A Snowy Christmas

Christmas was very busy around our house. Most of my family came into town (6 adults, 1 child) for the week before Christmas and left the day after. It was really awesome to have them around and give them the opportunity to meet Abigail. We even had snow flurries on Christmas Eve. Our big worry was how the dogs would react with my 15 month old niece running around but they were great. Buddy even killed a squirrel on Christmas Eve - that was his present to us.

Abigail has been growing like a weed. You can almost see her growing from minute to minute. She is starting to sleep in her crib half the night because she gets active in her bassinet and her arms hit the sides and wake us up. She's not quite on her routine because of all the visitors and we are seeing more this weekend for New Year's. We are hoping to put her on a true schedule next week.

She is smiling a lot more which is tons of fun. Her little dimples are so cute in her big chubby cheeks. You can also really tell that she recognizes mommy and daddy's voices and faces. She loves to look at lights and listen to music. She is also hungry right now as I heard her let out a little cry from the bedroom. Gotta go make a bottle and feed her so that Jenny can get some more rest.

It has been great being off work during the holidays so that I can help Jenny out. She's going to be really tired come next week when I'm back at work.

We'll right more soon and post pictures of the holidays.

In Christ,
Jerry

I think we are clean...

Okay, that is probably a really bad attempt at a joke but we have had so many baby showers over the past few weeks I just couldn't pass up the silliness. It is amazing to realize how many lives we have touched and to see it through the physical support showing up in the showers that have been thrown for Abigail. From family to friends to co-workers to former patients it is just amazing how God has surrounded us with such a great support system. If we didn't already know, it would be pretty obvious that God is saying this is the family he wanted to create.

And we have been so busy with the showers and family coming in town for the holidays that we just haven't taken the time to sit and write about it. We also mixed in refinancing our home in the midst of all of this. But on to how Abby is doing. She went for her two month doctor visit and got a clean bill of health. The doctor said Jenny is doing a great job and is doing everything right. She's obviously grown since the two week visit but she is picking up speed compared to other babies. We know that Abby is going to be a petite person when she grows up because her birthparents we both short and petite. But Abby has gained percent wise from 1% of babies in size to about 4%. Not that it matters, we are just glad she is healthy.

She also received 5 shots on this visit. Not a pleasant experience but it has to happen. She is such a well mannered baby that this was the first time that we saw her really open up her lungs and scream and cry. It didn't last long though and she was sleeping it off. We've been trying to work in our family Christmas picture but it has been difficult getting times arranged properly. I'm off work from now thru January 5th so hopefully we will be able to get that done soon and posted for all to see. We apologize for not getting Christmas cards out this year but we think that everyone should understand. Maybe we will send out a Happy New Year card instead.

She is really starting to smile when prompted, at least when she is really awake. She is slowly starting to sleep better but with all that has been going on it has been difficult to get her on a routine. That will have to wait until January once all the family is gone and there are no more trips out of town. But she is so good about going to other people and not getting fussy. She's also been very good about not getting sick (like she really has anything to do with it) with both the weather changes and being around so many people.

Now that all that is explained - the really important thing that happened since my last post is that we got Abby's life jacket out and sized her up. She's just a tad too small for it right now but by March it should fit just fine and she'll be ready to go. And now that my project of remodeling the travel trailer is complete it is on to building her water skis. I know some people think I'm crazy, but those of you who have seen me on the water know that it will be safe and fun. Plus those who really know me are already asking when her first ski trip will be. I'm targeting June because the water should be warm enough by then. And yes Jenny is on board with this idea, she actually stopped me the other day when I said I needed to build Abby's skis. She said "If we have new skis, she is going to have a new ski also". And I did find this really cool new ski trainer online that floats and starts the kids off in a seated position, so we may be investing in that.

I'll end this post with a few updated pictures.

We have much more on our cameras and the cameras of others that we need to download so that we can share. For now, we thank everyone for all the prayers and support. We love you all.

And don't forget - the Real Gift of Christmas is Christ!

Jerry

Daddy's World & Pictures

Howdy! It is hard to believe it has been two weeks since I've posted anything. I have to admit it was tough going back to work after being home with Abigail since the day we picked her up. I even had to spend a night out of town for work which was really hard, but I know it was even harder on Jenny to be alone that night with Abigail.

Jenny has been great! She takes care of Abigail each weeknight trying her best not to wake me up. We both agreed that since my job entails so much driving, that she would try to take care of all the night feedings/changings so that I would not get tired while driving during the day. She has been awesome and I could not ask for anything better than the relationship I have with my best friend.

On to Abigail, I'm sure that is what you want to hear about right? She is growing and growing. Jenny weighed her yesterday and she is about 8.5 lbs, which is up a pound in two weeks. She's finally out of the newborn diapers and is just about to outgrow the newborn clothes. She is starting to smile more and on rare occasion will smile upon request. She is also becoming a little more vocal, but she still doesn't cry much. We are learning still on the hair care issues but everything else is falling right into place thus far.

Tuesday I took Abigail up to Jenny's Weight Watcher meeting so that all the members could meet her. They threw an unannounced baby shower for Jenny the week before, which was awesome. Then on both Wednesday and Thursday, Jenny took Abby up to her old workplace for two separate meet & greet luncheons so that some of Jenny's former patients could meet Abby. The generosity of our friends has just been amazing. We are truly grateful for everyone and I have a feeling we are going to be taking quite a few people out on our boat this summer. In my mind there is no better way to repay generosity than to take people out on the water for a day of fun and relaxation.

So what is it like being a dad? I can't explain how awesome it is. My little princess is just so beautiful and perfect. She is a blessing and truly fills our house with joy. I know everyone says we should not hold her all the time, but it is so hard to put her down. And you know what - I don't care I'm going to hold her anyway. We've waited 8 years for Abigail to come into our lives and to think that she is not going to be spoiled is crazy.

As I was telling someone yesterday, the waiting felt like forever while we were in the moment but now it feels like it just flew by. It feels like just yesterday we were starting to fill out paperwork with Generations and praying that we would have our baby before Christmas. The most awesome part of this whole journey is the prayers that God answered along the way.

Other adoption related news, we had our first post placement visit with our social worker. It went really well, even the dogs were good. We have basically one a month until our finalization date in court, which we found out this week will be on April 23rd. The next big date is Abby's two month doctor's appointment on December 17th - more shots and I'm not looking forward to that. It is a whole new world of protectiveness for me. I'm not a gun person but I've even thought about taking a couple of gun classes so that I can be prepared for when she starts dating - Abby, when you are old enough to read this I want you to know that is a joke of course.

So let me close by adding some recent pictures. We are trying to capture her hair after a bath but it doesn't photograph very well. It gets so curly and is just so cute.

God Bless!

Jerry

Week 1 Stay at Home MOM!

Wow! Stay at home Mom.... It was amazing, interesting, exhausting, and so worth it. It was so weird not going to work. It was such an important part of my life that it was almost like I woke up thinking I'm late for work. Even though I miss my coworkers and my patients dearly (I talked to them almost every day last week) home is where I want to be and am blessed to be able to be here. My life has truly transitioned!

Here are a few things I've learned:
*Even little girls can "spray" you
*My right arm is exhausted! Guess I better switch to the left occasionally...
*Sleep.......what's that?
*Clean house.....laundry...yeah right!
*Typing with one hand takes forever.
*Spreading cream cheese on toast is really difficult with one hand.
*Whew......there is a ton of baby laundry to do! oops....there is another wet onesie.....BLOWOUT!
*I love cuddling with my daughter.
*She is so yummy!

Things I am working on.....
*Sleeping when she sleeps
*Not worrying about laundry and dirty house
*Having things in order all the time
*Keeping her spotless hahaha
*Being confident in my "motherly instincts"
*It's ok to put her down for a little bit
*and the hardest one.........letting her cry a little bit..... ugh!

It was an amazing week and I am so thankful to be able to stay with my daughter each day. Jerry is an AMAZING father and is so eager to help whenever needed. In fact, he even says "my turn". Wow!

thanks to each and every one of you for your well wishes and prayers. Stay tuned for pictures and more on STAY at home week 2.

love to all,
Jenny

So much to be Thankful for...

Hello,

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Here is a recap on our Thanksgiving weekend:

We went to my parent's house in Boerne the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. What was usually a 4 hour drive took 5 1/2 hours. We stopped a few more times and once to feed our little girl. We are learning so much! You can't just stop and feed her....you gotta stop, take her out and change her diaper, feed her, burp her (boy can she burp! I am so proud!) let her sit up for a while to prevent spit up, cuddle with her a little with mommy then daddy, then put her back in the carseat and go. Of course one of us was sitting next to her the whole time. We finally got to Pipe Creek at 10:30 pm.
My parents were of course up and waiting for us to arrive. Mimi and Granddaddy were super excited to meet little Abigail. It was precious! Mom is still recovering from her surgery so with gentle hands she held Abigail and it was priceless. We have waited so long to fill our arms with a baby and it is finally here and "Mimi and Granddaddy" were elated. God is so good!

Thursday morning: Thanksgiving........what an amazing Thanksgiving gift God has given us. We will never forget this day. We gave Abby a bath that morning and about that time my brother, sister in law, and niece came over. Immediately, Brooke took to her new cousin, Abigail, and they were attached. What a great little mama Brooke is. I can't wait for Abby to meet her big cousin Alex!
Then Nanny, Da, Grandma, and the rest of the family came over and it was wonderful to see everyone rejoicing with us. Even my "little sister" Sadie, the yorkie, was a good girl and was excited but gentle with Abigail.
Over the rest of the weekend, except for a few hours in the middle of the night, she was in someone's arms the whole time! And she loved it! Let's just say we are trying to get her out of that habit right now. :)
All in all we were all together all weekend and it was amazing! One thing for sure......we are blessed beyond all understanding. God's timing is just right and eventhough we still have Mom's chemo/radiation on the horizon we are so thankful that God brought us Abigail to remind us that He loves us and has not forsaken us. To God Be the GLory!

It is because of all of your prayers that Abigail was our little Thanksgiving miracle. Thank you! You will never know how much we appreciate all of you. Thank you is not enough....

(Jerry will upload the pictures from Thanksgiving as I don't know how to do that yet! heehee....)
love, Jenny