At long last =)

Well, three IS busy! Life and little ones have kept me a little too occupied to blog of late though I have taken some pictures I hope to share. The last 2 1/2 weeks were also made more difficult by a series of migraine headaches which put me out of commission for awhile. By God's grace, I am experiencing relief now! So a quick post. . .
Nathaniel had several special visitors his second week and we got pictures of these:

"Miss Ree" (Shirkisha) came to meet Nathaniel

Not a visitor, but a wide-eyed pic with an adoring sister

And two big sisters playing "baby"

Bella and Lydee! Love those cousins!

Uncle Tom (Tom and Lydia made a quick trip to the state to view real estate - they're moving back!!!)

Aunt Lydia meets her new nephew

"Auntie Bing Bing" and Sky

Nathaniel is one week old!

Abigail and Hannah were rather delighted to have Daddy home!

Abigail can't get enough of holding her baby brother. =)

And Hannah feels rather grown up too. . . and glad to be "big."

Except when she wants to be the baby again! She climbed into the bouncer seat and pulled Nathaniel's blanket over herself. Too cute. She's also tried getting into the infant swiing.

Hannah gives Nathaniel kisses all day long. . . and does quite well at being gentle now.

Our little man one week old!

We think he's awfully cute!

Uncle Caleb came over to meet his first nephew. . . think the little guy is getting enough attention? (Abigail was in her pajamas all that day. . . she had a tummy bug early that morning and spent half the day sleeping afterwards. SOOOO grateful that no one else got it!)

When Nathaniel is hungry (which is most of the time he's awake!) he'll suck on anything he can get in his mouth. Abigail loves his "kisses" and thought it was hilarious that he was sucking on her chin. =)

Eyes open! Aren't they sweet?

Another good little mommy.

Our two sweet and silly girls!

Nathaniel weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. When we left the hospital he was 7 pounds 3.9 ounces (why couldn't we say 4?). And by his first doctor's appointment at six days old, he had gained five ounces!

Going home! (March 11, 2011)

What a morning! Relinquishments were signed and Nathaniel is ours! Our hearts were full as we took our little son home.

Dressed and ready. . . last nap in his hospital bassinet.

Discharged. . . Happy Daddy and Mommy headed home with our new son

Buckled in for the trip home

The welcoming committee! Abigail had made a welcome banner for Nathaniel and had it and a balloon on the carport door when we arrived. When we came in the door Hannah began jumping up and down and exclaiming, "Mommy home! Daddy home! Bee-Bee home!"

Julia and her babies. This is gonna be an adjustment for Hannah. She loves Baby Nathaniel, but is used to having Mommy's arms to herself. Sharing really is sweet. =)

Two Nathaniels! Love this picture of Daddy and Son - and it's only a shadow. . .

How great the Father's love for us that we should be called children of God! Children by adoption and heirs by grace.

First family of five picture!

Just a little delighted. . . =)

Soon after Abigail was born, Nathan earned the "master burper" title. Nathaniel presents new challenges. . . he can sleep through the whole effort and avoid burping entirely!

So sweet little boy - two days old!

Nathaniel meets his family - Day One

The next morning (Wednesday), GramMee, Abigail and Hannah came to visit! All were quite taken with our little son. =)

Hannah loves her "Bee-bee" brother!

Julia's mom was such a blessing - caring for our girls the whole time so that we could be at the hospital with Nathaniel.

Abigail with the brother she's been praying for. . .

Love my brother! Abigail cried at the end of both visits (Wednesday and Thursday) because she didn't want to leave Nathaniel.

4 a.m. . . Nathaniel was wide awake for one-on-one time with Mommy! He'd been keeping his eyes closed most of the time so it was a treat to see them. =) Love my boy!

Nathaniel Stephen Jr. arrives!

Our baby was scheduled to be born by C-section on Wednesday, March 9th, but after a day and a half at the hospital, he was delivered a bit early - Tuesday March 8th! Julia was delighted to be present for the surgery (didn't watch though!) and to hold him within five minutes after birth. A few minutes later he was ready to meet Daddy. . . Welcome little Nathaniel! He is truly a gift of God and a crown of rejoicing.

Our baby BOY!

February 10 Julia and Abigail got to be present for the first ultrasound. . . showing our baby boy at about 34 weeks! Due some time in March. . . probably before the 15th.

Rejoicing in our God!

For you formed my inward parts; 

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; 

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, 

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; 

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Family pictures. . . for a special purpose (Oct 2010)

My brother Caleb came over one evening in October and took family pictures for us. . . for our adoption portfolio! We had a great time and love his work! During October we also had our homestudy visit in preparation for welcoming a new baby before long.

Nathan receives his MBA! - May 2010

After four years of graduate studies (on top of full-time work and being a daddy!), Nathan completed his Masters in Business Administration. We praise God for His provision and grace during this season. What a happy celebration for all of us!