Road Trip

Alyse and I went on our very first mother daughter road trip to VA beach to visit the Harkin gang last Friday. Ashley was a F'Burg roommate (until Mike swiped her off her feet), dear friend and one of our bridesmaids. Tim went up to PA to speak at a middle school retreat so we retreated ourselves! Thankfully we stopped on the way down for refreshments (coffee for mom and bottle for Alyse) since it took about 2 hours just to get through the beach area, stupid traffic. Oh well, we made it and had a great time. Some the Harkins weren't 100% in the feeling good department but they still were fun to hang around! The last time I visited the Harkins, Korinne was around Alyse's age, wow time flies! Alyse and Austin have the same initials so once we betroth her to them she won't have to change them! Thanks Harkins for allowing us to invade your home and putting up with us!

Happy Baby

Pictures tell it all...

Bottoms Up...

The last couple of mornings we have checked on Alyse and this is how she is sleeping.
I guess she is like her mom, showing her best side (haha). So this is what she looks like when something is coming out of that bottom. To clean that little bottom we have moved to the big bath tub and someone enjoys splashing in it!

One Month

Well it has been one month since we brought Alyse home to VA and much has happened. We helped her celebrate her first Independence day by hanging out at the Holts and a couple days later we were celebrating our Independence from the courts. On the 6th of July we were able to celebrate the signing of the decree to adopt Alyse! A deep wahoo went out through the state and we were able to celebrate the day along with Gramma Habecker's Birthday. While we have been home Alyse has met many people and has enjoyed every minute! She had her first swim in the pool which will probably be
the first of many swims. She didn't like standing in the pool so once we moved she was happy. The staff at SPC hosted our first baby shower and we attended a shower in honor of
Catherine (Strode) Parks and their upcoming addition to their family. Tim and the SPC Youth went on their annual summer mission trip to West VA and we had fun adjusting to life without Dad at home. The hardest part was taking care of two children (the dog and Alyse). While Dad was gone Alyse slept her first night in her big girl bed, her own crib. We ventured out to our Dr. here in VA (we miss our Aunt Amy) and had our four 2 month shots, yipes, that was a hard one for both of us. Alyse now weighs 12.5 lbs and is 24 inches long (one day he is going to tower over me).

Faces of Alyse

Weeks to follow

After our first week together and many many poopy diapers we have had many good times in Juneau. We have had the chance to meet some really neat people who live in the area and are friends with Aunt Amy. On May 20th I got the awesome chance to go on a Wilderness Tour to see Alaskan Wildlife, whales and such (see the slideshow below). The day couldn't have gone any better, the weather was perfect we saw many whales, Alyse slept and was very good. Afterwards since the weather was nice we went out to a "block party" to meet the Meade girls (who ended up being my first babysitters). During the week I had my two week check up with Dr. Amy and I was weighing 8lbs 8oz and I was 20 3/4 inches long. We had another great opportunity on the 24th to watch a Tlingit ceremonial
dance and I was asked to take pictures for the event. The group did this for the tourists coming to Juneau and it was quite a site. Aunt Amy bought Alyse a Veggie Tale book and we were very glad to see that she really enjoyed it! On memorial day we took the tram in Juneau up Mt. Rogers to look down on Juneau, walk through snow and enjoy God's creation. Then the sad day came in which (May 31st) I had to leave to go back for a week. I knew that Alyse is was in great hands, everyone I met here is more than capable of being a great babysitter and who else would you want your kido with than Auntie Dr.Amy.

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

My First Week

Now that you know my story, here is a little bit of what I did my first week! I got to hang out a lot with my mom at Aunt Amy's house. We had great bonding time, a lot of sleep together and a lot of watching each other. Monday we went to meet with the lawyer in the morning and learn all about my adoption. Afterwards Amy drove us to see a glacier (from the distance) and then she drove us to the ski resort. Believe it or not I saw my first snow.
I had my first Dr. visit on Tuesday with Dr. Amy and I had gained 1 oz and grew longer just a little to 20". I got to meet all kinds of wonderful people at the Glacier Ped's. Aunt Amy made me cry by pricking my foot to draw blood, oh well, won't be the first. My mom and I saw an eagle on the side of the road as we took our first adventure out by ourselves on Tuesday.
On Wednesday I had my first cooking lesson, Banana Bread! I was a big helper to mom. Too bad I couldn't try any! We also watched a little bit of Hardy Boys to bring mom back to her younger days.
Thursday we just chilled at home, resting, eating, filling my diaper all the fun stuff. Friday I turned 1 week old and mom took me clothes shopping at consignment stores, and we bought my first pair of jeans! Also on Friday we went for our first walking outing. We found a trail and went for a little walk using my sling that Grandpa and Meme bought for me. After all that we picked up Aunt Amy from work and went to a Junior High music concert so Amy could hear her "little brother" play. I didn't like the big drum but I still slept through the concert. To end the day we drove to Auke Bay for some waffles (well mom and Amy) and a little touring around the area.
Saturday Amy was working at a babysitting function so after running errands we went over to see what she was doing and meet more of her friends. All in all it was a great first week of my life!

Happy Mothers Day

I have a story to tell you, one that is quite exciting and a great example of how great our God is! What could be the best gift that adopting parents could ask for? And especially on Mother's Day? If you are thinking what I am thinking, then theanswer is a little girl! Here is how the story goes: a Dr. related to an adoptive parent called on Friday night and explained a situation that happened at the hospital (where she works) early in the morning. A beautiful girl needed a home and after other Dr.'s contacted their people, Dr. D stepped up and asked for 15 minutes. It was then that she gave a call to see if they (adopting parents) were interested. She gave them details about the little one and they got in contact with their social worker. The potential father was on his way to Louisiana, so much of the talking took place over the phone Friday night. When all was said and done it was decided that potential mother get on a plane asap and get to Alaska. So that is what she did, Saturday afternoon. She got in late Saturday night after one of the most beautiful plane rides ever and little did she know what might happen next.

The Dr. told this potential mother that they were going to the hospital on Sunday (Mother's Day) to meet this little girl and possibly take her home (to the Dr.'s house that the potential mother is related to). TAKE HER HOME? Went through the . mother's head, how could this be. The potential father (still down south) thought the same thing, but it was true. They went to the hospital and met the nurses who were taking care of this beautiful girl. She was in a room getting TLC. Upon entering the room the potential mother was experiencing many emotions at once until she saw the most beautiful little girl with a knitted hat! It was love at first site, no doubt. The potential mother and the Dr. then got to spend some time with the little girl and get to know each other. A phone call was made to the potential father about her features and how beautiful she was. After talking a while the potential father wished the potential mother a Happy Mother's Day, then the flood gates opened. After a while the potential mother got to give the little girl a bath, which she did not like (the little girl). We had to get her dressed ready to go out into the real world. Then Dr. D gave her a check out exam and all looked good. A few papers still needed to be signed and a few goodbyes needed to be made and then watch out world here they came.

This Dr. D then took then into the downtown area for a tour, two fold, give the potential mother a tour and little girl a tour of the city in which she was born. After the tour a celebratory meal was at hand and it was good (fish of course). After the meal, they went to the store to buy essential baby things that were needed. So little girl experienced her first meal out (not eating :)) and her first shopping trip at 2 days old. Upon arriving at home all three ladies were very tired so after quickly getting aquainted to things, eating, where to sleep etc. Everyone laid down for the night and concluded the best Mother's Day ever!