The Christmas Checklist

Lauren's Christmas Checklist Countdown...

Family Christmas Photo = Check



First Santa hat for baby = Check



Party dress for this week's Holiday Party at daycare = Check



Presents wrapped = Check



"Babies First Christmas" Ornament hung on the tree = Check



Christmas Dinner (forget the figgy pudding, Lauren is going to try her hand at rice cereal) = Check

With 4 days to go, we are all set at the Thomas house for a very happy holiday. Cheers!

Dear Santa,

Thank you again for my two front teeth.

This year I have everything I need. Fuzzy pajama's, tons of diapers, two cats, and family and friends who gush over me all day long.

Next year my list might be longer.

Love, Lauren

All I want for Christmas...

is my two front teeth.

And if you look close enough you can see that Santa delivered. Thanks Santa

Gotcha Day - Part Three

After a very full day of flying, visiting and under-oathing at the Court House, we spent the rest of the afternoon touring downtown Fort Worth. Of course the trip wouldn't have been complete without a pair of cowboy boots for Sydney's early birthday present. Boots and a baby = a perfect weekend!







We finished off our trip with a fine meal of burgers and fries back at our hotel room. It didn't matter where or what we ate that night. It was the perfect end to a wonderful journey.



Thank you to everyone for all of your love and support. We are blessed!

Gotcha Day - Part Two

After a wonderful visit at the Gladney Center for Adoption, we took Lauren to an authentic Mexican lunch and then headed to the Tarrant County court house for our adoption hearing. The building was full of other adoptive families also coming to finalize. Just as you would imagine everyone was excited, smiling and truly grateful for such a special day.

Lauren catching a quick cat nap as we wait for the judge to begin our hearing...



Still waiting...zzzzzzzzzzzz



The court room was full of balloons, stuffed animals and childrens books for all of the new families. One by one we each took our turn in front of the judge.



Judge Hennigan was very kind and looked like an actor straight from a TV show. He told us his daughter and his grand-daughter were both named "Lauren" so I'm pretty sure we were his favorite family. Ha!



Next stop...Old Town Fort Worth.

Gotcha Day!

Friday, December 3 was our family's "Gotcha Day". True, we theoretically "got" Lauren over the 4th of July weekend, but this week it was made official by our adoption agency, the judge and the great state of Texas. WE ARE A FAMILY!

Our day started at 3:30 a.m. when we pulled Lauren from her crib to whisk her off to the airport for her first airplane ride as we headed to Dallas/Fort Worth. She was perfect, and her parents were so very thankful.



After arriving in Fort Worth, we put Lauren in her dress, tights and red patent leather shoes. After all, you have to look good when it's your Adoption Day AND your 5 Month birthday!



We then headed over to the Gladney Center for Adoption for a visit. It was surreal pulling up to the building and remembering two years ago when Bryon and I (and many other hopeful couples) first attended New Parent Orientation. I remember one of the speakers that day saying "You may think adoption is your Plan B but when you are placed with the child that is to be yours, you will realize that adoption was always your Plan A". How right he was!

Here is Lauren with our Adoptive Family Caseworker, Jennifer Hart. Jennifer has guided us through our entire adoption journey and we are forever thankful for her friendship and for helping us become a family.



The happy family at the Gladney Center for Adoption.



Next stop...the Fort Worth court house.