Gal time!

So I thought Kya needed some mommy and me time. I realized this when the other day, while doing Zander's 1 month pictures, she said to me, "Mom, put baby brother down and hold you".

I took her to Daisy's today. I used to work at this ice cream, deli parlor in college and I love it. She really enjoyed girl time. I think I may make this a regular habit for us gals. We might bring the boys every once in a while.

She loved the Volcano drink. That was fun!

Then of course some pics of little Z.

Funny!

I can tell these two are going to be great friends.

Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it forward". I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive! What you need to do in return, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG. I'd love for you to join me! Will you? Other comments are welcome, but only the first three will be my Pay It Forward recipients. Come and join me who doesn't love a gift or giving gifts???

New Project.

This is what we are working on now. Now that Zander is here and before other projects come up, we have decided to finish our basement. Yesterday (thank you G-J) Carl and J put up the frame around the furnice so we could enclose that. Here is my messy basement. I thought I should put up a before picture, because in my head, the after is so cute. We'll see if I can pull it off.

A new hallway to my office. We are not only enclosing the furnice and water heater, but we are making the two spaces downstairs into bedrooms. I am so excited to get on this project. Of course Carl doesn't share my enthusiasm, since I am taking care of two kids now, and one little one, Carl will be doing the majority of the construction, and then I get to play and do the decorating.

Zander's Shower

My awesome friend, Heidi, and my awesome cousin, Angie, threw a baby shower for Zander yesterday. I am so grateful to them for doing this. Not only did they do an amazing job, but they gave me an excuse to have some serious girl time. I love getting together with friends and family. All but one of my sisters came and my brother is even in town. We missed you Carrie, but we understand that you live far away.

Look at these amazing party favors.

And then the food table......soooooo cute. You guys did a great job putting this all together. I loved it. I am really sad, we talked about getting a picture with my sisters and a picture with Heidi, Angie and I.....didn't. And I am supposed to be a photographer...hee hee. Check out that amazing diaper cake that Heidi made. One of the activities, that I loved, was everyone put a wish for Carl, Kya, Zander and I on a piece of paper and then tied them to balloons. Then, with the help of Kya and my nieces, and Chelsee, we let the balloons go. So fun!


Up, Up and Away!

Kya loved being at a party. We got there and she said, "Mom, where is Zander's party?".

FYI: Tess and Jon, Zander is going to be a spiffy dresser, we got some cute clothes. Thank you to all my family and friends.

Video

Apparently, I forgot to post the video on you tube as public so it can be viewed. I have changed it so it can be seen now, so if you wish to see the video, you can. Sorry!

5 a.m. and loving it!

So this is what I was doing at 5 in the morning. My little man woke up to eat of course, but usually goes back to sleep. This morning he decided he wanted to play with mommy. I love these moments. We cuddled and he laughed. Yes....you read that right. Three weeks old and he already has a sense of humor. Ok, so no sound came out, but he has a BEAUTIFUL smile. Of course he wouldn't let me catch it on camera...we'll work on that. But it was definitely a smile, and not just one.......several. Good times!

Here is his smile when he realizes the camera is on him....he stops. What a goofy guy.

Just some video of me trying to capture his smile, unsuccessfully. But he still has some pretty cute faces. This video is mostly for the benefit of Tess and Jon, but of course I hope others will enjoy. We had some great bonding moments this morning.

Video Here

I have been having trouble uploading video with blogger....any ideas.

Thank You!

We would like to send out a quick but very heartfelt thank you to all of you whom we have felt love from. We have been on the recieving end of many prayers, thoughts and warm wishes of congratulations. We are truly blessed and we wish to show our appreciation and gratitude to our family, friends and loved ones.

Thank you for everything!

We love you all!

I thought I would share some pictures from placement. This is kind of the "ceremonial" "passing of the baby". Those words sound so weak in comparison to what is actually taking place. This is a very special occasion that we are so blessed to be able to experience....twice. We love Jerica and Jeff and Tess and Jon more than we could ever really explain to them or anyone. Aside from our own children....our birthparents mean the world to us.

Jon putting Zander in the carseat as we head down for placement at the hospital chapel.

Arriving at the hospital chapel.
Some of the big group there. Not my wide angle lens.

Jon, you are a funny guy.

Gifts for Tess and Jon. Of course Tess and Jon gave us the best gift....Zander.

Matching blankets for T and J and Zander.

So excited to get a baby brother.

Jon as a baby....see the resemblance.

More love than can be described.

Thank you...is all I can say. Words don't do this gesture justice.

Kya giving Tess some love, "Thanks for a baby brother" What a great couple. We love you guys, unconditionally.

Carl spoke for us....of course I wouldn't have been able to talk at all...but even Carl was choked up.

Going Home.

More Pictures!

More fun pictures. There won't be any short supply of pictures in the coming days and WEEKS, hahaha.

First family picture at the hospital.

Zander and Kya had a little gift exchange at the hospital. Zander (and GG and GG H) gave Kya a little baby doll. She started taking care of her right away.

And Kya gave Zander a little onsies and a teddy bear from Gma M.

Family made from unconditional love.

Girlfriends with their little bros.

My good friend Tracy...thank you so much for letting us stay with you during this awesome time.

I am so in Love.

The boy is as smart as his sister. Not only are we blessed with beautiful birthparents that make beautiful children, but they give them smart genes too.

At just two days old, he grabbed his bottle and held it there for a few minutes.

Here is a good shot of his hair. Quite a good head of hair. Let's just pray he keeps it.

Look at BOTH those dimples. Old man thinking.

Thinking some more.

And even big sister is still too cute not to post. This picture was taken just a few days before we came to Denver. Carl came home late one night from basketball and went into Kya's room to check on her. She wasn't there. So he came into my room and asked if Kya was in bed with me...."no, why?". Apparently she wanted to sleep on the couch. She moved herself into the living room and went to sleep, after I had put her in her bed and was already asleep. Sound familiar....her birthmother did the same thing while she was pregnant....only she went outside and slept on the beach.