So
where have we been. We have been with ivey for 15 weeks now - she is 16 weeks today. WOW time flies. I had always heard that with children but I
never really got it. It is all still surreal to me. Still strange to
hear myself called mom. Still wild to look at her and realize she is OURS!
Ivey is a perfectly healthy, happy girl. We
are amazed every day by her strength and happy moments. She is smiling
and cooing and "gabbing" up a storm.
Before I
can go forward I need to start back where I dropped off on my last blog
post. After we met Ivey - we went back to the hotel with our two fur
babies in tow. We didn't know how long we would need to stay - all we
knew is we were a family. We spent 9 LONG days in that hotel with two
fur babies and a newborn. It was quite the adjustment. Ivey did great in
the hotel - she was still in that newborn honeymoon phase - it was nice
and quiet before the storm of home and all our visitors happened. We
were lucky enough to have Rick and Susan of FAS and Amanda, Matt and
Mills who told us about FAS - it was like we had family there. And
luckily my mom, daddy bob and dad all made it over to birmingham to
visit their new granddaughter.
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| hard to believe she was ever this small |
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| so thankful for these 4 | | | | |
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| love at first sight |
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| Grammy and Pop Pop meet Ivey |
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| Pap meets Ivey |
I think the
FUNNIEST story we have had to date is one late night Ivey was crying
uncontrollably and we had fed her, changed her, burped her, etc WITH NO
RELIEF. Ivey was crying, I was crying - Corey was pacing. Corey asked me
to google inconsolable crying. To which I asked while trying to type.
HOW DO YOU SPELL INCONSOLABLE?? This moment will be laughed at for years
to come. We started getting the hang of it. At first I thought Corey
was more maternal than me - he just had that knack. One morning I woke
up and saw him strapping Ivey on, and putting leashes on Olive and
Nellie and venturing out on a walk. I knew right then and there I was
BLESSED. More than I could ever imagine.
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| a moment I have always dreamed about |
We
finally got out of there - after finally getting clearance from Alabama
to leave the state and from Tennessee to come back in. We were able to
meet with the judge and go ahead and get the "pat on the head" so we
won't have to come back October 23rd when Ivey's adoption is final. We
started out on the road and said our goodbyes to our amazing agency, our
sweet friends the Leaches and the beautiful town that Ivey will always
call "home."
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| moncriefphotography.com/ |
We arrived home on June 21st to a
crowd of friends and family. Our home was decorated and cleaned. It
honestly took my breath away. Thank goodness my sweet friend Brittany of
Moncrief Photography took photos of the day because honestly it was
like a blur.
Here is the link to the blog from Moncrief Photography - and
Here is the video of that wonderful day.
Then it was just us in our home.
So thankful Corey is home since he is just in school for now. Granted he
is still super busy but it is great truly having a partner in this.
Thankful the fur babies took to Ivey - they love their little sister and
vice versa. We had visitor, after visitor, after visitor. We were so
grateful but we were still in the adjustment phase and some days were
just HARD. Some days it was hard to put on a happy face. The first few
months honestly were the reason I didn't want a "baby" and wanted an
older kid. I didn't think I could do it, I was emotional and was sick of
crying. I felt bad because Ivey was a GREAT baby - but I felt like I
had lost myself. I missed my work, I missed time with my husband, I
missed time alone. I did a lot of soul searching and reaching out to
friends via phone, instagram and facebook and in person - it was so nice
to hear others had gone through the exact same thing. People don't tell
you about this part. I had NO idea how emotional I would be. I thought
that was just a hormonal thing and well I didn't give birth. I thought I
would just have happy tears not overwhelming almost sad tears. People
keep saying it all gets better around 3-4 months and they were right.
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| Photo by Amber Holritz |
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| Photo by Amber Holritz | |
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| Photo by Amber Holritz | |
Here
we are at 16 weeks and we are getting true genuine smiles and giggles.
It already has gone so fast. We already look back and almost forget the
days in the hotel. I almost, almost forget about the first few weeks
when I would cry nonstop. It is still hard don't get me wrong - I am
still excited for the time when we truly will interact and play with
Ivey. I already know I am a better mom when I get a break. Corey and I
make sure each of us get alone time and make sure to still go on dates
with each other. We want to remember where this family started and want
to make sure we nurture us along with our girl.
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| Photo by Amber Holritz |
These
first few months have been OVERWHELMING - we have been showered with
love, gifts, meals, and prayers. Through it all we know we are blessed. I
always thought people were crazy when they said it would all be worth
the wait. I didn't want to hear it at the time - but today I know it is
all true. All of this was to get to her. Ivey our gorgeous daughter who
gives us a reason to smile everyday. She was made for us and to her
birth mom we are FOREVER grateful for making a beautiful, healthy, happy
girl. And to each of you thank you for loving our girl and us. Thanks
for following along on our journey. God has blessed us. Our story is truly just
beginning.......
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| Photo by Amber Holritz |
Here is a wonderful blog post by Amber Holritz - most of the above photos are from Ivey's first photo shoot with Amber.
