Hopper Dog

Over at my friend Dana's blog site she has a review of the Hopper Dog posted with a chance to win one. http://danaelaineellis.blogspot.com/ I know my little girl would love one, she loves to bounce on her rocking giraffe and it doesn't even bounce.

It's been a while

I wish to write on here more but often fail to do so. On Dec 14th, Katie will have been with us for 5 months. It's amazing how much I love this little girl, the journey has been a good one. She will turn 1 in just a few days and I can't believe it. Of course we started mid-way into her journey of life so we only got "baby" for a short period. She is walking, talking (mostly babbling but with a few words) and she absolutely LOVES the cat. The cat hangs around but still is a little leery of her. I have enjoyed watching her explore and blossom. She is a hoot. She loves to climb and then "fall" off of things, which makes me a bit nervous. She loves books, she will sit and look at them and will also sit and listen but most of all she enjoys pulling them off the shelf. She had a little blow up pool this summer and I didn't want it to go to waste so I bought some balls and turned it into a ball pit which she and her friends love. I wish I had a picture of them playing last night, 3 little ones were in it having a blast.

Last night we went to take the IMPACT training class, you know the one we were told at the beginning that we didn't have to take and now we are told "yes you do". We showed up last night after all of the hustle bustle of busting or rears to get there, get a baby sitter and then they cancel and reschedule the class. Now instead of every Monday and Wednesday night for a month we go for 3 straight days. I think will be better, I already have an all day sitter. The rescheduling of the class didn't bother me too much but it would have been nice to have gotten a phone call instead of waiting for us all to show up.

The journey continues.........

Peaceful Thoughts

After going to bed last night and having a good nights sleep, I woke up at Peace with our adoption. I went into Katie Bug's room and held her in my arms while in the rocking chair. She was so sweet and still very sleepy. She sat in my lap and laid her head on my laps also (almost doubled over) and I just rubbed her back until we were wake enough to drink her bottle. Today has been a good day. We went into her room to have a little quiet and when we came out she reached her arms out to her daddy. Mike had that big ole smile like "ha ha she wants me and not you". I am so happy that she is attaching to both of us.

Sad, Grieving, and Happy Heart

Yesterday was the one month mark for us as a family. I get a call from my friend who knows the birth family. The birth mom signed the papers today saying the she is not going to contest for her child to be adopted. My friend was there explaining to her and making sure she knew what she was signing and they said she did. She signed them with tears streaming down her face. I should be soooooo happy but my heart is breaking for this young lady. As I sit here and type this entry tears are running down my face as well. My heart has always been to help the hurting "at risk" young ladies in this world and here I have helped her out and her baby but yet at the same time I am causing her much grief. I know in my heart that this is what is right and I am so glad to be this little girl's mother. Dreams to come true but they come at a cost. I just want to say "Thank You".

getting adjusted

Well, we are becoming more and more adjusted to each other. In the past I read the book Baby Wise and knew the importance of a structured routine. I am currently reading The Secrets of the Baby Whisper. She too says that the baby needs to have a structured routine and that the baby is a part of the family's life and that everything doesn't have to come to a screaching halt because of baby. Basicly she follows the same plan but calls it EASY (Eat, Activity, Sleep, Yourself) I like this because it makes it easy for me to follow. We do not live my the clock but we do follow a structure routine and follow EASY with the exception of her last feeding, which we do at bedtime because that was what she was used to with her foster family. I would like to follow EASY with that, but the last feeding sometimes is not too far from her last one. She is a good sleeper and for the most part I have come to know why she is crying but sometimes I am still clueless and sometimes I think she is still greiving or has had a bad dream. A few days ago she woke up screaming, Mike got her out of bed but she would not be comforted so we thought maybe it was because he picked her up (he's done it before) so he handed her to me and I could not comfort her either and she had this look of fear on her face that broke both of our hearts. Over all she is a happy little baby.

Are Dangerous Chemicals in Your Baby Products????

3 weeks

It's hard to believe that Katie has been with us for 3 weeks. She has seemed to make a lot of progress but sometimes I think she is struggling and I don't know how to comfort her. She has had a lot stuff in her life. The hardest thing for me is when she cries and I can't seem to figure out why she is crying. This has gotten better for me a little. Also holding a 15 pound baby ALL day is hard work. I do know that I care a lot for this little one when she fell off the bed and hit her head on the hardwood floor when I was nearby scared me near to death. My mom said she couldn't get her legs to move fast enough to get to us. She took little bit because I could not comfort her because I could not be comforted. I don't think I've cried so much in a very long time. This past weekend was probally a little too much stimulation for her. We visited Mike's parents and family on Saturday and then my parents and family on Sunday. They threw her a shower and many friends and family members showed up. I don't have to worry about spoiling my child because everyone else is.

Green Cleaning

For a chance to win some green cleaning products go to http://danaelaineellis.blogspot.com/2009/07/eco-store-usa-giveaway.html
they even have green baby products.

crazy day but a good baby.

Today was not such a good day for me, last night our air conditioner started leaking and has put a big stain above my archway. My wonderful neighbor helped out last night and unplugged it some and it kept it under control until this afternoon, when i had to call the repair guy. The hard part for me was changing plans of course, ran and did errands while waiting on him to come. Then tried to put little bit down for a nap only not to succeed because he had to use the water hose and it is outside her window and you hear the water running throughout the pipes, after he finished with the water i was able to get her to nap. While doing these errands was also dealing with trying to find a fitter, publix was out then went to the drug store they don't carry them and then ended up at bilo, I am still trying to figure out how to get the kid in the carrier unattached from the grocery cart with out dropping her. The cart boy was very kind and picked up my glasses as they fell from my head and then told me something of the nature of go home and chill out, I think he could see my stress. It isn't easy running around doing errands because you can not just jump out of your car and run in, you have to stop, unhook the child, carry the child, find a cart and put your child in it, to go looking for an object that you have no idea where it is in the store while trying to get back before the AC guy gets here. I eventually settled down, took little bit on a walk in her little red sports car, I think the walks do us both good. She likes them, loves to look around and hear all the outdoor sounds and I distress and get some exercises.

adjusting

I feel we are both beginning to adjust. This week my husband is out of town and so I am flying solo. It's not been bad but I know I would not like to do it all the time so blessing on all you single moms out there. We are getting rest with our nap times but they are not always perfect and as my friends say "once you think you go it figured out, it will change" so I don't have it figured out but it is better. I've been giving lots of kissed and telling her to give momma kisses also in which she opens her mouth and places it on mine; usually this is with the verbal prompts and me placing her near my face. Last night I was giving her kissed and didn't tell her to do so, she pulled her face to mine and place her open lips on my cheeks. I was tickled. I also found out that she like to play with the spring door stoppers on the wall, as a kid I played with them too, because I liked the sound of them. I didn't remember that childhood memory until she did it. I also found out that the tiny little plastic cap will come off, thankfully she didn't put it in her mouth and I was on the floor next to her. They don't glue on good either because she pulled it off again today so now it is just the spring. I don't know if they make a safety cover for this or not.

Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise on my doorstep. Dana a friend of mine said she was going to bring me a few diapers. She has a daughter who is a little older than mine. I was expecting a pack or two. When I looked outside there was a huge storage container on my doorstep. It was full of diapers, wipes, butt cream and over the counter baby medicine that comes in useful and also a little praying angel doll. There was a card and it was signed by the folks at church. I was shocked and moved to tears. Many thanks go out to the North Augusta Church of Christ and I look forward to thanking you in person in the near future but first we have to do a little more bonding.

no simple task anymore

I am now into week 2 of motherhood, I have come to realize that nothing is simple anymore. Things have to be planned out. I am usually one who just gets up and goes whenever I feel like it but not anymore. Just a simple trip to the store to pick up a few items is work. I have figured out to park near the shopping cart corral so that I do not have to carry the baby carrier far. I am also learning to plan out what we need to do for the day, everything centers around baby (nap time, dinner time, happy time, grumpy time,etc) I am not complaining at all, I am just saying that this is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I use to be know as the take back queen because I would buy something (not try it on, or just because) and then realize it didn't fit, look good, or I didn't need it, now the thought of having to take something back is not a happy thought.
Just when I think I am getting the hang of something there seem to be a minor setback but over all I think I am doing OK for a first time mom.

Silly Little Girl

Last night little bit learned how to play games with us. She would pull up with my hands look at Mike and he cheered so then she plopped her self down and would pull herself back up look at Mike so he could cheer and then repeat herself about 10-15 times until we were finally laughing at her silliness. This morning during our family time on the bed she pulled herself up and when she did she looked for daddy to give her a cheer.

Day 5 of Motherhood

For years I have wanted to be a mother and as you know it's been quiet a journey. I have now been a mom for 5 days and I love it. The first couple of days were surreal and everything felt strange and it was like baby sitting for 24 hours/day but by day 3 I began to feel like a mother. Many thougts went through my head. There are many things I have learned in these 5 days like: don't wake a sleeping baby, don't wait too long to put them to bed either for nap time or night time, don't over stimulate because that will affect them getting to bed, be prepared to cry because there are times there is nothing you can do to calm them down or figure out what's wrong, have moments of quiet time for play turn of the lights and watch her play joining in with laughter and encouragement, be prepared to be interrupted don't expect to finish what you started the first time around, free time on the computer becomes less and less.
I am sure I have more things to learn and the days will be long. I can signed a charge receipt with one hand and no one holding the paper still. Navigating a grocery cart after the baby doesn't want to stay in her carrier can be fun and well not so fun. I eventually want to get back to the gym but in the mean time I get some exercises.
Overall we waited 2 years,11 days, 2 weeks and one day since we had our log in date in China, however the wait has been much longer and we didn't adopt from China.

Welcome Home Baby with a kiss and a hiss.

Well today I welcomed home my daughter with a lovely kiss and a smile. Miah the cat on the other hand welcomed her home with a big loud HISSSSSSS. She'll get use to her as long as she knows she is still loved. Miah the cat has been my only child for 8 years so she's got some adjustments to make. I will eventually post photos but not sure when due to the fact that we are still officially in custody of the state. She is a good baby with dark brown hair and big dark brown eyes. Our journey of hope has been a long one. So now our journey continues.

Home made Baby Food

Well today was my first attempt at home made baby food. I'll freeze it in little squares and hopefully soon we'll find out if she likes it. Oh by the way it's fresh squash.

On the director's desk and waiting

Well I just called my caseworker and our paperwork is on the director's desk but the director is in a meeting so I continue to wait.

Hopefully the weekend before "gottcha day"

Well we thought we were going to be able to bring our daughter home on Friday, but that didn't work out. I got the call about 10 minutes until 5 to let me know that my caseworker was unable to get the director's signature and that she would do her best to get it on Monday. I thought this was going to be a really long weekend but it's been you normal every other type weekend. I've even been able to sleep, so we'll have to see how tonight goes. I did get bottles and clothing washed and ready. So now all I need is my beautiful daughter.

Random

Today I decided to go out for lunch. I had been frustrated with the wait and just needed to get out of the house. I went to Taj of India, I love Indian food. While in line to fix my plate I was talking to a cute baby girl, I then sat and ate my lunch. The entire time I kept thinking to myself I bet they are foster parents, the little girl look a little like the baby we are going to adopt but different, mind you it has been almost 3 months since I saw her. I got up to get another plate of food and I stopped and asked the family how old the little girl was and they said 6 months and then I told them that I was waiting on a phone call any day to adopt a 7 month old little girl. They asked me her name and hesitantly I told them, then I got a big surprise. They said this is her. This is your little girl. I was then able to talk to them about her and hold my beautiful daughter. The couple was great they stayed there and let me talk to them and play with her until they had to leave because the father had to get to work. We snapped a few photos with our phones and we then went our separate ways. I left with a huge smile on my face. Somehow I knew that was my daughter. They even told the owner of the store that I was adopting her. That I was her new mother. Now I just wait until the day she comes home. I'll post photos when I know that I am able.

Dropped China adoption and found my daughter

It's been a long time since I've written on this blog, I am going to make it private. In March we decided to drop our China adoption. Our agency went out of business and we had to move to a new one. We were being charged extra fees and I did not feel at ease with the new agency. After much thought we decided not to go forward. A month after dropping our China adoption we were called by a friend who knew of a baby that needed a home and now we are in the process of adopting a beautiful baby girl. I have met her once when we first began and that was in April.