Growing Our Family Tree

Sentencia!!!

2011-11-08T14:36:00.002-06:00

Just got the call at 3:15...the judge signed this morning! We hope to be home late next week! Say a little prayer that everything happens smoothly and we can stay on that schedule! More later! (By the way, I've been working on a post for almost a week now. I PROMISE to get it on here before we leave!)

Vacation ended badly

2011-10-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

Backpack stolen. Lost our computer, iPad, iPod, Kindle, prescription sunglasses, Rob's nice new sunglasses, Columbia coat, Murphy's Colombian passport, and seven months worth of pictures that I hadn't uploaded to Walmart. We are not happy campers. We know it could be much, much worse, but we are still not happy.

More pictures of Santa Marta

2011-10-20T12:30:00.000-05:00

Our doorman to our room.

Murphy getting her hair braided. She doesn't sit this still for me!

Jack's first experience waiting for girls to get ready.

She loves them!

She loves to shake her head and hear the beads rattle!

And to top it off...Ramen!

Hanging out in our little hut.

We kind of love it here! Maybe House Hunters International can find us a winter home!

Me and my Colombian beauties.

Who is getting tan faster?

We are wearing sunscreen, she isn't. We're pink, she's brown.

Jack does have a little tan though.

Hanging out at the pool.

Shopping!

2011-10-19T17:40:00.000-05:00

We found Jack's baptismal outfit and something for Murphy to wear, too. Can't wait to see them in it!

Panaca and the Salt Cathedral

2011-10-19T17:38:00.000-05:00

Getting him used to the car seat!

Panaca...a petting zoo/animal show/small farm for kids.

You could tell the goats knew what to do with a bottle! They all came running over and practically trampled each other to get to it!

A baby goat and a baby lamb tucked into a tree stump waiting for their mamas.

Riding the water buffalo.

He is a bit bigger than Pam's horses or the llamas.

It took her a while before she'd pet the cows.

This looks familiar!

The barn roof is made from hay.

Pretty close to being really familiar! Brangus = Brahma + Angus.

But he looks really familiar!

This one, too!

Gotta love the llamas.

Can we fit her in my suitcase? Or my backyard?

Before she picked him up and he attacked her. Don't get scared bunnies too close to your face! Just ask Murphy!

She still wanted to pet one, so Mama had to step in a whole bunch of rabbit poop to help out.

And look what I found! Not enough to make much ethanol.

The horse show was fantastic!

Rob kept commenting on their core strength!

And how much the practiced.

We think Caitlin can do this.

And Pam.

And Tracie.

This guy was so talented.

We finally found a real horse for her!

But the pony had to do when it came to a ride.

Look! It's Juan Valdez!

Happy boy after all that fresh air!

On the way to the Salt Cathedral.

All that fresh air wore him out, too.

He's not the only one.

The town square.

Another view of the town square.

I had to keep telling myself how neat this was going to be.

Because we were going in a mine.

A salt mine.

And I'm not even the claustrophobic one.

But it was beautiful.

And very interesting.

And included the twelve stations of the cross.

Jesus is condemned to death.

Jesus carries the cross.

Jesus falls for the first time.

Jesus meets His holy mother.

It is so enormous. I had to keep telling myself "You are not underground".

Love this picture.

She is fascinated by the cross.

Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

The details were amazing.

Jesus falls for the second time.

Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem.

Jesus falls for the third time.

Jesus is stripped of His garments.

Everything is so very big and the pictures don't do justice to the actual size of the crosses or the mine itself.

One of my favorite pictures. My heart swells with joy to know that my daughter is a child of God and that she knows Jesus and that He died for her sins.

Jesus is crucified.

Jesus dies on the cross.

Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Heaven.

Proclaiming the birth of Jesus.

The Angel Gabriel.

We finally made it to the Cathedral.

The nativity scene.

The baptismal fountain.

The altar.

The only picture of Jesus actually on the cross.

She was such a trooper and finally got to see Him on the cross. (She has a little obsession with it. Partly due to her love of the song "How Beautiful" and the You Tube video that includes scenes from "The Passion of the Christ".)

The cross in front of the altar.

The creation of man.

If you look closely, this is a reflection from the ceiling off of the water. It looks like a mirror.

The Tree of Life.

The fantastic light show.

Jack was enthralled by the lights!

Not a very good picture, but welcome back to Bogota!

I will update about the trip later.

Ayudame

2011-10-19T16:11:00.000-05:00

The nurse we saw when we met Jack. He smiled when he heard all of their voices.

The play yard.

Murphy loved this thing!

The dining room for the little kids.

Another view of the dining room.

The whole room.

The back yard again.

She really liked the merry go round, too.

I have no explanation for the look on my face.

The indoor play yard for the toddlers.

Another view of the indoor play yard.

The laundry room.

The steps leading downstairs to where we were waiting to meet him.

Murphy said that Jack was laying on this when she first saw him.

The newborn room.

The other side of the newborn room.

Another view.

Murphy wanted to play with them all.

The younger kids sleep here.

Jack's crib. He was right by the door, which explains why he always looked right. He had to look right to see everyone else in the room.

The baby room.

The babies.

More babies.

Another view of the baby room.

This little girl was four days old.

The bottle room.

We asked if they had Jack's heart that was above his bed. We aren't sure if they just made this one for us or if this was actually his but we're grateful to have it either way.

I guess my pictures are out of order. Another view of the little kids' room.

Another view.

The front yard.

Welcome to Ayudame.

She actually posed for this picture. I have no idea who she has seen sit like this before!

One of the women who works at Ayudame.

Random pictures from the motel

2011-10-19T14:54:00.000-05:00

Murphy always thinks she needs to help Jack smile.

She must be showing him how cute he is.

Murphy and Ernesto, Sandra and Luis' English teacher.

After Murph got ice cream all over her face, the babies must have needed some, too.

Camilla and Murphy. Camilla is the daughter of one of the women who works at Hotel Paris.

Santa Marta!

2011-10-18T22:21:00.001-05:00

Our vacation within a vacation has started. It didn't start well, but it's getting better. Yesterday, our flight was at 9:25 so we were going to leave the motel at 7:25. (Dale, Diane, Luis, and Sandra were also going so we all rode together.) I had woken up with Jack around 1:00 Monday morning feeling a little sick. It kept getting worse throughout the night. By the time I got up at 6:00 I was definitely sick but there was not a chance I was going to skip this vacation. Freddy took us to the airport and I tried to stay as cool as I could because being warm made it worse. Having a heating pad for a baby didn't really help so Rob got to hold Jack for the entire trip. Yes, I probably infected everyone on the airplane but I'm going to forget that part. I slept on the airplane and did feel better after we landed. When we got off the plane, it was just a little bit warmer than when we left Bogota and I had to start shedding clothes before I got sick again. We got our baggage and found the Irotama bus outside the airport. The driver brought us to the resort and we got checked in. It was still pretty warm so Rob and Murphy walked in the Caribbean for a little bit, we ate, and then they swam in one of the pools while Jack and I slept. Even after I woke up, my stomach felt better but my whole body hurt. So I pretty much stayed in bed much of the day. We went to the buffet for both dinner and supper. It started raining yesterday evening and really didn't stop until mid-morning today. We hung out in the room until we could make it outside and went for a late breakfast and then to the pool. Rob and Murphy swam for about 2 1/2 hours. Jack and I joined them. for a while. it was cloudy and chilly (weather.com said 79 but it was much colder than that). Tomorrow says it's supposed to be 86 by mid morning so we're looking forward to that. Murphy has quite the tan going on all ready. Rob and I both got a little bit of color. Jack was covered by umbrellas and spf 50 so he's still the whitest in the family. We had a really good time today but wish it would have been longer. We aren't sure if Tuesday's are an off day here or what. Most of the restaurants were closed today. We were able to find the place to take our bottles and found a stroller. When we got back to our room after swimming today, the front desk called to see if we were having trouble with ants in our room (yes) and if our toilet flushed (no) because the maid had reported those issues. We ended up moving to another room that was closer to the pool. Our room is a two room suite that's really one room with a sliding door to close off the bedroom from the little front room. We ended up paying almost the same amount for our week here as we would have for our week in Bogota. We were going to come last week but there were no college classes so it would have been more expensive and full of kids. So anyway, we're here this week; one last hurrah before Rob goes home on Monday. We're going to be sad to be here without him but are excited to have my parents come down the same day he leaves.

So just to make you all jealous, here is what we get to look at every day...

Her first steps in the Caribbean.

Love these two!

The beach to the left, which must be south according to my great directional skills.

Our bohio. (The first one with the ants and bad toilet.)

The view to the right. We are actually staying right on the beach.

Yes, those are oil rigs.

The Great Pool.

Another view of the Great Pool. It's truly called that; I'm not just calling it great.

Having a ball playing with Daddy.

Our first night of supper. No one is really enthused.

Except Jack. He's always happy.

Murphy, Luis, and Sandra playing in the sand.

Sandra, Luis, Jack, Murphy, and Rob's hand.

Family photo!

Sandra and Murph.

Diane and Jack. (I have to say it that way otherwise I start singing some John Mellencamp.)

Snug as a bug in a towel.

She could swim all day.

And so could Daddy.

Jack could be naked all day. Unfortunately I remember what it's like to be peed on.

I'm not going there again any time soon.

Taking a quick snack break.

See, now aren't you jealous? :)

Happy early birthday to my dear friend Pam! So glad we got to know each other and that we have so many things in common! It's like we've known each other forever...and to hear us talk sometimes, we might have! :)

Pictures from Pisingos.

2011-10-16T10:19:00.000-05:00

Playing Candyland with Daddy.

Yes, this is our entire room. I am on the far side (although the bathroom is beside me) and you're seeing the rest.

She's getting dark already and we haven't even been to the coast!

Such a happy baby!

Diane (from Wisconsin) and Jack.

Sandra, one of the maids. We love her!

And Jack loves his toes.

We couldn't find a Northern singlet. Or a Coyote shirt, for that matter!

We have a similar picture with Murphy and Daddy but they were in their Chargers gear.

Playing paper dolls (that are no longer paper).

No, she is not naked.

Walking to Carulla.

Walking to Pisingos.

Entering the building.

Some of the kids watching TV.

The room for the girls who are 5-12.

Lots of beds.

The laundry room. They go through 500 diapers a day.

One of the indoor playrooms.

The bottle room.

The boys' room.

One of the closets for the boys' room.

The newborn room.

Another view of the newborn room. I think there were 16 newborns.

Even the young ones know how to go up and down the stairs.

The baby room.

The toddler room.

The playroom for the babies and toddlers.

Another view of the playroom.

The one on the right is a twin and he and his brother kept fighting.

Twenty four young toddlers. They all sit in a chair with a cup (not a sippy cup) and a piece of bread and eat their snack.

This is the nurse that remembered Murphy's last name.

This is the nurse we have a picture of from 2007.

Murphy and Carlos.

We loved our visit!

The entire location is gated and this is the view from the street.

Two days - no Internet!

2011-10-15T09:04:00.000-05:00

Or TV for that matter. I'll get caught up today.

Awesome, awesome day!

2011-10-12T22:01:00.000-05:00

We have had Internet access now for more than five minutes at a time so I think I'm going to be safe trying to post. And I spoke too soon because I just lost service.

Today we were lucky enough to go to Los Pisingos, where Murphy lived for the first few months of her life. Today was the first day that Rob has been able to go out and he was ready for a hamburger at El Corral. When we left there we stopped at Carulla for some groceries. Just as we were checking out the power went out. It was also about to rain so I took the kids home and Rob waited for the groceries. A half an hour later and several raindrops later, Rob came home without any groceries. There still wasn't power. Freddy came to pick us up shortly before 3:00 and we were on our way to Pisingos. When we got there we were met by a woman named Catherine who started our tour. The main floor housed the 5-12 year olds. The second floor housed the 6 month to four year olds. The third floor housed the newborn to 6 month olds. There are currently 110 kids at Pisingos with an additional 40 in foster homes. Carlos, the executive director, met us halfway through the tour. He said that 40% of those are available for adoption; 60% are waiting to return to their biological parents. Of the ones that are available for adoption, about 50% are referred to Colombian families and 50% are referred to international families. Pisingos is full right now. We saw the babies, the toddlers, and the younger children but didn't see many of the older kids that were there. They didn't have school because of the holiday so they might have been somewhere playing. It rained again today so there wasn't anyone outside. When we were watching the toddlers, we saw a nurse that remembered Murphy. They said her last name was not very common so that's what she recognized. She remembered that Murphy didn't have any hair. Of all things! :) After we were done with our tour we went to an office to meet with Carlos. We did not meet him when we were here in 2007. Rosa died the day we received our referral and they were still in disarray when we got here. He looked through her file and told us a few things from there and then we talked about adoption in general for quite some time. He believes, as do we, that while Murphy and Jack were not born TO us, they were born FOR us. It felt so good to hear him say that because we have thought that for years. We are their real family and their birthmothers were the bridge to that happening. God planned that all along. We showed him pictures from our blog and he said the nurse we took a picture of was still working here so he called her and she came to see us. Rob and I have talked about another adoption and after our meeting today, there will definitely be a Baby #3! It will be back to Pisingos for us. We like Ayudame; but we just have this connection with Pisingos. Part of it started when we came to tour Pisingos with Murphy when she was a baby and that nurse came to us and couldn't get enough of Murph. It was so clear to us that she was loved before we ever knew her. We just loved that place. And we still do. So someday we'll be back here. Until then, our hearts are overflowing and we feel God's love all around us!

Three days later - Man up Internet down

2011-10-11T20:12:00.001-05:00

And I'm talking constantly. It has been raining her for two days. Rob has been in the motel for the last three and he is feeling really cooped up. Feeling better though. I'm sure the rain doesn't help the situation but the Internet isn't overly reliable to begin with. I'm going to post tomorrow because I'm not going to deal with the sporadic Internet while trying to post. One quick note, Jack is rolling over!

Reflux

2011-10-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

I forgot to add...while the doctor was here, I asked about Jack's reflux and diarrhea. I brought 300 diapers and 80 wipes. In a week we went through 100 diapers and almost all of the wipes because every diaper is a dirty one! Dr. Clemencia put him on a soy formula and it's been better today. I'm not sure if that's what did in his nap for the day or not, but he finally had a solid poop! Yay! He spit up just a little after he drank so hopefully this is the solution.

Two weeks in - one man down

2011-10-09T20:15:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not posting last night We had gone to Exito and Mimos and got back around 4:00 and on our way home Rob started feeling really sick. Things went downhill after that. Before I get into my long winded story, let me say that he is fine. He had severe stomach cramps so I talked to Katya, the owner of the motel, and she called her cousin, Dr. Clemencia. I'm guessing her husband is also a doctor because a man came with her. He is the one who actually examined Rob and said that he had contracted a virus and it led to inflamed intestines. Rob said it felt like someone was stabbing him in the stomach. We don't know what the virus is but have since found out that an Italian man that was a here a few weeks before us also had the same ailment. The doctor said it is contagious but not dangerous and said to not get to close to the kids. He also wasn't allowed to go out today (probably the thing that hurt the most!) and should take the medicine and eat a bland diet for three days. Dr. Clemencia came back today and checked on him and said he looked better. Two doctor visits, on the weekend, and one at 9:00 on Saturday night and we paid a whole whopping $60. Plus they called in medicine last night and it was delivered to our motel. He slept in Murphy's bed and she slept with me last night. Today I packed up Murphy and Jack and went to the markets. The double stroller is quite heavy. Add in two kids, a diaper bag, and a very large hill and I thought I was going to pass out. We had to stop at the top of the hill to have a drink and catch my breath. We only did the bottom part of the Santa Barbara market because they moved the top part and I figured it would be too hard for me to get that stroller all the way up there. On the way back down, Jack started bawling his head off and I couldn't push the stroller fast enough to make him stop! Usually he whimpers a little when we stop moving. That was obviously not the problem today! So I put him in the front pack and walked like that home. We stopped at Mimo's (ice cream) again today and then at the park nearby before we came home. I figured I worked off some of Juanita's food today. Rob was feeling better. He said the pains are still as bad as they were last night but not as often. Jack then turned into the crabby pants for the day. He was so tired but wouldn't take a nap. We were trying not to have Rob hold him but it finally got to the point where he had to try. Sure enough, it worked and Jack is now sleeping in his car seat. It's almost 8:00 so I'm not sure if he'll get any sleep tonight or not. I did two loads of laundry tonight and now Murphy is watching Shrek in Spanish with the neighbor kids. Rob and I are watching the Packers game. We had these great ideas that we'd be able to watch our shows (Grey's, Private Practice, How I Met Your Mother, Football) on the Internet. It was great until we got out of the US and found out that there are some international rules that prevent those shows from being shown outside the US. Fortunately we have been able to see the nighttime football games as well as the baseball games on TV. Rob listened to the Internet broadcast and watched the local TV the other night during the baseball game. I think it will be an early night for me. Jack can't decide if he wants to sleep all night or not and last night was one of the "not" nights.

Alisa, the 18 gifts are for 18 adoption days. Murphy's adoption day is October 23 and Jack's is September 27. Every year on that date we will celebrate the addition to our family. We brought Murphy's gift this year but the little sneak found it in my suitcase. We gave her a pull toy that's a turtle (named Tyler Masat the Turtle) for her first Adoption Day, a puzzle for the second, and a purse and coin purse for the third. We're finding it a little harder to find boy gifts though. We worked really hard to find Murphy's. We had to agree on every single one so it took us a while. And we really thought about what she would be doing in her life at that point. We have fewer market days this time so we'll really have to get going.

Cara, once the Defender of Minors approved our petition it enters the court system. There are 20 some courts; some are international adoption friendly and some not as much so. We were in court four last time and it went pretty quick. We didn't even see the Defender until two weeks after we got here and everything was final three weeks after that. That included several holidays and an election so we though it went fairly smooth. Some judges want you to bring cake and pop to celebrate. Ours didn't but I think he/she was still pretty international adoption friendly. Once the adoption is final (Sentencia) we have to go to the notary and change Jack's birth certificate, apply for his Colombian passport, go to the US embassy doctor, apply for his visa to enter the US, and then go pick it up. I'm not sure how the visa part has changed since 2007 because I think I've already applied for his visa. In any case, that stuff will all take about a week. Now that the Defender has approved our petition, we can travel within Colombia with Jack and one of us can leave the country, but not with Jack. That's how Rob is able to come home. When we have Sentencia, we have Sentencia. We aren't going to worry about whether we have it or not. We're going to enjoy every minute we get to spend in this wonderful place. The only reason we really care about what court we are in is so we can decide if Rob is going to come back down here after he goes home. If we are in a slow court and will be here for nine weeks, he will go home after four, stay there for a couple, then come back down. Or if we are in a fast court, and we are just about done when he plans to go home on October 24, he might just stay down for another week if we will be leaving soon.

So there you have it. A pretty boring weekend for us. I'm not sure what we will do tomorrow. Rob is still on orders to take it easy. I might try to go to Maku but don't think I want to take both kids by myself. We'll see.

Happy birthday Keely! We love and miss you! :)

Coloring with Daddy.

I found my toes!

Someone got a hold of a red marker. Reminds me of the time Rhonda and I decided to be clowns and painted our faces with my mom's red lipstick. It was a great idea until Nancy called and said they were going to Aberdeen. I have never had my face scrubbed so hard in my life. And now, neither has Murphy. And just like lipstick, red marker doesn't come off in one washing. So she got to go around town like this yesterday, too.

Freddy #2

2011-10-07T17:47:00.000-05:00

We totally confused Murphy today by spending the morning with a different Freddy. This one sells emeralds! :) Freddy was born in the US and lived there several years, even attending college in Kansas and now lives in Colombia. His parents and two sisters were born in Venezuela and his mother works with him. We visited him in 2007 and bought a nice necklace. Freddy's driver, Carlos, came to pick us up at 10:30. We drove quite a ways to get to his place and to enter, the front door is unlocked and you are able to go in the entry way. Once the front door is locked the next door is unlocked and you are able to go into the building. Murphy is continuing her streak of no naps and it is becoming very evident. She touched and tried on all the jewelry she could until Freddy finally suggested she go upstairs and watch TV. I think we were all glad! We found some more nice pieces but have to go back (darn!) in a few weeks to pick up the earrings his is making for us. Rob will be gone by then so who knows what more I might find! :) It started raining early today while we were on our way home. It was about 1:00 which is about an hour earlier than it has been starting. They saved dinner for us...spaghetti and Murphy was very happy about that one. After we ate, we all came upstairs for a long winter's nap. Winter as in rainy. It took Murph quite a while to fall asleep and she is thankfully now sleeping. We're hoping it will improve her mood. Freddy the driver told us yesterday that her bossiness and independence is because she's Colombian! Whew! For a while I thought she inherited that from me! :) We don't have any plans for tomorrow and I haven't even taken any pictures today. I didn't think Freddy would like me taking pictures of all of his jewelry to post on the Internet and we've basically been sitting here in the dark all afternoon encouraging naps. It has worked well for Jack and Murphy finally agreed napping isn't so bad.

New pictures added for October 3, 4, & 5.

2011-10-06T21:06:00.002-05:00

The rumors are true...

2011-10-06T20:41:00.000-05:00

Freddy is a fantastic tour guide! He picked us up at 9:00 this morning, which meant we had to be up and ready much earlier than normal. Jack slept from 9-5 this morning when Murphy got up to go to the bathroom. We all went back to sleep until 7:35 when I woke up and realized I better get going. When Freddy arrived, I expected an older Freddy. Maybe like the emerald Freddy. So I was surprised to find out he is 30. We started out going to Monseratte but on the way there he took us through some different parts of town. Jack slept on the way there and then needed to eat once we got there. He didn't get a very good nap the whole day so finally slept once we got back to the room. While we were at Monseratte you could see the clouds roll in and we knew it was going to rain soon. We felt a few sprinkles on the way down but made it to our car before it started raining. Oh, I forgot, after we parked the van at the bottom of the hill, there was a man with a pet llama and he was giving rides. So Murphy got to ride the llama named Lucas for $1.50. I have pictures of her with a big smile on her face. Just like she was riding one of Pam's horses. If you aren't familiar with Monseratte, it is a shrine to the Fallen Lord and is 10,341 feet above sea level. It was finished in 1657 and is reached by riding a cable car to the top. The Spaniards called it Monseratte (with a short e on the end) and the Colombians, after building their own sanctuary, called it Monseratte (with a long e at the end). After we left Monseratte, we drove to La Candelaria, which is the historic center of the city. The town square is Bolivar Square, named after Simon Bolivar who fought for emancipation from the Spaniards. Bolivar Square, the Congress, the Mayor, the Supreme Court, and the Cathedral of Colombia (our painting!) are all in the La Candelaria district. It was raining so we didn't get out and walk around. And then we went to a restaurant called Pozzetto, which is an Italian restaurant and he kept telling us that it used to be very famous until something happened there. I was imagining rats or something but he said that wasn't it. Freddy, Murphy, and I all had spaghetti with home made noodles and Rob had lasagna. After we left he told us that a man had murdered twenty some people there in 1984. Rats, murder... not thrilled about either one. By that time, Jack was tired and grumpy and we were ready to come home. We got back about 3:30 and Jack took a nap, Murphy couldn't even pretend to take a nap, and Rob and I worked for a little bit. So there was our day. We are off to buy some emeralds tomorrow. :) And we planned a few days for next week. Wednesday we are going to Los Pisingos, which is the orphanage Murphy was at. We can't wait to take her back there. We are also going to the Salt Cathedral and to Panaca. The Salt Cathedral is a salt mine that has a cathedral built inside of it. The thought of going inside a mine is not appealing to me but I put Rob off last time so I'm not sure that I'll be able to get out of it again. Panaca is an interactive petting zoo that Murphy will have a blast at. We are also going to the leather district. Plus the markets are open on Wednesday so we'll have plenty to do all week.

Murphy and Lucas the Llama.

Pam, you're going to need to get one of these!

A family photo with the llama!

The cable car going up.

The sanctuary.

A really good zoom lens lets me see across the way.

The view of the city

The clouds roll in right around us.

Making Mama a little nervous.

Heading into the sanctuary.

A smaller sanctuary in the back.

Murphy at the markets behind the sanctuary.

Even more clouds now.

Obligatory family photo overlooking the city.

The cathedral from our painting!

Until tomorrow, have a great night!

Defendor of Minors Meeting - October 5, 2011

2011-10-05T20:28:00.001-05:00

Cecilia came to pick us up today at 1:30. We spent a leisurely morning slowly getting ready. Dinner was at 12:30 and then we finished getting ready. I was the only one I trusted not to get food on my clothes so I was dressed up before dinner...the others had to wait until after they were done! :) Last time we went to a little, tiny office for our meeting but this time it was over by the ICBF building. We got there and waited for only a few minutes before we were escorted into a small meeting room. We visited with Cecilia for a little bit and then our attorney came in. Cecilia said he is new which is good. I guess I'm not sure how that's good but I'll take her word for it! He had us look over the paperwork to make sure that our names were spelled right and then the Defendor of Minors came in. She is quite pregnant and probably in her late 20's or early 30's. She asked us if Jack was sleeping through the night and we can now answer YES! She also asked if he was healthy and we said he had a cold last week but it getting over it. She asked Murphy if she was happy and Murphy said yes. She asked if Murphy had wanted a brother and we told her that she actually wanted a brother AND a sister, just like Dora the Explorer. I told her the story of how we have always told Murphy that God would pick if we got a brother or a sister and one day she came to me and said "God told me that He's busy and that I could choose and I choose a brother AND a sister!". And she congratulated us and we were done! There wasn't the wait that I expected and there were no questions about why we were adopting, why we were adopting from Colombia, or how we planned to incorporate the Colombian culture into our home...which were questions we had last time. Rob was feeding Jack so I started packing up our belongings and I found the journal and sticky notes that I had brought for her. Cecilia and Murphy took them to her and when they came back Cecilia was laughing because Murphy had asked the woman if she could have the sticky notes! Like we don't have them at our house! Or can get them at Target! So not only did she want one sticky note, she wanted several of each color (it was a multi-colored pack) so we came back with half a pad of Sticky Notes. The Defendor came back in and said "You have a beautiful little girl" and kissed my cheek and said goodbye. Maybe she was so enthralled with Murph that she'll sign right away! :) So we rode back in the the taxi and it started to rain. Yesterday was our first day of rain so it is officially the rainy season I guess. We were home by 2:30 or so. Very quick. We played a game of Chutes and Ladders with Diane, Sandra, and Luis and then it was naptime and supper. We are now all getting ready for bed. Jack is holding out a little later than the past few nights. We're hoping this means he sleeps until 6:00 or so tomorrow but you just never know. Tomorrow we are going to Monseratte and Friday we are going to look at emeralds! Colombian emeralds are some of the best in the world so we are very excited to go see them. We are planning a trip to the coast and thought we'd go on Monday (we hate to miss a market day!) through Saturday. However, next week is Columbus Day so all of the college kids will be at the resort and prices are higher. So we decided to go the following week. That means that we get to go to the markets this Sunday and again on Wednesday then again on Sunday. There will be one more Sunday of markets before Rob goes home so we need to get busy finding our 18 Adoption Day gifts. We found the first one already but the next 17 might be tougher.

Until tomorrow...

Waiting for Daddy to get Jack's bottle ready.

Who loves this more?

Our lawyer.

The Defendor of Minor's Office.

Murphy and Jack with Juanita.

Murphy, Jack, Juanita, and Valeria.

After our petition has been approved!

Playing Chutes and Ladders with Diane, Sandra, and Luis.

Sandra loves being near Jack.

Let's try this again! Defendor of Minors meeting today!

2011-10-05T09:17:00.000-05:00

Cecilia called and we are going to the Defendor of Minors at 1:30. I was hoping for an early appointment so they didn't get behind schedule and have to wait but we'll take what we can get. We'll just have to take stuff for Murphy to do in case we wait for a while.

Also, I lent out our camera cord to connect to the Internet so I haven't been able to update pictures. I will do that as soon as our friends are done uploading all of theirs. They've been here three weeks and forgot their cord.

Jack slept from 8 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. last night!! Yay for us! :)

Catching up!

2011-10-04T19:25:00.002-05:00

I have been really busy catching up on my posts. I have everything updated through September 30 and will continue to do the rest tomorrow. Happy reading!

No Defendor of Minors today...

2011-10-04T11:56:00.002-05:00

We got up and got all dressed up and waited and waited...until Cecilia called and said it will probably be tomorrow or Thursday. And the kitchen is out of commission for dinner so we asked Murphy where we should eat. She asked "Do they have a McDonalds in this town?". Apparently she hadn't seen the four we've walked by recently. So we are going to McDonalds! More later.

BUT....here are pictures!

If only she practiced dance as much as she dresses up for it.

How many blankets does one child need?

All ready to go to the Defendor of Minors, until it was cancelled.

And we went to McDonalds instead! (Try ordering a hamburger with no meat when you don't speak Spanish!)

October 3, 2011

2011-10-03T21:16:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it, but I didn't take any pictures on Monday! These were still on my camera so I'll post them instead.

The Sticker Monster has arrived.

They both seem to like Dora!

October 1 & 2, 2011

2011-10-02T16:55:00.001-05:00

The "new" Ayudame.

Heartbreaking to know all of these beds will be filled.

The view outside.

Another view outside. It was once a house and is being turned into the orphanage.

So much more room for kids to play.

All of the kids came, except the babies, and they LOVED playing out here.

So peaceful.

The countryside.

The Mariachi band.

Maria Clemencia, the director of the orphanage.

He literally slept like this for about three hours. Guess he likes to be held!

The kids were supposed to get their food from somewhere else but they never brought it. Try explaining to a four year old why everyone else can eat and she can't. So Rob finally went through the line again and got her something to eat.

Sandra, Luis, Diane, and Dale...the only other people at Hotel Paris. From Wisconsin and also an LSS family.

Changing fantasy football lineups.

Go Chargers! (And yay El Corral!)

Look what we bought! This will most likely be our favorite purchase from the markets!

Our Colombian fairy princess!

All the spit-up has been washed off...for the time being.

He smiles all the time until I pull out the camera!

We all have nice farmer tans!

Just can't get enough!

Murphy is telling him how to dress already!

September 30, 2011

2011-09-30T16:32:00.001-05:00

Well we had an eventful night. Jack has been so stuffy so we decided to take him in the bathroom and let the hot shower run. I think it worked pretty good, but the bathroom is pretty tiny so as Rob was bringing him out of the bathroom, the car seat bumped the sink and knocked it off of the wall. I didn't think much of it until I went to wash my hands and water sprayed everywhere. So I went downstairs and told them and Guillermo came back upstairs with me and fixed it. This morning when we got up, water was still spraying everywhere so they told us to move to a different room so they could bring someone in to fix it. Murphy and Jack watched Tinkerbell while Rob and I moved all of our things. We decided to go to Archie's for dinner today. We had been there in 2007 but Murphy was too young to remember. We've told her about it so she thinks she remembers. We went around noon which is early here so she was the only one in the room. The girl had her put her chin, nose, cheeks, forehead, ears in the flour. And then the girl tossed the dough and Murphy caught it. She really had a good time. They brought ours just as she got done and it didn't take long for hers to bake. So it was fun for all.

Once we left we went back to Maku. This time, with Murphy strapped in. We found a really nice hammock that we think we will be a good fit for either the front porch or the back porch of the new house. We didn't buy it but will probably go back and get it later. We did get a musical instrument for Murphy, a bracelet for her, and a Colombian doll. She has one at home but we didn't bring it here. I tried to find some of the Mola shoes for her but they didn't have any small enough. We'll have to check back.

By the time we got back, it was nap time for Murphy. And then we had our regular night...supper, no sleep, and lots of spit up. Tomorrow we are going to the new Ayudame which is in the country. A bus is coming to get us (as well as Dale, Diane, Luis, and Sandra) and we are going to the grand opening of the new orphanage. They won't actually be bringing kids for a couple of months. So we are excited about seeing it. We've heard about it from other people who have been there. Cecilia says it's cooler than Bogota and that we should wear sweaters. I don't have a sweater but I have a bright green Columbia coat that doesn't match anything! :)

Watching Tinkerbell. It doesn't seem to matter that it's in Spanish.

Our old room. (Not the big one at the top of the stairs!) Our sink broke and to fix it they had us move to another.

The bathroom in the old room.

I still forget sometimes but am not reaching in after it.

The closet. Rob thought we had plenty of hangers.

Her new favorite restaurant!

Archie's signature trademark!

She had so much fun making her own pizza!

Making sure it tastes good!

Ready to bake!

Yay! Mama finally gets in the picture! (She's the one who can make him laugh the most!)

September 28 & 29, 2011

2011-09-29T15:51:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a pretty lazy day. Jack is not what we'd call a good sleeper yet. Ayudame told us he slept from 10:00 until 5:00. They just forgot to mention that he wakes up about seven times between there. He has reflux and a cold so I'm sure neither of those are helping. His nose gets so stuffy he just can't breath. And then he is spitting up so much he gets hungry often then he spits up some more. For a person who needs a lot of sleep, I think I'm functioning fairly well. Poor Murph will whisper from her bed "Mom, can you get the baby?". She isn't getting much sleep either. Jack is up for the day around 6:00 so I take him downstairs and sit with a cup of tea (also my ritual with Murphy) while Rob stays in the room with Murphy. I feed him then around 7:30 he is ready for a nap (which has only been about 10 or 15 minutes...I don't know how this child isn't tired!) so we go back upstairs and get the car seat. Murphy is usually awake by then so we all go downstairs and eat breakfast. Hotel Paris has a full time cook, Juanita, and one of the maids, Sandra helps out as well. We have gotten into a routine of eggs and ham for Rob, french toast for me, and we bought Murphy some Lucky Charms so she has been eating those. We have freshly squeezed juice every day. Usually strawberry but we've also had pineapple and passion fruit. I've gotten so full from the french toast (they really aren't very big pieces!) but I think it's because I have plenty of tea and juice to go with it. On Wednesday's they serve a breakfast sandwich (like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich) and on Sundays they serve pancakes. Sandra also knows that Rob wants coffee and cold water, Murphy just wants juice, and I want tea and mineral water (the bubbly stuff). We are very well taken care of here! So by the time we eat and visit with Dale, Diane, Luis, and Sandra, it's usually close to 8:30 or 9:00. Then we go back to the room and get ready. Jack eats again and takes a catnap. So by the time we are actually ready to go do something, it's time for dinner. I had explained to them on the first day that I am a vegetarian and they have really had good food for me. Rob said the chicken they had one night was the best he's ever had. (Did I say that already?) We brought Ramen noodles and some Easy Mac for Murphy just in case she got a little homesick for her favorite foods and she hasn't even mentioned them. Juanita makes her way through the dining room (which doesn't take long since there are only two families here) to see if we are eating. So after we eat, Jack is ready to eat again and then we head out. Yesterday we went to Maku which is a souvenir shop. There are three levels and so much to look at! And so much to break! And Murphy was starting to wear down from a couple of days of travel, excitement, and no naps. So we basically made it in the door, to the back of the store, and turned around and came home. We walked by Zuetana, which is where we stayed in 2007, but didn't ring the doorbell or anything. We aren't sure if they'd even let us in. It was interesting walking our old route. The Tex-Mex place that we ate at the end of the street is now a furniture store. We stopped at Jacques and I tried to get a warm eclair and they wouldn't warm it up for me! They kept saying it would ruin it and I said I've had it like that before but they still wouldn't do it. So I had a cold one and it was still pretty good. We just came home then so Murphy could nap. Rob sort of enjoys those naps, too. Jack is on such a crazy schedule that I have been hanging out with him during nap time. He is so happy! Have I said that before? :) He really is. Even with a cold and spitting up all the time, he just smiles and smiles. He is also practicing scooting to the edge of the mat because he wiggle and wiggles. His hips never stay still. So hopefully that's a good sign and he isn't going to be pinned often! :) He literally can swing his hips from side to side like the bottom of a clock. And of course he would prefer to be naked. It's a little chilly here. Chillier than last time, at least at night, so I've been dressing him pretty warm. Which is a good thing because I don't want anyone coming up to me and telling me he isn't dressed warm enough! So after Murphy's nap yesterday, we just hung out here and let her play and let us all get more acquainted with Jack. It's odd that it seems he's always been a part of our family. We felt the same way with Murphy, too. It's like we were a part of the first four months of their lives. Which I guess we were since we prayed for them and loved them even before we knew them. We gave Jack a bath last night and the tub is a little small for him to lay down in, but not quite small enough for him to sit up in. The one we had for Murphy was a handy little thing that she put her legs over this little hump about 2/3 of the way down. So she kind of sat in it. He really wasn't thrilled with it but Murphy got in the shower with him and she can really make him laugh so it wasn't so bad after that.

Today after our morning routine, Murphy and I went with Diane and Sandra to a little salon next to Carulla for manicures and pedicures. Somehow in the translation, I didn't get one, which was fine. Murphy had both done while Diane and Sandra only had their fingernails. It cost me a whole whopping $13 for both. So that might be something we do when she gets antsy. We were going to go to the bank at Carulla (the grocery store) to get some money and Rob and Jack were just coming out of Carulla with the money! So we just walked back to the motel and hung out here. Another pretty lazy day. Jack slept little during the night again and then during his naps so we are all dragging. Except him I guess. The only time he gets cranky is when you don't fix his bottle fast enough. And then he will let you know he is not happy.

Murphy's favorite thing to do is to play in the backyard. It's a small yard, but it has a swingset and she would swing and swing if we'd let her. There is a little play room on the other side of the back yard and she's been in there a few times, but she'd just rather stick to the swingset. She swings while we're waiting for our food then as soon as we are done eating. Fortunately it's nice enough during the day that she can be out there in either her pajamas or shorts and a t-shirt. It's dark by 6:00 so she can't go out then, much to her irritation.

Sandra and Luis, the other two kids here, are 12 and 13 and they love Jack. They have been around younger kids their whole lives and are very good with them. Murphy has been around so many kids that age that she just is drawn to them, too. One of the women who works here has a daughter named Camilla and she spends time with Sandra and Luis once her homework is done. There is also a girl from Spain named Manuela that has been here on and off since we arrived. She is really good with Murphy, too. Her new brother is three and I'm guessing she has been waiting for a little brother or sister for a while. We have to keep telling Sandra and Luis that Jack throws up but it doesn't seem to matter. Maybe it will when they get thrown up on!

Well, that's our pretty boring two days. Boring, but we are loving every minute of them. Even the sleepless part! :)

How many Lewis' does it take to feed one baby?

Deb, I see Marco in this picture!

Binoculars! Her new favorite thing.

Not sure about this bath.

Maybe it's not so bad if Murphy makes me laugh!

Just can't keep her hands off of him!

Good morning everyone!

Happy kids in the morning!

She would feed him every time if we'd let her.

Again with the "how many does it take" question.

Always drooling.

Finally found his hat!

The lesser of two evils. (The pacifier, not the child.)

Part of the $13 manicure and pedicure.

Sandra getting her nails done. She will be going home to Wisconsin!

Sandra and Luis love, love, love the baby!

Pictures

2011-09-29T12:16:00.000-05:00

Look back through the last week's posts as I am backdating the pictures I add to the correct date. So far I've added the consulate visit and our travel day. Next is getting ready and meeting Jack!

Sorry for the delay!

2011-09-29T10:12:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a short one.

I used to update my blog during Murphy's naps. I'm still waiting for Jack to nap. Or sleep at night longer than an hour and a half. He has a terrible, terrible cold and his nose is so stuffy he can't sleep! Which means none of us are sleeping. The doctor is going to come over today and look at him. We're also trying to get a humidifier. It's pretty dry, which isn't helping. Rob is even getting bloody noses.

We love being at Hotel Paris. They staff is so very nice. I thought maybe I'd lose a little weight down here with all of the walking we do, but Juanita is doing her best to make sure that doesn't happen. The food has been fantastic. Rob said the chicken they had the other night was the best he'd ever eaten. They are catering to this vegetarian very well, too. I'm not very good with leaving food on my plate so I leave the table having eaten way too much.

He is a very, very happy baby. Even though he feels terrible. He smiles easily and laughs at all of us. I think once we get through this cold, he will be a very good sleeper. He is a thumb sucker and a spitter upper. So as much as it pains me, I'm encouraging a pacifier because I can take that away eventually. We are also trying to adjust his formula and switched to a slower flow nipple. It took him an hour to eat last night but he didn't spit up. Megan and Juel, it's Murphy revisited.

Murphy is a very good big sister. Overly helpful at times but we know it's because she is just so excited. She has calmed down since Tuesday and is settling into things well.

We are much busier than last time, obviously. We knew we would be, but we also thought we'd have afternoon naps to catch up everything else. Maybe next week! So be patient with me! I'll catch up! Next post will be pictures!

Oh, we meet with the Defendor of Minors on Tuesday. Much quicker than last time. We'll see how the process goes after that, but no matter the length of time we are here, we are going to enjoy every last minute. We'll be home eventually! :)

Getting to know each other - September 27, 2011

2011-09-27T21:50:00.000-05:00

Still a little overwhelmed!

Welcome, Jack!

Time for jammies! Rob isn't so sure about the leg warmers!

Loving his thumb!

The day we've been waiting for!

2011-09-27T16:18:00.004-05:00

There are certain things I will never forget. Maybe when I can't remember anything at all, but until then, I will always remember October 23, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. and September 27, 2011 at 1:16 p.m. The days our children were lovingly placed in our arms. What a day this has been. I woke up and Rob was already awake. He said he'd been awake for about an hour. Not Murphy. She was out like a log. She was such a good traveler and really needed the sleep. I wasn't awake ten minutes and someone knocked on the door and said that we had a phone call. It was Cecilia, saying that she'd be there to get us at 10:45 but to be ready at 10:30 and that we'd be meeting Jack at 11:30. We really wanted to get our stuff put away so we scrambled trying to eat breakfast, shower and get ready and put everything away. Fortunately, Cecilia called back and said that Maria Clemencia was going to be in a meeting and we wouldn't be meeting Jack until 12:30 so we had a little bit of time. At 11:30, Cecilia arrived at Hotel Paris and she said we had some time so we sat and chatted for a while. Mostly about Murphy but about her family, her time in New York... It was nice to catch up for a little before we left. When we got to Ayudame, we met Maria Clemencia right away and went to her office. She went over his referral with us, told us how much he weighed and how long he was, told us that he had jaundice at birth, which we knew, but said that the lights didn't help so he had to go to the hospital. While there, he got bronchitis and had to stay there for 12 days. We knew he'd been in the hospital for that long, but thought it seemed quite long, so now it makes sense. She told us which formula to use because he has reflux (and let me tell you...yes he does) and that he should sit in a carseat to sleep. And that he eats five times a day and sleeps from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. every night. Murphy went to play with the kids for a while because she couldn't sit still for that long. And then finally Maria Clemencia got up and told Murphy to come with her and someone else took us out to the couches to sit. It wasn't long before we could see Cecilia with our video camera and she was talking so we knew they were close. They came around the corner and we got up and she brought him to me and he gave me a great big smile! It brought so many tears to my eyes. He is a very happy baby and smiles all the time, but that smile was meant for his Mama. Murphy was all over him...she just couldn't get enough. She wanted to hold him and touch him and talk to him. Such a good big sister. She's waited for this for a really long time. Poor girl...we've been talking about this for as long as she can remember. So we had a lot of "Murphy not so close" and "Murphy get out of his face" and "Murphy stop trying to pick him up"... She really has been fine but it was a little overwhelming for her. She keeps asking us "Am I being a good big sister?" and we tell her she's being a great big sister! Before we knew it, Maria Clemencia was gone and Cecilia told us we could go. So we all piled in a little tiny taxi and came back to Hotel Paris. We needed formula so they called the drugstore and had some delivered. What a service that is, let me tell you! And we walked to Carulla for a few groceries. It was nice to get out for a little bit. We didn't sit and stare at him for hours like we did with Murphy. It just seemed normal to have two kids. We are enjoying everyone at Hotel Paris. There is only one other family here and they are from Wisconsin. So we all get ALL of the attention! :) Everyone loves Jack and thinks Murphy is just a doll. The weather has been beautiful. Nice and sunny...just the way I like it. Everything is going really well and we couldn't be happier. Stay tuned!

Passing the time with her puzzles.

Mama and Daddy impatiently waiting while Murphy got to meet Jack first!

Her first look!

Leading Maria Clemencia downstairs!

Greeting Cecilia!

The first of many, many smiles!

Family of four!

Thanks Klebsch's for the adorable outfit!

Murphy picked out a toy for him!

Making sure he sees it.

I didn't tell them to use the flash, so it's hard to see us with Maria Clemencia.

With Cecilia!

We think this was one of his nurses. Another woman came and took pictures of them together.

Here he is!!

2011-09-27T16:17:00.001-05:00

The Lewis'...finally together.

Notice the arm around him!

Mama's turn!

She has been waiting for this day since she got her first baby from Santa in 2008!

Change of plans already!

2011-09-27T09:58:00.002-05:00

12:30!!

Presentation Day!!

2011-09-27T09:27:00.000-05:00

Crazy day yesterday! We woke up to a phone call from Cecilia that we will be meeting Jack at 11:30! They are going to be here between 10:30 and 10:45 so we quickly ate breakfast, got our Internet information, and are now going to get ready! Will post pictures as soon as I can!

On our way to Jack!

2011-09-26T12:14:00.002-05:00

Who knew a four year old would wake up at 4:45 a.m. and not stop talking the entire day? I guess we should have! Rob and I got up at 3:45 and finished packing and after getting everything in the pickup, we woke up Murphy, who slept in her clothes, and were out the door. I don't know what she was dreaming about because she literally woke up talking and wide awake and just kept right on going. We got to Aberdeen around 5:35 a.m. and were reminded why we fly out of Watertown. There is a girl in her twenties that was snotty to everyone should could possibly find. We tried to check in via the little kiosk and Murphy was in an exit row seat and it said we had to see a customer service agent. So by the time we got to the front of the line, it was close to 6:00 and she ripped us apart for not having checked in earlier. She couldn't get Murphy's seat changed so she finally just sent us through security. And then told us that our bags were checked in late so they might not make it to Colombia. Then yelled at the lady behind us and said that if we hadn't been so late, she wouldn't have let her on the plane since she was so late. We had two bags that were over weight and the cost went up just a little in the last four years. It was $50 then but $90 now. Oh well. We finally made it on the plane and Murphy and I were way up front and Rob was way in the back. Fortunately the flight to Aberdeen went really well. I was afraid it would be bumpy and we would need to drag Murphy on the next two. That didn't happen until the third flight! We had a couple of hours in Minneapolis and she and Rob played with her babies. The next flight to Atlanta went pretty good, too. She got a little sick during both landings but never threw up. Just said she didn't feel good. Once we got to Atlanta, we each found something to eat and exchanged a little bit of money. And all of the sudden it was time to go! So we found our seats, the second row from the back, and settled in for a five hour flight. Luckily they had movies! And food! Murphy watched Rio and I watched Bridesmaids. I have to say, it didn't do a whole lot for me. Rob was the unlucky one of the group because the connection to his headphones didn't work and neither of us was giving up our spot. They served supper and we were getting close to Bogota when the captain said "flight attendants take your seats". I didn't think we were close enough to land and all of the sudden the whole plane dropped. The flight attendant behind us, who didn't have time to take his seat, fell in the aisle and things went flying. I tell you...I was scared to death. I've never been on a flight where that happened and I hope to never be on one again. The captain came back on and said "Folks, as you noticed we went through a little bit of turbulence!". Really? We got in at 8:44 p.m. so it was dark when we got here. We got off the plane a little ways away from the airport and then took a little bus to the airport. We made it through customs OK, but were a little freaked out when they asked to see Murphy's Colombian passport and then needed to go talk to a supervisor for quite a while. We were afraid he was going to take it! Luckily he brought it back and stamped it, not the American one, and we were on our way to get our bags...all six of them. Twelve if you count carry-on's and backpacks. After taking the little bus ride, we got into the airport at 9:10 and were out the door at 10:10 and there was a little sign right in front that said "Lewis family" so we pointed at him and he came around to meet us. His name was Viron (like Byron) and he was very nice. He had to go get the van and I think it was a ways away because it took him forever to come back. He studied at the British Colombian High School in Bogota so his English was very good. Murphy finally fell asleep in the van but it didn't take us too long to get to the motel. We were here around 10:45 and put a few things away before we are all going to bed. We are all exhausted! For all of us, but especially Murphy, the whole idea of "Jack" has been so surreal and now it is all becoming an actuality. I don't think Murphy actually understood anything of what was happening before we left. She is such a pretender that I think she thought it was just another story she played with her babies. So we still don't know when we are meeting Jack...it might be tomorrow and it might be Wednesday. We'll find out tomorrow!

Leaving the grumpy airport lady behind in Aberdeen!

No grumpiness here!

One of the few quiet moments on the trip.

Taking care of her babies in the Minneapolis airport.

It gave me butterflies!

She watched Rio on the plane.

On the bus that takes you from the airplane to the airport. Lots of stuff to carry!

Leaving on a jet plane!

2011-09-25T08:19:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated for a couple of weeks but wanted to get a quick note out here that we are leaving tomorrow! We don't know a presentation day yet; it will either be Tuesday or Wednesday. So I will update as much as I can while we are travelling tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Consulate visit!

2011-09-23T12:01:00.001-05:00

Back on track!

2011-09-06T20:34:00.000-05:00

In typical Dana fashion, I stressed out for a couple of days and now it's taken care of and I feel so much better! :) Well, I hope it's resolved!

I spoke with the USCIS specialist this morning and she said that she hadn't run into the issue of me not being able to sign but that maybe our particular USCIS agent required it. So Rob signed the form and I FedEx'ed that to Missouri. She also said that she needed to send a letter to them explaining that LSS of SD is affiliated with LSS of MN. So she FedEx'ed that to Missouri as well. She said that from past experiences, she thinks they are close to approving it and she would check back with them later this week to see if we had it rather than waiting until we get the official letter. If that's the case, we have the next step ready to go. The DS-230 is the visa application that will be sent to the US Embassy in Bogota. It's filled out and scanned and ready to be emailed. Then we wait again until they approve that one. And then we get a travel date! Although we still won't be quite ready to go at that point. We still will have to go to Chicago to get our visas so we are back on track for the 24th.

IF.....our FBI prints don't expire on October 14. So we really would like a travel date of September 24 to get a presentation date of September 26 to get a court date before October 10. That still gives us a few days leeway but we'd really like to spend a Market Day with just Murphy. So just in case they expire, we went to the sheriff's office right away this morning and had them done. They were sent off to the FBI today too, and since we plan to be gone soon, we'll have the results sent to LSS. She did say that it's taking longer again. So we'll just hope for a presentation day before September 30!

I'm starting to get butterflies! We're so close! In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy my trip to New York this week! After our work is over, we're going from one extreme to another...Wicked to Rock of Ages. And since I'm an 80's rock band fanatic and still can't get past the days of "big hair" I'm really excited about Rock of Ages! Maybe I'll even take my blue eye shadow! :)

A little tiny setback

2011-09-04T20:16:00.000-05:00

We have been waiting for our I-800 approval and thought it would be coming this week. We went to the lake on Friday for the weekend and got home this afternoon. We found two pink letters from the USCIS in our mailbox. Actually they were both addressed to Rob. But we all know who does the paperwork at our house. Not Rob! So the first letter was in reference to our I-800A, which is what we were in the process of extending when we got our referral. The letter said that our home study preparer does not appear to be accredited by the Hague Convention and that we should have LSS, who is an accredited Hague preparer prepare our home study. Now it doesn't take a lot to confuse me sometimes, and this is no exception. LSS prepared our home study in the first place so I'm not sure what that is all about. The other letter is in reference to the I-800, which is the paperwork we sent in with Jack's information. One of the forms is the I-864W and I signed it as Jack's adoptive parent. Little did I know that Rob was supposed to sign it. So I will be overnighting the correct one on Tuesday. I emailed LSS about both issues but with the long weekend, know I won't hear from Sue until Tuesday. Obviously we are a little disappointed. We were really hoping to get our approval by the end of this week, get Jack's visa by the end of next week, and travel the next weekend. The part that makes me nervous is that our FBI fingerprints expire in October and since we anticipated we would be there before then, we didn't redo them. It takes several weeks so I'm not sure if we should send them in again or not. I know that we are still three weeks closer to Jack and that's what matters. We knew that the 24th would be tough to do but it was still possible. Now, I'm not so sure. I don't think either of these issues are big ones. Since LSS did our homestudy, I'm hoping they can just clear up the situation and be done with that one. And Rob signing the other document should clear up the second issue.

In other news, we sold our house! We are supposed to close on October 28. And we will be gone then. And our new house won't be ready until around April 1. And there are no rentals available in town. And everyone thinks I should be freaking out more than I am. And oddly enough I'm not. I'm sure there is something out there. I just have to find it. But I go back four years to when we moved in here. We had been looking and looking for a house to buy. We had also been waiting and waiting for our referral. And the day we were at the old house shampooing carpets, we got our call. So the timing was perfect. We finally had a home to bring home our baby. And I believe this is all in "The Plan" as well. We've been waiting since October for our house to sell. Now it has and our new house will be done in the spring. So while it might be a little inconvenient for a little while, it will be fine.

I am heading to New York later this week. The company we are doing a joint venture with has invited us to their "analyst day" on Thursday so a group of us are flying out on Wednesday and then coming home on Sunday. We are going to two shows on Broadway while we are there and seeing every touristy site we can in a few days. Unfortunately, Rob is going to be using all of his vacation for our trip to Colombia so he isn't able to go. Last year I went to Washington, DC and he wasn't able to go so he's very disappointed. Again. But I'm still going without him! My sister-in-law and I have been trying to plan a time for Murphy to go stay with them all summer and we just haven't gotten it planned. So after dance on Thursday, Rob is going to take her to Aberdeen and she'll spend the weekend with them. They have horses and goats and dogs so she loves going there. She has to be back on Sunday for Rally Day at Sunday School. It's hard to believe it's that time already.

OK, that's all I know for now. Keep your fingers crossed that this doesn't put us behind schedule. Even though it was "my" schedule and I should know by now that I'm not the one in charge of my schedule!

Happy Labor Day!

I-800....CHECK!

2011-08-15T20:22:00.004-05:00

One more piece of the puzzle is done! I sent our I-800 off today. It really wasn't very hard...just had a few questions for LSS and I was able to send it off. And now we wait for about three weeks until that is approved. Those three weeks will go by so very fast. Rob starts school next week. He's gone to school almost every day this summer but in shorts and a t-shirt. It's back to suits and ties now. Love the fact that I get to wear jeans every day! :) He said he registered quite a few new students yesterday and today so his days have been pretty busy. He's been at school every night this week, too and I've let Murph fall asleep with me then he takes her upstairs when he gets home. You'd think I'd have some room in a king sized bed. I have even less room when Murphy sleeps with me than when Rob does! Letting the dog stay up late doesn't help, either. Anyway, I know these next few weeks will go by quickly.

We put up the crib on Saturday. This also meant taking down the bed that was upstairs. Murphy was a little put out by this. As she clenched her teeth she said to me "What exactly are you doing with Grandma and Grandpa's bed?" She did need a little extra attention that day. So we are trying to not shove the baby down her throat and ease her into this. The crib is now piled with stuff; clothes, bottles, blankets, onesies, wipes, bibs, socks...everything we'll need to take with us for Jack. Well, not everything. The crib will be overflowing by then. But I think I have all the clothes we will need. Hopefully he will be like Murphy and never spit up or have nasty diapers that spill out in every direction. We learned quickly that the outfit we put on her in the morning would be the outfit that stayed on her all day. Even if Pisingos did tell us she had reflux! I'm still waiting to wash the outfits just in case he's grown more than I anticipate. I bought 3-6 month clothes so we'll see if they fit. I've been buying diapers when they were on sale so I have boxes and boxes stashed in the room, too.

Murphy starts dance on Thursday, back to daycare next week, and then preschool later on in the week. Getting up at 6:15 will be a huge change for her. She's gotten used to sleeping in until 8:30 or so. We've had two great babysitters this summer and we've loved all of the time Maggie and Megan have spent with Murphy the past few months. We love Carol, too, and will be happy to get back into a routine. As much as I dread summer coming to an end, it is nice to get back to normal life. As normal as our life is, I guess!

:)

Paperwork, paperwork!

2011-08-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

Here it is, Saturday, and I'm still running around with my head cut off. Wednesday, of course was pretty busy. We told people at work, posted the news on the blog, and then on Facebook. Those three things kept me pretty busy. Thanks for all of the well wishes. I know we are not alone in this journey! Wednesday after work (golf for Rob) we were going to Sioux Falls for a school conference that Rob goes to every year. So since we hadn't packed on Tuesday, we got our things together and were on the road by 6:30. Thursday morning, my friends Jen and Ang came with Ang's daughter, Emily, and the girls swam in the pool for a couple of hours. Then we headed to the mall for dinner and pedicures. Murphy sat so well; we really had a good time. She loves getting her nails done. She usually peels it off (her fingers at least) within a couple of days, but I think she'll leave it on her toes for a while. I tried shopping but it's just too hard to shop when I'm constantly putting everything back on the racks that Murphy has taken off. We met Christy and Rob for supper and then Rob, Rob, and Murphy went back to Rob and Christy's to watch the Charger game while Christy and I went shopping! I've been saving coupons and Gap/Old Navy Buck Back forEVER so I was able to get quite a few clothes. I think I have all of the 3-6 months clothes we'll need for the trip and got some 6-9 months stuff, as well as some for next summer since that was all on clearance. Yesterday morning Murph swam for a while then we got everything ready for when Rob was done with his conference at noon. I got in a few more stores while Rob, Murphy, and now Riley, who had been at Mini Critters, got gas, deposited some checks... And then the big question of the day would be for the USCIS (Immigration). We originally applied for our I-800A, which is how the USCIS determines if we are eligible to adopt a child from Hague country, in May of 2010. It has a 15 month expiration date. So we have been working on extending that since the beginning of July. We know that they have received our extension application, but we haven't received our fingerprint notice (we have to have our fingerprints done in Sioux Falls). So since we were in SF, we decided to try to get an appointment. I called the USCIS officer in charge of our case and she said there wasn't a way to call the local office but that we could just show up and ask if they could do the fingerprints. She also said we needed to be prepared for them to say no. We knew that was their right to say no, so would have not have been surprised had they done so. But they didn't! We have had such luck with the woman who works there. She's been very accommodating to us with both adoptions. So our fingerprints are done and we won't have to worry about going back in a week or two when they tell us we finally have an appointment. So our next step is to complete the I-800, which is how the USCIS determines if Jack is eligible to be adopted by us. Yes, I know, very confusing. So that is what will take quite a bit of our next six weeks. Had we not been out of town this week, I would have already submitted this to Bettina. I did a hand-written version while Rob was driving so I'll enter it all in the computer today and send it to her this weekend. Then we can officially get it sent off once she tells me it's OK. We'll also be going between the storage shed today to get the baby supplies and take out the stuff in the extra bedroom. Poor Benny is going to lose her bed today! She always sleeps on the bed upstairs and I don't think she is going to be thrilled about having a crib in her room. We are a few days closer! And not only is today my nephew Collin's 27th birthday (I'm not sure it's possible that it's been 27 years!), Jack is three months old! We know Ayudame is taking great care of him. We'll be there before we know it. Happy Saturday, everyone!

It's A Boy!

2011-08-09T20:25:00.000-05:00

We found out today that Murphy has a little brother, Jack Mateo!! Jack was born May 13 in Bogota, Colombia, and we can't wait to get down there and show him some love! We'll have to wait a little while, as the next steps in the process take about six weeks, so we're hoping to be there at the end of September. Bettina called us around 12:30 today and we stuck it out at work until 2:00, when we went home to look over all of the paperwork. He is a very healthy baby, had bronchitis and spent some time in the hospital, but has been healthy ever since. He was 6 pounds, 8 ounces at birth and was 19 inches long. We signed all of our papers and will send them in tomorrow. After Murphy got home we showed her the picture and she asked who he was. Rob told her "That's your baby brother" and she got a huge smile on her face. She has been preparing for this ever since she was 18 months old and got her first baby for Christmas. I'm sure we'll have some adjustment issues; she's been an only child for four years. I would say it's to be expected. So then we went over to Rob's parents' house and then to my mom and dad's. We lose cell phone service once we get north of Aberdeen so once we left Hecla, it took us a while before we could call our siblings. We got that done and then sent a text to my nieces and nephews. I have some texts ready to go for tomorrow morning as well as an email to go out. But we want to tell people at work first. Then we're ready for the whole world to know!

We had a clue last week that we were this close. Last Monday, August 1, we got an email from Bettina to update some of our documents. I'll have the last one tomorrow. Then they'll all be sent to the secretary of state for the notaries to be notarized. Then down to Colombia for our dossier. We are also waiting on our fingerprint appointment for the USCIS extenstion. We are going to go to the office in Sioux Falls and see if they will fingerprint us without an appointment. I'm hopeful they will, but won't be surprised if they don't.

It's been three years and two months since we started this process. We moved pretty slow in the beginning. We really weren't ready back then anyway. Then in December, we thought it could be any day. Any day turned into eight months. And the longer time went on, the more impatient we got. It was just so hard to explain to a little girl why we STILL don't have a baby brother or sister. (Hard for 38 and 40 year old's, too.) We knew there wasn't one thing anyone could do about it. Our baby just wasn't ready. And now he is. So, so, so worth the wait. We knew it would be but waiting is always hard.

We are keeping Jack's birth parents in our prayers. We don't know how they are feeling right now and hope they are finding peace with their decisions. We pray this for Murphy's birth parents as well. It's been four years since they were at this stage and from we know about Murphy's birth mother, we expect that Murphy is never far from her heart. We will never be able to tell them how much we appreciate what they have done for us.

Hopefully I'll be better about posting. I'll have a lot to talk about! Thanks for being a part of this journey. We are so, so blessed.

Still a family of three!

2011-08-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

Here is it, August 1, and we are still a family of three. Five if you count the dog and cat. This statement will seem very odd to people that know me, but for the most part, I have been very patient since December 14 when we thought it would be "any day". Having been through this before helps. Knowing that our child just isn't ready helps. Having a four year old to keep me busy helps. Being very busy at work helps. There have definitely been some impatient days. And until recently, they were few and far between. But it's hard to explain to a four year old why we STILL don't have a baby brother or sister. And sometimes it's hard for a 38 year old to understand, too. I know that there isn't anything that LSS, Ayudame, or anyone can do about it. Our baby just needs to kick it in gear! We started this process in June of 2008. We knew we wouldn't be ready then but figured we would be when it was time. It's time and we are ready! Murphy is definitely ready!

It's been a sick winter at the Lewis'. Murphy had colds, strep throat, ear infections, pink eye, and rotavirus. Lots of throwing up. Lots of crying. Hopefully we have done our share for the year and can get by healthy for a while.

Rob turned 40 in April. We had a surprise party with a sports theme. I even squeezed into my shorty 1980's basketball shorts. Not well, but I fit into them. It's always fun when it's your party because you know everyone there. Unfortunately for Rob, he had to take his wife home early because she drank too much trying to get past the shorty shorts.

Our house is still for sale. We haven't built yet so we are really OK with not having been kicked out yet. We closed on our land today so now we are the owners for a big piece of dirt/weeds. We hope to start digging the basement in early October and be in the new house in the spring. I really want to live in the new house but I really want the payment for the current house. I don't think the banker will let me have my cake and eat it, too.

Murphy is still really into her babies. Their names have changed often. Rob tried telling her he was going to change her name every time she changed her baby's name but she does it anyway. She took swimming lessons again this year and now can glide under water for a while. She's a little fish; a brown one at that. I'm so jealous of her beautiful tan skin. Her natural curls are growing out but her hair is usually pretty unruly. Especially when it gets humid. Totally opposite of my stick straight hair. And pasty white skin!

Murphy's exciting news for the year is that she is registered for dance! It starts later this month and will be for 45 minutes once a week. She twirls all over in her tutus and leotards. And now she is starting to dance to pop music. She thinks she loves Hannah Montana, although I don't think she knows who she really is.

I've done some travelling for work again this year. Not as much as last year. A couple of trips to Denver, one to Indianapolis, and one to San Diego. We worked for about eight months with a company from the Denver area to investigate a joint venture to produce isobutanol instead of ethanol. We put it before our membership in June and the vote passed so we will start producing isobutanol late in 2012. We look forward to it, especially since ethanol still is such a volatile industry.

I celebrated my 20 year high school reunion in June at Hecla's 125th celebration. It was so, so, so fun! Well, all except the trip to the emergency room. Murphy's finger was caught in a door on Friday night and it was crushed so we headed to Aberdeen for the rest of the night. Murphy turned four years old in the ER. Unbelievably, it wasn't broken and I'm sure we'll pay a pretty penny for two pieces of tape. Saturday night I had so much fun at the dance. It was like we were all young again! I really did have a great time and we all decided we needed to get together more often. I still look at the pictures and smile. Love you guys!

Murphy's birthday was a big celebration; a parade, dance, quite a bit of her family around... She really is getting big and grown up and while I love seeing all of the new things she can do (such as ride her new bike) I like it when she snuggles up on my lap and is still my baby girl. School went really well for her and she looks forward to it next year. She is so imaginative. She always has a wild story to tell. She's also pretty bossy. Overcoming that one is an exasperating task. So is all the talk about boyfriends. That's what we get for having babysitters that have boyfriends, I guess! :) She makes us smile so often. What a gift from God she is.

So as we wait for our baby, we pray for his or her birth parents. I'm sure their struggles are difficult. We continue to pray for Murphy's birth parents, too. We are thankful for them and the sacrifice they made so that we could be parents. Hopefully the next time you hear from us we'll have some exciting news to share!

Are we there yet?

2010-12-19T22:34:00.000-06:00

It's been four months since my last update and although I know we're closer than we were then, I am starting to ask "Are we there yet?". We've been pretty good with the wait and I told Bettina I wouldn't start hounding her until March or so. Or so I thought! :)

The end of August brought school for both Rob and Murphy. Murphy started pre-school two days a week for two hours a day. She's in the elementary school so every once in a while she sees Daddy. One day she was running to him and her pants fell down. If she had a moment of contemplation whether to pull them up or not, she didn't stop running. She was most excited to ride the school bus. I told her that while it might seem exciting at first, wait until you've ridden one for 13 years for an hour one way. (Hmmm...just realized that makes me sound old!) After her first day, we learned that she rode the bus, ate gummi worms, rode the bus, pottied, and rode the bus. Yes, the bus was her favorite part of the day. It took us quite a while to get anything but "bus" out of her mouth, though. I wanted to take her to school that morning but she was too excited about riding the bus. Coincidentally, the wheel fell off the bus that morning and she had to ride with me anyway! :) Rob thought for sure she'd see right through that, especially when other kids rode the bus to school, but I knew she'd be too excited to notice.

We met my parents at the Brown County Fair again this year. Murphy's goal was to ride the ferris wheel. She talked about it for weeks before and after. We took her to Storybookland on our way to the lake for Labor Day. She wan't nearly as excited as I thought she'd be. She was pretty tired so I'm sure that was the problem. We'll try again in a year or two. Going to Storybookland is sort of an unwritten rule around her, I guess.

I've done more travelling since my last update. The ethanol industry is a very uncertain one these days. It's better than it was two years ago when the corn market went haywire but we don't have a lot of support nationwide. That's been a big part of my travels this year. To educate myself so that I can educate those around me about the benefits of ethanol. In mid-August I went to Chicago for a meeting with our ethanol marketer. While we were there we took in a Cubs game from the rooftop of the building next to the stadium. It was really neat. We also had supper one night from the 94th floor of the John Hancock building. I'm not afraid of heights as long as there is a barrier in front of me. So I was able to look out the window out over the water and think it was a great view. I went to Washington DC in mid-September to talk to people on Capitol Hill. We went out a couple of days early and did a lot of walking. And I mean a lot. We saw the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Holocaust Museum, the Capitol, and rode the bus all over town. Of all of the historic places I went to, my most favorite stop was at Georgetown Cupcakes! :) The drunk Georgetown students kept telling us "They're not worth it! Go make your own!" but let me tell you, they were worth it! The plain ones (chocolate, vanilla...) were plain. But the key lime cupcake and the peanut butter caramel cupcake, and the chocolate fudge ones were absolutely great! The best part? They ship!! And now that we know that, we will be recurring cusotmers! Back to business, talking to South Dakota's delegates about ethanol was like preaching to the choir. They know what we are up against. We just don't enough support outside the Midwest. It's amazing to us that some people don't even know about ethanol. And some of the criticisms about ethanol are so far-fetched, we just shake our heads. While we were gone, Murphy decided to swing a plastic Gatorade bottle at the dog and with her infinite coordination, missed and hit herself in the mouth and chipped a tooth. She ended up at the dentist's office and got her first checkup. He told us that unless it bothers her, we don't need to worry about it. You would think that would teach her but I'm sure it won't. In October I went to Wichita for a quick meeting and then in December to Denver for another quick meeting. I have racked up the frequent flyer miles this year, but I don't think they're even close to getting me a free ticket to my next destination!

We have our house plan narrowed down but are still working with our builder to finalize the details. By this time next year, we'll hopefully be in our new house and we are really excited about that. We decided to list our house in mid-October because there was a prosepctive buyer who was not as much of a sure-bet as we thought. We showed it a couple of times and fortunately, the reasons people didn't buy it didn't really have anything to do with the house itself. Now that winter is here, we don't expect too many showings so hopefully things pick up in the spring.

We were able to attend the Latin American Adoptive picnic in September. How neat it was to see all these Latin American cuties running around. And the best part, we got to spend the weekend with the Willrett's. We look forward to those trips and being able to talk about the experience we shared in Colombia. Most people can't relate to what we've been through, so the conversation just flows easily.

We celebrated Murphy's Adoption Day on October 23 by going to the State Cross Country Meet and our annual ice cream treat. It's hard to believe it's been three years already. At times I want her to always be my baby and then at other times I'm excited for the new things she is doing. She is very ready for a baby brother or sister. Or one of each if she has her choice. She has 12 babies; each has their own name, blanket, and stuffed animal. Don't confuse any of their belongings or she will tell you of his unhappiness with you. She is very attentive to her babies and is sure to tell me to be careful with them. She has started talking more about going to get her brother or sister and is excited to get on the plane to take us there. She recently asked me "Mama, where did you go to get me?". I said "Colombia" and she said "What was it like?". I told her she'll be able to watch what it was like when we meet her brother or sister. She will be between 3 1/2 and 4 when we get down there (we hope!) so she'll be old enough to understand what is happening and will hopefully be able to remember much of it.

Murphy was Mickey Mouse for Halloween this year. We went to the PTSA carnival and she got to jump in one of the big, blow-up, bouncy castles. That night determined her wish from Santa. Except in her mind, the castle was a ballerina one. She has stuck by that wish until this last week when we were finally able to convince her that an outdoor castle in the middle of a South Dakota winter was just not a practical idea. We still aren't sure what she really wants from Santa (other than the castle) but I can guarantee you she isn't getting the castle.

She also was able to go to Sunday School this fall. Her outgoing personality just loves the interaction with other people. I do the music for Sunday School so Rob goes to the store and gets groceries until we're done. She has sung in church twice now and we had the program last weekend. She did really well the first time; she sang and did the actions. She must have entered a shy stage, though, because she really didn't want any part of it last week. It's fun that she is learning about God and to hear all the questions and comments she has. I'm so happy that she can grow in her faith at such a young age just like I did.

Wrestling started in November so our lives are extra-busy right now. It's already mid-December though, so the season will be over before we know it.

We had to redo our FBI prints in late September. They took about ten weeks to get back. I was starting to get a little nervous as our original prints expired in Decmeber. Plus, our homestudy expired in December so we had to redo that, too. It took a little bit of coordinating with sick kids and the weather, but we finally were able to finish that in late November. After getting everything notarized and apostilled and FedExed to Duluth, we thought we had a few months before we should start getting antsy. Bettina called on December 14 to tell us that one of the other orphanages, Ayudame, was in need of families, and wondered if we would consider switching from Los Pisingos to Ayudame. We talked about it and while we have strong feelings for Pisingos, we just really want to be parents. So we switched and now we wait anxiously for the phone to ring. We think a referral would be a great Christmas present! I find myself thinking "Is this the last time I'll do this as a mother of one?" on about everything I do. We know that our lives are about to get even crazier but we welcome it and can't wait for it to happen.

Merry Christmas to all of you. Thank you for being part of our lives. Even if we don't know you, something about our story has drawn you to us. Thanks again!

March - May 2010 pictures

2010-08-30T19:17:00.000-05:00

2010-08-10T06:01:00.000-05:00

The road to baby number two begins...

2010-08-09T22:45:00.002-05:00

In 2008, shortly before Murphy's first birthday on June 25, we took the first steps to be the parents of two (or three!). We use Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota as our local agency and Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota as our international agent. LSS of SD does our homestudy and post-placement visits and LSS of MN helps us prepare our documents that are sent to Colombia and acts as our intermediary with the orphanage, attorney, and any other official that we come in contact with. LSS of SD requires that their adoptive families attend a two day workshop to learn more about adoption. So on June 19 & 20, 2008, we talked with other adopting families about terminology (Murphy wasn't given up for adoption, she was placed for adoption; we ARE Murphy's real parents and she IS our own child; Murphy was adopted, just like she was born. She isn't adopted, just like she isn't born;), some of the laws and regulations about adoption; some of the things that birth parents go through in making the decisions they do... Once we had completed the workshop, we also had to finish a lot of paperwork that ended up taking us another year! We knew that we needed to get the process started because it would take a few years, but we just weren't ready for another baby yet. Murphy was just turning one. We had only been home for six months and were enjoying being a family of three. Plus, we hadn't finished paying for Murphy's adoption; we definitely weren't ready to pay for another. So we didn't get things as done as quickly as we had the first time. PLUS, we seemed to have less free time on our hands than we did pre-Murphy! :)

LSS of SD came out to do our post-placement on February 16, 2009. Still no paperwork.

In April of 2009, Rob was at a friend's house watching the NFL draft. I was at home with Murphy who was supposed to be sleeping. Sleeping babies don't talk as much as she was so I headed upstairs and found her sitting on the steps. She scared me half to death but I didn't want her to see me laughing. It took all I had not to giggle when I asked her how she got out of her bed. Sneaky little thing didn't even make a noise when she climbed out! So it was time to buy a bed. We set it up in her room and she started taking her naps in the twin bed and spent the night in her crib. I don't think she ever climbed out again, but I just wasn't thrilled with having her try it again.

We celebrated Murphy's second birthday swimming at the Ramkota Inn in Aberdeen on Father's Day, June 21, 2009. She has no fear when it comes to water. She just walks right into the deep end. We've had her in swimming lessons every summer and she really enjoys it. She jumps off the dock at the lake and jumps off the diving board at the pool. She can swim pretty good with her life jacket on. Luckily the summer babysitters take her to the pool when the weather has been nice. On Murphy's actual birthday, we took the day off and spent the day having lots of fun. I did actually post on that day, so you can go back to read that (June 25, 2009). When we came back from her party, she told us that she didn't want to sleep in her crib anymore and from then on, it was the big-girl bed. It took me a couple of months to actually take the crib down and I cried while doing it.

Murphy's meeting with the Shriner's Hospital in Minneapolis was on July 2, 2009. You may not be aware that she has Spina Bifida. We met with a nurse practitioner who would determine if she was eligible to enter the program or not. After meeting with us, she didn't feel that Murphy would ever have any trouble but wanted the team of doctors to make that decision and entered her into their Spina Bifida program. We returned to the Shriner's this year on July 9. We saw a spinal surgeon and a neurologist and both said she is absolutely fine and that we don't need to go back. Yay! We were so glad to be able to spend time with our friends, Rob, Megan, Maria, Carmen, and Benji Willrett while we were there both times. We had spent so much time together in Colombia that it was just like old times. We share a bond that most people will never be lucky enough to experience. On the way home, we stopped by Megan's mom, Juel's house. What fun! Megan's brothers and sister were there with their families and it was like we'd known them for ages. We had another post-placement visit in Sioux Falls on August 7, 2009 and we were just a little close to having paperwork done. Far enough along that we thought it was time to schedule our homestudy visit. The social worker came to our house on August 24 and we were now on the second step of the process. It only took us a year to get from step one to step two! :) We still weren't in a big hurry and things had just quieted down at work so I was spending all of my time catching up on six months work of paperwork and filing. But we knew it was time to move a little quicker. We were able to spend time with the Willrett's and other Internet friends at LSS' Latin American picnic on September 27. It was really neat to see these beautiful Colombian kids all together. I had read so many of their blogs and felt like I truly knew some of these people even though we'd never actually met!

By now, we had to work pretty hard to get our paperwork done so the social worker could complete our homestudy. And of course we had to pay a little bit with every step. Keep in mind that we still hadn't (and haven't) finished paying for Murphy's adoption!

Strep throat went around Redfield last winter and both Murphy and I were lucky enough to catch it. Fortunately, Rob didn't, and his surgery wasn't delayed because of it. (Surgery story yet to come.) I exposed several, several people while attending the Lorie Line concert in Aberdeen, but in my defense, I didn't know it was strep and there was a slim chance I was missing that concert. After the concert, which was on December 18, we stopped at my brother and sister-in-law's, Dick and Pam's, to pick up a present that Santa had left at Grandma and Grandpa's: a kitty. Oh that poor cat. Murphy loves Riley but she LOVES the kitty. And so does Riley. She can hardly contain herself around the cat. It took us a while to name her. We tried out several names and none really fit. We tried Dora, Boots, Isa, Diego, Swiper (who is disguised as a fox but really a beagle named Riley) and she just wasn't any of those names. But she was kind of a Benny. So Benny it is. (No, she is not named after Ben Gillette, although Murphy does kind of have a thing for him.) Benny is so calm and patient with both of her adoring fans. She has sort of become my cat, and I did miss having a lump on my leg while I'm trying to sleep. I did not miss being licked in the middle of the night. Even my pillow is appealing to her because if I won't let her lick my face, she licks my pillow. Now if THAT sound isn't annoying!? Our household is expanding and we are grateful to have our blended family.

We finally completed all of our paperwork for LSS of SD, who was then able to complete our homestudy in December, 2009. Step number 3!

We had tried (with little effort) to start potty-training Murphy in September of 2009. She started wearing pull-ups when she started going to Carol's house in September. We'd ask her if she had to potty and she'd usually say yes and she'd go, but unless we asked her, she didn't volunteer the information. She was perfectly content wearing pull-ups using the toilet at her discretion. Fortunately for us, we were only having to change wet pull-ups as she had started pooping in the toilet shortly after her first birthday. We gave her Dora underwear for Christmas in 2009. She still wasn't overly enthused about potty training and we weren't pushing it at all. She was still only 2 1/2 and we were perfectly fine changing diapers for a while. Christmas of 2009 was one to remember, but probably one we'd like to re-do. We had too much snow and weren't able to go to my parents' house, nor was Rob's sister able to come home. We spent the holiday in our house, watching lots of TV. When Christy and Rob (Number 2 or Tink to avoid confusion) were finally able to come home from Sioux Falls, the seven of us celebrated Christmas at our house on January 2, 2010. We asked Murphy if she wanted to wear her underwear for the first time. She was all for that. She had an accident that day, and had only a few more since, but she has done a great job potty-training. I'm glad we didn't push her and let her go in her own time.

Two wrestling seasons have come and gone. We are having a great run right now; in February of 2009, our boys placed second, one-half of a point behind first place, and seventh in 2010. The time has gone by fast and Murphy has really enjoyed going to practice with Daddy and the boys.

Rob's sister, Christy is very special to both of us. They are only 13 months apart so have always been close, and Christy and I are alot alike and have so much fun together. I love her so much and am lucky to have her as my "sister". Christy turned a significant age this year (begins with a four and ends with an oh!) and we (Allan and Sandy, Rob, Christy, Alli, and Izzy (the dog), and Rob, Murphy, Riley, and I) decided to spend the weekend together in Watertown at the Holiday Inn Express. Before we got there, Number Two pulled out his most romantic move yet: proposing to Christy on her birthday! :) So we had a lot to celebrate that weekend! We look forward to a wedding in 2012 and I am having fun living vicariously through Christy's wedding plans! (I loved getting married and wore my own dress for weeks after our wedding. Then I had it professionally cleaned and it's in a very sad little box that I'm not able to open. :( It's been calling my name for 13 years now!) Murphy and Alli spent a lot of the weekend in the pool; we got pedicures at the mall; and Izzy and Riley got to spend time with their BFF's. It was a great weekend and we need to do it more often!

This spring had several sad moments for our family. My uncle, my godfather, had been sick for quite some time and died in March. I hadn't spent a lot of time with him since I became an adult and holidays were spent in too many different places, but childhood memories rushed back and I miss the man who watched NASA with my dad (even though there were hundreds of channels on their satellite dish) and had a mounted fish with a really long nose on the wall that always amazed me. Rob's grandma had also been sick for a very long time. She hasn't actually been healthy since I met her in 1995, but had gotten worse in the last few years. She died the day before Rob's birthday: April 20. We spent a lot of time that week at Rob's parents' house and as Murphy and I went home that first night, Murphy asked if we could go see Grandma Georgia at the hospital. I told her no and she asked me if Grandma George was feeling better. I think she finally was.

Having completed steps one, two, and three, it was now time to start collecting documents for our dossier; the information that would be presented to the orphanage. We applied for Murphy's passport and took our USCIS fingerprints on May 7. We received our USCIS approval on May 14 and received Murphy's passport on May 26. We met with the man who would do our psych evaluation on May 27. We received our FBI clearance on June 7. The FBI prints took nine weeks so we planned everything to be done around the beginning of June. I had prepared most of our documents so it didn't take long to get our physical health statment, our employment documentation, financial statment, list of all of our names (and with a hyphenated name I have several!), our birth certificates and marriage license. Everything needs to be notarized and then sent to the state for the notary to be notarized (apostilled). Then the whole packet was sent to the Colombian coordinator in Duluth on July 2, 2010. Bettina is an adoptive parent herself so has been through the process and also has been to Colombia several times so is familiar with our orphanage, Los Pisingos, and the Colombian process. We are so fortunate to be able to work with her. Unfortunately, the date on Rob's birth certificate was wrong. The birthdate of April 21 was transposed to April 12. Several of us had missed this but Bettina caught it in time. We needed to contact the Sioux County Recorder's office in Orange City, Iowa, where Rob was born. They were able to re-do the birth certificate and get it sent back to me. Rob drove to Pierre to get it apostilled and it was on it's way back to Bettina on July 29, 2010. All of our documents were FedEx'd to Cecilia, the coordinator in Colombia on Monday, August 2, 2010. And now we wait. Even though it took us two years from the time we started, we feel we are on the perfect schedule. We are now beginning to be ready for another baby. Murphy is beyond ready for another baby. She has nine of them already: Zoey, Ralph, Carly, Mama, Marco, Little Blue Baby, Little Yellow Baby, Little Pink Baby, and Shrek. Shrek is the naughty child who has to sit in timeout a lot. For hours at a time, poor thing. Zoey, Ralph, and Marco get the most attention. Marco is a stinky baby and needs his diaper changed several, several times a day. Unfortunately for Marco, we only have one set of boy clothes so he regularly wears girl clothes. We are hoping to be in Colombia before May of 2011 but we'll see. I'm OK with that for now. I may be harrassing Bettina in about the April timeframe! :)

In the middle of the two years it took us to get this far, Rob was activated to help with the floods in March of 2009 and finally retired in November of 2009 after over 21 years in the South Dakota Army National Guard. My job changed at the ethanol plant late in 2008 due to the margins in the ethanol industry. We were required by our lender to raise an additional $3 million in order to be in compliance with our loan covenants. It took a couple of months, a lot of phone calls, and lots of extra hours, but we finally did it. The ethanol industry still isn't a great one to be in right now, but we're confident with the progress we've made and are comfortable with the direction we are going. In August of 2009 the management agreement we had with another plant ended and several of us have taken on new job descriptions and duties. I am so fortunate to have a job that I love and that pays me well. It has reaffirmed our decision to stay here and we have decided to build a house. The house we are currently in is bursting at the seams and we know that another child (and all the stuff that goes with) will make it even more difficult to stay here. We have a pretty good idea of what our house will look like (on the inside at least) and are trying to find a builder for 2011. We aren't quite ready to pay for a new house until we have this next adoption paid off but we will need to have more room shortly after we come back from Colombia. We changed daycare providers in August of 2009. The provider we used to go to quit shortly before school started and we had a few weeks of panic. Luckily we were able to find another provider and we absolutely love her. They sing lots of songs and do lots of activities. There are also more kids for Murphy to be around. We still have a babysitter come in during the summer because it's just so convenient but during the school year, we couldn't find a better place for Murphy to be. Another thing that we dealt with in that timeframe was an injury to Rob's hand. He had hurt it on my birthday, March 19, of 2009 at school. They tried rehab and therapy but nothing worked. They finally did surgery to repair the ligaments in his wrist on January 6, 2010. He had a cast for several weeks and then more rehab. He will never have full range of motion but he isn't in constant pain like he was before the surgery. Unfortunately for Murphy, it put any snow activities on hold for the winter of 2009. She has told me that I am supposed to stay in the house and watch them through the window while they play outside. So I took her up on it and stayed in the house! We kept thinking that we'd have snow until May this year and that we'd have plenty of time to go outside. We as in Rob and Murphy. Unfortunately, the sun came out one day and melted all 12 feet of snow and winter was over. We have a brand new pair of snow pants, without tags, but never worn if anyone is in need! :)

So there is a recap of the past two years. I'm sure there are many things that I've missed. I have several Murphyisms that I'll share on another day.

We look forward to the day we are a family of four (or five!) plus the pets. We expect that our birth mother is pregnant right now and so we ask God for His blessings upon both her and our birth father as they make the tough decisions that they are making. We pray for Murphy's birth parents that they have found peace in their decisions. We are so thankful for the family He has created. How could we be more blessed? :)

Gotcha Day #2!

2009-10-23T12:47:00.002-05:00

Holy Smoke! Two years! Really? I think I've missed most of it. Can I push pause????

2009-10-22T09:24:00.001-05:00

Two years ago we left on a jet plane that took us to the best six weeks of our lives!

Referral Day!

2009-09-15T16:36:00.002-05:00

Two years ago today we saw a picture of the most beautiful baby EVER!

Pictures!

2009-08-24T22:20:00.001-05:00

The day in the life of a two year old

2009-06-25T22:24:00.002-05:00

Won the first game. Didn't stay for the second. Stopped to see Royce and Ila Mae on the way home. Talked to Grandma Karen and Grandpa Allen quick before bed. Finally to bed after 10:00! Great day! Love you, Murph!

2009-06-25T20:07:00.001-05:00

Chowing down her second hotdog

2009-06-25T19:22:00.001-05:00

Showered and heading to dq baseball

2009-06-25T18:34:00.001-05:00

Back in the pool.

2009-06-25T18:03:00.001-05:00

Murphy finally up. Now what's for supper?

2009-06-25T17:38:00.002-05:00

Murphy and Riley still sleeping. Rob and I watching the news about Michael Jackson. Whoa....can't believe that one. Well, actually I can. Farrah Fawcett, too. I guess I'll remember their dates of death. Newsletter written. Got some color. I forget...I don't have that year round tan that Murphy does. Not burned but a little pink.

2009-06-25T14:55:00.001-05:00

Naptime for Murphy, Riley, and Rob...newsletter writing time for me.

2009-06-25T13:15:00.001-05:00

Eating watermelon...her favorite!

2009-06-25T12:04:00.001-05:00

Daddy home. We are running through the sprinkler and enjoying the hot weather. Well Murphy, Riley, and I enjoy the heat. Rob not as much.

2009-06-25T10:52:00.001-05:00

Playing with sidewalk chalk, swimming, bubble lawn mower. Supposed to be writing newsletter article but don't want to!

2009-06-25T10:02:00.001-05:00

Filled up the pool. Little cold yet but neither she nor the dog cares.

2009-06-25T08:22:00.001-05:00

Murphy just woke up. Rob is on his way home from the chiropractor in hartford. Murph and i are going to get a doughnut.

2009-06-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Happy 2nd birthday Murphy!

Murphy's 2nd Birthday party held June 21, 2009.

2009-06-21T18:07:00.000-05:00

Party at the Ramkota.

Opening presents.

The best part of their day!

She worked up an appetite swimming.

Grandma and Grandpa

Sneaking away to check out the presents.

Grandma and Grandpa

Dick and Pam

Rob and Christy.

No pictures of David and Carmen, Kara, Brianna, John, Gavin, and Mom & Dad.

Pretending can only go so far.

2009-06-17T10:28:00.002-05:00

This is not an update but I have to post because it's funny. Murphy is really, and I mean REALLY, into pretending right now. She has a kitchen and she brings us tacos, meat, cheese, and drinks all the time. (And yes, I do eat the meat.) She loves to play with her babies. She puts them in the swing, carries them around in the car seat, feeds them, burps them, pushes them in the stroller with her purse on her arm and her diaper bag attached to the stroller, changes their diaper and wipes their butts. Here is where we are running into a problem. Yesterday I was working out to my Wii Active. She does some of the exercises with me (squats and lunges and the resistance bands). As I was working out she found the baby wipes. She loves baby wipes, too. She wiped her face, Riley's face, and was then running around with the wipe. The next thing I know, she is wiping the back of my shorts with the wipe saying "butt, butt". As I'm exercising. Now seriously...do we need to go there?

2009-06-01T20:27:00.001-05:00

Just trying to see if I can post from my phone. I can't believe how long it's been since I posted!

You're all entitled to slap me.

2009-03-13T11:13:00.003-05:00

Four months? Really? Has it been that long? This winter has flown by. And I'm going to make you wait a little bit longer. I'm not going to update you on four months right now but I will start working on the post. It might take me a while to write. Be back soon.

Happy Spring! (I think it's finally here now!)

December, January, and some February pictures

2009-03-13T08:58:00.010-05:00

Second place!

She thought she deserved to be up there, too.

My great-nephew, Gavin. Am I old enough to be a great aunt?

Oops...my leg doesn't fit in a doll stroller.

The next prodigy!

Grandpa and Murphy playing the piano.

She looked really cute in this outfit but she wouldn't smile nice unless she was sitting. So you don't get the full effect of how cute she is!

We were at my aunt's house and the dogs were in their kennels. She must have been lonely.

Daddy and Murphy watching the Chargers in the playoffs.

Helping the team roll up the mat.

Hello? Is anyone there?

When are we leaving?

As long as we can keep the blocks away from Riley, she can build them pretty high.

Her favorite spot to sit and watch TV.

Doesn't every dog want to be covered up while they eat their treat?

Giving the baby a ride.

Learning how to be a stunt rider.

Who put that moo in my stroller? Don't you know I can't touch the stroller with the moo in there? Somebody get it out!

Don't I look comfy?

I'm sure I can fit in this box.

I used to have one like this!

Giving Gavin a kiss on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve 2008.

Hanging on for dear life.

Hello? Santa? Thanks for the baby!

Stranger! Stranger!

Reading a magazine in my booster seat in the middle of the living room. And just in case I fall out, the straps are buckled around me.

There is a reason I couldn't put presents under the tree. Make that two reasons.

I fit perfectly!

Taking all the towels out of the drawer is hard work. I need a nap.

Learning early.

Playing cards with Grandma.

Do you like my new hat?

Getting ready for my first sled ride!

Am I cute or what?

Keely (and your dad who probably put you up to that)

2009-01-11T17:16:00.002-06:00

The Steelers may be winning at half time, but will you be cheering at the end of the game when the Chargers have won? :)

The face of a child who just pooped in the potty chair!

2008-12-09T15:10:00.000-06:00

Home one year!

2008-12-03T09:11:00.002-06:00

This little snowstorm we had yesterday is a remembrance of a snowstorm on December 2, 2007 in Newark, NJ! At this time last year Mom, Murphy, and I had been up since about 3:30 to fly from Newark to MSP and were waiting for our flight from Minneapolis to Aberdeen. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about bringing Murphy home! What a day!

Congratulations!

2008-11-02T16:23:00.007-06:00

Congratulations to Eric, Sara, and Nils at www.ericsara.wordpress.com. They have a new little girl! For some reason it isn't letting me link it so you have to go there yourself. We'll be following every day (probably several times a day) so post often!

Congratulations Jeff, Cara, and Matthew! They are bringing Matthew's brothers home from the Ukraine! Jeff and Matthew are home already and Cara, Jack, and Alexander will be home soon. Love you!

New updates!

2008-11-02T16:18:00.001-06:00

I updated August, September, and October. You have to scroll down because I put them in the right order. Or you can just click on the words above and it will take you right there.

October update

2008-11-02T15:40:00.002-06:00

October was like every other month for us...busy!

Thursday the 9th, we went to Aberdeen to get Rob's hair cut and see if we could find something to wear for church pictures. I didn't find anything but did get some other good deals. Herbergers had some really good sales.

On Friday the 10th, Murphy threw up at daycare so I went home to get her. She didn't seem quite right but she didn't throw up again. She slept alot that weekend. Saturday my mom and a friend came and we went to a speaker at our church. Her name is Roxanne Henke and she is a write from North Dakota. Great books. I'd read the first two. They are such easy reading. My mom bought another one so I've read that now, too. Rob stayed home with Murphy and he said she didn't seem quite right either. She got a tooth that night. Number eight, and the fourth one on the bottom. So we weren't sure if everything was the flu or the tooth. Monday she was fine, but I was sick, so we're thinking she had a combination of both. I went to work to do month end. When I was done, I went home. I knew I wouldn't be able to take a nap because we had our pictures that afternoon and I couldn't lay on my hair. Such a dilemma, eh? Anyway, we all got ready and were at the church by 4:20. Our pictures were at 4:30 and we were only in a 15 minute slot. I didn't take anything to drink or diapers or anything. I thought "we'll only be there a few minutes". Yeah, right. He was 45 minutes behind schedule. During that time, Murphy had diarrhea. Rob ran home to get the diaper bag and wipes. I took her in the bathroom and found it had leaked through her pants. So he had to run home again and get a new pair. We finally got in and surprisingly the pictures turned out really well. I don't have them back yet or I'd show you. By the time we got home, it was about 6:00. I slept until 7:30, threw up, and went back to bed around 9:00. I was hoping I could lose a few pounds out of the deal but I woke up on Tuesday morning to a growling stomach. So I knew I was over it.

On the 15th, we found another tooth. I thought teeth came in one next to the other. I guess they don't. This one is on the bottom but back a few spots. In keeping with this theme, she also got the same one on the top on Halloween. She she now has ten teeth and the same teeth on the right side are coming in soon. Good thing she doesn't really have any side effects. They just show up.

Rob went to Rapid City for school on Sunday the 19th. Murphy's nose started to run on the 20th. Rob came home on the 21st. I took Murphy to the doctor on the 22nd. She did not have RSV but the PA told me to keep her out of daycare so she could get over it. I stayed home with her that day. My mom came on Thursday. Rob's dad watched her late in the afternoon on Thursday. By this time, I had a runny nose. Friday morning Rob left for Rapid again for guards. Murphy went to Ila Mae's house, a retired daycare provider. Ila Mae and her husband love Murphy and she loves all the attention. That night we went to my brother and sister-in-law's house for Thanksgiving supper. My niece and her husband had the baby there, plus another niece was home from Portland. She just got engaged in August and is planning an August wedding in 2009. Since they were all home we had Thanksgiving. Murphy did not like me holding Gavin. She was fine with everyone else holding him. I tried not to get too close to anyone since we were both a little sick. I figured Murphy was about over hers and mine was just really in my sinuses. Little sick. Remember that. Saturday morning we had a baby shower for Gavin at my mom and dad's church. I still didn't feel too bad. By the end of the shower, I didn't feel good at all. It's a good thing I was at my parents' house so Mom could help me with Murphy. Murphy and I took a three hour nap that afternoon. My whole head hurt. I was so stuffed up, I couldn't breath out of either side. I would choke when I swallowed because I couldn't breath. I don't ever remember having a cold so bad. Sunday morning was Gavin's baptism. Murphy and I just came home instead. I had taken Riley with us and she had every opportunity to run free on the farm. She didn't even want to. She came back to the garage every time we let her out. In town we have to keep her on her leash or she runs around the neighborhood. Rob got home from guards Sunday afternoon and was in charge of the baby and the dog after that. A week later, I'm still sick. I can at least breath again but I still don't feel great. It never left my head. If Murphy felt like I did, I feel bad for her because it was all packed inside her tiny little body. Now my mom has it. Hopefully the baby doesn't get it.

Thursday the 30th, we finally made it to Dairy Queen to celebrate Murphy's Gotcha Day. She snarfed down her hotdog faster than we could cut it apart. Friday was Halloween. I left work at noon to come home and do yard work. Rob cut down a tree and I cut back all the bushes in preparation for winter. Riley played with the leaves in her kennel and Murphy played with the leaves in the pen we have for her. Around 4:30 I started getting her ready and we left to trick or treat around 5:30. We didn't think we'd be gone too long as we were only going to a few houses. Two and a half hours later... she was hungry, tired, and we'd missed all the kids that came to our house. So now I'm stuck with a whole bunch of candy. I'm taking it to work. I know I'm biased but she really was a cute kitty. I had to take the candy out of the bucket after every house because she wanted to play with it instead of going to the next house. Our longest stop was at Jill's house, the girl I work with. We had a beer while Murphy tormented the dog. It's good for her though, because Jill is pregnant and the dog will have to get used to it.

So now it's November and we've had the nicest weather we've had in over a month. It was beautiful today. Riley is a social dog and won't be left outside without us. She won't pee without us standing there watching her, either. So I tried to put her in the kennel today and she just barks and barks. I don't want anyone to call the cops on us so I brought her back in.

I will try to be much better about updating. I know people check to see what's new. I even check every once in a while to see if Rob has somehow figured out how to log in and post. Obviously that hasn't happened.

Have a good November!

October pictures

2008-11-01T10:03:00.006-05:00

Do you think she was ready for a nap?

Playing with Christy's camera.

Somewhere she isn't supposed to be.

I can't even come up with a good comment on this one.

Great toys, eh? Balloons (from Rob's birthday in April ) and cookie racks.

She likes spaghetti!

What more do you need when you have a cold? A pillow, a stuffed animal, your blanket, your dog, and laying on the couch watching TV.

Gotcha Day #1! Opening her present.

A turtle!

Two of us were sick, the other loves having his picture taken. Gotcha Day #1.

Trying to figure out why this turtle keeps chasing me!

Eating grapes at Grandmas.

She thought the footstool of the barber chair was a great place to sit.

Poor Louie. He just didn't know enough to run away when he had the chance.

Too tired to stay awake!

She's part of the clean plate club. Even when she's sleeping.

Is this the cutest kitty you've ever seen!?!?

Where's the candy?

Heidi checking out what's in the bucket.

She loves Heidi.

Can you tell?
Good thing Heidi isn't a hyper as Riley!

One Year!

2008-10-23T17:53:00.003-05:00

One year ago today...at 10:37 a.m....we receive the best gift ever!! At times it seems like it was just yesterday and then other times it seems so long ago. Murphy has been sick this week. She has a cold and has been home from daycare two days. The doctor didn't want it to get any worse. So I stayed with her yesterday and my mom today. Rob's dad came over mid afternoon and took over for my mom so she could head home. I'm sure she got lots of attention today!

We bought her a gift to celebrate her Gotcha Day. It is a pull toy, a turtle that was hand made in Colombia. I think she'll really like it. I also have a feeling that Riley will freak out and bark at it. We're also going to get ice cream tonight, although Rob is probably the only one who cares for ice cream right now. Murphy is sick and I'm not an ice cream lover. Maybe supper...we'll see.

A few weeks ago I was really homesick for Colombia. I don't know if it was the thought that what has transpired over the past year or the life we had there, or the fact that we got to spend all of our time with her. I just really missed it. Maybe not the spinach and cheese I got all the time or throwing my toilet paper in the garbage. But the overall picture. I miss going to the market. I miss Luz Mery saying every morning "Hola Maria Jose" while Murphy and I sat in the dining room alone because everyone else could sleep past 6:00. Megan, Juel, Maria, Benji: we miss you. (Rob and Carmen, too, but you left too soon for us to really get to know you!) Murphy is the same age that Carmen was at this time last year. I often wonder how you were able to be away from her for so long. I remember the day we got sentencia and you said "I just miss Carmen so much". I didn't know what it felt like then. But now, I can't imagine it.

I know I have lots to catch up on. My life has finally calmed down since the end of August. Everything that I've done has gone well, and I really feel a sense of accomplishment. But I'm also tired and ready for some lazy days. I'm not sure when those will happen! One piece of exciting news, the dragon was slewn. I think that's how you spell it. Now if only his sidekicks would get the ax, we'd be even happier!

Rob and Murphy are taking a nap. If you don't know Rob, you might be surprised to find that he's very sentimental. One year for our anniversary, he sent me flowers at work. I was working in Sioux City at the time. We went out to Applebees for dinner. He kept telling me "I'm sorry they didn't have irises". I had no idea why he was sorry so I finally had to ask. He said "Isn't that what was in your wedding bouquet?". I said "that was very thoughtful, but no, they were lilies". So anyway, he is wearing the same outfit he did a year ago. Not me. I wear jeans to work. Not skirts. So when they wake up, we'll take a family picture, eat our ice cream and whatever else we decide to eat, and I'll try to post the picture tonight. And then I'll get caught up soon.

Murphy, we LOVE YOU. You are a blessing to all of us. Our lives are wonderful because we have you. We thank God for your birthparents. We hope they know that you are loved and cared for. We thank Him for the wonderful care you received at Los Pisingos and at your foster mother's home. We thank him for year number one and look forward to all the rest.

September update

2008-10-01T14:48:00.001-05:00

Now that school has started, we're busy but it's mostly stuff in town. Which is fine. That way we aren't always driving. I don't mind drives there. It's the drive home that always takes forever.

On September 5, we went to Aberdeen to get Rob's hair cut. The barber has one of those dolls that dances if you push it's hand. It taught Murphy to dance. Now she dances to any music or at the mention of "dance". Ironically, the 5th was also the day she learned to say Riley, no no, puppy, and ball. No no Riley and no no puppy are heard a lot at our house. They usually go along with ball as in "No no, Riley. That's Murphy's ball".

We did get a big trip in though. My boss used to live in Denver and he has season tickets to the Broncos. We got his tickets and went to the Charger's game with Rob's sister and her boyfriend. The trip didn't start out well, though. I took Murphy to Aberdeen and met my mom. She spent the weekend with my parents. I think they all had a good time. I didn't have trouble leaving her. I had trouble leaving Riley. I dropped her off at a kennel near Aberdeen and it was terrible. Terrible, terrible. I don't know what I expected but it sure wasn't that. When I pulled up to the place, there was a sign that said "Animal Control Shelter". Hmm...you mean "place pets go before they're put to sleep"? It's not starting well. Then, there were two buildings. One with small dogs (which Riley is) and one for big dogs (which Riley is not). Guess which one she went to? The big dog building. So we walked through and there were concrete pens with poop and pee everywhere. The dogs were laying in it. And then when the pens were cleaned out, everything got shoveled to the center, where I was walking. The huge dogs there were barking and barking. Poor Riley was shaking in her paws. She would have been shaking in her boots if she had them. Maybe she should have had some to stay out of everything we were walking in. So the man had me put here in a cage and leave her. I said "should I leave her kennel or her food or bowls or toys?" He said "no, she won't need any of that". Not feeling good here. And Riley was crying. And howling. I have tears in my eyes at this point. I leaned down and told her I loved her and left. I went outside and called her name and looked through the little hole in the wall. I could see her standing up against the cage barking. She finally came out and telepathically begged me to take her out of there. I bawled and bawled. As I drove into Aberdeen todrop off Murphy, I called Rob and he didn't answer. So I called Jill, a girl I work with that has a dog and I knew would understand. She said "go get her and bring her to me. I'll watch her." That's not why I was calling but I sure took her up on it. So I dropped off Murphy and went back and got Riley. 45 minutes cost me $8. Like I said, I don't know what I expected but it sure wasn't that.

So we headed out of town and met Christy and Rob (yes another Rob) and started driving to Denver. We made it as far as Thedford, Nebraska where we spent the night. We drove the rest of the way into Denver on Saturday. We found our motel and decided we'd go to the Rockies game since we were there. It was really fun until it started to pour. They played the Dodgers so we got to see Manny play. He got booed every time he came up to bat. There were some drunk guys behind us and one was from Minneapolis and hunted every year about an hour from us. So it was kind of fun. The people next to us were originally from South Dakota as well. Sunday morning we all got dressed up in Charger gear except Rob who was a Charger fan for the day but really a Packer fan. He did wear blue, though. My Rob made up for it as you can see in the picture. We had one very obnoxious lady behind us and one obnoxious Rod Smith jersey wearing jerk in front of us. Otherwise everyone was pretty peaceful. Not like the St Louis fans. They were very nice. Also not like the Minnesota fans. They were not nice. So the Denver fans were somewhat in the middle. The game didn't start off well. The Chargers did terrible. And if you follow football at all, this was the game that Ed Hochuli made a very, very bad call that was discussed on ESPN for days after. The Chargers came back but still lost. It was still really fun, though. The drive home...not so fun. We got home around 6:30 Monday morning. We slept for a few hours then went to work. I went to Aberdeen after work to pick up Murphy. She was well rested. Riley had quite a weekend, too. She chased Jill's dog (tormented Jill's dog) and even got to go to a friend's house. I think Baby (the dog) was ready for Riley to go home.

While at my mom's Murphy learned about kitties. How to say the word and how to love them. Poor Louie. He just wants to be pet. So he thought he had it made when Murphy showed him her affection. He soon got tired of it and hid from her. Her word for kitty is "K". And she says it all the time.

The 15th, the day we got home from Denver, was also the anniversary of the day we got our phone call from Luann telling us we had a baby girl. It's hard to believe it's been a year.

On the 19th, Murphy got a new cousin! My niece had her baby, a boy named Gavin, that night. I don't think she knows yet that she won't always be the center of attention.

That next week was really busy for me. (And Rob, too I guess.) It was homecoming week. Tuesday was coronation. Rob's cousin, Morghan, was the queen from last year so we went to watch. Another cousin, Meghan, Morghan's sister, put lip gloss on Murphy and loved it! She was the entertainment of the night. For us at least. Wednesday I volunteered (or did someone volunteer me?) to help with the community clean up. I helped the senior class paint the spill way. I really did enjoy it but didn't exactly have the time to do it. Friday was the parade. The theme was "Olympics". Friday morning we came up with our float: The newest Olympic sport: Corn Husking. We had two of the guys husking corn in the back of a pickup while three of us girls handed up candy and stickers. We got done with that and moved on to the chili cookoff. The recipe for this was also decided on last minute. And then was changed by the time we got there. We didn't dress up or having corn in our recipe but we did get third place out of 15 teams. Next year I put it on my calendar to start planning earlier so we can win!

Murphy got tooth number seven on the 26th. She has four on top and three on the bottom.

Tuesday the 30th our school played in a special volleyball game. It was called Volley for a Cure and we all wore pink t-shirts in support of breast cancer. For those of you don't know, both my mom and her sister were diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. My mom tested negative for the breast cancer gene but I know it's in my future.

Riley is still doing well. Calming down a little. Still peeing on the floor every once in a while. She can make it all night though now that she sleeps with us. She's only allowed under the comforter though otherwise her cold nose ends up touching us. She is quite the bed hog as she likes to sleep right next to you. For me it's not that big of deal. She keeps me warm. For Rob who is warm blooded, she makes him sweat. When Murphy wakes up the first thing she wants is a kiss from Riley. No one else wants one so she might as well get as many as she can.

September pictures

2008-09-30T16:23:00.002-05:00

She got pretty far in and couldn't get herself back out.

This is what happens when Riley is left alone to entertain herself.

Carrying her new purse and kitty.

This was pretty funny...she was carrying my work keys around her neck. She also loves to play with fake necklaces (anything that she can wear around her neck.) She got them caught together and handcuffed herself behind her back.

Yes, I am that mother that takes a picture before she tells her child to get out of the box.

Murphy and Riley playing in the Hoosier cupboard in the front entry.

We have no idea what she's doing. Maybe she's going to be a bronc rider.

She loves to sweep.

The back of the skirt.

The front of the shirt.

Christy and Rob (#2, Jayne, Tinklebell) at the Charger/Bronco game. (The infamous Ed Hochuli game)

It's shocking that we only had two obnoxious fans bothering us after seeing who we were sitting with.

At the Rockies game with Christy.

Coors Field

She loves to kiss the baby in the mirror.

Everybody wants to sit with Daddy and cheer for the Chargers!

Murphy riding the school bus.

She did look like a girl earlier in the day. Notice the green socks that matched her outfit at church.

August pictures

2008-09-01T11:34:00.006-05:00

Grandma Karen's protege. Murphy loves licorice. Lucky for her that her Uncle Wayne gave her some because her Mommy won't.

Looking stylish on my four wheeler with my beads around my neck, licorice on my face, holding my toothbrush and shampoo.

The cyclops on Murphy's head after being stung by an unknown assailant.

Murphy and Haley at her first football game.

Grandma and Murphy playing with wrapping paper. She didn't want Grandma to wear the hat but she really didn't want to wear it herself.

Murphy's first pony ride at the fair!

She loves to play in the sheers.

Riley loves to play in anything she can chew.

Murphy loves to play with Daddy and Riley loves to play with Murphy.

Mommy got a new dishwasher and Murphy and Riley got a new box.

Don't touch my blanket!

Murphy loves to play the piano and Landon loves to get out of lessons.

Keely, Maria, Murphy, and Kalla.

Mommy, you're taking too long in the dressing room.

Three of the world's best babysitters!

I love corn!

Pickles, too.

Did I mention watermelon?

Murphy does not like being kept out of places.

See what I mean?

The dreaded flamingos. Although they did keep Murphy entertained for a day.

August update

2008-08-31T13:40:00.000-05:00

Monday, July 28, Murphy and I went with some of my coworkers to a chuckwagon. One of the by-products of ethanol is feed, or distillers. It comes in dry or modified-wet form. One of the truck drivers that gets a lot of distillers has a chuckwagon and participates in contests in South Dakota. Everything has to be authentic. So that night, he cooked for us. It was really good. There was some sort of meat that I didn't eat along with vegetables, corn bread, and upside down pineapple dessert. Being a dessert lover, that was my favorite part. Murphy's favorite part was chasing the chickens and kitties. It made me homesick for farm life. I just don't see Rob ever being a farmer. Not even a hobby farmer. No cows either. I'm not even sure I can get him to live in the country. I've told him all the wonderful things about living in the country but in his mind, you just miss out on all the action if you live in the country. Someday, maybe.

We had a post placement visit the next day. Erin, I hope you never plan a quick trip to our house. It was the first time she'd been here and the first chance I had to show her all the stuff we bought in Colombia. Murphy's Gotcha Day gifts, her clothes, her room... I kept saying "Oh I have to show you this..." Good thing she knows me by now and we get along so well! I have no idea when the next visit will be. I've read on other people's blogs that they don't like them but I actually do. It gives us a chance to talk about Murphy and not everyone wants to hear us gush about her for hours!

My mom's sister turned 50 on the 29th, so we had a little surprise party for her that weekend in Winner, where she lives and teaches Art at the high school. My aunt and uncle planned to go down there. She knew that part. She didn't know others were coming. My mom picked up Murphy and me Friday afternoon and I filled her car way full. We were a little late because I had to take the babysitter home get our stuff loaded. On the way there, Murphy needed a nap but over her dead body was she going to take one. My mom ended up singing to her for quite a while before she finally fell asleep. Another aunt and uncle met us down there and we walked into Karyl's house together. She was quite surprised. Little did she know her friends had a party planned for that night. We all went out to eat and then we had to get her to the bar. We decided that someone would suggest taking her for a drink and the three men would take the kids home. (Her son is six.) But actually the men would drive around the block while we got her to the bar. We walked into the bar and it was packed. First of all, it was right before the Sturgis Rally and there is also alot of people on their way. And then it was Hawaiian night at the bar. She wanted to turn around and go home because it was so crowded. By the time we got to the back, she figured out there was a party. The men arrived shortly after. We only stayed for a little bit and then some of us went home. Jeremy and Karyl stayed a little longer since the party was for her. Saturday we played cards for a very long time. I had to play for church on Sunday so we ended up coming home on Saturday. It was a fun weekend. But for future reference I should remember to shower and have on decent clothes any weeekend around my birthday.

The next week was a busy one for us. Rob had a school conference in Sioux Falls so Murphy and I went with him. We left on Wednesday and didn't have any time to relax the whole time we were there! We stayed in a great motel (that oddly only has full sized beds) with a swimming pool and we weren't there long enough to enjoy it! Thursday I spent the entire day in the mall trying to find the perfect white dress for her to wear for her one-year pictures. Yeah, I was a little late. Finally I found one at the Gap; the first store I'd been in and hadn't seen it. So then I had to return everything else I'd found "just in case I didn't find a white dress". We met our friends Rahn, Maria, Keely, and Kalla at Chevy's for supper that night. We miss them so much! They lived right across the street from us in Elk Point and we spent quite a bit of time with them. Rahn and Rob coached football together so they had to watch game tape after every game. Until like 3:00 in the morning. I taught Keely piano. Kalla loves Rob (and the kitties). After we moved she literally didn't speak to me because I took them away from her. Maria and I shopped together (even the day after Thanksgiving one year!), drank coffee and wine together. Rob and Maria could hang out. Rahn and I could hang out. It was just that kind of friendship. I don't think we'll ever find that again and we miss them SO MUCH! After supper we went to our friends Leroy and Denita's house. Murphy climbed up and down the steps. Until she fell and hit her head right where you could see it for pictures! I have to back up a little. Wednesday night Rob's sister went with us to Old Chicago to eat. We saw this lady with really cute hair. After Christy and I spent some time trying to remember it so I could get mine cut like that, I just decided to ask her if I could take a picture of it. Our husbands thought we were nuts but she said she was a hair dresser and would love it if her clients brought in pictures of what they wanted. So Friday morning I went to the girl in Tea who used to cut my hair when we lived there. I was really happy with the cut. Then I took Murphy to Harold's to have her pictures taken. The girl used a flower to make her smile. It really worked until she tried to take it away. Then she bawled. So when I changed her clothes into the white dress I'd spent the entire day looking for, she bawled because she didn't have the flower. We ended up with about six pictures in the dress and some of them she is just outright bawling. So much for the dress! The other ones turned out really well. I still haven't ordered them of course. By the time we got done, Rob was done with his conference so we had to go and get checked out of our room and head home. See why we didn't have any time to sit and relax? Saturday morning we got up and I took three of our summer babysitters to the lake. Murphy and Riley, too. The girls jet ski'd and swam. Finally I had a relaxing weekend!

She got tooth number six on the 15th. Now she has three on top and three on the bottom, but they don't match up.

On the 16th we went to the Brown County Fair in Aberdeen. I was in 4-H and spent every summer at the fair when I was young. Remember I was a farm girl so I showed sheep and steers, along with having tons of arts and crafts, sewing, photography, baking...you name it. This was in the early 80's and my cousin Brett and I would roam the fair by ourselves with no chance of being kidnapped. We even did it at the state fair. There isn't a chance now that I'd let Murphy do that. We took her on a pony ride, which she loved, and took her through the petting zoo. We didn't go on any rides. I think next year will be better for that. We met a friend of ours that we hadn't seen for years. He got married while we were in Colombia and we hadn't met his wife yet. It was nice to see him all grown up! He worked with Rob at the Zoo during college so they have plenty of stories to tell. And if you aren't from around here, the Zoo isn't a zoo. It's a bar.

School started for Rob on August 19th. It wasn't a whole lot different than the rest of the month because he'd been going in full time since July. That night I took Murphy and Riley for a walk. I'm sure it's hard to imagine but I talk the whole time. This time, though, Murphy talked back! We have a book that says "the cow says moo, the sheep says baa, three singing pigs say la, la, la". Except when I memorized it, it's silly pigs, not singing. So anyway, she said moo, baa, and la, la, la. She actually said la, la, la all the time after that. She's never picked up on anything else in the book. Maybe I said those first few pages more than the others.

I swear she's a brain child. She picks things up so quick. On the 21st, Roxie asked her to point to her nose and she did. So besides moo, baa, and la, la, la, she points to her nose a lot.

That week, our dishwasher quit, so we ended up getting a new one. Not what I wanted to spend my money on but it's better than washing them by hand!

On the 28th, I picked Murphy up from daycare and noticed a bite on her forehead, which wasn't really uncommon. That night she was playing with Riley and tripped and fell. She didn't cry but within minutes, her head had swelled up tremendously and we freaked out a little. We ended up taking her to the emergency room and found out that she'd been stung, not bitten. The stinger was still in her head but the poison hadn't been triggered until she fell on it. The PA pulled out the stinger and her head went back to normal size. It never really even bothered her. We could push on it and she didn't even flinch.

I can't forget to mention Riley. She's doing well. Still kind of a pain. Still peeing on the floor. But we love her.

So there's August. Our life gets a little busier once school starts. There are so many activities to go to. I choose not to go to all of them. It's way too much. More from September soon!

Summer is almost over!

2008-07-27T14:51:00.002-05:00

I know, most of you have another month. But Rob's contract with the school means he goes back to work tomorrow. He hasn't done any of the things I wanted him to get done this summer. I don't think I even had time to tell him what I wanted done! So while school is starting and our lives will get even busier, this is our life. This is normal for us. I never have to ask Rob what he has going on during the week. I know. I have all of the home events on my calendar. He will be at all of them. Add that to school board meetings and a few more weeks of golf and we have a busy household. I think what I'm sad about is that I like 90 degree weather. I don't like snow. I don't like to be cold. I want summer all year long. I also know we don't get that luxory living in South Dakota.

We had planned to go to the lake for the 4th but Rob had to do the color guard in the parade that day. The parade route goes right by our house so I took a blanket outside and Murphy, Riley, and I sat there and watched. Riley made it to the first guard vehicles going by and then I had to take her in because she was scared to death. Murphy loved the parade. Rob was first in the parade and I didn't know if she would recognize him since all of them were in their BDU's and would look similar. Not a chance! She knew her Daddy! She stuck out her arms and kept saying "Oh Oh Oh" while every guard guy had a big smile on his face. I'm sure they were supposed to be pretty somber but how do you not smile at that!? We kept getting candy thrown at us but Murphy's mother won't let her have candy. So we gave it all to the people watching down the street. I did let her have a package of Smarties and I'd get her one at a time. Until I wasn't paying attention and she reached down and grabbed the rest of the package and stuck them all in her mouth. By the time the parade was done Rob was back at our house. So we loaded up the car and went to the lake. Riley road really well. She slept the whole time. She didn't really like the boat but she was content sitting outside the cabin in the pen we have for Murphy. She had her toys, bed, food, and water so she was set. Plus we went on many, many walks. Murphy did not like her life jacket. It's pretty tight and she just did not want it on. Rob took her out on the jet ski and it put her to sleep. He didn't go very fast so I think the hum of the motor was soothing to her. She had varied reactions to the boat. She was tired when we took her out so she was pretty grumpy. She did like to see all the people on shore and the boats and jet skis going by.

Our anniversary was on the 19th. A Saturday this year. We dropped Murphy off at Haley's house, dropped Riley off at Rob's mom and dad's house, and went to Watertown for the day. We got a few things at Target, got a couple of things for Murphy to wear next year, and went to the movie. There wasn't a huge selection (five choices) and none of them looked overly good. We finally settled on Mamma Mia. Rob didn't know anything about it. I knew it had something to do with Abba. So when they started singing, Rob threw a glance my way and I said "I did not know this was a musical". Now that I've watched the previews, it sure looks like a musical to me. I'm not sure why that didn't click in my brain beforehand. It was good. Very good songs. Just not what we had expected. So then we went to Applebees for supper and back to the motel and played Phase 10 until 10:30. Totally relaxing. And then I got to sleep in a king sized bed and didn't wake up all night long! No baby crying, no dog barking. It was very, very nice. But I was still ready to come home on Sunday!

Yesterday Rob golfed in a tournament and I went to Aberdeen and found lots of good stuff for Murphy for next year. JC Penney's had their stuff for $1.97. I loaded up and still only spent $20! Then we went to a going away party for my niece Kara who is leaving for Forest Grove, Oregon to attend Pacific University's College of Optometry. It was really nice. Murphy and I got there early and were able to spend some time with the girls. Murphy didn't take a nap until late in the day so she was tired and sobbing by the time she finally fell asleep. We lasted until 9:30 and then we came home. Rob stopped in Aberdeen for a few things and Murphy and I came straight home. She went from the car seat directly to bed and slept all night. I knew she was tired.

Tomorrow Murphy goes back to regular daycare and Rob goes back to school. We have a post placement visit on Tuesday. We had a little scare this week. Back in May I had been working with one of the girls at LSS of MN to start the process for baby #2. I had one last question before I sent in my paperwork and money and she didn't get back to me. I emailed her again about two weeks later and she still didn't get back to me. Then when we were at the workshop, Erin told me that this girl was taking a leave of absence starting that day for the rest of the summer. So I called LSS of MN after we got back from the workshop and got a voice mail that said they were closed on Tuesday, July 1 at 10:30 for a meeting. But I called on Thursday, July 3. So I called again this week and got Wendy's replacement and she told me they weren't accepting families for 0-36 months. I said "well we aren't a new family (which was one of their requirements when I'd talked to Wendy in May) and I've been working with Wendy for the past few months." She could see my emails to Wendy in May and June so I had proof that I'd emailed and she hadn't gotten back to me. PLUS I had a message from their director that said I didn't have to pay the $250 registration fee. PLUS we'd gone to a two day workshop that cost us $2000! So I said "I'm going to insist that you put us on that list" and she said she'd have to talked to her director and get back to me. I called Erin at SF and told her I wasn't going to throw the biggest fit she'd ever seen if we didn't get on that list. Fortunately, we did get on the list. We know it's going to be three years before we get a referral and we're OK with that. But we can't get a referral if we don't get on the list. So that problem has been fixed. I still didn't get an answer to my original question from May but I should hear that answer this week.

Riley is doing well. We're struggling a little with house training. We take her on about seven walks a day, take her outside when she wakes up, when she eats, basically a lot! And she still goes to the bathroom on the floor. The other day I said to Rob "Remember when I said I wanted a cat? I meant I wanted a cat". We love Riley and know that we'll make it through this but some days are very frustrating. I'm not sure what's going to happen when we don't have a babysitter here all day and Rob's back in school. For the next two weeks, Rob's cousin's daughter is going to take her for walks. Plus, she'll stay outside in the baby pen. But she has performance issues. She will only go to the bathroom if we're watching. So if we tie her to her leash and leave her outside, she won't go. And the walks her keep her calm. So we'll still try to keep up on that.

Now for the big news on Murphy...she is walking! She stood up in the baby pool on Sunday, July 13 so I figured it was coming. And then on Wednesday, July 16 she took her first steps. Rob was at golf so I called him and told him. He came home fairly quickly and was able to see it too. Now she can run from Riley when he bites her ankles! And she can get into way more things. She still crawls every once in a while when she's feeling lazy but otherwise, she's moving all over. She got tooth number 4 on July 6 and tooth number five on July 22. She had no effects with either (and we aren't counting the stomach virus she had) and it was much more pleasant than a few of the other teeth. We don't go back to the doctor until December. Her new expressions is to make an O with her lips and say "OH". All the time. Really...all the time. It's pretty cute so we like it.

OK, well that's our July. See you in a month!

July pictures

2008-07-25T20:06:00.006-05:00

I love cake!

I get my coloring from my aunt Christy!

My fancy new dress from Colombia!

Murphy tormenting Riley.

My first jet ski ride! (It put me to sleep!)

I love boat rides but I don't like my life jacket!

Riley found a comfortable spot to sleep.

Murphy loves the pool.

So does Daddy.

The lake was a little cold.

There are always two helpers in the fridge.

Murphy and Riley.

Our 11th anniversary. What a difference a year made! A baby AND a dog!

June update

2008-07-01T17:42:00.001-05:00

Although it's more than a little late. Not a whole lot happened. Rob spent the first part of the month finishing up the year at school. Murphy started swimming lessons on Monday, June 2. I took her a couple of days, Rob took her a couple of days, and Rob and Haley took her one day. Haley videotaped and took pictures and Rob got in the pool with Murphy. She really enjoyed it. She had a perpetual smile the entire first lesson. The other kids were at least a year older so they could say "I don't want to go under!" but Murphy didn't have that choice. We did things like "The Wheels On the Bus" and "Ring Around the Rosey" and she went all the way under a few times. She never coughed or sputtered and the instructor told us that babies have a natural reflex to hold their breath but older kids lose that reflex until they relearn it. So she did really well with that. She got tooth number three on June 3 while I was at golf. With the tooth came quite a bit of diarrhea. Unlucky for Rob's parents as they were watching her the day she got sick. So we didn't take her to swimming the next day in case it happened again. I golfed in a tournament on Friday the 13th. We didn't come close to winning but we did have to sit under a tree for about a half an hour while it poured. After the tournament got over I came home and we took Murphy to her first drive in movie! It was What Happens in Vegas. Murphy and I stayed awake until about 11:00. I'm pretty sure Rob saw the whole thing. I don't know that I've ever stayed awake for an entire drive in movie. That's just way past my bedtime. That was Father's Day weekend and Rob's first Father's Day was pretty uneventful. We went to Aberdeen for dinner and he wanted a golf bag so that's what he got. On the 19th and 20th we had our two day workshop for baby #2. I thought the workshop was really good this time. I don't know if it was different material or maybe because we had a clue this time. Of the seven (?) couples there, most had adopted before so we had lots to discuss. It was just really interesting. Rob's sister watched Murphy and she ended up getting sick. She got a fever on Thursday night. I just figured it was because she was getting tooth #4 and gave her some Motrin. She was better after that. But then we went to the lake on Friday night and by the time we got there she had a fever pretty bad again. I gave her more Motrin and called the Ask-A-Nurse. She told me I could give her a little more Motrin and then give her more at 3:00 a.m. She said she wouldn't be too concerned until her fever hit 105. At 3:30 her fever was 104.7. She was just burning up and bawling really hard. So we headed out to the emergency room. We got as far as Webster and decided we'd just stop there. I still thought it was just her tooth coming in. She's had an ear infection with the other teeth and also a fever so it wasn't out of the ordinary. What was different was that she wasn't responding to the Motrin. Usually that works really well but not this time. While we were there her temp went from 105.1 to 105.3 and 105.7. The doctor told us she had a slight ear infection, not really enough of one to cause that high of fever, charged us $137 for ear infection medicine and sent us home. Plus the cost of the visit. That was Saturday morning. We got back to the lake and slept for a little while. And then it was time to get up and get ready for my parents' anniversary party. We had some people over that afternoon and it was really nice. We also had Murphy's birthday party that day since most of my family was there. She was awake for that and then went right back to sleep. She wasn't sure what to think of the cake. But then she started squishing it in her hands and really liked that. She didn't get very messy, though. She slept quite a bit of the night and we kept giving her Motrin every three hours like they told us. The next morning she woke up hot and crying again and Rob went to move her (she was with us by this point) and there was poop all over the bed, Rob, the sheets...poor thing. So I stood in the shower with her to get it off of her and then we decided to just head home. She still wasn't any better and we figured we'd stop in Aberdeen at the hospital if she still had a fever by the time we got there. She finally slept well in the car and by the time we got there, she wasn't very warm. So we kept going home. That night we decided if she still had a fever in the morning we'd take her to the doctor. She did, so we went back to Aberdeen. She DIDN'T have an ear infection at all. She had a stomach virus and by the time we got there, she was about over it. They said we really couldn't have done anything about the virus but we did the right thing by giving her the Motrin the way we did. So we have $137 in ear infection medicine if anyone needs it. Wednesday the 25th was her birthday. We thought we should do a little something so we had Haley and her mom in for supper that night. We gave her an interactive table at the lake and then a set of golf clubs the day of her birthday. The at party number three we gave her a CD of kids songs. So anyway, we just enjoyed her actual birthday and it was quiet and relaxed. On the 28th we had Rob's family over for her birthday. That was party #3. We don't normally plan to have three parties but that's just the way it worked out this year. She really went to town on the cake this time. I think she knew what to do. It had rained earlier in the day but that afternoon was really nice. Sunday we went and got Murphy's last birthday present...Riley, a beagle. We'd been trying to decide if we were going to get kitties or a puppy. She was just really drawn to dogs. Even if she'd see one on TV, she'd stick out her hand and Oh, Oh, Oh. I wanted a small dog about the size of a cat that snuggled like a cat. Basically I wanted a cat. Rob thought we should get a medium sized dog. Somehow we ended up with a beagle. They told us she was more mellow than her littermates and I'm just not sure how hyper they actually are because she's a hyper little dog. At first I was afraid that Murphy would love her to death. Now I'm sure they're pretty evenly matched. Sometimes Riley won't leave Murphy alone and sometimes Murphy won't leave Riley alone. We're having a little trouble with the house training aspect of dog ownership. She will go outside and pee (and I can spit more than she pees) and then come right back inside and pee on the floor. And she has been known to poop on the floor and eat it. Ick. Ick. Ick. So we've taken to going outside with her about once an hour. She goes on about six or seven walks a day. At least I'm getting a little exercise, too. On the 30th Murphy went back to Dr. Mayo. I was really surprised because she hasn't gotten as tall as I though. She's still 29 inches (but I know she's gotten taller in the past three months!) and 22 pounds. So she's in the 75th percentile for both now.

I already posted pictures for the month so there is the update. Since it's almost July 25 I'll start working on the next update. News of the month...she walking!