Special Day

We celebrated Ethan's infant baptism yesterday at church with so many of our family and friends.  It was such a special day!  We felt God's presence definitely in the sweet service, but also with us as we prepared for and throughout the day "in the details."  Things went so smoothly, schedule-wise for Ethan, much better than we'd even hoped (isn't that the case with God's timing), and he did great during the service.  As Don, our pastor, carried him down the aisle to introduce him to the church family, Ethan was as alert as could be, as if he was ready to meet them all!  We were so pleased that so many of our family members and friends were able to join us for this special day, and we truly appreciate their efforts to get here and the sacrifice of their day to share in ours!  Here are a few pictures from the day.





Ethan's entourage!!

So, it's been a whirlwind around here in the few weeks since our last post. Here's a brief recap: Ethan turned 4 months old; Tropical Storm Lee blew threw, knocking out our power for several days; we had a bit of cold weather, so Ethan got to wear pants for the 1st time; Ethan went to his 1st Respite Care at our church; Ethan was introduced to Alabama football; we took Ethan on his first trip to Florence to see Nana and Bob, and to attend Sarahann's show choir performance; and he rolled over from his stomach to his back 3 times today (none caught on camera:() Here are a few pics from the past few weeks...

Jeans!!!!

More pants!

Roll Tide!



1st football game with Daddy



He really liked the show (and Sarahann's outfit!)

Cute smiles before bedtime.

With each day that passes, we are more and more amazed at what a blessing Ethan is in our lives.  So many people who meet Ethan remark, "he's such a good baby."  That is true, in so many ways, his sweet spirit, his easy-going nature, and his adorable smiles.  We are just so humbled and thankful that God has chosen us to be his parents, and Ethan to be our child.  It is so clear that God's plan for our life, was so so much better than we ever dreamed.  Ethan truly is "worth the wait."  Thanks be to God!

What a Week!

So many things have happened since the last post... Ethan had a trial run at Mrs. Kristin, the babysitter's last Friday, which was really more for me than him.  I went back to work on Tuesday, which actually involved an overnight staff retreat, and a total of about 32 hours of not seeing Ethan, but we both survived thanks to Daddy and Mrs. Kristin. 

Today was a BIG day for all of us, it was our final court date where we received the official adoption decree, so Ethan is now officially our son on paper; he's been our son in our hearts since February when we first heard about the possibility of him.  God is so good, and we are so glad this day is finally here, no more adoption "duties" hanging over our heads.  We are so truly thankful that God chose us to be his parents and him to be our baby boy. 

We completed the day with a pediatrician visit, where our healthy boy weighed in at 17 lbs., 3 oz and was 26 1/2 inches long, putting him in the 97 percentile in both categories.  So he is big, but proportional; the front office staff accused him of being a six month old!  He also got 4 more shots, but was a trooper and calmed easily afterwards and fell asleep for a long nap.   Ethan continues to bring us joy each day, and we feel so blessed beyond measure by his sweet spirit and easy temperament.

Here are a few pictures from the week:



My new trick from last Friday

Crazy hair for Mommy's 1st day back to work

Sweet baby boy



My fancy 9 month outfit that will barely snap...



Had to wear my tie onesie for court today!

My picture with Judge Fuhrmeister

I had a good grip on the Judge's robe

What a day...

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks be to God!

Happy Baby

Ethan seems to get bigger (and heavier) each day!  He seems to be expanding in width and height; we will get his official measurements at his doctor's appointment next week, but on our scales, he's toppping out just above 16 lbs...
Here are a few of our favorite pics from the week.  We apologize in advance for the hair, it has a mind of it's own!

Mommy loves instagram on her new phone

Not tummy time again...

Reading with Daddy

Before church

After church

On Monday, we took Ethan to meet the babysitter that will keep him once Mommy returns to work next week.  He LOVED it!  He just loves new faces and new places, and he really loved the little guy that was there that day.  We only stayed for an hour or two, but he feel asleep as we were literally backing out of her driveway! 




What a big boy!



Mommy and Daddy are so funny!





Today, we went to see a longtime friend of mine who has 3 little ones, 5 1/2 yrs., 2 1/2 yrs. and 4 1/2 months.  As you can see in the picture, although Julia is older, Ethan is definitely the larger of the two...

My hair cooperated a little better today...



 We are continually grateful for this happy, sweet baby, and we love every minute with him!

First Party

Ethan turned 3 months old last Thursday.  New tricks he's learned this week include blowing bubbles as he goes "bubbbbb", laughing out loud, and an occasional squeal. He also seems even more snuggly, as if he is actively participating in the hug, which Mommy LOVES!  The highlight of our week was attending his cousin Natalie Kate's 1st birthday party.  It's hard to believe that she is 1 already; it seems like yesterday we were at the hospital for her birth!  Here are a few pictures from the week...

so big...

I like swinging faster in my swing, trying to catch those elephants!

Snuggly baby!

The Birthday Girl!

All this party excitement is making me sleepy!

 

She wasn't sure about the cake at first...



She figured it out quickly!

I love my elephant (RollTide:)

What a cutie!

August already?

We can't believe that it is already August! Ethan will be 3 months old tomorrow, which is also hard to believe.  This past weekend, we went to Athens to Tyson's aunt and uncle's home, so Ethan could meet more of the family.  He was such a good traveler and loved meeting aunts, uncles and cousins and getting to see Nana and Bob again.

With Cousin Sarahann

Thanks to Aunt Faye and Ray for hosting such a yummy lunch!

We had another first last night, Ethan slept in his big boy crib last night; he did great, Mommy, on the other hand did not sleep so well...  Here are a few more pictures from the week; I think he's growing everyday! 

Daddy and Ethan were "coordinated" for church on Sunday.

He is really using those hands more and more.

If we could only coax that hair to lay down...

Please join us today and this week as we lift up Baby Frances, her family and doctors in prayer.  She is in surgery to repair her heart this morning.  You might remember her from an earlier post.  Frances is almost 6 months old now, and she is such a sweet, fun girl.  I work with her Mom; you can follow their story at http://www.mccalleyfamily.blogspot.com/

Frances was Ethan's 1st play date!