Getting to know Louis...

When John and I attended our first adoption information session, we heard a million pieces of information and were almost overwhelmed with the options and challenges ahead of us. Finally, at the end of the session, when we were trembling in our seats, one of the adoption counselors spoke about the six children she had adopted. She said, "When you adopt, you'll constantly be surprised to find out what your child's talents are. You will find that you will have no preconceptions, and you'll feel as if you are unwrapping a wonderful surprise." How right she was. Around here every day is Christmas morning.

We continue to marvel that Louis has exactly our quirky sense of humor, finding everything his father does to be completely hilarious. (Which it is, of course.) He is a typical 2-year-old in that he wants to do everything for himself (see below for photos of him "doing the dishes"), but he amazes us with his ability to unlock the door, not to mention that he can remember which key is for the car and which for the house--something his mother can barely keep track of these days!

Here are a few things we have learned about Louis:

He loves water!

If Louis gets to pick the activity and set the parameters, he can play forever. We have never complained about his attention span. He would still be sitting in this sink if Mama hadn't gotten bored (and tired of changing diapers because they were getting soaked with water).

He is happiest with his socks and shoes off, especially if he gets to pull them off himself.

He eats healthier food than anyone I know, but he has unconventional ways of getting it down. (You'd think Louis was playing with his food in this picture, but he was still eating the soup and the egg and cheese sandwich.)

He loves dramatic "Peek-a-Boo" appearances!

He doesn't say "cheese" verbally, but he is figuring out how to turn it on for the camera. And he loves to look at the photos afterward--though videos of himself with Baba are his favorite.

He loves other children. Here he is playing with his cousin Andrew at a natural history museum.

He is incredibly curious.

He isn't at all shy around other children.

He loves to share the things he sees with us. Here he is telling me about the large crocodile.

He acts fast when my back is turned! Here he emptied a whole bag of cheese curls onto his tray. Of course, he doesn't like them that much, but he likes that his hands turn orange.

He will try almost any food--even one of Mama's chocolate chip cookies.

But he'll need a yogurt smoothie to wash down that terrible cookie taste. He is not a cookie fan, but he is addicted to the smoothies!

He loves his stuffed animals! He doesn't have a particular favorite, but he plays with them all and gives them hugs and kisses. He also kisses the animals in his books.

He has his parents completely enthralled!