SW visit

Submitted by Adoption on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 4:01pm

Our social worker, Cindy, was here for her final visit today - the day after Eliana's three-month birthday. She asked us lots of questions about how Ellie's doing, how we're adjusting, how William is doing, and general chit chat. We talked a bit about openness and our agreements with the birth parents. Obviously we're up for anything, so that was a short discussion. If we could just sign our names on the bottom of their agreements, we'd be good with that. But we have to have our own version of an openness agreement saying what we agree to which sounds like a waste of paper to us. Much of this process seems like a waste of paper, but we've got to jump through the hoops.

Overall Cindy's visit was great. We enjoy talking with our her and it's not stressful at all - especially since we've been keeping up with the house after the baptism and Dani & Jake's visit this past Saturday (and today was only Tuesday. We need to have visitors every weekend!) Cindy said it would probably be a month or two before we get our court date, so we won't be holding our breath. At court is when the adoption becomes official. That will be another happy, emotional day in this journey.

I'm 3 months old today!

Submitted by Eliana on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 9:39pm

Today was my three month birthday! To celebrate my three-month birthday, let's look at my accomplishments so far...

I smile and giggle a lot!

I talk with gurgles, coos, and now grunts and fake coughs.

I'm a champ at diaper blowouts!

I am also a champion sleeper, typically sleeping 6-8 hours at a time.

I usually take three naps a day - in my bed or it doesn't count.

I can reach for things and purposely grab them.

My favorite game is baby boxing with the toys in my baby gym or with my big brother.

I am strong and can stand and sit with support.

I love to snuggle and kiss my soft blankie.

I also love my reflection and will smile and talk to myself for long stretches.

I still hate my car seat. When I'm in it, I am usually either crying or asleep.

I have learned to enjoy baths (or at least put up with them) and now slosh water everywhere!

Today I weighed 10 lbs 13 oz and measured 22 1/2 inches, but we don't put too much stock in scales and rulers. They haven't been the most trustworthy for me so far.

I've even outgrown some of my three-month sized clothes. And I just keep growing.

Feeling so blessed

Submitted by Adoption on Sun, 03/30/2008 - 11:11pm

I realize that I wrote on here about all the drama and then never wrote for a month. So hopefully you correctly assumed that this meant there was nothing interesting to report.

Each of Eliana's birth parents were over for a visit within that time. And then we were all together for her baptism on Saturday. All of her birth grandparents, adoptive grandparents, and even Dani's grandma were there. Then they all came over for dinner afterward. It was such a beautiful celebration. Everyone got along so well. Matt and Dani did wonderfully in the godparent roles. They sat next to each other at mass with no complaints. I knew they could do it. It seems that boyfriends and step sisters are the ones creating the drama, not so much Matt and Dani.

It was so awesome to have everyone meet each other at the baptism. They're all family now, related through Eliana, so they'll be crossing paths at various events down the road. We don't plan to do gigantic birthday parties, that would be way too much for a little kid. But now they know each other and will hopefully feel comfortable if they end up at the same event together. I just feel so blessed to have all this new family! It's really been a beautiful and enriching experience.

Eliana got washed

Submitted by William on Sun, 03/30/2008 - 10:47pm

Yesterday we had Eliana's "bath-tism." It was pretty neat. I watched it all while I sat with Grandma Lanz. Afterward we had a party at our house. Michael and I went right up to my room and played. When the toys got too deep on the floor, we went down to the basement where it was cleaner and we could play piano. I hardly ate a thing, but I made sure to have my baptism pop and a piece of that ice cream cake. I had such a fun and busy day that I was asleep the instant Mommy finished saying prayers.

Baptism Day

Submitted by Eliana on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 10:58pm

What an exciting day I had! I did not want to go to sleep because I was afraid I might miss some more excitement - even though I was totally exhausted. This evening I was baptised. Afterward we had a party at our house to celebrate. Lots of people who love me came to pass me around and ooh and aah over me. All of my grandparents were there - that's a total of 5 sets - and even one great grandma. A couple uncles and aunts made it, but not my godparents. Adam and Leah were only here in spirit. My birth parents, Matt and Dani, were happy to do their parts for them at the baptism. Father Ron was the one who actually dunked me in the water (and he was the priest at Matt's elementary school). I was the loudest crier of the three babies who were baptised, but I'm also betting that I'm the smiliest, it's just a little more difficult to judge. I was smiling up at Mommy a lot during the beginning of mass. Then after the baptism I got dressed in the beautiful baptismal gown from Dani's family and snuggled with Daddy for a little nap. It was just what I needed to be perky for a picture with Father Ron. Then we went home and had a big party with everyone, even Father Ron. It was really loud in our house. No one had a problem finding enough to say. My Grandma Lanz even found out that she knew Matt's mom from some volunteer work they do together! After everyone ate their dinner and had Dairy Queen cake, we opened presents. Some people seem to think I'm going to be spoiled. I've certainly gotten lots of presents in my short life. I wouldn't want to seem too materialistic, so I won't list all the gifts, but I do have to mention the blanket that my godfather knitted for me! He put a lot of love into it, I can tell! When all the presents were opened and people went home, it was time for bed. I had a tough time falling asleep after such a big day. I'll probably break another sleep record tonight!

What a great Easter!

Submitted by William on Mon, 03/24/2008 - 12:07pm

The Easter Bunny came! He hid a bunch of eggs full of candy around the house. I found every single one. Then I found my Easter basket hiding behind the table cloth. My favorite thing that I got from the Easter bunny was candy and the word whammer. The word whammer helps me make words.

I had to take off my Easter sweater to show off my new Cars t-shirt at Grandma Lanz's house when we went for dinner. I played "Razor Gun" with Seth and Robbie and Michael and Forrest. Everyone loved the sugar cookies that I made!

I had Easter at Grandma Barb's house on Saturday. The Easter bunny hid a basket for me there, too. Tiernan and I played really nicely together. Uncle Nathan, Daddy and Grandpa Ron even brought the big kids outside for a sled ride. There was lots of snow!

Now I'm working on making a dent in all that Easter candy. I had a run-in with a chocolate bunny after lunch today. It wasn't pretty.

So proud!

Submitted by Eliana on Mon, 03/24/2008 - 11:44am

Today I was playing in my baby gym and when I reached for the toy parrot, I got him! I was so proud of myself! That's a big step for me. Now my hands aren't just for stuffing in my mouth, they're for playing, too!

I look really cute in the pictures because I'm wearing one of the headbands that I got from the easter bunny, so it shows off my adorable-ness. The Easter bunny also gave me some shoes that are still way too big. They look like clown shoes. I'll have to grow into them. And I got a book about counting my blessings - it even talks about grandma's quilts and grandpa's woodworking, just like my Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ron! There were some pretty, pink nuks in my basket that don't get as fuzzy as my other ones. Yum! William found my basket under the coffee table and brought it to me. What a great big brother!

It's spring!

Submitted by Eliana on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 11:08pm

It's spring now, although you wouldn't know it by all the snow that's been falling here! But I haven't been outside the house for a few days now, so I guess I shouldn't talk about the weather. The last time I was outside it was nice out! For the last few days, we've been home for Easter vacation. We've been baking and getting ready for the holiday.

I've been spending a lot more time awake these days. Mommy has a hard time keeping up with me because I like a lot of attention. My favorite thing is to talk to people. Mommy sat me up and took lots of pictures** of me talking and smiling. But when my parents are busy, I don't mind riding along in the Baby Bjorn and watching what is going on. Today I drifted off to sleep while watching Mommy mix up some banana bread. That's fine as long as they don't try to put my under my mobile or in front of a Baby Einstein movie. Then I know that no one is going to talk to me and I get crabby!

This evening, Auntie Dawn and her family came over for a PPP night (pizza, pop and poker). Auntie Dawn had a lot of fun talking and laughing with me for the first time. I was awake for most of the time they were here, wanting to get in on all the action. I got a little fussy and overtired. That's not like me because I'm usually just a happy baby as long as I get to lay down in my quiet bed and sleep when I'm tired. I'm sure I'll have a nice long sleep tonight, but probably not another 10-hour stretch like after the baby shower - just a more usual 8 hours.

** This is my Mommy's favorite picture of me. It reminds her of how I always beat my brother at a good round of "baby boxing." You can see us in the March album going at it in the baby gym. You can also see me cramming my fist in my mouth, which is something I do just to worry my mother that I'll start prefer it over the nuk.

2-month doctor visit

Submitted by Eliana on Mon, 03/17/2008 - 11:26am

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Even though I'm not biologically Irish, with a last name like McKeever, I've got to celebrate! Unfortunately I got poop on my green clothes this morning, so I'm back to purple butterflies already.

My other big excitement today was visiting the doctor. I was a pretty happy baby with no idea what was in store for me. When the nurse weighed and measured me I was 10 lbs 5 oz (25%) and 22 3/4 inches (53%). Mommy was surprised how tall I was, but then remembered how many outfits I've gotten too long for in the last few days. My doctor was happy with how I've grown. I have a little head, only at the 5th percentile, but it's not a concern. What is concerning is all the shots I had to get! Now there's an oral rotavirus immunization, too! I'm pretty smart, though. I figured out how to spit it out - blech. The nurse promised that it would still work. Then she proceeded to give me five pokes in the legs. Two were double pokes with another nurse, but that's still one more time getting poked than my brother had at my age. I'm already getting a raw deal by being the little sister. After Mommy picked me up and snuggled me, I was happy again. I even smiled and cooed while she dressed me. And I like the leg bicycle game. So the doctor wasn't all bad, just the shots.

Baby Shower

Submitted by Eliana on Sat, 03/15/2008 - 11:22pm

Today was my baby shower. I was showered with attention from Mommy's aunts, cousins and friends. I got lots of gifts - adorable outfits including pretty dresses, short shorts, and even a little swimming suit. We also got a Red Flyer wagon from a bunch of the Weber aunts (Mary, Kat, Pam, Judy, Cindy, and Maggie), Hallie, and Great-grandma Weber. The seats even fold down to make a flat bottom, so William and I will be having lots of fun in that for years to come! Thanks to everyone who came to help celebrate ME! And thanks especially to Mary and Hallie who planned everything and Grandma Lanz who let us use her house. I had lots of fun and got really tired out from all that visiting!