Trip to the Giant Redwoods

When BB was about 11 months old we took him on his first trip where we stayed overnight (well, besides moving which was an adventure in itself!) to see the Giant Redwood Trees. We really enjoyed ourselves and being out in nature again. BB was an awesome hiker! He loved the hiking backpack and just giggled and giggled.

 We started with a long hike (I think it was something like 3-5 miles), but since the ground was flat (unlike the parks of Utah we're used to) and the trees made it shady it was a really nice hike.

 Giving Mommy a big, wet kiss!

 I've wanted to see the giant redwoods for a long time and they weren't disappointing. You can see BB looking up at the huge tree (this is the largest tree in the park).

 This was the end of the trail and so we stopped for lunch.

 I decided to take a turn carrying BB on the way back. The design of the pack was so much better than our food and water backpack that I don't think it was any harder to carry, maybe even easier. And BB caught a short nap.

 

 Our happy boy after his nap (notice he took off his hat as soon as he woke up).

Unfortunately, BB had a hard time eating and sleeping away from home and by the end of the day was kind of a wreck, so we've put off any more family trips. But it's been a few months and we're ready to try again! We have a long-awaited trip to the zoo planned for later this week and I know he's going to love it.

Finalizing Our Adoption

In the state where we lived when we adopted BB, the adoption isn't finalized until the child has lived in your home for 6 months (although everything is essentially legally settled at placement). So when our little guy was 6 months old we got to go to court to finalize his adoption and then the following day we got to go with family and friend to the Salt Lake Temple (click "Watch" to see the videos) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to have BB sealed to us (so that he is our son forever, not just until he's 18 or just this life). This was an amazing day for us. In some ways I'm glad we had to wait because BB was much more alert and aware than a newborn would be. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

A forever family.

The Salt Lake City Temple

Here's a collection of our favorite pictures:

More Pictures!

I decided I better go through pictures a bit faster or I'll never catch up, but they're just so fun to remember! Here he is at 2 1/2 months.

"Talking" to Dad.

Isn't that the most amazing smile! Of course he's happy - he's getting his diaper changed. :)

First time eating "real" food. He really was okay with it, that picture just happened to catch him at a funny moment, but it is hilarious! (Four months old.)

All bundled up to go outside in the cold. (That horse was one of his favorite toys for the longest time, and he still enjoys snuggling with it.)

This is one of my all-time favorite BB pics. It was on Christmas Eve.

This is the closest we came to BB actually opening a present at Christmas. Even now he's much more interested in the bows than the actual gift!

 My handsome boys!

6 months old and eating real food (instead of cereal) for the first time: green beans and they're still a favorite. He ate the entire jar! And yes, this was a strange time to try a different food, but life was pretty hectic then. Grandma is talented (and brave): feeding him on her lap!

Family Pictures

I decided these pictures needed their own post. We had a friend take some family pictures for us when BB was 3 months old.

 Aren't those blue eyes amazing?!

 It was IMPOSSIBLE to get BB to smile, so we got lots of funny pictures.

An Exciting Year!

We have had a very eventful year since I last posted! We adopted our amazing Baby Boy (BB - but hopefully one day soon that will stand for "Big Brother") and have loved all of the joy he has brought into our lives. I started a different (private) blog for him so I've definitely left this blog behind. But recently I've found that I miss this one and it's getting time to start hoping for another adoption. Life has sure changed a lot! Chris is finished with school and working full-time, Jamie gets to be a full-time mom (What a change! But I wouldn't give it up for anything!), and our BB is running around and even starting to talk. I know that every mom thinks their child is wonderful (I taught school long enough that I met parents who thought their child could do no wrong when I knew better - but that was infinitely better than the parents who thought their child could do no right - so heartbreaking!), but our BB is so AMAZING! Today (Sunday) at church our BB made his usual rounds, greeting everyone, reaching out to be held, and just making people feel happy. We got to church early because Chris had a meeting so BB and I were walking through the halls when he saw an older gentleman with a cane. BB LOVES canes! My grandparents have one and my grandpa practically greets him at the door with it (he doesn't need it anymore) and BB runs around with it until it's time to go (except for lunch time when I do my best to quietly take it away so we don't have tears). At church he has a tendency to try to steal canes from people who really need them (not good!). Well, this gentleman was just tickled pink that BB wanted his cane. He seemed to think that the cane usually scared kids off, but not our little guy. No way. The man offered to let BB play with it, but I knew he needed it and if BB got to keep it for any length of time it would be a huge tragedy when I had to take it away, so we politely declined. But I really believe it touched this man's heart that BB liked his cane. :) But that's our guy, always finding a way to make people feel loved and accepted

I'm going to post some of my favorite pictures from the last year. I know when I see my friend's pictures I'm always hoping to catch a glimpse of my friends but most of their pictures are of their children. And let's face it, kids just look cuter than us, but I'll try to include a few with us in them.

BB's first bottle at home.

 About one week old.

Yeah for Daddy!

Superman!

With cousins. (They're adopted too! One day the oldest one said to me, "My birth mom is Marin. Who's his birth mom?" That really surprised me, but it about explains our family!)

 I know this isn't the best picture of BB, but it's one of the few where you can't see the exhaustion on my face. :)

2 months old and already a charmer! Such a handsome guy!

I had to throw in a recent picture: this is BB with my grandparents - and of course the cane!

Well, that's no where near enough pictures, but all I have time for tonight since I kept telling Chris we can't stay up late. More pictures to come!