Colin is shaving!

Normally, when a new child is welcomed into the family, you've had 9 months to prepare (gestate) and lots of time to move from one phase of life to another.

Well, with adoption, and especially the adoption of older boys, some natural phases are missed.

It is also expected that when adopted children get home to their new families and experience new relationships, new food and new customs, their growth is often accelerated.

We hear stories all the time about kids, even younger children, coming home and growing a full inch in a matter of a month or so and putting on weight almost instantly.  

In our case, our "baby" was already 14 years old and taller than his mama at a whopping 5' 6" tall the day we met.

This week marked 9 months with his new family and Colin has really changed.  He has grown almost 2 full inches since that day and has gone from a thin 127 pounds up to 140!  

And the physical changes are not the only changes that Colin has been experiencing.  This year, he has a family. This year, he has a Mama who adores him and a Father who shepards him and teaches him.  I am so glad that the Lord chose us to parent this child and very happy that he can go through these years with a mom and dad that will help him transition into the man God has created him to be.

Silly as it may seem, one of these significant milestones came today.

It finally arrived. 

I have been telling Colin for a month or two now that the day would soon arrive when it was time for him to shave.

He would giggle and shake his head, "no".  He did not see the need for this, but...

Today-- today was the day.

Tom took him upstairs to our bathroom and his first shaving lesson commenced.

Splash a little water...

  Apply a little shaving cream...

add in a few giggles...

a short demonstration....

and away we go...

yeah, that sideways move would soon cost him...

time for that soft mustache to go!

a little clean up by Dad...

Tom told Colin he could shave in our bathroom for awhile so that the "littles" in the house did not bother or tease him too badly.

One small knick later, a little toilet paper and Mama had a clean shaven baby boy!

Ok, clearly, he is not a baby, but he is so sweet! (Ask anyone!)

Part of the sad part of adoption is all those moments that you miss. The first steps, the first word, the first smile.  

We missed all of this, but God in His loving kindness allowed us to be there today for his first shave.  

And to think..I will get to do this three more times! :-)

Angie