8 Months...I know, I'm behind...

She was sick and not in the mood for any kind of picture on her actual 8 month birthday, so this is a few days off. Masie weighs 18 1/2 pounds and is doing a funky kind of army crawl. She starts off in the traditional crawl position but then falls on the floor and army crawls to whatever she is after. She says "da-da", "pa-pa", "ba-ba", and she loves practicing her "s" sounds. She pulls up to standing on her own and loves to have a hand in everything! And she finally has a tooth! It's the cutest little tooth in the whole world! LOL She LOVES music, and when I sing to her sometimes she tries to "sing along" with me. It is the sweetest sound and brings absolute joy to hear. Her hair is thickening up, and with her tooth in, she is looking more and more like a little girl and less and less like a baby. It's bittersweet, for sure.

7 Months/Halloween

This little butterfly was 7 months old on Halloween! She went trick-or-treating for the first time to cousin Sheila's house and Aunt Diane's house. She didn't quite know what to think about it, but she liked digging in the candy bowl! :) She is getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth, but no crawling yet. She continues to say "da-da-da-da", but no "ma-ma" yet. She has the sweetest little babbling voice that can be a little raspy at times. The child squeals....LOUDLY! We think it's funny now, but I know the day is coming when it happens at an inappropriate time. LOL Love my sweet girl! :)

Six Months...AKA 1/2 a YEAR!!!!

Say it isn't so!!!! HALF of a YEAR!!!! Oh.My.Goodness! I can't think about it. I literally think she gets bigger every.single.day. She went to her six month doctor appointment last week, and she has definitely grown! She now weighs over 16 pounds and is 25 inches long. We had already begun cereal, bananas, and some veggies, but the doctor said to continue adding more to her routine so that eventually, before her next appointment, she is eating more than she is drinking from a bottle. She is sitting up well on her own, rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy. She says da-da-da-da, which just makes Dan's day, as you can imagine! She likes to click her tongue and smack her lips, and she loves to babble, which is the sweetest sound in the world! Sometimes when she is soothing herself she will sing in the cutest little whispery voice. Still, I find myself just staring at her. Masie Lauren, you have me mesmerized...

Looking Back

This picture that you see here to the right of my blog----------------------------------------> took me by surprise tonight to the point of tears. She is so tiny! She will never be that tiny again, and although I love seeing her grow, thrive, and do new things, it makes me sad. I just want to savor every moment....without holding her back for my own sake. Last night I was in the kitchen making dinner, and Dan was holding her in the living room (which is all open). My heart was so full I thought it was going to burst as I heard him talking to her about what all she could be when she got older. What a blessing from God she is to us. To walk by her crib and see her face light up and arms reach out for me when she sees me brings a smile to my face, no matter what time of night. ;) Don't get me wrong...li'l Miss Thang loves to fake cry when I don't pick her up right away...she frequently wakes up and won't go back to sleep unless I lay her on my chest in bed with us...and the girl can be stubborn. And don't be surprised if she wears pink while rocking a faux hawk. We have to have a little sassy to round out her sweetness. She is a pretty amazing girl. I know we aren't perfect parents, but I don't ever want to disappoint her. Ever.

5 Months!

She squeals. She coos. She sticks her feet up in the air. She tries to put her feet in her mouth. She puts e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. in her mouth. She sleeps best on Mommy's chest, particularly anywhere from 4-6 in the morning until it's time to get up. She loves to wake up her daddy by patting his arm and cooing at him....or by grabbing his chest hair....whatever works. ;) She is not a fan of rice cereal but will eat oatmeal. She gets a c.r.a.z.y. burst of energy right before she goes to sleep. She makes all right with the world when I walk by her crib and her face lights up with her sweet smile. She has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She has my heart.

Four Months

Do you see the bandaid on her finger? We had just had a traumatic experience with the nail clippers before this photo was taken. :( Then the next day, I took her to her four month appointment...which included shots. The next 48 hours were consumed with a feverish baby who just didn't feel good. :( :( Her head size was in the 50th percentile. Her weight was in the 50th percentile. Her length was in the 20th percentile. Her eyes are still hazel...sometimes they look brown, sometimes they look green, and everything in between. I love this girl so much! She is such an amazing child! Thank you, Lord....how could I ask for more?!

Three Months

Two Months Already?!

Seems pretty impossible, if you ask me.... I love that she is growing and thriving, but she's getting big so fast! Here is a picture that shows her at one day old and two months old... The last time we weighed her, she was at 10.6 pounds. Her arms and legs were so long and thin when she was born, so now they are getting some chub...so cute! Her cheeks have been chubby from the beginning and continue to be very kissable! Being 1/4 African American, we thought her hair would be curlier and her eyes more prominently brown, but when she was born her hair was honey brown and completely straight. Her eyes, of course, were dark blue. Now, her hair is a shade darker and barely curls at the ends...I hope she has curls (sigh!). Her eyes are greyish. I think they may end up hazel...Can't wait to see! She is very calm and relaxed most of the time, but don't let her fool you! Especially when it comes to food! She HATES having to stop to burp. She stiffens up and gets mad when you take that bottle out to burp her. It would be easier to just give her the bottle back, but I'd rather suffer thru her tantrum than to deal with her upset tummy from gas later on. She can be a strong willed and determined little lady! At some point, that may be frustrating to me, but it makes me remember those qualities about her birth mom. Those qualities, her having a strong will and determining to focus on the bigger picture, were some key qualities that allowed us to be Masie's parents. We are so thankful......

Masie Pictures

These pictures were taken right after she ate. She was wide awake, alert, and bright eyed! :)

She loves her WubbaNub (aka Lambie). She has the sweetest hands that refuse to stay swaddled and usually end up somewhere around her face...just like in some of her sonogram pics. Love those Elvis lips!

Practicing to be a cheerleader?! I laid her down to change her and she had a good ol' time talking and stretching and moving....then I opened her diaper. Oooooo-weeeee! :)

Road Trip!

Our trip to Lubbock the 20th was extra special because not only was it Masie's first road trip, but it was our first road trip as a legal family! She did so well during the drive. It did take a little longer than usual, of course. Normally, we can make it there in 5-5 1/2 hours. This trip it took about 7 hours. We had to stop for a feeding time once as well as a couple of diaper changes. Overall, it wasn't bad! Nana, Papa, and Katie were patiently awaiting our arrival...they couldn't get her out of the carseat fast enough! ;) Not too long after we got there, Aunt Kristi came out to give Masie some love, too. The next day was a special treat. Kristi, Patti, Betty, Angela, and Sue blessed our family with a baby shower/meet Masie party. Masie was a hit! Most everyone got to hold her and love on her. She loved every minute of it! In fact, the only time she cried was when I took her out of someone's arms! haha Her dress had come up in the back, and my cold hands touched her skin...she did not like that one bit! Other than that, she was a perfect angel. Many friends from different times of our lives were able to come meet Masie and celebrate this special time. She received many special gifts. Masie Lauren is one loved little girl! Sunday we went to church with Mom, Dad, Stacy, Heath, and Katie, then Dad had smoked a brisket for lunch afterward. Delicious!!! We didn't want to leave, but work and school waited for us back home on Monday. :( The tricky part was getting everything in the car. It was a bit cramped, but we did it!

Meeting cousin Katie for the first time

My BFF Kristi and our daughters! Kenzee is 10 years older than Masie.

Aunt Stacy and Masie. She made a bag FULL of bows like this in all different colors...including two Texas Tech bows and a Texas Rangers bow! SCORE!

This picture does not accurately show how full that car was!

We did not want to say goodbye to Nana and Papa!

...And now it's LEGAL!

Around 10 pm Tuesday, April 17, we were having coffee with some friends who were meeting Masie for the first time when Dan got a text from our lawyer that said that all the remaining paperwork was in and final motions were filed. Did we want the final adoption hearing to be Thursday or Friday? Thursday, please! So, 8:00 Thursday morning we were stuck in traffic to Fort Worth because an 18 wheeler had overturned. Traffic was terribly backed up. We were late...along with everyone else, so we had to wait for an opening in another courtroom. We didn't care how long we had to wait. When we went before the judge, our lawyer asked me some questions, then asked Dan the same questions. He turned it over to the judge, who said, "Up until now you have had the moral responsibility for caring for this child. After today, not only will you have the moral responsibility for this child, but the legal responsibility as well. Do you accept this responsibility?" "YES!" "Then this adoption is granted....Do you have a camera?" "YES!" "Then come on up!" One of the best days of my life. She is forever and ever ours. Thank you, Lord!!!

The Official Post

Masie Lauren Elliott was born March 31, 2012, at 9:50 PM.
She weighed in at 6 pounds 14.5 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long.
She is absolutely beautiful and has forever changed our lives.
Here are a few pictures...

Our last picture of just the two of us


She's here!


"Are you ready to meet your daughter?"


First family photo


Proud Daddy

Update!

Well, the due date has come and gone...and we are still waiting!
We went to the doctor yesterday, and he scheduled her to be induced Wednesday. She was only dilated to a 1 1/2, but he could not believe how low the head was! He said he couldn't believe she was actually walking because the head was so low.
Poor T....she is so ready!
Pray this little girl comes before Wednesday! :)

And so....we wait.....

It's almost time!!!
It can't come fast enough, though!
We went to the doctor this last Thursday, and T was at a 1 and 80% effaced. Doctor said the head was really low, though, so it literally could be anytime! If she hasn't gone into labor by her next appointment on Thursday (the actual due date), he will schedule her to be induced.
We are trying our best to be patient, but.....
We'd all be happy if she came TODAY! :)

A Little....a BIG.....Motivation

Today was my only day of spring break that I had to myself. Every other day had already been spoken for, so I knew that I was going to be working on baby stuff!

The days are coming closer and closer to the due date...14 days, 9 hours, 51 minutes, and 2 seconds to be exact, if she's born at 8:00 in the morning on the 29th.

But who's counting?!

I have two other friends that are due on the same day. This morning I got a text saying that one of these friends went into labor!

AAAHHHHHHH!!!!

That was a big motivator to get some stuff done!

So...I got the travel system out of the box and put together...




I got out the diaper bag and began filling it with the many suggested items from experienced moms...



And I finally finished the wall art project! Well, sort of. I still have to paint the letters, but that won't take long. The big thing was getting it all laid out right and hung...



This project was stretching me a little. I'm a symmetric design type person, so putting the hoops on the wall in "random bubble" type fashion was stressing me out a little. LOL I couldn't get the "L" to hang straight, and I still think I need another circle on the bottom right, but other than that, I'm pretty happy with it! Because of the lighting, the picture turned out darker than what it actually is. The materials are different shades of pink, green, and white patterns. Right now the letters are in unfinished wood, but they will be painted pink, probably...I can't make up my mind.

I better make it up pretty quick! Time is a-tickin'!

Update!

"Thank you" doesn't seem to be enough to express how thankful Dan and I are to all of you who have contributed to the adoption fund and prayed for us! Because of your generosity, we were able to send a $1400 payment to the lawyer yesterday!

YYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!

I have updated the thermometer to show what is left of the lawyer fees and the cost of the home study ($500, which was not included in the previous amount).

We are getting there!!! Still have a bit to go...but we are getting there! :)

We went with the birth mom to her doctor's appointment yesterday, which also included a sonogram. They confirmed that she is, indeed, a girl, and we heard her precious heartbeat. When they put it in 3D mode, we could see her moving her mouth. She looked like the baby sucking on the pacifier from The Simpsons...hilarious! So far, she is 5 pounds, 4 ounces, and 18 3/4 inches long. If she goes to her due date, they estimate she'll weigh about 7 pounds.

Birth mom is doing pretty well...she is as ready for Masie to be here as we are! For different reasons, of course. She is tired and ready for her life to get back to normal. Please keep her in your prayers during these next few weeks of major transition.

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and support. We love you all!!!

How Can I Help?

Dan and I have gotten this question a lot here lately from dear ones that love us and have been praying for us for, quite literally, years in our effort to have children.
If you know my husband at all, you know that he has never met a stranger! There aren't many places we go that one of us doesn't know someone in the room. We have both been blessed with many friends from places we've lived both while we were growing up and since we've been married.
For this reason, we have opened an adoption fund and linked it on the right hand side of this page under the title "Help Bring Masie Lauren Home!" so that all of our friends, near and far, can have an opportunity to help. As you can imagine, the lawyer fees are a huge expense for us. The amount listed on the thermometer is what we have left to pay, and how close we are getting to that goal. We, first and foremost, desire your prayers for the remainder of this process. However, if you feel compelled to help in a tangible way, this is an opportunity to do so.
God has been so good to us in every step of this process. Every obstacle that has seemed insurmountable, He has walked through with us, and I know He will continue to do so. Each day is a gift of anticipation for our baby girl who will be here sometime around the due date of March 29th. Though each day has had it's questions, we have had a consistent peace that Masie Lauren is ours.
Thank you for believing with us. Thank you for standing with us, and sharing this amazing journey with us. Thank you for your prayers. We simply cannot wait to introduce you to the one that has been loved even before we knew who she was.

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet

The same day we put together the baby furniture, we learned of a devastating loss that some friends had just experienced. The reality of the fact that anything can happen at anytime throughout this process was a slap in the face. We are smiling in the pictures below for the ceremonial taking of the picture of us putting together the baby furniture. But I carry in my heart the feeling of indescribable sorrow for this couple...remember the prayers being prayed for them with every screw being turned and turned and turned...the incredible need to see that baby bump and feel it underneath my hand...the scrutiny of every little detail that isn't turning out "just perfect" as we worked because if we try hard enough and get it right, everything will turn out okay....

Right, God?....

How does one go about being excited about what they are doing and sad at the same time? I'll be honest...there were many tears shed from us both...for so many different reasons. We finally finished our work and decided to go see our girl. We chit chatted with the birth mom, and when the timing was right, I asked (as I always do) if I could touch her belly. She said yes, and I just started talking to her belly like people do...I don't even remember what I said...but T said, "Did you feel that?...right there?" I DID! Not just once, but multiple times! That's the first time I've felt her move. T said it was odd because she's always calm at that time, she usually didn't start moving until such-and-such time...."But she knows her Mommy's talking to her...!"

And there it was.
It was what I needed to hear at just the right moment.

I can't predict the future. I am not in control of anything at all, but I know Who is. No matter what happens He will be my provision and grace and strength and rest.

There's a place the lost surrender and the weary will retreat
Full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief
For the wounded there is healing, strength is given to the weak
Broken hearts find love redeeming where joy and sorrow meet

There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus' feet
Where joy and sorrow meet

~Exerpt from "Where Joy and Sorrow Meet", Avalon

Tuesday

This week Dan and I deemed Tuesday to be the day we put together the baby furniture and rearranged our room, as we were both off work and I didn't have school.

Since we have a one bedroom apartment and are in the middle of our lease, it is going to be rather cramped, so making the most out of our space is a necessity. We had already gone through all of our boxes, bedroom, closet, and storage closet outside and weeded out what we needed and what could be donated. The only thing left to do is re-launder my original plus size clothing and take it to Goodwill....cuz I don't EVER want to see it again! :)

So I got up Tuesday morning and made a great breakfast (using this great recipe!), excited to get started on our day. Once that was finished, we tackled the bedroom. It took a little while to work with different layouts we had thought about. The consistent problem we had was the bedroom door hitting the footboard of our bed. We considered taking the footboard off and storing it under the bed, but I think we finally came up with something that would work. Since we had stuff piled on the bed while we moved things around, I didn't take pictures of the whole room, but here is a photo collage of putting the baby bed together. Once we get the armoire put together and the wall hangings done, I'll post pictures of the final product.

Speaking of Crafts...

There are two sites that I've pinned on Pinterest that I've really wanted to try crafts from.
This one has really cute headbands, and this one cute-i-fies (not a word...I know...) the plain ol' onesie.
I decided to combine the two! (FYI...I just cut circles instead of flower shapes called for in the headband tutorial.)
Here is part of the process...



This is the front with the headband...



And this is the back...



I can't wait to see this on my Li'l Masie! :)

One of the BEST Road Trips EVER!

Not long ago, some friends of ours asked if we had baby furniture yet.
We didn't, and they offered to give us their crib and changing table, since their youngest had outgrown them.
The only obstacle was that they live in Wichita Falls, and our vehicle isn't big enough to accommodate getting them from point A to point B.
We were finally able to temporarily obtain a large enough vehicle and coordinate our schedules to pick it up this last weekend!
We decided to meet halfway, in Decatur, for the transfer.
Dan and I got there a little bit early and decided to drive around a little bit and look for some antique shops. They had several downtown. Unfortunately, we got there late afternoon, so everything was about to close by the time we found them.
In the shop we did find, however, I found some good bargains! Mostly things to make crafts with, which will (hopefully) come in a later post!
We met our friends for the transfer, and while the men unloaded and loaded the furniture, the ladies had a nice little chat in the parking lot, despite the chilly wind! It was good to see them and connect face to face...not just on Facebook. LOL
They really blessed us with this furniture. It means so much more to us than words can say. I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating...we recognize that anything could change at anytime in this process, but when our friends stand with us in agreement, through words as well as deeds, that this thing is going to happen, it stirs my heart in such a way that I can't explain. It speaks LIFE and HOPE and fulfillment of PROMISE.
THANK YOU seems inadequate for how I feel.
Pics to come later for complete set up. For now, this is the furniture freshly unloaded in our home! YAY!!!! :)