Back in the New York Groove

It's been awhile, friends, and I'm not going to lie...

With a new baby, adoption proceedings, work, and a husband in school and working... I just couldn't face One. More. Thing. The "thing" being this blog. Sometimes, when things get tough, even writing (a lifelong passion) is more than I can handle.

That being said, I'M BACK...Back in the New York Groove. (Oh, come on...Kiss? Anyone?)

 

On October 30th, we were finally able to finalize Riley's adoption, three months and some change after we brought him home. Since we announced it to our families and friends, we've been overwhelmed with congratulations and also with some questions, so I thought I would answer a few here:

 

1.) You had to go to court? Why? : EVERY adoption requires you to go to court. The process all starts with a lawyer and paperwork (a Termination of Parental Rights and Consent to Adoption that birth parents sign), but you have to file that paperwork with the court and eventually go before a judge. The judge basically verifies that the process was handled legally and in the best interest of the child. In our case, we had a few more steps, and court was a slightly longer process.

2.) What happens now? : Once the judge signed off, the court put in a request for a new birth certificate for Riley. It will list us as his parents, so we will have that as proof of our right to make any medical decisions for him that might be necessary throughout his childhood or enroll him in school...Stuff like that.

3.) Is it permanent? Can someone take Riley away? What about the "horror stories" on the news? : It IS permanent. Riley is part of our family forever. Nobody can take him away from us. PS: In most cases, people refer to the highly publicized Baby Veronica case. This was a special set of circumstances involving a law that only applies to children with Native American blood (and only certain tribes that enforce the law).

 

And just to round things out...Here's Cheeks on Halloween yesterday!

 

I hope that clarified things for those of you who have been wondering. Thank you all for the support you have shown our family. We love you!

 

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Riley: One Month

Sweet boy,

You are one month old! Mommy and Daddy can hardly believe how fast time is moving!

You are already doing so many new things: holding your head up and looking around, mimicking our funny faces, trying to suck your thumb! Everything you do amazes me and your papa.

 

 

So far, you're still in your newborn clothes, but it won't be long before we have to start dressing you in 0-3 months, chunky monkey. You've moved up to eating more 4 oz bottles, and you don't miss any meals. :) Of course, you're already wearing 6 month socks, because you have some pretty big basketball player feet!

 

 

We just love you so much, baby bug. You're the best gift we ever received, and every day (no matter how little sleep we get!), we thank God for you. We hope you know how loved you are, always, by so many people.

 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

P.S. The "Royal Baby" has NOTHING on you, kid!

 

 

 

The Journey to Riley - Video

Just a little something I've been putting together in the wee hours between feeding to document our trip for Riley's birth. :)

 

 

 

Welcome Home, Riley!

Well, last night I had this awesome long post with an update on Riley... And as things go on the Great Interwebz... I lost it.

Here's the gist:

In the last seven days, we have received well wishes from all over the world: England, France, China, Alabama...You know, lots of "Fereign" countries. ;)

We can't begin to respond to them all, but we want you to know that each text, call, FB message, etc was appreciated. It kept us going in the hard times, and that's a fact!

Special shout out to the kind folks who stocked our fridge, fed our fur babies, and cleaned our house while we were gone. Coming home to home cooked food and clean floors really gave us a boost.

In Riley News, we celebrated his one week birthday with a visit to the pediatrician. Click the jump for an update on Little Bug!

 

1 Day: Dear Butterbean

 

 

Dear Butterbean,

We can't believe that it's almost time to meet you! If you had told us in January that by July, we'd be holding you and counting your little fingers and toes...Well, we wouldn't have believed you! Between us and your tummy mommy, hoards of grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends, you have to be the most prayed for and loved baby ever!

 

Never doubt for one second that you are wanted and loved, sweet boy. It all started with your tummy mommy who loved you every second of every day for nine months (and continues loving you now!), and that love lead her to us, who will love you for the rest of our lives.

 

You are the best gift we will ever receive.

 

 

Love always,

(Hopefully) Mommy & Daddy

 

10 Days: Hotel Booked

It's finally feeling real.

Do you know why?

   

Because we booked our hotel close to the hospital for The Delivery!

How crazy to think that we are almost there. 

12 Days: Baby Shower Haul

                                 

    

I'm going to get a little mushy here for a second. Feel free to gag yourself with a spoon:

Y'all, after almost four years of trying to have a baby, I never thought I would even HAVE a baby shower. Do know how bittersweet it is to go to a baby shower for someone you love and feel so happy and sad at the same time? So believe me, my first baby shower is greatly appreciated. I am totally overwhelmed with all of the beautiful things that have been given to Riley. He's not even here yet (12 Days!), and people are already spoiling him rotten.

Here are a few pics of some of the lovely gifts and shower:

                                 

                      

                                 

                                 

                                 

  

 

     

    

     

Less than 30 days! Wait, what?!

So if you have been keeping up with my countdown, I bet you're a little puzzled as to how we got down to less than 30 days until D-Day, right?

We have been hesitant to tell everyone, but we have a tentative date for delivery. Why are we being so cagey about sharing? Because it isn't finalized yet. There is a bit of a scheduling conflict, and we are waiting to hear what the resolution is.

If everything goes as planned, he will be born the week after David's birthday, which is the 18th. :)

The even BETTER news? He is already over 5 lbs and has a head full of hair! According to BMom, he is doing really well. 

We have been busy bees this week preparing for his arrival. Lots of baby laundry has been done, and we have been cleaning the whole house like fiends in preparation for a time when we won't HAVE time. 

Our car seat arrived in Wednesday, and it's AWESOME. A very special thanks to David's parents for that gift. We can't wait to put it to good use. 

We are also waiting on a big package from Kelly's Closet containing several diaper covers and a wet bag. It is supposed to be here tomorrow, and I can't wait! All that's left to order to get our stash rounded out is a pack of newborn Prefolds and small Prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers.

We have our meeting with the lawyer handling our adoption tomorrow, and D's parents are dropping in for a visit tomorrow evening to round out our busy and productive week. Not to mention my Noonday Fundraiser on Saturday!

Keep those prayers coming, folks. Here is what we need prayers for specifically:

1.) That nothing unexpected comes up in our legal consultation tomorrow. That we have all the money we need and have fulfilled any requirements we need as well.

2.) That baby and BMom continue to do well.

3.) That the delivery date is finalized soon and hopefully, remains the same.

4.) That our fundraiser goes well!

Thank you all for your support. We give thanks for you daily, and we know we couldn't do this without you.

32 Weeks: In the Still of the Night

It is hard to believe that it's only about 8 or 9 weeks until baby is born. Time has been, at times, agonizingly slow and frighteningly fast. In the quiet parts of the evening, The Still of the Night, it's all I can think about.

We still haven't had an update from E-Mom. We continue to send messages of support about once a week. We hope she knows that we are here for her if she needs to talk. In the meantime. We are just putting a foot in front of the other every day and preparing. 

It is terribly scary to be preparing for something when you don't know it will happen for sure. I just keep thinking back to our last conversation and taking comfort at how she seemed happy that she had chosen us even if she is sad. 

Two big events are coming up for us. One friend is throwing us a fundraising event to help us with the adoption, and two of my lovely Jester sisters are throwing me a baby shower. I'm so excited! 

At the same time, I feel guilty and scared. What if the adoption falls through? I don't want everyone to have gone to all the trouble and be disappointed. The logical part of me knows that even if this doesn't work out, we will continue in our adoption journey...But I find it hard to look past this baby. He already has a huge place in my heart. I spend a lot of time imagining his little face and thinking about how awesome it will be to watch him grow up with his birth mom and siblings and us.

We just pray. That's all we can do.