Abram finally . . .

rolled over! I laid him on his back, as usual, this afternoon and ran to the kitchen. 30 seconds later when I came back in . . . this is what I found.So, I put him back on his back.And sure enough . . .

He did it several more times and rolled from his stomach to his back once, too.

Way to go, boy!

Made It Home Just In Time...

For Greysen James' First Birthday Party!

Oh, the days of the boys really playing together is getting closer and closer . . . we can't wait! Greysen was having fun with his present before it was even opened.

Some cute birthday spectators!

And although it wasn't Abram's birthday, he got a very fun present from Grammy . . . His own little taggie blanket. I picked out the materials when mom was here last time, but didn't expect her to have it done so quickly. I love it!

The Texas Finale

"Goodbye Tia Leti...I love you so much!" In the airport in Lubbock, I was carrying Abram through security and they made me open his bottle to check the water. I needed a place to set Abram and this seemed like a good spot!

Keeping occupied before we took off in Lubbock.

Hi Daddy!

Abram slept during the descent for the first time . . . and actually kept sleeping after we got off the plane.

We made it to Dallas.

We went out with a bang in the food department tonight!

Complete with fried pickles and white BBQ sauce! Seriously, this is an incredibly delicious and unique combination of flavors. We loved them! More "you know you are in Texas" paraphernalia in the restaurant.

Abram's new favorite activity...

This brings our Texas tour to an end. We have had such a fabulous time!

Our flight leaves tomorrow at 8:00a (which means I should be in bed right now). We chose an early flight so we could get to Omaha by 1:45p and drive home to make it to Greysen's (our youngest nephew) 1st birthday party!!

You Know You Are In Texas When...

You stop along the side of the road to pick some cotton.You stop to check out a whole field of prairie dogs (Jason was loving it!).You go to Sonic almost once a day, especially between 2-4p, when their drinks are half price. I know we have Sonic in Iowa, but there is something about being in Texas that makes you want to drink a strawberry limeade (Jason) and a pineapple Dr. Pepper (me)!

And finally, only in Texas would your hotel have two waffle makers that make waffles in the shape of their state!

Lubbock, Part 5

Yesterday (Thursday) we spent the whole day in Lubbock. The day started with an old friend from Iowa State, Stephanie Thompson, stopping by to visit. She just moved to Lubbock 6 months ago for nursing school. It was fun to see her!There is a coffee shop in the same building as Leti's office. Leti told me that the owner is her friend and that she makes the best carmel macchiato. Sounded great to me! So, yesterday morning, Steph, Jason and I went over there. When I told the owner, Dina, that Abram was Leti's nephew, she was THRILLED that we came by. After we each got our coffee she told us that it was "on the house!" So fun! We told her we'd be seeing her next year when we come. (And Leti wasn't kidding about the carmel macchiato...it was fabulous!)

We then ran some errands to print off all the pictures from our time in Lubbock to give to Abram's family. I got frames for Mimo, Leti and Amber and put a picture of the three kids in it.

We ate lunch at Gardskis Loft, the oldest restaurant structure in Lubbock.We spent a good part of the rest of the afternoon just driving all around Lubbock to get more familiar with this city. We also drove around the Texas Tech campus.

Somebody got a souvenir!

A little more hanging out in the hotel.

And then dinner at Ruby Tequila's Mexican Kitchen. This is the resaurant we ate at right after we left the hospital with Abram when he was born. Wow, the memories!

Today wraps up our time in Lubbock. We originally were going to drive to Dallas, but we decided to fly. We are flying out at 2:00p. We plan to stop by to see Leti one last time before we leave town.

Lubbock, Part 4

Last night was a priceless, wonderful and very fun time.

We met Abram's sister, Delilah, and brother, Christyan for the first time. They are technically Abram's half-sister and half-brother, but for the rest of Abram's life, they will be his sister and brother.

Abram got lots of hugs and kisses from Delilah and Christyan. It didn't take them anytime to warm up to Abram and us at all.

We ate pizza. We drank Dr. Pepper (even Jason!). We took lots of pictures. Jason gave Christyan piggy back rides around and around in the pool. I got to spend lots of great quality time with Mimo and Leti. And Abram got lots and lots of loving from his Mimo and Tia.

Abram is one loved and adored little guy with an amazing family in Lubbock. We can't wait to come visit again next year.

This whole experience of adoption . . . there just are not words in the English language that describe it. It is a beautiful miracle. Mimo and Leti told me that getting to see Abram and being able to sit around together felt like a dream. I couldn't agree more!

Lubbock, Part 3

Yesterday (Wednesday) was filled with . . .

A bath in the hotel sink... Eating lunch at a park...

With lots of ducks, geese and one crane...

Abram's first time in a swing at a park...

Another nap in the closet. This is how we found him when he woke up from one of his naps!

More from yesterday in the next post.