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.

Everything I love most in life...

I love these boys more than anything else in this world. I am so blessed.

My Son

I would like to introduce my son, Michael Weston Wolff. Isn't he beautiful?

I will post more later...
For now, just enjoy the pictures.

Road trip to Alabama!

We left Gaffney at 11:00 am and started making our way to Alabama. We had to make a few stops in Greenville. (Thank you Jessica and Chris for your gift! I know it will come in handy these first few weeks!)

Then we headed down the road. Here is my road trip survival kit: A Rt. 44 Cherry Limeade from Sonic, A great Karen Kingsbury Book, and a new crochet project.

 I was actually able to get half of the blanket made during the ride down.
Andrew wanted to make a stop in Atlanta, so we could eat at The Varsity. We could have taken 285 and gone around Atlanta, but instead we took 85 right into Atlanta. 

He looks ready to eat!

 The Varsity food was good, but it has nothing on The Beacon, in Spartanburg. Sorry Atlanta people. You just don't know what you are missing.

Yes, I am a Big Dork!

Getting out of Atlanta, we got in bad traffic, but we just rolled with it. About 30 miles outside of Atlanta, I got a turn driving. We finally made it to Alabama, and I tried to take a picture of the sign with my iPhone, while I was driving. But it just didn't work. All I got were trees. Andrew was sleeping, so I didn't think it was necessary to wake him up just to take a picture. We drove by Talladega Superspeedway, which was cool to see. We also drove by the Boy Scouts of America Headquarters, and Andrew got really excited about that! I think we will be having to make a stop on the way home, or we might just go one day while we are down here, and are looking for things to do. I can't wait to get a picture of Andrew, holding his son, in front of the Boy Scout sign. I drove the rest of the way, until we were at a standstill in traffic, and we did a "Chinese fire drill" and Andrew drove the remaining 15 miles. For some reason, he just isn't comfortable with me driving in heavy traffic...I wonder why?? J/K We got to our hotel, and checked in. We were able to use Andrew's priority club points for the reservations, and only had to pay $30/night for the first 3 nights, and then the last night we are here, we have to pay full price. But they did upgrade us to a 1 bedroom suite, rather then the studio, and it is wonderful having the extra space.

Living Room

Kitchen / Desk

Bedroom

All ready for the baby

After we got all settled into the hotel, we went and ate one last dinner as just the two of us. Andrew's boss had given him a gift card for Lone Star Steakhouse, so we went there. If I had been paying, I wouldn't have been happy. The food was just ok, but nothing wonderful. But, it was nice that she gave us the gift card, and we appreciate it very much. After dinner, we went to Wal-Mart to get some things to have in the room for the next few days. Drinks, snacks, cereal... Then we came back to the room, and went to bed. It was a long day of traveling, but we have a huge day today, and we needed to be rested. It's funny how God prepares you for something like this. Last night, I woke up every 2 hours. I think this is a sign of things to come...

Well, I will update later with pictures of my SON!!! Only 2 more hours until he is in my arms!!

Wordless Wednesday

The Best Birthday Ever!

Today is my 28th birthday, and it is one I will remember for the rest of my life. I am finally a Mama! My Son is healthy, and doing great, and hopefully, I will see a picture of his sweet face today! What better birthday gift could I ask for? Just 4 more days and I will be holding him in my arms!!

I'm a Mama!

We got the call about 3:30 this afternoon, that our son was born! He was born last night around 6:30. He weighed 7 lbs 3 oz and is 19 inches long. He is healthy and doing great!

We actually got the call during my nieces birthday party, so my whole family was there to get the wonderful news. I am so happy that my dad was able to get pictures of the phone call!

Finding out our son was born!

I Can't believe we have a son!

Hearing the most wonderful news!

The Proud Parents!

Now we just have to wait the 5 days before we can go pick him up! I think these will be the longest days of my life!

Baby Gifts

On Friday, Andrew came home from work with a gift from his boss! I was so excited to open our first "baby gift"! The gift bag had four little outfits in it! They are all so cute, and perfectly sized for the next 6 months!

Also, on Thursday at work, my boss gave me a sweet card, and a gift card to Wal-Mart. I have only worked for this guy for a little over a month, and he was so sweet to do that. I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives.
Now, we just need the baby... Yes, we are still waiting. I thought for sure, that he would come last week. But, he's still baking. I will be thrilled whenever he comes, but I would really rather it be sooner than later. If he waits and comes on his due date, that would be the best birthday gift I will ever receive! I'll update as soon as I hear something!

Switch-A-Roos

On Thursday night, I met Jessica in Greenville at the Switch-A-Roos Consignment sale. It was the first night of the sale, and it was only open to consignors and first time moms. I left right after work and headed straight to Greenville. As I was getting off the interstate, I got a flat tire. I pulled into the first parking lot I could get to, and standing in the parking lot, was an old friend! I haven't seen him in probably 6 years, and I really believe that God was watching out for me! What a Godsend! Kyle changed the flat tire for me, and as he was changing the tire, I found out that his wife reads my blog! So - Hi Jenn! Thanks for reading!

So, after the tire was changed, Jessica and I made our way over to the  consignment sale. We had no idea what to expect, but as we were walking in, and saw all these women carrying laundry baskets full of stuff out of the sale, I knew we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  Here is a picture I took with my iPhone.

As you can see, it was huge! Next year, I will be more prepared. I was able to get a few things that we would need. I bought a bottle warmer, a car seat double headrest, a super cute outfit, and a winter coat-like thing. We will still be in his carrier, this winter, so I figured it would be good to have. It has a slot on the bottom for the seat belt to go through. In total, I spent $21.20. Not too bad.

We had so much fun, and we will definitely go again next year. On Sunday, everything is half off, and I wish I was able to go on Sunday, but I won't be able to make it.

Friends

I am so blessed to have three best friends! These girls mean the world to me, and I love that 3 of us are becoming mommies within 6 months of each other.

Here is Jessica and Lydia at one of lunch dates. Lydia is getting so big!

The pictures were taken with iPhone, so they are a little blurry.

On June 16th, Julie had baby Coleman Paul. We were able to go down to Atlanta to visit them a week after he was born. He is so teeny tiny!

We cooked dinner for her and Steve, and were able to spend the whole day loving on the baby, and hopefully we helped out Julie too.

 Here is the happy family!

And all four of us.

Jennifer is going full time to school to get her Masters Degree, so she doesn't have time for babies, but we are hoping she will get the itch soon.

I Love you girls, and I am so thankful to have you in my life!