First Christmas. We stayed home for Christmas this year. It was wonderful though. We spent a good amount of time at Mom and Dad's just hanging out. We did not put a tree up this year because we got rid of our old one when we moved, thinking we would buy a new one this year, and well, we just had other expenses in November and December (New heating and air, new septic system, adoption expenses). We figure we have one more year before LJ really notices...he did, however, love looking and Grandma and Grandpa's tree! Everyone was spoiled and it was nice to have Matt home the entire week after Christmas!
Oh no! I was going to add a bunch of Christmas pictures, but I just realized I don't have them on my computer because I forgot my camera...Mom and Dad have some good ones though. Pretend there are pictures below and keep on reading...I will post them once I get them. We just got a new computer too, and I seem to have files everywhere!
Our real Christmas miracle though was learning that LJ is no longer allergic to milk! A few days after Christmas, LJ had his 15 month check up...He was still 22 lbs. and not much taller than he was at 12 months. The doctor encouraged us to try another milk test. We thought about skipping this one because every time we have done it before, the allergy seemed worse and it would mess up LJ's belly for a week. We decided to go for it, and sure enough...nothing! He has spent the last 3 weeks catching up on all the things he couldn't eat before! Real yogurt, mac and cheese, Goldfish, ice cream, whole milk, butter--it is like a whole new world has opened up! I have less stress about feeding time. LJ should start putting on some weight now! Such a blessing!
LJ continues to make progress developmentally too. He is up to 5 steps by himself before he sits down. He is still unsure of himself, but all he wants to do is hold our hand and walk in circles...he will be running soon! He continues to repeat everything we say. He continues to love the word "door" but he now differentiates between "door" and "doors". Another new favorite is "cool". The other morning we was playing in the playroom while I was heating up breakfast...I said, "LJ, breakfast is almost ready, I am just letting it cool." He responds with, "Cool!" He says "juice" when he wants his sippy cup...doesn't really matter what is in the cup, it is all juice. He says bus, wow, toy, geez, cheese amongst other things. When hanging out with the family at Christmas, we were trying to get a picture of LJ and his cousin. Matt was telling Sam, "Say cheese!". LJ looked up and said, "Cheese!" Totally unexpected because at that point, he still couldn't eat it!
Next topic...adoption. It is such and exciting time, and we look forward to the day we are introduced to LJ's little brother or sister. I have spent EVERY night working on paperwork, most nights from the time LJ goes to bed to the time I go to bed (often 5 hours)...First it was our home study paperwork and our family profile. It was nice that we got that part finished right before the holidays so that we could really enjoy them. Thank you to all of you who helped us through this process! Those of you who took your time to write references, say a prayer, just lent an ear.
I can officially say as of today, our profile is complete (this is the family story that is shown to birth mothers as they pick a family) and printed, and today our home study was approved! It was completed last week and submitted for approval last Friday. We didn't have any reason to doubt it would be approved since we were approved once before, but you always have it in the back of your head!
A couple weeks ago I moved on to the next phase of paperwork. Now that everything is complete and approved, we have to apply to agencies. We are applying to 5 at this time. The applications are detailed and can get tedious, and I have been working on them non-stop. I thought the hard part of the paperwork was over when the home study was complete, but each agency has their own things that they want. However, I got ahead of the game, and I got the applications finished last night...Woohoo! Now we just have to print profiles and home studies to include, and I can get them in the mail on Monday. It can take another 2-4 weeks potentially to get agency approvals. In that time I have started working on grant applications, which seem to be just as long as everything else, but we will get there!
Our consultant has been encouraging that this could go quickly since we have left the "type" of infant we want in our family very open. So exciting, so nerve-racking, but it will all be so worth it! Please continue to pray for our family as this adventure continues!
Adding some other pictures below so that I don't leave you pictureless! LJ took his first trip to Catch Air after Christmas. He was overwhelmed a little bit, but we got lots of smiles too!
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| LJ bouncing up and down |
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| On a baby treadmill...not sure about that one. |
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| Hamster wheel |
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| LJ wants to feed himself these days! |
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| Bath time is fun! |
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| Happy boy |
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| Going down the big slide with Daddy! |
