Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts

4.21.2011

Our little guy...

We had an incredible experience this week, we welcomed baby number two. 
Easton Bernell Hawkins
was born on April 20, 2011 at 12:02 am. 

Our experience was a very precious one.  Mindy let us be in the delivery room when he was born and it really was incredible! 
Welcome little one!!!
 Both Mindy and Easton did great and are doing well.  The hospital staff was wonderful to us and as soon as they had cleaned him off a little they brought him right to me for some skin to skin time.
(keep in mind it was the middle of the night when he was born.  I don't love this pic of me. :D)  It was so special to have those first tender moments with him to snuggle and bond. 
 After things were cleaned up they got us our own room and weighed and measured him.  I said as soon as he was out that he was smaller then Madi.  The scale confirmed it when he came in at 6 lbs. 5 oz.  (Madi was 6 lbs. 9 oz.)  He is an inch longer then she was though.  He measured 19".
 With Easton I decide that I wasn't going to nurse him since Madi preferred the bottle and it ended up being a little frustrating for her.  Here he is, enjoying his first meal.
 His daddy sure does love him.  It is amazing how quick the love comes.
 Derrick helped give him his first bath Wednesday morning.
 All clean!  I love his fuzzy little head!
 Nice and toasty warm...
 Madi slept with her mouth open like this too.  I think they get that from their dad. :D
 Grandma and Grandpa (Derrick's parents) were so sweet to take Madi for us while we were in the hospital.  Derrick went and got her so she could meet her new brother.  She was so sweet to him.  She was so gentle and quiet.  She would say "baby sleeps" and sign sleep as she watched him.  When he cried she would say "baby sad" with the most concerned look as she signed it.
 She was ready to take him home though.  She held him for a little while and enjoyed pointing at his features and naming each one.
 Daddy with our most loved little ones.  We will see how Madi does with sharing her daddy.  She even pushes me away and he was mine first! :D
 Mindy with our sweet Easton...
 While Madi was there we brought her in to see Mindy.  We are so very grateful to her and will love her always! 
 Madi really liked the crib.  She wanted us to change her bum in it after she saw Derrick change Easton.  After we told her she was too big, she spent the rest of her time pushing it around.
 We had some special visitors last night, Uncle Chris and Aunt Annie.  Annie, we didn't a picture of you with him :(
 I just love this little guy.  He already knows I'm his mommy.  When he is awake and I talk he looks around for me.  He knows my voice already.  The nurses would come check his stats and he would cry and as soon as they would give him back and I laid him on my chest he would immediately stop. 
 I really can't get enough of him!
 
 We were able to spend some time with some of his birth grandparents.  We already knew them so it was great to see them again.  This is his Grandma Tammy.
 And here he is all ready to go home.  The hospital staff was awesome and we had a wonderful experience but I must say that I am glad to be home.  It will be so nice to sleep in my bed tonight.
 We stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's to pick up Madi.  I sure did miss her!  She is such an angel and so full of personality.  She is going to be a great big sister and such a good little helper for me.
 She is lovin' her little brother and wants to see him and be by him every second.
 My two perfect miracles...
We are so blessed to be the parents of Madi and Easton and are so thankful to know Mindy and have her as part of our family.  We love her so very much and will always have a special place in our hearts for her. 
We are grateful for our family and the love, prayers and support they give to us.  Thank you mom and dad for all you do and especially for taking Madi.  She adores you guys!

12.22.2010

It's...

a BOY!
At least for now.  The doc did a quick ultrasound yesterday but the 'real' one isn't until the 10th.  We all feel like it is a boy though and with the doc's unofficial confirmation, we are gearing up to sell our PINK in exchange for some BLUE!  (If you need a pink swing, bouncer, carseat or stroller let us know.)

12.14.2010

Our ward Christmas party...

Friday night was our ward Christmas party.  We had such a great night with the friends in our ward.  We ate yummy food and watched a program that was written and directed by one of Madi's FAVORITE babysitters, McKinley (her other is Megan, McKinley's sister).  She casted the play with kids from our primary.  They had great props and a beautiful script.  McKinley is only eleven but it was one of the best programs I have seen.  Of course since I am in the Primary and I adore all those little kids it made it that much more special.
The gym was decorated so cute!  Thank you Stacie, Ammon, Emily, Matt and anyone else who helped to make it such a great night!
Madi made a new friend.  I should have got pictures but didn't even think about it.  There is the cutest little boy a few months younger than her, Bronson, that she played with.  She is so social!  I love it.  She kept playing with his hair.  He has a head full of curls.  I told his mom it was because she's jealous!  Her mullet is coming in nice!
With Madi off playing it gave me a few minutes to snuggle with Vivianne, one of Liseanne's adorable twins.  They were born just before Thanksgiving.  It makes me anxious for baby to come.  I was surprised that Madi wasn't at all jealous.  She did come over to see and got up on my lap and softly touched her hand and then got back down to play.  She is going to be such a goos big sister!  I am so very blessed to be her mom! 

11.14.2010

National Adoption Day...

Yesterday we went to Boondock's, along with 1,100 other people, to celebrate National Adoption Day. They served chili from Wendy's and then we got unlimited mini golf and $5 each to use in the arcade. We braved the cold and played a round of golf. They a game wheel at every other hole and you spin it at the beginning of your turn and it will give you something to do. Some were first stroke blind, if you get an ace add 2 strokes to opponent's score, putt from behind your back and other challenges like that. Surprisingly, Derrick and I both got a hole in one!
Madi had a great time and seemed enthralled with everything to look at and all the people! She loves crowds and watching people.

11.08.2010

It's about love...

There are so many things said about adoption and about birth moms and adoptive couples that are said usually totally innocently but can cause so much pain and hurt to those that have experienced adoption. I came across a blog that had a post called How to irratate a birth mother and I thought I would share it. It doesn't only irratate a birth mother though, it also irratates the adoptive couple that have the deepest love and respect for these amazing woman and the love they have for their child.
We are grateful for so many reasons for the miracle of adoption. We are grateful that Mindy has wanted to keep in touch with us and that Madi will know her. Mindy loves and adores Madi and although many people question our openness, I know that it is best for our family. Studies have shown that it doesn't confuse a child or make things more complicated. It just gives that child one more person that loves them so very much.
So, before you make a comment to someone that is a birth mom, adoptive couple or even an adopted child, consider the way you ask the question. Consider the tone you use. Consider the feelings that may be evoked by asking such a question. Educate yourself on adoption. Most of the things people know about adoption is false. It's different then it was ten or twenty years ago. It's a wonderful thing, not a negative one.
I want the world to know that I love Madison so very much. I couldn't love her more if I had carried her for the nine months myself. Something that I get that a "normal" mom doesn't... to kneel at the altar in the temple and have the sweetest little angel be brought into the room and have her sealed to Derrick and I for all eternity. I guess that is the trade off that Heavenly Father gives adoptive moms instead of birth and it is TOTALLY worth it! I get to share a connection with an incredible woman for the rest of my life. I get to teach Madi that Mindy loved her so much that she wanted to give her the world and that she knew that wasn't possible on her own so she asked us to do it for her. I get to KNOW that Heavenly Father sent her to our family very much on purpose and that we were not brought together by chance. I get teach her and love her and watch her grow because Mindy loved her THAT MUCH! Thank you Mindy! We love you!

11.06.2010

Annual Adoption 5k Walk...

For the adoption walk they asked us to wear orange. Aside from some Orange Crush t-shirts there wasn't much we found. So we bought the 97 cent Halloween clearance shirts from Old Navy. We were the only ones sportin' Halloween T's! :D We got Madi all ready to go and she was so stinkin' cute that we had to snap a few pics!
"Just to tell you once again... who's bad?"
Here is our little family getting ready to start the walk.7
Madi and Daddy...
Could they be any cuter?
We are excited for next year and can't wait until Boondock's next week!

11.01.2010

National Adoption Awareness Month...

November is the National Adoption Awareness month! We are celebrating our adoption and our love for Madi and Mindy by walking in the 5k this Saturday at Liberty Park and we will be going to Boondock's Adoption Day the following Saturday!
We are so grateful for the miracle of adoption. Madi has brought such joy and happiness into our lives and into our home. I can't imagine what it would be like to not have her in our family. She just fits. We are thankful to Mindy for the part she played in making our family and the sacrifice she made. She will always have a special place in our hearts. We love her deeply.
We are excited and a little scared to start the LONG process again but can't wait until the day we are able to bring home baby #2.

10.26.2010

FSA Adoption 5K Walk...

On Novemeber 6th is the Annual FSA (families supporting adoption) Adoption 5k Walk at Liberty Park. It begins at 10:00 but registration is at 9:30. It's free. We are participating and will be wearing Madi and Mindy's name. If anyone would like to join us let me know and I will get you more info. We would love the support!

9.09.2010

A special evening...

Last night we were able to meet Madi's biological half brother and his family. His name is Ander. He was adopted as well. Ander is seventeen months older than Madi. He is full of energy and so cute!!! We met at Thanksgiving Point's Farm Country, had a great picnic, talked and saw the animals. Ander's older sister was adopted as well so we were able to hear that story too. It is such a blessing and I love to hear the stories and experiences of others about their adoptions. Each one is so unique and so precious to the family that experiences it. Something cool... his adorable sister, Audrey, and I share our birthdays. Happy Birthday Audrey!!! Madi is sick and her allergies seemed to show as we looked at all the animals but she loved to see them and we can't wait to take her back!
She went on her first pony ride. At first she wasn't sure but she seemed to like it more and more as the ride went on. She was smiling but we didn't get a picture of that. :(
Ander on his pony. He couldn't wait to get on for a ride!!!
Giddy up pony...
Madi and daddy...
We tried to get a great picture of Ander and Madi together. This is the best I got. Maybe Ander's mom got better ones. If not we will have to try some other time. They are still so cute.
We had a wonderful night and it was so fun to meet Ander and his family. We enjoyed a shake at Iceberg after and then the kids were done. We are grateful they were willing to meet us and have contact and hope to do it again!

3.22.2010

Our Eternal Family....

Saturday, March 20, 2010, our family was sealed for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a beautiful sealing and when they brought her into the room everyone oohed and awed at how beautiful she was. We let her wear her Easter outfit a little bit early and she looked adorable in it! We were really surprised but they let us go out in our white clothes for a picture. So, here we are after our sealing. Some had already left since we didn't know about it until after.
Our little family...
Mommy and Madi
Uncle Andrew and soon to be Aunt Annie
Great Grandma and Grandpa Gurney
The Hawkins Clan
L to R: Grandpa Hawkins, Uncle Chad, Mommy, Madi, Daddy Front Row: Grandma Hawkins, Aunt Susan and Saber
Mommy and Madi
Great Grandma and Grandpa Baum with Madi
The blanket that we used at the temple was crocheted by Great Grandma Baum! It is a special blanket!
So tired! She missed all her naps and was still a happy little girl! Mommy kisses!!!
Madi's had it! Great Grandma and Grandpa Gurney. I think Grandpa Gurney wasn't quite sure what to think!
5 Generations of Women!!!
L to R: Great Grandma Gurney, Grandma Baum, Madi, Mom, and Great Great Grandma Louder
The Baum Clan
Back Row L to R: Nicholas, Daniel, Erin, Andrew, Daddy, Rick, Bekka, Annie, Christopher
Front Row L to R: Christina, Grandma, Mommy, Tiffany
Kids L to R: Brenton, Whitney, Caitlin, Madi
Madi's cousins, Whitney and Caitlin
Grandma Baum made Madi's blessing dress. It was made from the left over fabric and lace from hers and mommy's wedding dresses. It turned out beautiful!
She also was the one that held Madi at the altar in the temple. We are so glad that she was able to be here with us!
Our Eternal Family...