Jack and I had a big weekend. Daddy was playing in a golf tournament (which he won), so we decided to take a road trip to meet Grandma. It was a 3/12 hour road trip one way. So, we had to stop off for some trading (I like to call it "importing" and "exporting.") With a clean diaper and full tummy Jack was able to complete the trip as peacefully as it began. I was really glad that we got to go; it's a long ways for Kevin's mother to drive alone. I didn't want him to get any bigger before she had a chance to meet him. Needless to say, Jack was spoiled rotten. Grandma, Uncle Tim, Aunt Bonnie and several other sweet gift-bearing visitors took turns passing him around. I was relieved to have two arms again, ever how temporary it was; but I found myself watching him the whole time anyway. Though tired, I was excited to do the midnight feedings because I hadn't spent much time with my precious little boy. True to form, he commanded everyone's attention in church this morning, too.

At this point, I am truly exhausted. Taking care of Jack alone is very difficult. He's not bad, just so dependent. I can't begin to imagine how single mothers do it all alone. What dedication! Kevin will be out of town a couple of days this week, and I'm really dreading it. I know he'll really miss us, but I think I'll just be too tired to think about how much I miss him.

Jack is sleeping well at night. He only wakes for feedings, and right on time, too...it's amazing how his little tummy knows it's time. I laugh when I think about how I actually went to the trouble to set a timer to know when to feed him for the first few nights after we left the hospital. During the daytime, though, he doesn't really sleep very much. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he knows the difference between night and day. It just makes it difficult for me to get anything else done. He has had gas really bad today. I think it's because other people have been doing the feeding and burping. I hate it for the little fella. Maybe we can get him back into a routine Monday and Tuesday.

I'll try to post more pics soon!

2 Weeks Old

Jack is learning and doing new things everyday already. I can't tell you how many times a day Kevin and I say, "Come here! Watch him!"

Sunday night, Jack rolled over (once) from his tummy to his back. Boy is he strong! He was so angry when he couldn't do it a second time. He's really good at slinging his legs and arms across his front and rolling to his side, too. He can't go to his tummy yet.

He likes to copy you and make faces. He's really funny when he decides to do it on his own. He's so funny!

We got a swing for him yesterday. If you have had a baby in the last few years you've seen the kind with the fish that can swing two different ways. He absolutely loves it. So far, it's the only toy he has that captures his attention from above. He isn't really interactive with the bouncers yet. He loves his little swing, though!

The funniest thing today was watching his daddy train him with "baby calisthetics" tonight. A neighbor told Kevin yesterday that she used to be a nurse in a hospital nursery. She said that it was good to work their little arms and legs out. Kevin stretched and played with his legs for almost an hour tonight. Jack loved it! He smiled and laughed. They had a great time. I love to watch him interact with his daddy.

Home Sweet Home

We were surprised to receive word last Wednesday that the Interstate Compact for Adoption had been completed and we were free to take OUR son home. We got a good night's sleep and left for home at 5am on Holy Thursday. The 12-hour ride went well. We only had to stop to feed and change Jack and gas-up.

Jack is such a good baby. He is playful and alert when he is awake and sleeps well during the night. He only cries a little every 3-4 hours when he's hungry. He's an absolute angel! Here are more photos of our little bundle of joy.

Jack is officially 8 days old, now. We got the official word this afternoon that we can take him home now. We leave Houston bright (actually before bright) and early tomorrow. He is growing and changing everyday. Today, he began sticking his tongue out at me, when I do it first. We've been working on that since yesterday. He is the most precious, handsome child I've ever seen, even if I am his momma.

Over the past week, I have learned that my hands and chin can do things I never dreamed possible.

• You know how your hand gets tired when you burp someone else's child? It doesn't happen with your own. Burp on, little dude!
• I can hold a bottle with my chin.
• I can wrap my left arm behind Jack's head and hold his bottle in the same hand while typing with my right hand.
• I can change a squirming baby faster than Jimmy Johnson's pit crew can change his tire.

I have so much to learn and many more talents to develop , I'll keep you posted. Have a wonderful Easter!

Jack

Here's the post you've all been waiting for.
Jack was born April 4th, 7lbs 15oz, 19in

He's healthy and happy. We are all so proud!

We haven't officially signed all the papers yet, so please continue to pray for us. I know it will be very difficult for his birthmother (who he looks exactly like), but she seems very committed. Things have gone better than expected with the hospital. I have been staying there overnight and taking care of Jack in his birthmother's room.


You can visit his nusery page at the following link:

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage.asp?UrlID=4B0M4V0U8K
Please use the following password to access the page: Riley

Two...One...

Kevin and I had lunch with Jack's birthmother today. It was very nice. We actually met her mother. She is actually younger than Kevin, and a BEAUTIFUL woman! She was very nice and friendly and asked if we were excited. We have to be at the hospital very early in the morning...5:30am. So, I have to crawl out of bed by 4am so I can be dressed by 5am to leave. Don't forget that time just changed on Sunday. This means it's going to feel like 3am when I get out of bed!

We are so very excited...sitting on pins and needles...but I cannot begin to share with you how absolutely terrified I am that she is going to change her mind. I know she doesn't plan to, but there is no telling how she is going to feel when she holds him and spends three days in a hospital room with him. Please pray for all of us.

Three...

Kevin began the 14 hour drive to Corpus Christ at 4am this morning. While he made his way west, I was sleeping in. This is something I rarely do anymore. I finally awoke around 9:30. Of course, I didn't actually go to bed until 3:30 am. So, if I had gone to bed at 10pm like Kev, I would have been up at 4am...theoretically. Needless to say, housekeeping knocked at the door twice before I ever vacated the suite. I digress...

As Kevin continued his long, straight, boring trip on I-10, I decided to head to the mall. As I wandered from shop to shop, from one end of the mall to the other; I noticed just how many Latino people live in the area. I mean, I knew it already, but I really looked at the faces of the passersby. I noticed their skin colors, all different shades, their hair, their personalities. I was looking for Jack. I tried to guess what he would be like. Which little boy might resemble him?

As I strolled along, I realized that there were so many families out and about, teens with parents, mothers with several young children, a few pregnant teens with boyfriends/husbands, old couples. What I really saw were families. Families are such an important part of the culture here...More than at home. Everyone was so happy, smiling, chatting in English and Spanish, truly enjoying the company they were in. They were also polite. They acknowledged me, really greeted me, not just because they felt obligated, but because it's what they do, a part of their lives. There was such spirit in that mall today. You could see it in the bounce in their step. These people truly appreciate the simple things in life. They are happy. These people the Hispanic community of Corpus Christi, TX, are visual symbols of Jack's heritage. He'll have two heritages, one from his adopted parents, and one from his biological parents. I was so proud, today, to see where our son is coming from. Jack's birthmother is a hero to me. She's very special, but she's also like so many other people in her world. I hope some of this will live on in my son.

In case you're wondering, we didn't see Jack's birthmother today. Yes, she was spending time with her family.

Superman

I cannot wait to see this! What an awesome way to remember Christopher Reeve!

Four More Days!

Today was a beautiful day in Corpus Christi,warm and breezy. I had lunch with our birthmother at little buffet place called Souper!Salad. I thought it was a pretty cute name. The buffet wasn't too bad, either. We had pleasant conversation as if we saw one another on a daily basis. Then, I took her to JC Penny's for some nice gowns to wear in the hospital. It's always neat for me to see how much we have have in common...in the things we wear, like, eat, etc... She was dressed very cute and looked really good. She gained quite a bit of water weight last week, 6 pounds she said. It wasn't really noticeable. She's carrying Jack fairly high. He hasn't "dropped" or anything, but that's why she had a c-section with her first child. She isn't very tall and the baby has nowhere to go. She said she can feel him when he moves from side to side, but I haven't felt it. She hasn't offered, and I always feel bad for pregnant women when everyone assumes they have the right to touch their belly. I'll wait for an invitation. Only 4 more days! We have to be at the hospital at 5am on Tuesday.