It's our family adoption week!

In just a few short days, the legal part of our adoption journey will be coming to a close. And we couldn't be MORE excited!

At Noon on Friday, December 3 (also Lauren's 5 Month Birthday), Bryon and I will stand in front of the judge at the Fort Worth, Texas court-house and officially become Lauren's parents. Birth certificate and all.

Words cannot express our relief, joy and complete happiness.

More to come from the great state of Texas!

Thanksgiving

Gobble gobble.

We just celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with dear friends and family. Bryon and I have been blessed in so many ways this year and we are so thankful for all of it!





Aunt Coni and Uncle John came to visit from Iowa and brought much love to our Thanksgiving festivities. PS: They love to baby-sit too which is definately an added bonus.





Lauren's "twin friends" Kenzie and Morgan also joined us for Thanksgiving. Having three babies play in our home was so much fun. Girls, you have no idea how loved you are or how long we've waited for you...
















So thankful for the smile you put on your Mother's face everyday



Happy Holidays everyone!

An Angel Among Us

Oh the Christmas stocking! For many its just a decoration to adorn the fireplace, or for others a place to stash one's holiday lewt. But for me and my family, its a sacred item that makes Christmas such a special time of year.

You see having my birthday on December 21, I was actually brought home from the hospital in a Christmas stocking made for me by some very special ladies. And on December 25, my parents carefully placed me under the tree in the exact same stocking I hang today. Whether joyful, sorrowful or memorable that stocking has followed me through 39 Christmas holidays. Yikes!

So you can see why Bryon and I felt so much pressure to find the PERFECT stocking for our new baby Lauren. After scouring many, many, many websites we just couldn't find the stocking that was good enough to follow her through an entire lifetime. It had to be really special.

Fast forward one week and I find out from my dear friend Kristen that her Aunt Nancy has been following our blog and made a very special Christmas gift for Lauren. Surprise!


How could she have known that Lauren might go without a stocking on her very first Christmas? And what a special lady for taking the time to make such a memorable gift for someone she's never met. I'll tell you who...Lauren's Christmas Angel.

Thank you so much for the wonderful gift Nancy. I'm sure that Lauren will cherish it for many years to come!

And so it begins

It's 12:45 a.m. on Monday, November 15.

After her midnight feeding, Lauren is carefully placed in her crib to sleep. As always, she is placed on her back because that's how 2010 babies are supposed to sleep.



But wait. She immediately rolls on her side.

Wait baby girl. You need to sleep on your back.

So I quickly roll her back into place.



But she rolls again. And I carefully roll her back.

And we continue this night time dance. Again...and again...and again.

Immediately a new level of "new mom" excitement kicks in.

I think to myself...

This is so exciting. Baby girl is getting bigger and growing up.
I'm so happy she is learning to roll over.
She's such a big girl.
I must put this milestone in her baby book.
But what if she's not ready?
I think it's too soon.
What if she's too sleepy or too lazy to roll herself back?
Can she breathe?
Maybe I should just stay here all night and keep placing her on her back?
Surely I can do this for 6 more hours.
Should I take her pacifier out to allow for more lung capacity?
Is being face-planted into the mattress a positive thing?
Did we practice enough tummy time?
Is her neck strong enough to turn her head?
What if she needs me and I'm not here standing over her crib?

And so it begins. A lifetime of sleepless nights as a new Mother wanting only the best for my baby girl. Sigh!

Yay for weekends!

We love weekends! Sure our weekends are much different than they were five months ago. We don't stay up late, sleep in, or go out nearly as much as we used too. But look at what fun you can have without ever leaving the house.

On Saturday morning's we watch cartoons...Yes, we starting her out a bit early but when you've been up since 5:30 a.m. you do what you have to do.



After the parents morning coffee, we try on lots of fun new outfits out of baby's closet.



Then we take long walks and enjoy our beautiful Fall weather.


















Saturday night is for baths and home facials.



Then on Sunday we do it all over again. Happy Monday everyone!

Four Months

I'm four months old this week! Is it possible that I'm getting bigger AND cuter?

New Discoveries

In the past two weeks, Baby Lauren has found her voice, legs and hands. Enjoy these short videos.

Telling Mom and Dad all about my day at daycare.

Untitled from Sydney Thomas on Vimeo.

Our future gymnast scored a perfect "10" for her leg work.

Untitled from Sydney Thomas on Vimeo.

After all this excitement, Baby just needed a nap with her Daddy