Baby C's Little Black Dress

Party Time

My colleagues at work held a party for Baby C today (9.23.10). I was truly overwhelmed by everyone and everything that we received. We have diapers coming out of our ears! I know, that's a good thing. I think I need to exchange some for larger sizes. We were given a check, money that was collected, also. Baby C is in need of toys. Do you have any suggestions?

Multi-Use Outfit

This is Baby C's C.incinnati Reds, THE Ohio State, UC (University of C.incinnati) & daily Ladybug Outfit!

Plus, these colors go along with both of the schools that DH & I work at!

Love it!

I Heart Great Deals

TRU (T.oys R U.s) has been running some great deals lately. The last couple of weeks that have been running buy 2 get 1 free.

Check out what Baby C got ...

Bows From Baby C's BM Part 2

Here's Part 1 if you need to catch up!

My DH cancelled his golf practice Monday; he is his high school's golf coach. As soon as he got home, we were out the door.

I had received a voicemail from an intern at our agency earlier in the day. The receptionist that was supposed to be there had to leave work early for a personal emergency, but they had put our bows in package and left them at the welcome desk in the building.

So, even though we were a little down that we wouldn't be seeing everyone, we decided to pick them up anyway. It takes us a little over an hour to get there. But, on the way down, we had to stop at a local dealership to pick up some parts for my car. Then, we headed to the agency.

I was in and out of the agency really quick. As soon as I opened the envelope my hearted melted. There were the bows. The bows from Baby C's BM. These aren't any ordinay bows. The thought past my mind to frame them...

100th Follower

Thank you Jewls for becoming my 100th follower as of September 20, 2010!

Blog Change

I hope that I have not confused or lost anyone with all of the changes.

So many of us are afraid of change. But, let's be honest, sometimes change can be good. Like THE CALL that changed my life July 17, 2010. Talk about a big change!

When I created this blog, in April, 2009, I had no idea what was ahead for us. My first post talked about taking the first in the process of our completing our IVF cycle. We had already been trying to get pregnant and seeing our RE for sometime.

When I first started posting, I didn't have any followers nor did I go looking for any. I wasn't ready for that.

Coming up with a blog title was tough. "Our Journey, But Not Our Plan" said it all. We were on a journey that we had not planned. "It's hard to deal with now. But, one day, it will all be worth it." That was my subtitle. Again, so true.

Guess what? We are still on our journey. We will be for the rest of our lives. I am a planner at heart. I always will be. But, there are just somethings that I can't control. Plans Change. Plans change all of the time if we want them to or not.  Guess what else? Everything we have been through has been worth it. Soooo worth it.

Bows From Baby C's BM

Last Wednesday, I was able pick up Baby C's 7 Week pictures. I was so happy with their quality. Guess what? We had them done at JCP (JC.Penny)! Their turn around time was only 10 days. I had a 50% coupon from my Entertain.ment magazine, so I got way more pictures than I probably would have without it. We also got a 16x20 picture framed. It looks wonderful in our dining area. We look great as a family of 3!

As soon as I got home, I cut out all of the pictures and made stacks according to who got which ones. One of the stacks was for Baby C's birth family. I wanted to get the pictures to them ASAP. So, I emailed the agency to let them know that I would be mailing them the next day.

I was happy to see an email from the agency a short time later. They had heard from Baby C's BM that day. She had dropped off bows for Baby C! They said that they were super cute! The agency was going to mail them to us since it is a good distance for us to travel.

I mailed out the pictures on Thursday, but also learned that the agency didn't want to mail out the bows because they were afraid that they would get smashed. I understood, but I am very anxious to see these bows.

I called the agency Friday afternoon to see how late that they would be open. Unfortunately, they were getting ready to leave. They told me again that they bows were adorable and that one of the BM's family members had made them for Baby C. She even said that they were getting more ribbon to make more.

The agency also told us that Baby C's BM heard that the pictures were there and that she is going to pick them up on Monday. I can't wait to hear what she thinks of them.

If you have been reading my posts lately you know that I love me some bows.

But these aren't going to be just any old bow. These are going to be bows from Baby C's BM.

Did you see that amazing purple blanket in Baby C's new pictures? That's from her BM also. We received that during our visit together at the agency.

I can't wait to see these bows...

Don't forget to check out Baby C's 7 Week pictures. They are in the post before this one!

They are sooo cute!

Baby C's 7 Week Pictures

Some of Baby C's 7 Week Pictures!

Blog Makeover

Thank you so much to Mary, at Bright Sunshine Designs, for my new look! Her turn around time was less than 48 hours. During the entire process, she communicated with me well and I think that her prices are very reasonable. I love my new digs! If you are looking to upgrade the look of your blog don't hesistate to check out her portfolio!

Thanks Hannah for referring me to Mary at BSD!

P.S. - Make sure you check out Baby C's 2 Month post. I posted it earlier today!

2 Months

Baby C was 2 Months Old Yesterday!

Baby C weighed in at 10lbs 7oz and 22" long! She is in the 35th percentile for both. I was told today that at birth she was in the 5th percentile for her weight. Her head measured 15". For her previous stats check out THIS post.

Baby C received 3 shots and one oral vaccine at her appointment today. In the last two weeks, she has started to break out. It started on one side of her face and on her neck, but now it is all over her face and even her chest. I have been using a mild soap and water daily (plus her bath time when needed). I also try to make sure I dry her very well and have not been putting any lotion in those areas. I have read that this could be baby acne, but I wanted to be sure that it wasn't anything more. Her doctor told me today that it basically it a form of craddle cap and that it will get better (it may get worse before it gets better). I also asked her doctore about her strawberry birth marks. The one on Baby C's chest is puffy. She said that it is normal and that they will continue to grow, but possibly could go away by her first birthday.

We were not able to schedule Baby C's next appointment because the office's computers were down, but I will call first thing in the morning.

Ohh by the way, I am NEVER taking her to get shots by myself again..... she did not enjoy that part!

Go Big With Bows

...Maybe it's a little too big, but she'll grow into it!

Love Gift Cards Part 2

Third Post-Placement Visit

Friday we had our third post-placement visit with our SW. My DH rushe home from work and was able to be there for the beginning of the visit. He had to leave about 20 minutes into the meeting for a doctor's appointment. I had scheduled this appointment for him several weeks ago. A Friday evening was about his only option since he has golf Monday through Thursday right now. He is his school's golf coach. The doctor he goes to does not have Saturday hours.

Our SW was a few mintues late, but that can be expected when driving so far to come and see us. We live about an hour and fifteen minutes from our agency, it was nearly rush hour on her way and she had just come from another post-placement visit for a Baby born after Baby C.

We started the meeting out by talking about the meeting last week. We just kept saying how excited we were and that we were happy things went so well. As far as we know, Baby C's birth father still wants to meet us and see Baby C. We gave our SW some possible dates for the end of this month.

The rest of the meeting was spent talking about some of Baby C's milestones and we scheduled our next meeting. Our SW wanted to see Baby C's room since we have completed more of it since she had been here last. She even peeked at the pictures that Baby C's BM had sent us.

Meeting with Baby C's BM

September 3, 2010 will be another day that I never forget. Baby C and I spent most of the day at home. I did a few things around the house, but most of my time was used up being anxious. In the days before, I had been busy picking out outfits for Baby C’s first professional pictures. But, I hadn’t really decided what she was going to wear for our meeting. I’ll be honest; during the summer I slack in getting myself ready for the day. It was pretty bad this summer. I had been feeling very defeated. And, then when Baby C came home I simply didn’t have time. So, I was excited to actually to ‘get ready’ for once. I was happy with how I looked. Picking out Baby C’s outfit was easier than I thought it would be. The dress she wore had been too big in the weeks prior, but it fit that day. Of course, I topped off her ensemble with a bow. When my DH got home, he complimented me and then changed out of his dress clothes.

We left soon after my DH got home. Before going to the agency, we stopped at K.roger to print more pictures to take to the birth family. Even though I knew we had plenty of time, I was in a complete rush. That stop only took about 15 minutes.

The ride to the agency seemed like it took forever! There would be moments of complete silence and when we did talk it was mainly about the meeting ahead. What would we say? Would they like us? Would the BF be there? Would she look like we had remembered her? What would come next? And so on.

We got to the agency a few minutes early. I parked in the back of the lot and made Baby C a bottle. I knew that she would want to eat soon and I wanted there to be plenty of time for the bubbles to settle. I checked my makeup and hair. We turned our phones on silent. I moved up closer in the parking lot.

As we walked into the front doors of the agency, our SW came out to meet us. They must have seen us through the windows. I put a bow on Baby C and held her. My DH carried in the car seat. As we turned the corner, we were told that Baby C’s BM was there and she was very anxious. Baby C’s BM brought her friend with her to the meeting.

Here are some of the main things that I am taking away from our meeting:
• She looked like I remember her except taller.
• Her friend was amazing.
• We found out that this friend found out about the pregnancy one day and the next was called and told to get to the hospital because Baby C’s BM was in labor. She was in the delivery room.
• Baby C’s BF wanted to be there, but couldn’t due to tending to a family member.
• We learned the BF’s nickname (we don’t know his name yet).
• We found out the Baby C’s BM has at least one brother and his name is the same name as one of DH’s brothers.
• Baby C’s BM’s birthday is going to be easy for us to remember.
• Baby C’s BM picked us because of what I teach, what there is to do around our house and because of our dogs. She really liked the chart of facts that we put into our profile.
• Baby C’s BM wore a black hoodie and jeans. She had on her boyfriend’s class ring and her senior pendant.
• We learned where Baby C’s BM works and about her college plans.
• Everyone loved the pictures that we had brought.
• Baby C’s BM and her friend had pictures on their phones of Baby C from the day of her birth. It was amazing to see them all. I really hope that I can get copies of those pictures one day.
• The SW took pictures of all of us.
• Another SW that we had worked with stopped in to check in on all of us.
• We talked a little bit about what we wanted our open adoption to look like

Our meeting started around 5:30pm and we had to leave at 7pm since the building that our agency is in closes at that time. I bet that we could have talked for hours. Baby C’s BM held Baby C for much of the meeting. She even fed her. It was neat seeing her interact with Baby C. She got to see Baby C a little upset, but also saw her smiling from ear to ear. At the end of the meeting, she went to hand Baby C to me and said something to the point of “I am going to hand you back to your Mommy.” My heart melted. I told her that she could put Baby C in her car seat. I asked if it would be ok if I gave her a hug. It was simply wonderful.

We all walked out together and said our goodbyes. The SW walked out with them, but they ended up leaving the parking lot before we did. As we were leaving our SW waved us down. She told us the friend said, “I approve!” Apparently, this friend had tried to stop Baby C’s BM from going through with the adoption, but was there for her in the end. Our SW thinks that Baby C’s BM will want to meet again soon so that Baby C’s BF could meet us all…..

After a great dinner at T.G.I.F, we headed home. I can’t wait for this journey to continue.

Newest Addiction Part 2

Found these at THIS Etsy shop!

Hands & Feet

I love baby hands and feet! My Sister R got this for Baby C when she first came home. A couple of weeks ago we made an attempt...

Welcome Home Party #2

Baby C's second Welcome Home Party was held in West Virginia on August 21, 2010. My oldest Sister R was the host along with my Sister C. My side of the family is orginally from West Virginia. My Sister C and I were born and raised in Ohio. However, I went to college in WV for two years.

The party was great! It was held in a family owned italian restaurant that has themed rooms. Each booth and wall is themed by a specific time in history. My DH could have spent weeks in there reading all of the facts and looking at all of the artwork.

I didn't get to take a lot of pictures, but here are a few!

Baby C Sneek Peeks

Love Gift Cards

I had been saving up all of the gift cards that we had been receiving. I finally placed an order on a Sunday. This is the first thing to arrive later that week. I guess it was a smart purchase!

Reds Fan!

Meeting with BM

We are meeting with Baby C's BM as this post is being published.

Please keep us all in your thoughts.

I will post more about the meeting once I process everything.

Getting Crafty with Bows Part 1

I have been buying lots of bows lately! So, I needed somewhere to put them. In order to save money, I decided to make Baby C's bow holder myself. (I admit it, I wanted to save money in order to buy more bows...) I bought the supplies last Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning, I got up to do Baby C's 6am feeding and couldn't get  back to sleep. I made two bow holders that morning. I made one for my neice also. It really didn't take that long at all. Most of the time was spent waiting for the paint to dry.

I am so happy with how they turned out for my first attempt. My neice came over after school on Monday and I surprised her. She was so excited!

I will post pictures of the bow holder holding bows as soon as I get it up on the wall!

Newest Addiction Part 1

I have to admit it. I am addicted to ETSY! I had never heard of it until I read about someone's shop on  another blogger's site. I have already blogged about a couple other things that I have bought through Etsy HERE and HERE.

Many of the things that I have ordered, have come in cute little packages like these!

Here are a few of my favorite Etsy shops so far!

It's SEW You

Crawler Covers & More

Ana's Baby Couture

(The sites that I bought the other items from are linked in the previous posts)