needs tend to hide behind the mask much more than healthy males. (Incidentally, I have been successful in opening a few shells and thus revealing a few pearls, but these cases are still in the minority.)

The fact that Austin needs you when he is sad is a huge positive, something to remember whenever you get to doubt his attachment to you.

Best wishes to your beautiful family.

I believe what you are referring to is what I like to call "Y Chromosome Poisoning" ;-) Yeah, I expect (based on past experience) he'll say nothing for a week or two and then write me a letter or send me mushy texts. He actually is much more demonstrative than you'd expect, given gender and history - but definitely DOES need time to process before he reacts. I've been in the habit of writing him letters ever since the first Mother's Day when I gave him a composition I called "The meaning of mom". He often didn't say a word of response, but I know he kept them all. (and thanks for the compliments on all THREE of my kids ;-)

[millie58]

My oldest wouldn't shower when he came to me at 11. He was sexually abused and victims of that don't shower as a way to keep people away. I told him to work it out because we don't do funky. Now he's in the shower 1/2 hour!! Same with my 11 yo. got him in and can't get him out. dont' worry; he'll get it.

[arubagirl]

IS the first day one hoim playing video games?? My teenage would not let any one hug him with in the first few week let alone the first day...... Great pictures!

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by arubagirl

IS the first day one hoim playing video games?? My teenage would not let any one hug him with in the first few week let alone the first day...... Great pictures!

I was WONDERING if anyone would notice that! Now, truth be told he already KNEW us to some extent. I had been his teacher for about 4 months, and he'd met the rest of the family a few times. We had him over for dinner and few times and were encouraged to do some over nights, but that felt weird.Instead I think we went swimming twice and to the movie theatre once. STILL - her and him shared an almost INSTANT bond that has never disappeared - as you can see from the much later picture of them cuddling with the cat on the couch. That is why that picture will always be one of my favourites :-) *I* wasn't allowed to hug him for quite a while after that, even though he knew me the longest out of all of us. I was lucky to be able to tousle his hair or touch him on the arm for months!