Do I have to go back to work?

We know everyone is wondering where we are in the process. We have had our first post placement visit. This is where a social worker comes out to our home to meet Samuel, ask questions about his doctor visits, and to see how he's growing, etc. Speaking of him growing we had to take him back in to the doctor last Friday. He weighed in at 11 pounds and 9 ounces BUT he was fully dressed so we are saying about 11 pounds. This is my last week home with him and I miss him already. I can't believe he's already 7 weeks old! Monday it's back to work for Mommy and to daycare for Samuel. I have a feeling Samuel is going to do much better than Mommy! I'm not looking forward to this at all!

He's growing like a weed!

Samuel had his one month check-up on Friday. He weighed in at 10lbs 8oz and was 22 1/2 inches long! I just can't hardly believe how fast things are going! Before we know it he will be turning 10 years old. This past month has been awesome! Some of our questions have been:

• Is he still breathing? (I bet I've asked this a million times already)
• Will you please go to sleep? (Chad's asked this one the most)
• Should he really smell and sound like that? (Sometimes he sounds like a bomb!)
• Is that normal? (This could relate to many topics!)
• Why does he have to grow so fast?
• Why doesn't anyone believe that he's said Mama already? (This one is mine of course!)

Last week I was sick with my allergies and felt terrible. I believe Samuel could sense this. I got up from a nap (Thank you Chad!) and took him. I was sitting on the couch with him and I was talking to him and making faces. He just starts laughing out loud and smiling at me! He knew just how to make me feel good. I think his Daddy was a little jealous! He's still trying to get him to laugh but it hasn't happened yet. Samuel hasn't done it since. He most definately has his own personality and temperment. We are the luckiest parents in the world! We have the best baby we could have ever asked for and then some. We also happen to think he's the most handsome :-)! God couldn't have blessed us any better and we will be forever grateful for him and his birthmom!

The first month in pictures.....

Samuel's growing fast! Tomorrow he will be a month old. WHAT? Where has the past month gone? It seems like we just brought him home from the hospital. Last week he weighed in at 9lbs and 10oz. I couldn't hardly believe my ears! I guess it's time to pack up those newborn clothes. Above you will see pictures from the past month. Enjoy the slide show!

Revocation period is over!!

Ahh!! Soo peaceful!

Bath Time

He enjoyed his tummy time today!

YAY! Yesterday was the end of the 10 day period. We can relax know and just be little Samuel's parents! Sorry that my posts are getting a little slack but as many of you can imagine we stay busy with him. We learned that he can roll over from his tummy to his back last night at two weeks and two days old. I just wanted to cry!! He's growing entirely too fast! We did manage to capture it on video but we need another cable before I can post it. Hopefully it won't be long but we shall see! For those of you who have asked I will attach a few pics to this post. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! We have had the best one EVER!

Just a few pics.......

In one of his Christmas outfits!

Just enjoying some sleep!

With his Grammy

Home at last......

and loving it! Our 7 hour trip turned into an 11 hour trip. We got stopped in traffic on the interstate due to a horrible accident. We sat there for over an hour without moving an inch. Samuel didn't mind the ride home at all. He slept the entire time and Mommy was taking naps to store up for the night. I just knew I'd be up all night with him. Boy was I wrong! That kid slept the entire night! He only woke me up twice to eat and went right back to sleep. We slept in until 8:45 this morning. I was soo proud of him! I guess he knew I really needed some rest. We have his very first check-up in the morning!

Homeward bound.......

come Wednesday morning! We got word today that we have been cleared to come home. We can hardly wait! We are soo ready! It only took one and half days to get cleared. We NEVER dreamed it would have happened so fast. Ok I'm off to pack and pack and pack so that we can get out of here! We will see everyone soon!

Signing day......

This is where Samuel likes to sleep!

Still snoozing!

This was after a diaper change that went bad!
He needed to be bathed off a little and so did Daddy!
Check out those curls!

is over and she signed all the appropriate documents to terminate her parental rights. Our coordinator told me that she was doing really well and seemed to be dealing with things. She talked a lot about how she was making the right decision for him and that she knew he would be loved. The next step is getting us cleared by Interstate Compact here and at home. She delivered our paperwork to the office here. The lady she spoke with said that she would go ahead and review to see if there was any additional documents needed but that it would most likely be tomorrow before they could review all documents and clear us. She will call tomorrow and check to see how things are coming along and to see if they need anything. We will keep everyone posted!

Samuel has been released!!

Our first family photo!

Samuel LOVES his paci!

His leaving the hospital outfit!

This was his main nurse who we LOVED by the way.

He's all ready to go!

We can't hardly put him down. He's soo precious!!! He's already got both of our hearts with both hands. We've finally heard him cry for the first time today. He does it really well actually! We got to leave the hospital at 8:30ish tonight and we couldn't be happier. It's well worth everything we've done to get him and then some! The hospital staff were really great. We left with several packs of diapers, a case of formula plus some, and other little odds and ends we will need. We can't wait to get home so that everyone can see him!