And we are home!

When we got home we had requested that just Charlie be there so we could have our family time! I told family they could just wait in the driveway, cause I felt like family time may last about 4 minutes until Charlie was over Easton! Surprisingly, or not, it last 2!! We were videoing it and when Charlie came into the room he started being "funny" and refusing to look at Easton! To say that he was not impressed on Day 1 might be an understatement! That night at bed he told us "I don't want a baby brother and I don't like all these people in my house!" The next morning..and every morning since, we have woken up to " I luv my baby brudder"!! He does love him, we are just working at being a little more gentler! We totally forgot to get a family picture before everyone left..so we took a self portrait..we had to take 8 before we got all of us in there! Of course on the ones where Charlie is smiling and looking up..we cut Easton off!! Maybe on Easter we can get some great family pictures!..like the red skull blanket I made him!!!
I did not manage to get a picture with every person that came over, so I am not even going to try to post them all like I did last time..but I did get some great ones that I wanted to post!....Kirkley loves babies..so stinkin sweet!

Is it me or blogger?? Tutti was in town this time and got to come right over instead of waiting to fly back in like last time..both my boys are SO lucky to have such AWESOME grandparents on both sides...seriously, they are both so great and have been SO helpful!! So irritated that this wont turn...this is a great picture...!!!!

I had some way better ones of Christy holing Easton, but this was the only one turned the right way..all the kids, minus mine, have been so great!!

Another turned picture...

Kendra and Jeremy stopped by and had the greatest burp cloth and flip flops..the flip flops were for me and I already took a picture for another post!!

Come on, he is adorable!

I also had some really cute ones of Sage feeding him..turned the wrong way:( But I still thought this was great!

Aunt Ange and Easton!! All 4 of my sister-in-laws have been so good to us and so helpful too..dadgmit we are lucky!

Such a big helper...well, someday he will be!! Actually he is good with taking the bottles to the sink and diapers to the trash!

Ada and Easton!

Libby and Easton..who she kept calling Presley!!

Kissing on his brother!

Pointing/Poking Easton!!!Love this one!!!!

Mom and Laura!

Love his little face..a face that often resembles a little old man!!

This is the first of many pictures like this..I assume! Easton is a brand of baseball bats, hockey sticks and arrows...well, can you guess which one we had handy the day we got home...nice and classy picture of my sweet baby with an arrow..one that I am pretty sure has killed a deer!...classy...

Day 4..going home!!

Day 4..I slept the latest and the best that night..I woke up at 6:30 and we got moving..I had politely let the nurse and mom know we were hoping to head out as soon as possible! No pictures and no circ...in hindsight, should have done the circ there cause then it would have been included in that VERY large check I wrote them, but because of his temp instability, they had to watch him even longer after the circ....and I was SO ready to get home, so it's being done this Thursday..at our expense!! Oh Well, we got home early! We met up at the hospital at 8:30..mom, her sister, their mom and some friends were all there in the family room with us. They all got the opportunity to hold, feed and dress him again. I think that I was tired and totally spent because I just kept feeling frustrated at him being left unwrapped, being feed in a way that just pissed him off.....it was time to go because I could tell I was getting frustrated and irritated and little stupid things that I should have just let go. Plain and simple I wanted to be at home with my family..and I got my wish cause we were on the road by 10!! Saying goodbye was not that hard to me, because I know that I will see them again real soon. I am sure it was hard for them because all they have is my word that we will see them and they don't know me well enough to know if I am good for my word. But I felt good because I knew that this was just the beginning of our relationship with them..and I got another answer to my prayers..I got a birth mom that I love, that I bonded with, that I can be friends with and share a child with...I always knew that when "it" happened it would be the perfect time..and it was ..the perfect time with the perfect baby and the perfect mom...for us at least!

What is up with blogger and its pictures...??? My poor husband..the only guy all weekend..surrounded by all girls..other then Easton! He was a trooper and was great!
Headed home in the outfit mom chose for him..so tiny the car seat was as tight as it would go an it just fit!
I thought this turned out great...this was the hospitals rooming in room for parents..and this was not planned for this in the background..but it turned out great!..and yes, we are as tired as we look!!

Day 3

Day 3 was different..we got to moms room early..9:30 and hung out for about 10 min..we brought up something and had told them the day before that we would just pop in and let them spend the rest of the morning with him. Plans changed a bit when I got the text at 8:30 that Easton would stay another day..I was super let down, but kinda saw it coming. We knew he would be back in her room at 11ish so we popped in to say Hi and see if they needed anything and then we left. It was for sure a different vibe in the room that morning...somber like....hence the short visit. Easton came to their room at 11ish and we got back at 12:45 with lunch....Harold's BBQ!!! Yum! So they had almost 2 hrs with just him..and when we came back with lunch and she had him in her arms..the whole vibe was different. It was lighter and we were back to laughing and having fun...I cannot say enough how well we bonded with theses 2 girls..I meant to say that on Day one when the sister met us outside to take us to see him her first words to me were.."are you ready to meet your son?!!!!!" They made us feel confident and secure, just by being themselves.

We ate lunch and then the case worker showed up..have I mentioned just how much I LOVE her!! So glad to do this with her again! We stepped out to give them space to talk over paperwork and knew we would not see them again till she had signed...I felt so happy, giddy almost, because I was so peaceful and confident.

We stepped out to the waiting room to read over and get ready to sign our paperwork while we waited for the notary and witness to come from her room to us.....that is a lot of paperwork and it can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating...I can only imagine how mom felt...

We each got a copy to read over and you can bet that Bradley was thrilled for me to be snapping his picture at this moment!

When I sat down I felt so good. When I saw the notary and witness walk by I felt good still, but the nervousness was kicking in. I looked at my blog from that day..it took 6 min for me to go from confident and trusting to a big ball of mess!! In those 6 mins any peacefulness and calmness was GONE! Just a few minutes later the doors opened and I purposefully did not look...I was so afraid that I would be met by eyes that were pitying me because she had not signed. I waited till the caseworker walked up and touch my shoulders and said "Well.....she singed!" And that was the second time I cried that trip...the tears just flowed and I mumbled to her that I was so afraid of a repeat of last time and to hear say that..well, these were happy relieved tears. She hugged me and told me that mom never hesitated. Moms sister had told us that mom earlier had said that she wanted to brig him home with them, bu could only do it if he was coming home with a lot of money....she wanted to keep him so bad, but knew that they were in no place to financially do it. She was a tough, smart mom...and we are forever grateful to her for her courage, strength and the clarity she brought to this situation.

I loved this picture and I tried it 4 times..no clue why it wont turn..

Sweet boy!!

There are not as many pictures this time because all the ones that I took of Easton and her friends and family I have saved for just Easton. I would love to share them, but since they don't know about the blog, I couldn't really ask permission. Charlies parents don't know either, but theirs have been on here since day 1...before I thought that maybe it wasn't a good idea..so why stop now, right!!..plus, we are on their myspace page..so that's fair, right??!!

I will never complain about this day..because she signed and that makes me Eastons mommy, but I did hate that nothing really felt any different for us after she signed. He was in her room and she stayed until 12am and then left. So we still were not really holding him, feeding him and changing him. I fed him and changed his first diaper at a gas station on the way home! There is a picture on here of me feeding him..I was just finishing off the last 10ml for mom...the NICU came out in me and he was done in minutes!!

I try to be honest and real..so, if I am being honest......

When I brought Charlie home, I felt bonded to him. I had held, fed and changed him..and stared into his eyes ...I felt bonded, but I did not feel like his mom. That took about a 2-3 days. With Easton, I felt like his mom the minute I got him in the car, but I did not feel bonded. Which did not worry me the least bit. I knew I had very little time with him there and that it would come...

Well, happy to report that after 3 1/2 days home..I feel like a very lucky, bonded mom of 2 boys!!!

MY God IS SO GOOD!!

day 2...in special care

Not a lot of pictures from Day 2..Easton was in special care nursery for most of the day due to his temp. They decided after he warmed up for the third time..that it was not him causing him to get cold, but his environment. This was/is probably one of the most stressful/frustrating parts of adoption. My role in the hospital is to be supportive and keep my mouth shut...not speak up for my child, because while we are there, he is not "mine". I knew he was cold and why he was cold, but I did not feel is was in our best interest to go tell anyone what to do. So I sat there as he kept being unwrapped and played with..despite the nurse saying he must be kept in 2 or 3 blankets. When the nurse came back and he was without ANY blankets, she temp'd him and he was 96.7..this time he bought himself an isolette. This was my first time to cry..1 of 2 times. When we got to the car I was so frustrated (I cried in the car, not in front of anyone..just to clarify!)...because I knew that we had just bought ourselves another day in Abilene, another hotel night and another day away from Charlie...I was so frustrated because I felt that if I was in charge, he'd have stayed wrapped and since I was not....nothing I could do about it. No longer an issue since he is home and we are now in charge! We visited him a few times that day, but only got him out once...which I was more then willing to just pass on that day. I wanted him warm and I wanted to give him every chance to come home on time. But the nurse insisted on getting him out for us..almost demanded! It was nice though..it was our 2nd time to hold him and the only time while we were there that it was just the three of us!

I am planning to write an big "thanks" to the nurses there. When we were there with Charlie we got no love. No one (medically speaking) acknowledged us, spoke to us, addressed us..nothing. And to a point I get that, they are the mom, until they sign we are really nothing....but Charlies mom would defer questions about him to us..like do we want him circ'd, and then they still would not even look at us. This time around we were sooooo loved! Nurses went out of their way to be nice, include us, ask us what we needed..I even had one call me on my cell to make sure I was okay after they put him in special care nursery..they were AWESOME!! And how great they were to me was nothing on how great they were to Easton's mom..all of them really were great....and I work in a hospital and know that is rare!!!!

Our camera has a feature that detects smiles and take the picture on its own when you smile....we had way to much fun with it!!!!
It was amazing the difference we saw in him once he got warm..he came to life and opened his eyes, moved around and was much more fun!!

Out alone time was nice..especially since it was our only time just the three of us for our whole time there!

smile feature..we really stayed entertained!

loving on my boy

to tired to turn this around!

check out his shoes!!! Thanks Lacie..I love them!!!! and so did everyone there, they were a big hit! He actually seemed to like his isolette..makes sense, I'm sure he like to be warm!!

Super sweet picture of him and his other mom

This was his first outfit and he was too cute..until he pooped about an hour later! If you guys thought I changed Charlie a lot, watch out!! Easton was in 5 outfits the first day we were home..he has explosive poop about every 5 min!!!..I only wish I was kidding about that!

Day 1 in Abilene!

So, I woke up on Wed to morning with contractions, well, at text say that Easton's mom was having contractions! I knew from Charlies mom that just because there was contractions , it did not mean labor and it did not mean a baby that day. But since her Dr apt showed her at 3cm the day before, I was pretty confident that this was baby day. The texting back and forth continued until around 11 when I got the text that said "They are admitting her, head to Abilene!!!" I called Bradley and he headed home from work..I was mostly packed already..shocked, I know..so there was really little to do! When he got home we headed out to Abilene. I think it was about thirty minutes into the drive when I got a text say she was a 6..thirty min later a text saying they broke her water..thirty min later she got her epidural and thirty min later..she was pushing! 2 pushes and he was out! I knew after the text about her water breaking that we'd miss it..so I texted them permission to have the baby without us!! It worked out well that we missed it because it gave her 30 min of time with him before we got there.

Have you ever been in the room with someone during delivery or right after..it's kinda personal and personal things happen...it's really kinda odd to do those things with people you have only met once! Luckily, most pregnant woman could care less right after they have the baby so that makes it a little better! We stayed for just a short bit..we went to get mom lunch and to go buy a camera cause we were itching to take pictures of our little man...who, if we are being honest, did not feel like our little man at this point. Here is some photos from right when we got back. Right before we left they came to take him to the nursery to warm up..his temp was so cold, they could not even get it to measure! He finally warmed up to 94.9 so he stayed in the nursery for 3-4 hrs...his temp was supposed to be higher then 97.7..little man was COLD!!
One of the first things I feel in love with was his hair! That was the one and only thing I wanted to give my children was my hair...did not really care to pass on any other features, but I have always like my hair. So I was pumped when we saw his hair and the nurse looked at me and said "well, kinda looks like he got your hair" When your children are adopted, no one ever gets to do the whole.."Oh, he got your hair, Bradley's nose, etc", and that's fine, but after 2 1/2 yrs of lots of people saying how much Charlie and Bradley look alike and share the same mannerisms..it was nice to get one thing kinda like me!....watch it all fall out next week and come in jet black!!!!!!

his poor face was quite swollen at first!

You can tell how he felt about his bath!

But he did love to have his hair washed! When it was all wet, he looked bald..like shinny, bicked bald head!!

This may have been the greatest part of his day!!

This is my favorite picture from day one..minus the fact that it made him look big, when he is actually tiny, this one looks most like him!

My goal is to do all of Abilene and get caught up..and if his feeds can go every 3-4 hr, there is a decent chance of that happening!

Alright, alright!!

The yelling can stop.here are some pictures!! I tried yesterday, but it was a whirlwind of visitors and then the adrenaline was wearing off..by the time we were unwinding and I thought of the computer, I was already closing my eyes...only to have them opened every 2 hrs to feed last night! Wow, that will get old real quick!! Were working on stretching it longer, but I fear the habit may have been formed before I got a hold of him!! And honestly, he eats 3 ounces and acts starved again in 2 hrs....any thoughts?? And with ALL the MANY diapers I am changing, he gets rids of EVERY bit he takes in!! I love him so much already!! His hands and feet are huge..pretty sure both our boys are going to tower over us!

My sweet little peach fuzzed towhead!

In the car!!!

It was a long morning, but we are headed home!!!!!! Everything went great, just long. I promise to have some pictures up soon, there were computer issues in Abilene. If not today then for sure tomorrow... We may have a few visitors today!!


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Today is the day!!!

Headed to the hospital to visit with mom, her sister, and some friends. We have emphasized to everyone that we are ready to go home....so I don't care how much I annoy nurses and drs today...just discharge us and get us home!!! I let ya know when were on our way home!!


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Yesssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!

Holding our son!!!!!!!!!she signed!!!!!!!


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Every additional minute I sit here, I completly go back to last time and I am freaking out. Not feeling confident anymore


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Waiting

Hanging out in the waiting room...the same waiting room...and im nervous and freaked out and running to the bathroom, but my gut says she will sign...I guess I'll know soon. Please pray for her.


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Feeling good

Feeling good and peaceful and that can only be from God...heaven knows I can't do that on my own! Visited with them this morning and it seems that all is on track. We are grabbing lunch for the 4 of us and headed back up there. I feel good and confident...but I feel like that may shrink a bit as we near 2:45, but we will be fine regardless! Really can't wait to show you pictures... He is adorable!!!!!!


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Today

Headed up to the hospital to talk with the caseworker and make sure everything is still on for 2:30 today. Easton will have to stay until tomorrow to prove he can keep his temp up on his own, but I think were still on track...I'll update when we get back.


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Wow

Headed to dinner...you guys know I eat at 5:30...so this 9pm business is reducioulois!! Meeting the granmother who was dead set against this was...actually a real treat. She seemed so nice and on board. Bradley and I have 2 theories.. One, she really is on board and realized that some contact is better then none...Or, the other option is she is happy cause she got her way and we just don't know it..! I am leaning towards her signing, I'll be surprised if she dosent.... But I'd have said that last time..:(. Ugh, tomorrow cannot come fast enough. I have another little one at home that I am dying to see and really need to snuggle.

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Hanging out

Hanging out in the room with mom and her mom...so far so good..who saw that coming!


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Alive!

Were alive, but so tired. Going to take a quick nap and head back up there and try to have an early night. Specific prayer request are for his temp to stablize and come out of special care nursery in time for us to leave tomorrow, for birthmom, her mom (who came to visit) and all to go well at 2:30-3 tomorrow.....thanks!!


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Sleep

Would love to be sleeping right now, but I cannot manage to turn off my brain for too long! I went to sleep okay at 11 and woke up at 3:33 with my mind going non-stop. If it's any consalation, in my dreams, she signed every time!
We probably spent more time with her yesterday then we did with charlies mom the entire time we were there. And I am cool with that, I just hope were not wearing her out! It just seems wrong for her to be there all by herself after just giving birth. Her twin is there, but her mom does not support her and has not been there. She may come up today, but jury is still out on if that's a good idea! Her godmother supports her, but does not want to come up and get in the middle of all this..and it just seems to me that when you have a baby you should be pampered and suported, so that's what we have been trying to do!
Everyone keeps asking when we will be home and I am pretty sure mom can sign on Friday after 2:23...48hrs after birth. If all goes good, I'd hope to be in the car by 4-4:30....but who knows!
Were good, but my brain is tired from "trying to give her space and time with him, but still trying to let them know we already love him and are excited". The sister asked me yesterday if we were excited and I said yes. I felt bad that she even had to ask, so I told her yes we were thrilled, so excited I could just scream, but we realized our exvitment came at a price for them so we were just trying to tone it down..... So awkard to go through such personal situations with people you met a week ago!! I can tottally tell that bonding with this mom will be a breeze...it's already so much eaiser and more relaxed!!

Alright, enough for know..I'm gonna soak in a bath and attempt to return to bed!!

As a side note, there's no spell check when I post on my phone, so sorry in advance!!


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Long day

I did not give birth but I am exhausted!! We just left the hospital and are eating dinner..at 8:15!!
I'd say the day has gone good...he is absolutly adorable! We got there abot 30 min after he was born and got to hold him!! So stinkin cute!! His hair may be my favorite feature..and I hope I get to show it off to you soon! We are waiting to put up pictures until he is officialy ours and I hope that happens on Friday afternoon. I'll know more about the signing once we talk to a caseworker.
Headed back to the hospital and then to check into a hotel...looking forward to bed and shutting my brain off. The back and forth in my head is tiring!!


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He's here!!

Just got the text that he is born and was 7# 2oz and 20 inches!!! We will be there on 30 minutes....I am dying!!!!!

Holy cow!!!!

Bradley and I are headed to abilene....our bio is in labor!! She is at a 6 and the dr just broke her water!! Holy cow, I cannot believe this is here. We are ready for him on our end, I just hope, and will pray, that when we head home he comes with us!!


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Relax

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)

I need to just keep repeating this to myself and relax...much easier said then done, right?! Everyday I go through "This is happening and I am thrilled", "This is never going to happen", "If he doesn't come and I miss the cruise too, I'll be pissed", "I am already feeling more connected to mom, I can see this being really great", "She thinks she will sign, but I don't think she will", "The last text/email makes me feel secure"..10 min later.."That text/email makes me feel real unsure".

My days are long with the back and forth with mom and her sister and some of the communication is great and makes me feel secure and gives me hope. I feel like I am getting to know them better and I am growing close to them. But then I get one that has me running to the bathroom sick...I only wish I was kidding about that! For instance, this was my Sat at work....you know what, it is to long and draining to cover it all. Sat was a "she is not going to follow through day". But Sunday I got to see pictures of the photo album that they are making for him to show him about his family and their close friends...and then I felt good. It is exhausting...for real. No matter how much I turn it off and trust and hope and believe, I cannot walk away and distance myself from this. I need to be present and involved. And part of me thinks, she is hurting and miserable, why do I think I get to get off scott free??

This is jumbled and random...welcome to my life the past 13 days!

All that to say..we are fine and we are getting by and relying on our friends, family and God to give us peace and keep us focused on what is important. I think one thing that is different from last time is that, in my opinion, he needs us. Circumstances were different with Charlie's mom..sure she was young, but there were so many things going her way..finances, family support, male role models, christian influences...I wanted Charlie more then ANYTHING in the world, but he would have been okay with them....that is a bit painful to type, but probably true. I don't want to have to wonder about what happens to this child, I want to know and have a large say so..along with my hubby and God..as to what happens to him. I don't want to worry about how he is, I want to know. But, I don't have any say over that, so..I wait and pray and ...here it is again...Trust.

I found myself already dreaming about all the things that can be with me and my three boys..and I really want them. But I know that if what I want does not come to be a reality, then there was a purpose and I dang sure hope I learn it so God doesn't feel the need to teach me again! This is what I want...I want Easton..I want another son..I want to be his mom..I want his mom to be my other bio....I want to be overwhelmed by all the boys in my house...I want this, so I'll spend the next 6 days telling God that!

another one...

have I mentioned before how much I love big families..check out my sister-in-laws blog!!!!! I cannot believe this will make 9...NINE..nieces and nephews for me!!!!!!!!!

Possible Future New Baby update

So, an update is due...but I am SO tired! I have had the last 7 days off of work so we have got a ton of stuff done. All 18 loads of baby clothes are done, sorted and put up accordingly...too bad that they are opposite seasons! Room is organized, shopping for some baby necessities is done, FINALLY done painting his room and final decorations are going up. Once the bedding is done I'll put up pictures. A lot of the organization was done when we moved in..like keeping space for bottles, diapers, baby stuff, etc. Almost all the baby stuff is out and ready...almost!!
Here is some info on the baby.....

1. His name will be Easton Andrew Way..I have a hard time using his name though. I just keep finding myself holding back and being a little reserved. I think it's healthy and okay....and if you don't agree and have never been in my shoes..keep your mouth closed!!!! That was meant just how it sounded...with a real pretty smile though!!!!!!!

2. His new due date is tomorrow..03/19/10. They changed it yesterday to that date, but if he is still not here by 03/25/10 then they will induce mom on 03/28/10. A month ago the sono showed him to be 6 lbs..those sonos can sometimes be worthless in determining weight, but if it's right, then I am thinking he may be a big boy!! Charlie was 6# 14 oz (?) and I work with preemies..so an 8lb baby will feel huge!

3. The question everyone really wants to know is...what is his race! You can all act like there is more important questions, but the top 3 questions I get...really, the only 3 questions I get are...1.) When is it due? 2.) What is it 3.) What is his race...in that order! He is full white...and no one was more shocked by that then me... I prayed for a year now for a little bi-racial girl and so hearing he was a white boy...well, it threw me!!
I prayed for the last year that whatever baby came into our family be the best possible fit for Charlie, the baby and us. I did not care what race or what gender..I just wanted him/her to be good for Charlie and vice verse. I then tacked on my specifics..mixed girl, but I fully trusted Him..which is why when I was told about my new little white son, I paused, went humm and then, Okay God, I trust ya and I was super excited! Cause, He needs my approval and all!!

4. We met with birth mom and her twin sister on Monday in Abilene. Can I tell you how exciting it will be to have both bios in Abilene...2 for 1 on the visits!!! Very happy about that!! Mom chose us for a lot of different reasons, but the main one was that Christian Homes told her that we were the most "open" couple. So I know she wants a very open adoption. I think in many ways it may mirror our relationship with Charlie's mom at the beginning. I think there will probably be lots of visits at the beginning that will fade over time. I never want them to completely fade away, but I don't want twice monthly visits either!

5. All her family supports her in this decision except her mom. This is a red flag. She has been warned that her mom will probably try to talk her out of this..really looking forward to that, btw. The plan is for us to be in the waiting room during delivery and see him after. This is what we wanted. I love my child and will love all my children, but I don't need to be in the room when they are born. Pretty sure I cant say "no" if I was asked to be in there, but Bradley and I are MORE then happy to sit in the waiting room!! Plans to stay at the same hotel and just go back and forth to the hospital a few times a day for short visits. He will be born at the same hospital as Charlie..which is the same hospital that I worked at in college!
This time is different..as is should be. I don't feel the need to be there all the time..not that we were last time, but I felt the need. I don't need to be the first to hold him, the one to hold him the most of feed him or whatever. I am more relaxed this time and realize so much more how much her time with him means. I really think this bio will benefit from our previous experiences.

6. Everyday I ask Bradley.."If you had to vote today, will she place?" He usually votes yes, I almost always want to say no. I don't have great confidence that he will come home with us. I am sure part is the "red flag" and that most of that is my previous experience. I have had many people tell me to just trust in God...hello.....check out my past 5 years in attempting to have children..I trust Him, but I know that trusting God does not mean that He will give me what I want and make me happy. He loves me and will never give me more then I can handle, but He does not give us everything we ask for. Even if we ask and expect it, we do not always get what we wants...and many times we should say a big THANK YOU for those unanswered prayers..we just don't know it at the time.

7. I know that it took me a long time to bond and love Charlies mom like I do now, so I have to remind myself that it takes time. This mom is super nice, just different then me in a lot of ways..whereas, Charlies mom and I have more in common and she reminds me a lot my myself at 15-18...in time I hope to feel bonded and close to them both!

I am tired and often overwhelmed..and a lot of that is my OCD, type A personality that just needs to take a break..but I am a little more hopeful each day..not a day has gone by that I have not texted/emailed/facebooked with mom or her sister and each time makes me feel a little more secure. I am not wishing away my last 10 days with Charlie and with my sweet family of threes, but some days I just want those 48 hrs to be over and know what her decision is....

Charlie catch up

So, I want to get caught up on all my Charlie blogging so I don't fall real far behind if things go well in a week! There has been a lot going on in our house and I know Mommy has been real tired...not Charlie though!!! The house came with a bird feeder and Charlie loves to watch the birds..so we added another bird feeder, made 2 pine cone feeders with Charlie and are working on 2 bird houses..someone stop us if we become the crazy bird people!! I know that sounds like a lot of bird stuff, but remember that back yard is HUGE!!! The other day while I am at the gym I get a text that there is a Hawk in the backyard...my boys were lovin it!! I came home to 3 videos and about 15 pictures! All day Charlie would take me to the back window to show me where it was!

The videos were great..all the other birds were dive bombing it...nice!

Getting ready for baby brother...we have all the baby stuff out to get him used to it..and it was a great idea, cause it will take a lesast..forever..to teach him not to get in/on them all!!

Love that smile!

Getting him changed for bed always turns into a ginormous tickle event!

For some reason, tickling with our face/nose is so much funnier!

My kid is so stinkin lucky to have 7 aunts and uncles who ROCK and who love him...and he was LOVIN Aunt Ange this day for her low-lee-pops!!

WE went to a Hockey game and got free miniature hockey sticks...best money ever spent! He plays with theses sticks every day..and I usually only get hit once a day...not bad!!

He was fascinated and pretty much paid attention the entire time. We went to a Brahmas hockey game because it was literally 5 min from our house and who does not love a short drive!! But I loved just paying $20 for tickets, because then I did not feel bad leaving early! He loved the game and the mascot HANDS DOWN...great night!!

He asked for a red Mohawk and so I gave him one..the other teams colors...next time I will remember to go for a purple Mohawk!!

Addison and Katie came over and spent the night last Sat..or was it 2 now..and we rented some teeny bopper movie, popped popcorn, made cookies and rolled their hair...I had just taken out the rollers at breakfast so don't judge the hair here, it turned out really cute!! I made them purple chocolate chip waffles and Addison loved them..Katie, not so much!! I ended up making her a plain one that she would eat!!

Oh....the man who is keeping me sane and in line...LOVE him and cannot imagine doing the next 9 days without him..

Found a new park that we love..and since there has been some sun, we have actually gotten to enjoy it!!

Kills me how big he looks!!

What can I say, he loves ice cream just as much as his mama!!!!

Charlie's Tutti has been working with him on learning his memory verses..the first one he learned was Philippians 4:13..."I can do everything, through Christ who strengthens me"..it never fails that when I am having a "moment" my child will walk by and say/sing this. I just want to say " Yes, God..I know, I know!!"