Adoption Update

Hi friends :) We wanted to share an update about our adoption because Dan and I have a big decision to make soon and would love your prayers!  We recently received word that the Ethiopia program at our agency is closing due to lack of referrals.  Although our wait time has increased since starting the process a year ago, this news was very surprising to us. The past couple weeks we have been talking with our social worker regarding next steps, and what it boils down to are these two options: transferring to another Ethiopia program that is receiving more referrals than ours that is closing for a fee, or transferring to another country- namely China (due to wait times, required time in country during visits, and other factors, this is the other country available to us to adopt from).  

This is not an easy decision for us to make and there are many different things to consider as we move forward. We so appreciate all your support thus far and can't thank you enough for your prayers for clarity and discernment as we continue to process this news and seek the Lord regarding the next steps for our family! 

Newborn Photo Shoot :)

This is what I got when I asked Jake to pose with the candy cane.  He said he was "shrinking" me lol

 

Life with two kiddos lately

Normally something like this would be 5 different posts, but such is life these days :)  And although we're lacking sleep- I've said it before and I'll continue to say it- I seriously, truly believe that God gives extra strength to parents with newborns- because I don't think I could function on as little sleep at any other point in my life.  And a midst all the changes, somehow we've managed to get out of the house, do some projects, take photos, hang out with family and friends, and prep for Christmas.  It's been so fun having two kiddos :) I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  We are so blessed. 

This is Jake drinking some hot chocolate after finishing some late night projects with Dan :)

This is the advent calendar we've been going through!  Jake has actually done a great job remembering all the different days and what they mean.  Obviously, our main goal is to reiterate one point:  Christmas is about Jesus being born.  Some days he gets it better than others lol

 We had some wonderful visitors from Indiana bring us dinner and help us unpack :)

We ventured out to the library.  And don't worry, we didn't play the ipads the whole time :)

We've been working hard on tummy time!  Sometimes we do well...

 And other times we just lay there and let mom put cute hats on us :)

Some of our decorating  

We visited the Kohl's museum!  And hung out in the water room for 75% of our time there lol

We went bowling for the first time!  And when I asked Jake if I could take a picture of him in front of the bowling alley he thought I was asking him to run all the way down to the pins lol And right when I started to yell "stop!" this happened ha- thankfully no injuries were incurred and he was able to bowl later on :)

And Uncle Jeff came to visit!  And we loved seeing him :)

Cole's One Month Update

{11 lbs 3 oz}

It is so fun to be doing monthly posts again :)  I was looking back at Jake's one month and it honestly is just SO crazy to me that he was even that little!  It seems like ages ago- since then we have moved THREE times and now he is going on four (insert crying emoji here).  Things you can be thankful for though, little Cole.  1) my photography has improved drastically from the phone I used the day I took Jake's photos.  and 2) your monthly photo numbers are way cuter.  They have come along way since 2012. 

Here's some fun things we remembered about YOU this month: 

• Everyone notices your hair, because it's not normal for a baby to have as much hair as you do.  But I love it.  And it's so soft.  And I'm terrified for the day (if) it falls out.
• You make the same super concerned looks as your brother did.  We may have another serious boy on our hands!
• You have a big brother who ADORES you.  Last week he was sick for a couple days and I quarantined him from touching you and those were the worst days of his life.  But don't worry, he's back to touching, kissing, and holding you again :)  And he always says that he'll "keep an eye out" when he watches you lol.  So so cute.
• You love to eat- way more than your brother did!  You're gaining weight like a champ and were at a pro at nursing straight from the start!
• I forgot how fun it was watching babies (including you!) fall asleep and all the crazy faces you make as you're getting tired. 
• I cannot wait for you to start smiling!  I'm tickling you every chance I get (which I'm sure you hate lol) to get you to laugh.  We are hoping it comes soon :)
• Your dad is thrilled that you fall asleep on his chest- it's your favorite thing to do at night :)
• And, I LOVE that you love to eat because it means that I *may* get the chunky baby that I always wanted (because when else is it cute and acceptable to have rolls?!)

We love you so much little Cole!

It looks like you are dancing here so I had to keep it :)