2011 Rewind

With 2012 about to be a fantastic year I wanted to rewind and review 2011.

We had a good year and it started in January with our homestudy visits. We cleaned our house like crazy and had good visits.
February was pretty uneventful except we found out we were approved for adoption.

March was our 5yr wedding anniversary. We celebrated by going to the Melting Pot and the to movie theater where we had our first date. Unfortunately by the time we got to dinner I was so sick. Turns out I got strep throat from the little kiddos I was teaching. I spent the rest of the weekend in bed.

At the end of April through June Cart was away for work for CAT duty. I had to fend for myself and it really showed me how much Cart does for our home. During those months I was super busy with school. At the end of May I went on a cruise with mom for my 30th. When Cart got home he threw me a surprise party.

July was the month of frustration with our agency. We decided to put our profile out with another agency.

August I started my final semester in college with my internship. I was definitely busy from August to December.

In October we were matched with Rebecca and were excited to be expecting our first child.

In November we were super busy every weekend. We also found out on the 8th that we were expecting a baby GIRL! I was thrilled. We also took a drive down to meet Rebecca and Ben. It was a great visit.

December was super busy for us and we had a great Christmas. We spent the month preparing the nursery for our baby girl. I also graduated from college and was Hired to start a new job in January.

While we had a wonderful 2011, we are looking forward to the amazing year 2012 is going to be!

NST appt today

Rebecca has a 3hr NST monitoring appt today at 3pm. The doctor is doing this because Faithe is measuring big (19.5 inches and 5.5lbs at 34.6wks). After her cramping and slight leaking she didn't go to the hospital or the doctors to make sure everything is okay. I hope at her appointment today reveals that the baby is okay.

Now we just wait to hear how this appointment goes. I keep wondering if at this appointment they decide to do the c-section. I'm ready to meet baby girl, but want her to be healthy.

Could be any day

Our anxiety level rose today after hearing from both Rebecca and the agency. Rebecca has been having pain all day (went down some when she took a bath). She is waiting to see if the pain stays or gets worse before she goes to the hospital. If and when she goes to the hospital, if she is admitted we'll be heading down there.

Right now we are in a state of standstill. It is nerve racking and just hard. I think baby girl might be here this week. I'll be updating everyday with the happenings. And when it is time I'll definitely be posting. Please keep us all in your prayers as we wait the arrival of our baby girl!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you! This Christmas we are very grateful and blessed! And today is the birthday of the one who made it all possible. Happy Birthday Jesus! We thank you for all of the blessings you have bestowed upon us.

Merry Christmas!

Faithe Update

Looks like baby girl will be here much earlier than expected. Her due date is officially the 27th of January. However, they were planning on doing her c-section a week prior around the 20th of January.

Rebecca went to the doctor today and Faithe weighs approximately 5lbs 8oz and is about 19 1/2 inches long. She is only 34 1/2 weeks. Faithe is already very low. Rebecca will start getting monitored on the 30th for 3hrs and then her next appt is on Jan 3rd. The doctor told her that Faithe could come either by the end of December or beginning of January.

We are a bit shocked we could have her in the next few weeks instead of another 4wks togo.

Waiting

My friend Jenn who is an amazing and talented photographer came over this weekend to take pictures of our nursery and of us "waiting". I've always admired maternity photos and that is one thing that saddens me about not being pregnant. So I wanted pictures of us waiting and she was more than happy to do it for us. This picture is a sneak peek of one she took.

5 wks and Fear

I've been meaning to get up pictures from our first 2 baby showers. But I need to get them off the camera first. Ha! So it may be a while on those.

We have about 5wks until Faithe is suppose to be here. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. But I'm also very fearful...more on that in a bit. With 5 wks left to go we have 2 more showers but mostly have everything we need. Except for the bath tub thingy, the rest of our gdiapers, more bottles, our first aide kit thingy, no thermometer, and I'm sure there are other things. However, her room is set up. We are waiting on her name to be made for above the crib and some more shelves to go up and her nursery will be all complete.

Now fear. With 5 wks left to go I'm fearful. I'm afraid that we'll go down for the birth and be with Faithe in the nursery and then Rebecca won't sign. Yes there is always the possibility that she wouldn't sign. That is something I truly try not to think about and put my faith in God that he's got this under control. Then I think of Rebecca's circumstances and think there is no way she wouldn't sign. Fear is a normal feeling in the adoption world. You are not certain that you will walk away from the hospital with your baby. She technically won't be "ours" until Rebecca signs. And then she won't be officially ours until finalization with the courts. So Fear, I'm fearful and hopeful all in the same breath. I just pray for Rebecca as she enters these last weeks with a baby growing in side her that she has chosen a life for. I pray that God gives her peace with her decision and lays a healing hand on her heart as I know her heart will be breaking as she signs the papers. Please pray for all of us in these final weeks.

In other exciting news my friend Jenn from Jenn Guthrie Photography came over yesterday and did a photoshoot of us "waiting" and our nursery. She is a truly amazing photographer and I'm so glad she is my friend. She will also be shooting Faithe's newborn pictures.

College Graduate!

It's almost official! I'm almost a college graduate. Yesterday I turned in my final teaching portfolio that will go to the state and the college will keep on file. The end of the semester officially ends On Dec 16th so that is my official graduation date. But with the last piece being done I feel like I'm officially done!

I have graduate college! It only took me 13yrs after graduating high school. Better late than never. I will walk in graduation as well but that won't take place until next May. My college only does 1 graduation per year. So in May. I'll have my baby girl there watching her momma walk with pride across the stage!