the last time we saw Chris' birthparents,

[ulysses]

he looked sort of like this:


Now, he looks sort of like this:


We're going to see them this weekend. Or him, anyway - they split up in December, and she responds to maybe one in eight emails from us on average. We'll see if we hear back from her.

Chris is getting old enough now to understand what we mean when we talk about his adoption. I'm curious to see what he makes of Eric, and what Eric makes of him now. :)

[Maddy McCall]

1. Uly!

How on earth has it escaped me knowing that he was adopted?

I'm adopted, too. Give Chris a huge big hug from me.

:hug:

[ulysses]

5. I have no idea, Maddy.

You didn't read all my wailing and moaning about the long process? Probably just as well. :D I will give him that hug from you. :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

9. I might have been away from DU during that time.

My god, he's a great looking little guy.

Hope all goes well this weekend. :hug:

[ulysses]

11. it was a fairly extended wail.

:7 Thanks!

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. He is just such a cutie! (Chris... not Eric. LOL)

[ulysses]

6. Eric's not a bad looking guy.

A little scruffy, but then I am too. :)

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. He's grown quite a bit.

What a cutie.

:hi:

[ulysses]

7. he did this at school today

Traced it by himself while his classmates doodled. Kid scares me sometimes. :hi:

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. Good for him.

My 5-month-old great-nephew now wants to stand all the time....with help, of course.

Just a few months ago, he just laid there.

[ulysses]

16. the "weeble" act. I remember it well.

How many great-nephews/nieces do you have, anyway?

[bicentennial_baby]

4. As always...SO adorable

:loveya:

Best of luck, friend :hug:

[ulysses]

8. thanks, bb.

You kids still talking about kids?

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Working on it!

No luck yet, 7 months in...sigh.

Still going to keep trying though, for the time being. :)

:pals:

[ulysses]

15. you're young.

Wouldn't recommend waiting as long as we did, though. :D

:hug:

[Eurobabe]

10. Aww, what an adorable little guy

:hi:

[ulysses]

12. 100% boy.

Hell on wheels when he's tired or bored. :)

[jus_the_facts]

17. My how time flies....

...still the most adorable boy on the planet! :hug: :loveya:

[ulysses]

18. HEY!

How the hell are you, dear one? :hi:

[jus_the_facts]

19. I'm doin' pretty damn good....

...can't complain much at all...I dare say!! Hope the reunion goes great for you guys!! :hi:

[ulysses]

20. glad to hear it.

It's good to see you on the boards again.

[jus_the_facts]

21. Thanks Uly...

...always appreciate bein' appreciated...and especially gettin' to see pictures of Chris...he really is growin' up too fast! Such sweetness...I may need some insulin! :loveya:

[davsand]

22. What a gift!

I think it is absolutely wonderful that you have maintained contact with his birth parents (or at least attempted to in the one case.) I know that a lot of people choose not to include birth parents in the child's life, and I have always kind of wondered if the child AND the birth parents got shortchanged in the process.

Sounds like you are doing all you can to heal not only your child, but also the people who are no longer there to experience the magic that child adds to the world.

Brightest Blessings, Uly. I still think you and Chris are two of the most amazing guys--ever!


:loveya:



Laura

[ulysses]

23. I think so.

and I have always kind of wondered if the child AND the birth parents got shortchanged in the process.

Much as we also want to keep things open for their benefit, we primarily do this for Chris'. I don't know that our level of openness is for everyone, but it works for us. :hi:

[brook]

24. Chris is as adorable as ever!

I so admire you Uly. There's a not quite 6 year old in my family who now spends a few hours a week with her birth mother and half-brother. While I haven't always been comfortable with it, I do believe that
in the end, it benefits the child. There comes a time when 'who we are' etc. becomes so important. Hopefully, an open relationship smooths that course.

Hugs to you all!

[ulysses]

26. it's a different thing.

It's taken some getting used to - I don't think either of us grew up imagining this kind of family. But it works for us, and yeah, it's definitely the best thing for him. Glad it's working out for your family. :hi:

[zanne]

25. He looks happy and healthy.

And those beautiful eyes are the same.

[ulysses]

27. he is happy.

And when he's not, he lets us know. :scared: ;-)

[SOteric]

28. He's quite the little sweetie face.

-And already smarter than the U.S. President!

[ulysses]

29. there's a low bar!

:7 :hi:

[Arugula Latte]

30. He is just adorable!

He has such kind, wise eyes. :loveya:

[ulysses]

37. thanks.

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. Oh my goodness he is getting big

And such a cutie!! :hi:

[ulysses]

36. big talker, too.

He woke up this morning asking about Santa. Haven't told him yet that the North Pole is going to melt this summer...

[Forkboy]

32. Kids scare me.

I can't imagine the total fear I'd experience 24/7 worrying about them. I get panic attacks just thinking about my future. How would I cope with a child to worry about? :scared:

Assuming that they'd let me keep a child anyways. I'm pretty sure some of the music I listen to is grounds for DSS to step in.

That's one cute kid. Talk about distinctive eyes. Here's to the best for all of you! :toast:

[ulysses]

35. I think the lack of sleep during infancy is an evolutionary advantage.

Once you've lost that much sleep, it isn't coming back and you sort of get numb enough to do what needs doing. :hi: Thanks!

[sasquatch]

33. Why did they give him up for adoption?

[ulysses]

34. sorry, just saw this.

They've never offered that info in so many words, and we haven't pried. They were both in treatment for heroin addiction at the time and were raising her 11-year-old from a previous relationship. Whether it went beyond that or not, I don't know.

[CatWoman]

38. god he's handsome!!!!!

:loveya:

want to hear something, um, not-so-funny?

I had piles and piles of mail on my dining room table -- while going thru it (FINALLY!!), I came across a card you and Cheryl sent me along with a picture of Chris.

I'm like, 'ULY WON'T FUCKING BELIEVE THIS!!"

:hi:

Is Chris still giving Mr. K fits? :rofl:

[ulysses]

39. ROFL!

Only you, my friend. :D How long had it been since you opened your mail?

Either the cat has gotten braver or Chris is laying off a little. Now, instead of going for the tail automatically, he's content to give Mr. K loud directives and laugh maniacally. "Hey, Mitter Kiddy! Tay way from my gram cracker, Mitter Kiddy! Hehehehehehehe!" The cat is unimpressed, of course.

[CatWoman]

42. LOLOLO!!!

:)

that's so cute.

as for my "mail", I'm finally getting around to filing my 2006 taxes!!!

[Runcible Spoon]

40. I don't normally comment on people's kids, but that is a beautiful child.

and even more so since you adopted him! :hug:

[ulysses]

41. thanks, farce!

Good thing he's cute, too - Mr. Hardhead isn't out of the twos yet. ;-)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

43. What a cutie!

I had no idea he was that big.

I knew you and Mrs. Uly would be great parents. :-)

[ulysses]

44. thanks, Lydia.

It was an interesting weekend. Both his bps seem to still be of the opinion that we're pretty good parents, too, which is nice. :hi: