The Meaning of Adoption

This is part of an article from The Newsletter Newsletter(R):

The Meaning of Adoption

When a class of young children began discussing the subject of adoption, the teacher first asked for a definition.  An  8-year-old girl answered by saying, "I'm adopted.  If you're adopted, it means you grew up in a mother's heart instead of her tummy."

Out of the mouths of babes....

Ready or Not...Here We Come!

Six weeks have come and gone.  Because my sick days were quickly depleting, I went back to work today.  I was torn by the array of emotions I felt.  Obviously I felt awful leaving him at daycare. (We have the most amazing daycare ever by the way.)  On the other hand, I was ready to see my students and friends at school.  I have worked very hard to become the teacher I am today...but I guess that could be said of the path that led to motherhood.  I felt guilty that I can't just quit my job to hang out with him all day.  Being a stay-at-home mom is a tough job (it IS a job) but I guess I'm more of an out-of-the-home working mom. 

We got up bright and early and got dressed for daycare.  We were fortunate enough to have a spot at the church where I work.  The ladies are great!  Carter was very excited to meet Miss Kim in the morning.

I didn't cry.  I felt like it, but I didn't.  I didn't even call.  Nerves of steel!  I practically ran down the hall to his room when I went to pick him up.  When I got him home, I wanted to read books, and cuddle, and talk-he slept.  Figures.  We got some mommy and me time later on.

Last week I wrote about his baptism.  Here are a few great photos courtesy of my friend and youth group member, Sarah.  She is amazing behind a lens.

The other exciting events this week were family photos

and a surprise baby shower with the youth group.  Among other cool things, Carter got his first Build-a-Bear.  It was a busy, wonderful, happy week.

5 weeks

Five weeks ago today, I was sitting in my room at Dupont Hospital admiring this miracle.  He was one day old, so tiny, and one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen.  Those feelings hold true still today.

This week was fairly uneventful until Sunday.  On Valentine's Day, Carter was recognized as a member of God's family through baptism.  Travis and I chose my sister, Kearstyn and our good friend, Pam to stand up as his sponsors.  Both women are excellent examples of Christian love in action. I am so happy to know that Carter will be surrounded by love and good role models throughout his life.  Although he had no idea what was going on or why someone felt it necessary to get his head wet, I almost wept when hearing Pastor B. talk about the joy that Carter has brought into our home and how it is our duty to bring him up in the way of the church.  My prayer for Carter is that he grows up to be a strong man of God.  I hope that he will be a shining light to those around him.  I want people to see and talk to him and know that God is working through him.  Whatever he chooses to do with his life, I pray that he does it honestly, with compassion and humility, and use the gifts with which God will bless him.  We will most definitely celebrate his Baptism birthday.  I will post pictures of this next week...

Here is Carter at five weeks old-

(Note the hand raised like a good student.  That is his new thing.)

4 weeks

I can't say it.  I won't say it.  Carter is four weeks, but I can't quite say he is one month old.  The time is FLYING!  Our friends Lindsay, Dustin, and Dayne came to visit this week.  It was fun to see what neat things Carter will be able to do in a few short months.

This week I am going to make a list of all the firsts or favorites thus far.  Here goes:

Carter is an eater!  He is already over 9 pounds and eats 5 oz. every 2 hours.  This kids is growing out at an incredible rate.  Everything is getting chubby...exept those skinny little legs:)

He sticks his tongue out on command.  Well, you have to show him first, but then he will stick it out.  Teaching him good manners right from the start!

We have started full-out bath time already.  He loves to sit in the warm water.  I gave him his first swimming lesson today.  I filled up the tub, got on my swimming suit, and sat in the tub with him.  Carter floated on his back, kicked his legs, sat on the bottom, and accidentally got his face wet.  That part he did not like and mommy kept telling him she was sorry.

Carter will hold his gaze on my face for minutes at a time.  I can tell that he isn't just looking and wondering, "Who in the world is this crazy lady?"  He looks up and tries to copy my facial expressions.  Although I haven't seen an on-purpose smile, he looks happy. I was a little worried at first about bonding with him.  All the books tell you to take these extreme measures to make sure that your adopted baby bonds with you.  They made me feel that if I didn't do everything just so, there would be no bond.  Travis told me the books needed to be burned.  I think he's right!

When Carter is fighting sleep (which he does quite often) he will do two of my favorite things.  First, he will close his eyes for a few seconds, then open just one eye to make sure I am still there.  Once he sees that I am, he closes it again.  He will do this repeatedly for a few minutes.  Secondly, he has this really strange sleeping habit of having his eyes partially open while he snoozes.  When they are like this, you can see his eyes rolling back. (Wierd)  It is during this time that he smiles.  HUGE SMILES!  Eyes crinkle on the sides with dimples in the cheeks smiles.  So precious.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I haven't really taken a stance on this, Carter loves his mommy.  He is getting used to hanging out with me all day.  He is used to the way that I hold him and sing to him.  He is used to my scent and my voice.  The bad part is that when daddy gets home and wants to play with him, Carter eventually wants his mommy back.  I think the worst part is that I secretly love this.

My cup runneth over....

3 weeks old

Today Carter is 3 weeks old.  He continues to change a grow before my very eyes.  It is almost time to box up his newborn sized clothing and diapers and move on to 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.  A note of sadness comes to mind when I think of having to do that already.  He's my baby boy....everyone keeps telling me how fast they grow.  I understand them already.

One of the more exciting things this week was the baby shower that Aunt Darci, Randi, and Danni threw for Carter.  Grandma Liz, Cathy, and Aunt Angie bought Carter a swing.  Since day on, he has not been content to sit.  Even the slight bounce didn't satisfy his need for CONSTANT MOVEMENT.  I was having to swing him from side to side for hours each day. When Travis and I got home, we immediately assembled it and tested its magic.  Carter was asleep in less than 2 minutes. He loves it-the higher and louder it is the better. I also adore the swing. 

This week we continued to take a short outing everyday in preparation for today.  We left the house early for an appointment in Fort Wayne.  Afterwards we shopped and visited Great grandma and grandpa and Jessica.  Carter was FABULOUS through it all.  I barely heard a peep out of the guy.  On the way home, I kept watching him in the rear-view mirror.  He was wide awake staring out the window watching the world go by.

I cannot believe how quickly the time is going.  When Carter was born I chose to take 6 weeks off work-partially because 6 weeks felt like a long time then and partially because that was about how many sick days I had left to spend.  The thought of going to work and leaving him at day care is unfathomable as of now.  I treasure every second of time I get to spend with him. 

I love him more than words can express....