Trip to the Zoo

Zach got to go to the St. Louis Zoo for the first time. It was so much fun! He thought every animal said "Mooo". He seemed to really enjoy it. The day was absolutely beautiful. He also got to ride a carousel for the first time. He smiled the entire time.

Even though I missed the first year of his life, it is awesome to think about all the "firsts" he will be having with me. I know the holidays will be so much better than they have been in a long time. I haven't put a tree up in a couple of years and have not looked forward to Christmas in many years, but this year it will all be different. So much better! I'm actually excited about Christmas morning, not dreading it. He has brought so much meaning to my life. It is amazing how one little person can do that! Out of all the prayers that I have ever had answered, I am so thankful that this one was (not that I'm not thankful for the rest, but this is the one that I have had the longest)!

Good Report from Doctor

I took Zach for his 18 month check-up. She said he is doing great. He has gained 3 pounds and grew 1 1/4 inches since I brought him home. His weight is now in the 50 percentile for his age. She said that is perfect. He is right where he needs to be with talking, running, feeding himself and doing all the things he should be doing! I was just looking at him last night and wondering what I have done to deserve such a wonderful son. I am truly blessed! I hope and pray that I can give him a good life because he deserves the very best!

Here is a poem that I found for my sweet boy!

TO MY SON
As I sit here
I watch you play
Thinking back
to that special day
When I saw your face
for the very first time
Staring into those beautiful brown eyes
That soft brown hair
perfect little nose
Fingers and toes
Watched you grow
Bigger and stronger everyday
I would not have my life
any other way
You were smiling and laughing
crawling now walking
Growing so fast
soon you'll be talking
It makes me happy
just to see you smile
Or to hold you in my arms
for a little while
There will be a day when you're grown
and this baby stuff will be done
But I'll always remember the day
when you became my son

Mommy loves you sweet baby boy!

My Little Movie Star

I thought I would share an adorable picture of my little movie star. He has his own sunglasses but refuses to wear those. We were out watching a friend of ours son play football and Zach decided he needed to wear mommies sunglasses! I am having so much fun with him! The Lord has truly blessed me with the most amazing little guy. He is still doing so well. Happy all the time. I take him next week for a check up with Dr. Kathy. I will update you all on his progress!

My Niece's Wedding

I wanted to show you some pictures from my niece's wedding. She was absolutely beautiful! Everything went well and I gained a great nephew! The picture with Zach awake is with Aunt Gina. Everyone was enjoying holding him and playing with him and of course he loved every minute of it. I was hoping for a dance with him, but he crashed as you can see in the other picture. That's alright, I took him out on the dance floor anyway. He had so much fun he crashed early.

It is so exciting having Zach here so that he can be part of these special memories. We have been home 13 weeks now and it seems like forever. I can't remember a day when he was not here. He is so much fun! He wakes up every morning with a big smile. He has turned in to quite the comedian these days. He will do something to see if he can get a laugh. If it works, he will continue to do it and then do a belly laugh himself. He has adjusted so well. I think from day one he has felt comfortable. All I have to say about that is "Thank you Lord for answered prayer". I am so blessed! When I am at work, I can be having a bad day and someone will ask me how Zach is and they say I just start glowing. Being a mom is just the most wonderful part of my life! I guess now I know what God's plan was for me. So, my advice to everyone is to try and be patient. God does have plans for all of us but they happen in his time, not ours. Trust me I know the waiting is the hardest thing. I waited for over 20 years for this and let me tell you that it is definitely worth it! And the timing is excellent. God knows what is best for us, we just have to believe in him!

Today I kissed an angel.

I knew it from the start.

The first time my angel smiled at me:

I gave away my heart.

Today I kissed an angel;

This angel child of mine

Though not of my creation,

My child by God's design.

Today I kissed an angel.

My heart is dancing wild;

My family, by a miracle;

Blessed by my angel child.

Baptism

Zach's Baptism went so well. I cried most of the way through it. It was just so moving to me. The first picture is of Pastor Michael, myself, Zach, my sister Teri and my brother Jerry (they are Zach's Godparents). The other picture is most of my family. One of the ladies from the church that has an amazing voice sang "I Hope You Dance" for me. During the adoption process when I received good news, that morning on the way in to work I would hear that playing on the radio. So, it became my song for Zach. I am so excited to teach Zach the Bible! He won't sit still long enough for me to read to him yet, but I know it will be a matter of time and he will.

Amazing

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Going back to work has been exhausting! When I get home, I want to spend every minute I can with my little guy. I have to tell you all that being a mom is so much more amazing than I could have ever imagined. This picture says it all! Zach is doing so well. He wakes up every morning with a big smile on his face. He is definitely a morning person. It is so hard to believe that we have been home for nine weeks tomorrow. I can't remember what my life was like without him. He is definitely my little ray of sunshine. I thank God for him every day. The way he has adjusted has been so wonderful. I know it is answers to many, many prayers (just like he is).

The other day I was looking at the pictures of us from the airport and I realized how much he is growing. He is starting to repeat words now. It's so cute to hear him try to pronounce some of them. I took him to the demo derby at the fair a couple of weeks ago with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Lois. He loved it! We have him raising his arm up and yelling "smash". Of course it comes out "mash" which is so cute. When he gets in trouble, all I have to do is give him "the look" and he stops and puts his head down. Well, the other day that happened and he looked at me and put that tiny arm up and said "mash". Needless to say he knows how to melt my heart. It was so cute.

I am very excited to tell you that Zach is getting Baptized this Sunday. Bringing Zach up in a Christian home is so important to me. I have asked Uncle Jerry and Aunt Teri to be his Godparents. They are so excited! I will post pictures next week.

I guess that is all for now. I will try not to let so much time go by between posts. Blessings to everyone!

Made it through the first week of work

Well, I made it through the first week. It wasn't the best week I have ever had but I expected that. The first day Zach would not even look at me when I got home. I was devastated. I never gave it a thought that he would be mad at me. The second day was a little better and the third day he was happy to see me. It was so hard to leave him each day. I would say that it will get better, but after talking to other parents I know it won't. Saturday when I went in his room after he woke up, he had a huge grin on his face and he said "mom, mom, mom". So, I think he was excited to see me. He is doing so well. He is picking up words left and right. He makes the cutest faces. I will have to get pictures of them and post them here. Saturday he got his first haircut with Aunt Lois. He was so good for her.

Well, I guess that is all for now. I am starting another week at work. Nothing against my job, but I wish I didn't have to work. Talk to you soon!