Praise the LORD!!!

January 20, 2012- this will be one of those days that will forever be burned in my memory.  Today is the day that Theresa, Emily's birth mom, signed over her rights.  We are so happy and excited to know that our precious little girl is ours.  We, obviously, still have the rest of the adoption process to go, but we are pretty sure we'll do fine with our home visits!  :0)

Dawn told us that Theresa was very emotional.  So, please pray for her and Mark that they will be able to mourn, grieve and deal with their decision.  I can't imagine what is going on in their hearts.  I think all birth moms and dads are the amazing heroes in an adoption.  They love the child so much to give them a life they can't at this time.  That is so courageous and loving.  Emily will always know how much her birth family loved her.

We are going out to dinner to celebrate with the whole family.  I cannot wipe this smile off my face!  We are so happy.

It's also hard to believe that Emily will be 2 months old tomorrow.  Time sure is flying!  She is growing so much.  She has about 2 newborn diapers left and that's a good thing.  She is moving on to Stage 1!  Her newborn clothes are still fitting, but the sleepers are getting really snug.  She's got some big ol feet and those toesies are smushed up in the newborn sleepers.  She now likes the other Avent pacifiers and thank goodness...she can keep them in better than the Smoothie kind.  But, we still rotate them to give her some variety!  :0)  Her hair is incredible.  I had to blow dry it yesterday because I was afraid of it being too wet before we left.  She loved it and actually fell asleep.  She is LOVING bath time and is starting to enjoy tummy time.  She doesn't scream as much anymore!  In fact, she's sleeping right next to me on her tummy right now!  She started this horrendous screeching when she starts to cry.  I think we have a little drama queen on our hands!

I go back to work on Wednesday.  I know it will be hard, but the more I've been thinking and praying about it, the more I realize this is good for the both of us.  It allows me to do something that I love and contribute to the family fund, as well as giving her time to socialize with other people.  It will make the time we have together so much more special (as if that's possible.), too.  Jesse will be home on Wednesdays and he will not take her to the sitter until 10ish Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.  I will pick her up around 4 most days.  That's only 6 hours- 24 hours a week.  One day a week she will be without Mommy or Daddy.  I think that's really good!  I'm trying to look at it half full instead of half empty.  I will have to learn how to get all my stuff done at school because I don't want to come home and have tons of things to do.  I want to focus on my baby girl!

Life is so good!!  This smile is permanent!  :0)