Baby Shower Recap

Here are some pictures from the baby shower last weekend. I had brought my camera, but again, forgot to take any pictures. I'm so glad someone was there taking pictures. The shower was wonderful, and again, we were so blessed. Thank you to everyone who helped to host the shower, and everyone who came. I know Michael is so loved!

Me and Mom enjoying the wonderful food

The guest of honor - he slept during the entire shower.

Some of the gifts

The decorations - They had his announcement framed in several places

The food - Everything was so good!

Two of the wonderful hostesses: Minda Shelton and Barb Lehman

Frankie Powell and Irene Carver
The little ladies
Ashely with Michael - She is one of the people who were so helpful during the entire adoption process.

Barb with Michael

Granny and Abigail enjoying the food.

Cathy (MIL), Mary Beth Williams and Gloria Compton

We received some wonderful gifts, including a gift card to Pottery Barn, for his bedding. I came home from the shower and ordered the bedding that day. We got it last Thursday and I have it all set up and it is perfect. Once the rest of the nursery is put together, I will be posting pictures of the finished nursery. I love how it is turning out, and so excited to see it completed.

Showered with Blessings

Last Sunday was our first Baby Shower, and we were so blessed! My mom and sisters did a wonderful job with the decorations and the food. Thank you Mom for all of your hard work. It was a wonderful shower, and I am so grateful for everything you did.
I forgot to take pictures with my camera, so these are from my Mom's. I had in my mind all of these pictures that I wanted to make sure I took, but in the moment, I completely forgot to take any. My sister Sarah took a bunch of pictures, and once I get them from her, I will post them on here.
The gift tableThere were so many people there. Ladies from Bible Study, ladies from my parents church, old friends, new friends, best friends, old co-workers, ladies that work with my mom and dad, sisters, and my MIL. My dad even showed up for part of it. He is one proud Papa. Thank you everyone who helped to make this day so very special for us! I left feeling so loved and knowing that there are so many people that love Michael. Our other shower is in Greenville next weekend, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Wonderful

That is how I would describe the past few days. We just fall more and more in love with this little baby everyday.
Warning: This is a super long post...

Lunch on Tuesday with the birth mother went really well. We were both so grateful for each other. She kept saying how happy she was with her decision and that she knows that this was the best for him. That we could give him a life that she couldn't. She is such a brave woman to be able to do this. I am so thankful that she chose us to raise her child. We took pictures of her holding him and of us together, but for security I won't be posting any of them on here. We didn't end up leaving until after 1:00 pm so that would have put us home around 8:00, but we had to make some stops along he way. Right outside Birmingham, is the Boy Scouts of America AL headquarters. It was such a nice facility and Andrew really enjoyed stopping. While he looked around, I took he time to feed Michael one last time before really hitting he road. Well, this stop put us an hour behind, so we knew it was going to be late by the time we got home. Michael was such a good traveler! He slept almost the entire time. We did get stuck in bad traffic in Atlanta, so that put us another hour behind. By the time we got to Greenville it was 9:00 so we stopped in really quickly to see Andrew's family. We were there long enough for everyone to hold him and get some kisses in, and change his diaper. We left around 10:00 and pulled into our driveway at 10:45 pm. My parents were anxious to see him, so they came over as soon as we got home. Our house was decorated with balloons everywhere and a giant flower arrangement. My mom also cooked us a lasagna, so we got it out and ate while mom and dad held Michael. That is why I didn't get any pictures of them holding him on Tuesday. They stayed for about an hour and then they left and we got Michael to bed. He did pretty good in his little cradle, but ended up in our bed anyway. Wednesday we slept in and took advantage of Michael wanting to sleep late. He has horrible diaper rash, so I called he Dr to see what they would recommend. They said to get lotrimin and mix it with Vaseline and put it on him at every diaper change. They also suggested that we let his bottom dry completely before putting it on. So we have had a lot of naked butt time. We also took Michael for his first chiropractor visit. We just love our Chiropractor, Dr. Sisk. Michael did wonderful, and didn't need to be adjusted at all. After the Chiropractor we came home and Andrew went off looking for a Rocker/Recliner for us. Even though Michael is doing wonderful at night, it would still be nice to have a place to rock him. He didn't find one that was priced reasonably, and comfortable enough, so we will keep looking. While he was gone, Kelly and Clara came over to visit. After they left Sarah came over to do Michael's newborn photos. She is awesome and did awesome! I will post the pictures in another post. They are so good, they deserve their own post. After she left, Grandma came over to visit, and go over names/addresses for the baby shower her and my sisters are hosting for me in a couple weeks. I am so excited about the baby shower. I just want to show him off to everyone! Last night was such a better night for all of us. Michael went 3 - 31/2 hours between feedings, and between me doing the first two, and Andrew doing the last one, we both got an extended amount of sleep.
Today, I went to work to pick up my paycheck, and Michael came along with me. All the men just ooohed and aaahed over him. It's funny how a baby can make a grown man do some silly things. After that we went to see Grandma and Papa at work. Papa is so proud and carried him all over the shop floor to show him off.

Then we went to my friend Missy's house for a quick visit. She is so dear to me, and am blessed to have her as a friend.

After that we went to the bank and Michael got to see all the ladies that have been asking about him. Then it was time to go home. He was hungry and ready for some more naked butt time.

While Andrew took care of the baby, I went to pick up the dogs from the kennel. We were a little nervous about how the dogs would react, but they did great. They act like they don't even know there is a baby around. I'm so thankful that the dogs are being so good. After Michael had a full tummy and a dry bottom, we were off again to go visit some more very special people, Greg and Chris Patterson. They are wonderful people and we were excited to bring Michael to see them. Then we went to buy a recliner. We went to Big Lots, and found one. It is super comfortable, was very reasonably priced, and is black leather, and that is what we were looking for. We wanted leather because of the dogs, and the baby. Leather is super easy to clean. After buying the chair, we went home, and we had some more visitors. My neighbor Abby came over to visit, and she also brought us some dinner, which was so nice. While Abby was still there, Becky and Leilani came over. Leilani did so great with the baby. She thinks Becky needs to have another baby. I think I agree with Leilani.

Andrew went back to work today and Michael has his 2 week check up at the Dr. I have a ton of questions to ask the Dr. and hopefully I will remember everything I want to ask him. Also, we have so many visitors coming this weekend, and I am so excited for them to meet Michael. Hopefully I will post another blog sooner, so I won't have to do these super long posts. I just want to remember everything about this experience, and if I don't write it down, I will forget it.

Jessica's Baby Shower

This past Saturday, I attended a baby Shower for Jessica and baby Lydia. There were so many people there, and she was "showered" with so many blessings. Here are just a few pictures from the afternoon.

The Cute Cake

The Food Table

The Gift table. I love the Pom Poms hanging from the light.
The Diaper Cake

All the presents

Jessica Opening Gifts

Jessica, Jennifer and Me. (We missed you Julie)
Jessica with her Mom and Sister "Aunt Molly"

Jessica with all the hostesses