Fathers Day!!

Hi everyone! I thought that my first Father's Day would be fitting for my 2nd blog ever, since this was a pretty fantastic day! Just sitting back and thinking of how long I have wanted to be a father, and now realizing that I am was really awesome! Chylar is the most beautiful little girl in the world, and I (we) love her so much! She has definitely started to smile more and recognize us as well, so that makes everything 1000 times better and more fun! I love to watch her wake up with her stretching and grunting, then "it" happens........she will see me, focus for a second, and then smile and coo for a while. There is not a better feeling in the world!

So on the big day, Chylar slept with me a little bit in the morning, then her and Mommy made me a mans breakfast, and then they gave me some great cards along with some cologne from Sean Jean (P-Diddy to all his friends) and Jillian's get back into shape book!....I better follow it, because I really do not want to go ON the show and have her show me the book first hand (if you know what I mean)! In the afternoon the inlaws came over with a lot of food and plenty of hugs and kisses for Chylar, so all in all it was a nice 1st Father's Day!

I hope that you like a few of the pics I am attaching, and the lion picture is just a symbol of how I felt all of Sunday! Take care everyone, and who knows, I might post another blog soon so stay alert! :)

Gord

First vacation / First days back to work

Chylar bundled up for fireworks (you can tell we are from Phoenix. She was the only one with a snowsuit!!)

The girls as Navy Pier...

Group minus Gord (he took the pic).

First flight (she wanted the window seat).

At the Zoo!

Last weekend we ventured to Chicago to meet my online buddies. We had a great trip! The weather was fantastic. It did rain one morning but Phoenicians love RAIN!! Everyone was so nice 'in real life', just as I thought they would be. It felt like meeting up with old friends. We have been communicating for a year and a half. WOW... time flies. We all said that our other friends and family thought we were a little crazy for going so far to meet people we never met before. It wasn't strange to us at all. I told the girls that we are probably the safest people to meet, since we all have been through home studies, FBI finger printing, background checks etc... : ) We have so much in common and have been though ALL the same stuff. Even our husbands thought we were a little nuts, but obviously we are all married to some great guys and I think they all enjoyed the weekend, too!! I know Gord did!

Chylar was an angel on the trip. She behaved the entire time as we took her on planes, trains and automobiles (and one wild bus ride!!).

I am back to work. I have completed 2 full days. The first day I worked from home and my mom watched Chylar. This was hard as I could hear her downstairs, but I needed to stay upstairs and not respond to her. Grandma did great. Today I went into the office. I was dreading this day, but I think it was a little easier then I expected. I did call a couple of times ; ) It was so fun to come home to her. I couldn't wait. I did not cry, which surprised me because I had good cry Sunday night. I thought for sure there was more to come. Chylar and I had a good hour and a half together before I had to go to work, so I think that made it easier, too.

Here are some pictures of the trip...

It is official!!

Tired from all the events!
Yea!!

Mommy and Me!! (she is waving "Hi")

Daddy and Me!

Again!

us and our Attorney...

With the judge!

The last legal step to adoption is going to court to finalize the adoption in front of the judge. Today was our day!!! She is officially, legally, all the way ours! When I got married I didn't know if I would feel different afterwards, but I did. That was the same feeling I had today. I wasn't sure if these proceedings would change how I feel and they did! I feel a weight has been lifted and I can finally let down all my guards and love and enjoy her to the fullest. No one can take her away from me (us : )). As you can imagine, there were tears of joy in the courtroom. She is our joy!! After the hearing, we went to lunch and I shared my relief with Gordon. He said he hasn't had a guard up and didn't feel different... well goodie for him (he did cry, too, DUHHH!). He must be healthier than me!! That is why I love him. Here are some pictures of our big day!!

Thank you for all your support. It was a long road, but we are willing to travel it again, someday!!

Opa and Omi's visit!!!

Pics in the nursery!
Hand painted letters (by ME!!)

Good bye at the airport : (

Opa and Chylar (Can you get more comfortable???)

All Grandparents!!

Omi and Chylar's quiet time.

The first meeting!! It was very sweet. I was gonna video tape it, but the battery was dead ARRGG!

We had a great visit with Gord's parents. It was short but very sweet. They fell in love with their new granddaughter. (how could they not : )) We did a lot of hanging out and just spending quality time together. The weather wasn't terrible, but it was at least 100 degrees everyday. It was sad to see them leave today. We all went to the airport to wish them a safe trip. I did finish the nursery before the visit. It was great motivation.

We love you Omi and Opa!!! : )

2 month check up!!

We took Chylar for her 2 month check up. Gord and I had bets on what she weighed and how long she was. I won the length and he won the weight. (we have to make everything a game )She is 22 inches long and weighs 11 lbs and 2 oz. She has gained 4 lbs in 6 weeks. I knew she was over 10 lbs, but, 11?? She isn't quite smiling yet. The doctor said that should happen any minute, so we will keep trying. She is sleeping better at night. She still gets up, but usually goes back down pretty easily. I'm not as zombie(ish) as I was. I only have 3 weeks more of leave : ( It is going to be hard to leave her. We are almost done with her room. I will post pictures when we get everything hung!!

Mother's Day!

Chylar and Grandma!

Sacked out while giving me my gifts : ) You would be tired, too, if you had to hold up those cheeks : )

Beautiful custom onesie/burp cloth!!

Bikini Babe!! When you got it, you got it. ABS of steel.

What a very anticipated Mother's Day I had. I bet Gord and Chylar were nervous to see if they met my expectations : ) THEY DID. Everything was great. Sometimes I still can't believe she is ours. They bought me my favorite bagel for breakfast and I got a shirt, frame and candle! They did good. In the afternoon, we went to my sister's and hung by the pool and ate (of course). We always eat!! Here are some pics to enjoy!!

I hope you all had a great day, too!!!

Update

Things have been going great! Chylar has had some gas that we are dealing with, but what a trooper she is. She doesn't cry much, just GRUNTS. We have changed formula. It seems to be getting a little better, probably because she is becoming more active. She is so interested in things now. that was the biggest change I have noticed this week. She is wanting more stimulation. She is still sleeping a lot, during the day, but when she is awake, she wants some entertainment. : )

Nights are still challenging. I am taking the night shift since Gord is working, so I am pretty tired. I have a hard time taking a nap during the day. I need to make myself. I guess I am so excited to not have to work, that I am trying to get things done and make plans with people and enjoy this time off : ) I am at the half point in my parental leave from work : ( 6 more weeks.

Gord had to travel for business last week, so my mom came over and did the night shift... WOW that was awesome. I had two full nights of sleep (IN A ROW) and what a difference that made!! Thanks, MOM!!

Gord's parents are visiting from Canada at the end of this month! Chylar is excited to meet her Omi and Opa!!

We are planning to meet up with some of my online buds in Chicago in June. I have never been there, Gord loves it!! That will be our big family vacation for this year.

Since it had been awhile, I thought I would catch you up. Things are going well over here. We are just awaiting her to start smiling at us. I read that is coming up and I think that will feel so great when it happens : )