3 Months Home!!!

"Oy, wish my momma would stop taking pictures!"
"I kind of like being in a box!"
"I might as well do what I do best!" (wink)
I can't believe that 3 months ago today, I arrived home with this beautiful, funny, happy little person in my arms! Now I can't believe there was a time when she wasn't here.... She is busy crawling, pulling up, having a runny nose lately, and needing me to be in the same room or the race is on to find me! She pulls cabinet doors open, likes to pull my cookbooks off of the shelf- I'm replacing some of the stuff down low, with things for her to do when we are in the kitchen, that seems like the time when she needs me the most. Lately, I've been thinking about how last year at this time, she was growing bigger in her birth mother's tummy- I wonder if she was excited about having a baby, or if she knew at that time she wouldn't be able to keep her.... She has such a funny little sense of humor, did she get that from her? These are things I would love to know, but never will. She really is an angel! I love the way she belly laughs when you tickle her feet or play peek-a-boo.... As the Christmas approaches, things are different this year- our kids aren't expecting a bunch of presents under the tree, they are learning that there are more important things and we've already received the best gift this year!! We are going to enjoy her every second! It's going wayyyy to fast! I need her to stay small for just a little longer! Enjoy this season of Love!!!

Jillian's First Thanksgiving

Our three blessings with their Papa!
"I'm lovin' those mashed tater's!"
Mimi and Jillian! Notice the turkey?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wobbly legs!
Crawling everywhere!!!
LOVE!!!! Look at me!
SO THANKFUL!!! We have SO much to be thankful this year! I'm most thankful that Jillian is with us, safe and sound! I'm also very thankful for the opportunity to experience beautiful Ethiopia! I think about it and miss it every day! I will never be the same. I'm also thankful for my friends! New and old..... God knows who we need in our lives at the perfect times! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

9 Months old!

Our sweet little munchkin is 9 months old today! I can't believe how much she has changed already. Working my way out of a rough spot, taking it day by day, I watch her every day and realize how much I love taking care of her- I don't think I realized this as much with my tummy babies. Don't get me wrong, I was thankful, but younger and probably took it a lot for granted! In the morning, when we hear her stirring through the baby monitor, Isabelle and Harrison race to greet her; and she is waiting for them with this huge smile! She never cries in her crib- she just lays there, content. It makes me think of how she probably spent lots of time in her crib.
Now- you can tell she drinks up the love and affection..... you hug her and she hugs you back, nuzzling into your neck and she says, "awwwww"- it's the sweetest thing ever! Melts my heart every time! She is starting to crawl all over the place! This phase is going by WAY too fast! Slow down!!!

in a bit of a funk...

First of all let me begin by saying that I have SO much to be thankful for, especially this year!

I would say we are pretty much "settled" in to our new routine. It's hard for me to share my feelings, especially when they aren't good feelings. I've been in a bit of a funk lately.... not sure why really- maybe because all of the adrenaline from the adoption process is gone, maybe because my hubby is working ALL the time to finish paying off our adoption.... things are really tight and will be until we get it paid for, that cramps my style. I'll admit it. All of these things combined make me grouchy....

I'm also trying to learn how to deal with a situation in my extended family that is ongoing..... I love my mom, but I don't have the support or help that I wish for..... I've always wanted my kids to have grandparents that loved to have the kids over all the time, etc..... mine consider it "babysitting" and think that is all we want out of them.... which couldn't be further from the truth. So they don't get to go often, rarely giving us a break! This isn't a new thing, but it is something that keeps coming up as a problem...... and I really don't know how to change it, so I am trying to just accept it. I do know that I want to be a different kind of parent and eventual grandparent. I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but we just don't see eye to eye on this subject. I guess by putting it out here in bloggyland- I would love to know other opinions on this, advice??? I think this is also contributing to the "funk"- It's something that I just don't understand and frankly it continues to hurt my feelings- Praying to get out of the funk and SOON!

On another note: Jillian is 95% crawling...... and has two teeth, working on a 3rd! Still sleeping all night, every night- she is a dream baby, I tell you- such a joy! So thankful for that, and the rest of the family has mostly stopped acting out for the wrong kind of attention---- so on that note, that is great!!

Pumpkin Patch

Our Ethiopian Fellowship group met at the pumpkin patch last weekend- so fun! Until the last half our hour until home, Jillian let loose crying and wouldn't stop, and I was driving- hate that!

A little bit of lately....

We got to go see Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman at "A Night With the Chapmans"- AWESOME!
Isabelle turned 8!!!
My beautiful gifts!!!

I love her!! Those eyes!!!