Finalization

The last legal step in our adoption of Grace is now complete. The presiding judge let Rose and Nathan sign the adoption papers and the entire ceremony was joyous. Family and friends that were there were great support for Grace. She has been such a blessing in our lives.

Grace's first bowl of rice cereal 11/22/12

She loves it

What a big girl!

Grace

Family Picture Fall 2012

It was cold during the photo shoot so Grace had to take blanket warm-up breaks.

The Andera Girls

Playing on the floor 

Grace's first roll over

I happended to be rolling video on Grace's first roll from back to front. Now she's a pro.

Sorry, it's been a while

Jaina and Grace. 

We have been so busy with everything that I haven't been keeping up with my pictures on here. Today I'm staying home with Nathan because he fractured his foot so I have a little time to catch up.

New video of Grace sitting

Grace's Three Month Pictures

Grace starts daycare

THis has been a week of changes for Grace. She started going to daycare at Peace Lutheran Church. She has been so good for them. The ladies who take care of her said they wish the other babies took the transition as well as Grace did. It's hard to get her on a schedule after a summer of Grace making the rules but so far so good.

Grace's biological sister Jaina came for a visit today. Grace tried her best to pose for this picture.

Grace also got to see Deidra's parents Joel and Miriam. 

2 month checkup

Hard to believe time has flown by so quickly that we are already going to Grace's 2 month check up!  We did have her first acute care visit last weekend though.  The other two kids started colds last week, and Grace ended up with one too!  She was coughing all night last Friday night, so I took her in to make sure nothing else was wrong.  She just had a bad cold that was starting to settle in her lungs.  We did a few nebulizer treatments, and she is doing better!

When we went to her Doctor appointment on Monday, the Dr. said her lungs sound good.   We just have to wait until the cold runs it's course.  

Here's here two month stats...

12 lbs 7 oz   (50th percentile)

23 inches  (50th percentile)

Dr said she is doing great.  After we have settled into a new routine with daycare and school, we might tweak her medication for her acid reflux, but for now we are just going to leave it.  We had 3 shots and liquid in her mouth for Rotovirus.  Grace was a trooper!  She didn't run a fever but has been sleepier than normal, which is ok with us! :0)  So, needless to say, Grace is doing GREAT! 

Also, Grace's birthmom (Deidra) moved to North Dakota on August 1st.  She and her boyfriend both just found jobs, so we are happy for them.  They left Jaina (Grace's birth sister) here with her grandparents, so they will be back sometime soon to pick her up and take her to ND.  Deidra and I have been texting back and forth periodically to keep contact going.  

Grace will start daycare for the first time on Monday, August 20th.  That is the same day that Rose, Nathan, and I all start school.  It will be a big day for the whole family!!  Please pray for Grace's day as well as mine! Grace will be in great hands at Peace Lutheran, we know!  Hard to believe that Rose will be in 4th grade and Nathan will be in 1st grade.  We had open house last night, and we are expecting a wonderful year for everyone!  

Thanks for all your love, friendship, and support!  Have a wonderful end of the summer! :0)

Sarah

Grace goes camping

The family at Outlaw Ranch near Custer.

Sarah's aunt Ann holding a happy Grace.

Grace spent her two month birthday at Outlaw Ranch near Custer, SD last week. We were a little apprehensive taking Grace across the state for a 6-8 hour car ride. But Grace seemed to love the interstate. We only stopped twice on the way there and she only cried for the last 20 minutes or so as we neared our destination in the mountains.

Grace cuddling up after a sponge bath.

While we were at camp during the week Grace actually got to spend some time outside in the cool mornings and evenings. She smiled a lot during the week and slept relatively well.

Grace on her two month birthday.

The way home was even better. Grace only stopped to eat once and only cried for a few minutes during the last half hour. We couldn't have asked for a better trip.

Tim (Grace's Godfather) holding Grace at camp.