These are the days...

What a great weekend! These are the kind of days I get the "post-weekend blues." Normally, I don't mind getting back into the routine of the week but not this week. Today, I'll try to engrave the good times into my mind. I sure am happy I carry a camera everywhere! :)
On Saturday we got to see Jordan (Max's birthmom) and Grandma Sue (Max's birth-Grandma). What a treat since Sue lives 10 hours away!I just adore this picture below. Max has started giving kisses. I'm not sure Jordan knew how much slobber accompanied these kisses. Nonetheless, I know she cherished it!When I look at pictures like that, I wonder how people can ever question if open adoption is the right thing. I know it is not right for everyone but it works so well for us and all 3 of our kids. There are never too many people to love your kids! I won't get on my soapbox right now but if you want to talk or have questions, email me offline. We are so open to sharing our story.

Anyway, back to our weekend... So the kids have been earning "gems" for good behavior since January and they finally earned all of them. We were taking them down to the Science Center but when we got to Balboa Park, we discovered we would need to share the park with 70,000 other people who were celebrating Earth Day. Lack of parking and an assurance that I would lose Sam in the crowd, we quickly made other plans. Instead, we went down to the Embarcadero at SeaPort Village and had a great picnic. Maddie and Sam had a blast running in the shadow of this giant kite.We checked out the boats going by and even saw a Sea Lion.
Also, the kids & I rode the carousel, we listened to some live music, and of course, ate ice cream! Madeleine even took a few good pictures, like the one below. Funny thing is, we have this picture of Brentt & I in the same place 14 years ago. We sure look different! Sorry it is not digitized otherwise I'd share. Saturday night we also had some friends over for a BBQ. Good times. Although I am pretty sure that Max is scarred for life after Brentt and Phil sang their own karaoke version of an Abba song. So, there is a report from our great weekend. These are the good times I am trying to cherish and am so happy to share with you.
Make it a great day! Cheers!
Christy

Joy and happiness!

Brace yourself for a photo-heavy post! December has been such a happy, happening month so far that we just must share. Every December is full of parties for us but none is as important as the Adoption Center's Christmas party. This year, we got to be at the party with Jordan and Max. It just seemed so complete knowing that we have completed our family with our third baby. It also seemed so complete with Jordan with us--she just fits right in and Maddie and Sam ADORE her!Can you believe she had a baby 7 weeks ago? She looks awesome!Check out Max's face in this photo below! He looks like something is really funny!
Did you see that? We're getting real smiles from Max. And he is quite generous with them but they are quick and sometime I am so close that I don't get a great photo but anything will do for now. My chubby baby....16 pounds and counting!With Sam dressed in his fire fighter outfit half the time, Max cannot resist smiling at him!Here are my three babies snuggled up watching a Christmas movie.
It will be a great Christmas! Thanks for visiting!
Cheers!
Christy

Its all about the love...

I'll just start by warning you that so far in October, I've taken 555 pictures and 18 videos with my camera. A lot more than average but we have had a better than average month so far. We've had SO many moments that I've wanted to capture and freeze in my memory forever.

Max's birth has been amazing! Our first few days home with him have been nothing but joyful. We could not feel any more blessed by this little miracle. I also couldn't feel any more blessed to know Jordan (Max's wonderful birthmom) and her family. Open adoption isn't for everyone but we certainly love it. We always say, "The more people to love our kids, the better!" Words cannot express how much love is shared between our families. To love them and welcome them into our lives seems like the most natural thing in the world. And who couldn't love a face like this???
Max has been a dream baby! He is already on a nice eating schedule and only keeps me up about 20 minutes at each feeding at night. He sleeps so sweetly and is the new "star" in the house. The kids just adore him and can't wait to show him off to all their friends. For now, I'll just do a little show and tell here on the blog. Pictures say so much more so I'll just show...Whew! Holy long post! I better go get some beauty rest before our prince charming wants to eat again. Thanks for checking in!
Cheers!
Christy

Those crabby days are long gone

Those crabby days are long gone. Lately our days have been filled with getting ready to start school, squeezing in the last of the summer fun, and of course, getting ready for the arrival of our new baby boy.

Here's his first baby picture:Ok... perhaps not the cute, first baby picture you were expecting but its the one we've been staring at and dreaming over. Isn't it sweet how he is holding onto his foot with his hand? Can you see it? You can also see a little bit of his face but he's hiding under the umbilical cord. His birthmom is doing great and little Max (that will be his first name, so far) is as healthy as can be. We went to the doctor with his birthmom yesterday and it looks like we have about a month left. I just get butterflies knowing that it is not far away. I can't wait to meet him! And here's his birthmom, Jordan. Doesn't she look amazing for being 35 weeks pregnant?!? Last weekend we went out to Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs) and stayed at a resort. Its just nice to have little getaways when we can do it on the cheap. But its cheap because it is so darn HOT! It was 100-110 degrees most of the day and only cooled down to the mid-90's at night. Ugh! But it didn't matter too much because we spent most of our time at the pool.Sam loves to fly! I think I captured his pure joy. This kid is FEARLESS!

This week I'm trying to take the kids on the last of our summer adventures in town. Now that all the tourists have left San Diego, the beaches are much more pleasant. And so is the zoo! How on earth is it September already? Do you like Maddie's new hair cut and style? Fresh and ready for Kindergarten! Anyway, I'm going to go seize the day with the kids! Thanks for checking in. I'll have a lot of baby crafts and scrappy goodness in my next post. :)
Cheers!
Christy

We're having a baby!

I've been away from blogging for too long now but I have good reasons for it. Two good reasons actually. The most exciting news.... we met a birthmom who has chosen us to be the parents of her baby.

We're having a baby boy in 2 months!

We are over-the-moon about having a new little love in the house! Our new birthmom, Jordan, is such a gem! We are so lucky she was the one who choose us. She seems so thoughtful and focused on what is best for her baby. I think she is just perfect! We're hoping, as she gets to know our crazy little family, she will appreciate all our quirks and chaos too. :) So now, we are scrambling to prepare and make sure everything is in order so we can spend as much time as we can with our new child. I'm so happy I'm a stay-at-home mom but I want to make this transition as easy as we can for everyone. Please wish us the best!Our other news is that we just spent 10 days on vacation in Minnesota with my family on the farm. The kids had such a great time playing on the farm. Don't you just love that beautiful sunset picture above? We all really enjoyed it our time there. There's something so unique about going "home" again. So much nostalgia and great memories. It's nice that our kids are making memories there now too.

Here is my Dad (driving the old tractor), my nephew Nick, and my husband Brentt (in orange) baling alfalfa.

Sam posing on a small bale.Uncle John giving Maddie a ride on the 4 wheeler.One of my favorite pics from the farm is this picture of Maddie posing in the wheat field. I love it!Our sleepy Sam found a nice place to rest.My other nephew Joseph.Nick with my sister, Bobbie.Hiking in Camden State Park.Another beautiful Minnesota sunset.

Another highlight of our trip was visiting Walnut Grove, MN. You know... the 70's show "Little House on the Prairie." I grew up 40 minutes from here and never visited the museum and watched the play they have. Its cute, quaint and surprisingly educational on pioneer life. Here's a little red schoolhouse building of the museum.My sister is so good at imaginary play with the kids. I love this... they're playing school!At the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum they have the mantel from the show set. Here's a picture from the play. It was well done and interesting.And you thought Maddie was only sweet? Oh no! There is another side. Here's some proof.Thanks for checking in and tolerating our vacation pics! Our birthmom is coming for dinner tonight so off to the store to figure out what I'm cooking. Have a great weekend!