life with 6

Finally, after 21/2 weeks I have found a few moments to write an update and post a few pics.  I cannot believe that Jesiah has been home for almost 3 weeks already.  The last few weeks have flown by and we are all slowly adjusting.  At night I am completely exhausted and find myself falling asleep on the couch at 9pm.  When I take time to reflect on all that has gone on in the last few weeks I realize my exhaustion is justified :) For those of you interested I will share a quick recap of not only our changes but Jesiah's too.
On Nov. 10 we signed official papers with our adoption worker in the morning and then picked Jesiah up from his foster home and brought him home.  It was a very bitter/sweet day.  Alexa was so concerned over why our friend was so sad when she was so happy.  She shed some tears herself as she has a huge caring heart and hates to see others sad.  Jesiah joined our household like any other day that he has been here.  He was full of curiosity and wonder over the dog, the dog food, the dogs water, the cupboards, what's inside the cupboards,the toilet, the garbage, the fireplace, the fan, the remotes, the buttons for the dvd player and shaw box, and wii, and xbox.  The new truck ramp that we bought him sat untouched in the living room as he explored everything in the house that we would prefer him not to explore. We picked up his sisters from school and then came back home and continued to redirect his curiousity back to the toys in the living room.  That night his foster family came over to say goodbye and to celebrate with dinner and cake.  Around 8, our friends said good bye and we were on our own, our family of 6, ready to begin this new journey that God has entrusted to us.
I am still in awe that God chose us to raise Jesiah.  Who am I that I could take care of yet another one of God's children?  I feel inadequate some days, my energy already spent in so many other places, yet I persevere for God's glory and His Kingdom. 
We have experienced much change... Jesiah was not sleeping through the night when he came and within three days we were able to help him sleep through the night and transition him from bottles to a sippy cup.  We have now spent the last 3 weeks working at introducing new foods and creating a love for food.  We discovered that he loves pork sausages that our neighbor made.  This was his first huge feat at trying something new other than pasta and cheese (his favorites).  Since then we have been able to offer him a variety of fruits, meats and vegetables as long as they are ground up together first.  I love my ninja.  It grinds our dinner to the perfect consistency of wet cat food, and Jesiah eats it right up.  Such a blessing :)  We meet with the dietician on Wednesday and hopefully we will be able to get some ideas on how to slowly chunkify food and separate it in a way that he will eat more.
Not only has Jesiah started to enjoy food, he has also stopped dumping ruffy's water and pulling everything out of the cupboards :)  We even put up the Christmas tree this weekend and he is enjoying looking not touching.  Another absolutely exciting thing for me that I love at this age is teaching babies sign language and seeing them respond.  Jesiah has caught onto eat, more, drink, stars, book, all done and uses them appropriately.  He is so pleased with himself.  I find baby signs help huge with the whining and screaming that often happens due to frustration when we don't understand what they are trying to tell us.  We are working on please and thank you as well. 
Jesiah detested bath time when he arrived and screamed blue murder if he even saw the water.  This weekend we were able to put him in the tub and he played with his sisters for over 1/2 an hour splashing and enjoying every moment.  It was such a wonderful treat to see him happy in the tub. 
He loves being outside and has enjoyed exploring the snow and all the "wet" it has to offer.  I also took Jesiah to the little gym this past week and he had so much fun doing forward rolls and monkey hangs on the bar.  We hope to start going regularly to classes there. 
Well, it is time to get back to the busyness of life with a 1 year old, amidst my 5,7, and almost 10 year old and day home children.  Enjoy these pics, and if you think of us please pray for energy, strength, patience and joy as we continue to transition and develop a new bond with Jesiah.

We said YES!!!

After much waiting, praying, wondering, and more waiting we finally had our info sharing yesterday.  It went very well.  It was wonderful to actually be able to put a face to the names of the people we have been having many conversations with over the last several months.  After learning about Baby C (officially), learning a bit more about the legal risk and learning about his routine we were given 24 hours to make a decision. We weren't allowed to decide before that time.  We left the meeting full of joy and excitement. 

At 8:30 this am, Steve and I made the phone call to our worker, and with joy, we said YES! 

We are excited to see this journey of the adoption process come to an end. As we embark on the new journey of raising 4 children, I have to say, yes I am scared, but so full of anticipation as well.  The girls are ecstatic.  Alexa is telling everyone we meet, including the lady at walmart, cashier at the movie theater, and people we meet on the street that she is going to have a brother.  It is wonderful to see their joy.

And so... on Thursday, November 10th we will be welcoming our son and brother, JESIAH CONNER home to stay.  I was given permission to share a few pictures:

I am so happy to finally be able to share a picture and the name we have chosen for our son.  Conner was his given name, which is why we call him Baby C.  We chose to keep a part of his birth name in his name as a way to remember his birth mother.  After many months of discussions and votes we finally decided on Sunday, with the girls help, to name Baby C, Jesiah (rhymes with Messiah).  Jesiah means, God helps.  If you know us well, you know all of our girls names have been chosen based on their meaning.  When we think of Jesiah, we know that only with God's help was he given an opportunity to attach and grow in a healthy, loving environment, and with God's help we will be able to provide this second chance at life.

 

We would like to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement over the last several months.  As we journey into the unknown I ask that you continue to lift us up in prayer if you are able. 

Over the next week could you please pray for Jesiah's transition.  He is coming from an absolutely, amazing foster family who has adored him and no doubt he will be sad.  Please pray for them as they transition into life without Baby C and await their next baby.  Please pray for us as we learn new routines and adapt to new types of chaos (especially from 3:30-5:30 on weekdays when I have 6 kids in the home).

Thank you so much.  I will be sure to post pics of Jesiah's "GOTCHA DAY" soon.

"...but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trust in Him.  Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:10b--11)