Things I Love

My friend, Kellie sent me this because she loves my blog! So sweet and so fun! The rules are to list 5 things I love, link back to who sent it to me, and pass it along to 5 blogs I love. Thanks Kellie...I love your blog too!!!

Things I Love...

1. I guess I wouldn't be a "good" Christian if I didn't list Jesus first! But seriously, I am nothing without Him and I love that because of His sacrifice I am a child of the King!

2. I love my husband and kids...

still can't believe we are a family of 5 now!

My Samuel on his special day yesterday

My little diva

my little munchkin (an aunt jenny photo)

3. The internet...I have a serious addiction to blogs, facebook, my online friends through message boards, bargain hunting, shopping online...you get the idea!

4. Watching my kids have fun together and play together...

riding the train at the mall

5. The Holidays!!! This is truly the most wonderful time of year...so I've already decorated since this weekend will be busy with the Iron Bowl (ROLL TIDE) and family in town. I love putting up our Christmas decorations. I love the lights and the smells and the christmas songs...it just puts me in the best mood!


5 Blogs I love...
(gosh this is hard because I love all the blogs I read...see links to the right)
1. Lindsey's blog, Adam and Andrew she is an amazing mom to twin boys who were born prematurely...I love seeing the amazing things God has done in their lives!
2. Emily's blog, Bella Babies I love reading Emily's adventures as a mom of 3...she is super mom!
3. Julia's blog, The Pelton Family I'm so excited about Noel Issac's arrival and am so happy to see God's blessings in my sweet friends life!
4. Baby Cheapskate I love this blog because it helps me find baby bargains and the best diaper deals...oh, and the occasional deal of century (i.e. Britax carseat)
5. Keli's blog, Thoreau-bred Baby I love reading this blog not only because Keli is family (cousin-in-law I guess you would call her) but because she is an amazingly talented writer! Her posts always make me laugh!

Happy Adoption Day Samuel!

November 25, 2005...leaving the orphanage for good!

you can see that Samuel was a little overwhelmed and upset

November 25, 2006
eating Ukrainian soup..Borsht

November 25, 2007
celebrating at Chuck E. Cheese

3 years ago today, our lives changed forever! I can still remember everything from that day and am so thankful that the Lord brought this sweet little boy into our lives. Even though he can drive me nuts some days, he is so precious and makes me so proud. He has come such a long way in three years...learned a new language, adapted to a new home, had open heart surgery and endless doctor appointments, had lots of testing, gone through occupational therapy, welcomed 2 little sisters into the world, gained nearly 20 pounds and made it onto the growth chart for his age, and much much more!!!!

Here is my little buddy this November
(at the hospital for Abigail)...

My Amazing Deal!!!

I like to consider myself a bargain shopper, but never before have I gotten such a good deal as I did on this Britax Marathon carseat! It was this past Sunday, and I was browsing some blogs and read on Baby Cheapskate (link over to the right) that this carseat was 49.99 on Amazon and Target! They are normally $279! I went right over to Target.com and placed my order! I was giddy with excitement. However, over the next few days, all heck broke loose on the internet. It was crazy how quick people found out about this deal...I think there were probalby thousands of orders placed for this carseat. Come to find out Target cancelled most of the orders but some of them did ship. Mine was one of the ones that shipped!!! I was chekcing my tracking like every 30 minutes on Monday and Tuesday to see if it was really going to arrive. Well, much to my delight on Wednesday afternoon the UPS guys delivered my brand new Britax Cowmooflauge carseat!!!!

2 Weeks Old

We are 2 weeks into the first 6-8 weeks that is supposed to be survival mode! It actually took much longer than that with Ellie Kate for us to get into a groove and feel normal. This time around, it is so much different!!! Abigail has been the dream baby so far. She eats and sleeps great...already giving me 4-4 1/2hour stretches at night! I know it could change at any time so I am just soaking it up. She is spitting up a lot like EK did so we are on the lookout for another refluxer. At least this time, I will know what to do! As for me, I'm tired alot, but I just feel so great physically. I barely feel like I just had a baby! Yippee!!!

She had her 2 week apt today at her pediatrician. I once again got the lecture about delaying vaccinations...but I'm still sticking to my guns!

Here are the stats...
weight - 8 lbs 10 oz
height - 20 3/4 inches
both are in about the 60-75%

Look Alike?

It's Sunday morning and all is quiet. Jeff took Samuel and EK to church and I'm here with Abigail! It sure is nice to just have a sleepy newborn around! I wanted to go to Church but decided it might be a bit early to take a newborn out...plus its really cold today. I'm starting to get cabin fever and ready to get out and do things, but I have a feeling that is going to be a bit more challenging now with 3 kids!

People keep asking if Abigail looks like EK did as a newborn. I think they favor a lot but they definitely have their own looks. Abigail is much blonder than EK was and I think they have different eyes. I do think their noses, mouths, and chins are very similar. I threw in a pic of me as a newborn too. I think Abigail looks a lot like my picture! What do you think?

Ellie Kate

Abigail

me (Rachel)

Siblings

Here's the 3 little miracles all together. It's about impossible to get a good shot so this is as good as it gets. I can't believe that in 3 years, Jeff and I have had 3 kids! This time 3 years ago we were in Ukraine adopting Samuel. I don't think in a million years, I would have even dreamed of the ways the Lord has blessed us in how He has provided each child in it's own unique way. I am so thankful.


Samuel has such a sweet heart and really loves Abigail. He is always wanting to hold her and know what she is doing. Yesterday he was just gazing at her when she was in this swing. It was so sweet. Then he came back into the room in tears. When we asked him why he was crying, he said "I just love her so much." So Jeff was like, "Then why are you crying?" Samuel said it was because he was happy and then he said, "I can't stop looking at her, she's so beautiful!" I guess he was just overcome with emotion. How precious is that? I love his sensitive side! When he came to visit us at the hospital he and Jeff were talking about some things...

Jeff: you know Samuel, you and I are the men of the house and part of our job is to protect and take care of your 2 sisters.
Samuel: Yeah. Yeah...You take Ellie Kate and I'll get the new one!



Ellie Kate seems so grown up now! She is finally feeling better and is really wanting to see Abigail and she especially loves this little play gym on the floor. She also loves to give Abigail kisses. When EK wants to hold her sister she points to her own chest and says "Hold You." It's the cutest thing! When she does hold her, she points out all her body parts and then usually wants to squeeze her really hard.

And, here's the little beauty. I love this picture because she is so wide eyed. Abigail is doing really well. She is eating good and sleeping pretty good. She is starting to wake up more during the day which is good and will hopefully help her sleep better at night. Some moments, she really reminds me of Ellie Kate, but mostly I think she has her own look. It's been fun to dress her in all the clothes EK wore.

I'm so proud to be the mother of these 3 kids. I am overwhelmed at the privilege it is to raise them!

Home With Abigail

We are home and settling in! Things are going pretty well. Ellie Kate has an ear infection and also a bad cold so we have had to keep her away from the baby as much as possible. Ellie Kate doesn't seem too interested anyway. The only thing she wants to do is push Abigail really hard in the swing. Samuel loves his new baby sister and wants to hold her a lot and is always a big help! Jeff was excited we got home in time to cheer on the Tide to another win!

I am feeling really well! I mean, I do feel like I had a baby, but compared to how I felt after EK, this is great! Abigail is doing what most newborns do...sleep and eat.

Here are some more pictures from the last few days...

in the hospital

ready to go home

our little beauty

the nurses spiked her hair and put this bow on Abigail...they could not get enough of all her hair, it is what everyone always commented on!