Great Adoption Quote

Most everyone who has been involved with adoption has heard this quote before...  But I read it again today, and absolutely love it!  Just wanted to share =)

"Not flesh of my flesh, 

Nor bone of my bone;

But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute - 

You weren't born under my heart...

You were born in it."

And, although this is a short post... it wouldn't be complete without some super cute pics of the men in my life...  Here's Reid napping with Daddy =)

Reid after his bath yesterday...I love those huge brown eyes!!!  I keep trying to capture him smiling at us (real smiles)...but no luck so far...I'll get one soon!

Reid is 3 weeks old!

Our baby boy is 3 weeks old today!  It's amazing to think that he has gone from this:

...To this in just 3 short weeks!!! (We LOVE those chubby arms!)

We love this little guy more and more each day - he's a true blessing to our family!

Our Valentine...a week late =)

Reid's umbilical chord finally fell off yesterday, so now we feel like we can finally start dressing him in some "big boy" clothes without it irritating him.  Here's a pic of our little man in his Valentine's Day outfit... we know it's a week late, but we couldn't resist =)

His little shirt says "Heartbreaker"...too cute!!!  Thanks, KK!  He also has a baseball hat that matches, but unfortunately it's still a little too big for his head and kept covering his eyes.  Here's a closer pic of him... and yes, the jeans are a bit big still... but he'll grow into them! =)

Reid's Newborn Photo Session

Seriously...check these pics out!  INCREDIBLE!!! 

www.lovemephotography.com/blog/

Crystal DeLaHoz did such an AMAZING job photographing our beautiful baby boy - we are thrilled and can't wait to have these blown up for the nursery!!!  Anyone looking to have pictures done of your kids or family...I highly recommend her - FABULOUS!!!

Here's a sneak peak =)

TWO WEEK Well-Check

Well...we have a little linebacker in training according to the nurses! =)  Here are Reid's stats from his two week well-check this morning:

Height: 21 3/4 inches (90%)

Weight: 9lbs 13oz (90%)

I can't believe he's gained 13 ounces in just one week...CRAZY!!!  Reid did wonderfully again today...everything is looking great according to Dr. Dalton!  The only time he fussed was when they pricked his heel and held him down for more blood work - I think that'd make me angry, too =)

It's time for our big boy to eat again, so I'm cutting this short...  but Ben and I are both just floored at how quickly Reid is growing and changing.  We are praying that he remains healthy and things continue to progress normally.  I'll update more later...

Two Weeks Old Today!

Ben and I can't believe that Reid is already two weeks old today!  WOW how time flies!!!  This has been a big week for our little guy, and he's still the most laid back baby there is.  This week, Reid finally got his days and nights flipped correctly.  He's letting mommy get GREAT sleep for only being two weeks old!  He usually goes down to bed about 11pm, then I only wake up to feed him about 2:30am, and again about 6:30am...can't beat that! =)  Reid also started eating 4 full ounces of formula at every feeding this week - such a big boy!  We have his 2 week well-check tomorrow (Wednesday) morning with Dr. Dalton, and are so excited to see how much he's grown!

I love this sleepy-faced picture of him right after he got done eating yesterday...

Other big milestones (at least to mommy and daddy) this week:

1) Reid cried for me the first time this past weekend - I love that he now knows who I am! =)  He does great with other people holding him, but if he's tired and hears me walk into the room now... he swings his head to find me and screams.  As soon as I pick him up, he's perfectly content.

2) Last night, Reid and Daddy had their first "Boys Only" evening - Ben did such a wonderful job with him!  I went out for several hours to have dinner with some girlfriends and to have some adult conversation time, while Ben stayed here to hold down the fort.  I'm so thankful and blessed to have a husband who loves us so much and is also incredible an Dad!

3)And...SMILES!!!  I've had two real smiles this week - those make everything so worth it!!!

The little dude is starting to wake up, so I'm running out of time... but had to share this one last picture:

The boys (Johnny and Fat Jack) have been none too interested or thrilled to be sharing their house with this new little guy.  But...they are FINALLY warming up to him.  Johnny now thinks anytime that I have Reid in my lap, he must join us as well.  Too cute!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far...  I'll post his stats from our well-check tomorrow as soon as possible!

Keystone Baby Shower

On Thursday evening, I had the honor of attending another baby shower to welcome sweet Reid - it was an AMAZING evening hosted by our dear friends from Keystone Church.  Have I ever mentioned how much Ben and I LOVE this church family???  They have been so supportive and encouraging throughout our adoption journey.  Constantly praying and lifting our family up - they are one of the greatest blessings in our lives.  

The shower was a come and go sip-n-see from 7-9pm at Jill Hand's house.  There was such a great turn out and Reid and I had so much fun!  Here's a picture of us with ALL of the hostesses - what a wonderful group of women!!!  (And YES...I said hostesses...there were 15!!)  Not pictured are Kelli Jones, April Colquett, and Angie Burton.

And the FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!  So beautifully decorated - I was blown away by the amount of time and effort that went in to every last detail...

YUM...Opulent Cakes... my favorite!!!

Here's a quick shot of the gift room...sorry I didn't get a good pic of all the gifts.  Amanda Christian took some great pictures, so hopefully I'll have more to post in the next several weeks.  She's a professional!! (She also went into labor on Friday morning after the shower and had her sweet baby girl, Sadie on Friday afternoon!  So...pics may be a while in coming...haha!)

I loved this pic of our family!

And...finally a picture of Mommy and Reid where I don't look like I've been run over by a truck =)  Love this little guy!!!

Reid at 1 Week Old

Our sweet baby boy is one week old - I feel like he has already changed so much!!  We have his newborn photo session booked for this Saturday...  Our photographer is Crystal who owns "Love, Me" photography.  Her pictures are fantastic and we are really looking forward to it!

Reid is learning so much every day - it blows our minds! (and makes us a little sad, too, that this baby phase passes so quickly)...  Here's a picture of Reid already holding his head up while KK was holding him:

And this blue elephant that we are for some reason calling "Buddy", has become Reid's new best friend.  Every time we change his diaper he just sits there and looks at Buddy and even talks to him sometimes.  Too cute!

And, here's a picture of Reid and Mommy from this afternoon.  Love this little man!!  Please excuse my appearance...hat...no make-up...  I'm still in baby boot camp, folks! =)

First Well Check

Ben and I took Reid to his first well check with Dr. Dalton this morning - it went so well!  As I have said a MILLION times... we have THE BEST baby!!!  He didn't cry or fuss at all through the whole appointment.  He let Dr. Dalton take his temperature, weigh him, check all of his reflexes, eyes, etc...  He just laid there and cooed and took everything in.  And... Dr. Dalton said that sweet Reid is showing early signs of being very intelligent (like we didn't already know that!)! =)  He said he's definitely ahead of the pack in alertness, focusing his eyes, following sounds, responding to change and handling, etc.  We're so proud of our little man!

Here are his stats from today:

Length: 21.5 inches (he's grown an inch already!)

Weight: 9.0 pounds (birth weight was 9.2...dropped to 8lbs 12 oz by hospital release, so we're gaining great weight!)

We have another 2 week well check next Wednesday where they will run some blood work.  After that, if he's still gaining good weight, then Dr. Dalton said he wouldn't have to come back until it was time for his shots.  

We can't believe how in love we are with this little guy already!!!

Reid's First Baby Shower

On Sunday afternoon, Reid and I had our first baby shower - what a wonderful afternoon!!!  We are so grateful to all of our friends and family who were there.  This was our Keller shower, and it was hosted by my sister - Neely Floyd - along with Jen DeLaPorte, Emily Borg, and Laurie Haas.  It was a "Sip N See" from 3-5pm, and there were over 60 people that came - definitely a full house!!!  Ben and I keep telling Reid that he's a celebrity baby because so many people have been praying for him for so very long.  We couldn't feel more blessed!  He even has his posse of paparazzi (aka Aunt Neely, all the grandparents, and Mommy and Daddy, of course)!

The girls did such a WONDERFUL job putting everything together!  They had tons of pictures blown up of sweet Reid and our family all over the house...

... and the cake was so cute, and tasted so good!  There wasn't a single piece left at the end =)

Here's a picture of Reid and I with all of the hostesses...Laurie, Emily, Jen, and Aunt Neely.

Grandpa "Doc" (our resident pediatrician) was the center of attention because he was holding the little guest of honor - he absolutely loved it!  (He was also making sure that no one touched our newborn baby... I mean, who could reach in and take him away from Doc???)  We had to pry Reid out of his hands for one of his feedings =)

Here's a picture of Reid with Daddy and his Grandma... (the two grandmas were the only other people allowed to hold Reid during the shower, of course!)

With "KK" and "Doc"

Awake and alert - I'm just too handsome!!!

By the end of the party, our Reid was WIPED out!  I love this picture... this is how he sleeps all of the time.  His little hands up by his head and a paci in his mouth =)

Reid's First Bath and Baby Boot Camp

We are still floating on cloud nine and had to take a few small minutes to brag on our precious baby boy!  Little Reid is the BEST baby (he really is...we're not just saying that!)!  The sweet little guy is so laid back and just happy.  He only cries when he has a wet diaper... and considering he just had his circumcision on Thursday evening...I think I'd cry, too =)  That discomfort should pass in a few days, though.  He is eating like a champ as well...  The nurse at the hospital was a little nervous because he had not been taking a bottle very well with her, but he's eating between 2 and 3 ounces each feeding now without spitting any of it up.  What a relief for Mommy!  

He had his first sponge bath today as well... and after we were done with the diaper area, he truly loved it!  

Here he is not at all happy about the diaper clean up and change...

Happy boy getting some lotion rubbed on his little chest!

He LOVED the warm water being poured over his little head and kept smiling at himself in the mirror...

So content and happy (Mommy had just had a shower, too!)

I wanted to share this picture as well - the two main men of my life!  This was the first time Ben fed Reid - what a special memory!

And, like all new parents... we are definitely in the thick of what we're calling Baby Boot Camp.  We saw a bib the other day that we are definitely going back to buy...  It said "Party at my crib at 2am".  That definitely sums up our Reid!  Right now, he has his days and nights switched so Mommy and Daddy are trying to learn how to sleep when he sleeps during the day.  He's been taking good 2-3 hour naps during the day.  But his most alert time is from about 2am-6am.  He's up, talking, and wanting to play.  =)  

This picture was taken about 2:30am this morning...it about sums up our life right now.  Love it!

PICTURES ARE HERE!!!

On our way home from Austin...with perfect little Reid!!! Pics coming soon!

I forgot to add...

People have been asking and I forgot to mention this in my last post...  We will be meeting sweet Reid for the first time on Thursday morning!!!!  We can hardly contain our excitement!!!  I think sleep tonight is going to be near impossible =)  We are heading down to Austin tomorrow (Wednesday), and can't wait to cuddle and kiss those chubby cheeks!!!

He's Here!!!

Michael "Reid" Peterson 

Born via C-Section on 2/3/2009 at 5:20pm

9 pounds 2 oz

WOW!!!  We can't believe he's FINALLY here!!!  Praise the Lord!!!  Both Reid and S are doing well in recovery - thank you all so very much for your prayers!  And...as you can see... Baby P finally has a name! =)  A short little background on why we chose his name... Reid's birth family has been praying for him by the name 'Michael' since they found out that S was pregnant.  We loved that!!!  The fact that he has been so loved and showered in prayers since the very beginning is such a HUGE blessing!  So, we wanted to keep Michael in honor of them and this incredible gift that they are so selflessly giving our family... Michael "Reid"... feels so good to say that!!!  We will be posting TONS of pictures by Thursday evening... so check back in!

Please pray today...

S was admitted to the hospital at 8am this morning.  Please join us in praying the following scripture over her, sweet Baby P, and the entire family...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Rom. 15:13

Please pray for health and safety.  Our baby boy will be here soon!!!

Aunt Candice & Uncle Joey

Baby P had such a fun surprise this evening!!!  We received a HUGE box of sweet gifts from Aunt Candice and Uncle Joey... =)

Sorry about the picture quality here... but we LOVE ALL OF IT!!! (Especially the Columbia onesie and the 'Goodnight New York City' book!)

Aunt Candice and Uncle Joey are up in NYC where Joey has just begun his MBA at Columbia University - we are so proud of them, but miss them so much!  We are sad that you can't be here this week, and CANNOT WAIT for you to meet Baby P!

Thank you and we love you!

Slight change of plans...

...this is killin' me!!!  We're so ready to meet our baby boy! =)

S is still being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, Feb 3rd, to begin induction... but she has requested to spend an entire day with sweet Baby P after he arrives.  We're so grateful that she'll have that time with him and that we will hopefully have some pictures of the two of them together.  But, all of that to say... we will not be heading to Austin until Wednesday, February 4th now.  We're almost there... so close to meeting him!!  Not that one evening matters in the whole scheme of things... just means I have another 24 hours of killin' time!  Any creative suggestions???  I tend to clean when I'm anxious... but after these last two weeks... the house is spotless... laundry is all caught up on... my errands have all been run... I'm running out of things to do! =)

Thank you for your prayers!!  We can't wait to post pictures... most likely we'll have some up by Thursday evening or Friday!

Celebrating 7 Years of Marriage

Today, Ben and I are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary (02/02/2002) - how the time has flown!!!  I am so thankful for my husband...for his leadership...and for every day that we've had together these last seven years.  He truly is my best friend, the love of my life, and I can't imagine spending a single day without him!  Looking forward to many more happy years together... and so thankful that our sweet Baby P will be joining us tomorrow to begin year #8!