Adoption Meeting TONIGHT!

I want to let everyone know about an adoption info meeting:

TONIGHT at 7:30p at Troy & Pam Nesbitt's house

(585 Timbercreek Drive in Ames)

It is for anyone who wants to just get more information about adoption. I've wanted to have a meeting like this for awhile because I know that adoption is a thought that is in the back of many people's minds, but it is so overwhelming to know what to do about it. Here is an easy first step.

Please join us tonight! It will be very informal and not last much longer than an hour.

Such a Little MONKEY!

Not only is Abram hairly like a monkey, but he hangs on like one, too!

And he looks like a little monkey in my sling!

One Month

Here is our one-month old!Abram was born one month ago this past Sunday! What a month it has been!

Although Abram and I have not been home a lot the last month, having a baby and being home with him has been every bit as much of the dream I dreamt for so long!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE BEING HOME! My favorite thing to do first thing in the morning is to open the blinds in the living room to let the light in. Then I stand there and think, I really get to stay home and take care of my baby and my husband and my home? I still can't believe it most days! I love that I can keep my bathroom clean daily. I love that I can dust-bust our kitchen floor and keep it clean. I love that I can keep up on the laundry. I love that I can watch Abram stretch when he wakes up from his naps. I love seeing all the little faces he makes. I love rocking him and talking to him. I love that Jason and I can spend much more quality time together at night because I don't have to do the dishes and laundry, etc. The list could go on and on.

There are a few things that have surprised me about the first month:

- I expected to have some sort of major break-down once I got home and started this new chapter of life, since I don't adjust well to change. But, it hasn't happened yet. I'm thinking either I am still in the "honeymoon" phase or maybe it won't happen at all . . . since I have anticipated, prayed for, longed for, waited for this time for SO LONG! Perhaps God is just allowing me to enjoy it without a break-down. Only time will tell I guess.

- This first month really has NOT flown by too fast. I'm surprised and thankful for that. Since we have waited for this time for so long (and been able to hear so many people say how fast the newborn stage flies by), I have intentionally tried to make the most of every day with Abram. We try to hold him as much as we can since he will only be so small for a short time. Every day I try to soak in the faces he makes, what he does with his hands, the size he is, etc. I am very task-oriented, but I am trying to spend as much time with Abram as I can so that when I look back I don't regret trying to get so much done (my usual mode of operation) that I missed more time with him.

- I'm surprised that getting up in the middle of the night to feed Abram has not been so bad. I think it helps that I am reminded often of all the times I cried myself to sleep at night, longing to hear a baby crying in the other room. I'm so thankful to have a baby to get up in the night with.

Okay . . . check on the belly on our little guy! He is definitely growing! This picture of his face is probably my absolute favorite so far. Almost every day I can't believe how beautiful he is. I love just looking at him. He has smiled a few times in his sleep and I know that "real" smiles are supposed to start around 6 weeks. I've already decided that the first day he actually smiles at me, I might just melt to the floor.

Looking like a little man in this cute outfit from Grandma Rhonda.

So sweet.

He is always doing something with his hands and arms.

Cute Abram Pictures

Baby Reece Wulfekuhle

Abram had another road trip this week. Our good friends from our connection group, Brian & Allie Wulfekuhle, had their baby girl - Reece Renae Wulfekuhle - very early Tuesday morning in Ames. However, a lump was found near her spine and she had to be taken to Iowa City for surgery Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday evening, another couple (the Fischers) from our connection group and Jason and I drove in two separate cars to IA City to visit the Wulfekhules and baby Reece. Check out the Wulfekuhle's blog to see pictures of beautiful Reece. She is doing so well - PRAISE GOD!

Kelly Fischer and I spent the night with a good friend of mine and were able to see Brian, Allie and Reece again yesterday morning.

Here are Abram (buried in the sling!) and I with Allie. Abram was again an incredible trooper through the whole trip!
We love you Wulfekule's!

Free Live Coldplay Album

Coldplay is offering a free 'Live' album as a thank you to their fans...get it here. Even if you're not a current fan, this is a great deal and you should check them out!

Imagine Video

I wanted to share this well done, quick and surprising video...

Sling Jealousy

Jason was jealous of my sling and decided he wanted his own. So, he decided to break his arm (near his elbow) playing basketball Friday morning. No, I'm not kidding (well, I am kidding about him "wanting" a sling!). He doesn't have to have a cast, but will have to wear a sling for six weeks. At least he is still able to help take care of Abram!

Our cute little man . . .

Home Sweet Home

We made it home yesterday! Abram slept the entire time on both flights so traveling home was pretty easy. Below is the crowd that awaited us at the airport.My sister, Kate, was the first to hold him and look at him . . .

Then my mom . . . And then Grandma Rhonda (Jason's mom)

My dad brought this fun cake for the party we had at Kate's house after the airport!
My neices and nephew holding their long-awaited cousin.

I have many other pictures and thoughts to share about our coming home. But, I'm tired and I need to catch some zzz's while my baby is sleeping! But, this picture below sums up my favorite part of last night . . . My sister, mom and I just watching sweet Abram while he slept at the end of the night. We just watched him and watched him and talked about all of his precious little features and how beautiful he is. Thank you, Jesus, for such an amazing gift . . . not just to Jason and I, but to our family and friends as well.