11 months!

Sweet S,

It has been 11 months since you came to stay with Bubbie and me. This past month has been a busy time!

We went to the doctor yesterday for your 18 month check-up and it seems you’re growing and healthy. You weigh 23.1 pounds and are 31 inches tall! 

You are using more and more words we understand. You've learned more body parts and always seem to be talking about your “belbow.” This was a little confusing when we went to see Sesame Street Live last weekend. We told you we would see ELMO and all the time you pointed to your elbow!

You also still love to sing and dance. You love “This little light of mine” because you get to yell “NO!” on the second verse about not hiding it under a bushel and you get to blow on the third verse about not letting it get blown out. I can’t wait until you start to sing more of the words.

You’re still enjoying being a big sister. You get worried when he cries and try to make him feel better. Soon you will learn that climbing on him to kiss him doesn't really help.

Matching outfits! J only got to wear his once because he's growing so fast!

Sometimes you get a little jealous of people paying attention to J and not to you and you especially don’t seem to like it when Steve holds or plays with J. You want Steve all to yourself!

Steve and Mae Mae have turned into quite the grandparents. You’ve got them wrapped around your little finger. Here is Steve giving you ice cream at 8:30 at night when we had to go to their house because our electricity was out!

MaeMae also picked out a purse for you and filled it with goodies. You've insisted on carrying it a couple of times. Here you are in Publix one night you wanted to bring it in. In your purse you have your phone, keys, tissues, and chapstick!

You're  quite the little mama. You love baby dolls and are really starting to take care of them like we care for J. We used this scarf to help you wear your baby like we wear Baby J (and you!) sometimes. You walked around like this for a long time playing and taking care of your baby.

One morning when I went to get you out of bed you had taken off your pants and put them on your baby doll’s head! Now you’re sleeping in one piece pajamas again!

You are starting to be able to put on your pants and shoes by yourself. Big girl!

You also are starting to like books more and more. You’ll sit and read and point and ask questions about books now which we love! (Here I think you are “reading” Rolling Stone with Bubbie.

We’ve had several trips this month. Towards the end of August we went to Savannah with Sarah and Kristen to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary. We had such a good time. Aunt Missy kept Baby J at home so it was just us girls. You were a trooper in the car there and really liked being with Sarah and Kristen. 

On Saturday we went to a train museum and you got to see lots of old trains and train stuff. You learned a train says “choo choo” and we got to ride on an old train in the area of the museum.

We got to eat icecream at Leopolds (which of course you loved)!

You enjoyed walked on River Street and people watching. We got to see several ships go by. You also loved playing in this ship in the sand.

We also went on a trip to Atlanta this month. We saw Sesame Street Live at The Fox Theater and went to Zoo Atlanta. We also stayed in a hotel with a great pool and got to go swimming!

Here you are at The Fox. 

We also got to eat at our favorite restaurant in Atlanta. You were a big fan of the chips!

Here are some pictures from the zoo. You LOVED petting (and kissing) the sheep and goats!

(Here are you are yelling "no no no" at Willie B!)

We had a wonderful time with you and love watching you learn about the world. You are such a sweetheart and a good trooper! You love an adventure and are so flexible with whatever comes your way. Its hard to believe its been almost a year since you've been in our home. I hear from your first mom occasionally and she says to be sure and tell you hello, give you hugs, and make sure you know she loves you. 

We're off tonight on another adventure. We love everyday we get to spend with you. 

Love,

Meggie

10 months of Sweet S!

Sweet S,

You've lived with me and Bubbie for 10 months now and sometimes it's hard to remember a time you weren't a part of our family.

You're growing, little one! You're saying more and more things that we understand. You've started telling us "no." We knew this was going to happen soon! You also shake your head (sometimes a lot!) when you say no. You don't say "yes" yet but you do nod your head when you mean "yes." You still get the most frustrated when we try to help you with something you don't want help with - like putting on your shoes or eating with a fork. You're strong and independent. I don't want to break that in you. But I want to help you learn that most of the time when we say "no" its because you're about to hurt yourself or someone else!

You've also started whispering "Whazat!!" like "What's that?" When you say this your eyes get wide! You do this at the funniest times. A couple a weeks ago while I was changing your diaper you tooted and promptly said "Whazat!?!?!" It was quite funny.

One of my favorite things you do right now is sing. You sing "happy happy happy" often and to whatever tune is in your head and heart. You also have this super dramatic singing face that you employ. You squint your eyes and bob your head emphatically and move your mouth. It's a lot like what Bubbie looks like when she sings! It's hilarious!

You've also started exploring a lot more around the house. You still enjoy playing by yourself mostly and don't mind being left alone to play. Recently you discovered the Tupperware cabinet!

You're a pro at walking and are almost a pro at running. You've had several falls this month - as a result of stairs, and once you fell out of the baby swing (you're also a sly and quick climber). These black eyes and bruises hurt me and Bubbie probably more than they hurt you. You're tough. One Sunday when we went the nursery to get you after church your had a bloody skinned knee. I asked Ms. Martha what happened and she said we brought you in there like that! We remembered you'd fallen in the parking lot, but since you got right up and kept running we didn't think it had hurt you. Now we've learned our lesson!

You are still eating well. Your favorite food still seems to be peas. You always want to feed yourself and use a fork or spoon. This is hard to do with peas!

You're still a great big sister for Baby J. You get so worried when he cries and still want to hug and kiss him first thing when you wake up. You're doing this with baby dolls, too. You feed your dolls and try and change their clothes and rock them. I love that you're so nurturing.

One of your favorite things right now is this pair of pink sparkly boots. I bought them from another mama for winter, but you want to wear them now! You put them on every chance you get and even wore one to bed one night!

We got to go to church at First Baptist this month because I was there for work. Lots of people were excited to see you in person and you really enjoyed your time in the nursery with Mrs. Ann and Martha!

We are still so excited and thankful for the decision your first mom made this month. I've talked to her several times on the phone and through Facebook, and every time she tells me to tell you that she loves you and to give you a big hug. She hopes to get back to town to see you soon.

Last night we had dinner downtown. After dinner you and Bubbie walked around (and had a frozen treat) while I stayed in the restaurant with Baby J and talked to friends. She said as you walked around you were careful to say "hey" and wave to everyone. We talked about how happy we are and how refreshing it is that you have absolutely no prejudices right now. No matter what people look like or what they're doing you smile and wave and say (or yell) "hey." The world is full of things that will get in the way of that soon. The thought of that makes me sad. So right now I'm committed to making sure you know the world is full of wonderful people and things and wonder. I want you to keep the spirit that makes you wave at everyone and don't want you to see me act like some people are worth waving at and some aren't. Everyone is worth waving at, kiddo, and I appreciate you reminding me of that.

You are so smart and strong and brave and beautiful and I am so glad I get to be your Meggie.
Love,
Meggie

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