She Reached Her Due Date

It's Official - Aelyn is "zero days old". She reached her due date and is doing wonderfully. She has had her eyesight checked again and things are developing properly. She is a bit farsighted at this time but the opthamologist will continue to check that for improvement. She is approximately 7lbs and is becoming a beautifully "chunky" baby girl, as it should be. She has discovered the "baby in the mirror" and will occassionally hold her bottle. Aelyn enjoys the bouncy seat but doesn't quite get the swing yet. She is fiesty and will hold her head up for as long as she can before collapsing back on our chest, crib, or mat. She absolutely adores music and will calm down immediately when you play the leapfrog worm classical music set. Oh yeah, and if you stand her on your legs she will straighten and stand for as long as possible. Our beautiful, smart daughter is growing every day. Now, if she would only sleep for longer than 2 hours at a time. :)

Excited Grandparents

I guess we should finally say something about the Grandparent's excitement in welcoming our new addition to the family. Both my parents and Rob's parents are thrilled that we finally have a child in our home. She is "hold" spoiled by all of her Grandparent's whenever they get a chance. Sorry - Mom and Dad - somehow we don't have a picture of you holding her yet - Sunday! :)

My parent's call both sets of Grandparents the 50/50 grandparents. Rob's sister, Erica has a son, Miles (so they have 1 grandson and 1 granddaughter). My sister, Alicia has 2 sons, Nate and Abe, and 1 daughter, Amelia (so they have 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.)

First Highland Games

April 12th were the Dunedin Highland Games. Mom had planned to spend the entire afternoon at the games but it was "bloody" hot. It was absolutely miserable and baby girl turned red very quickly, not to mention I got sunburned in the short time we were there wearing SPF70. We only ended up staying for just over an hour but she did get to experience her first Scottish Highland Games.

Then on April 19th we travelled with Mary and Morgan to the Tallahassee Highland Games. Luckily the NWC tent was indoors so we didn't deal with the moderate rain that day or the later heat. Aelyn also got to dance with Mommy and Daddy in her first Celidgh. She also smiled every time the bagpipes started. She's already getting used to that "drowned cat" sound. Wait until she hears Josh, the hyperpiper, for the first time. In Tallahassee, we also got to visit with Kim's friend from College, Jena, and her little boy, Reese. We could really tell the difference in sizes with Aelyn being 2 months and premature and Reese only being 9 months old.

The Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins Continue to Visit

Most days we get visitors still. It's not a bad thing and definitely leads to the socialization that we want for our daughter. Some people think we are crazy to have all these "germs" around her but it's the only way she develops immunities. It's also wonderful to see all of the love and attention she has surrounding her.

Grandma Dara Aunt Jane

Uncle Andrew Cousin Caitlin

Cousin Patience Aunt Lee

Morgan - Aelyn's Sister/Cousin

Morgan loves her sister/cousin greatly. When we brought Aelyn to the meeting Morgan blocked Rob to get to Aelyn and nothing has changed to date. She wants to hold and feed her. She pushes the stroller. Mary (Morgan's mom) has to come over on her own time just to get the chance to hold baby Aelyn. Morgan has become the greatest big sister that any baby could want.

She Hears the Music Calling

Bagpipes for the first time. We went to the April NWC Dunedin meeting and surprised everyone. Emmett played the "wee" pipes and she slept through it all. She'll be used to that sound before you know it.

The Puppies Welcome Their New Sister

Logan and Guinness are great sports about Aelyn. We had brought a blanket home from the hospital after the last visit to GA but the dogs weren't really interested in it at the time. But, Aelyn herself, that is a different story. They greet her at the door and as you can see from the pictures check on her every sound. We had expected Guinness to become a "mama-dog" but Logan has surprised us all with his devotion.

Welcome Home, Aelyn!

After trying for almost 8 years you are home and in our arms. We never understood how parents could just stare at an infant but now we get it. We have the greatest hopes and dreams for you and wonder..... (among many things).....

• What will you look like?
• What is your personality?
• Will you be shy or outgoing?
• What books will you like?
• What will your dreams be?

Your parents are wishing you a life filled with happiness, hopes, dreams, fun, laughter, growth, individuality, strength of character, spunk, beauty, knowledge, freedom, friends, kindness, and bliss. You are already fiesty and exceedingly special. We look forward to seeing you develop into the best person you can possibly be.

With Love,

Mom and Dad

Our Drive Home

We had expected to stay in GA much longer but the adoption agency released us from ICPC (interstate clearance has to pass through the states else it's considered kidnapping) on Friday. We visited Aunt Cari and Uncle Eric with their slew of kids (Cody, Cierra, Canyon, Cilverlyn, Emerald) on the way home. Everyone welcomed us with open arms and full of tears. It had been a long journey and so many are just as excited as we are to welcome Aelyn into the fold.

Our First Night as a Family

We stayed in Atlanta with our friends Becky and Mark that first night and we were welcomed into parenthood immediately. Sleeping was not to be had. Aelyn slept soundly. We did NOT. We constantly listened and watched for her breathing. We were now responsible for this little girl and every sound she makes and breath she takes is our concern. We will now have worries forever but it's all worth it.

She Passed with Flying Colors

Aelyn was having problems with her oxygen saturation while in the hospital. This was the last thing that needed cleared up before she could come home. We received the call on 4/2 that she would be released on 4/3. Aelyn passed her car seat test with flying colors. She had no issues, was eating on her own and weighed 5 lbs, 4 oz. It was now time to come home.