Happy & Complete

On Saturday we had the privilege of sharing our adoption story to couples starting the adoption process with our agency. Two years ago Shelby & I were sitting in the same room, listening intently to the couples who came to share their own stories. It was at that training that God opened our hearts to open adoption. That was in February of 2009, we were chosen by Julia in April of 2009, and Georgia Claire was born in June of 2009! It was surreal to be sitting on the panel with two other adoptive couples, and three birthmoms...with our two baby girls, just two years later! One birthmom, named Heather, had a baby 14 years ago! Another birthmom had given birth just 3 months ago and her emotions were still so fresh-she had a group of friends with her for support. It was so great to see such a sweet outpouring of love for their friend who had just made one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) decision of her life. And then there was Julia-Georgia Claire's birthmom-who shared her story. Julia is just wise beyond her years...so strong, so determined, so mature. I am SO incredibly impressed with her, and forever grateful! I enjoyed hearing her speak about her decision, and I think it was good for the couples in the class to see & hear both sides of Georgia Claire's adoption.

It was also fascinating to hear about the relationship Heather had with her 14 year old daughter. They still talk on the phone and see each other about once a year (or maybe more). It got me thinking about Georgia and what it will be like when she is 14. I hope that she, like Heather's daughter, knows & is able to articulate that her birthmom didn't give her away, but CHOSE parents for her that would provide a nurturing, loving, and supportive home. About 2 months ago I made a photo book through Shutterfly about our first 6 months with Georgia...in it I included pictures of us with Julia when she was pregnant with Georgia, pictures of all of us when she was born, pictures throughout the first 6 months, and I was able to add captions and notes to Georgia, in terms that she will understand when she is very young. I hope that it is something she will treasure always. I hope that she looks through it one day and sees how much she is loved. I pray every day that Shelby & I can show Georgia how truly special she is and how special our journey was to her! God opened the doors wide open and led us straight to our baby girl...it gives me chills every time I think about the timing of it all.

Because Julia and her family all live in the area we were able to meet up with them and have lunch. It was a good visit...good for all of us, I believe!

I LOVE this picture of Julia & Georgia Claire...

Julia's grandparents Dale & Vicki had us at their home for lunch. Georgia Claire LOVED the little rocking chair they had. She got comfy with her blanket really quick! =)

This makes me smile...

(L-R)--Alma, Vicki, Georgia Claire, Dale, Julia & Stacy (5 generations!)

Good of the adults...not so good of the girls, but oh well!
We love you, Julia. Thank you for the life that you gave Georgia Claire, and have given us! Because of you we have a baby girl that makes us smile & laugh every single day. Because of you Ivy Jane has an older sister that makes her smile & laugh every day. Because of you we are a happy, complete family! =)

Our Funny Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!

Physical Therapy-Round 2

My baby weighs 19 pounds and is 27 inches long! When did this baby...

become this baby?! I've heard it said so many times that time with your children flies...I'm beginning to see the truth in that statement! Ivy Jane is SOOOO sweet! I'm just as in love with her as I am her big sis, Georgia Claire. These little miracles have me smitten!

Ivy had her 6 month check-up this week and everything looks good, but there is some concern about her neck. About a month ago I took her to the doctor because she was sick but I also had her look at Ivy's neck because I was worried the way she always seemed to hold her head. Her head is almost always turned to the left (you can see it in some of the pictures). I noticed it right away when she was an infant sleeping in her carseat. Everyone told me not to worry that it was just her comfortable spot...probably that way in the womb. My doctor told me last month that she wasn't too concerned but that we would look at it again at her 6 month check-up. As it turns out, it looks like Ivy Jane has a condition known as torticollis or "wry neck" as it used to be called. It happens when the neck muscles contract involuntarily. There are many causes for torticollis...genetic defect, her position during pregnancy or delivery, muscle or bone deformities, inner ear or eye problems, etc. The doctor has ordered a PT evaluation for her. I'm told that usually after some stretching exercises/physical therapy it could be corrected. There is a chance that there is more going on, but I'm praying and believing that Ivy's will be corrected with therapy. We're also seeing a pediatric opthamologist (1st available appt for a new patient was May 9th!) to make sure there is nothing wrong with her eyes. Our doctor has seen children who hold their head at a certain position because they have trouble focusing their eyes. She said that Ivy tracks things well and she doesn't think there is a problem, but she'd rather be overly-cautious. I told her that I'm OK with that...I appreciate that! I'm asking for prayer from those of you who read my blog. Please pray specifically that her issues are tight muscles only, and no other more complicated problems. As you can see, she is a VERY HAPPY baby and it doesn't seem to be bothering her!

A Busy 19 Month Old...

I've learned there's only so many puzzles you can work, so many books you can read, so many toys you can play with before a 19 month old gets B-O-R-E-D! The last few days have been EXTREMELY cold here, so we've been inside ALL DAY LONG. Oh, how I long for the spring days that are right around the corner! I cannot wait to get outside with the girls! But for now, I have to get creative. Especially when Georgia's nap & Ivy's nap don't coincide. Georgia is such a great sleeper that Ivy can holler all she wants and Georgia won't budge but Ivy is a different story. She's a pretty light sleeper, so Georgia & I try to find quiet things to do while she is napping! On Wednesday we made a tent from a blanket, chair, and Georgia's crib. I piled some pillows, got a basket of books, and found a flashlight for Georgia! She LOVED it! It lasted a good 30-45 minutes...impressive, if I do say so myself!

She loved getting to hold the flashlight and shine it on things...

Waiting patiently for Momma to join...
Giving up on Momma and reading a book herself...
The day before I wasn't so smart...Ivy woke up and was hungry so while I was feeding her Georgia busied herself. I realized I forgot to shut the bathroom door and she became really quiet. Here is what I found...
She did that in a matter of a couple of minutes! Can you tell that she is almost 2?! =)

6 Month Old

Ivy Jane is SIX MONTHS OLD today! The past 6 months have been tough at times, but SO happy! Ivy Jane is really starting to get a personality...laughing at her big sister, interacting with her daddy, and still loving her momma! She is sitting up on her own and today I found her first tooth poking through her gums!

We go to the doctor on Tuesday for her 6 month check-up...I can't wait to see how big she is!

This picture was taken literally about 15 minutes after they both woke up...they still have sleepy eyes! I put Ivy in the chair while I changed Georgia and when we were finished she was saying, "Pwee" and hiking her leg up on the chair, wanting to get up and sit with her baby sister.

She is such a happy baby...especially if she's with Momma! =)
Working with Daddy...
I cannot believe we now have a 19 month old and a 6 month old! So very thankful for this life that I have been given...

35 YEAR OLD

Today is my 35th birthday! Ivy Jane wore her cupcake onesie to celebrate...

It was SO cold here today. Georgia Claire wore her furry boots! I bought them back in November and she is just now able to wear them! They were a little hard to walk in but now that she is walking like a pro she doesn't have any trouble! Today was a MDO day...so fun but she plays so hard and doesn't get to nap very long, so she was one SLEEPY HEAD tonight...I sound like a broken record but I am SO thankful for my life...especially my family! I enjoyed my day-lunch with my mom, shopping, playing & laughing with the girls (Ivy Jane is getting to be SO much fun), and ended with a date to eat Japanese food with Shelby while Grandma & Paw Paw watched the girls. Thank you Lord for this life you have given me!

Change of Status

Yesterday I had my 6 month postpartum check-up with my doctor. Because it was so cold here yesterday (and today and tomorrow and Friday!) she had a lot of patients cancel their appointments. SO, because she didn't have another patient waiting and she needed to update my info in her new computer system, my appointment lasted a little bit longer than usual. How often do you get to sit and chit chat with your doctor about all of the incredible ways that God has blessed your life in the last 2 years?! The best update of the appointment...she changed my status to "unexplained infertility" to "one successful adoption" and "one successful pregnancy"!

While I ran to the bathroom after we got home yesterday, Ivy started crying and Georgia got in her bag, found her bottle, and was trying to give it to her when I returned! I have to admit it brought tears to my eyes to see my 19 month old trying to comfort her not-quite 6 month old sister! I'm going to have quite the little helper on my hands! =)

On February 19th we've been asked by our adoption agency to talk to the prospective adoptive couples who will be in a training session on that day. Although I do not like to talk in front of people I remember being in that same training session just two years ago and what an encouragement it was to hear the stories of the families (adoptive parents & birthmoms) about their own adoption journeys. I'm excited to share how God has worked in our lives! I'm happier now than I ever thought I'd be. The last few days I've been in a very thankful and reflective mode...all because of my sweet Georgia Claire, Ivy Jane & (Shelby Christopher, too!) =) I have such an awesome responsibility to grow and nurture and love and care for these two precious gifts that God has given me each and every day. I know that it's all by the grace of God that I can happily and proudly say I am a mother of two awesome baby girls! Right now I know of three couples who are in the waiting stages with an adoption agency, two friends who are struggling with infertility, and one who has just lost her baby (after 6.5 months of being pregnant). All of these women would be and will be INCREDIBLE mothers. I stole this from a friend's blog and I think it's the perfect verse for the mommas-to-be...

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3

Always in prayer for those on their own journeys to growing their family...

Speaking of growing, Ivy Jane is almost 6 months old and she is eating anything and everything I put in front of her! Yesterday she started sitting up on her own. It doesn't last long and she usually falls over after a minute or two, but she is CLOSE! She loves for me to prop pillows around her so that she can sit up.

While Ivy Jane was napping the other day I was putting up laundry...it was piled high on our bed. I went to the bathroom to put away some towels and when I came back Georgia Claire had found a comfy spot to watch!
She is hilarious right now with my bracelets and her baby and her phone and her baby stroller. She stopped for a minute while she was playing last Saturday...notice instead of a baby she has a phone in the stroller...Shelby has been in Kansas the last two weeks (week before last it was Sunday-Wednesday and last week it was Monday-Friday). By Thursday of last week Georgia Claire was walking around saying "Dada?" and putting her hands up like where is he?! She missed him tremendously! We enjoyed a home-cooked meal and family time together on Friday & Saturday we decided we would get out and enjoy the day together since the weather was BEAUTIFUL! Our plan was to run errands & play Saturday morning, eat lunch, and come home for nap time, but GC had other plans! She did NOT want to nap. Although she was extremely tired, she stood up in her bed (on the bumper pad) and yelled,"Dada!" for about 20 minutes...SOMEONE missed her daddy! I told Shelby she was probably afraid she was going to miss something! SO, since it was a beautiful day we decided a nap was not going to happen and we loaded up the wagon and headed to the park. She was excited when we got there but all she wanted to do was this...
She cried when Shelby tried to swing with her, when I tried to swing with her, when we sat her down, when we tried to get her to run & play...even when we put her back in the wagon! Can you say tired 19 month old?! Ivy Jane just sat and enjoyed the scenery and the crying...
About 2 minutes after we got in the car, this is what happened...
After going to bed early on Saturday and having a good morning at church on Sunday, she was in rare form! Here she is with her skirt on her head being silly!