Grandma's visit . . .

I am so glad that my mom was able to come visit Jori so soon after she was placed in our home!  Jadon was in heaven and was able to make lots of banana bread with Grandma while she was here (of course while wearing his pirate hat).  Grandma was busy sewing all sorts of things for Jori (diaper bag, burp clothes, etc.) but of course she had plenty of time to hold her newest little grand baby!  Now Jadon, Jori, and I are looking forward to our trip to Michigan in June to see the whole rest of my family!

Jori - 3 Weeks

I decided to weigh her on our scale at home and she is up t o 6 lbs 4 oz!  I guess she is really working hard at growing!  Pretty good since she was not scheduled to be here for another week.

This week she is showing us her eyes more and more.  She started playing with her little mirror and reaching out to touch things.  She loves to look at herself in the mirror . . . no surprise as she is just so pretty and must know it!

Jadon is loving his little sister and continues to get up at night to check on her.  He is so sweet to her.  Here are some 3 week pics of our Jori!

I found my hand!!

Cute little toes . . .

Our little princess . . .

I'm so pretty!!

Playing . . .

Jori - 2 weeks

Jori's 2 week stats:

Weight - 5 lbs 8 oz    4%

Height - 18 inches    6%

Head Circ - 13 inches    14%

My little girl is growing up!  This last week my mom was able to fly in to spend some time with us and sew all kinds of things for our girl (burp cloths, diaper bag, blankets and more).  My friends from church also threw us an awesome baby shower.  We are feeling so much love from everyone and are so so humbled by the outpouring of love and support.  God has truly blessed us!

Pure Bliss!

We are having so much fun being a family of 4 . . . bedtime routines are just the best.  Cuddles on the couch and reading stories . . . we are so happy to have Jori join us for those!

Who is that in my Easter basket?

She is just the prettiest little thing to grace this earth!  Nope not biased at all!

Jori - 1 week old

We went to her first Doctor appointment on Thursday.  She was up to 5lbs 5oz (4 oz in 3 days) . . . go girl!

Here are some pictures of Jori at 1 week old.  Jadon just LOVES his little sister!

Jori Marie Holland

Jori Marie Holland
March 26, 2010
18 1/2 inches
5lbs 2 oz

We are truly so blessed!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Waiting for that "perfect" match!

We definitely go through our ups and downs on this journey . . . the last year has felt like an eternity at times.

I can't help but ponder the emotions that any family that is thinking about placing a child for adoption would be.  I know our feelings, anticipations, and desires . . . but I can't imagine what the other family is going though!

I pray for every birth family that is going through that very difficult task of sorting through profiles, looking at scrapbooks, dealing with their own grief and anticipation yet trying to pick the perfect family for their precious child.  I am so in awe of and so thankful for such families.  Watching families come together through adoption gets me every time.  I can't help but get emotional for anyone that gets that long awaited "match" for I so remember that day with Jadon.

Every night we wait until Jadon is asleep and we just stand by his bed and just look at him in awe.  Many of these nights, I can't help but get tears of just pure happiness that this child is in our home.  Even though he has been in our family for 5 1/2 years that emotion never fades.  We are so excited about the future and adding another bedroom to visit each night before we go to sleep.  We know God has a perfect plan and that perfect family for us . . . and we eagerly anticipate that day when we will meet them.

For now I will leave you with what I found one night when going in to just look at my boy while he slept.  We had just been to the monster truck show and he just thought the ear protectors were the coolest thing.  He just HAD to sleep with them.  I just love these times . . . .

One GREAT weekend!

Can I just say that I LOVE that I have the ability to take last minute trips? Stephen talked me into taking Jadon to our church's family spring break retreat and make it a really special mommy/Jadon time since he could not go.

My oh my . . . I could not have guessed how much fun we could have and what a special time it was! Jadon tried many new things (canoeing, zip line, horse back ride, tennis, paddle boat). Here are some pics of our awesome weekend!

Amazing race FBCG style. Jadon was the top of the pyramid singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Walking the bike . . . although he is getting so much better at riding it. (I love this picture even though it is a bit fuzzy!)

A Lady Bug!! Jadon thought it was greatness!

Hike through the woods.

Attempting to play Tennis.

Beautiful views!

Paddle boats ride

Awesome to see the horses!

We then of course had to go ride them!

Jadon's very first horse back ride.

First Canoe ride.

First Zip Line experience . . . SOOO Excited!! We both got to go at the same time!

Smiling at everyone that was cheering him on below.

I am flying like "Go Diego Go" (Of course I have to take pictures while going down)

Awesome!!!

Greatest Day!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE being a mommy!