So I'm not talented enough or have enough time to do monthly-ish updates on both kiddoes seperately. So you get them together. :)
Levi is officially 2 years and four months old as of the 27th of this month. He is a ball of energy, my in-home tornado, a chatter box (mainly at home), helper, "big boy," comedian to me and Nora, and fully embracing of the imaginary world. And loves to be as naked as possible whenever possible.
In the picture above he and I are enjoying a play-dough picnic while Nora sleeps. He litereally sees the world through make-believe eyes almost all the time. Everything he eats, builds, and touches becomes something else. No make-believe friends yet. I'm just waiting. :)
Nora will officially be eight months old in a few days. She has literally turned into a mover over night. On July 14th she started lunging forward from all fours. The next day she figured out how to go from her tummy to sitting. Every day she gets better and better. She now is crawling all over the floor. She isn't super speedy yet, but she definitely can get where she wants to go. And I just caught her pulling up to her feet on a basket. But she also still loves to sit down with a basket of toys and go to town. Today she made it from the living room to Levi's room. Yikes!! I can tell there is no turning back....she is on the go for good!
Parenting is hard....but so much joy in it. I thank the Lord for giving me the eyes to see the grace upon grace in my two miraculous gifts! (most of the time....today I kind of felt like screaming as they both were tag teaming in pulling out every single thing they could get their hands on as I was trying to get things in order, to no avail)
They are enjoying each other more and more every day. Most of the time....but don't get me wrong, there is a lot of, "Don't take Nora's toy. Soft hands. Be sweet to sister. She's still little, you can't lay on her. Be careful." And lots and lots of prayer. It is hard seeing the sin nature come out in your child. And overwhelming to know how to handle every situation.
Trying to lead and mold those little hearts is a big job! Thank You Lord for being the One who changes and calls hearts to you....and giving grace and wisdom to weak and imperfect people like me in such a big role as parenting.
Nothing better than snuggling this doll baby as she enjoys a bottle.
Nora absolutely adores Keller...and he enjoys her affections as well. She will stop at nothing to get to him.
Nora is wearing 6-12 month clothes and 4 diapers.
She seems to be transitioning to table food much quicker than Levi. She never really enjoyed any baby food I offered her, so we just jumped to soft table food. If she can feed herself, she'll eat it!!
Nora generally takes two-three naps a day and sleeps about 11 hours at night. She still wakes up sometimes in the early morning hours talking/fussing. I usually let her continue until she falls back asleep until about 7.
But seriously....could she be any sweeter?
Attack of the marker! Or brother! :/ First time I let Levi use markers....and I walked out of the room for a few minutes(I know...rookie mistake). He had covered her scalp, cheeks, back and bottom with marker. She made no peeps. Sorry sweet sister!
Levi already has learned the 'look innocent' look, divert mom's attention, or rationalize by saying 'Nora's happy,' when caught doing something wrong. Oh dear!
This goober is still a mess....constantly. We go through 2-3 outfits a day due to water, food, or anything else he could cover himself in. No really....it's like an explosion wherever the kid goes. Sooo messy! But he has loads of fun!
I wonder if Nora gets sick of my constant kisses? She is just so kissable!
Nora adores her daddy! She watches him wherever he goes. And lights up when he talks and plays with her.
Nora is such a good sport...most of the time when brother insists on her participation in one of his ideas. Hours have been spent in this tent....she's generally happy as long as she can suck/chew on something.
Nora has this most perfect mop of hair right on top of her head.
And she still has no teeth.
And she still hates being hot....while brother seems oblivious to temp(cold or hot).
Oh what a day this was! Consummation Day! The way our agency explained this to us was Texas is finally catching up to what has already been done. Nora's birth mom and dad have already signed away their parental rights. That is done. We have done our part as well. But Texas makes you wait six months, with monthly home studies, pictures, and medical documentation. At six months, we submit our request to the courts in Abilene of our desire to consummate the adoption of Nora. It literally was about a five minute ordeal in court swearing in and verifying with lots of yes' that we in fact do want to adopt Nora. And that was it.
But....at the same time it was such a big deal! As much as we have loved our agency, Christian Homes, we no longer have to record info for them, arrange meetings and updates verifying she is doing okay and we are doing okay. We get to just be our family.
So thankful for Josh's parents joining us that day. They helped entertain Levi for the bulk of the morning and joined in our celebration of finally being done! We are so grateful for them!
Another aspect that made it an emotional day is that we met with Nora's birth mom before the consummation. It is so hard to explain how this works...for us, because I am sure it looks differently with every family. Nora is our daughter. Period. But her birth mother will always be part of Nora and she will always love her dearly. She bought Nora several really cute outfits and a toy. She videotaped her almost the whole time. I know she is still very sad and misses Nora being with her. I so desperately want a better life for her birth mom and for her to know the loving-kindness of our God. She seems to be going down a deadly path that only God could rescue her from....but isn't that us all? Please join me in prayer for Nora's sweet birth mom to grasp the depth of God's love for her in sending His Son to die in her place but risen to give new life. And for comfort for her mourning heart. Thank you dear friends.
My heart overflows with thankfulness and joy in holding this sweet girl and having the privilage of being her mom.
This goober is no less of a miracle as well. So blessed to have been able to walk through adoption and pregnancy/birth.
Nora will knaw on anything she can get ahold of.
Once again...doll baby. :)
This was about the extent of our fourth of July....yet very fun.
Levi is turning into a regular green thumb these days. Levi and I share a pair of gloves and head out to the garden daily to check for ripe veggies. As Josh waters and works outside, Levi is often found sitting on top of an overturned wheel barrow....pretending it is either a tractor or lawn mower.
We visited my family in June....first time with all seven grandbabies 3 and under. Such a fun fun time!!! Love them all dearly!
Levi talks about both sets of grandparents all. the. time!!!
I have many more pics from this trip that I will post later...hopefully.
Here's the youngest....sweet baby Ruby. Such a beauty!!
I love the toe sucking phase. Nora actually doesn't do it much....even though she chews on everything else.
Yes I did. So it's not in a picture frame yet(way past father's day) but we'll get there eventually.
This girl loves her momma and I love it!
Good-bye baby bath tub. Nora will not put up with being confined one bit any more. She thinks she is way too big. Plus it is adorable watching her and Levi play now that she isn't 'trapped' by her own tub.
I actually rarely feed her baby food anymore....the girl wants to be in charge. Finger foods it is!
Our alien creation.
I adore her face!
We visited Josh's brother and sisterinlaw in May. They had horses and a huge lawn mower in their back yard. Levi talks about this lawn mower constantly!!! It made a huge impression on him.
We also went to look at some airplanes and helicopters(which Jordan flies in) while there. Now....just about ever helicopter we see brings up a conversation about Uncle Jordan flying helicopters. Ha!
Going to see the planes and helicopters!
Sadly, this is the only time Nora has been in a swimming suit all summer. I know I know. Terrible. Maybe next summer. :)
