OUCH!

Well, I don't very often post about myself! Yesterday was a once in a lifetime event though (at least I am praying that it is). I was trimming our cherry tree standing on a ladder in the back yard yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful day and I love doing things outside so this was not an unusual event for me. The problem with yesterday is that I lost balance on the ladder, fell off and impaled my leg about 4 inches with a 1 inch diameter metal stake! I will spare you all of the gory details and the pictures, but needless to say I was taken in the ambulance to the hospital (first time in my life).
Today I am in a lot of pain and it is difficult for me to take it easy and relax especially with two very active little boys. My mom was at the house today and my mother-in-law is coming tomorrow. The doctors have put me on strong anitbiotics and pain meds and are concerned with infection sooooo walking to the bus stop is out of the question at this point.
Please pray that I have patience because I am already going stir crazy!:)

Happy Birthday Gavin!

I cannot believe it, but Gavin turned 6 yesterday! We had a very busy, but fun filled weekend.

Gavin has been doing a little testing of the boundaries lately, as if to say mom and dad do you still care? He lost a few privileges on Saturday when we were cleaning the house and all of a sudden I had my old Gavin back! It is amazing how much kids crave that structure and security. The rest of Saturday and all of Sunday he was happy, respectful and Brandon commented that it seemed that his "voice" was back.

Grayson is doing amazing. He did well at the party, but was definitely tired after all of the commotion of five boy cousins running around. He has slept in the past two mornings until 8:30 and goes to bed about ten. He has also found his voice in the past two days. He is doing much more cooing, along with the smiles. We had our second doctor appt. on Thursday and he has gained weight, he is now 14 lbs and in the 3rd percentile! The doctor commented on how happy and alert he is! We have started him on some solid foods too.

Enjoy the pictures of the weekend activities:

Gavin's new baseball gear

It was a Star Wars theme party and boy did he get a lot os Star Wars stuff!

Grayson just hanging out and enjoying all the people

First Outing

I need to post about our travels to Africa, but please understand that it is difficult to put into words. The trip had a lasting impact that I will not forget.

In the meantime, we had our first outing! My mom invited us to go to Fredrick Meyer Gardens to see the butterflies. The day was beautiful and both boys did wonderful. Grayson is so much like Gavin as a baby, he goes with the flow of the day, sleeps when he can and eats on schedule!

Grayson smiles all the time too! His eyes smile first and then his whole face lights up. Check out the picture...:)

Okay, sorry I don't know how to change the direction!

Doctor and Update

Grayson slept through the night the past two nights, YEAH!!!:)

We went to the doctor on Tuesday and he weighs 13.9 lbs and is 24.75 inches long! The doctor said that he is not the percentile scale yet, but at least he is gaining weight. We went on Wednesday for all of the bloodwork, stool check and urine sample (that was interesting). They are all standard procedure for international adoption and we will have the results next week at our next appt. Gavin had a really hard time when they drew blood because he doesn't like to see someone hurt his little brother. He actually started crying and had to step out of the room!

I will try to post pictures tomorrow, but for now I have to go and make a bottle!

Home!

We are home.
We are adjusting to our new time schedule, actually waking in the middle of the night!
We are loving this new life.
We haven't had time to post pictures.

My brother made a u-tube video you can check out on his blog: www.mattdewitt@blogspot.com

Please excuse the hair, dirty clothes, lack of make-up. The trip home was an experience to say the least!

I will post more later...

Thank you.
Brandon, Julie, Gavin and Grayson

Coming Home

We spoke to the kids this morning from Washington. Their flight from Ethiopia was 1 1/2 hours delayed and this made their wait at Washington shorter. That was great, however, they knew the process at Immigration could take 2 hours and they wanted the extra time at this stop. Grayson has been an angel. He is sitting in his Baby bijourne on the front of Julie. At one point they were literally running thru the airport to get to their flight for Detroit and he just giggled away. Oh to be a baby. Mommy and Daddy are frantic but life is a blast!!!! Julie says he is so much like Gavin. He never cries, loves everything, and sits so quietly and patiently.

They are anxious to get home now. Everything is on time at this point but it will be close at Detroit to get to the plane for GR Flight 1010 with Northwest. There is a flight later if they miss this one, but we are still planning on a 4:21 pm arrival in GR.

Gavin can't wait. For all of you coming, he has made a great big welcome poster for them and wants you all to sign his poster. You won't be able to miss him. The little guy with the shirt that says "I'm the Big Brother and a picture of him and Grayson on the front.

Only a couple of hours now. See you at the airport.

Sandy

He's here!!!!!

7:am EST time (Ethiopia 3:00 PM) Julie & Brandon went to the orphanage to meet their son. It is a very short process after 18 months of waiting. They changed him out of 3 layers of his orphanage clothes and redressed into his new clothes. Julie was very concerned about what size to bring. Fortunately he is just barely into 3-6 months sizes and that is what she guessed. He is very tiny. After a brief chance to meet, hold, & dress him, they got to ask the caregivers how to comfort him. Julie said "what do you do so I can make him the most comfortable?" They answered in broken English, "who, little Girum? He never cry, he good baby, always happy baby. Big smiles. "

That was as many notes as they got on him. Out the orphanage they went and back to the hotel to get acquainted with their new son. I called Julie at 9:30 am EST, they had him for about 90 minutes and if it is possible to feel a smile through the phone lines,I think I could feel it. She said " oh, Mom, he is just PERFECT. He smiles, and smiles, and smiles. He always wants to suck on something, his first 2 fingers, his toys, his blanket or anything he can get his little hands on. Brandon plays pee-a-boo with the blanket over his face and he acually giggles and coos. She was sooo happy she could hardly stand it.

At 7:00 pm tonight they called again. It was 2:00 am and guess who decided to be hungry. I am sure this is one of many nights that they will be getting up to feed him. They were very anxious to talk to Gavin. I am happy to report, although he didn't go to school today due to a diagosis of strep throat, he is on meds and is doing much better. She said,"we told Grayson Gavin had all kinds toys that he could suck on and his big brother would be glad to share." That got a shocked reaction from Gavin. He hadn't thought about a baby brother really wanting his toys. He quickly reacted " mom, I will share some of my old toys but not all of them." Gavin has always been good about sharing but being a big brother is going to be a whole new story. He faithfully prays for Grayson every nite and every meal, but there is no sense of reality. Three days to go for the arrival. We will hear from them again on Saturday morning when they get to Washington DC. I will update the blog to make sure anyone who wants to be at the airport for the arrival has the latest info.

Thanks for all of your support.