Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Picture blog

I know I'm a bit behind on the picture blog. But I have still been taking daily pictures! After the Thank You BBQ and the post placement home study next week (fingers crossed)we should have some "down time".


Monday is his 2 month appointment, I can't wait to see how much he has grown!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Thank You BBQ

So we decided to have a Thank You BBQ to thank everyone who has been so helpful in our journey, praying for us, thinking about us, supporting us, or in other ways. We'd like to invite everyone, but realize that most likely only locals can come =)

Invites went out last week. The BBQ is Sat. If you are local and didn't get your invite yet, please let me know! I found out that some people didn't get theirs, so I am resending them :)

It's going to be fun, and a great time for Mark to get to meet everyone! We decided to wait until after he turned 2 months. This is the perfect age for a party!

Monday, February 25, 2008

2 Months!!

Our baby is two months old! Wow! Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

He is growing like a weed. Yesterday as I was doing laundry I pulled out the preemie and justborn clothes. He can't wear them anymore. I also checked the newborns and pulled the smaller ones out- they are too tight on him as well.

As Mike says, it's a good thing, that is what they are supposed to do. But my baby! I can't believe how fast he's growing! He chuckles, recognizes himself in the mirror (and can crack himself up for a good 30 min. sitting in his papasan chair watching himself in the mirror and laughing), kicks, uses his hands. Oh, and so much more. Every day it's something new with the little guy, and every day it's wonderful.

We are so thankful. He's brought so much joy and love into our lives. He is such a wonderful gift.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Poem for An Adoptive Mom

Someone sent this to me, and I wanted to share. It's unknown who the author is, but it's a wonderful poem.


There are women who become mothers without effort,
without thought,
without patience or loss,
and though they are good mothers and love their children,
I know that I will be better.

I will be better not because of genetics or money or because I have read more books,
but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.

I have longed and waited.
I have cried and prayed.
I have endured and planned over and over again.

Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.

I will notice everything about my child.
I will take time to watch my child sleep,
explore,
and discover.
I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.

I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold, and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream.
My dream will be crying for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child.

Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.

I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend, and sister because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment, as I have been betrayed by my own body. I have been tried by fire and hell that many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.

I have prevailed.
I have succeeded.
I have won.

So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.
I listen.
And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely.

I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth when life is beyond hard.

I have learned a compassion that only comes by walking in those shoes. I have learned to appreciate life.

Yes, I will be a wonderful mother.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

8 weeks!

Mark is 8 weeks today!!

WOW!

He is doing so much, showing such a personality. He uses his hands to grab things now. His taggie blanket, his "keys", and Daddy's leg hair are his favorite things to grab. He also like to help hold his bottle when you feed him.

Gone are the 3-4 oz bottles at a time. This little boy wants 6-8. And he lets you know he wants it NOW. He's pretty patient though, when you put the bib on him because he knows it is coming soon. We are working on signing for when he's hungry. While we know he probably doesn't get it, he still does sometimes put a hand in his face imitating Mommy or Daddy. He adjusted well to the Good Start formula and the Born Free bottles.

And boy can the little guy kick. That's one of his new tricks - to kick when he wants attention. It is so cute to see his little feet go.

He's always been a smiley boy, and that continues. Everyone always says "what a happy boy". And you know what, that's so true! He is a very happy boy :)

Saturday, February 16, 2008

What a Sweet Boy

We hear that a lot ;)

We went out to dinner last night with my parents and quite a few folks said that. And you know what, he really is. We are so blessed to have this little boy in our lives. He's sweet, a charmer, and such a happy baby.

We're in the process of sending out our Christmas cards/birth announcements. We tried to remember everyone's address, but I am sure we forgot some! If you don't get yours by the end of next week, or think we don't have the right address for you, feel free to drop us an email with your address!

Plans are being made for the Thank You BBQ. We want to thank EVERYONE who has helped us, prayed for us, followed our story. While we know everyone can't come- if you are local, be on the lookout for an invite! Mark will have had his 2 month shots by then, and we can't wait for him to meet everyone who helped to bring him to our family.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in our case it takes a village to bring a child into our family! We are so appreciative of everyone, and we pinch ourselves that this little boy, this sweet boy, is ours. We are so in love with him!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

7 weeks

He's 7 weeks old today!

Wow, time is flying. He's doing so well. It's amazing how much of a change occured in him between the 6th and 7th week. He holds his head up much longer, he has a little laugh that comes out every now and then, he "talks" a lot more, and he uses his hands and feet to help get his point across (yep, kicking Mommy or Daddy when he's super excited is becoming the norm around here). He can grab a thin toy. And he definately feels heavier! Comparing him to Precious, the feel like they weigh about the same. So I'm guessing he's around 10 lbs right now.

We switched him from Enfamil to Goodstart formula, and he's taking to it very well. We've even started a nap schedule - he likes to take an afternoon nap from around 1230 or 1 to 330 or 4. And sleeping through the night (well, that's nothing new ;) ). He's doing great and we are totally in love!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Fantastic weekend

I look back at some of my earlier posts about the weekends, and how there wasn't much to do. That certainly isn't the case now! Though not too terribly much has changed, we just have a few different types of things to do.

We have been having a very relaxing weekend. We're doing stuff around the house, still catching up from being gone for a while. We just have an extra little guy to snuggle with and look out for now too.

He's an absolute joy. He likes to "help" us watch tv, hang out or do whatever we do. His baby papasan is his favorite place in the house (though on Mommy is a close 2nd).

We had professional pictures taken yesterday morning, and I can't wait to see how they turned out!

Well, it's midmorning nap time- and the 4 of us (yes, Precious joins in too) are off to take naps =) It's nice to have our little family, and enjoy being with each other.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

6 weeks

Wow, it's hard to believe he's 6 weeks old already! My how he is growing.

We are currently transitioning from Enfamil to Good Start, and it's going well. He can't use the little bottles all the time, as he often needs 6 oz or more at a feeding. He can't wear his preemie clothes anymore. He doesn't look so tiny or swallowed up in his 0-3 month clothes. He has discovered his lungs, and when he's hungry he tells you he wants food NOW. He typically sleeps at least 7 hours each night. He trys to hold the bottle. Recently he has discovered that he can pick up small/thin toys. He smiles big huge smiles for Mommy and Daddy. He likes to snuggle and touch, skin to skin contact is important to him. He moved to size 1 diapers, he leaks a lot in the newborns. He has found that he has a voice and coos. He likes to ride in the car, often falling asleep. He likes the stroller, especially when Mommy and Daddy take him for a walk. He loves tummy time.

I can go on and on, but you get the picture ;)

Oh how we are so in love with the little guy!

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Hanging out

Mark likes to hang out with his daddy. Mike took the evening shift today and is taking care of the little guy while I add to this blog and the photo blog. The boys have a great time together.

It makes me smile to see my boys. MY BOYS, wow. My husband and my son, what wonderful guys. I am very lucky to have them both, and they mean so much to me. I am still pinching myself that Mike came into my life. Now, I have to pinch twice as hard in realizing that Mark is here too.

Mike has put Mark to bed, so I guess I should hit the sack now too (I'll take over the next feedings).