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.

How we have spent the last few days...

So, we got Michael on Saturday morning, and we have been in awe ever since. Saturday afternoon, we came back to the hotel and just loved on our little boy.

                                     

I was able to Skype with my parents and Andrew's parents for a little bit, so they could see their newest grandson. We also were able to skype with Aunt Amy, and Auntie Fer. Everyone is so excited about meeting our little one, and we are more than willing to show him off.

Other than that, our day and night was filled with bottles, diapers, and staring at our baby. Michael didn't sleep much the first night, but he didn't scream and cry either. He just was awake, and wanted us to be awake with him. So, we all sat and looked at each other for a few hours.

He is such a happy, content baby, and this is such a blessing. At one point we just put him in bed with us, and we all three got about 3 hours of solid sleep.

Sunday, we did more of the same. Bottles, Diapers, and Bonding. It is suggested for adopted parents to do skin-to-skin with their new child, so we spent some time doing that. We also skyped with family again. We tried to get Michael to learn his days from nights, so we tried our hardest to keep him awake during the day, but we mostly lost that battle. He did really well at first during the nigh. Andrew took the first shift, and I went to bed early. Then we both switched on and off during the middle of the night, and then I let Andrew sleep late, and I did the third shift.

We had a very important meeting at 3:00 today. We met with the adoption attorney, and then got to meet with the judge. First we went to meet the judge and for her to see us, and get a good feel for us. If she likes us, then we don't have to come back to Alabama for Finalization, and they can do it without us being present.

Well, she was so sweet, and not what I was expecting. She held little Michael and loved on him for a little bit, and then just talked to us. She apparently liked us, and told us that we would be great parents, and that he was all ours. Then we went with the attorney to sign a bunch of papers. We were in and out in 30 minutes. After we left the courthouse, we went to eat a very early dinner.

Michael slept from the time we left the hotel, went to the courthouse, ate dinner, and drove back to the hotel.

                                     

When we got back to the hotel I wanted to get some pictures of him in his cute outfit, but he just wasn't havin' it.

He was ready for a diaper change, and dinner. Once he got that, he was a happy camper. We got the call during dinner that we has received our ICPC Clearance, and were able to go home. SO, we will be going home tomorrow!!

We will be having lunch with the birth mother, and a woman from the agency, and then we will head home.

This will be the first time we will meet Michael's birth mom, and I am really looking forward to it. I am so grateful for her sacrifice, and I just want to be able to tell her so. We will be giving her a scrapbook with our original profile in it, and a page that I added that has a picture of Andrew, Michael, and myself and a little note of thanks. The scrapbook also has lots of extra pages for her to put the updates that we will be sending her. We also got her a necklace and earring set that has the August birthstone on them. This is just a small token to show our appreciation, and to let her know that what she did we will always be grateful for.

After we have lunch, we will hit the road, and hopefully be home by 8:00 pm. I'm sure we will have to make several stops to change diapers, and to feed Michael. I hope he is a good little traveler, and that he sleeps most of the way home. He will have 2 sets of grandparents waiting for him at home, so I hope he is nice and rested for all the love and attention he will be getting.

This has been a great experience, and am so happy that we have been given such a wonderful gift.

A little more detail

Well, I promised more information, and here it is. Sorry it has taken almost a week to post an update.
First, here is an overview of our time line
May 1st - Decided to Adopt
May 11th - Information meeting at Night Light Christian Adoptions
May 14th - Met with Special Link Adoptions
May 18th - Mailed our application to Special Link.
- Homestudy scheduled for June 18th. Started the paperwork for our homestudy.
June 8th - Got an e-mail from our agency about a possible situation but we needed to move up our homestudy.
June 9th - Homestudy
June 13th - Homestudy officially approved.
June 25th - Got the CALL! A birth mother has chosen us to be the parents of her baby boy.
August 10th - Due Date for our little boy!
Everything moved so fast, but worked out better then I could have planned. We know this is what God's plan is for our lives right now. Who else could have orchestrated everything so perfectly.
Please continue to pray for us as we wait for our son to be born. Please pray for the birth mother as she makes this decision. We will be traveling to Alabama to pick him up 5 days after he is born. The birth mother is given 5 days to change her mind. I know those will be the longest 5 days of my life.
We are so excited about becoming parents, and can not wait to meet our son!!