Whirlwind of Wonderful

So remember how I was just saying how patient I needed to be?  Who knew that my world would change so quickly!!  Keep in mind, I wrote that last blog post on Sunday night.

On Monday afternoon, we had our regular staff meeting after school.  This time we were meeting in departments.  As I sat there meeting with the other school counselor, Kathy, my cell phone rang.  I looked down and saw, "Dawn Baker".  Now for those of you who are "Teen Mom" fans, you know that Dawn works for Bethany Christian Services as a pregnancy counselor.  I immediately got anxious as I went to pick up the phone.  Kathy quickly picked up on what was happening and ran to get Joel.  Thank goodness we work in the same building and he could get down to the office quickly to be with me.

Dawn informed us that there was a baby girl born at 1:50 AM that morning and that her birthparents chose us!!  Holy moly!!  We were told to come to the hospital on Tuesday morning to meet our baby girl!

We spent Monday evening frantically pulling out all of our baby stuff.  Every baby bin from the basement was strewn about our living room and kitchen.  (And if you ask Joel, there are WAY too many bins.)  We pulled out any clothing of Gus' that was gender neutral.  Brought up the pack 'n plays.  (Yes, that is plural.) Brought up the swing and the carseat and the changing pad....

I ran to Target to pick up the essentials like diapers, formula, Dreft, a couple of baby girls outfits (so she didn't come home in blue) and Tums (I knew I would need those to get through the next couple of days.)

I had Gus stay in my bed that night (I wanted to snuggle with him and it was our last night as a family of 3) as I laid awake the whole night worrying about everything that was about to happen and crying for my little boy who had no idea that in 12 hours his world was going to change drastically.  I spent half of my night worrying about our next adoption process, praying for this baby, praying for her birthparents, praying for our family.  I spent the other half watching Gus sleep and praying for him.  Praying for the transition that our family was about to make.  Soaking up the last few hours of his only child life and praying for him as the big brother that he was about to become.  Sad that I didn't have time to do something special with him on the last day as a family of three.  It was a very long night full of anxiety and tears....no sleep.

The next day, Gus went to his sitter's house and Joel and I headed to work for a couple of hours before heading to the hospital.  Once we got to the hospital we met up with Dawn who had some paperwork for us to fill out.  She then went to meet with the birthparents for what seemed to be forever long.  She came back to get us and we began the longest walk in the world.  The hospital we were in was huge and the room we were in was super far away from the room that "S" was in.  The walk seemed to be long, awkward and full of anxiety.  (Remember the movie The Green Mile....for some reason that kept popping in my head as we made this long walk down to meet the birthparents.)

Once in the room, we met the birthparents, his mom, her mom and her grandparents.  Nine of us in a tiny hospital room.  It sure was cozy!  We had a chance to talk and get to know one another a little bit.  I was jumping out of my skin!  Pretty sure that my nails were digging into Joel's knee as I held his hand.  We were then led back to the waiting room to wait....and wait...and wait....

While we were waiting, Dawn was taking care of some stuff with the birthparents and also introduced the baby girl to her birth family.  (They had not yet seen her.)  After what seemed to be a long time, Dawn came back to get us.  We went back to the room that "S" was in.  Once we were there, "S" made a point to hand this beautiful little girl over to me.  We held her and loved her and took some pictures with her, with the birthparents, with the whole family.  We gave "S" and "C", the birthfather, a few minutes alone with the baby before we got to take her back down to the room that we were assigned.

We spent the rest of the day hanging out in that room waiting to be discharged.  The baby was born at 36 weeks so she had to pass a carseat test before we could take her home.  We had to wait a long time before the NICU had time to do the test.  We FINALLY left for home around 8 PM.  We pulled in the driveway at 9 PM to meet up with Gus and introduce him to his baby sister!

We are beyond thrilled to welcome

PENELOPE LIN ELIZABETH

to our family!  She is absolutely beautiful and the sweetest little thing!  Penny weighed in at 6 lbs 8 oz and was 18" long.  We are cautiously approaching the next few weeks as we wait for legal placement, but we are over the moon and head over heels in love with this beautiful little girl!!

More info and pictures to follow in the upcoming weeks.  In the mean time, prayers would be much appreciated as we wait out the risk period.

Happy 2 Year Anniversary My Dear Blog!

Can you believe it?!?!  I have been writing this blog for TWO years!!  I went back to the very beginning at my first post.  Wanna see it?  Click here!  I remember thinking, "Man, I really can't stand everyone asking me about our adoption process.  Still waiting.  Not much to report."  I decided then to start a blog so that I could just tell friends and family to check our blog for the latest news.  Little did I know that I was going to have lots to post soon after that! 

Today I spent a little bit of time looking back on those earlier posts.  And I have been bawling like a baby ever since. I did fine during the first couple posts but it was the third one that got me.  I was fine until I read "Today we met the birthmom of our baby!"  Instant tears.  I remember feeling so excited that I was shaking and so nervous that I was throwing up in the parking lot of the church we met her in while Joel was cool as a cucumber and asleep in the car while his wife was freaking out!  I remember calling my family and friends and trying to tell them through uncontrollable sobbing that I was going to be a momma!  Finding out that you are pregnant and getting to tell people is very exciting....but for those of you out there who have had a long road to parenthood like we did, understand the uncontrolable sobbing because you are excited that it is finally happening.  Something that you have waited so long for and struggled for is finally happening.  I'm pretty sure that everyone that I spoke to could barely understand me....but I didn't care.  I wanted to scream it from the rooftops!  I was going to be a momma!!!  (In case you are wondering...yes, I am still crying as I write this post.)

I continued to read through some of my other posts, some from last year and some along the way this year.  I can't believe how quickly two years have passed.  I wish that I wrote more eloquently and was more diligent about posting on my blog and I hope that people enjoy reading about us (I know, mom...you do.  Thanks for being my #1 reader!)  but I am pretty proud of myself for continuing to write about our crazy family and the life we lead.  I can't wait to see what 2011 brings for Stapes House.  And I can't wait for the day when I get to post about the Stape House growing again.  So stay tuned and see what is in store for us in the future.  THANKS FOR READING!!

The Maly Wedding Extravaganza

It was a long ride out to Cave B Inn at Sage Cliff which was the site for the wedding.  We had a wonderful time celebrating the marriage of Joe and Jane Maly.

A beautiful drive out to what Joel kept calling, "the middle of no where".

We stopped at the only "scenic view" that we saw.  Had to get out to stretch and to take pictures.

The Wild Horses Monument.  We don'nt know anything about it except someone hauled a bunch of horse statues to the top of the hill. Some people hiked up to it...my bedazzled flip flops were not going on that hike.  We looked on from afar.

The sign outside the hotel where we were staying.

The main lodge of the vinyard...surrounded in vines.

Vines, vines everywhere.

Eme Carlson....I LOVE this little girl!!  She is 3 days younger than Gus.  Our families have made the journey through adoption together.  Such great support for one another. And we are both SO lucky to have our beautiful babies.  (In case you are wondering, yes, I wanted to steal her this weekend.  Just think...it would be like raising twins! She and Gus would have such fun together!!)

Mama Maly.  Isn't she just radiant?  I love this picture of her.  She is just oozing happiness!

Nora Jones.  I got to spend lots of time with her momma, Dana, since both of our husbands were in the wedding.  Funny how Dana and I both graduated the same year from Hope College, yet never crossed paths before.

Buddies!!

Joe's gorgeous sisters, Bekah and Brie.  Love them!!

Dana and Nora kept me sane all weekend.  (Well, as sane as possible.)  Thanks, girls!

Jane's nephews, Brandon and Taye were too stinkin' cute!  During the wedding photos earlier in the day, they were striking many poses...too fun!

The beautiful bride and her dad.

Waiting for his bride.

The happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Maly!!

Brie, Matt and Eme Carlson. This family has been such a wonderful source of support for our family during the past 14 months. I can't wait to watch our kids continue to grow up together.

100!!!

TA-DA!!! 

My 100th blog post!!!  That seems a little bit crazy to me that I have posted so much!  Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Remember how I mentioned our fuss-a-lup-a-GUS?  Well, I finally figured out why.  Turns out that he is cutting MORE teeth!  Before school got out he had 4 front teeth and 3 bottom teeth.  He now has 6 on the bottom, including his molars. And as of this week, he cut the 2 top molars so he now has 6 on the top.  That's 12 teeth!!  This kid is going to be gnawing on steak before we know it!

In bigger news, my mornings with Gus took a turn today.  I have talked before about how much I love my mornings with my munchkin.  Today I heard a little voice bright and early.  I needed just a few more minutes so I brought him back to bed with me.  He snuggled so sweetly with me like he used to when he wasn't yet mobile. 

That only lasted a few minutes and I was just "resting my eyes" when I felt a little monkey start to move.  As I opened my eyes, I saw a little face peeking back at me with a giant smile on his face....and then it happened.  Two little hands moved to my tummy and started to wiggle around as the owner of those hands said "tickle, tickle, tickle!!" (or something that sounds pretty close to that) and let out a huge belly laugh!  So apparently he has learned to tickle me back.  Sneaky little monkey!!  So of course I tickled him back.  This continued for about 20 minutes but it was totally worth waking up early for it!

Happy Birthday, Gus-gus!

Deeply and madly in love with this little boy!!

I cannot even believe that Gus is a year old already!  I can hardly stand how quickly this year has gone by!  We started out the day by going to see Dr. Cadena.  After the crabby doctor in Orlando diagnosed Gus with an ear infection, I decided that I wanted to see our own doctor.  I'm glad that we did because Gus had also developed a rash so I wanted to get that checked out.  After the doctor, we stopped at school and Auntie Diane's house before coming home to take a nap.  Gus was not thrilled about taking a nap at that time and lucky for him, his cousins rescued him by stopping by to wish him happy birthday.  That night we went to the All-Star football game to watch Joe and Dan play one more time.  We didn't celebrate/party yet for Gus.  His birthday party is going to be later this month when it works for all of his grandparents (and his Da-Doh) to be there.

I am so lucky to have this beautiful little man in my life.  I cannot imagine my world without him.  It still amazes me that I get to be his momma.  I cannot wait to watch his little personality continue to develop and see who he becomes.

M-I-C...K-E-Y

Gus had a week of many firsts.  He took his first vacation!  We have taken other trips to see friends and family, but this was the first vacation we had planned that was just for us.  The idea for the trip actually came before Gus was even born.  My friend, Amy Sulewski, and I decided that we wanted to take our kids to Disney for the first time together.  So after a lot of planning (and a few uncertainties) we finally made it to Orlando.

FIRST plane ride- We started our trip in the 1st class lounge.  The parent of one of our students works inside there and invited us in.  It was nice to relax in a quiet space before the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Waiting to board the plane.

We arrived at our resort where there was a birthday surprise waiting for Gus in our room.  It included a balloon, autograph book and Gus' FIRST set of Mickey ears.

Gus and his "ears".

Gus met a ton of characters in Disney World.  His FIRST one was Minnie Mouse.  He thought it would be a good idea to try to eat her nose!

Hi Minnie Mouse!!

The Disney transporation was so easy to use.  We took a boat, the monorail and spent a lot of time on a bus.  Gus loved it because he didn't have to be in a carseat.  He was eager to look around at everything we went by.  He was like a little puppy paying attention to his surroundings.  At one point he decided to start holding onto the pole like Momma and Dada did.

Gus on the bus!  Hold on, Gus!

We went to the Magic Kingdom ElectroMagic Parade.  Gus LOVED all of the lights.  He had a ton of fun at his FIRST parade.

"WOW!!"

Gus saw his FIRST fireworks at Magic Kingdom.  (Yes, it was past his bedtime, but there was no way that we were gonna past up that opportunity!)  The end of the fireworks has the song "A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes."  This entire trip was full of emotion for me and I cried a ton!  When this song played, I lost it completely!  We are totally living the dream as our little family. 

My boys watching the fireworks.

DUMBO!  Gus LOVED the Dumbo ride.  On this ride you get to control your own elephant to go up and down.  Gus loved playing with that little lever.

Disney was smart to place an elephant on the ground for mommas like myself who want pictures with it. 

Gus has a blast riding the tea cup ride!  We didn't spin too much.  Gus just thought it was fun!  The Sulewski family were so fortunate to have Alice from Alice in Wonderland ride in their tea cup with them.  Rylie was in awe!

"Weeeeee"

Growing up, I was in love with Winnie the Pooh and his friends.  I was thrilled for Gus to get to meet those characters.  He was amazed by Tigger!

"T-I- double Grr- R"

We made this trip all about celebrating Gus' first birthday.  Gus had his FIRST frosting....and loved it.

"YUM!"

On Wednesday of our trip, Gus woke up with a skyrocketing fever.  After a couple of hours of it not going down and a very unhappy baby, we decided to go to urgent care and see if we could find out what was wrong.  Turns out he had his FIRST ear infection.  Poor peanut!  So we spent our last day at Disney in our hotel room.

"OUCH"

On the day of our departure, we were trying to pack up and get ready to go.  Gus decided to have some of his own fun.

"Gus-gus....where are you?!?"

The bathroom door had a mirror on it and Gus could not get enough of it!

"Who is that handsome devil in the mirror?"

We had a WONDERFUL time at Disney World.  We have already started to think about our next trip that we will take there.  Can't wait!!

Happy Easter!

Gus' mom

This weekend was a lot of fun!  On Friday night, Joel and I had the opportunity to talk about our adoption experience and our little Gus-Gus.  Bethany Christian Services, the agency we went through for our adoption, asked us to represent their Domestic Infant Adoption program.  And we couldn't be more proud that they picked us!!  We spoke in front of a group of about 200 people.  We were originally told there would be about 300 people.  I'm glad that they didn't all show up.  :) We brought Gus with us and even had some babysitters come meet us there to keep him occupied during the time that we were speaking.  Many people came up to talk to us and to meet Gus afterwards.  I never would have imagined that we would have done something like this but we had a great time!  (We also found out that we are now able to apply for our second adoption any time.  Joel has had to hold me back and remind me that we aren't ready yet.  But someday soon we will be.)  On Tuesday, Joel and I will be speaking again to another group.  This time we will be speaking to a group of social work students.  Should be another good time.

To top everything off this weekend, Gus caught me off guard when he said, "mommommommommommommommommomma".  The most amazing thing that I could ever hear!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

FINALLY!!!

Our adoption is FINALLY finalized!!!  We have waited 8 months for this and it finally arrived!  Can't believe that we made it!

8 months!!

This 8 month old would like to chew on the paper that his daddy is holding up.

YAHOO!!

It's about time!!  I have my MASTERS!!!  I received my diploma and final transcript in the mail today.  So pumped about having that done and behind me.