Saying Good-bye to Dog Days of Summer

The summer has flown by faster than most in recent years and Daniel has played a large role in making that happen.

The sunset arrives earlier every day and the 100 degree summer days with 100 percent humidity has finally begun to give way to slightly cooler temperatures - albeit in the high 80's and mid-90's.

Since arriving home with Daniel, we have spent a lot of time trying to establish a routine. It's been difficult because we are required to be home for 90 days. Claudia has been home for 60 days but returned to work last week. I'm picking up the last 30 days. So, we're still a month away from what will be our "new normal."

We've also made a couple of weekend trips to Memphis to introduce Daniel to family and friends. By now, he has met the majority of our immediate families and close friends with a few exceptions.

It was particularly special to introduce him to one of my family's friends for three generations, Mrs. Blaine. She was one of my grandmother's closest friends and they would talk daily. She was also our neighbor for several years in Memphis, which was when I developed a close relationship with her that continues today. She's 93 years young and a joy to be around. When she met Daniel, she quickly assumed the title of grandmother, and that's exactly how we wanted it to be.

It was also special to see my brother Derek playing the piano and watching Daniel sway back and forth while listening to the slow melody. Daniel loves music and dancing. Our theory is it's something he inherited in his Latin blood.

Developmentally, Daniel is progressing very quickly. No, he still isn't walking independently yet . But he does walk very well when we hold his hand or if we coax him to walk back-and-forth between us. He says a variety of  words including; tata (for daddy), mama, tete (bottle), aqua, Amen, gracias, wow-wow (doggies), up (mimicking a trick we do with our Cocker Spaniel), bye-bye  and a few others. He is standing up on his own without holding on to anything and taking steps toward us. He eats very well and loves fresh fruit (Mango, Watermelon, Strawberries and Banana) and Mommy-made soups.

It's amazing how quickly a child picks up the skill of manipulation. For example, Claudia scolds him to stop spitting Mango out of his mouth and throwing it to the floor. His reaction is to blow her a kiss. Her heart melts a little bit and then they start laughing and smiling toward each other.

He blows a lot of kisses.

He also has an active imagination. He was playing house with my sisters during one of our Memphis visits. They would spoon feed him and he'd open his mouth, pretend to take a mouthful of some unseen food and then say, "Yum."

Also, I'll make the sound of a mosquito buzzing around his head; then with my fingers pretend to catch it like Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid. With the invisible mosquito pinched between index finger and thumb, I'll act like I'm going to feed it to Daniel. Like a good sport, he leans forward and opens his mouth. Once the mosquito is inside, he'll say, "Yum."

He is adjusting so well that we can not help but thank God for all he has given us. Many people say because of his age, he will not realize certain things or remember all of these changes so early in his childhood.

That is true in a specific sense, but he will still be influenced by his past generally speaking. And at some point, whether in five years or 20, Daniel will likely ask us questions that unfortunately we won't have sufficient answers.

Even today, we don't take for granted how well he is adjusting. We are aware there are children who don't react as well and the transition takes longer and has more struggles than what we've experienced.

For now, we'll enjoy the last days of summer together as a forever family.