Adeline at 7 Months

She's done it to me again.  She's another month older!  That little stinker.  Man! Time sure goes by fast.  As you've been able to tell on the blog, our month of July has been chock-full of events.  We've had a lot of fun, been really busy, and that is usually the formula for time going by super fast!

This little Sweet Pea is just that . . . still super sweet.  It is so much fun to watch her grow.  She's really developing into more of a "person" . . . meaning she knows more of what she wants and how to voice it. She keeps growing bigger.  Those growth spurts seem to be very obvious to me when they occur.  She is so darn cute that I can hardly stand it.  I think that it's nearly every night when Beau gets home from work that he says, "She is so adorable."  He says it almost as if he can't believe how cute she is from day-to-day.  She is a pure delight.

Here's what she's doing now.

• She kicks her legs when she is either excited or frustrated.  For example, When she sees me coming, she'll kick her legs in excitement. Another example in the frustrated area is when she's hungry and I'm not making a bottle fast enough, her legs kick hard and fast.  
• She started teething this past month and has two little front teeth poking through on her bottom gums.  She really wasn't a horrible teether either.  She didn't have any crazy symptoms (fever, runny nose, etc.), she just wanted more comfort and needed to be held more.  Naps and night sleeping were a little more interrupted from the pain, but a little consoling helped her tons.
• She now fusses when a toy is taken away.  She knows what she wants and is not a happy camper if something is taken from her before she's ready to give it up.
• She loves her water time.  She enjoys taking baths and she loves to go swimming.
• She is a mover!  She's totally scooting wherever she wants to go now.  It kind of looks like army crawling.  She is constantly scooting to get a toy that's out of reach or to find me in another room. Just today she actually pulled herself up when holding onto something.  It happened when I was taking pictures of her and she held onto the basket and pulled herself right up.  She also started (today) to get on her knees.  You can tell that she knows there's supposed to be a way to crawl, but she can't quite figure that out yet, so she goes back to her tummy and scoots.  It seems like she'll be crawling and walking before we know it.
• After that, it probably goes without saying that she can stand holding on to someone or something.

This is the picture I took today when she pulled herself up.

• She can almost sit without support.  I can sit her up and leave her and she'll stay for a second, but she'll usually plop over. 
•  She started solids this past month. She initially didn't really like anything I fed her.  Come to find out, I started feeding her right when she was teething, so I'm sure the spoon in the mouth didn't feel good plus she mostly just wanted the comfort of a bottle.  Once we got through the teething I tried again and she did better, although she still didn't love anything I fed her.  It seemed as if she was saying, "Come on, Mom.  The bottle is so much easier."  However, after she figured out how to eat, she has done much better.  She doesn't eat a ton at one sitting, but she's eating the food without crying now days.  She is not a fan of rice cereal, although she's tolerating it a little better now (after a full month of breakfasts).  She likes peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes.  I haven't really given her fruits yet, but will soon.

Looks tasty, doesn't it?

• She still wants to eat every three hours during the day.  I'm sure it's because she really doesn't eat a ton at each feeding.  If given solids at a meal, she'll eat a little of those and then about 3-4 ounces of formula.  If not given solids, she'll drink about 5-6 ounces of formula.
• She's on a pretty regular sleep/nap schedule now days.  She takes a short nap in the morning (usually an hour) and then a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon.  She then stays up until bedtime which is usually between 8pm and 9pm.  She'll usually wake up once or twice in the night crying for her binkie, and then she'll wake between 5am and 6:30am to eat.  She then goes back to bed until 8:30ish.     
• She is getting that fine motor skill down to put her own binkie back into her mouth.  This is something I've been hoping for her to do so that she doesn't need me during the night to do it for her.  Unfortunately, she can't always find her binkie in her crib at night, so I still go find it for her, but I'm grateful for those times that she can find it because I can continue to sleep.  :)
• She loves her dad's hats.  If Beau is holding her and wearing a hat, she'll always try to grab it.  Beau always helps to put it on her head.
• She definitely looks for dropped objects.  She'll drop something and look for it.
• She still loves peek-a-boo.
• She can pass an object from one hand to the other.
• She is actually a pretty quiet girl. . . . that is until she wants/needs something.  She is usually pretty chill and doesn't babble much.  She is a quiet observer.  However, when she needs something she is not afraid to voice for it.  She has a loud cry and she'll kind of scream sometimes too.  I really don't need the baby monitor at night because I can clearly hear her when she wakes.  She is a silly little baby.  So, I guess she's quiet and loud . . . depending on the moment.  Lol.
• I've been meaning to put this down for a couple of months, but she does fine in the car now.  She out-grew the crying in her car seat stage.  Thank goodness.  
• She is a true mommy's girl.  This sweet babe will cry for me if I'm not the one holding her.  It's always worse if she can see me and she'll reach for me while fussing.  I gotta admit . . . I love that she loves me so darn much.  It's hard to get anything done effectively with her so attached to me, but this stage doesn't last long and I'm happy to put stuff on the back burner so I can relish the snuggles with this sweet pea.

We're so blessed to have this Addie baby in our family.  

Beau is Older & Wiser

Beau had another birthday!  He's been pretty busy farming so we didn't get a lot of extra play time in, but luckily his birthday was on a Sunday and we were able to just relax and enjoy him at home for the entire day.

We were a little late to church because the girls slept in a little and then Evie just had to give Beau the birthday card she picked out for him.  I mean, the instant she woke up she was talking about his awesome card and there was NO WAY we were going to make it through church if she didn't give it to him right away.

The card actually has a pair of cowboy boots on it and when you push a little button they dance as the card plays, "Boot Scootin' Boogie."  Man, she thinks this card is the most awesome thing ever!  And, it truly is a fun card.

After church the girls helped Beau open the rest of his gifts.

Then, upon Beau's request, everyone took birthday naps.  Beau loves a good Sunday nap when he can get one.

While everyone was napping, I worked on a special birthday dinner for my man.  I made him ribs, corn on the cob, fruit salad, and sourdough bread.  It was super delicious and Beau was pretty darn pleased.

That evening Beau received some visits from various family members.

We enticed his dad and stepmom to stay and eat cake with us.  I made Beau an ice-cream cake . . . chocolate cake with a mint cookie ice-cream center.

Here we are singing "Happy Birthday" to Beau.
Evie may have snuck some licks beforehand.

Of course, Evie helped Beau blow out his candles.  They did a great job and I hope both of their wishes come true!

It was a fun and relaxing day.  I hope Beau knows how much we all love him.  He's the greatest!

Eleven Years

Beau and I have now been married for 11 whopping years!  I can hardly believe it myself.  We went on an awesome date to celebrate.  We went somewhere super nice for dinner.  We usually try to go somewhere we wouldn't normally choose to go and this is always a day that we feel like we can splurge (both in money and in calories).

We finished off the night with a couples massage at some fancy shmancy spa.  It was seriously awesome.  It felt good to be with my man one-on-one and it sure felt great to be pampered!

We have it good.  We really do.  We aren't perfect by any means, but we truly love each other and love creating a life together.  We have gone through a lot over the past 11 years and I'm grateful I've been through it all with my Beau.  I love him forever and ever and ever!

Run, Evie Run!

Whenever Evie finds out I've been up early for a race or a run she begs me to take her to a race too.  I told her I would find a race for her this summer and I did.  It just so happened that my Stake/Ward put on a fun run.  It was free and it started a little later (8am) than most races do, so I decided to take her.

Although it had a later start, we were still a little late (I must say that I'm happy my kiddos sleep past 8am most mornings).  We jumped on the race course anyways because we knew there was a big party at the end.

We had bought Evie her running shoes a little earlier this summer.  When she kept begging me to take her to a race I told her she would need some running shoes.  She full-on believes these shoes make her go so fast.  And, they totally do!  She ran about 1.5 miles straight.  She started out in the stroller because she was cold, but about a mile in she said she was ready to run herself.  She did awesome!

It was a chalk run.  The Young Women of our Stake threw colors at the runners at different spots along the course.  The colors all represented values that are taught in their program.  Because we were a little late to the actual race, we missed the chalk being thrown, but we were able to run through the colors on the trail.  Evie LOVED finding all the colors.  Here she is running through the red station which stands for Individual Worth.

We had a great time together as we ran.  I hope she continues to love being active because I would certainly take her as a running buddy any day!

Now I need to take her to an "official" race where she can actually get her own bib and a medal as she crosses the finish line.  That's going to be fun!

A Beautiful Sealing

Once Adeline's adoption was legally finalized, we could schedule a date to be sealed together as a family.  In our LDS beliefs, we believe that we can be "sealed together" for eternity.  Meaning . . . that life doesn't end at death, but that we can continue to live forever in heaven together as a family.

Sealing Adeline to us was something we have definitely been awaiting since the day she was born.  We love her SO much and want to be with her forever and ever . . . regardless of what happens to each of us here on Earth!  

This sacred ordinance is performed in our temples and it's symbolic that we all wear white.  White is a symbol of purity.

Once we were dressed, Evie said that all the girls looked like Angels and that daddy looked like Jesus.  Ha, ha!  She says the cutest things.  She absolutely LOVED being an angel!

I have to say that taking my children to the temple and having the sealing ordinance performed has been the crowning moment for the adoptions of both of our children.  This one seemed even more exciting because we have two children that we were able to take with us inside. 

It goes without saying that taking Adeline inside the temple was amazing!  These sweet babies are so close to heaven still, and without a doubt, Addie's little spirit was able to recognize all that was happening.  She was calm and extra happy/smiley as she was with us in the temple and in the sealing room.  This is saying something because she is a true mommy's girl and she was still so happy and calm without me around.   

And Evie . . . I have to say it was so beautiful to watch a 3-year-old Evie get ready to go to the temple.  She has been thrilled for WEEKS!  She has always loved the temple since she was old enough to recognize it (every time we drive by a temple she squeals in delight).  When we bought her temple dress she just couldn't wait to go to the temple.  We seriously had multiple meltdowns because it wasn't the right day to go.  I mean, how can a 3-year-old truly grasp the concept that she can only go inside the temple on one particular day?  I gotta say, while they were meltdowns, I couldn't have been more pleased with what they were about.  She loved her temple experience.  She was an absolute doll the entire time she was in there.  

These two girls love each other so much.  Evie LOVES to make her baby sister laugh, she helps me with her at home, and she loves to show her off to everyone.  Going to the temple with her baby sister was so exciting to Evie.  And, Addie truly loves her Evie.  Oh, how Evie can make her smile, laugh, and brighten up her day.  These sisters are meant to be together . . . and now they are together forever!

It was awesome to walk out of the temple as a full, forever family!  

It was also awesome to share this special event with our extended family.

Addie's Birth Mother was able and excited to be here for this event too.  I love her so very much as, clearly, we wouldn't have our Adeline if Marissa hadn't followed the spirit and placed Addie in our family.  It meant the world to me to have Marissa here for Addie's sealing.  She has been so respectful to our family and what it means to be our own little family unit.  Her support and love have meant so much to me.  She even said that she didn't want to miss this special day.  This was everything she wanted for Adeline . . . to be sealed to her family forever.  It was an honor to have her there with us and to help celebrate such a blessed event.

Marissa and Adeline

Afterwards, we all went to dinner to continue in the celebrations.  I seriously cannot even bring the right words out to express the love I have for my sweet baby Adeline.  I mean really. . . how can a mother adequately express her love for her children?  It's impossible.  Simply impossible.  But, I can say that I look at the following pictures and get emotional every time I see it.  I love holding this baby in my arms, I know she was always meant to be my daughter, and we have a special bond that is unexplainable.  I love my Addie baby and she loves me.  And, we're now stuck together forever.  How lucky and blessed am I!?

Adeline Is Official

Well, Adeline is officially and legally our daughter in the US courts.  In the state of Utah we cannot finalize adoptions for six months.  We have had physical custody of sweet Addie, but not legal custody of her.  Because Utah is so family friendly and such a huge advocate for children's rights, they have a 6-month waiting time to finalize the adoption.  This six months is used to ensure that the children who are placed for adoption are truly being well cared for, loved, and have bonded with their families.

That all being said, the day we brought Adeline home was the day we adopted her in every sense.  When we adopted her we knew we would love her to pieces, care for her unconditionally, and provide for her needs.  She was truly our daughter before she was even born.  Thus, the 6 month waiting time was exactly that . . . a waiting time that we awaited so we could have her legally recognized as our daughter.  So, although the official Finalization is more a formality to us . . . it is also a GREAT excuse to celebrate her life and the blessing she is in our family.

Here we are waiting for the judge to show up in court.

All went well with the judge.  He was able to verify that we were great parents for Adeline and that she was in a safe and loving home.  He approved!

Here's our little family after the proceeding.
The judge was very kind to let us get a picture with him.

We invited our parents to attend the finalization.  They were excited to be there.  We also invited Addie's Birth Mom and she was also thrilled to have been invited and she came.  She didn't want to miss this important event in Addie's life.  It was a blessing to be with those we love as we legally finalized Addie's adoption.

Addie is loved by so many and we're blessed to have her "officially" in our family.  We celebrated the event by going out to breakfast.  This was such a happy day!

Independence Day Fun

We had a great time this year when the 4th of July came around.  Beau went on an overnight pack/camp trip the night before leaving on the 3rd and returning home the afternoon of the 4th.  He had a GREAT time!

Here's Beau on his horse with his pack mule behind him.

He went with his brother, Chance.  Here's Chance on Bella.

These brothers had a great time.

While we at home waited for daddy to return we spent some time with my family participating in their traditional events.

We met up with the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma and grandpa for breakfast.

Here's Evie (far right) with her cousins Mollie and Carter.

Here we are waiting to eat breakfast.

We then all met up at the pool for some swimming time.

Daddy then got home and we all went to a neighborhood BBQ and party together.  Evie has seriously hated the fireworks every year thus far because her hearing is so sensitive and the all the pops, cackles, and whistles have sent her into tears.  This year she really wanted to love the fireworks, but the noise was still too much.  She would watch a street firework and cover her ears until it was over.  She loves to watch them, but hates to listen to them.  

Thus . . . the sparklers quickly became a HUGE favorite this year.

We had a great time.  We are lucky to live here in the USA.  We have a lot of comforts that many people in the world can only dream about.  We are blessed people!

And . . . I feel extra blessed to have these babies!  I love them to pieces.