Monday, April 28, 2008

I promise!

I promise we haven't fallen off the face of the earth. We're here, and getting into the swing of things.

I'm trying to lay low until everything is 100% final, and we are so close we can almost taste it! We're waiting on our home study provider to turn in the home study that she did last month. Many people want it: the agency in IN, the judge down here, the court appointed lawyer for Mark, our lawyer, and us! That's pretty much the one thing holding us back right now.

And I'm ready to cry, we can't ever get her to send it to us. That's ALL we are waiting on right now. And we cant reach her. I know it's just one last minor thing, but it's a BIG thing and we could have been finalized by now. It's just a matter of all tihngs falling into place.

Being a parent is the most wonderful thing ever. And the most time consuming as well. And stressful about money, the future, etc. We wouldn't change anything for the world though.

Mark is the easiest baby ever. We are so blessed to have him. He's slept through the night from the get go, rarely complains, is cute as can be.

Mommy on the other hand, well she's a mess sometimes. I am so far behind on some things (like my thank you notes, I am so sorry), starting a new business, and trying to do inventory. But every time that little guy chirps for me, you know I am there. I can't help it- we've yearned for him, prayed for him, wanted him for so long. That everything else, as important as it is, falls second when he cries out for mommy. His smiles, his laughs, his conversations - all a welcoming distraction from everything else.

I'm getting there, there just arent enough hours in the day. But I wouldn't trade my life now for ANYTHING in the world.

He is just the joy of our lives. I can't wait until Friday, he has his 4 month appointment and we see how much he has grown. We're going to delay solids if it's ok with the DR. I've done some research and found that delaying can sometimes help reduce food allergies. And I want to do EVERYTHING for him that we can. He is such the joy of our lives.

Seriously, I could just sit and stare at him, play with him all day long. He is just, oh - words can't even begin to describe how much he means to us!

Friday, April 25, 2008

4 months!

4 months, WOW the time has been flying by.

We still pinch ourselves periodically that he's really here, and he's our son. We are so in love with the little guy, and so lucky to have him in our lives.

He is growing, both physically and mentally - and it's neat to see his changes. Our baby isn't such a baby anymore!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

(almost) 4 month check in

I know I haven't been posting as much as I ought to. There really is no excuse. Adjusting to new parenthood has been fun, but some of the typical stuff has been forgotten or not done as much because all we want to do is marvel at this wonder we call our son. We still take pictures every day, and I hope to soon have the 365 blog updated.

I thought I'd give an almost 4 month check in, and tell you a little about what's been going on with him. We do this in an online playgroup we are in =) . It's a great way to keep track of how he's growing!

Name: Mark Garrett

Nickname(s): Sweet Pea, Puppy (because he whines and squeaks), The Boy

Birthday: December 25, 2007

Weight- birth: 6lbs 14 oz
now: guessing about 14.5 lbs

Height- birth: 20 inches
now: guessing about 25 inches

Clothing Size: solidly in 3-6 mo

Diaper Size: 2 in seventh generations, 3 in natures babycare

Breast or Bottle?: bottle (born free bottles - he uses the larger ones now)

How are they Sleeping?: He's been a sleeper since week 1.5. Goes to bed about 930, 10 (though he naps in the evening with Daddy while watching tv) and typically wakes up around 10.

Health: No issues at all. He had a little cradle cap, but it wasn't too bad and now it's gone. He's acting like he's teething, everything (especially his hands) go into his mouth. We have his 4 month shots the first week of May.

Milestones?: He loves to blow kisses and raspberries. He learned how to turn off and on the crocodile tears to work Mommy and Daddy. Holds his bottle, always tries to sit up, plays with toys (grasps to make noises, rattle, etc)

Favorite activities: he loves to "talk" and hear his voice, he's starting to like tummy time, cracking himself up while staring at himself in the swing, everything goes in his mouth

How is Mommy feeling: fine. I finally feel "almost" caught up. It's a lot different when you adopt, and you adjust differently. This past week is the first time I haven't had adoption/mommy brain quite as bad.

Anything else: we've been "in the system" since March 8, so we should get a court date for finalization any time now - they are waiting on our home study

PICTURES: (first born,Dec,Jan,Feb,March, and Now!)

first born (the first time we saw him and held him, he was about an hour old) :

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December:

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January - the 2nd pic is when he FINALLY made it to Texas:

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February:

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March:

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April:

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Monday, April 14, 2008

CHRISTENING DAY!

Mark was baptised this evening. It was a wonderful event. I'll post pictures tomorrow, one of my friends used my camera to capture some shots. Also, my brother in law took lots of pictures- he was the "official family photographer" this time :)

My parents and my brother are his Godparents, and we are so pleased. The service was performed by my brother in law's father, which was extra special to us.

It's been a long day- time to get the boy to bed!

Monday, April 07, 2008

Bluebonnets

My sister Holly took pictures of Mark in the bluebonnets today. Click on the picture to see a slide show.

View this slideshow created at One True Media
Mark in Bluebonnets April 2008

Friday, April 04, 2008

Video/photo shoot

I got the pictures back and wanted to share them. I put them into a video montage and added some music -enjoy!



It cut it off a bit. You can see a bigger version here:
View this montage created at One True Media
Mark Garrett, Our Christmas Miracle

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Sneak Peek

Here are some sneak peek pics of Mark....


I'll be adding more later and to the photo blog- we've been taking his picture every day!