Thank You!

I am slowly but surely getting Fundraiser Thank You's out.  But I wanted to give everyone a final update.

With our Puzzle Piece Fundraiser, we were able to raise every single penny that we needed to cover the remainder of Josephine's adoption.  The final agency payment (which allows us to finalize her adoption) and lawyer costs were completely covered (just about right down to the dollar) by our fundraiser.  Costs were a little higher than expected and of course, we raised a little bit more than we intended.  Amazing.  It's nothing short of amazing.

So from the bottoms of our hearts.  Thank you.  I can't say it enough.  I don't know how to thank everyone other than to continue to share my kids and my family with all of you.  Josephine is the most precious gift we could ever imagine.  We didn't even realize how much joy that sweet little girl would add to our lives.  The joy my kids have being her big sisters and brother, the joy we have being her parents, the joy she shows being a part of our family have been truly a blessing to experience.

It was incredibly humbling to ask for help financing her adoption.  We'd like to be able to do it all on our own.  However, through this humbling experience, God has taught us so much about the community we're surrounded by.  How giving, prayerful, supportive, kind, and loving our friends and family and complete strangers are.  In our world that seems so dismal at times, it is so refreshing to see the goodness that surrounds us.

So thank you again.  I cannot say it enough.  You've made us better parents and increased our faith in so many ways.  Our family has been greatly blessed by your generosity.

The Village

With all of our kids, it's always been clear to us how true the saying "It takes a village" really is.  Josephine has reminded us of that in so many ways.  I've said all long that Josephine's quick and surprising arrival has really showed us the generosity of people.  One of these ways is through feeding her.

From the get-go, Josephine had trouble with formula.  The hospital staff tried multiple before putting her on a super gentle (and stinky and expensive...) formula that she seemed to tolerate just ok.  Once we got her home, we stuck with that formula and while she tolerated it ok, we were so thankful when some friends offered us their surplus of breastmilk.  The difference was amazing.  We were able to give her at least 50% breastmilk in every bottle.  We had multiple friends give us substantial donations and other friends and family who gave us whatever extra they had.  That sacrifice of giving us their hard-earned milk has not gone unnoticed.

After a few weeks, we started to run low on breastmilk.  We were having to increase her formula and she was starting to vomit it all back up on us again.  If we gave her a bottle of straight formula, it all came back up within minutes.  Even with her reflux meds, it really hurt when she spit it all back up.

As we were starting to run low, a friend approached me at church, said she had extra milk in her freezer and asked if we'd be interested in it (she didn't know we relied on breastmilk donations for Josie).  I thanked her profusely and she brought over a bunch of milk.  The next week, that milk ran out and as I used my last bag, I said a quick prayer, asking God to either let Josie tolerate formula the next day or have some breastmilk donated from someone.

That evening, a neighbor of ours (whose daughter is 3 days older than Josie) messaged and asked if we would be interested in their extra milk.  I literally cried, what a beautiful answer to my prayer.

Since then, the donations have continued.  Both from my friend and neighbor and another lady who gave us 1,000 oz.  The donations have been steady enough that we've been able to give Josie just 1/3 of her milk through formula.  This seems to be the perfect ratio for her.  She tolerates it well and we could do straight breastmilk at this point because we have enough, but I'm afraid that if I do have to supplement with formula down the road that she won't take it because it definitely has a much stronger taste than the breastmilk.  We've had so many people give us sample cans of formula that we actually haven't purchased any formula either (until this week).

I am so very thankful for each and every person that has helped feed our sweet girl.  It seems like such a small thing, milk for a baby, and yet, it has been filled with such generosity and sacrifice on the part of so many women for our girl!  We feel so good giving her such high quality food at such a young age, we're grateful for every ounce and believe me, not a single drop has gone to waste!  This village we're surrounded by is filled by generous people and we are blown away by it all!  I never realized that simply feeding my baby would be a lesson in God's love.  But God can never be outdone in Generosity and Josephine has taught me that lesson all over again!

Josephine Grows

It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone!  Josephine is already 3 months old!  Here's a little recap of our sweet little lady!

 Newborn Josie!  Loved to be held, slept all the time, ate all the time.  Very happy newborn!  She loved to be swaddled and absolutely loves to be wrapped in my carrier.

1 month old Josie.  Got a major tongue tie fixed, started sleeping longer stretches and eating more at a time and less often.  Got some meds for pretty bad reflux.  Josie is super strong and holds her head up so well.  She loves to be worn and held and enjoys her snuggle time in the evenings.  She has been such an easy, happy baby!!  

2 month old Josie.  Once her feeding issues got all worked out, she sure chunked up :-).  She gained a lot of weight this month.  She continued being a super happy baby and absolutely loves to be talked to and to be around lots of people.  She enjoys playing with her siblings and laughing at their shenanigans.  She really has a sweet, laid back personality!  She's enjoyed lots of pool time and lots of naps at the parks and pool.  She's super easy going and never really cries about anything!

3 month old Josie!  She's so much fun!  She's rolled over a few times, she's super strong and can hold herself up so well (and always has been able to).  She's a great eater and loves her sleep.  She's sleeping through the night (8-7, waking up around 4:30-5, when dad gets up, to eat).  She loves to snuggle and she loves to watch her brother and sisters.  She's discovered how to laugh and it's the cutest thing ever.  She most certainly favors her mama, and has been known to fuss until she's back in mom's arms...  I don't mind one bit :-).  We just love our sweet Josie girl (or JoJo as her siblings have started calling her).  This littler girl LOVES her blankies.  A certain style/brand seems to be her favorite, we just bought a few extras today to have around.  She rubs them between her fingers and holds on to them all day long.  She also loves her pacifier and her fingers.  We cannot get enough of this sweet baby and she needs to slow down her growing and stay a baby a little while longer!  

8 Years!

Today is our 8 year wedding anniversary!  And I can honestly say that I love Jeremy even more today than I did on July 19, 2008.  He is the most amazing husband and father and I am so thankful for him each and every day.  Who knew 8 years ago the crazy life God had in store for us?  

3 years of infertility, an adoption journey that has included 3 fall throughs, 3 newborn adoptions, 2 foster care adoptions, and more love and sacrifice than we could even imagine.  And now parenting 5 kids under 6 through the good, the bad, and the ugly!  

I wouldn't trade this life for anything.  It seems like we've been married forever and for just a day all at the same time.  To think 13+ years ago when the shy, timid Jeremy asked me to a basketball game, we'd end up here is just crazy!  

Happy Anniversary Jeremy!  I look forward to a lifetime of memories and all kinds of crazy with you!