Weekend Update - Super Bowl Champs!!

Well, it has happened. I've become too busy to be a regular blogger. It's driving me nuts as I LOVE to blog. So, I'm going to combine events from Friday - Sunday in one post. Forgive me until I can improve!!

Friday I stayed home with Ellie and worked on paperwork. She had fun playing in her exersaucer, playing with her music toy, taking a short nap and going to pick up Josh from school.

After school, I took Ellie (and Josh, of course) over to meet her great-grandmother. Grandmother was very excited to finally get to meet Ellie as she's been waiting a long time for her too. Here are some cute photos of them together. Ellie loved Grandmother's beads. I love the photo of them "checking each other out". They look as if they are sizing each other up.

After we left Grandmother's on the way home, Josh made the comment that he was going home and going to bed. I asked why and he said, "Because the quicker I get to bed, the quicker tomorrow comes." He was so excited about playing in the Super Bowl on Saturday.

He's become the great brother that I knew he would. He lets Ellie sit on him, wants to carry her around everywhere, wants to dress her and tries really hard to soothe her if she gets upset. It's very sweet.

Saturday came quickly and we all had lots to do. Because I had a wedding to photograph, I was only able to see the departure of the boys from the park. Our team's sponsor, Baker Home Improvement, paid for the boys to take a limo to the Super Bowl. It was a cool yellow Hummer, and the boys had a great time. All the families decorated their cars and caravaned from Joelton over to South Cheatham to the game.

After the team left, I headed home to get ready for the wedding. During the wedding, Kevin and I were texting back and forth to get me updates on the game. Imagine my joy when right in the middle of the wedding I got the final text that the Joelton Vikings won the Super Bowl with a score of 14-13. ONE POINT!!! How incredible. I can't wait to watch the video Kevin made.

After the wedding and Super Bowl, Josh had a basketball game. Unfortunately, his team lost that game.

After all the sports, we came home to clean up and then Josh and I went to see High School Musical 3. It was, ok, I guess, but not great.

Sunday rolled around and we've had church, a visit from our friend Iris, a visit from our neighbors Tom and Kathy, a visit to see "Aunt Jennifer" and her family. It was good to see Ellie and Jennifer back together again.

Here are a couple of photos from before church this morning. The hat was funny!! I said she looks like a little old lady going to church in her big hat!

We've heard from her blood test results and all tests came back normal, so she is "all clear". On our visit in December, we will begin her immunizations. I think she has gained weight, although we haven't weighed her since her doctor's visit. She is doing much better in large groups and in going to other people without a fuss -- as long as we are there and she can continue to see us and make sure we aren't leaving her. This bodes well, I think, in the attachment department as she is constantly reassuring herself that one of us is around. She has begun, ever so slightly, to lay her head down on our shoulder as she gets tired. It doesn't stay there long and she doesn't go to sleep that way, but it's a small movement to more security for her. Today in church, she was trying to sleep and got a little fussy so I took her out and she fell asleep very quickly while I rocked her. She's making progress in that area as well. We are still not pushing solid foods quite so much as she just doesn't seem to be interested yet. We try almost every day, and quit when she begins to arch her back.

We are ever so slightly moving into our "new" normal. It's beginning to feel more "right" and easier. She is sleeping better at night, but still wants to play from about 5-6:30 a.m. It would be really nice if she could sleep on until 5:30 - 6:00, which is when we get up. I'm sure it will come. She is truly a happy baby most of the time and seems to like her new life. We certainly like having her here with us.

First Day Back to Work

I did better this time.

When Josh was born, nine days later my dear friend and boss, Roger, died and I had to return back to work -- with Josh in tow to help run the office. So much for the six weeks maternity leave I was expecting.

This time, I managed to make it for 11 days post arrival back home before I went back to work. Oh well. In all honesty, today was a blessing. While I love my little new one, getting out of the house gave me some much needed time alone, perspective and a realization that my real life is back.

Farther back, you might remember my frequently posting "Happy Photos" from my days at work when I'd see really fun things. I haven't posted "Happy Photos" in quite a while -- mainly because my mind has been so incredibly wrapped around all things adoption that "real" life didn't seem to exist. Today, while I was out working, once again I noticed all the beauty around me with all the fall colors, saw and took the time to play with two very cute and fun puppies, watched butterflies and saw flowers galore. The weather was a perfect 70*, the sun was shining and the day was fantastic. It was the kind of day I might have missed -- wishing time away for Ellie to be home. Now, she's here and I had the luxury to simply enjoy the day, working. I really do like my job.

I saw this butterfly at a home I inspected today. What a pretty purple flower.

Kevin spent the day home with Ellie. He worked on reports through the day and continues doing so this evening. He is taking some time off this month and we are looking forward to spending time with Josh and Ellie.

Thanks to all of you who continue to ask how I'm doing. My "problem" is better, but definitely not fully healed. Things still taste "off" and I have no appetite. I still have some gastrointestinal issues, but it seems to be improving. Sadly, all of this has not seemed to translate into weight loss. HOW is that so?

Finally, here are some "Happy" photos from today.

This little puppy was getting an invisible fence installed at his home. He was so fluffy and fun!! He seemed to be posing for me.

This little ruffian almost made me want another puppy, but then I came to my senses and remembered I have a baby -- the human kind -- to take care of. This little butterball tugged on my pants, fetched leaves for me, flipped over for belly rubs and waddled on his teeny, tiny legs all over the yard. I could have stayed and played with him all day!

This evening, Ellie and I had fun attending Amanda's Uppercase Living party. I'm planning to host a party at the end of January/first of February. I LOVE these things.

Happy Gotcha Day -- to Me!!

Today, 39 years ago, my parents had my Gotcha' Day. I now know exactly how they felt! What a blessing and a full circle to have my own daughter asleep in her crib upstairs, only a few weeks away from her own Gotcha Day.

While I am now fully aware of all the aspects involved with adoption, I cannot imagine my life any other way. What a different life I would have lead apart from my family. There would be no Kevin, Joshua or Ellie. My parents would be unknown to me and the community I have come to call home and where I have built my family and have all my friends would not be the same.

Even before I was born, God was making plans for my life. I think about Ellie's life and how even before she was thought of or born, we were preparing for her -- just like God was me. I think about God's plan of salvation and how He loves each of us before we even know him -- just like adoption.

We celebrated my Gotcha Day on Tuesday with dinner at my parents. We all had a good time, even though I wasn't feeling quite well yet.

Happy Gotcha Day, Mama and Daddy!! I love you.

Ellie Updates

Fall has arrived in our neighborhood. This is a view from our front porch. The colors are beautiful.

Sorry for so long between posts. As many of you know, I've not been feeling just up to par since returning from Kryg, but I'm hopeful that I'm on the mend. Jennifer has returned to work and is "symptom free" so I'm hopeful that I'm shortly behind her.

We've been working hard, as a family, to adjust to the addition of our newest little member. Little though she may be, she does have a strong will, powerful personality and some lungs to match. She is a strong girl. *smile* But, we love her for who she is and she will most definitely fit right in with this family.

Because of some gastro issues of hers, the doctor has told us to try switching her to soy formula. We started that process last night and hope to have good results from that. She had been having lots of gas, tummy rumbles, spitting up/throwing up her formula and some really, really messy diapers. All of her parasite tests came back negative (thank goodness), and HER doctor thinks Jennifer and I either picked up a bacterial or traveller's diarrhea. Hmmmm... seems to be lasting a long time no matter what it is.

Ellie is doing very well in her muscle development. She does a commando type crawl -- backwards -- in her crib during tummy time. She loves to stand with someone holding her fingers. Sitting is not so great yet, but she has ridden in the shopping cart with a strap and isn't falling over all floppy doll style.

We are still trying to work on adding solids. She just doesn't seem to like fruits at all. Her favorite vegetable is peas and she will tolerate a few bites of green beans and sweet potatoes. She acts like we are poisoning her when we put food in her mouth, screwing up the most horrible faced look. She'll move it around in her mouth, forcing as much of it back out as she can. She does, however, love her 2 ounces of juice each day. We continue to work on this.

She's developed a love of all things musical, so we got her a really cool musical toy that has a mirror. She'll sit in her Bumbo, kicking her feet to the music and looking at herself in the mirror. It's a riot.

She's figured out that the cats are alive and something fun to pet. She rubs and rubs on their hair. Lucy is apparently going to be "her" cat. She is pretty much still non-plussed by the dogs, not really reacting to them at all.

She is sleeping much better (sans last night when we changed her formula), taking a nap between 6-8 and then going to bed about 9:30, awakening once in the night for a bottle and then sleeping until about 5:30. Bless Kevin for taking nighttime feedings as I am still just exhausted.

It has been very warm here, so we broke out a "warm" outfit yesterday. Enjoy the pix! Hopefully next week I'll feel like taking her to mom's to get some "real" pictures made.

These are some photos of the day she went to work with Daddy:

Voting and the Election

On Tuesday there was no school in our area due to the elections, so all the Lathams were able to go vote, including one of America's newest citizens, Ellie.

After dressing E. in her "Election Day" clothes (a "born in 2008" red white and blue shirt and some red pants with white and blue flowers and a red white and blue headband), we were off to the voting precinct. We were upset that our voting location didn't have any "I Voted" stickers, but we saw a friend at the post office later who provided us with a sticker for Ellie to wear throughout the day indicating she had "voted". We have always included Joshua in our trips to vote; his job is to push the final "Cast Ballot" button to submit our vote. We continue to remind him how important it is that when he turn 18, he register to vote and cast his vote in each election. Regardless of whether the election turns out the way we want (and it didn't, just to go on record), we are Americans and are blessed with the right to live in a country where we are allowed to voice our opinions on who leads our country and we should never take that for granted. I look forward to telling Ellie that 11 days after she became a citizen, she went with us to "vote" for her first presidential election

I am saddened by the results of the election, only to the extent that I feel that the newly elected president will not likely seek Godly counsel in his direction of the country and because this is what this country was founded on, I feel it imperative to not lose that. However, I am glad to be living in a time where race is no longer as big an issue as in the past. It remains to be seen what the future holds for America, but one thing is for certain, God is still in control and I've "read the book" and know the outcome.

Here are some photos we took at the election place with a local representative's sign.

After voting, we went and had Ellie's blood drawn for her pediatrician. She was very good during the process (we had a great person doing the stick/draw) and didn't cry at all until the woman was done, removed the needle and handed her a sticker -- then she burst into tears. Silly girl! I didn't get any photos of that, unfortunately.

SUPER BOWL BOUND

As you can tell from the title, we are all very excited at the Latham house that Joshua's 9-10 Joelton Vikings are going to the SUPER BOWL this year. For the past three years, our team has made it to the playoffs, only to be shut out each year. This year, the boys and their coaches have worked SO HARD and it has paid off. Next Saturday, the Joelton Vikings will be facing White House in the Super Bowl at South Cheatham (Harpeth).

The win this week over Station Camp was a sweet victory of 27-0. Here are a couple of pix, including Ellie's first football game cheering for her big brother, Josh. Granted, it was hot and she was less than thrilled with being hot. It was loud and she was less than thrilled with the noise. It was her nap time and, well, yes, she is less than thrilled with napping. All in all, she wasn't really happy with her first football game. *smile* I suppose that will change over time.

On a sad note, one of our boys on the team, Austin P., cracked his collarbone during the game and was in some incredible pain. We saw him this week and he's doing ok, but will not be able to play in the Super Bowl. I feel horrible for him as I know how hard that would be for any kid. We hope he mends quickly!!

Reality Check

I've been less than honest in the spirit of giving most folks what thet want to hear and in the spirit of doing what has to be done. However, I am not doing well and I've pushed myself until I cannot push any more.

Two weeks in a foreign country with a new baby were hard -- not terrible, by any means, but hard on my body. Returning with a parasite has pretty much done me in. I kept trying to push on and go and do and I just cannot anymore.

Last night I was so incredibly sick all night long that I really thought I might end up in the hospital. The medicine I'm taking for the giardia makes me incredibly nauseous. I'm so incredibly tired all the time (and it's not from lack of sleep because poor Kevin is doing all the night time baby duty -- another fact I feel terribly guilty over), and I cannot eat as it makes me even more sick. Last night, I wanted a piece of candy to get rid of the horrible taste in my mouth and I had to throw it away because it made me even more nauseous. I can drink Sprite and Gatorade in very, very small doses, but I'm afraid of dehydrating so I force it.

How in the world can I take care of a new baby, take care o Josh, my home, my husband and even try to work as sick as I am? It's all very depressing. I know I sound like I'm whining -- and I am. I don't do sick very well and I certainly don't do sick without eating *smile* very well. I'm going to call my doctor again today to see what she says and will also call Ellie's doctor. I am scared beyond belief to try to give her the meds I'm on as they've made me so incredibly sick. I certainly would hate for her to feel this way as well, but the reality is that if she is the source of the buggy-boo, we have to treat her.

For those of you who have been concerned, no, it is not contagious except to those who are changing her diaper. So, yes, Kevin could be next in line. That would end me, I'm certain of it. Josh is FAR away from diapers *smile* as that's the one thing he won't do and I won't let him. Kevin is supposed to go back to work today. I don't have a clue how I'm going to work this. He may have to ask for some sick leave until this can pass -- another guilt moment for me. I hate asking for help -- from anyone, even him. I'm a "do-it-yourself" kind of person. Maybe this is another lesson. I'm not liking it regardless.

So, I write all this to ask you to pray for me -- for all of us really -- pray really, really hard. I need these prayers more than all the prayers offered to get her home because now she's here and I don't feel well enough to care for her.

Thank you!

Ellie Teaches Sunday School Class

When Hannah wanted a baby so badly and went to the synagogue to pray for a child, God heard her prayers and granted her Samuel. She then consecrated Samuel's life to God -- returning him to the synagogue and to God's service.

This morning as I returned to church with Ellie, the place where I spent so many years praying for this very child, I knew exactly how Hannah must have felt. To return to worship the God who fulfilled His promise and gave the gift of a child is one of the most moving experiences one can ever have. It's amazing how time-tested and applicable to real life the people and stories in the Bible are still today.

We had a great surprise awaiting us as we climbed the steps to our Sunday School class. There were Welcome Home Ellie posters all over the walls that were made by the kids in our church. It was so beautiful and so thoughtful to think that as I was on the other side of the world, kids were preparing to welcome Ellie home!!

During our Sunday School class, our teacher, Mr. Ronnie, eventually got tired of trying to teach "around" everyone wanting to look at and talk about Ellie, so he held her during class so everyone would look at the front of class. She loved rubbing his face -- she is such a texture lover and pattern lover, rubbing everything she sees just taking it in.

She was very good during the service only getting a bit fussy towards the end when it was time to eat.

Here we are before church.

My two babies

After church, we had promised Josh we take him to buy his bike he'd been saving for. So, it was off to Wal-m*rt -- Ellie's first trip there as well. Someone said she's a true American now. Poor thing.

Josh's new Tony Hawk bike.

Ellie - Eating

We've been trying to encourage Ellie to eat more solids, per her doctor's instructions, but, alas, she's not really fond of baby food or cereal.

She does seem to like veggies more than fruits and so far, green peas are her favs (YUK!!). I know it can take up to 10 tries to develop a "taste" for a food and maybe she has some texture issues, so we will continue to let her guide us in how much she'll "take" before she wants her bottle. Here are some rather unsavory photos of her attempts at eating.