Whew...

The very reason for this blog has kept us quite busy the past few weeks, but then it's easier to blame a 6 week old for your lack of time management isn't it? :-)

The past few weeks have been fast and furious.   Addison is growing so fast.   She's already on a pretty decent schedule, eating anywhere from 22-27oz a day in 5-6 feedings.   She's surprised us with several nights in a row with 8-9pm bedtime and getting up only once around 3:30-4:00am for a feeding and then back to bed till 8am!    Oh yeah - we will take that for sure.   We can tell she's getting bigger although we haven't weighed her.   Her next Dr's appointment isn't for a few more weeks.

I can't even remember all the stuff we've done over the past couple weeks but we've been busy. She met her Grandpa Jones, she went to the zoo, to the botanical gardens and the aquarium.   We went on our first road trip Friday to La Jara, NM and then Pagosa Springs, CO to visit my other grandparents and the Zeigler's.  Yesterday was super busy.   Addison had 5 visitors during the day.   Not only was she exhausted but so were we.  

Today her grandma and grandpa Parker came to visit for a few days from Kansas.   Pictures on that to come down the road...but for now here's a smorgasbord of what we've been up too!

Addison and Rosemary, our neighbor across the street

4 generations, my Grandad Del Jones, my mom, me and Addi

Erica and Addi

Kathy, Erica's mom, and Addi

My Grandparents, Robert and Rafelita - Addi is their 32nd GREAT grandchild!!

Wyatt and Seth - if we move to Pagosa, you are babysitting!

What a blessing to get to see Carla Spence this weekend.   

Monkey's on both side of the glass!

Hi!

More to come...

We are not lucky

Today as I spoke with a women about adopting Addison, she told me how "lucky" I was to be able to adopt a new born. I agreed with her, but as I thought about it I decided that I was not really "lucky."

We are not lucky...that I knew the birth mom.
We are not lucky...that two generous donors paid the majority of the fees.
We are not lucky...that our church family stood beside us in prayer and tears.
We are not lucky...that so many families just happened to have girl clothes and baby accoutrements to hand down.
We are not lucky...that the birth families are supportive and sacrificial.
We are not lucky...that our dogs are gentle.
We are not lucky...that the car seat was free with the stroller.
We are not lucky...that our families are excited and accepting.
We are not lucky...that there is so little time between when I have to go back to work and Jason gets off.
We are not lucky...that ...

We are blessed!

God's orchestrating hand has been so clear in all of this that it is ridiculous to chalk it up to luck. Luck takes away the divine intervention that has been so clear. God has given us a gift beyond our imagination and He has delighted in opening our eyes to His glory in every step. It seems rare that we get to see the plan of God unfold before us, but this was one time when we were able to see each turn.

We are blessed that God has brought all of us together: Jason, Anna, Addison and you.

 
James 1:17 ESV 
 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

Thank you for being part of our blessing!
 

So, I was thinking...

So, Daddy, I was thinking since you love me so much you should go ahead and put that down payment on a pony.

Week 1 pics.

Things I Learned the First Week about my Daddy

In an effort to plan ahead, I started this post before Addison was born.  I was thinking out loud about some of the things that Addison would learn her first week about her mom and I and thought it would be cute to put them into words, even though of course has none yet.

However, after one week, I realized what a foolish and shortsighted idea that was and in reality, this whole first week has been about me learning things from Addison.   So, it really should go the other way and therefore, I'm changing the title to:

The 10 top things my daddy learned about me and about himself the first week...

1. Daddy can actually survive (barely) on 10 hours of sleep in 4 days.  What's more, he can get only 4-5 a night and still do pretty good.  Albeit, he looks pretty odd and keeps running into stuff, he is still handsome.

2. You can teach an old dog new tricks.  Although daddy has never changed a diaper in his life, I am already turning him into a pro.   I'm giving him ton's of practice and he's getting much quicker.   And on that note, I also taught him that:

3.  Boys are not the only ones that can pee on you during a diaper change.  I'm actually quite good at it myself.

4.  Daddy learned that poop comes in an fantastic array of colors and textures.  More than he ever thought possible.  

5. My daddy learned that I am kind of particular about when and how I eat and that if he doesn't burp me properly I will get gas, and I will let him know that I have gas.  Often.

6. Daddy learned that mommy is much better at feeding me and she makes a much smaller mess at it than he does.   I don't mind though.   He likes to sing and dance with me when I'm eating.

7.  I am teaching my daddy that getting straight A's in school is not really all that important.  He will still be a really good physical therapist.  I love that when he comes home from school he spends time with me.  

8.  Daddy said something about me and dating and marriage and boys, I'm not sure what exactly he's talking about but he seemed concerned...

9.  Daddy learned how much he loves mommy and that we he sees her taking care of me, he loves her even more.  

10.  Daddy learned that that he loves me more than he ever imagined possible.

And still more.

This is what happens when you have two iPhones and no real camera.

A couple more photos