Brennen's Music Video Debut

When's Santa Coming??

Brennen on Christmas eve after a nap... ready for presents!

Yea! Presents!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! This is a picture of Lexi's Christmas tree. We decided to decorate it with some of her cloth alphabet pieces, and linking chains and then top it with one of her books. I even spelled out her name in the middle of the tree. Last year we said we would have her this year... and now once again, we say we WILL have her next year. The good news is that we really believe 2008 is our year. CCAA has made referrals for dossiers logged in through Dec. 14, 2005. Our log in date is Feb. 27, 2006. I just can't imagine that it will take longer 12 more months for them to make referrals for 75 more days. We will wait as long as necessary of course but in our hearts hope by late summer or early fall. It's harder to wait during the holidays. Especially since this is the 3rd Christmas we have had since we began the process. Geoff bought Lexi another Christmas present this year which we will have for her when she gets here. I'll admit I've teared up a few times thinking about her but try very hard to just put it out of my mind and look forward to the blessing we will eventually experience. So Merry Christmas everyone! (Of course, I'll be putting some Brennen pictures up soon. I've got to collect pictures first!)

Look at this Big Boy!

I got an email at work today from Sara with these pictures in them. Brennen decided that he could sit up by himself today. He's growing up tooooo fast!!

Later they visited me at school. Brennen suddenly decided that strangers are bad. Everytime someone tried to talk to him he scrunched up his face and started whining until he would eventually cry. Poor thing! It made me so sad for him. He usually smiles and laughs at everyone. I sure hope this is a quick stage.

Our Visit to the Christmas Tree Farm

We went with Sara, Chris, and Brennen to the Christmas Tree Farm last weekend. It was sunny and HOT! It's funny to be picking out Christmas trees in 80 degree weather. I think Geoff had the most fun of all. Once again he was the baby-hog. He walked Brennen all over the farm and even let him take a cat-nap under a big oak tree. These are a couple of the pictures I took. Afterwards we took off with the little guy and went to Savannah. We took him out to eat at a restaurant and he was PERFECT! When we were getting ready to leave a woman walked over and asked me how old he was. Then she told me that he was the happiest best behaved baby she had ever seen. I was a proud Granny!

Brennen At 5 Months

Last week Sara and Brennen stayed with us while Chris went on a hunting trip. We had a blast! One afternoon I took a bunch of pictures of Brennen in his Santa hat. Then I took some of them and made Sara and Chris's Christmas Cards. (So anyone in the family reading this will get a preview) I also took a lot of him doing other things so I decided to post them in this slide show. This little guy sure does add sunshine to our lives!

Oh, so long!!

I really didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted! I have been staying busy with work, Brennen and just life in general. I'm poping in today to post some more pictures of my sweet pea. He's getting more and more fun every day!

In October we took Brennen to his first visit to a Pumpkin Patch. Poor little guy got so tired!







Brennen came to visit me at work on Halloween. I had a blast taking him around to show off my little turtle! He didn't much care for his costume though!



He's such a happy baby! And from the looks of it a future hunter!




I'll try to not wait so long to post next time. I should have some Thanksgiving pictures and can't wait to make some Christmas ones!

Checking In..

I was surprised that so much time has gone by since I last posted. Grammie-hood agrees with me. I enjoy Brennen so much and it's such a joy to watch him grow. He's a strong little bugger! He's already trying to crawl but hasn't figured out how to use his hands yet. He gets up on his hands and knees and plunges forward. It's so funny to watch!

Waiting for Lexi seems to be endless but as the date shows, we have 19 months behind us! I believe we'll probably be making it to China sometime over next summer. We totally are okay with that just as long as we do finally bring her home.

We are working hard to do what is best for us right now. We've become gym regulars and are working hard to lose weight. Geoff is probably down about 20 lbs. now and I'm at 30 lbs down. Someone recently made a comment about me being fit and trim and I was taken aback... it was weird to be referred to like that after all these years. Our main goal has been to slim down and get more healthy, not just for Lexi but for ourselves.

So between frequent visits to the gym, work, regular around the house stuff, and spending time with that gorgeous baby grandson, we are not posting much. It's felt good though to not be obsessed with the waiting and actually it ends up making the time go by faster. That's a very good thing!

First weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Sara and Chris decided to go off for the weekend and we go to keep the little booger... Here are some photos


Playing while PaPa is trying to add this post...




Grandma sleeping after a long night... not use to all the noise and sounds..

Happy Birthday Geoff!

Today is Geoff's birthday!! Happy Birthday Geoffrey!! I hope it's been a nice one! I don't remember if I realized last year that Geoff's birthday falls on a montly "anniversary" of how long we have been LID for Lexi. Officially, we have been waiting for 17 months now. (The sad part is I think we'll more than likely still be waiting this time next year!) Well, one thing that was extra special today about Geoff's birthday was that for the first time, he got a "Grandpa" birthday card from Brennen... and to top it off, he got to spend the afternoon wallowing in "grandpahood". This was much more fun than the plans I had for him. I was going go to the Y with him and make him do the workout that I did yesterday...hee, hee!! I think he liked what he got much better! Sara was here with the baby all afternoon and SAVED him from my torture!! This post could be long because I snapped pictures all day! I just love watching him with the baby! He's so comfortable with him and will do anything... EXCEPT change his diapers (dirty or not)!!


This is Geoff playing with the baby on his little play mat. Notice how jealous Sable is!! She does hang close by though to make sure the baby doesn't have a poopy diaper! She can sniff them out really well!!

Patches on the other hand, sits away from the baby and sulks! This is amazing because she the annoying dog that has to be touching someone all the time and loves to lick us. When the baby is here, she stays away from everyone! I think she is very jealous!!


Notice the shirt!!! It was sent to me by Sheryl, one of the sweet ladies that I met in Philly last fall. I had it handy for the first time Brennen needed a changing while he was here. It was so thoughtful of her to think of me and send this to me!!


Look... more playtime with Papa!! Not sure who Brennen is more interested in ... Papa or Mr. Froggie!

After awhile Brennen had had enough of playing and wanted to be rocked to sleep... not a problem!!! Papa is good at that too!!


Look at that face!!! WE BOTH are so in love with this little fellow!!


Uh-oh!!! Two little nappers!! We both can't figure out why this little guy makes us both want to nap every time he is around us! By the way, I had to work hard to get this picture!! Geoff kept waking up every time I turned on the camera!


This picture needs no explanation!! We love this little guy and he is sure to love his Grandpa!!!

Happy Birthday, Hubby! I love you!

Changes...

Today is a big day for me... I have an appointment with a girl I work with that is an exercise guru at the YMCA. She is going to show me how to pump up my workout. All summer I have been blogging less, obsessing over the wait a LOT less, checking my Yahoo Groups and reading other blogs less (and almost never go to the RQ site anymore), and trying to get myself in better shape. I began by walking practically every day and about 3 weeks ago decided it was time to use my gym membership. I've been trying to work out at the Y but didn't exactly know what is best for me. So I asked her to help me. She has plans to show me how to use the treadmill along with weights and who knows what else to get a total body workout in an hour that is centered around the treadmill. I'll probably be dying about 2:45 today!! :) I'm down 19 pounds since mid-April. This seems slow to me since we are doing Weight Watchers but I keep reminding myself that I feel better, look better and am progressing in the right direction for the first time in 5 years. I gained like 40 pounds in the aftermath of my miscarriage and failed IVF attempts. I've never been heavy and I've just hated it.

So what got me back here motivated???? Something snapped in me over Spring Break this year. I decided that it was time to live for NOW... not for "when the adoption finally happens". I went to the doctor and told him I was ready to loose some medications and stopped taking Ambien to help me sleep. I've taken one step at a time. After I got my sleeping patterns back to normal (using an alarm clock that plays wind chimes... now I need wind chimes to sleep but hey, that's better than Ambien), I started Weight Watchers and when summer vaction time hit, I was out walking early the very first day. The thing I've discovered is that I enjoy doing something active every day. I used to be a gym-rat and worked out at least 4 - 5 times a week. That was pre-Geoff. He wasn't much into working out and eventually I let it go... and then let me go in the process.

Now I'm working on getting him in shape with me. He's doing WW too and now is going to the Y too... We both are making progress and when it is time to climb that Great Wall of China... who knows we may can sprint up it!! We'll certainly be in better condition to chase our little Lexi around!

P.S. and guess what I'm about to go do???? Clean out my closet and make piles of clothes that are too big!!! YES!!!

Brennen's big 21 days old DAY.

Sara brought Brennen over yesterday... can I just say that I know if I will ever get used to wonderful feeling of when MY GRANDSON comes to visit GRANDMA!! I just love it!! Well, yesterday he was 21 days old. I was talking to the little guy about how his Mom had rolled over the first time when she was 19 days old and that if he kept up being such an active little thing, he would be rolling over soon. It was around lunch time so Geoff was home. I put him down on a blanket on the floor and left him with Geoff. When I came back around the corner, he had both shoulders off the floor with his head popped up like a turtle. That alone was amazing. This little guy has a very strong neck already (just like Sara did!) Well, Geoff left the room a few minutes later and the little stinker ROLLED over for me and Sara!!! It was so funny!! When Sara got him home, he later rolled over for his DADDY 3 more times (so it wasn't a fluke...and his Daddy didn't feel left out!!)

Can anyone tell, I'm a very proud Grandma!!! I love this little guy so much!!!

Tattoo-Boy

Well, he finally did it! Geoff has been talking about getting a tattoo for over a year now that would commemorate the whole adoption experience. He researched Chinese symbols and learned that the dragon is a symbol for family protection, power, and wealth. He wanted to include Lexi's name written in Chinese also. Well, about 3 weeks ago we went to a place in Savannah called Skin Arte and told them what were were thinking about. We liked the Yin-Yang symbol as well. The artist did a great job incorporating the two symbols. He also added Lexi's name in the sketch but we decided to wait on that part until we actually have Lexi in our arms. (Didn't want to jinx it!) This is Geoff's first tattoo. Those who know him are shocked that he wanted one. It doesn't shock me though. I like that he has a reason for wanting it and to me shows how deeply he feels about our impending adoption of Lexi. He did get it on his shoulder so that he can cover it up at work. After all, some people don't agree with tattoos and he is in a client based career. He did exactly like I knew he would and got the tattoo without out some much of a wince... just laid there like he was about to go to sleep. When the man finished it, he told Geoff that he had "competition skin" and that he would take him to a competition in a heart beat. I guess the fact that he is not a sun worshiper helps. I told him he should have told the guy, just let me know when you need a canvas... tattoo for free! He plans to add "wind bars" around the dragon at some point to give the dragon more definition but for now, we're happy with these results.

Brennen Slide Show

More Brennen

I went with Sara and the baby to a checkup appointment last Friday. When we got home Sara fed the little guy, changed him and then he was ready to play. I took all kinds of pictures of him! He even slept in Lexi's crib for the first time. I can't wait for him to get a little bigger so I can really play with him! He's just amazing! We've waited for this little guy a long time and it was so worth it!

Brennen's Home!

These are just a few random pictures from the last two days. Yesterday afternoon Brennen had to go under the billy-light because he is jaundiced. They came home today but he still has to stay under the light. It's so hard! Poor Sara cried yesterday because he was crying wanting his Mommy. They are doing better today though and I just left their house helping to get them settled in. Hopefully, they are catching a nap now.


I've always known that Sara would be a great little Mommy but it is just so cool watching her evolve!! I have to brag about my son-in-law too... Chris has been awesome! He was a wonderful coach for her during the labor and delivery and has just impressed me every day with how well he is doing as a new father. I love these two so much! ... oh, make that I love these 3 so much!!! Grandmotherhood (*LOL!) is awesome!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Brennen!!

He's here and he's beautiful! 7lbs. 7 oz., 21 inches long, lots of black hair and precious!!!! Born at 1:38 (little over 5 1/2 hour labor... she does take after her mom after all!!)

Now to the really important part... Introducing our new grandson...

Brennen Matthew Liddic