Finalization, Christmas and Birthdays

Boy, it's been awhile. Gabe continues to do better, and life has started to get more normal. Instead of being completely wiped out, we are now limping.

In December we went to court in Indy to officially adopt Gabe. Despite Lauren puking in the van right as we parked down there, everything went smoothly. Steve was more used to the setting, and was more comfortable than I was. I didn't realize that we had to be sworn in!

It ended up being an adoption blitz, and there were hundreds of adoptions taking place that day. We were supposed to do this in October, but H1N1 took our family out. Our judge (whom was recently nominated to the US District Court by Sen Bayh) was wearing a Santa hat, and they had a party with lots of food in the other court after our finalization. He is officialy ours.

After a quick stop at Trader Joe's to get some paper towels (to clean up the smelly mess from Lauren) and other yummies, we went to Momma's Korean restaurant in Indy.

For Christmas we went to my sister's house in Georgia. On the way there, we split up the trip, and Gabe didn't do too bad. Addison was a great help. Unfortunately, Addison was sick with the stomach flu on Christmas morning, Gabe had it by that afternoon, and everyone else got it one by one, except for my sister. Luckily not everyone was throwing up, but we all got sick. My mom,unfortunately, got sick the day she was to fly out. I felt so bad for her. Needless to say, we love my sister and family, but we couldn't wait to leave!

The girls have started gymnastics on Saturdays and are loving it. In fact, Addison did a back walkover just today. Lauren continues to amaze us with her reading ability. Not quite five and she will read words that I think there is no way she'll know what it is. She even spelled one of her sister's spelling words before! Addison celebrated her eighth (is it possible?) birthday at Chuck E Cheese with her BFF Kiersten and neighbors/friends Delaney and Kathryn. Her favorite gift was a lava lamp. She loved getting to spend all day and night with Kiersten.

Steve went to San Antonio for work the beginning of February. It was very long and tiring, but we made it. An impending snow storm brought him home earlier than planned.

Gabe continues to do better, month by month. Today I got a wonderful gift in that he let me cradle him. Gabe has NEVER let me do this. I took him out of the shower and held him in my arms, and he didn't say anything and he looked into my eyes! I was able to get him dressed and do it again, and so was Steve. I just can't tell you what a blessing that was.

Of course nothing is perfect. Currently he has been screaming/crying for a half hour (now make that 45 minutes) fighting to go to sleep. It's been like that for a while every time he goes to bed. I baby sat a friends child who is 6 months younger on Friday, and all I did was lay her down and she slept for 2 hours without a peep. Gabe screamed for a half hour and slept an hour. Sigh. And can he throw a fit. Screams bloody murder each time. I've put him in his room for them. Probably not the adoption way, but neither is loosing it with him.

Gabe is walking fine now, and slowly gaining sign language. He is wanting to talk, but just doesn't have the ability. He is trying though. And he understands alot. He is able to go to child care at church with minimal crying at the beginning and when we are due to pick him up (I'm told he has an internal clock). He is still very small, but eats better than my nephews.

I've met so many acquaintances who pray for us, and I'm just amazed. How the family of God has prayed and lifted us up, and God has heard them and answered their prayers. Thanks.