First Week Home

Yesterday, Josiah got his first military style haircut -long with brother Benjamin. He did not like the noise of the clippers, but after it was over he was very happy and gave Ben a double "high five". I wanted to take a picture but was informed that pics are no longer allowed inside any USMC buildings on base due to "anti-terrorist policies". Oh well.
Josiah has also discovered a favorite pastime -playing with bowls and cups of water in the kitchen floor. I knew he really liked playing in the bathtub, so this was pretty logical. He pretends to make "soup" and bring it to us to eat. So whats a little water on th floor if it makes him happy?

We took the above picture a couple of nights ago. Wondering if I can photoshop Mark in so that we can have a real family pic! HaHa.
Mostly, our first week home has been good. Grace, Katie, Ben and Isaac have been super loving and patient with their new brother. They embraced him at once and have not looked back. Yesterday we all piled into the minivan and took a short drive to the park. Grace looked in the backseat and said "Our family just wouldn't be complete anymore without Josiah!". That espirit de corps is a great thing in situations like this, and without it my job as Mom would be a lot harder.
There have been a few tantrums -not by me but by Josiah! They aren't terrible and I think seem to generally stem from three things: a lack of communication/understanding eachother's language, Josiah not really knowing yet how to live in a family situation, and the deep grief/loss he is experiencing (but probably not really understanding those sad feelings).
So far, I have managed to hold him and let him cry out the uglies. At first I had to convince him to let me hold and rock him when he cried. Now he pretty much comes to me right away and wants to be held. He is the same height as Isaac, but unlike Isaac who is a featherweight,  Josiah is vying for heavyweight of the year! The little guy is solid asian muscle! He weighs a good ten pounds more than Isaac! He isn't fat at all -but reminds me of Benjamin at age 6, very very sturdy!
Josiah does love to eat. He eats about every two hours. Right now his favorite is philipino style noodles just boiled in chicken bouillion. But he is game to try lots of American style food. He loves boiled eggs, chocolate pudding, and bread rolls, but does not like cheese. He is happy to eat fruit and at least try veggies - but I know it is only a matter of time until he notices that the other Conard kiddos are NOT eating their veggies and he becomes ONE OF THEM!
Today I must get homeschool lesson plans finished for next week. So we will see how that goes. It takes a lot of cooperation from everyone when Mom has to focus on something, because we all have to pitch in and keep an eye on Josiah. He is still learning about things like computers, dvd players, printers, etc. I have already found a paper bookmark in the dvd player and a bionicle and four batteries rolled into the printer. He also thinks that the printer is the paper machine -just press the button and free paper rolls out! Had to hide the scissors also. He is not trying to be naughty -just doesn't know yet.
Not to say that he CAN'T be naughty. But not too bad for the most part.