June 23rd Surgery for Peyt. . .

I'm clearly in my nesting stage. . .I think I did a dozen loads of laundry in the last 48 hours. . .And I loved every minute of it. I'm also trying to baby my big boy, and catch up on what life is like today as the Mom to one. Going back to June, if you recall my prayers, it was for Peyton. He had a hydrocele repair (similar to a hernia repair) and it was scary for me to watch my baby (He's 3-1/2!) be wheeled off on a gurney. Luckily they gave him a "cocktail" and he was high. . .He really thought he was going on a journey and just sat there like a champ! He ate pizza less than an hour after surgery, at Costco nonetheless. His recovery was speedy. The hospital staff was marvelous! They even put an ID band on his horse, "Horsey".

Peyt, mommy loves you and there's plenty of love for you and your baby sister! Are you ready big boy?

 

Baby Beau is Home. . .

We were honored and blessed to meet Jaden this evening, and for all of you out there who have been following her journey, I thought you might want to see more "up and close" pictures of this amazingly beautiful and sweet little girl of Ramona's! She is so petite, and so attached to her Mommy. She only let me carry her to go "find Mommy"! Thank you Ramona for allowing us to be a part of your journey. . .We wish your family all the best! Can't wait for Gracyn to meet you guys! You have a wonderful, and now a complete family to cherish and enjoy!

YES, I'M HOME. . .

 

 

 

 

FOREVER, WITH MY FAMILY. . .

Waiting, Shopping and Wondering. . .what are your thoughts?

While you wait, you shop. . .and you shop. . .and you shop, but somehow you never finish shopping. Then you get the call you've been waiting for. . .First decree. . .you count the 10 days backwards, and then you start over from 1 and start counting forward, until that magical day of your FINAL Decree. Then you resume to the shopping again, and you sit and wonder. How will I ever keep up with another child in the household? You then remember, or you're reminded by others, that you have fallen behind in your blog. In other words, your blog is boring if I click on it and it's the same thing day after day. . .well, I'm nesting now, and it's catch up time. . .Below is just a small, small look into the shopping craze. . .over the coming days, you'll see what life was like right before first decree. . .it was busy, it was full, and somehow it never got captured.

I figure I have 20 days until I leave. That's 20 days to get Gracyn's room ready, clean my closet out, finish packing, finish shopping (yes, of course there's still more to buy!), wrap big brother gifts for while I'm gone, clean up the hard drive, get the car seats installed, and last but not least, update my blog with "life before Gracyn" days. Once Gracyn comes home, life will change forever. Jackie got me thinking last night. . .I wonder what it will be like when Gracyn's home. . .How will I discipline my strong willed, currently potty-trained 3 and half year old who still likes to be carried everywhere, uses pacifiers, and requires a firm tone, and timeouts, when I have a 2 year old who's new to the home, isn't a baby, can't be separated for quiet time, will likely enter the terrible 2's shortly after coming home, and oh, by the way, is adjusting to a life that is new in every aspect, who I'm trying to develop an attachment with (both me to her, and her to me), and may also want to be carried around everywhere? WONDERING. . .really, really wondering. . .Moms? Thoughts? Suggestions? Calgon anyone?

 

The Asian Print Outfits were made by Fly Away Home Clothing. She's mom to a daughter from China, and was great to work with! She even sent me coordinating bows as a surprise! The Michael Miller Chinese Kids Fabric is the newer version of the China Dolls fabric that our baby bedding was made from. My favorite! Check it out!

The very first "Big Brother/Little Sister" set was from Ramona, Jaden's mommy. One of the pictures that I never got around to posting.

The last care package. . .

 

Before we received our first decree, Jaden's Mommy, Ramona was kind enough to offer to hand deliver our very last care package for Gracyn. Before she left, we received the first of two calls, but since it was already packed, and in Ramona's hands, we decided to send it along. The sandals didn't fit into the bag very well, so I'm taking them with me. The blanket was suggested by Ramona, so at the last minute I went out and found the "near perfect" blanket (actually I bought two) and sent one ahead of time, and will bring one with me when I pick Gracyn up. In the excitement of travel preparation, I never got around to posting this. . .here it is. . .the very last care package hand carried by a very special Mommy picking up a very special little girl! We can't wait for Jaden to meet Gracyn!

Showered with pinks, lilacs, and. . . love!

I never expected to have a shower for my second, but I've been so blessed with wonderful friends at work that they threw a "Coming Home" party for Gracyn. We had the party in the most beautiful backyard of a colleague's home, where the bar was decorated like a hotel buffet, and the menu (posted in a picture frame) consisted of all "Asian-themed" foods. Including the most creative one, homemade "Five Spice Almonds." There were gifts from Target (my favorite), BRU (can't beat it), and of course all of the "orange boxes with white ribbons." The "orange boxes with white ribbons" in the world of baby showers, equate to the "blue boxes with white ribbons" for bridal showers! (a.k.a. Tiffany & Co.) There is an adorable shop near our office called "Posh Punkins" (hence the orange boxes) which carries everything from Luna Luna Copenhagen to Tea Collection and everything in the middle, along with bedding, bags, and shoes.

Gracyn was given many firsts. . .her first skeggings outfit (skirt with built in leggings, and matching top), her first sunglasses - very cute, her first baby stroller, her first fur collared sweater, her first Poo bear outfit, her first Fall 2008 Daily Tea outfit (we only have the older line), her first Tea Collection dress which is so incredibly sweet and pure (I usually only buy Daily Tea because it's so expensive!), to her first socks that look like she's wearing mary janes!!! Here I am at Target, Old Navy, Marshall's, Gymboree and Macy's looking for sales, and then she's spoiled with all of these beautiful gifts. All the stuff I look at, and ooh and ahh over. . .but rarely buy.

 

It's not the material part of the gifts that matters, but the thougtfulness of these people to recognize Gracyn's homecoming as one that has been long awaited, and anticipated with excitement. It's the time that they took out of their busy schedules to pick out the most perfect outfits and accesories for my daughter and to celebrate with me in all my joy. I am so blessed to be showered with the gorgeous wardrobe full of pinks and lilacs, but more importantly, to be blessed with the love and support of friends from work. . .now that, is priceless.

I had to have it. . .

The Cherry Blossom Line went on sale at Janie and Jack, so my cousin who purchased most of the line for Gracyn already, told me to take it back for the right sizes and to get extra credit to at least pick up the matching shirt. . .Well, I've been eyeing this line since I found it, and DH and I went out just to shop for the kids, so I did it. . .I bought the remaining pieces that I "had to have" - DH said it was okay. I think we both felt we deserved to let go, enjoy the journey, and spoil our princess. Funny thing is, we spent less on our prince, and he got 5 pairs of pants and a shirt, that will last him all of the Fall season. . .boy, girls do cost a lot, don't they?! Yes. . .I know, the headband was over the top, but I figured since it matched with 3 outfits, it was worth it if you average out the cost! Be proud of me, I did have some self-control. . .I held off on the sweater and tights!

One month to go until she's in my arms. . .

In 27 days I get on a plane, and in one month, I get to hold Gracyn in my arms for the very first time. I've spent a lot of time praying for her and her foster family. I pray that they know our Heavenly Father, and that they are enjoying their time together. I also pray for Gracyn's sake that they are trying to teach her about Mommy coming to get her. I pray that the foster family will be able to travel with her and that they will show Gracyn that they trust me with her care.

I've also been spending a lot of time picturing what Gracyn looks like. We've received few pictures, and there's not a ton of similarity between any of them. You can tell it's the same child, but such different looks. Measurements seem to be smaller than she looks. In my mind she can come home wearing a 2T no problem. But then again, at 20lbs I doubt that's the case.

This past week we went out for ice cream to celebrate our Travel Call. We also went to watch a baseball game. I continue to shop for my little girl. Boy there are a ton of options and styles for girls. . .luckily Peyton is easy to shop for and he's not really picky (yet). We got Skype up and running - Peyton loved that too! I'm so glad we'll be able to talk and see each other while we're in Taiwan.

Tonight at church we had a meeting about the youth program and I got to add Gracyn's name to the 0-24 month list. . .it made it so real. We have 2 children. I have a son and a daughter. . .I can't believe it. It's such an amazing gift from God.

Sweet dreams Gracyn.