Finalization hearing

Our finalization hearing for Joshua is tomorrow morning at 11:30. It's so strange - it doesn't change a thing about how we feel about Josh, or how our family is, but at the same time, it changes everything! As of tomorrow, we will legally be his parents - no more reporting back to the agency for everything - he's ours completely and forever, not just in our hearts, but legally as well.

We are so blessed - this has been a long road! If you're interested, go back to the beginning entries of this blog - you will definitely see a journey. A journey that is, in a way, ending tomorrow. Not that parenthood ever ends, and the fact that that Joshua was adopted will never end either, but this part of the journey is done. What started way back in 2006 has its finale tomorrow in a small courtroom in Portage. The hearing is about 10 minutes long - but it's taken forever to get here.

We'll be joined by lots of family to celebrate Josh's Adoption Day. HIS family. Joined forever in love. WOW!!

Mother's Day

My new favorite holiday. I couldn't say that a few years ago - Mother's Day was the hardest holiday. When you want to be a mama and aren't, the reminders are painful. But now that I am a mama, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Spending the day with my son was enough. I was reminded every time I looked at him how blessed I am. Pictures to come later, the camera has disappeared for now.

Josh is 9 months old, 19 lbs. 9 oz., and army crawling everywhere. He's FAST!! Wow - babyproofing has begun in earnest. I don't know what I'm going to do when he's walking!

A Mother's Prayer - Rachel Aldous / Mother's Day song, baby lullaby song

Easter

I don't really like calling it Easter - that conjures up images of bunnies, chocolate eggs, and baby chicks (real or marshmallow). Sort of like Christmas and Santa Claus. Easter is so much more - it's the Resurrection of my Lord and King!

We spent Easter rejoicing at church (Joshua slept through it!) and eating a wonderful dinner with family and friends. Now I'm back at school with 8 more weeks to go

He Lives! He is Risen! The grave is not the end!

Do you know my Jesus?

Growth

Josh went back to the dr on Thursday to have a flu shot and weight check. If you remember, he only gained 2 oz. from 4 to 6 months. I was praying for at least 1 pound of weight gain, and that's exactly what we got. At 7 months 1 week he weighed 18 lbs. 13 oz. He's healthy and doing great.

We've started trying the baby puffs cereal. He likes them, but isn't great at picking them up quite yet. He uses his whole hand instead of fingers. He also had his first haircut. The comb-over he had on the left side of his head was starting to not look so cute, so mama cut it off. We still continue to deal with some skin sensitivity, but it's manageable.

Our last visit with Bethany went well. Our next step is getting Chris' fingerprints accepted by the Justice Dept. They rejected the first set, so we had to have them done again. If the second set is rejected, then they will do his records check manually, but I'm told that could take longer. It doesn't change anything as far as Joshua's adoption, just delays things. We'd like to have all the legal work taken care of and over with as soon as possible. Pray for the fingerprints to be accepted!

We have a meeting with Joshua's birthmom tomorrow. She saw him just before Christmas. I'm not sure how he'll do, as he does get a little nervous around people he doesn't know well. Pray that our visit is uneventful.

Here's a new favorite picture - yes, he's standing, no, he did not pull himself up! I'm not quite ready for that!

Final Visit

Tomorrow is a big day for us. We are taking a trip down to Waukesha to Bethany Christian Services, the agency that has worked with us throughout our adoption process. It is our final visit with them. It's a chance for them to see Joshua, and for us to fill out all the paperwork involved with the upcoming court date.

On top of that, it's my 32nd birthday tomorrow...and we both have the day off. We're planning on a nice leisurely day, marking a milestone in the creation of our family.

Joshua is 7 months old now, and doing so well. He's started babbling a lot, and while we know he isn't saying actual words, hearing "da-da-da-da" sure melts Chris's heart! He goes back in on March 12 for a flu shot and weight check. He loves his food, enjoys playing, and practicing standing. He is a great sleeper. We have yet to see any teeth, but he shows all the signs of teething.

We are blessed. I am supremely blessed, as my mom reminded me tonight, to be a wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, friend, teacher, and most of all, a mama and a child of God.

6 months old

Joshua is now 6 months old, and is a joy and a delight. He can sit up, roll from tummy to back, roll from back to side, and regularly ends up waking up in a different position then he fell asleep in. He is eating "solid" foods well, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVES them! He's 27 inches long, and 17 lbs. 13 oz. He didn't gain much from his weight at his 4 month appt, so the doctor will see him again in 1 month for a weight check. She thinks that the 4 month weight was a mistake, because he appears completely healthy and whole. He's got an ear infection right now, and a little eczema, but otherwise, he's great!

We can hardly believe that half a year has gone by! Life has changed in so many ways. I wasn't a social butterfly before, but I think I'm even more of a homebody now, since I work full time and want to be with him in the evenings as much as possible.

Here is his "official" 6 month picture....