Catching Up

Does anyone still read my dormant blog!?!? If so, thanks for your patience since Addise's first birthday post. I'm still committed to posting some pictures, but for some reason I'm having some iPhoto issues [definitely user error of some sort] and my days have just been full.

For the past 2 1/2 weeks my wonderful family has been in town showering us with kisses, cooking, grocery trips, spring cleaning, and lots of attention on our little ones. Last night and today I said "goodbye" to them: my mom through tears last night, and my dad, baby brother, and granny after Thai lunch today. They have been remarkably helpful and kind. Their motto has been "whatever you want and is best for the kids". We've seen them display that in enormously selfless and sacrificial ways!!! Our family of 4 got hit with a violent head cold around the day my mom flew into town and at least one of us was sick the ENTIRE time she was here. Most of her trip 2 or 3 of us were sick. I took a 2 hour nap one day on the couch while my mom chased 2 active toddlers around our condo while making dinner. And she did it all with joy. My pantry, freezer, and fridge has NEVER been so full. Brian gasped one night when he opened the freezer and literally faced frozen wall of chicken. Granny and Mom cleaned blinds and ceiling fans and did countless loads of laundry. Cool Uncle Drew instantly had Judah's heart in a way only a 19 year old uncle could. My dad [a self-acclaimed "non-baby guy"] was wonderful with both kids and they adored his boisterous personality. For my whole family, their true joy was sitting on the carpet playing blocks, reading books, pushing Judah in the laundry basket, walking laps around the kitchen with Addise hanging on their fingers. It was a bit divine timing with getting so sick and I was a proud momma watching those who were responsible for my birth see me be a mom. Today's a sad day as I say "goodbye" to my sweet family, and Brian and I continue this journey among our family of faith but without our bio families nearby.

Brian started back at work a couple weeks ago after a generous 3 week paternity leave. I went back to work very part-time last Sunday. Every day is a juggling act: who gets up first? changes the first diapers? makes breakfast? gets to work first? gets to veg on the couch for a few minutes? Gratefully, I married the man of the century who's in this 100% with me and is fully co-parenting our offspring. He changes the same amount of diapers, does the dishes, vacuums the carpet, picks up food off the floor, dresses babies after bath, puts them to sleep...I married a rock star.

We are beginning to think about life just with us when we both have to work like normal and courageously parent Judah and Addise. We're not sure how it's all going to work out yet, but we are continually getting to know J&A - what they like to eat, how they play, how they are growing, their changing needs, and of course their bonding and attachment progress. We trust after I go back to work full time [1 more month], that God will provide the resources and discernment on how we are the primary caretakers of our kids but also remain faithful to our vocational callings.

I promise to post more pictures of our beauties and stories of their progress. Every week we see notable progress, and I'm kicking myself that it's not documented here [or anywhere!]. Parenting "kids from hard places" is hugely challenging but we love Judah and Addise deeply and believe in adoption more than ever. Can't wait to share more about our "2 steps forward, 1 1/2 steps back"...as we affectionately call our days together.

Thanks for still reading. The best is yet to come...