1 year old

Joshua turns 1 tomorrow. What a wild ride the last year has been! Joshua was born on August 3, went to foster care on August 7, came home September 17, and we finalized his adoption on May 20. He's had a very busy year! I am so blessed to be his mama. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store. I pray that he will "grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men".

Here are some pictures from his birthday party. We were joined by:
- Grandma Sue & Grandpa Mike
- Grandma Mary & Grandpa Ron
- Great Grammie & Grampie Sharpe
- Great Grandma & Grandpa Fisher
- Great Grandma Bohlman
- Great Aunt Cheri
- Uncle Paul
- Uncle Michael & soon-to-be Aunt Kimberly
- Pastor Dan, Miss Hannah, Jakin, & Abby
- "Aunt" Theresa, Talon, & Lorelai
- Mr. Bob & Ms. Darla

Joshua had a great time.

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Birthday

Joshua's birthay is coming up in less than a week - and his party is on Saturday. I can hardly believe my baby is turning one. He now has 3 teeth, bops around when music comes on, and took 3 steps on Monday. I know this next year will only hold even more changes and surprises. He says "da" (dog) a lot - he LOVES Sadie, much more than she loves him. She is very good with him, but her tolerance runs out after he chases her around the living room a few times. She likes to go somewhere where he can't get to her. He also says da da da da da which I think means whatever he wants it to mean, including "mama". We're working on some signs, like "more", "eat", "milk", and "all done". He doesn't do them back yet, but he's starting to understand them. He's off bottles completely, and we're finishing the last can of formula before moving on to whole milk. He eats real food, and lots of it. My baby is a boy...right before my eyes. I'll post pics after his party on Saturday.

Teeth and other Accomplishments

A friend mentioned I should post more....so here you go, Tracey

Joshua has been coughing, snotty, and super sleepy, not to mention drooling all over the place for the last few days. Since Auntie Kimberly has mono, we went to the dr. tonight to get him checked out....no mono, but he is cutting all 4 top teeth at the same time. Poor guy! No wonder he's cranky! Today, he had stamina to play for about 15 minutes, and then it was just too much...he had to have a nap...and on me, no laying down in the crib for him.

In other news, his social security card came today...he's officially legal. We went to Elkhorn last week to visit the foster family that Josh lived with before he came home. They were all very glad to see him and amazed at how big he's gotten.

He had his first overnight with Grandma and Grandpa on Saturday night. I missed him so much! And had totally irrational fears that he would forget me....he didn't - you should have seen the smile and the bouncing when he saw me on Sunday. It warmed my heart, big time!

He's doing well in swimming lessons, putting his whole head and face under the water, and no tears. He's cruising all over the place, and is not holding on as tight when he's standing. He also deliberately sits down, rather than falling over, and I'm sure walking is soon to come. He eats well, sleeps well, and is very laid back. I'm in love, and loving my summer home with him.

Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure...

10 months old

My baby is only 2 months away from his first birthday! I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday I was at the hospital for his birth, and then we were making the drive back and forth to Elkhorn to visit. I began this school year in love with Joshua, but aching to have him home with me. I'm now 5 days away from ending (YES!!!!) the school year, and I'm more in love than ever.

Joshua has a smile that can charm your socks off. He's already got all his grandparents hooked - I'm trying to get him to ask them for a couple hundred bucks - he could probably charm it out of them! He said doggie the other day - but of course won't do it again. He's army crawling and pulling up on everything, loves to stand and transfer between things. Still waiting for more teeth - he loves to eat anything and everything we give him.

I am so blessed - just wanted to say that.

Finally Final - Forever Family

Our finalization hearing was at 11:30 this morning. It was only about 10 minutes long, but I think I cried for the whole 10 minutes. The judge asked for a picture for his desk, and was very glad to grant our petition to adopt Joshua. He is, now and forever, a Bohlman.

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!