Today was a big day.

Sweet S,

Today was a big day. We had a visit with your mom. She brought your Aunt K and C. We hadn’t seen her in almost two months. She came back to the area for a visit with you.

Your mom loves you so much that she made a very hard decision today.

Your mom told me that she wants what’s best for you and that she’s seen how happy you are with me and Bubbie. She wants you to be in a place where you can be safe and grow up healthy and happy. And she wants to be able to see you grow up and for you to know who she is. We talked about how we both want what’s best for you and how we think you staying with us is best because you are so settled and happy here. We also think that you growing up knowing her and the other people in your first family is best for you. We want them to know you and see you grow up and for you to know who they are too.

Your mom signed some papers and told some people who make decisions that this is what she wants. We talked to your mom about how we want to stay in touch with her. We talked about how she wants to make this decision instead of it being made for her. We’re not really sure what’s next but we think it could take a while. Your dad needs to sign the papers and then you will be able to be adopted. Since you’re living with us and this is what your mom wants, Bubbie and I are praying that we will be able to be your parents.

I can’t wait to tell you the story of today. I will tell you how we went this morning hoping to get to talk to your mom about what the future might hold and we left today surprised at what happened. I’ll tell you about how we had been praying and praying (and lots of others were praying) about what would happen.  I’ll tell you about how your Aunt K and C were there and they love you a lot too. I'll tell you how you loved the time with your mom and K and C today. When you mom was upset you were especially loving and kept hugging and kissing her. I’ll tell you about how Aunt Missy brought us some lunch because we were at the office for so long waiting and you really appreciated the ketchup! I’ll also tell you about how we met my mom for lunch after we left the office and then I spent the rest of the afternoon at home with you and Bubbie.

The most important thing you need to know about today, Sweet Girl is that your mom loves you very much and she made a very hard decision today. We love you too and are grateful to be able to take care of you. We have a lot of days and months ahead of us until we are able to adopt you but we are thankful for the hope that today offered. 

I love you. 

Meggie

One month of Baby J!

Baby J,
Today we celebrate one month of you living in our house. You've had one month to get to know Bubbie, Sweet S, Scudder the dog, me, and a host of others. You're only 11 weeks old but you're quite the charmer.

You're S's favorite toy right now. She loves to hug you and kiss your head and your feet! (She also loves to pull out your paci and try to put it back...but we're working on that one.)

You're already much more active than when we met you. You're spending more of your time awake each day. You're holding your head up and enjoying more and more tummy time. You smile when we talk to you (and when you toot). You also follow us with your eyes and seem to be paying attention to everything.

You've been to church with us several times and have come in the service with Bubbie and me. This has been sweet time with you sleeping on my chest. Last Sunday you looked especially dapper.

You're eating more at a time and more on a regular schedule. You eat every 4 or 5 hours and want as much as 5 ounces! At night we're able to get you to have 6 and that means you're sleeping more...which we really appreciate. You sleep for 5-6 hours most nights! Well-done!

We went to the doctor this week for your vaccines and she was worried about a cough you had. We had to do breathing treatments which you actually didn't mind. We went back today and she said you were all better!

You've seen your mom three times and your dad once (you had a visit today in fact!). They were glad to see you and kept talking about how big you've gotten, how much darker your skin is, and how long your hair is! They seem happy you're being taken care of and they are getting some help with things they needed help with.

You came to stay with us at a kind of strange time. We'd been saying "no" when we were asked if we could take another babe right now - but for some reason when they called about you we said "yes." First I called Bubbie and told her about you and then I called Aunt Missy and told her about you and that we wanted to say "yes" but needed her help. I hadn't been feeling good and actually was out of work when they called. They both felt like you should come to our house and they were excited to meet you. Aunt Missy has been around a lot since you've been in our house and we are glad she's around and that she's family.

Not long after you came to stay with us we went to the river and stayed for a weekend. You got to meet lots of friends and family and even dip your feet in the water. Mostly you just laid around and everyone oooed and ahhed over you. We celebrated my birthday while we were there and you helped me blow out my birthday candles! (I'm looking a little rough dude...but you were there. You understand...plus that's a lot of candles to blow out! Oh, and sorry about most of your body being cut out. Don't take it personally. SSTTEEVVEE was just trying to make it post-able.)

You should know J, that your Bubbie is wrapped around your tiny little finger. She is fascinated with you and really enjoys watching you and making you smile. Last night we had to rewind our favorite show because she missed so much of it because she was distracted by your cuteness. I love you too...but Bubbie is taken with you!

We're not sure how much longer you'll be with us but know we love you and are taking good care of you. Our hearts seemed full before we met you but somehow there has been room for more. We are glad that more has been you.

Love,
Meggie

Nine Months of Sweet S!

Sweet S,
Today we celebrate nine months of you living with Bubbie and me. You recently have turned 16 months old and are busy busy!

You are not just walking anymore...you're running! You're getting faster and falling less often. You're exploring and starting to climb on everything.

You're also starting to make more word sounds. We are anxious to understand more of what you say. You LOVE music. You dance and sing in the car. Its so much fun to watch and listen to. You still seem to prefer kid sounding music or light rock (much to Bubbie's dismay).

I've been describing you as fiercely independent. If you're trying to do something, you do NOT like it if someone tries to help. You are also prone to doing your own thing at daycare when everyone else is doing one thing - like napping or eating. We want you to be strong and capable but Sweet Girl, sometimes you have to have help and you have to listen. And you're going to have lots of time ahead of you on the time-out rug at daycare if we keep this up. You can't peel a banana yet, or put a rubber band in your hair or brush your teeth solo...but we're learning from each other and we'll figure out the balance.

Peas are still your favorite food. Sometimes you want someone to feed you and sometimes you are insistent on doing this yourself.

You and Bubbie made a special trip this month to see Bubbie's parents and other friends and family. I was sick and didn't get to go. While you were gone you got a haircut from Jill!

You loved your time with Mamaw and Poppie. Here you are trying to feed him a cracker!

Sunday you got to be in the nursery with Granny Jean. She kept Bubbie in the nursery when she was a baby and that was a long time ago! Its special for you to be there with her.

Really soon after ya'll got back we agreed to take care of another little baby. Right now you're a big sister! You love Baby J. When you wake up in the morning you start asking about him and won't let up until I bring him to you so you can hug and kiss him. Sometimes you like to pull his socks off or his paci out - but mostly you're a loving big sister.  We hear at first you were very protective of him at daycare and didn't want any of the other kids to even look at him! You've been a little jealous of our attention with him and we understand that. We've been making sure we spend special time with you and that you have our undivided attention sometimes.

You seem to be very nurturing and concerned about people. You LOVE baby dolls more than any other toys and are starting to try and feed them and change their clothes. When someone is upset you want to see and comfort them by patting them or snuggling. Bubbie and I have given you all kinds of toys to play with so you choosing these right now is all you little one. We hope you'll always be loving and nurturing. Its beautiful to see. This picture is a perfect one for the month. You're moving so the picture is a little blurry - but you've got your "baby" with you.

Bubbie took you to the doctor this month for shots. It was harder for her than you. You're all up to date and growing and healthy.

The first week in July Bubbie and I both took a lot of time off. We thought we had a panel meeting about you but that ended up being rescheduled. We enjoyed the time anyway. We ate like we were on vacation and spent lots of time together. We sorted and put up all the clothes that are too small for you and worked to get a wardrobe ready for Baby J's clothes. We moved the furniture in your room around and you seem to like it because you can crawl under your bed!

To celebrate July 4th and my birthday we went to my family's river cabin. We spent two nights with Kazoo, Uncle Jar, and Maggie who we hope you will call Mia. We had lots of fun swimming, eating, and celebrating with friends. You enjoy the water.

You played in your "boat" in the big water, in the kiddie pool on the dock with Bubbie and later Mrs. Ann.

You also took a long paddle boat ride with SSTTEEVVEEE and me.

Aunt Audrey came with Sig and Spud. You loved seeing them all and we were so glad they came.

Aunt Missy came to the river too and brought a special gift you two made for me together. Its a plate with your hand prints that make sunshine. I LOVE it! Here you are making it -

And the finished product!

 She also took some really great pictures of you and Baby J.

And made a special shirt for Baby J.

MaeMae and STTEEVVEE came and brought a great meal. You were asleep while I blew out my birthday candles but I sure was glad you were there. Birthdays sometimes give us an opportunity to reflect - and this past year has given me so much to be thankful for. If last year someone told me that I'd be responsible for two kids on my birthday this year (and that I would have known and loved 3 others since last August) I would have thought they were crazy! And if they'd told me I'd love a kid as much as I love you I'd have thought they were extra crazy!

We finally had the important meeting about your case on the 10th. You wore this outfit because  I love having a reminder at times like those that we have hope and that this hope is an anchor for our soul...firm and secure.

At the meeting we learned your mom has moved to another state and there are some changes happening with your situation. We are cautiously hopeful that you might get to stay with us for awhile.  There are a lot of people who have to make a lot of important and big decisions. We're praying for everyone involved and that everyone involved thinks about you and what's best for you. No matter what happens in the next 90 days or the next million days - we love you and are so so so glad you're a part of our lives. You bring joy to us and our families and friends. We love you Sweet Girl.

Love, Meggie