Half Year (ALREADY?!)

I believe the cliches - I CANNOT BELIEVE ASHER'S ALREADY 6 MONTHS OLD! This is going by too fast. Way. Too. Fast. We didn't get these early months with our first two (wail and scream and cry) and we don't plan on them again, so we are truly enjoying - savoring! - everything about his infancy.

What started almost exactly 1 year ago as a shocking and terrifying positive pregnancy test has turned into our 3rd greatest blessing. Asher is perfection. Pure joy. The best baby. The most wonderful addition to our family.

We took naming our son seriously. Just a few weeks before his miraculous arrival, we landed on his name: Asher means "happy" and "blessing" and Zacarias means "God remembered". Every day I think of the weight of his name and how he's already living into it. He is truly the happiest baby (barring the most adorable pouty face he makes when he's really expressing his disappointment with life). He's slept through the night for a couple months (more or less) and he doesn't even wake up crying in hunger. He wakes up with a smile. He finds excuses to smile and giggle profusely. He flirts with all the girls - batting his long eye lashes and flashing a gummy smile. He's content with the world, loves his swing, eat/sleeps/poops like a champ. Though a preemie, he's quickly made up time in every area. Perhaps he's so happy because he gets lathered in kisses everyday by his siblings, momma, and daddy. He's so very well loved.

Asher's our little Benjamin Button look-alike blessing. We cannot imagine life without him, although a year ago we couldn't imagine life with another child. It's humbling to know God remembered our prayers from y-e-a-r-s ago and gave us this miracle. We are soaking in every moment of these early days with Asher.

Our little Harry Potter wrapped up, all clean.

Bald boys at the happiest place on Earth.

Knawing on fingers has become a way of life. So has drool.

Let's call this his Zoolander face.

Stop it. They don't make 'em cuter.

Trying rice cereal for the first time. It didn't go so well.

Spitting. Kicking. Smiling. It's a full time job.

Checking out his new "friend".

Asher Zacarias, we love you like crazy. You have blessed our life immeasurably and filled our family with joy.

Referralversary!!!

It started as a morning like any other morning. But not at all. Brian was in Fort Wayne visiting our families for a week. I had just finished a very sweaty P90X workout and was finding my breath again when my iPhone rang. "Christian World Adoption" was on the caller ID. I lost my breath again and answered the phone with hands shaking.

Two years ago today I received a phone call that changed our lives.

"Hello?"

"April, I have your referral. A 2 year old boy and 6 month old girl. Would you like to hear more about them?" Of course, YES! Our case manager patiently and thoroughly gave me all the details and next steps while I stifled back tears and attempted to calm my racing heart. 

In my original post 2 years ago, I wrote these words:

"I hung up the phone and LITERALLY started wailing on my knees in what will be the kiddo's bedroom [currently our workout room]. Friends, it was a few steps beyond ugly crying. I was out of control - almost hyperventilating. Dripping sweat. Tears flying out of my eyes nearly horizontally. Mouth contorting between crying and laughing. But I knew I had to call Brian immediately because the emails were being sent to both our accounts."

 And so our journey into an expanded family began.

Then...Those huge eyes captivated me...

Now...2 years after the THE CALL!

Then...When I first laid eyes on you!

Now...Our 2 1/2 year old sweet girl

If you want to take a stroll down memory lane with us, you can read the original three posts about them here: The Call, Lil A and Baby T, and my favorite post - Referral Day.

Who would've guessed that 2 years later we'd have a 3 1/2 month old son, too!?!?! God's funny like that. Celebrating today!!!

Birthday Boy

I'm just gonna say what every other parent says on their child's birthday, "HOW IS MY SON 4 YEARS OLD?!?!" This birthday was like our first one with Judah because last July 8th he was barely speaking English and had no concept of birthdays. This year was a different story. I was a bit obsessive about building anticipation for his big day.

"Judah, what's coming up?" 
"How old are you going to be?"
"What are we doing for your birthday, buddy?"
"Do you want a party?"
"Is grandma coming here for your birthday?"
"Are you getting presents for your birthday?"

Brian got sick of it. I did not. To me, this was a birthday worth celebrating BIG. So we did for about 2 weeks.

The morning of his birthday, we burst into his room and I nearly yelled, "Judah, what's today?!?!" He bounced up on his bed and squealed, "MY BIRTHDAY! PRESENTS!!!!" Yes, buddy. Today's your day.

Lion King book from Uncle Matt and Aunt SB. He's a reader!

He's also a "watcher". This boy loves movies like his Daddy.

We celebrated his birthday at a bounce house with his friends a little belated so Grandma could be in town. It was so fun to party with our diverse group of friends!!! Judah had the time of his life.

FRIENDS!!!!!!

My girl with my mom.

We had a sweet friend make 2 kinds of DELICIOUS and adorably decorated cupcakes. We discovered a little too late that Judah ate the wrapper of half his cupcake. Oops.

"Cheese!" With Daddy.

Our oreo sandwich. Judah's best friend, Cohen. He's logged a lot of hours with Cohen over the past year and a half. This was their last time together since Coco's moving to Paris soon. Bittersweet part of his party.

The spoils. Judah was truly spoiled. Though I don't want my kids to be spoiled, this birthday felt "right" to shower him with gifts. It was an explosion of love on this little boy's life. He's never experienced something like this before now. So grateful for our friends for choosing thoughtful and fun gifts that he truly loves. They know him. That's the best part.

Addise couldn't quite understand why it wasn't her birthday too. :) Judah graciously shared the spotlight, because that's just who he is.

Heck ya! A Batman shirt with removable cape. SO COOL!

One gift was cooler than the next. He could hardly move from one gift to the next because he was so overwhelmed with each one.

Fishing pole for the pool. He's already been practicing a lot.

Thank you's have yet to be written but I've been non-stop grateful since his big day. Judah felt loved. He was celebrated. He was lavishly gifted. Most importantly, he was surrounded by friends and family who know him and love him.

Of course, I couldn't help but to think of the woman who gave him birth and gave him up. I silently spilled a few tears. Offered up a few prayers. Hoped that the God of all good and perfect gifts would continue making good things come from so much loss and pain.

Judah, you are my first born son. Your eyes speak a hundred thousand words in more animation and expression than your words can yet convey. You are kind. You are giving. You are a reader and a watcher. You are a great big brother to Addise and Asher. You are joy embodied. You have the most tender heart. You have a conscience that is enviable to most adults. You are smart as a whip. You are a deep observer and intense learner. You are a fighter. You are so sensitive. You are playful and silly. You love superheroes like your Daddy. You are uber-curious. You are my son and I love you beyond what you will ever comprehend. Happy birthday, Bugs.