This is my last week at home before I go back to work. I can't believe how time is flying by. I really hate to have to go back but I know our little Doodlebug will be in good hands with my Grandma (will probably be spoiled more than he already is).
This week he'll be 6 weeks old. I'll be honest, I think it's taken quite some time for all of this to seem "real." I know many first time parents experience this but I think it's different with adoption. One day you're "flying solo" the next you have a baby in tow. I have to say though, that we have LOVED every moment of it. Yes, even the getting up in the middle of the night--I know it might sound crazy but those are some of my favorite times.
I can't believe how many people in this world take their children for granted. We feel so extremely blessed to be parents to this precious baby boy. My heart melts each time I look at him and he looks up and locks eyes with me. He's starting to smile and it fills my heart with joy. I think his Daddy became a little jealous the other night because he wouldn't smile for him :) He definitely knows who we are now too. In a room with others, if he hears us talking, he'll turn his head to find us. There's just something so special about that.
In all of my wildest dreams, I would have never thought that parenthood would be this wonderful. I always thought it would be but once you make it there, it becomes so much more. I thank God everyday for bringing this special boy to us. People comment and say he's so blessed to have you two as parents; we say, no we are so blessed to have him as a son! All of the waiting and trials were so worth it and looking back, we wouldn't want it any other way.
We had a great weekend. On Saturday we drove up to Raleigh for our nephew's birthday. Garrett did so great. He even slept through the party which was at this place called adventure landing--kids running around and screaming everywhere! My nephew said, how can he sleep through this :) We hit the babies r us and target there because they have bigger selections than what we have here. We picked up a few things that we needed and headed home.
A bit of advice for those of you waiting (either through adoption or pregnancy)-if you buy a convertible crib, go ahead and get all of the parts (conversions kits etc). We just bought all of this stuff over the summer and babies r us doesn't sell them anymore. I have to call the company today and see if we can order them....ugh... It's not a huge deal because we could see ourselves doing this again in a couple of years. But it would have been nice if they would have told us this when we bought it!
We also heard back from the birthparents social worker at the end of the week. The birthfather was delighted with all of the pictures we sent and was fine with waiting until the summer to meet.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Happy Tuesday
Well there's really nothing new to talk about around here :) Things are going great with Garrett and he continues to be such a sweet, sweet baby. It is clearly evident that God chose the perfect baby for us. He actually went 7 hours in between feedings last night. We've had to up his formula to 7 oz and contrary to a lot of "popular" beliefs, we've also added a tablespoon of cereal to his bottle (only in 2 feedings). The doctor said it's fine, especially since he seemed to not be satisfied after eating. It dissolves in the formula and is not all that thick so there's no worry about choking. Trying to keep him from guzzling it down is another point though :) He gets really ticked when you take the bottle away to burp him.
We haven't heard back about the birthfather situation. Our social worker said it's up to them now. We've told them when we're available so we'll just have to wait and see what they come up with. We suggested waiting until June when I'm out of school.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet around here lately. Which, honestly, is nice! The weather has been beautiful so we've been getting out for walks and running errands. I can't believe I'll be back at work in a week and a half.
We haven't heard back about the birthfather situation. Our social worker said it's up to them now. We've told them when we're available so we'll just have to wait and see what they come up with. We suggested waiting until June when I'm out of school.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet around here lately. Which, honestly, is nice! The weather has been beautiful so we've been getting out for walks and running errands. I can't believe I'll be back at work in a week and a half.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Picture post!
Thank you all for your comments in my last post! It really does help and makes us feel like we're doing the right thing here! Finally some pictures; I have no idea what's going on with the upload but it will only let me do one at a time.
Lazy days :)
On his ocean mat for some tummy time
With my Grandma-she's the one that will keep him when I go back to work
1 month already!
Lazy days :)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
1 month
I'm a day late :) Yesterday, Doodlebug turned 1 month old! I can't even believe he's already been with us for a month (and I can't believe it's almost time for me to return to work). We've had fun though and I enjoy every minute of spoiling cuddling with him! My school threw a shower for us this afternoon and it was great! We truly have been blessed with the outpouring of love everyone has shown us. We are so thankful!
Before I get to some pictures, we had some news come down the pipeline this week. Our social worker emailed to let us know that the birthparents social worker had emailed. The birthfather wants to meet us and the baby. We knew that he had asked about this before placement but honestly didn't think he'd follow through. I think it was initiated by the social worker up there, as she was doing her monthly check-in, not him calling her requesting this. Anyways, she told our social worker that he wanted to meet and would it be possible in the next couple of weeks. We'd meet at a restaurant and their social worker would be present. Well the thing is, if it's in 2 weeks, that's my last week at home; any time after that and I'm back at work. My social worker said we have a say so in all of this too. We also have about a 6.5 hour drive to get there with the baby. So that means an overnight stay somewhere and then getting up to meet him for 2 hours. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be able to tell Garrett about his bio. dad. but we were told it would be a few months "down the road." We're only a month into this and actually just now feel like he's getting used to us and us to him. I sent an email back today saying that we'd be willing to meet but if it couldn't happen over a weekend, then they'd have to wait until school gets out for summer. We're really not trying to be difficult, there's just so much going on right now. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
And without further ado, here's the latest of our Doodlebug! **Ok, scratch the pictures, something's going on with the upload :( I'll post them tomorrow!
Before I get to some pictures, we had some news come down the pipeline this week. Our social worker emailed to let us know that the birthparents social worker had emailed. The birthfather wants to meet us and the baby. We knew that he had asked about this before placement but honestly didn't think he'd follow through. I think it was initiated by the social worker up there, as she was doing her monthly check-in, not him calling her requesting this. Anyways, she told our social worker that he wanted to meet and would it be possible in the next couple of weeks. We'd meet at a restaurant and their social worker would be present. Well the thing is, if it's in 2 weeks, that's my last week at home; any time after that and I'm back at work. My social worker said we have a say so in all of this too. We also have about a 6.5 hour drive to get there with the baby. So that means an overnight stay somewhere and then getting up to meet him for 2 hours. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be able to tell Garrett about his bio. dad. but we were told it would be a few months "down the road." We're only a month into this and actually just now feel like he's getting used to us and us to him. I sent an email back today saying that we'd be willing to meet but if it couldn't happen over a weekend, then they'd have to wait until school gets out for summer. We're really not trying to be difficult, there's just so much going on right now. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
And without further ado, here's the latest of our Doodlebug! **Ok, scratch the pictures, something's going on with the upload :( I'll post them tomorrow!
Monday, February 14, 2011
100th post-Valentine's edition :)
I can't believe this is already my 100th post! It's been great getting to know so many of you! We have had a great day here. Not that Garrett really knows what's going on but he's been a special Valentine for both Tommy and I.
Speaking of firsts, of course we think he is just the smartest kid around. :) Tonight we had him on his little "ocean mat" and we had him on his tummy for a little tummy time. He's been able to hold his head up since we brought him home from the hospital. Tonight, while on his tummy, he rolled right over. We didn't know if it was just on accident so we rolled him over and he did it again (and again and again) :) It was pretty funny.
He seems to have a bit of a little fussy period in the afternoons but it's fine. He has a cute, little (ok sometimes not so little) cry. My mom thinks I should put the cereal in his bottle but I'm not too sure of that. Most times, he goes about 5 hours before eating again (he's already up to 6oz); we don't let him go past 5--unless it's during the wee hours of the morning and we always make him wait at least 4. Sometimes he does seem like he's still hungry but he just seems so young to add the cereal stuff to the bottle. My mom said my Grandma gave it to me at 2 weeks and I'm fine :) So we'll see. We're going to see how he does like this first.
I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!
Speaking of firsts, of course we think he is just the smartest kid around. :) Tonight we had him on his little "ocean mat" and we had him on his tummy for a little tummy time. He's been able to hold his head up since we brought him home from the hospital. Tonight, while on his tummy, he rolled right over. We didn't know if it was just on accident so we rolled him over and he did it again (and again and again) :) It was pretty funny.
He seems to have a bit of a little fussy period in the afternoons but it's fine. He has a cute, little (ok sometimes not so little) cry. My mom thinks I should put the cereal in his bottle but I'm not too sure of that. Most times, he goes about 5 hours before eating again (he's already up to 6oz); we don't let him go past 5--unless it's during the wee hours of the morning and we always make him wait at least 4. Sometimes he does seem like he's still hungry but he just seems so young to add the cereal stuff to the bottle. My mom said my Grandma gave it to me at 2 weeks and I'm fine :) So we'll see. We're going to see how he does like this first.
I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Special Day
33 years ago today my parents were "blessed" with their first bundle of joy! Me :) It's going to be a great day. My sweet Tommy is taking me on a dinner date to the Melting pot! Garrett's going to be spoiled by my parents :) My sister thinks Garrett's hair looks like mine from this picture.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
3 weeks
It's hard to believe that our little doodlebug has been with us for 3 weeks now! We love him so much! He's such a sweetie; I know God knew exactly what He was doing when he placed him with us. It's funny to see Tommy interact with him and worry :) We gave him his first bath in his little bath tub last night. He seemed to really like it.
We had a great shower on Saturday! It's so nice to see so many family and friends and especially all of their support for us. The 4Runner was loaded down with stuff on the way home. We got some really nice things and some things that we really needed. I have some pictures but it's difficult to find time to get them uploaded :) I'll try to do that at some point today.
We've also experienced our first bit of family drama :) I think Tommy's mom is upset with us because we haven't brought Garrett to their house yet. They came over last Friday and watched him for me so I could get a hair cut. This shouldn't be new news to them because we've always said that things would have to change before we bring him over. They both smoke and they live in a small house, so that makes it worse. And by smoking, I mean they smoke a lot. It's difficult for us to go over there and when we leave it literally smells like we've been in a bar. I really do love them and want them to be around for Garrett but I don't want to subject him to that especially at such a young age (not to mention the birthmom and her older son both suffered with asthma). My mom and dad watched him for a bit on Friday night so I could go to a jewelry party and Tommy had a hair cut :) I dropped him off over there and I think when Tommy's mom found out she was upset. It's not that we're trying to hurt their feelings or play favorites, we're just trying to protect our son. Tommy has been very vocal with this for a long time so they know why we don't want him over there.
We also went to church on Sunday and he did really well. He slept the whole time :)
I'm already dreading having to go back to work. I go back on March 7th. I feel very blessed that my Grandmother is going to come to our house to keep him. She's so excited and I know he'll be in good hands. The plus side is I'll only have the rest of March, April, and May and then I'll be out for summer.
We had a great shower on Saturday! It's so nice to see so many family and friends and especially all of their support for us. The 4Runner was loaded down with stuff on the way home. We got some really nice things and some things that we really needed. I have some pictures but it's difficult to find time to get them uploaded :) I'll try to do that at some point today.
We've also experienced our first bit of family drama :) I think Tommy's mom is upset with us because we haven't brought Garrett to their house yet. They came over last Friday and watched him for me so I could get a hair cut. This shouldn't be new news to them because we've always said that things would have to change before we bring him over. They both smoke and they live in a small house, so that makes it worse. And by smoking, I mean they smoke a lot. It's difficult for us to go over there and when we leave it literally smells like we've been in a bar. I really do love them and want them to be around for Garrett but I don't want to subject him to that especially at such a young age (not to mention the birthmom and her older son both suffered with asthma). My mom and dad watched him for a bit on Friday night so I could go to a jewelry party and Tommy had a hair cut :) I dropped him off over there and I think when Tommy's mom found out she was upset. It's not that we're trying to hurt their feelings or play favorites, we're just trying to protect our son. Tommy has been very vocal with this for a long time so they know why we don't want him over there.
We also went to church on Sunday and he did really well. He slept the whole time :)
I'm already dreading having to go back to work. I go back on March 7th. I feel very blessed that my Grandmother is going to come to our house to keep him. She's so excited and I know he'll be in good hands. The plus side is I'll only have the rest of March, April, and May and then I'll be out for summer.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sweet words
I saw this today and it just made my day :) Check it out here!
Tomorrow we have our shower for friends and family at my mom's house. It should be fun! I'll have to do a big picture post sometime this weekend!
Tomorrow we have our shower for friends and family at my mom's house. It should be fun! I'll have to do a big picture post sometime this weekend!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Our little "piggy"
Garrett went for his 2 week check up today. I absolutely LOVE his doctor. She is awesome and is so supportive of adoption which makes things so much easier. He is up to 8 lbs 12 oz!!!! I can't believe it. She said that's fine and for us to keep doing what we've been doing. We noticed he was getting a bit fussy in the late afternoons/early evenings and we think it's because he's hungry. He's downing the 4 oz bottles now :) She told me to go ahead and bump it up a little and just watch him because he'll let us know when he's full. She also said that since he's already eating so much he may start sleeping longer at night. That made his daddy really happy :)
He's so sweet and we both love him more each day that passes. I'm so glad he's our's! We received all of the petition paperwork today to begin the filings with the court. It still feels surreal that we are on the latter part of this ride!
Speaking of weights, last week I was DOWN 4.4 lbs (I haven't weighed in 3 weeks). That makes my total 26.4 lbs!! WOOHOO! I think the Zumba is helping!
He's so sweet and we both love him more each day that passes. I'm so glad he's our's! We received all of the petition paperwork today to begin the filings with the court. It still feels surreal that we are on the latter part of this ride!
Speaking of weights, last week I was DOWN 4.4 lbs (I haven't weighed in 3 weeks). That makes my total 26.4 lbs!! WOOHOO! I think the Zumba is helping!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Pictures :)
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