[ncmom24]

Just wanted to put a plug in for toddler boys who might be waiting for forever families. Our son came home in September (one week before his second birthday). We have three bio girls and couldn't be more thrilled to have some boy action around here.

Elijah has been such an amazing blessing to our family. He is so loving and open to giving and getting affection. He doesn't speak much but easily gets his point across. So much so that I never noticed much of a language barrier. I forget sometimes to keep my language simple with him because he seems to understand almost everything I say to him. He adores his dad and loves doing guy things. He loves the typical guy things of balls, cars and trains but also enjoys dress-up and dancing with his sisters.

We have been doing some renovation on the house and he has loved hanging with the men with his Little Tikes tools. I found him banging out a patch of dry wall the other day so the hole to patch now is a little bit bigger (He is actually sitting on my lap as I am writing this.)

I credit his success to both his amazing personality and his wonderful foster family that obviously took such good care of him during his first two years.

I wasn't even going to attempt potty training until the spring but he seemed interested and was waking up dry and after about three weeks he is down to one accident a week during the day and maybe one at night. He was so much easier than any of my daughters. He is so tiny I had trouble finding underpants to fit him.

Anyway, I had read all the toddler adoption books and was scared to death but knew a newborn/infant was not a good fit for our family so we took a chance and are so glad we did. I realize not every adoption is like this and we were fortunate that the match seems to be a good fit for both him and our existing family. He had three older foster sisters and a foster mom and dad so I think for him our family seems familiar.

I just wanted to present a first hand positive account as well. I stay at home with him as I did with each daughter and I can tell you it is nice to have a companion without so much drama. I adore each and every one of my very different daughters but with Elijah a boo-boo does not mean 30 minutes of crying. I do not have to pretend to be Cruella or the Evil witch and listen to endless conversation. I just have to crash cars together, chase him through the house, and make sure he doesn't take all of our electronics apart or try an ride our dog and still I get an endless supply of hugs and cuddles.

I hope those still awaiting referral will at least consider a toddler aged boy.

Tiersa

[becky]

Tiersa,

What a GREAT testament to the love of a little boy!

I had to laugh at your comment about 'listening to endless conversation'....boys does that ring true...there are days that I don't think Bella will ever stop talking!!!!!

I am so thrilled for Elijah and for your family.

[AlyD]

Thank you for sharing - you sound so very happy. My son will be two in about a month and will hopefully be home in by his 2d birthday. It is so nice to hear about others' experiences with adopting boys that age!! Elijah sounds like an amazing little guy

[angelkisses0102]

Your post brougt a smile to my face, gave me chills, and a few tears slipped down my cheek! Thanks so much for sharing...if we do this adoption thing again...it will be a toddler boy from Guatemala or a waiting child from China....

Oh, aren't toddler boys the best!! We do lots of car crashing here too...

[csw]

How wonderfull...sounds like he is such a doll, can't wait to see a photo!

[WVUMom418]

We'd love to see a few pictures if you get a chance.

[moelladeville]

What a great post. I adopted my guys as babies, but I now have two toddler boys, and they are the best! I grew up in a house of girls, and I have to say, I am so glad I adopted boys -- it's different, but great. My boys have great imagination and love to play with their animal action figures. I love the energetic play, too. I hope many of the wonderful Guatemalan boys will find great homes.
Marjorie

[mikiment]

This was such a sweet post, I hope you don't mind me "listening in!" While we loved our little babies dearly and of course feel they were destined to be ours, I had anticipated a toddler, and toddlers still have a very special place in my heart. I hope many people will consider opening their heart to these wonderful little people.

Thanks for sharing this precious post.

[tj'smomma]

We adopted a toddler boy also. He came home in June at two. He is our only child- he brings such joy and love into our lives. I can't imagine my life without him. He has adjusted really well. He is speaking in sentences, he is so smart! He is a bundle of energy.
We accepted his referral when he was 18 months old- without hesitation- we didn't care about what age the child would be. We just knew God would give us our child.I highly recommend adopting a toddler- there are so many that need homes.
Jennifer

[busterleroy]

Thanks so much for posting, and I second your thoughts heartily. Joey came home three days after his second birthday and his adjustment has been fantastic. Our days go something like this:

Love, love, play, chase the dogs, love some more, play and learn, play, time out, probably another time out because he is a two year old boy, play, read and then finally lots more love. He is VERY CUDDLY!

He picked up English incredibly well, and is just a joy. To be fair, I am exhausted, constantly struggling to balance home and work, keep the house clean, grocery shop, etc. All things considered, he is the most amazing little boy and I thank God every day for letting me be Joey's mom!

[valcox]

This is all bringing tears to my eyes. We just accepted the referral of a little boy who will be 1 in January so we hope to have him home by 18months. I really can't wait (and neither can his big sisters) but at the same time I am terrified that something will happen to take away this dream. I think I will relax after FC is over - that's my big fear is that they won't be able to find is birth mother to do the DNA and all that. Sometimes I can barely breathe!! But a hug and kiss from that litte cutie in the end will be all worth it!!!

[BebitosMama]

Originally Posted by ncmom24

...it is nice to have a companion without so much drama. I adore each and every one of my very different daughters but with Elijah a boo-boo does not mean 30 minutes of crying. I do not have to pretend to be Cruella or the Evil witch and listen to endless conversation. I just have to crash cars together, chase him through the house, and make sure he doesn't take all of our electronics apart or try an ride our dog and still I get an endless supply of hugs and cuddles.
Tiersa

Tiersa,

what a cute accounting of life with a toddler boy!! I can relate! Bebito falls down, says "BOOM" comes over to get a boo-boo kiss, and he's back at it. With my daughter, we'd have a while of crying, then we'd have to get a bandaid, or ice in a baggie, and it would go on forever. He's very resilient!!

But where we differ is the talking.

Bebito never stops!!!!!!!!!!!! Singing, talking, babbling, constantly.... He's the gabbiest 18 month old I've ever met! He talks more than my 8 year old daughter, and that's not easy!!!!!!

Elijah sounds fantastic, and I'm so glad that you're enjoying him so much!!!

Mary