This Halloween, this mama decided to forego the costumes.  Gasp.  We stuck with Halloween themed clothes and pajamas as we snuggled inside.  It was a cold night, and Millie Janalee had just as much fun giving treats to all the trick or treaters.  We spent our day loving on each other and playing on the floor...

"What's wrong, baby bruvver?"

My newest punkin!

Playtime!  Not his favorite.  He much prefers his tummy on this mat...and good naps that way too!

Of course, naps in the bouncer are nice as well.

One of the challenges with more than one child is splitting time the way you feel like you should.  Mommy guilt is real, y'all.  I know it's impossible, and this is only the beginning.  But, I was able to pull Millie Janalee away to paint for a minute.  We started a Halloween art project.  Millie Janalee painted a black spider with her hands, and she thought is was the greatest thing.  She couldn't wait to show her daddy the "BLACK spider" when he got home.  When Smith woke up from his nap in the bouncer, I was able to snag his footprints too for little white ghosts.

My precious Halloween 2014 treasure.

When Russ finally got home, it was time to get Millie Janalee and Smith's official "Halloween picture" in their Halloween pajamas.  But, this bitty babe needed a bath first.  Soaking in the tub...he likes.  Getting out and drying off...he hates!

But there's not much more precious than clean, happy babies!  Especially when they're mine.

Baby's first Halloween!

Millie Janalee and Russ agree.  Kissing a freshly bathed baby is just he best!

Costumes were overrated this year anyway.  Smith went as a newborn baby, and Millie Janalee went as a new big sister.  My favorite costumes I saw!

First Visitors

I'm gonna have to rewind a bit to finish up the very beginning of Smith's story.  During our two week stay at my parents' house, Smith had several visitors come to meet him.  We had some family members unable to make it to the reception, so they planned a visit.  Coincidentally the day they were able to come was all on the same day.  Ha!

My Uncle Howard, Aunt Patsy, and my cousin Clancy and her daughter drove four hours for the day to spend a few hours with us.  This is why I love my family.  They make time to be there.  And, to me, that's what family is.  My aunt and uncle who were able to make it to the reception also traveled over two hours for the trip too.  We felt special and very loved.  We spent the afternoon watching all the "big kids" - and by "big" I mean not newborns - play all over the floor and crawl all over each other while the grownups passed the new baby around.  It was loud and it was fun!

As it should be.

It wasn't long before Russ's brother and his family also rang the doorbell.  God always works our timing out just perfectly for our adoptions.  Last year, EVERYONE was on the way back from the beach...so a stop in Jackson, MS was no big deal.  This time, Smith was born before my parents left town and during Olivia's fall break.  Olivia is in college very far away, so it was a treat to see her and introduce her to her newest cousin.  Russ's mom took advantage of Jimmy's visit and joined the visit also.  We laughed as Roan pulled out her reading glasses to see Smith's face and Jimmy had to take his glasses off to see them.  One of the may fun things of Russ being the very baby of his family.  Ha!

Later on that week, Season, Stephanie, and Season's son, Hunter joined us for a visit.  Season is Russ's cousin, so that makes Hunter Millie Janalee and Smith's cousin.  Don't ask me what kind of cousin, because that gets me confused.  Season is expecting a baby boy in February.  I see some fun cousin trouble ahead!

Mary Anne and her daughter, Caroline, came over a couple times.  Mary Anne was a huge help while my parents and sister were out of town.  She came over and bathed the girls, helped me get everyone fed, and let me take a shower!  It was like a spa day.  Ha!  Her mom also stopped by and had the honor of feeding Smith a bottle while I showered too.  Such sweet friends!

And I can't forget our hometown children's minister stopping by to bring Millie Janalee surprises and love on Smith.  Jennifer took Millie Janalee outside to read a book.  It made Millie Janalee feel special, and I was thankful.  She also came just in time to help me finish feeding Smith during a bit of chaos.  Perfect timing.  I forgot to get her picture!

Smith is very loved.  By all those who came to visit and sent gifts and well wishes.

Three Weeks

Three weeks of this dream have come and gone.  This sweet thing will actually be FOUR WEEKS old tomorrow, so I better hurry and document week three.  We are starting to get adjusted and into our own version of a routine.  This little bug is teaching us more about himself day by day.

For one thing, he is quite the gassy little guy.  He will kill me one day for saying this, but all parents will completely understand what this means.  I sent Russ on an emergency formula change run last week, and he seems to show some improvement with Enfamil Gentlease.  We have also been putting a full dropper of gas drops in each bottle to help him some. (With approval from our pediatrician of course)  I'm not totally convinced that he doesn't have some reflux as well.  There were a few days there that I thought he was colicky.  But, now I'm pretty sure he has just been uncomfortable. He loves to be held.  If he isn't held, he prefers to be swaddled or laying on his tummy. Swaddling is a comfort and security thing, but laying on his tummy is one thing that gives me reason to think he's been uncomfortable.

We are learning each other, and we are working hard to make sure he is healthy and happy.  I scheduled his 8 week check-up and shots with our new pediatrician here.  It is mid-December.  This makes me happy to have completed before the holidays.  We will be ready to get out and mingle a bit.

Three weeks of precious life with our first boy also means three weeks with a big sister in the house.  Millie Janalee has been a precious...and sometimes typical...sister.  She loves to make sure "Mifs" is okay and give him lots of kisses and hugs.  She often walks over to him and says, "Carry you?" and tries to pick him up.  I'm quite sure she would love to carry him around by the neck like she carries her babies.  Ha!  There have also been a minor injury or two, but no permanent damage done.  Just a scratch and maybe a pat too hard on the head.  Ahem.  So there's lots of supervision going on around here.

My lap is often FULL of babies.  I need to grow an extra lap.  And I wouldn't have it any other way!  The sweetest moments are those when Millie Janalee brings her baby and bottle up into my chair while I'm feeding Smith.  Precious memories for this mama.  Two pieces of my heart walking on Earth.

Counting my blessings.

Welcome to the Family!

We picked up Smith from the hospital on a Wednesday.  While we were trying to figure out how or when to introduce him to the family, it became clear that we needed to do it ASAP since we were staying in town.  Otherwise, it would just be a big tease to make them wait.  Ha!  So we had a secret reception after church Wednesday night for our family and some of our closest friends who Russ and I had shared our news with.  We still hadn't told many at all.  Kristin graciously offered to throw us a precious reception.  She did all the food and decorations on such short notice.

It's a good thing it was dark, because we were greeted with cuteness starting in the front yard!  We caught ourselves whispering outside like someone would actually figure it out.  Very spy-like.  LOL!

My sweet family of FOUR!

One of the perks of hosting such an event is getting first peek at the new addition.  Smith met his Auntie Kristin and Uncie Lee as soon as we walked in.

Millie Janalee had been with Will and Elle all day.  They obviously play VERY HARD, because this girl was exhausted!  We let her have a 30 minute nap before she needed a bath and to get dressed for the night.  Talk about traumatized.  I'm pretty sure she cried and slept through her entire bath.  Talk about a nightmare for her.  Ha!  Needless to say, she wasn't all that into the new baby that first night.  But she had her moments...

Big sister taking a look over at the carrier

"Hey Baby Bruvver!"

Kristin had paid attention to detail as she always does for this small family gathering.  She had a sweet plate for everyone to sign and write messages on, finger foods, and she even created big S's from chocolate as cupcake toppers.  Oh, and a precious door hanger!  Another perk of hosting is being the ONE and ONLY person who knew his name before the reception.  That may have had something to do with her wanting to host.  Ha!

We decided we would wait for most of the family to arrive before we introduced Smith.  We spent some time in the back bedroom changing diapers and making sure he was cute as a bug when he met this crazy crew.

Once all the grandparents had arrived, Smith made his grand debut to the entire family!  There were squeals and "Awww"s and "Ooooo"s and love abounding.  Russ paraded him around just as a proud daddy should before allowing anyone else the chance to hold our little bundle.

Once he let Smith go, we didn't see him again for awhile.  Ha!  He was scooped up from one loving hand to another.  Just as it should be.  Treasured from before we all knew him…and loved still more than ever.

Many of our friends and family brought gifts for our baby boy.  And some even brought Big Sister gifts.  I spent some time opening the gifts with the help of little tots running around while the rest of the family loved on our son.

We are blessed.  And we are always reminded most during times like these.  Blessed as a family.  Blessed with LOVE overflowing.  Blessed indeed.

My side of the family with the newest addition

Russ's side of the family with the newest addition (We missed Jimmy's family)

My aunt, uncle, cousin, and her daughter with the newest addition

Russ and I are so thankful for the loved ones who traveled the distance to celebrate with  us.  Among those were our dear friends, Jamie and Charlie.  Our photographer had a family emergency, and Jamie jumped right in there to capture the moments.  She is such a blessing and true friend.  Forever grateful to have these memories.  And in return, she didn't even get a chance to hold the baby before Ruthie got sleepy.  I owe her a visit to Hernando for sure!  Thank you Jamie and Charlie for being there.

Us with Jamie, Charlie, and Ruthie

It was the perfect night for a celebration!  Celebrating this new party of FOUR.  Planned perfectly…each one.  We stayed at Kristin's until later in the night to help clean up and soak in the moments before taking our children to bed at my parents' house.

What a day!  'Tis so sweet for sure.

Taking Smith Home

Going to the hospital to take our babies home is always such a bittersweet day.  We are thrilled and excited about taking our baby home.  And we are heartbroken over the thought of the loss that took place minutes before.  There are a mix of emotions, concern for the birthparents and how they were emotionally when they left, excitement for the chance to hold my baby boy in my arms as his mama, and thanksgiving for a journey just beginning.

Since we didn't know the exact time the birthmother would be discharged, and we were two hours away at my parents...we made plans with Nancy to be in Oxford by 11 the next morning.  October 15th.  My mom joined us as our official photographer, and we took some time to window shop and eat lunch on the Square in Oxford.  Oh my, y'all!  There were "Hotty Toddy" signs and "Go Rebs" everywhere.  As we parked our car with a Mississippi State tag.  We just tried not to look.  Ha!  Nancy texted us when both birthparents had said their sweet goodbyes and left the hospital.

We quickly finished our lunch and drove over to the hospital moments after the birthfather left the nursery.  Walking in together carrying the same carrier Millie Janalee came home in.  Holding his precious coming home gown.  With my diaper bag on my shoulder.  It all seemed familiar.  Like we just did the same thing yesterday anticipating picking up our firstborn.  Surreal.  Joyful.  

I was very impressed with the procedures put in place for adoptive families at this hospital.  They had a room they offered us free of charge if we wanted to spend the night the night before.  It is right by the nursery.  We chose not to take it so that Smith's birthparents could have this time to spend with Smith and not worry about distractions or handling more difficult emotions from our being there.  I also had my own hospital bracelet so that if we did stay in Oxford, I was able to stop by the nursery and see him anytime.  They treated me as his mama from the minute they met us.  It is a nice feeling. One many may take for granted.

Nancy met us once again in the waiting area and escorted us back to the nursery.  We were welcomed right in by the nurses.  Just in time for him to be fed.  The nurse handed me a bottle, and Russ and I fed our son for the first time.  My mom watched on through the window and snapped some first pictures while she was laying eyes on him for the first time herself.

The nurse allowed us to sit in a swivel chair in a side room off the nursery so we could sit while feeding him.  This we know...he has been a big eater from day one.  Such a sweet boy!

After Nancy and the nurses completed all the discharge paperwork, the nurse wheeled Smith into the room set aside for us to go over all the newborn guidelines.  She didn't test me by making me change a diaper in front of everyone like I had to do with Millie Janalee.  Ha!  I could have done it better this time though.  Although, diaper changes for baby boys is quite different and took some getting used to...and some drying off.

Then it was time to get our son dressed and ready for the road trip home!  It was a group effort.  As it was with Millie Janalee.

Within a couple minutes, he was ready to go!  Sweet and precious as could be.  His birthmother made a beautiful blanket for him and it was perfect for this day.  We strapped Smith in his carseat for the very first time and covered him with the special blanket made just for him for such a day as this.  He was perfection.

And that was it.  We walked in with an empty carrier, and we left with our second child.  Our first son.  We left as a family of FOUR!

It was such  beautiful day in Oxford despite all the red and blue.  Ha!  Russ pulled the car around, and we loaded our precious cargo.  We said our goodbyes to Nancy.  She really has such an incredible job as a birthmother counselor.  What a blessing she has been to so many and to us!  A treasured person with a heart for others.  And always the soft spoken, cheerful, and careful attitude.  We can't say enough about our experience with her!

Smith slept the entire ride home.  It still hadn't sunk in that he was ours.  That this whole thing was real.  How great is our God!  Mama was finally able to get her hands on him once we got home and started settling in.

Russ went to pick up Millie Janalee from his parents' house while I did my motherly duties of baby's first manicure.  I couldn't help it.  It had to be done!  Ha!  He was a trooper, and no one was injured.

For the next couple hours, Russ and I just soaked in the time.  Our first moments alone with our son.  Still trying to comprehend God's goodness.

Waiting on the official introduction to the rest of the family.