Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, Ma! She is the most caring, loving, service-oriented person I know AND she just knows when I need a slurpee (which is the most important ;))

 Also, Happy Mother's Day to our beautiful birth moms. They are the most selfless people I know and I'm so grateful they gave me the chance to be a mom to the most adorable littles.

I'm not sure how I got so lucky to have so many great, inspiring women in my life!

 

 Not the best "selfies" but I wanted to get a picture with both kiddos. Leo was having a rough time before church so I didn't get to get one with him and Mina together! 

Leo was so cute this morning...He ran in my bedroom and said, 

"Good morning Mama, Happy Mother's Day!"

Sibling Love

It's amazing how much little Mina and Leo love each other. I'm continually amazed how gentle my wild man is with Mina. He dotes on her and says, "I love you baby" all the time to her. He asks her, "Do you want to hold my hand?" He even gives her his beloved tiger. She seems to know his voice. Like she's known it all along. She follows him with her eyes and arches her back to see him.

 She started to get fussy and Leo was trying to calm her. "Be happy, baby!" 

 Here are a couple from last Sunday. (She always looks like she could give someone a 

good punch!)  

One Month

Mina is One Month!

In some ways it seems she was born just yesterday and it also seems like its been an eternity. She is such a beautiful baby. Love them cheeks.

 

I'm a little disappointed because her monthly check ups are not on her month birthday since we had to go to the Dr. before and after we flew on the plane. Although, I think she is around 8 lbs.

About Mina:

She loves her brother. Her eyes follow him whenever he is around.

She smiles. Sometimes she has this huge gummy smile that is so adorable.

Loves to look at the baskets on the wall (just like Leo did)

She is strong!

Longest sleep at night was a couple nights ago...5 hours! 

She only cries when she's hungry (Don't get between a girl and her food!), wants you to hold her, or she has gas ;) She doesn't cry as much as Leo did.

Still wears newborn clothes, but I think she'll be in 0-3 in no time.

She flew on a plane, went to a gold rush town in CA, drove around a lot of CA, went to botanical gardens and the zoo and several parks! She's been busy. I guess that's what happens when you have a busy toddler brother that needs to get out!

Leo is giving direction on how to pose.

Selfie.

Just for fun to compare...here is Leo at one month.

You may wonder, How is Leo handling not being the only one...

He is doing really great and is such a good big brother. He helps me get her diapers and makes sure she has a truck to play with in her bath. He alerts me when she is crying. He checks on her for me when she is taking a nap. He even praises me, "Thanks for helping mom!" When she cries, he tells me to make her happy! There are times when he wants to be held and he says, "Put Mina down!" Then if she cries "get Mina!"

Piper has been doing well with her as expected. She realized her boundary of not being able to just lick her face off ;) Although, she seems a little down.  Since we're tired and busy she hasn't been able to spend as much time outdoors but we'll work on that.

How are the parents: TIRED! Definitely a learning curve with two! Although, I feel like the baby stuff is easier, not as freaked out at every little thing. Leo is high energy and a runner which makes going anywhere by myself a bit tricky. So grateful my mom lives close so we can occasionally go somewhere with her! We had our first date night since getting Mina on Saturday and my mom watched them both so that was great.

We are really just loving being a family of four, well five if you count the dog.

Saturday with Leo

On Saturday we headed to the Children's Museum to let Leo get out some energy! He didn't disappoint. So glad he wore overalls he fit right in ;)

Little man got back from helping dad work outside...

Funnies...

Leo made a bottle for Mina...lid screwed on and everything. Not sure how he managed that without spilling all the formula.;) He was also mopping the floor and washing the windows with a baster brush and dog bowl water. Such a big helper ;)

Here I'm being forced to watch Curious George (no real complaints here, I'll take the cuddles how I get them even when they are intense)

Cuties!

Plus One Makes Four

Welcome home Mina Rose! She is another little miracle in our family. There are so many miracles that happened along the way that we know who organized this adoption. There is no doubt in my mind that God had a plan for our family.  We are so grateful for our lovely birth mother who through this whole process has had such love and courage. I'm always in awe of birth mothers. We are so blessed to have gotten to know her and her family.

She gave me the amazing opportunity to be in the birth room when she was born. 

Mina Rose was born in California on 3/24/16 at 2:42am. She was 7lbs, 20 inches.

Leo's first reaction was to whine and fall on the floor ;) Probably because he was so tired! But he quickly warmed up to her and really is a great big brother. He is always worried about her and wants to make sure she has her rabbit. 

We were able to leave the hospital with Mina on the 25th and go to our hotel. Funny story... When we were ready to go they brought a wheel chair to our room and said I had to sit in it. I thought maybe it was to hold Mina's carseat on the way out...Nope! I had to sit in it while they pushed me to the car...so embarrassing! The ladies pushing me were giggling ;)

Look how adorable she is! The second pic is a view from the wheelchair! ;)

 Mina and her rabbit.

I love how they are staring at each other.  

 Happy Easter (Leo and Ronnie went to church while Mina and I stayed at the hotel)

One of the many parks we went to while there. 

Leo and Ronnie went home on the 30th. We weren't sure when I would be able to leave but I was able to leave with Mina the next day! So grateful for that. 

We are still in awe that we have this little girl in our home now. There are still some hurdles to overcome. So we could definitely use your prayers!

Helping Dad

Last weekend, Ronnie took Leo to our lot to "help" him do some things to get ready for a fence. Leo apparently loved having space to roam and explore. He didn't want to leave! It will be so nice when we finally build our home. Little (and big) boys need space ;)

My favorite is the "selfie"

Love my boys!