Ups, Downs and All-arounds

I cannot believe we have had Eli for 3 weeks, yet it somehow feels like he has always been with us.  We have been home a little over a week and the first several nights were ROUGH!!  He was not sleeping well, so we weren't sleeping well.  He would cry out frequently and we would get him settled down in time for him to cry out a few minutes later.  We first put him to sleep in a pack n play in our room.  After a couple of nights, he figured out how to climb out!!!  We could not believe this!  We then put the crib up in our room and put the crib right next to the bed hoping that if he could see us that this would soothe him.  So far, that seems to have helped.  He has slept through the last few nights and we are finally getting some rest too.  (Although, I wake up sometimes anticipating him getting up.  Crazy, I know.)
This little guy (aka "Little Dude" ... name given to him by Keenan) is one happy boy!  He LOVES his brothers and sister and is just so happy all of the time.  He has learned to throw temper tantrums, however, and we do see these when we take food away from him.  He loves his food and has eaten everything we have given him, except cucumbers.  He is into everything!  He enjoys all of his new toys and also enjoys ripping magazines, climbing onto the couch and emptying the tupperware drawer in the kitchen.  He does not like it when he does not know where I am at, but that seems to be getting a little better as long as one of his siblings is around or he has a new activity to keep him occupied.  He loves splashing in the tub and he thinks it is soooo funny when he gets water in his face. 
This is NOT the same kid that was handed to us 3 weeks ago.  I am amazed at this little boy and how he fits in perfectly into our family.  He is sweet and set in his ways like his oldest brother Aidan; is a momma's boy and is sneaky like Keenan; and is ornery and silly like Bella.
When he came to us, he could stand and walk along things and also take a few steps when prompted.  Now he is really walking all over the house and thinks it is so funny when he is walking towards us that he laughs so hard that he falls over. 
When he first met our dog Lulu, he did not like her.  We think it is mainly because she is a small dog and would get in his face.  He now does not seem to mind her and even tries to play with her.
We are trying to find our new normal with 4 kiddos.  We have jumped into our routine and Eli has done amazing going along with the flow.   
He had his appointment with the International Adoption Clinic at Children's today.  Since our medical appointment in Guangzhou, Eli has gained 3 pounds!  (Not surprising with all the food he has been eating.)  He really turned on the charm today with the nurses and therapists at the hospital.  He had a TB test, 2 shots and had 11 different vials of blood taken.  Some of the bloodwork is to see what vaccinations he truly has had and to determine what he still needs.
We have also had a lot of family come to visit with Eli.  He does better as long as we are home right now.  We think this shows he is comfortable here.  Here are just a few pictures from the last week ...

Bella pushing her brother around the house.

Eli with Grandpa and Grandma

Eli napping with Grams

Being "cool" with Papaw

Blue eyes Keenan

 

All the boys taking a ride



 

Such a cutie!