Finally officially Levi..

Hey, just wanted to post that we had our readoption hearing yesterday and the judge finally signed off on the paperwork to obtain a new Tennessee birth certificate for Levi and change his name officially to Levi. There were a few road blocks for us in that we had other issues like the fact Steve had signed some of the paperwork before he passed away but, then wasn't here to appear for the hearing and unable to sign the final decree. We had to write and rewrite our documents 4 times until we got it like the judge thought was best on Levi's behalf to indicate we still wanted Steve listed as his father, etc.. and about his passing unexpectedly before we got this done. Which... was my fault for putting it off. Steve reminded me daily we needed to change his name "before something happened", just another confirmation that he was getting things in order for me in the end.
Levi came home Juan Jose which was his birth name although he had our last name changed before we brought him home. Steve and I had decided to follow his heritage of having 4 names like they do in Guatemala and add Elias into his name. Elias was his foster mom's son there and Levi was very attached to him before we brought him home as was Elias to Levi. Readoption was not something we HAD to do but that we chose to do. He came home a US citizen already but we wanted him to enter school and play sports, etc.. with a TN birth certificate like everyone else has. We were already listed as his parents on the Guatemalan one. It was for sure a day we're glad is behind us and can't wait to get the new birth certificate from Nashville so we can get him his passport. Until next time.. Blessings from our family to yours!- Tracy (aka Levi's momma)

Happy 'Gotcha Day' to Levi and Isaac!!

Hey all- just wanted to post and say it's been a year today that Levi was officially handed over to us in Guatemala and we didn't have to give him back.. ever! Nancy and Eric arrived one day before us (thanks to me booking the wrong flight number) in Guatemala so Isaac's 'gotcha day' was yesterday. Nancy and Isaac spent it with Levi and I in Pigeon Forge and I cannot thank her enough for being with me on our 1st and sacrificing time with Eric, not spending their day as a family. Today has been a bittersweet day for me without Steve. I wish he were here to celebrate with us but, I know he'd want more than anything for me to show Levi a great time of fun and just make sure he's happy on "his day". I decided we would spend our 1st gotcha day in Pigeon Forge because Steve loved it here. He would rather come here than the beach for a week.. he just always loved it here. As I sit and watched Levi and Isaac running and playing today and holding hands, happy as can be it makes all we went through to get them home so worth it... of course it's worth it any day but, today is just special for them and they don't even know the impact yet. I pray they will have a life long friendship and feel as blessed being our sons as we are to be their moms. They are certainly like family to us and always will be. God knew what he was doing when he placed them together in Guatemala and close to each other in the US.. it's just awesome every time you think about it...what a story they have. Levi is my pride and joy and the reason I get out of bed everyday. I couldn't make it without him and God knew way before I did that it would all work out like it did. God knew losing Steve I would need Levi to lean on and he is my strength everyday! He even worked out the details and made Levi love music just like Steve and shoes just like me! haha! All joking aside he does things all the time that remind me of Steve and I know that may sound crazy but, it's so true. Steve's family even says they feel closer to Steve through Levi even though he's adopted, that maybe it's the love they knew he had for his son from day 1. Anyway, we took the boys to the indoor water park this morning and they loved it. We got them out for a snack and decided to come back to the room to feed them since they were dry. After they watched the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie and ate, they wrestled and played together (at times a little too rough..they both all boy that's for sure!) they crashed for a now 3 hr nap!!! Levi just 2 and a half. He will never sleep again tonight. I tried everything to get to sleep just for a few minutes and just couldn't, I had too much on my mind I guess. So, here I sit waiting for the sleeping beauties to get up and probably head back to the indoor water park again before we call it a day. Tomorrow, I think Nancy and I are going to shop for the boys some summer clothes and I would imagine there will be a to me from me gift in there somewhere for myself haha! We'll head home tomorrow afternoon in time to get the boys settled for church on Sunday morning. It's been a nice few days to relax and just enjoy them that is for sure. What better way to relax? Free coffee, a housekeeper who empties the trash and brings in fresh towels everyday and 2 boys entertaining each other running wild! haha! Until next time... we are blessed and Praise the Lord for our 2 beautiful Guatemalan boys on their special day!

Hard to believe it's almost been a year!

Wow.. it's hard to believe that this time last year we were so excited packing and getting ready for our pick up trip to go bring our boy home forever. This coming week will be what us adoptive parents call 'gotcha day'. It's the day we go him and knew we never had to give him back.. when it was official we could bring him home to the US. Thinking back we've been through so much this past year but, at times it seems like it was yesterday we were there seeing his country and trying to capture as many pictures for him as we could in such a short time. Bringing him home to meet our family after nearly a year of waiting for him was priceless. Usually, for 'gotcha day' the adoptive parent lets the child decide what to do for the day and it's just "their day" every year. When he's older and can choose himself he will but, this year.. I chose. Nancy, being the great friend she is, is taking her time away from being with her family on this day to spend it with me and Levi. She knows (I'm sure) that it'll be a bittersweet day for me. I'll be missing Steve more I'm sure because he can't be here to share it with us..Levi's 1st Gotcha Day! But, it's his day and I'll go out of my way to be sure he has a special day. Nancy and I are taking the boys to Pigeon Forge to a new indoor water park that aunt Becky tells us is awesome. We're getting away for 2 nights just to spend time with the boys with no distractions...just time with them. I cannot thank Nancy enough for going with us and missing her own family time just to be with us. We all came home on the same day so of course it's Isaac's gotcha day too!! The boys have brought us more joy than we ever dreamed of and being their moms has been what we waited for, for so long! I love everything about it from the time outs, the kisses every morning (which by the way is the best!) the good and the bad... I wouldn't trade it for the world! Until our trip... we will try and get over colds so we will have a better time!- Levi's mommy

Recap of 2008

Well, since I have not kept this blog up and not posted since Levi was off the bottle in July... here goes. Since July, he learned to walk on his own in late August after months of holding on and not wanting to try it on his own. He's got a mouth full of teeth which he still uses to bite but, nowhere near like when he came home. He "forgets" sometimes when he's excited playing and will bite a quick chunk out of you and knows immediately it was a bad choice. Steve stayed sick most of the summer and was in and out of the hospital with the E-Coli continuing to come back and he had the skin grafts that were done in the early summer that were doing great on his arm and leg. Went went for our followup home study visit in mid August in Pigeon Forge which was supposed to be a short first family trip together. Our first night there, Steve fell and busted his knee open at the Apple Barn Restaurant on their uneven sidewalk and had to be taken to UT Trauma Center. Prior to that he was doing so well and off the walker and just enjoying being away from home with his son. The fall was a major set back and things were downhill from there with him. He ended up in the hospital in Oct again and this time never made it back home to us. We miss him more than words could ever say and our lives have been literally turned upside down without him. As for me, Steve was all I knew and I am lost without him. Levi had a hard time initially and things have settled for him now. Although people told me he would never remember him after a few weeks of being without him thankfully, that wasn't true. He was still hollering for him after/during his bath until about a month ago. He still talks to "dad" on his play phone pretending and says his name when he sees his pictures. I am now carrying Steve's cell phone and he even knows it was his when you ask him who it belongs to. I know he will never remember specific memories of him over time and when he is older he will say he never got to know him but, it does my heart good every time I hear him say "dad" to know he still has some memories if only temporary. I promised Steve I would raise Levi just as we had discussed we would and I am so thankful that we had these in depth conversations to know what he would have wanted for his son and what his long term goals were for him so that I can carry that through. Levi was dedicated at our church the week of Christmas and it was a special day for him. His 1st Christmas, although depressing without Steve here with us to share it, was a good one for him and he got tons of new clothes and toys from everybody. Coming up for us in 2009... I am starting to think about Levi's 2nd birthday and what/when that'll be. We are still attending the Guatemalan group that have lots of nice outings planned (mainly in the summer). We have "gotcha day" which is in March for Levi. That is what people who have adopted call the day we got them in our arms as our own and everything was official. You make it your adopted child's special day and do something that is fun and all about them for the day. When he's old enough we were going to let him pick what we did for the day. For now, I hope to take him somewhere fun and maybe get away since it'll be another hard "1st" for me without Steve. We're going to the Sesame Street Live show in a few weeks with Isaac so I know that'll be a big hit with him too. Isaac and Nancy spent the night last night and the boys had a blast chasing each other and playing together as usual. I will try to keep my posts more up to date in case there is anyone out there who actually still reads our blog. Have a blessed New Year and keep us in your prayers.- Tracy and Levi

Bottle free!!

Well, Levi is doing great now without hos bottle. I cannot believe that things went so smooth coming off it all at once and just not bringing it out again. I am so proud of him. Now if potty training comes as easy we'll be doing good. We went and bought a potty just to sit him on it off and on and let him get used to the whole idea of it. When he's ready we'll do that but, I personally think he's still too young to get the whole idea of it even if he hates being wet and pulls at his diaper when he is. He does grab his diaper when you ask if he's wet and sometimes goes to get one when he is but, I think it'll still be a little bit before he's ready for the potty... we'll see. Nancy, Eric and Isaac are still at the beach and although Eric has swimmers' ear and has been to the doctor twice I think they are having a good first vacation as a family. The new picture of Isaac here is one she posted on his blog from the beach. I miss them and can't wait till they are home and we can get together and I can see him walking! He finally turned loose and took off by himself walking now!! I am excited for them and can't wait to see him walk. I know his mamaw Kay can't wait either. I bet this has been a long 2 weeks for her and Doug with Isaac being gone. Headed to bed soon. I have been on a cleaning spree while Steve and Levi are snoring! I have to do this while Levi is asleep but, I am getting tired being that it's 5:30am! I took a nap and got back up to clean while he is asleep. I get more done that way. - Tracy

Coming off the bottle!

Hey all, it's been a little while since I last posted but, we've been so busy with Steve being in the hospital and work that I haven't found the time to update the blog. Anyway, the only thing that is really new is that a week ago today Levi had only taken a few ounces of milk for the whole day from his bottle. He pretty much had his sippy cup all day instead. When I realized that last Sunday afternoon, I thought I would try just the sippy only on Monday, even for naps. He did fine. Therefore, I decided we would just take it all together and see how things went. If they got too bad I would give it back and try again later. However, he didn't really do that bad just at naptime and bedtime mainly. We just had to start wearing him down so he would go to sleep easier since he wouldn't have the security of his bottle at bedtime. He has been almost a full week bottle free today. We are so proud of him that he's done this well. In this past week there has been a few times where I know he was wanting it bad and I felt so sorry for him but, I think if he's come this far it's too late to give it back now.We went and bought a potty so we're ready when he is for that one. He will pull at the front of his diaper if you ask him if he's wet so, maybe soon he'll be ready. Until then... Tracy , aka "Levi's mom"

Play date yesterday with Guatemala group

Hey, I know I haven't posted in awhile but, I have been so busy and Steve finally got to come home Friday after being in the hospital since April 5th. Levi is so excited that daddy is back home and he is just all over him and dropped me once again.I'm now just the diaper changer, feeder, bather and bottle maker once again. No really, I don't mind daddy needs some extra bonding time again with him and is loving every minute of it.
Yesterday, Levi and I joined Nancy, Isaac and Eric attending a local group Nancy was somewhat involved with before Isaac came home for other couples who have Guatemalan/adopted children. They get together several times a year just to stay in touch and have play dates for the kids. I think it's real important as they all grow up to know where they came from and that there are many other kids also from Guatemala who live near them. I plan to stay in touch with this group and try and take Levi to all their events. The gathering yesterday was at Warriors Path State Park in Kingsport. They have a new playground that was awesome and the kids loved it. They had a good turnout but, it was so hot! Those poor dark skinned, black headed kids were all sweatin' like crazy! Levi had a good time though and as far as I know that was his first time on a swing and he loved it.
Once it cooled off some outside I let him get in his new baby pool he got from his daddy and I for his birthday. He had the best time playing and splashing the water. Later in the evening Levi, daddy and I took a long nap together. It was nice!! Levi was so excited that we were all 3 there laying in the bed for a nap. He'd roll back and forth kissing daddy then kissing me. The past 2 nights have been so peaceful for him that he has slept through his morning bottles and barely moved through the night. He used to be so restless every night but, it is like he knows everything is back to normal (well we're working on normal but, better) like before Steve got sick. Nice to be home and try and get straightened out with Levi's routine again. Blessings- Levi's mommy

Steve's 1st Father's Day

Well, Sunday went pretty well for Steve's 1st Father's Day. I had everything planned out of what Levi and I were going to do for the day. First, we went to the hospital early enough for us to watch the church service with him. His sister, Becky had our web cam there and we tried to watch it live via web cam but, the hospital Internet is a little slower than the church high speed Internet (at least that was what I figured it was) and it was a little choppy at times. After we watched the service, I had cooked a roast that Steve had been asking me to make so we ate... well. I had a truck load of stuff to carry into the hospital. We gave him his gifts and Levi played and played there getting into everything! He went from pushing all the buttons on Steve's bed to playing with his remote... like I said into everything. We finally left to come home and Steve got to nap and we came home to take one too. Levi slept for 2 hrs and of course I did too... it was nice. All in all we had a pretty good day spending time with daddy and then just resting and I spent some extra time home with Levi, which has been hard to do lately with Steve being in the hospital. We just can't wait for him to get back home to us and things get back to normal. - Levi's mommy

My bonding time cut short!

Well, today is it! My bonding time has been cut short and it's unfortunately time for me to return to work and it's all too soon. I feel like I haven't had any time to bond with Levi at times and then at others I feel like we've done well to bond as much as we have. I feel like he's always been with us and he's just a perfect fit for our family. I am returning to work tomorrow and although I am away from him everyday to see and take care of Steve while he's still in the hospital I could still come home back and forth whenever I wanted and now I am back to work on a set schedule again and back to reality. I hope he will not forget me and not want anything to do with me after he's with my mom for 13 hours a day for the next 2 before I am off for a few. The ONLY good thing about working 12 hr shifts is that I only have a 3 day work week and not a Monday through Friday schedule. Going back to Monday through Friday would kill me. Hoping today we can fit in some one on one with him and we can do something together just me and him. I have decided on at least one day off a week I would like to do something special with him and not just sit around the house. Hopefully his daddy will be home with us soon and we can get back on a normal schedule and bond again as a family. Until then... we press on and make this schedule work for at least a few more weeks. Steve has now been in the hospital for 2 months and counting. We miss him being home with us and can't wait until he's back! Pray that I can make it a 12 hour shift tomorrow and get in a few good hours with Levi before I start all over on Tuesday. I'll be worn out my first few days back as I have not been used to being on my feet for 12 since I was doing home health before. I know it'll be nice being back once I am there but, leaving Levi will never get easier I don't think. I could easily be content being a stay at home mom! I love nursing but, I love being Levi's mom even more. Blessings...Levi's mommy

Levi's 1st haircut!

Today my baby got his first haircut and he was such a big boy! He did so well! I was so proud of him that he sat still and even on the little booster and had it cut and she used the clippers and he didn't cry not one tear! After the haircut, which is so cute, Levi and I had some time together eating Chinese where he had a blast squealing and playing enjoying it as much as I did. Steve was so sweet to want us to spend that time together today knowing I have to go back to work next week and have less than a week home with him. After the haircut, Chinese food and a nap on the way we went to see daddy in the hospital where he played well with Steve again today. He's missed him so much! Then I got a workout taking him into Walmart when he was wired up. He had birthday money left to spend so we cruised the toy department. Lately he has been very attached to a baby Glow worm that we have named "Glowie". She has become the second most important "woman" in his life to me right now and he has to have her to go to sleep every night. Well, guess what he saw in the toy department...her sisters haha! He had melt down thinking they were HER! It was cute but tragic for him that we weren't taking all of them home. Bless it! Well, he crashed in the car after blowing kisses to strangers all through the checkout. All in all we had one of the best days we have had together since he has been with us. I hope to have another mommy and Levi day again soon if not before I return to work on one of my days off soon. I want to take him to the park and see how he likes a baby swing. Maybe we will go with Nancy and Isaac soon to the park for a play date. Until there is more to post.. Blessings

Catching up

Hey all- I have been so busy with Steve being in the hospital coming up on 2 months this week and Levi crawling now and into everything that I am constantly chasing him to keep him out of things. I have just been running back and forth between Levi and Steve to manage everything. I go back to work, unfortunately, a week from today and will have even more to do then. I am transferring back to the hospital and will actually be working on the floor where Steve is right now in the hospital. I am ready to get back to work but not ready by any means to leave Levi for that long everyday. I do have to leave him everyday with my mom and dad or other family to watch him while I visit Steve but, it'll be even worse for the 12 hr shift three days a week. It'll be different knowing I am going to be away from him for that many hours of the day. I am sure I am not going through anything any other working parent hasn't been through, just stinks. I will miss him so much while I am working I know. I will also miss my patient I had in home health but, my circumstances right now do not allow for any extra travel time to get to work (I was driving quite a ways in home health from my house to my patients' house) plus Steve just wanted me to be closer to home and close to him while he's so sick and in the hospital. Long story short, it will all work out. The Lord is doing awesome work in Steve's life and with his healing arm and leg. He has come so far but, is so ready to come home to Levi and I. He misses us as bad as we miss him being there. Until I have more to post... we're all blessed and making it one day at a time. Blessings- Levi's mommy

A day to be thankful

I don't have the time to post much anymore but, I did want to post today that I am so thankful that Levi and Isaac are home. There is just so much going on in Guatemala with adoptions that are pending. I still get all the posts by email and read them as I have time and to read some of the things the adoptive parents,the birth mothers and especially the children who are waiting or "caught up in the system" are having to go through right now... just makes us thankful! On mornings like this one when Levi rolls over and kisses your cheek as soon as he opens his eyes... it makes it all so worth all we went through to get him here. But too, you remember when you were still waiting and the heavy burden the mothers waiting now have on them. Until there is more... just happy to be Levi's mom and have all that behind us now. Please say a prayer for those still waiting and that the babies get home to their forever families soon. Blessings- Tracy (Levi's mommy)

My Mother's Day

Hey all- sorry I haven't had the time to post much lately with Steve in the hospital still and Levi on the go more I don't get much computer time right now. I just thought I would tell you a little about my first Mother's Day and how it went. It was a better day than I expected it to turn out to be. Steve was adamant that I take Levi to church myself on MD so, I did that because I promised him I would. He said it meant a lot to him for me to go so I did. Levi woke up so loving and sweet almost like he knew that I was going to need his hugs and kisses to make it through the day without Steve there to share it with us. We went to church where he had a blast as usual. He loves going to church and is becoming very social there as if he's always been there. He likes the attention he still gets from everybody. After church my dad wanted to take me and my mom to eat and we had a nice meal with Levi (who started grabbing at everyone who got within his reach ?? something new I guess.) After church and lunch, I headed to the hospital to see Steve and he had his sister to arrange a gift from him that he picked out while he was in the Rehab Hospital. He bought me the prettiest necklace and matching earrings and it was such a surprise. It meant a lot that he would make such an effort from ICU to beat it all. In the shape he was in he was still thinking about it being my day and trying to make it a special one. He is so sweet!! I got a good one that is for sure! I spent some time with Steve and then made it home in time to give Levi his bedtime bottle and rock him to sleep. So, all in all it was a nice day. I even came home from church to a huge bunch of flowers in an outdoor pot that my aunt and uncle and cousin brought by since it was my first Mother's Day. That was thoughtful of them and a big surprise too. The flowers were beautiful. Mom and dad made an extra effort to make it special too and they let Levi write with a pen in a card for me. I will cherish his little scribbled pen marks forever. He used the flowers she had as a weapon I think, he knocked off half the blooms within 2 seconds of having them to hand to me. Again, so sweet I guess that is the joys of having a rough little boy instead of a prissy girl-haha! Getting beat half to death with your Mother's Day flowers before they make it to a vase just makes for more memories I guess. I had a nice outfit from mom, dad and Levi too which was also nice of them to think of me. Until there is more to update... keep praying for Levi's daddy to be home with us again soon. Things just aren't the same without him there and we miss him a lot. Blessings- Tracy

First official Mother's Day

Well, today marks my first official Mother's Day and of course it's not going to turn out quite like I pictured it with Steve in the hospital. I thought I would be going to church with my husband and we would spend the day together as a family for my 1st. Steve is disappointed he couldn't be the one to take me to church on my first MD. But, he can't help it, he didn't choose to be in ICU sick. I was planning to skip church all together since he couldn't be with me but, he insisted that I take Levi and us go on to church together today. I promised him I would go since he was begging. I just didn't want to go without him. I plan to have myself or Becky record the service whichever one of us doesn't have Levi keeping him occupied. Steve is wanting to watch the church service at the hospital sometime in the afternoon. My dad wants to take me and my mom to eat after church so, I guess that is my plans for the special day. Although, it won't be near as special as I pictured it would be, I am still very thankful that Levi is home with us now and that in itself makes for a happy day. He is such a joy to us all!
With all that is going on in Guatemala and for some of the adoptive mothers who are still waiting my heart goes out to them today too. I know what it was like for us last year as we waited for Levi not knowing when he'd be home with us. They have it even worse now for the pending cases, they are facing more trouble and delays everyday. For them today will weigh heavy on their hearts and minds not knowing when and if they will bring home their babies.
As for Nancy she is so excited to be sharing her special day with Isaac and like myself just the proud new mom with one cute Guatemalan boy! I got to see him yesterday for just a minute and he is just the cutest thing! He is cuter every time I see him and just the sweetest thing!
Until next time... Tracy (aka Levi's mom)

Levi's Welcome home party

Hey, I wanted to post and let everyone know about Levi's welcome home/1st birthday party. We have sent out some invitations by mail and some by email. However, I accidentally sent the emailed ones from the draft Steve did for me yesterday from the hospital on the laptop. I didn't realize he wasn't finished and I sent out like 60-65 invitations by email before I got the first call asking why I was having a party on a Thursday? Well, I am NOT.. it was supposed to be Saturday, May 3rd not the 1st on Thursday!! I sent a corrected invitation to all the people who I had sent the wrong one to, I think. Anyway... your all invited to come join us in celebrating Levi's homecoming and his US Citizenship and the fact that he just turned one this week. I look forward to those of you meeting him who have not had the chance to yet. He is the sweetest thing! He got to see his daddy in the hospital today and spend some time with him outside which he enjoyed. He didn't care too much for the grass but, he seemed to like being outside in the sun. Until I have more to update.... Blessings- Tracy (aka "mama")

My baby is 1!!

Hey, I just wanted to post that Levi had a good day yesterday for his first birthday. We went to the hospital and spent time with daddy where he played hard with him and got so sleepy. Then he came back to mamaw and papaw's house where he had cake again and opened some presents. We haven't given him ours yet but, plan to at his party hopefully next weekend. Nancy said Isaac had a good day too. They celebrated with him by taking him for Mexican food and letting him eat one of his favorites rice and beans. Levi started whole milk today and did great on it so far.
Although it was awesome waking up right beside him and being able to kiss his sweet little face and just watch him sleep this morning, one of the first things that crossed my mind in thinking of Levi's birthday was his birth mom. I couldn't help but wonder if yesterday she remembered a year ago she had him and gave him up... the ultimate sacrifice for him to have a better life full of opportunities? Even though it is so natural now that he's home and he is a perfect fit to make our family complete... I think of her sometimes and wonder how much Levi crosses her mind? If she misses him and wonders what he's look like now? I guess that is just natural to wonder all those unanswered questions about her. I just pray she has peace and that God lets her know in His own way that Levi is well and loved so much. I would love the opportunity to just tell her we will always love him more than anything and promise to take being his parents very serious. - Tracy (aka "mama")

More cake today!

Today after Steve's family went to church they all decided to come by the hospital and surprise Steve with cake, a present and an Elmo balloon for Levi. Steve was a little upset that he was going to be in the hospital for Levi's first birthday and it was a nice surprise for him to get to see Levi tear into some more cake today. He had a mess but, not like he did yesterday at Isaac's birthday party. I'm not sure what but, I will be doing something for him at home tomorrow. He got presents from both sets of Isaac's grandparents yesterday so, he will get those tomorrow too I guess. We had planned a big welcome home party for all the extended family we have who still have not gotten to meet him but, since Steve is in the hospital we have postponed that for a few weeks until daddy's home to enjoy that too. Papaw is going to just re-do the invitations and we'll have it in a few weeks. After Levi got all sugared up again on cake today he was headed back to church tonight with his aunt Becky. Praying that daddy gets to come back home to us this week sometime and we will try and get back on a schedule again and get things settled down some for him before I head back to work. I got the pictures posted today we've taken recently so enjoy~ Tracy (aka "mama")

Isaac's party

Well, today we went to Isaac's 1st birthday party at his house. We had a really good time getting to meet more of Isaac's family. He and Levi were both worn out from all the eating and playing they did. He got so many new things Eric and Nancy are going to have lots of fun putting things together and buying batteries. Isaac is just surrounded with so many people who love him and they were all so nice to us when they met Levi. They told me how they prayed for him to come home and just loved on him like he was family too... such nice people. We are blessed to have met them all and have them in our life as Levi and Isaac grow up. I took so many pictures I had a tough time choosing some new ones for this page. Levi and Isaac got into so much cake I had to give Levi a complete bath in their tub before we could leave! Aunt Nancy let him get into the cake and he made a real mess at her house in Isaac's highchair. Isaac will hold up one finger to tell you he will be 1 yr old it is the cutest thing ever! Well, other than that Levi is still not crawling but, scoots and has the position to crawl down it's juts getting him to move in it... but, he will eventually I know. He says several words now... mama, dada, bye, hi, Elmo, shoes, teeth, Nana, and bite. I think that covered all he is saying right now. He will still go backwards in a walker. He will do patty cake. Since Steve is in the hospital still, Levi is going to church with his aunt Becky tomorrow. Last time she took him... I heard he had a blast and the more they clapped the more he liked it. - Tracy

Enjoyed our visit with Isaac-

Hey, we had our visit from Nancy and Isaac and we enjoyed having them come by our house for a few hours on Tuesday. They had lunch with Levi and I and they played for a little while before both boys started getting sleepy and a little fussy. We tried to get some pictures of them but, i am not sure we got many good ones because they weren't in the mood for a photo session, maybe next time. We hope to have the boys meet again for another play date before I go back to work just 3 short weeks from today. I don't even want to think about that. I don't mind work just hate the thoughts of being away from Levi for three 12 hr shifts a week. Plus, I work 4o minutes away so, I work a 12 hr day then it takes another hour to get home. By the time I get home it's nearly bedtime for Levi. I guess we'll have to adjust just like every other mom who works long hours with kids.
Steve has been working for days on a photo site for our pictures to be uploaded to. It is turning out nice for us to be able to share our pictures (because we take plenty of them) with our family and friends. We no longer have the time to email them to everyone so, Steve thought this would work out better for everyone to see them whenever they want.
Today, we had a day out with mamaw and we went shopping for a play pen and found one that Levi just loves playing in. He had a big day and went to see some friends who have been our prayer partners through this adoption process so, he got lots of love and kisses today (as always). We tried to call the foster mom but, just couldn't get the phone to connect.. we will try again maybe tomorrow. We are planning to go see Nana's friends are her work tomorrow so we have another full day planned to be out and about in the car. He does so well in the car seat and just likes to be out and about. He doesn't seem to mind it at all. He is such a good baby. Until next time- Tracy (aka "momma")