Monday, March 24, 2008

Settling In... and a Catch Up Post

Super LONG post! In fact, please don't feel like you need to read this... ha! I just had to get some of this on here... I was feeling a bit backlogged!

I feel like I have so much to catch up on this blog, but, at the same time, like not much has really happened since we have been home. I guess I may feel like not much has happened because it has all been so incredibly normal and drama free... it is just so very different than life before Lucy was home (email stalking, pacing, panicking, praying...). Things are not dull by any means, they are just "right". I feel complete, at peace in the midst of the chaos of 2 (sometimes 3) children, and happy.

So, I thought I'd back up a bit and take some time to get a few pics that were missed along the way. This blog, after all, is meant to be a bit of a journal for my children and there are some moments I have yet to pop on here. (Feel free to jump to the end to read about our first 2 weeks home.)

Scrapbooking for Magda:


Luggage:

This was the "map" we used to check off each step before bringing Lucy home... Sam colored them as we went... you can see the point where we threw in the towel and took off for Guatemala!
Lucy's Passport:

Welcome Home Signs:

Meeting Papa, Great Grandparents, Aunt Katie and Sweet Jaiden on our first night home:

A couple of random videos:



Luciana has amazed us with her transition home. She is adjusting so well. Sam ,too. Lucy is such a happy and sweet little girl. She smiles (and waves!) at everyone and has a very playful personality. She is rolling like a champ, sits up solidly, and wants to crawl and pull herself up desperately. She usually wakes up once a night for a bottle, and takes so-so naps. She loves to go for walks... I think it reminds her of Antigua.

On Tuesday Luciana had her 9 month check up. You know I just had to take a picture of her sans green wall! She did a great job and charmed her pediatrician! She now weighs 17.5 pounds and is 27 inches long which is about 30th percentile for both. I can't explain it perfectly, but taking her for her first "well baby checkup" at home was such a special moment. I think it is probably because so much was made of her monthly checkups in Guatemala. It was the only way we could get an updated picture of her, and our only real communication that she was happy and healthy. Often the updates were very late and our desperation to see her sweet face was torture! Those days feel long gone as I look over at her precious face this morning.

We really are just so happy. I don't have a complaint in the world (well... just one... get Eli OUT of PGN!!) and feel truly blessed for prayers answered. In the darkest of moments it was hard to understand God's plan for our family, though we knew He had one. Looking back, it is so clear to me how He had His hands all over us. I could go on and on about where our family was 4 years ago and where we are today, but I think for today I will not look back, not look forward... I am just going to logout for a bit and enjoy today.

Love, love, love... love!

6 comments:

Bobbi said...

Great catch-up post!! Wow, Jaiden is a cutie!!

I am with you--Eli needs to come home too.

Becky said...

Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad you are getting settled in, not that I ever doubted. I keep checking for posts. The kiddos are beautiful!!

Becky and Jack

Anonymous said...

So glad you are all settling in. It's so hard to convey that content and fulfilled feeling once your baby is home. Enjoy all of the nows...they fly by too quickly.

And, we want ELI OUT too!!!

Greta Jo said...

Praise God.

Guatemama said...

Beth,
Great post! Oh the longing for those updates....So happy we are on the other side of that and It is TIME TIME TIME that Steph was too.

Glad you are enjoying "normal" life again. Looks like you and Bobbi had a great day over the weekend. :)
Tracy

Bobbi said...

HUH!! I had to do it, now you have to. TAGGED