Week One

Wednesday - I was on the computer chatting my husband at work. He then said to hold on, our social worker was calling. And that she got the letter - that we had been waiting for. I chatted him back - what does that mean? And he said "baby tomorrow."
I had kind of been putting off stuff, guarding my heart. I didn't know how long we were going to be waiting for that last piece of paperwork. I thought I'd have a couple of days to get things ready when we finally got the news that all the paperwork was complete. We were thinking that it was going to be the next week. I even had a to do list for the weekend. But here it was "baby tomorrow" - life was going to change sooner than I thought. And I had so much to do. I was running around crazy - in "fast mode." I sent a few people on weird errands. Those things that I wanted to get finished that I had started - that I was going to do this weekend...

Thursday - Gotcha Day - I had planned to get a pedicure and haircut on Thursday. And I thought, well, might as well still do that. It might be a long time until I have time to do it again. So I had a relaxing morning! When I got home I had lots to do. And I was doing laundry and pulling out the little outfits that we were taking out of the drying and putting them in the diaper bag about 30 minutes before we were leaving. On the (excited) way there, it was pouring rain. What a crazy storm to drive through.
At the agency, we filled out paperwork. And as we were signing away, the power went out. So we were signing most of the paperwork by daylight through the windows! Then, we walked down the dark hallway to meet our baby. He was waiting for us in a little bassinet - we saw little hands first. And then as I knelt down to see him, the lights came back on! Wow! We spent time cuddling and talking to the baby.
We loaded up our minivan - our three in car seats. I can't believe that we have a van full of kids now. Crazy! Then we did some hanging out with friends and family that were at the house to greet us when we got home! It was a great afternoon. That night a dear friend brought dinner - I've never been so excited to see a bucket of chicken! We were starving. Sitting around watching a baby makes you hungry!

Friday - Day one with the baby - My parents were still in town so we hung out at the house that morning before they headed home. That afternoon, we left the house! Our first outing as a family of five! We went shopping at the baby store - for bottles and some things that we needed. We are figuring out what he likes and doesn't like - so that we can have what we need (well, what he needs) and be prepared. Mostly. Sort of. Maybe.
By the end of the day, it just seeemed that he just fit in our family. It was hard to remember that it WAS just the first day with him.

Saturday - My sister in law brought us lunch - we needed that pizza and pasta. Again we were starving. Why does being out of routine and being in the house more make you so hungry. And then we just ate the rest of the day. Whatever we could find. And speaking of eating. Baby boy is eating more each day. It's weird to have a baby drinking the bottle. He is a hungry fella! We went back to the baby store - we needed more things. It's like moving into a house and it seems every day you are going to the home improvment store. Each day we are figuring out more things we need for the baby. Things that we don't have anymore from 2 years ago. Or things that are just going to work better for how our lives are now - like a bottle warmer. Last time we just used a pyrex of hot water. But I have 2 little kids running around and only 1 hand that is usually free. This was probably the best purchase we have made! I love it. It's so easy. And we got this pitcher that swusshes the formula mix, so no bubbles. Aha! And it get (so kindly) made every night so that it is ready the next day. For ALL of the botttles. That's going to be great when I'm at home by myself with the kids - 1 on 3 deffense!

Sunday - We went to church, but it only lasted through the music - the first part of the service. At 11:30, pretty much on the dot, he started expressing very loudly that this was the time that he wanted to eat. And he wanted to eat.... NOW. I was already (thankfully) out of the sanctuary when he started wailing loud. So we gathered the girls and headed home. That's quite a way to be "notified" about his feeding schedule.

Monday - Family of 5 shopping trip to Target. I had the baby and a cart. Daddy had the stroller with the girls. We loaded up on diapers and other household needs. I had stuff piled around the little baby. He was asleep in the car seat already, so I didn't want to tie/wrap him on and mess us the calm. He did great - first Target shopping trip! Can't say that he's a shopper, but he was very patient while I shopped...much like his daddy! For dinner, I cooked - well, I put dinner in the crock pot that afternoon and we had a "real" meal - meat, potatoes and veggies! I think that it was amazing that I remembered to start the crock pot around 1pm. I never seem to be able to do that during a "regular" week. Guess it was us starving and talking about dinner, right after lunch, that made me remember to do it!

Tuesday - Family grocery store outing! We needed the basics. We had the 2 kid cart and baby boy was in the carrier. I don't know what I would do without that carrrier. I settled on getting a Baby K'tan. It's a knit wrap - and those are better for newborns which don't have head control and just need to be snuggled more! Plus it's great for bonding, which me and the little guy are doing quite well. And the super bonus is that I have arms and hands!! Something I need since I have the 2 girls running around, needing things. It's nice to have the cuddles and the freedom of arms! And this one is so easy to do. It's two loops, instead of one LONG piece of fabric. So it's fairly easy to throw on in the house, or beside the car. Another one of my favorite purchases this go around with a baby.

Wednesday - First day: 1 on 3. I think it went pretty well. It started early - early for me - and earlier than we usually start. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to have a new "early" with these folks. I don't know if I was expecting to be super stressed or for there to be like a major disaster, but it was just a nice day. I did venture out - to Target - I headed for the familiar in an unfamiliar way. It was great to get out - and to see that it can be done. Me and the girls get so stir crazy in the house. We usually have to go somewhere each day. So with the baby wrap and the double stroller, we headed into Target - made it there and back fairly smoothly soon. And it was nice to see a friend there too - to give me encouragement and entertainment!

Thursday - We had lunch with Nanna. It was nice to get out of the house at lunchtime. But before we went, there were some horrible storms that came through. And they did come...through. Through the kitchen window. I had some small cups, then moved onto bowls. Then I had to just resort to the huge "collectors" movie cups that I got at the Hunger Games to catch the water that was pouring in at the top of the window. I see where it is coming in, but not sure how it is getting to where it's coming in. I had a hard time trying to contain the water and getting very frustrated in the "splash zone" behind the kitchen table. Water was everywhere. So after the storms passed, it was nice to get out for lunch and have some comfort food at Cracker Barrel. The girls had a blast - change of scenery, change of people. My niece came too!
Then that evening. More storms. Worse storms. More water. Water everywhere. More filling the huge movie cups.
It was a very eventful day like the last Thursday. But definitly not as much fun!

And that was week one as a new family of five!