and then there were five

Monday, November 5, 2012

Best Buddies

One of the most delightfully unexpected things for me about being a mother of three young boys, is just how much they love each other.

I wasn't really expecting this at such young ages, but they really are the best of buddies. It melts my heart every time I see them playing sweetly together, or hear them giggling together when they are supposed to be sleeping=)

I sure love these boys and I am so glad that they have and love each other!!!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

This Little Piggy

As any of you mothers can probably relate, when we got our first baby, we were bombarded with blankets. We had so many baby blankets, we didn't know what to do with them all!

And, of course, Ian immediately picked out which one was his favorite. It was a blue fleece one with stars that had been handed down from Mike's sister.

Once, when Ian was pretty young, his favorite blue blanket was dirty at bedtime. With much trepidation, I tried substituting a white one that "felt" the same. He protested a little, but surprisingly, once he realized that it felt the same, he was okay with it.

Here we are, years later, and my Ian still sleeps with his white blanket (which is now more grey than white) and his blue blanket EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!!!

But the part of this story that I love the most is what he does with his blankets when he is drifting off to sleep.

When Ian was quite small, he developed the cutest little habit of sticking his blanket in between his toes. This was quite unconscious, I believe, but it helped him feel safe enough or soothed enough to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Ian at age 2

I cannot tell you how big my heart smiles when I go to kiss my almost four years old son goodnight and I still see this.

Ian at almost 4 years old

I secretly hope he never stops!!!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Who's Gonna Hold My Hand?

When we bought our minivan, Mason and Logan got the captains chairs in the middle and Ian got the back row all to himself.

Recently, I decided to move Mason to the back row to be near Ian. It has been easier for me to get them in and out and the boys are definitely liking it!

In fact, the first time we rode with the new seating arrangement, Mike looked in the rear view mirror and then whispered to me, "look at the boys".

When I turned around, this is what I saw.

(Just when we start to think they don't like each other!!!=)

Today, Ian had a dentist appointment and rather than drag both babies with us, my friend watched Mason for us while we went. A few minutes after we dropped him off, Ian said (in the saddest little voice),
"But Mom! If Mason isn't in here, who's gonna hold my hand?"

Is that the sweetest, or what?!?!?

(And don't worry! I asked Ian to pose with his sad face when we stopped, but he wasn't this sad for long. Playing video games on the ceiling at the dentist's office cheered him right up!!!)

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Logan's Adoption Day

Yes, I know I have been on a blogging sabbatical for a bit, but you know me, I couldn't stay away for long. Not with so many exciting things to write about!! Plus, I promised my cute sister-in-law who lives in Colorado that I would blog again so she could read about us. So, this one is for you Hollie!=)

Logan's Adoption Day!!!

a.k.a. Our "Loganniversary"

For some reason (still unknown to me, maybe one of you can explain it to me=) it is a law in Utah that a child must live in the prospective adoptive home for 6 months before an adoption can be finalized. So even though we have had our sweet baby Logan since he came home from the hospital, we were not able to finalize his adoption until now.

We were assigned the time of 8:00 a.m. at the Matheson Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City, so it was a VERY early morning for us!!

We got all of our clothes ready the night before, and we got up bright and early to start our "Loganniversary".

As is our modus operandi since becoming a family of five, we were a little late to the courthouse. But luckily, our attorney and our family and friends were on time and could work interference for us=)
We waited around a few more minutes before heading into the courtroom.

Logan and Grandpa Stan

One of these things is not like the other...

My grumpy boy=)

Mason and Grandma Betty

Mason just can't quite reach.

Logan and Auntie Jamie

Having done this once before, we had somewhat of an idea of what to expect, but it was still a new and exciting thing for us. Ian's judge was in the juvenile court and Logan's judge was in the district court so we didn't know how different the two proceedings would be. We didn't know if this judge would make it as big of a deal or as special as Ian's judge had.
But he did. It was wonderful.

We all filed into the courtroom, slightly behind schedule, but beaming from ear to ear. Mike and I took our places next to our attorney and everyone else took their supportive seats behind us. We stood as the judge entered and then he asked Mike to introduce everyone that had come to support us. Mike and I were then sworn in. After that, it was up to our attorney to go over all the details of our adoption petition and ask us my favorite question of all.
"Do you promise to raise this child as if he were your own natural child? To love him, support him emotionally, financially, physically and in any other way he may need, as you would had he been born to you?"

YES!!!

To be honest, Mike and I were both expecting this day to be a little non-triumphant. I mean, we didn't have to "fight" for Logan like we did for Ian and are still doing for Mason. He was ours from the minute his birth mother signed the papers at 5 days old, so this was really just a formality. Right?

But when I was asked to say how much I wanted to adopt this sweet boy and be his mother forever, the emotion filled my heart and I was so grateful to know that this boy would be in my arms forever!! Nothing will ever change the fact that we are his family now. What a miracle!

Our babies may not have come into our family the "traditional" way, but each of their stories is so sacred and special to me. I know that we were meant to be a family and we wouldn't be complete without our sweet baby love, Logan.

Our family and Judge Anthony Quinn

A whole lotta love =)

After leaving the courtroom, our attorney met with us out in the hallway to do something special that he likes to do for the families he helps to adopt. The pen we signed with is the same pen that Logan's birth mother used when she signed her relinquishment and the same pen that the judge used to sign Logan's Order of Adoption. Our attorney then puts it in a box, along with a nice poem, and presents it to us. It is pretty cool=)

"The pen that changed it all"

He thinks we are so funny!=)

K, Logan and our attorney

Ian and his partner in crime, Brady

Another cool thing that was unique about this day, as well as Logan's adoption in general, is our interaction and connection with his birthmother "K". She wanted to be there to share our special day with us, and we were delighted to have her. We wouldn't even have a "Loganniversary" if it weren't for this sweet girl, and we are so grateful for her!

Then it was off to get our certified copies...

Ian passed the time with a paper clip chain

Mason is sure a Daddy's boy!!!

But he loves me too=)

Kaitlyn and her favorite baby

Grandma, Grandpa and Sean keeping Mason entertained

...and outside for a few more pictures before heading out to breakfast.

Logan and Sean

Grandma Bonnie stealing kisses=)

Our newest family member!

After the mornings excitement, we went home for another HUGE event at our house, Ian's first day of preschool!!! To say that he was excited would be a ginormous understatement! He didn't even want to pose for a picture, so here he is, running off to his first day.

Later that evening, we had a big party at the park by our house to celebrate Logan being an official Millgate. So many of our friends and family came to show their love and support and I cannot thank all of you enough.