Picture of the Kids from March 2013

In March we had a group birthday party for Eric, Kiki, and Elise. Here is a picture from the party, including Clark and two of their cousins. Funny faces!

Happy birthdays to my babies!

*** Also, house update: We've closed on our new house! Yay! We're so excited to be moving soon!***

November 14 and 15: Adoption Day!

Nov 14

Adoption Day! Outside of the courtroom just after the adoptions were finalized.

Nov 15

Family photo with Elliot's parents.

Halloween, Nov 1 and 2... And a Bonus Picture

Oct 31

They deserve all the candies.

Nov 1

Clark piloting a plastic space ship.

Elise sorting dried pasta in the sink of a play-kitchen.

Nov 2

The kids just watched Elliot and me vote. Never to early to learn about civics!

BONUS!

Now that the adoption is finalized, I can post old pictures of Eric and Kimani. Here is one from December 26, 2010. Elise is sitting in her Aunt Katie's lap and I am holding Eric. This was taken shortly after Eric and Kimani joined our family.

Our Adoption is Final! We're a Family Forever!

We are so happy to announce our adoption yesterday of Eric and Kimani. They've been a part of our family for almost two years already, but now it's legal-- we are a family forever. We love you so much, Eric and Kimani!

October 5, 6, 7

Oct 5

Elise put this sticker over her mouth, then fell asleep. Or passed out from lack of oxygen. Hard to say.

Night night, little guy.

Oct 6

Clark eating cake at his birthday party.

Oct 7

Kids with cousin James.

April 28: Visit with Papa Lee

Elliot's dad visited with us this past Saturday while he made a quick trip to our city. The kids were all so happy to see him!

March 18

March 17: Birthday Party Celebration!

Happy 1st Birthday, James!

Happy 1st birthday, cousin James! We love you!!!!!

December 24

Clark and Grampy:



Elise coloring:



Note: Elise day 655; Clark day 81

December 22: Getting Into the Holiday Spirit

Aunt Katie, Clark, and Mommy. Clark looks like a baby doll sitting on the couch next to Caleb's toy monkey.




Elisey the red-nosed reindeer:



Note: Elise day 653; Clark day 79

Elise Days 577, 578; Clark Days 4, 5

On October 7th, Clark had his first doctor's appointment. He was healthy and wonderful. Elliot came along and (hands-on daddy that he is) took over diaper duty.



Elise sleeping on the night of October 7th:



Clark in the park, October 8th:



Elise and Mimi, October 8th:

We're Back!

It's been a little while since we've made any new blog posts because Clark was in the hospital recently. He's okay now, thank goodness, but having a newborn in the hospital DOES shake things up quite a bit. It was a scary and exhausting experience, and I'm so glad it's all behind us now.

On the morning of October 15th Clark woke up with a fever. We took him to the emergency room because when a newborn gets a fever something is usually very wrong. He was diagnosed with a respiratory virus, RSV, and he also eventually developed pneumonia. Clark had to be put on oxygen to help him breathe. He bounced back and forth between the regular pediatric section of the hospital and the ICU.

Elliot's sister Katie and my mom came into town to help Elliot with Elise, Caleb, and Ingrid while I stayed with Clark in the hospital. Clark was in the hospital for over two weeks and was finally discharged on October 30th.

We love you so much, Clark, and we're glad you're okay!!!

Days 559 and 560: Nana and Elise

Elliot's mom visited with us recently and Elise had a great time with her Nana. They did lots of fun things together including coloring, reading books, and playing with puzzles. Elise's pregnant Mommy sure appreciated the extra help, and Elise loved having another playmate!

September 19th:



September 20th:

Days 531, 532, and 533

August 22nd:

Elise and Mimi, August 23rd:

Elise playing video games, August 24th:

Day 509: Natural History Museum in Gainesville

We took the kids to the natural history museum in Gainesville last Sunday and met up with Elliot's dad and sister during our trip. It's a nice museum, and the kids seemed to enjoy themselves! Of course, Elise, Ingrid, and Caleb like looking at anything new, but there is also a kids play area in the museum that they spent time exploring.

Here is a picture of Elise and Papa Lee... I think Elise was trying to swipe a souvenir from the trip:

Baby Shower and Elise's Day 501

Elliot's step-mom threw Clark a baby shower on July 23rd. Yay! Thank you so much, Candi! We had a very nice time with family and a few close friends. Unfortunately, we can't post pictures of our foster children but there were definitely some cute pictures of the kids playing in the ball pit that we set up in the living room.

Here is a picture of Elliot, his sister Katie, and Elise taken during the shower:

Days 439, 440, and 441

Cousin James and Elise, May 22nd:



Elise swimming away from an alligator, May 23rd:



Elise watching Radar get ready to go home after boarding her this past weekend, May 24th:

Day 438: Florida Aquarium

We took the kids to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa on May 21st. They loved it! The big fish didn't scare them at all-- they enjoyed watching all of the movement and pretty colors. Some of my family and Elliot's family joined us for the afternoon. What a great day!

Let the Belly Pictures Begin!

Time again for some pregnant belly pictures!

This picture was taken when I was about 12.5 or 13 weeks pregnant:



Elliot and I were with the kids and some of my family at a zoo in Sarasota on March 26th. I wasn't intentionally taking a belly picture, but you can tell that I'm starting to get a bit of a bump.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes! Here I am about 15 weeks pregnant on April 11th:



Compare to how looked at 14.5 weeks pregnant with Elise: click here

And then, BOOM! Baby belly explosion! I'm about 19.5 or 20 weeks pregnant on May 15th:



Compare to how I looked at 20 weeks pregnant with Elise: click here

My belly is definitely getting bigger quicker with the second pregnancy.