Holly Jo: My BBF

While we were in Utah I got to see my very best friend. It was so fun because I haven't seen her since she started showing! She looks absolutely adorable pregnant! Even though she's 8 months prego she looks like she's carrying a small basketball, she's carried it SO well. I can't wait til our little guys meet... after all we already have the 'best friendship' pre-arranged:)

1st Halloween

Okay, so he had NO idea what was going on but that's okay we still enjoyed the night. I opted not to deck him out in a costume... well because if I was three and half wks old and my parents put me in a scratchy, uncomfortable outfit I wouldn't be too happy. My sister gave us a way cute Halloween shirt and it worked perfect! We went down to our friends the Bailey's and had the best homemade Chili and homemade donuts I've EVER had. Seriously and I'm not a chili eater, but it was delicious. Loved it! We got to see Ethan on a sugar high which was so funny and even got to share some of his treats:) Mason just chilled, he's so cute. We had to leave a little early cause we were out of formula so we ran and picked some up at the new and lovely Target by our house. On our way home we stopped by the Nocella's, to see their festive yard. It was fun to talk with them. It was a way fun Halloween:)

The AMAZING Gemma

This is our extraordinary caseworker Gemma, from LDS services. It was SO fun to have her come visit and meet our little man. She's made this process do-able for us. There's so much involved in adopting: countless interviews, classes, certifications, paperwork, home-studies, fingerprints, etc. She's been so supportive, understanding, patient, informative and in tune with every step of this journey. We couldn't have done this without her:)

Little Walk Around Shoreline Village

We had to run an errand in Long Beach on Saturday so we thought we might as well make use of the beautiful day. We took Mase on a little walk around Shoreline Village in LB. It was a pretty day and the walk felt wonderful:)

2 WEEKS OLD... TODAY

Can you believe my little miracle man is already two weeks old?!?!? Well it actually seems like much longer. Seth and I can't believe we've only had him for a week and a half, it seems like he's been apart of our family forever! I just love spending everyday with him. Seth's first day back to work was yesterday and I was a little nervous... Oh dear... time to be a mom... can I do it? Well I did & I can... & I absolutely loved it. Even when I was up with him the whole night before because he's not liking his formula and wanted to be held, even when I had the guts to bathe him by myself, then as soon as I had him clean and all dressed he messed in his diaper while throwing up, YES, double duty, quite talented I know... I didn't get to eat breakfast until one in the afternoon let alone pee or take a shower for the matter (i know, I know welcome to motherhood)... and again YES I loved it. I've been just waiting to be this in love where being peed on didn't matter, where I didn't matter anymore. I just LOVE him.

Our Little Photo Shoot

So basically... We're obsessed:) I feel like he changes everyday and I want to remember every part. Oh man I love him!

THANK YOU ALL

Okay so Mason's been sleeping for like 5 hours, with the exception of a quick feeding so I'm pretty bored and since Seth won't let me wake him up to play;) I'm doing lots of posts today:)

We've been so blessed and feel so supported through this adoption. The emails, calls, blog comments have all made us feel really loved. So a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you. Really, adoption is different for some people but everyone we love has made his birth so special. Our good friends have helped out when we really needed it. Kristen (whose hubby is gone for 3 wks and has two kids) found the time to make us a FABULOUS dinner the night we came home from the hospital, along with a bag of gifts for Mason, one being this beautiful handmade blanket, and a bag a goodies for the new parents. We were beyond touched and again felt the Lord working in our lives through the service of good friends. I only wish I would have gotten a picture of all the cute stuff Kristen brought us however it was a LONG day and we ate it far too quickly, by the time I thought of a picture, the the non-eatable things were left:) And then my good friend Katy brought us an awsome meal the night my mom left. Talk about full service... main course, bread, salad and dessert. My service meals need to be kicked up a notch;) Really though it's meant the world to us and come on just the perfect nights. We're so blessed with good friends. Also Sis. Whitsides from our ward came over Sunday and brought us the prettiest bouquet ever on behalf of our ward, congratulating us. We've felt very, very loved. Thanks everyone.

1st Family Outting...kinda of

The day before my mom left we decided to take Mason on his first walk... okay so he stayed wrapped up in the stroller (except for the picture taking) while we took a walk- we all needed to get out:) It was so fun to finally get a FAMILY picture. We actually feel like a 'family' now and not a 'couple'. It's seriously been the best 5 days of our life. He's already so much a part of us.

Our Little Jail Bird;)

Thanks Grandma

Dear Grandma,

I'm so sad you had to leave today. Thank you for coming and awaiting my intense arrival with my mommy and daddy, I don't think they could have done it without you. You kept things going and were a great source of support. My mommy especially couldn't have done it without you. I'm so glad you were here when I arrived, it made it so special. Thanks for loving me and holding me so tight. I already love you SO much. Please come back soon...

Love,
M&M