A Baby Boy!!

I wrote this blog post on our adoption blog this week, and thought it was worthy of copying here.

Dear Little One,

After years of waiting, millions of tears, thousands of disappointed hopes, hundreds of negative pregnancy tests, 5 rounds of fertility drugs, dozens of months of waiting after decided to adopt, 6 weeks of anticipation after being chosen, a lot of faith and patience, and countless wishes and hopes and prayers, we have the ONE perfect answer that makes it all worthwhile.

You are here!

You are wonderful and perfect in every way. You are so, so loved.

Let me tell you a little about your arrival. Saturday night we had been asleep for about an hour or so when we got a phone call. I literally jumped out of bed, because a phone call in the middle of the night could only mean one thing - you were coming! Annalee, your birth grandma, was calling to say they were heading to the hospital. We gathered our things and tidied the house, and prepared to go. About an hour later, they called again to say that Aurianna, your birthmom, had been admitted to the hospital. We woke up Katelee, who was SO EXCITED to hear that you were coming, and dropped her off at our friends house and drove to Fort Collins.

It was 4 a.m. Sunday morning when we arrived at the hospital. We brought snacks and books and settled in for what we expected to be a nice long wait. At 6, I went up to the nurses station to ask how Aurianna was doing and if she had gotten her epidural yet. The nurse smiled and said that actually you had just been BORN! I think my jaw literally dropped! The only thing I could think to say was, "That was FAST!" The nurse kinda laughed at me and agreed, and then another nurse walked up and said they were ready for us to come in. I ran out to get daddy, who was dozing in the lobby, and we hurried into the room.

When we walked in, there was your beautiful birthmom, looking like a rockstar, holding you in her arms. Tears came into my eyes. She handed you to me and I just wanted to look at every bit of you forever. You were absolutely perfect! You weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. and were 19.5 inches long. You have long, thick black hair and great fingernails. We spent the next two hour or so in the delivery room together: Annalee, Aurianna, Jake (who is your birthdad), Daddy and I, taking turns holding you and loving you. There was a loving and peaceful feeling in the room. You hardly made a sound, but just took in the new world you had come to with your eyes open and thoughtful.

You and Aurianna

You and Jake

You and Grandma Annalee

Mom & Dad and You

After we were transferred to a new area where Aurianna had a room and we had our own room down the hallway. We were glad to be close to where Aurianna and Jake were staying, because we spent a lot of time all together over the next two days. I can't imagine a better hospital experience than what we had. The nurses were amazing - in fact the nurse we had the first day has adopted two children of her own through LDS Family Services! The doctors treated us all with respect and I personally felt that there was no awkwardness or uncomfortableness, because we are all being open with one another and because we love each other. It's true, it feels like in adopting you, Little One, we have adopted another entire amazing family, and we couldn't be more thrilled, because they are AWESOME! :)

Auri and I spent an hour or two chatting the afternoon after the birth and cuddling you, while the guys napped - ha ha ha!
We got to give you your first sponge bath. All five of us crowded into the bathroom, daddy viedotaping like usual. :) The nurse gave us directions and Auri and I worked together and took turns until you were all clean. You complained a tiny bit, but mostly you are just the most peaceful, content, easy-going baby ever. :) LOOK at that head of hair!!

I think you have Jake's hair and ears and Auri's nose. You are simply ADORABLE.

We took a pic of you getting your hearing checked. You passed with flying colors. :)

We had a great time in the hospital. We played Phase 10, talked, had visitors, and mostly just LOVED ON YOU. Someone was holding you almost constantly, and the love in the air was thick.

You have two names, Little One. Not everyone can say that! Aurianna and Jake named you Michael Jared Coy - a good strong name to be proud of. This is the name on your original birth certificate and your legal name until the adoption is finalized. Daddy and I had chosen your name about 10 years ago, however, that we felt strongly about keeping it. It is Blake Thurston Reynolds. Blake is Daddy's middle name and his grandfather's name. Thurston is mommy's maiden name, and is also in honor of your Grandpa Thurston. This is the name we call you at home and will become your legal name when the adoption is finalized.
Late Monday morning, Aunt Bonnie brought Katelee to the hospital to meet you for the first time. It was one of the happiest and sweetest moments of my life. Katelee is utterly, absolutely, 100% in love with you!

We didn't get a good picture of it, but Katelee is wearing a new shirt that says "Big Sister" on it. :)

Going home was a little sad for everyone, and especially for Aurianna and Jake. I, too, didn't want the wonderful experience of the hospital to end. It was all just so sweet and peaceful. But your birthparents are strong and amazing, and we are looking forward to seeing them this weekend. Before they left, they dressed you in the most adorable moose outfit that Annalee and bought for you:

And we tucked you into your car seat for the first time (you look so little!) and all left the hospital together.
We got settled at home that night, and Katelee read you your first bedtime story. I will write more about life at home another time, Little One. Just remember this always: Heavenly Father is a God of miracles. The scripture Mormon 9:19 has never felt more true to me:

And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

YOU are our miracle, Little One, and we love you with all our hearts!



We will be forever grateful to Aurianna and Jake for their selfless, loving part in making this miracle possible. We have loved them from the beginning, but this past week has made our feelings for them more profound and deep than we can express.




xoxox,

Mom

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Hope your day is full of family, fun, blessings, and delicious food. Oh, and adorable Pilgrims and Indians, too!

Katelee 2012

Katelee 2011

We are so blessed.

Busy as Usual

Life has been busy as usual around here lately!

We've been busy getting the house ready for a newborn! I've been in full-force nesting mode, and have deep cleaned every drawer, cupboard and shelf in the house. My oven and fridge are shinier than ever and things are in order. It feels good. :)

We've set up the crib and bassinet and are loving the tangible reminders that we are having a BABY!!! (Squeal!) I have imagined saying that thousands - millions - of times, and am beyond excited that the time is almost here and he could be born any day! To see pictures of the baby's space, check out our adoption blog here.

Yesterday I taught my last piano lesson for the year. Until 2012, I get a much-needed break to simply enjoy my family. Today was a happy day! Katelee and I had a wonderful day together, spending much of it out in the warm sunshine (63 gorgeous degrees!) and enjoying a more flexible schedule than usual with no school or piano lessons.

It's been an emotional 6 weeks. Having now experienced both ways, I can report that it is a FACT that an adopting parent goes through all the same emotions as a pregnant parent - maybe even a bit more! I have had some intense feelings over the past several weeks, and in some ways this has been one of the most tortuous things I have ever been through. On the other hand, it has also been one of the most marvelous things I have ever been through. Today has been a day of wonderful conversations (including a great talk with A. (the birthmom) and her mother this morning) and a day of freedom and sunshine, I am happy to report that the emotion of the day is pure JOY and GRATITUDE.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow, and I wish you all a joyful and thankful Thanksgiving Day!

Growing Up

Katelee is growing up so fast, TOO fast!, and the signs of it are everywhere.

This weekend I admit to shedding a few sentimental tears over a couple of big milestones.

On Friday, she told me she had a loose tooth. Her first! She was so excited and told EVERYONE we came into contact with that day all about it. :)

Saturday she asked Gerald to take the training wheels off her bike. 3 minutes later she came in to tell me she could ride a bike. Literally! 3 minutes! She was obviously ready!

Sunday on our way to church Katelee was eating an apple - and that loose tooth came right out! I couldn't resist a little photo shoot today of her new smile - she looks so adorable with that little gap in her teeth! :)

That missing tooth, that freckle nose, those twinkly eyes . . . I've never seen anything so beautiful!

I love this age so much. I ask Katelee everyday if she can just stay 5 forever. :) Maybe I don't really want her to stop growing up forever, but I DO wish she would slow down a bit . . .

Pink Crayon Dance

Here's a couple of Halloween videos of Katelee that wouldn't download earlier. Enjoy! :)

This girl knows how to dance and strut in a costume parade.

Katelee Quote

"Mom! Daddy loves you, you love me, I love baby Blake, baby Blake loves Little Moo Moo (her stuffed cow), and Little Moo Moo loves Daddy! It's one big CIRCLE OF LOVE!"

Yes, it really is. :)

Busy Bottling

Over the past couple of months, I've been bottling fruit. I love this time of year, and I honestly love bottling food. This year, I did more than I ever have in such a short time period, but it was so rewarding, and even fun because I got to spend time with my friend Sarah, who is my new canning buddy! Also, my sis-in-law Bonnie and I did some applesauce together. Here is the stash that is now on my pantry shelves:

• 28 quarts of peaches
• 12 pints of strawberry jam (plus 7 more that didn't set up. Boo!)
• 6 pints of peach jam (Thanks to Sarah's help!)
• 14 quarts of pears
• 25 quarts applesauce
  

I also have a bushel of apples in my fridge that I intended to turn into bottled apple pie filling, but with the baby coming and so much else on my mind, I think my bottling efforts are over for this year. So now my family is on a strict 'eat-at-least-2-apples-a-day' diet; hopefully we can eat those apples up before they go bad. :)

Date Night

A week or so ago Katelee and I went on a date. :) I had coupons for free meals at Fazoli's, and Gerald had a late class. It's always more fun when you call an outing a 'date' or a 'party,' so I told her I was taking her out for a special mommy-daughter date and told her to run in her room and get ready.


She came back looking absolutely stunning, as she had put on almost every piece of play jewelry that she owns as well as a crown. This girl really knows how to accessorize! I kissed her and told her she looked beautiful, and we had a great night out.

Love you, girl!

Halloween

We had the BEST Halloween this year! It was awesome!

It all started on Friday night, actually, when we did some of our family traditions. We invited Kassandra to join us, as she is practically part of the family. :) We made caramel apples to enjoy, listened to Halloween music, and carved our pumpkin. Katelee drew a design for the pumpkin in advance. Here is the pumpkin face she wanted.

Ready to get to work!

Cutting the pumpkin open.

EW! Pumpkin guts!

Cleaning the pumpkin out.

Yummy!

What's in there?Enjoying caramel apples. (While Gerald works hard on carving.) :)

The finished product!

We think the pumpkin resembles David from the book No, David.

After pumpkin carving, we drove to watch thjs light show, and the girls really got a kick out of it!

Fun night!

Saturday evening was our church "trunk-or-treat" and chili cook-off. Katelee got to wear her costume officially for the first time, and she looked adorable! Our little pink crayon!

On Halloween, we started the morning with homemade jack-o-lantern pancakes. Yum!

Katelee got to wear her costume to school in the morning. At school, we had a rockin' Halloween Party! As room mom, I was in charge of organizing the party, and I think it was a HUGE success! Gerald came a long and was a huge help, too!

We played:

bat balloon bop - keep the flying bat balloons in the air!

Halloween BINGO!

Pumpkin Bucket Coin Toss,
Pin the Wart on the Witch, and
Wrap your Friend up like a Mummy
The kids had a costume parade throughout the school!

And we made these cute stuffed pumpkins using the left over toilet paper from the mummy-wrap game. (The toilet paper was the stuffing.)

Following the craft, it was time for FOOD! I should have taken a picture of the food table - it was quite the spread and the kiddos thoroughly enjoyed it! Obviously, I've never been a room mom before or even attended a classroom party, but I think this one was a blast! The timing all worked out great and it was just a ton of fun!

Katelee and her teacher, Mrs. Nugent
After school, Katelee got to go to dance class in her costume. She was the cutest dancing crayon I've ever seen. :) The weather was absolutely gorgeous, so we walked home. Well, Katelee scootered home, actually, and she looked really cute scootering along all dressed up as a crayon. We got lots of smiles. :)

In the evening, we invited some of our friends over to have dinner with us and go trick-or-treating together. Lots of friends showed up! We took this picture before everyone came, and then forgot to take another one. :( But at least here are some of our friends that came for dinner.

This is the first year that Katelee REALLY went trick-or-treating for more than a block or two. She's getting older, and I think it helped that we were with a whole mob of friends! But we went trick-0r-treating for almost 2 hours, and she really got a ton of loot! We came home and organized it by color just to see what she had got:

WHOA!

Good thing almost all of it gets donated to the piano lesson candy bucket. Katelee doesn't mind. :)

Holidays are so much fun, and this Halloween was no exception! What a perfectly happy Halloween!