Forever Family & Gender Reveal Party

On G.ood Friday, 4.22.11, we hosted a party at our home. We would have had it outstide, but we knew it was going to rain. So, we rearranged our living and dining rooms to accomodate.
Before....

 Sitting in my spacesave highchair for dinner....

 Some presents....

 Opening gifts.....

I have a ton more pictures, but I don't want to post them of all of my family. We didn't invite a ton of people. When we first thought that Finalization would take place closer to the 6 month time frame we were going to host a big party. But, now it's so close to Baby C's birthday we decided to keep it more low key. We had 14 adults and 5 children there; just enough for our small home. After everyone arrived, we had to wait a little while for the food to finish, we ate and socialized. Around 6pm (it started at 5pm), we got everyone's attention. I thanked everyone for being there and for the tremendous support during the adoption process. This led into the gender reveal. We had put candy into a ton of plastic E.aster eggs. In one egg (blue : ) ), my DH also put a piece of paper that read "IT''S A GIRL!" with a happy face! We let everyone pick an egg (excluding the three of us). After 3 rounds no one had picked THE ONE! For the last round, we started to run out of eggs so not everyone got one. My DH and I knew that it was in a blue egg so everytime someone had one, we tried to point the cameras in their direction without them knowing. My DH's mother got it! She opened it, read it and stated "I'm not telling!" But, one of the brothers could see the writing through the paper and shouted it out "IT'S A GIRL!" After some celebration, Baby C had help from my DH to open her gifts

The party went soooo well! It will be one that we will never forget!

Blogoversary

Today is our 2 year BLOGOVERSARY! Here is my first post!

Remembering Finalization Day

We will aways remember Finalization Day. But, we wanted Baby C to have something to remember it by also.

We gave her a silver braclet with heart-shaped links. It's precious!

French Fry

Baby C had her first table food 4.19.11 at R.ed R.obin right after we opened up the envelope to reveal gender.

She ate part of a french fry. I think it was a little dry!

Ear Piercing

For the past few months, we have wanted to get Baby C's ears pierced. But, let's be real... up until this past Wednesday she was legally the agency's and just in our custody even though she has been our daughter in our hearts and minds from the moment we brought her home.

We knew our agency wouldn't mind, but could the judge? This close to finalization, we just decided to wait until after the big day. So, Saturday (4.23.11) Baby C got her ears pierced. She was exactly 9months1week old.

Before...

 Before...

 Marking the ears...

 Ears marked...

I will post the end results with her Easter post! I am so proud of her! (By the way this cute outfit came from one of the Mother's Sales last fall.)

Finalization - FOREVER FAMILY!

We were able to sleep in on Wednesday. We started watching all of the videos that we have of Baby C since we brought her home. It was amazing to see her grow on the video. After showers and baths, we got ready for the big occasion.

When we arrived, our SW was in the parking lot and followed us in. We settled into the waiting area after going through security. Our lawyer arrived shortly after. Within a few minutes, it was time.

The judge went on the record. She made a funny opening remark by saying something to the point of "oh wow, we really have a juvenile on our hands here!" She told us how things would work and swore us both in. My DH volunteered to be questioned first. The judge excused our SW and myself. After just a few short minutes, he came out and it was my turn. I was so nervous, but the questions were very straightforward. They then allowed our SW and my DH back in and she discussed how they were no issues because everything had been taken care of appropriately (consent from our birthmother, etc...). It was time for the paperwork. The judge brought the paperwork to the table that we were sitting at. She asked if we were ready and said "IT'S A GIRL!"

As she signed the paperwork, we all watched. We were estatic. It was intense, but also so calming at the same time. I felt a huge weight come off of my shoulders, but another huge weight was added. We are legally and offically her FOREVER FAMILY and I want to be the best family for her that we can be! She then said that she hopes to not see her their again! (She is the probate and juvenile judge for our county).

It's A . . .

4.19.11

We left around 9:45am Tuesday. We got the office a few minutes early, made a payment and were taken back to the ultrasound room a short minutes later. It was a different ultrasound tech than we had for our NT Scan.

I was nervous. We told her that we would like to know the gender, but to seal it up in an envelope. Right away, she spotted the heartbeat. During the ultrasound, we saw the heart and all of its chambers, the baby's arms, legs, fingers and toes. She measured several things including the femur, abdomen and head. Everything measured well. The baby weighed approximately 11oz. Right on target. At one point, we could see the baby opening and close their mouth. She checked the nasal bone and lips. All checked out. She even let us listen to the heartbeat. It was 146bpm. The experience was amazing!

She gave us three pictures. Told us to look away so that she could print the gender picture and she sealed it up.

We then had our 20 week appointment. After completing the basics, I was seen by the doctor. He asked if we had questions. Gave me refill for my Z.ofran. And felt around on my belly. He used the doppler, so we got to hear the heartbeat again! The nurse drew blood to check my TSH.

Our next appointment is 5.16.11 for our 24 week check up.

We then headed to R.ed R.obin for lunch. After ordering and feeding Baby C, we decided it was time.

DH wanted to open the envelope and then tell me. (I heard Baby C's gender first since I was the one talking to the SW when we got THE CALL!)

We are blessed!

The Last of the Mother's Sales

Check out this SITE. Do they host one near you?

Here are some of our finds. We also scored an awesome PNP, but I forgot to take pictures before we put it away. Baby C wanted to play in the bouncy seat, for our September Blessing, even though she is a little too big now :)

Today is Finalization Day!

Our hearing is at 2pm (est). Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Today is Gender Day!

Our appointment is at 11am (est). T&P please for a healthy baby!

We will not be announcning gender until Friday evening. So, please come back Friday around 5pm for the big news!

Picnic Table & Slide Fun

Back on B.lack F.riday, I picked up a plastic picnic table and slide from BRU for $10 a piece. They were put into storage.

Last weekend, my DH got them down and put them both together. Baby C didn't like the slide too much. But, loved the picnic table.

9 Months

On 4.16.11 Baby C turned 9 Months Old!

"Like" this Page!

Please "like" this page and take part in the Auction for Baby Riley ! Riley is the daughter of Heidi. I went to college with Heidi for two years. Their story is truly amazing!

4.20.11 - Court Date

We finally have a date! On 4.20.11 we will FINALLY be a FOREVER FAMILY!

(This was to post the other day, but it went to draft status! Grrr....)

Bought these?

I can't believe I just bought these....

Baby C's 1st Trip to the Inlaws

That day that I went to the ER for my rash, I called my DH's mother to ask her to watch Baby C while we were out. This was the very first time that we asked them. She ended up watching Baby C most of the time by herself because DH's father went to an auction looking for supplies for their bathroom remodel.

I can't believe we had to pack all of this for one couple hour trip!

(I love my new diaper bag! I finally bought one. We had just been just a large V.era B.radley backpack (which worked fine most of the time). The new bag is C.arter's brand.)

Mother's Sales Continued

On Saturday 3.26 we woke up bright and early to attend two more sales. Our friend, K, met us at the first one. We hadn't been to this one before so we didn't know what to expect. It was absolutely huge! The line was long. I would say nearly 1,000 people were lined up (AT 8AM!). We even thought about leaving this one and heading over to the second that started a little later and get in line. But, I am glad that we waited. It took place in 4 seperate areas of a local high school. Each area was clearly marked and things we easy to find. But, the rooms quickly filled up and clothes, toys, etc.. were quickly claimed. Of course, all of the big stuff went quick! The second sale was the first one that we had ever attended last fall. It is held by mother's of high order multiples. It so neat to see 3,4,5, and 6s of outfits, seats, etc...

Here are some of our finds from the day:

Brand new ventaire bottles for $2 and an E.ddie B.auer for $2 also. Has anyone tried the P.odee bottle? Our friend K was told about it when they brought their Baby B home. She said it's a must have! It was also $2!

 These are our gender neutral finds.

 Yep, that's a B.engals jersey for nexy year!

$10 for the toy and extra blocks. No marks. Saw the toy in store later that day for $30!

18 Weeks Belly Shot

18 Weeks Belly Shot - 4.3.11 - If you look at my arm you can see where I still have the rash in spots from the A.moxil. It's slowly clearing up!

Yogurt

Baby C had G.erber (strrawberry) yogurt for the first time on 3.24.11. We mixed it with oatmeal. She LOVED it!

Roses

My DH had a parent-teacher comp day on Monday (3.20). When I got home, I found these!

He said that Baby C picked them out; she did great!

1st Wagon Ride

Baby C got a wagon this past Christmas. She took her first ride outside on 3.21.11!

16 Weeks Belly Shot

16 Weeks- 3.20.11