Babies, babies everywhere!

It seems that no matter where I look I am surrounded by pregnant women. There are so many people on Dan's side of the family that are pregnant...and all are due within 4 months of each other.

Normally this wouldn't bug me. I have a BEAUTIFUL daughter who was meant to be in my life and I couldn't be more happy.

However, a couple weeks ago my doctor told me that I was "infertile." This does not mean that I could never get pregnant...it just means that it could take longer than the 2 year mark that "normal" people get pregnant in. We have been trying for 4 years and we haven't stopped trying yet. We would love to have a brother or sister for Sienna to play and grow up with.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am just a little jealous. I remember hearing our birthmother talk about feeling Sienna moving around and kicking, all the while wishing that I could experience that as well. Because of this, seeing all the pregnant women experience what I didn't has been difficult.

That being said, if we ever do get pregnant we want people to know that it would be, in every sense of the word, our SECOND child. We have had people ask us if we wanted a "child of our own," and while well meaning, we believe this is the wrong way to think of it. Sienna was meant to be part of our family and is one of our own. A biological child would in no way be more special or somehow be more "our own" just because it would share our genetics. Sienna is our firstborn and we love her with all of our hearts.

I mean, come on, who couldn't love this precious girl?!?!

Say "Thank You!"

I have decided that you never REALLY know how much your parents love you until you become a parent yourself.

You don't realize how often you cried for absolutely no reason, your parents trying everything to make things "all better."

You don't realize that when you were a baby, your parents counted how many times you peed to make sure you weren't dehydrated.

You don't realize that your parents HAD to have a sense of humor when you go to the bathroom, RIGHT AFTER they changed you (or sometimes during the changing. Guess what? Poop shoots!).

You don't realize that after countless sleepless nights, they still love you and put your needs in front of their own (like eating, who needs that?!?!?!).

You don't realize that many parents have longed and prayed for you...some waited longer than others, some became parents in "different" ways, but in the end, they love you with all of their heart.

So this Father's Day, give an extra hug to your dad (and your mom!). Tell him how much you love him, and say thank you!

And thank you to the father's in my life!!! We love you!

Busy, busy, busy

Just when I think I have finally gotten the hang of this mothering thing, I go and get myself sick. Dan has been awesome and has sacrificed a lot of sleep to try to get me healthy again. Although this morning he did tease me about my horrible immune system. Apparently Sienna's is better than mine as well!!!
Other than being sick this week, things have been great. I love being a mom and I don't think I could love this little girl any more than I already do. I was asked at our recent Memorial Day picnic if I ever get surprised by the fact that I am a mom....Like, do I forget that there is actually a baby in the house. I don't....probably because I have been anticipating this moment for such a long time.
I love being part of the "Mommy club" and I can't remember what in the world I used to talk about before Sienna. Granted, I do still have people asking me insensitive questions like, "How long do you have to see the birthparents?" or "Does it feel weird raising someone else's baby?"
I don't want to go on a huge rant here but I want to dispel a few myths about open adoption with us:
Each adoption is different. We have a great relationship with our birthparents. We love, respect, and pray for them and we see them every week. We don't "have" to do meet with them at all. We choose to because we WANT to! We want Sienna to grow up know who her birthparents are. We want her to know what an incredible gift she was and how incredibly loved she is by ALL of us! They are not just going to go away. We don't want them to and they don't want to. They will be at events (like her upcoming baptism) and we want them to be. Without them, there would be no Sienna. :)
I'm hoping to keep up a little more with the blogging now that we are on more of a schedule. Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures of this beautiful girl!

Adjusting to Perfection

When you have a newborn, you quickly realize how little time you have for other things. Life lately has consisted of staring at Sienna, sleeping, eating when we can, and showing off our daughter. I'm not complaining at all. I LOVE it!!

Little time is left for blogging. However, I have mighty aspirations of finishing the re-design of the blog this weekend AND getting pictures done for her birth announcements!

So, as you wait for that here is a little taste of what is to come:

Sweet Sienna

I will update about the hospital story later. I don't have enough energy or brainpower to do that right now. For the moment I thought I would let you all know our schedule so you can come and visit! Many of you have been waiting and praying and we can't wait to see you!

This week:

Tuesday - In the afternoon (We have our first doctor's appointment in the morning).

Wednesday - Late morning/early afternoon. We are seeing our birthparent's that night so we won't be available.

Thursday - Anytime!

Friday - Anytime!

Saturday - We have a wedding so we won't be around...

Next week:

I'll let you know for sure but pretty much every day works!

See you all soon! I know there are many people who are anxious to see this precious little one!

Sienna Noelle

Sweet Sienna was born Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7:24am.

She was 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 22 1/4 inches!

She is also the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. She is such a good little girl and sooo alert! We haven't brought her home yet...maybe tomorrow.

It really will be a glorious Easter!

Thank you for all your prayers!

Update

No baby today...she is stubborn.

The inducement is scheduled for Thursday.