Toys....Toys.....and more Toys........

This huge frog was the first thing he went to Christmas morning.
It's a frog pod that hangs on the bath tub wall to hold all his toys.

He really enjoyed ripping all the paper!

We wish you a Merry Christmas.......

Christmas 2008 with Santa

Christmas 2007
I love this picture because he looks like he was placed under our
tree by God as he was placed into our arms by Him.
Thanks again Meagan for such a great PIC!!

Last official document....................

received!!! We finally got his social security card in the mail today!!! YAY!! It even has his correct full name....Samuel Greyson Pritchard! We received his birth certificate about two months ago but it has taken a while to obtain his social security card. This was the final and last official step to calling him ours legally.

The Party.....

Cutest cake ever!

Samuel's cake to dig into.....or so we thought.

You expect me to do what?

He was not real interested in diging into the cake. He would only take a bite or two and then he was ready for his traditional snack. (pears) He had a great party and we were all tired afterwards! He went to bed an hour early and slept an hour later than normal!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMUEL!!!

I'm gonna get you mommy!

Yeah! I know I'm cute!

King of the daycare!! (At least he thinks so!)

OMG!! I can hardly believe he's a year old already! This past year has just been amazing. He can walk, talk, and show attitude. Who would have ever thought? At this time last year we were driving all night to meet this little guy. We were so nervous at the thought of not being able to call him ours. By the grace of God we have been allowed to proudly call him our son!! It's been an awesome first year. We can't wait to see what he has in store for us over this next year!

Two steps......

towards mommy! We've been trying to get him to take a step or two. Tonight I stood him in front of me and held out my hands and there he goes! I just can't believe how grown he's getting. He is growing up WAY too fast!! We'll be celebrating the big 1st birthday soon. WOW!

Celebrating Adoption Photo Session...........

at VSU last weekend. The photographer has posted a few to her blog from our session. My favorite is the one where we are holding Samuel's hands and he is in the middle. He looks so grown up!!! You can click here to view the one's she has posted so far.

Little Pumpkin.......

This guy kinda looks like me!

It's a little dark since it was early this morning.

He was more interested in pulling at the straw.

A few recent pics......

We put out pine straw this weekend and Samuel got a little pumpkin.

Can you tell he loves the bath?

Handsome little man?

He's growing up! Sniff sniff!

Kid of the Day........

Thanks to Meagan for saving the screenshots for us!

Kid of the Day....

Samuel was chosen as kid of the day today on parents.com/americanbaby.com. You can view his picture by going to www.americanbaby.com and scrolling down to almost the bottom. If you missed it on this day you can check the archives because it's supposed to be posted there for two years. We always knew he was handsome enough to be a star!!

The picture was taken on finalization day at the park and he was 6 months old in the picture. There wasn't a more appropriate picture! Thanks to Meagan who took the picture!

9-11-08

You can't get a better smile than this!!

I'm in a good mood this morning!

A few more pics......

Only family pic we got at the beach.

I'm going to get you mommy!

First Trip to the Beach......

in middle of hurricane Gustav. It was actually a good trip even with a hurricane. The weather didn't get bad until the day we left. There was still no rain but the waves were huge and the wind was bad. Overall we had a great trip! Samuel enjoyed tasting the Panama City Beach sand for the first time and hearing mommy say you can't put your head under the water (about a million times).

Showing off that first tooth..........

(Don't really care for bib but LOVE the smile!)

My Daddy sure is funny!

His first word was hey! Go figure! It's probably because we've both said it to him about a million times! The other morning I got him out of the swing and he kept repeating hey, hey, hey, hey until I stopped and said hey Samuel! Too cute!

It's official!!!

He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hellelujah! Psalms 113:9

Judge Reinhardt officially declared us The Pritchard Family!!!

(Samuel really liked his glasses!)

With our attorney Jerrold Hester.

Chad, Amanda, and Samuel Pritchard on the court house steps! :-)

After lunch we went to the local park for more pictures. I just couldn't get enough! Below are those pictures.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Meg Caton Photography for all photos!!!

Pictures at the Park..........

Pritchard Family

Samuel Greyson Pritchard

Samuel and Mommy

Samuel Greyson Pritchard

Samuel and Daddy

**A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Meg Caton Photography for all of the wonderful photos!!!

We have a court date......

for July 1st @ 9:30 for finalization!! YAY! We are soo excited to get everything finlalized and finished.

Samuel has been a little sick lately. Can't seem to kick his ear infection and chest congestion. We got a shot of antibiotic yesterday and we have to go back today and tomorrow for additional ones. They also ran some labs to check him out really good since we don't have his entire medical history. We will also see an allergy doctor and have him tested for food allergies. That day can't come soon enough!! Poor guy! I know he's sick of those breathing treatments.

A few pics..........

Playing in my exersaucer!

My first fishing trip!

Man that squash was good!

Amy came to see me!

Mother's Day....

Me and Mommy!

Mommy loves my smile!

has been great for me this year! Samuel had a big stinky present ready for me first thing this morning. He'd made it all by himself! (A stinky diaper!) I spent most of my day just hugging and kissing on him and not doing anything I just didn't have to. It was really nice! I can't believe he's five months old already and big enough to start baby food. Friday he had a check up and he was just under 18 lbs. We have no problem gaining weight.

Another huge step taken!

Court was last Wednesday the 9th to terminate Samuel's birthfather's rights. We have had several steps to take before we could file our petition for adoption of Samuel. The two major ones being that both parents parental rights have to be terminated. Samuel's birthfather didn't want any part in his life or the adoption process. By law a private investigator had to be hired to attempt to find him to obtain his consent to the adoption. The private investigator was NOT successful. Since he was not successful we had to run information in the local newspaper for four weeks notifying him of Samuel's adoption. He never stepped forward nor did he show for court so the judge automatically terminated his rights. We are another HUGE step closer!!!! Now all the documents just have to be sent from the agency to our attorney along with our post placement reports and our petition for adoption can be filed for us to obtain a court date to make everything final. Hopefully we won't have to wait forever for a court date. It's just according to how busy our court system is here where we live.

Our First Easter as a Family.....

Man that sun was bright!

His Easter outfit!

I got an Easter basket!

Enough already!

was great! Samuel even had a visit from the Easter bunny. We attended church with my Grammy which she really enjoyed. She ran around showing her great grandson off to everyone. We spent lunch with my mom and Dinner with Chad's parents. We really have to watch cousin Ethan. He just can't understand why he can't tackle and headbutt Samuel yet! It was a good but tiring day!!