Party Time!

I could post all about M’s 1st birthday party, which ROCKED, or you could just watch the little flash show up top by her ticker. To summarize: The party was great!! We were surrounded by family and friends, all of the kiddos (10 kids, ranging from 1 month to almost 4yrs old) did really well, it was hot but bearable and M loved every minute of it!!

The caterpillar, butterfly and dirt cakes all turned out great, M kind of got into opening her presents, she loved the party hats and noisemakers, and seemed to really enjoy her day. The party lasted from 3:30pm-8:30pm, and she was a trooper!! She slept OK, but got up early this morning, but is now making up for it–she took a 3.5hr nap in the AM, and is into hour 2 of an afternoon nap. She’ll be back on track in no time, I’m sure!

Enjoy the little flash show, and there may be more pictures later.

The Day of Birth (commerated on the Birthday) or ML part 5

Not to sound cliche, but my how time flies! Baby Girl is officially one today!!

On August 3, 2005, we were privelaged to be invited to the hospital will J delivered Baby M via C-section. We didn’t sleep much the night before–we were up late doing not too much of anything. We made it to the hospital by about 7am, I think, and headed to the maternity floor, carrying cameras and cell phones, a laptop and a few baby clothes. We checked into the nurses station, and everything became real when she gave us the wrist-bracelet that would match us to M when she arrived! J had arranged for that, so we could see her in the nursery while J was still in recovery.

We were shown into J’s room, and saw G, his mom K, Z, J’s mom H and Z’s godfather/caregiver, P. K greeted us right away, J introduced everybody, and we all sat down and made small talk. K gave us a few things for M, and L lightened the mood by taking pictures of everyone. Z warmed up to him right away, and started hamming it up for the camera. Soon enough, J and G went into the delivery room, and we sat and chatted with everyone there. P took Z home. In hindsight, it was all very surreal, but at the time, it seemed perfectly natural.

M arrived at 8:50am, and somewhere around 9:30, she was brought into the room by G. Then hubby and I got to hold her–truly amazing. K held her too. The whole time we were acutely aware that as much as we were gaining a family member, they were, in essence, losing one. We did our best to seem happy yet subdued–again, surreal yet natural.

We followed the baby out when she was taken to the nursery for all the screenings and bath and whatnot, and watched through the glass. At some point, we each went to where cell phones were permitted to call a few people, including the adoption agency.

That was one surprise–the hospital SW wouldn’t let the agency SW come to the hospital for 24 hours after M’s arrival. So we were there, w/o guidance, I guess you could say, but we did just fine. J asked that I call the SW, so I did, and that’s when we learned they’d be able to come to the hospital the next day.

Most of that day (and the day after) is a blur of visiting with J and G, mooning over M, calling friends and giving them updates.

One moment stands out though–my first time alone with M. J was resting, G was taking a break from the hospital, L was making some phone calls and I was alone, watching her through the glass. After a few minutes, I realized that I could go into the little room off of the nursery with M, so I did. The nurse wheeled in her bassinett and left us alone. So I held her and we rocked in the rocking chair, and I welcomed her into the world. Truly one of the best moments of my life.

FRIDAY

I love Fridays. Especially when you know you are going to have a good weekend catching up with friends. Especially when one friend says, “I’m going to buy more limeade so that we can hopefully use up more tequila.” I LOVE friends like that!

News on the Monkey front: Now that she’s changed rooms (almost officially) her daily report is a little bit different. The report talks more about her activities (which now consist of art, table toys, homeliving, etc) and less about her diapers. Seriously, the “diaper” area of the report is SO much smaller than the previous form. It’s kind of funny.

Fun things she is doing–hiding things in cabinets and drawers. I opened the bottom drawer in the kitchen last night to find her beloved Bunny and a telephone. Who knew? She also is LOVING playing with my make up brush and wearing some of my less-of-a-choking-hazard necklaces. Who knew she would play dress up so soon?!?!?

One more random note–our dryer vent has been clogged for a over week, and once the guy finally climbed onto the roof to clear the screen (this service is part of our HOA fee), I realized I was OUT of detergent. So I seriously haven’t done Monkey laundry in close to 3 weeks. Her drawers still appear full. Like the missing clothes haven’t made a dent AT ALL. Hmmm…..clothes horse anyone?? And at this point in time, is it really reflecting on her, or is it more so on me?!??!

Oh, and her ticker is REALLY freaking me out!!