Rough week

It's been one of those weeks where I want to leave from work, get home as quickly as I can, and love on my little doodle. There are so many times in life when we take things for granted and I don't want to fall into that. I want to soak up every minute with him and love on him!

This week a lot of old emotions have surfaced. Most know that Tommy and I lost twins at 8 weeks and it's been on my mind a lot this week. Why? We found out on Monday night that my cousin and his wife, who were expecting their second child, learned that the baby had died. She was a few days past due, full term. I can't even imagine what they are going through. I know how hard it was on us and we were no where near being full term. My aunt said from what the doctors could tell, there was nothing wrong with the baby. She said she thought that was best because if there had been, God couldn't get all of the glory. Their faith has been amazing to witness. She said they knew that God knew what He was doing and He knew they could handle this, wow! Their little girl is 2 and I know it must be difficult explaining all of this to her. Keep their family in your prayers.

I think a lot of times we get so busy in the day to day things that we forget how truly blessed we are. I'm so thankful for everything I have in my life!

Garrett's 2 month letter

Dearest Garrett,

I can’t believe it’s already been 2 months since you have blessed our lives. I can’t even begin to imagine life without you. Your Daddy and I waited a long time for you but the wait was well worth it! You continue to amaze us with all the things you know and the deep interest you show in all of the things around you.

When we first met you at the hospital, you were so alert. You looked around with those big eyes of yours and just soaked in everything. As soon as you came out of the baby warmer, we were able to feed you your first bottle. The nurse said you probably wouldn’t eat it all but you proved her wrong. However, the next day, that formula didn’t sit too well with you. You were discharged from the hospital the next day and we started the long trek back home. Your Daddy and I had to learn fast how to change a diaper in the back seat of the car and feed you back there as well. You were a trooper though and you did great on our 6 hour drive. We finally made it home around 1:00 that night. We had a cradle set up in our room for you but you did not like it. You made noises and stayed awake for most of the night J The next day we bought a monitor and put you in your crib in your room and you loved it.

That first weekend we had lots of visitors and you were passed around and loved on all weekend. It didn’t seem to bother you. The next week, we started to get into a routine and you adjusted really well. You quickly went from eating 2 ounces of formula to 3 then 4 and then 5. We the formula didn’t seem to be working anymore, we had to add some cereal to your bottle, which you love!

You have grown so quickly, it’s hard to believe. You’re starting to get a little of that baby chunk in your legs and especially in your cheeks. Over the past month, you’re little personality is starting to come out too. You LOVE to be held, especially in the late afternoon. If we put you down, you get a little temper and show us how well your lungs really work! Right before you turned a month old, you rolled over from your stomach. Your Daddy and I thought it was a fluke so we put you back on your tummy and let you try it again. You showed us that you could do it!

You’ve also started smiling when we smile and talk to you. That has to be one of the greatest things ever! You also love to “talk” to us and you like to try to copy the sounds that we make. You’re getting really close to laughing out loud. You’ve started to notice all of the things around you and you can now suck your thumb. You like to look at Bailey and she loves to give you kisses.

You had your first round of shots this month too and you were not a fan of those. The liquid part you had no trouble with because you love to eat. But, when the nurse stuck you with that first needle, you let everyone know that you were not happy! Your face turned blood red and you let out a blood curling scream!

You’re also a great sleeper and that has helped us out a lot! I love to watch you when you sleep. Your little face is so sweet and you look so peaceful.

We love you more and more each day! You continue to fill our hearts with love and make our lives so happy! While we don’t want you to grow up too fast, we are excited to see you learning so many new things. You will always be our little Doodlebug!

I love you so much!

~Momma

2 month check-up

Garrett had his 2 month check-up at the doctor yesterday. I had to meet Tommy at the doctor's office because he couldn't do the shots alone :) The doctor said he looks great and healthy. She went on about how sweet he is (of course we know that) :) and how great he looked. Are you ready for this? He weighed in at a whooping 14.4 pounds (yep our little piggy) and is now 23.5 inches long. I told Tommy I didn't want him to get any bigger; I wish he could stay little forever :) She said he wasn't "fat" and that with him going so long in between feedings that was fine. She likes a little "meat" on them :)

Then came time for the shots. He had to have 3 shots and one given orally (all vaccinations). When the nurse gave him the oral one out of the syringe, he was eating it up. She said, wow he's like a pro--we usually don't see them eat it like this until they are about 6 months old. I told her he would eat anything that is put in his mouth :) I held his arms while she gave him the shots in his legs. As soon as the first needle went in, his face turned blood red, his mouth opened as wide as it could and he screamed to the top of his lungs. And I mean screamed. Needless to say he was not a fan of those. We finally got him calmed down and put him in the car seat and he fell asleep :) I'm glad we don't have to do that again next month! He goes back, for round 2 of shots, at 4 months.

We are enjoying every second we have with him. I love it that he's starting to make noises and he smiles when we smile at him. He's really starting to notice everything around him too. The one thing I really dislike, he's growing up way too fast!

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A little encouragement

This was on my devotional today and I thought it was worth sharing!

"It won't be long before you will look back on that up-tight, high-powered, super-charged issue with a whole new outlook. To be quite candid, you may laugh out loud in the future at something you're eating your heart out over today."

"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning." Job 11:16-17

Praying for all of my dear, sweet friends today! God is awesome!

Picture post!

Here are some new pictures!

Looking at the birds on his swing

Getting ready for the bridal shower
Baby Dedication at church

The gang

Laughing at Dad's whistles

Getting in the groove

Well I think we're beginning to get into a groove with me going back to work. Things have gone really well this week so far. My Grandma loves keeping Garrett and he's been super good for her. He's started to laugh more and it's so funny. I think he just noticed the animals on his bouncey seat and he just cracked up laughing at them the other day. I would love to know what he's thinking! He's been sleeping through the night too, which is a huge blessing with me coming back to work.

The kids at school were happy I was back but told me they wished the sub could grade their papers :) They all made me letters and drew their own impressions of a baby on them. They wrote the letter part in Spanish and they are pretty funny. It was nice to come in to those on Monday. I also allowed them to ask me any question they wanted on Monday about Garrett or about the adoption. I had heard many of them had questions and I wanted to use this opportunity to teach them about the process. Some of them thought that essentially there was a "line up" of babies and we just went and chose Garrett. So it was nice being able to share that with them.

The baby dedication last Sunday was great. I'll post some pictures this weekend. Obviously with coming back to work there hasn't been a lot of time for blogging or uploading pictures :)

2 for 2 :)

Well the past 2 nights, Doodlebug has slept through the night! I know we are definitely spoiled with him! We fed him at 9 last night and loved on him for a bit and then put him to bed. He slept until 5 this morning. I'm praying this trend continues especially with me going back to work next week.

I know there are so many of you hurting right now. I have no idea what a failed adoption feels like and I know we are so blessed beyond measure with this sweet boy. But know that I'm praying and I know God is working. And for all of my friends still waiting, I'm praying for you guys too! I don't just say that, you are on the forefront of my prayers each morning.

We are going to soak up this last day of me being at home before I go back to work on Monday. We're having lunch with Tommy and then we have a big weekend ahead of us. My sister is getting married in May and my mom and I are having a shower for her tomorrow. Sunday is baby dedication day at our church. This will be such a sweet memory for us! We're also getting the garden ready. I'm going to try and attempt to make Doodlebug's baby food--I know we still have a ways to go but I'm a planner by nature :) The awesome thing is everything will be in season when it's time for him to have solids. I'd love to hear any tips you may have!

Enjoy the time you have right now. No matter what is going on remember that God's grace is sufficient and will pull you through! I hope you all have a great weekend!