A meal fit for a king!

This past weekend, CJ hit a milestone - first solid food! Now, if someone had fed me the same mixture, I would have considered a liquid. In CJ's world, it was definitely thicker than his average meal.

After our four month check up a few weeks ago, we had been trying to decide when to start CJ on solid foods. While I was excited, the thought of adding something else to the mix was a little intimidating. After all, I can handle making a bottle! Once we start on solids, there is no turning back. As you probably know, CJ is quite the eater, and it became clear that he was ready to try some rice cereal. We figured that we'd give it a shot. If he didn't respond well, then we would just wait a week or two and then try again.

Yesterday, we got him up and started the preparations. You would have thought we were fixing him a steak dinner for as much effort as we put into this process. Matt got him ready while I concocted CJ's breakfast of champions. Then, the moment arrived. Matt brought him down and put him in his high chair (which has an awesome recline feature). I let Matt handle the first bites while I took care of the video and pictures. Bite one...gobbled it up! I don't think he really knew what it was at first, but that didn't stop him from wanting more. In fact, he literally would start crying in between bites because we were taking too long. If you've seen pictures of CJ recently, you would know that he is far from starving, so it was a little comical that he would get so upset.



He finished all of the cereal we had prepared and would probably have gone for seconds if we had allowed it. Instead, he washed it down with the rest of his bottle.



Success! We got video footage, great pictures, and not as much mess as we had anticipated. Our little man is a great eater!



This morning was day two of the rice cereal experience. Not only did he gobble it up again, he opened up his mouth every time the spoon got close. It was hilarious to watch. We still have to wait a few days to make sure that the cereal doesn't have any adverse affects on his digestive system. If everything works the way it is supposed to, then we'll add a second meal each day.

We've made the cereal pretty thin these first two days, so the next step will be to thicken it up a bit. Soon enough, we will be adding veggies and fruits to the mix. I'm still trying to decide whether or not I should make my own baby food, or just buy it. I know how much money it would save to make our own, but am I willing to invest the time. My cheapness is leaning toward making my own, but we'll see.

I will admit that I had a moment this morning. While I was spooning in the rice cereal, I realized that he is growing up. He even looked like a little man sitting in his high chair. One step at a time, he is moving farther away from being a baby. Exciting and sad, all at the same time.

Trying to be patient!

In many of my earlier posts, I commented on how much patience I was having to develop as we waited to be placed with a baby. I am not sure why, but I figured that once we brought our little man home, the waiting would be over. Guess what...I was wrong! The waiting continues! We are still waiting to hear from the County Attorney's office. They will have us come in to sign a petition to adopt. Then, more waiting. After that has been filed, we will be assigned a court date to finalize the adoption. Then, and only then, will our waiting be over.

I am trying to be patient; after all, we have a beatiful baby boy at home to keep us busy. There are a million things to keep my mind off of the adoption process and on our little man. While I know that he is part of our family, I would really like to have that recognized by the state. Ok, now is the point when you say "but you only brought him home four months ago" and when I reply "yes, I realize that." You should know me well enough to realize that I am impatient.

In the meantime, we get to enjoy all of the little milestones that CJ has been hitting, or that are coming soon. He is now reaching for things and pulling them towards his mouth (of course). He follows objects with his eyes and "talks" to us. He also giggles when we make funny faces or noises. There is no greater satisfaction than having a baby laugh at something you do.

Any day now, he will roll over for the first time. He's almost there, but can't quite swing one leg over. We'll be starting solid foods in the next few weeks, which will definitely be put on video for all to enjoy. I just read today that we are quickly approaching the time when babies sit up. I am amazed by how much they change in such a short period of time. Every day he figures something out, and every day I am convinced that my son is a genius!

I realize that I need to update our blog pictures since none of them include CJ. I will do that soon, I promise!

Happy Mother's Day

With tomorrow being Mother's Day, I thought this would be a perfect time to write a post. I have literally waited five years for my turn to celebrate this special day. Don’t get me wrong, I hope to celebrate like I just won the lottery, because that is how I feel. God has given me a gift that is priceless – my little CJ. While I am celebrating, there are a lot of women who struggle with this day. I have thought a lot about how Mother’s Day affected me while we were waiting for a child. As you read this, just know that I always celebrate(d) the mothers in my life. I do not want to take anything away from them, or the amazing job that they do every day. For the purposes of this blog, I’m focusing on myself (selfish, yes, but it was my reality).

The first year or two, I didn’t mind Mother’s Day. There was so much hope that we would get pregnant quickly. After all, it had been almost immediate for many of our friends. In my heart and head, I congratulated myself on the mother that I would be one day. I celebrated my future children and the work that I would put into parenting.

As the years past, and still no baby, I started to dread the second Sunday in May each year. I wanted nothing to do with it. I didn't like going to church because they always ask the mothers to stand up; yet another reminder that I was not part of that elite group. While I wanted to hide my head in the sand for that day, I felt guilty that I was focusing on myself when so many mothers were deserving of praise.

By the fifth year, I started to think my turn would never come. We had just started the adoption process and I was sure that we would be the couple who didn’t get placed. It’s funny how your mind goes straight for the internal pity party. While I can look back and realize how silly it was, I recognize that a lot of women feel the same way. I don’t think it is something that we should be ashamed of. Yes, it may be selfish, but you cannot help how you feel. The worst thing you can do, which is what I did, is to pretend like it doesn’t bother you. If you’re waiting for a child to enter your family and have similar feelings, please find a method of releasing your frustration.

As you look forward to celebrating the special moms in your life, please be sensitive to those around you. You never know who is struggling with the desire to be a mom. If you know of a women who is trying to conceive or waiting to adopt, please don’t say things like “You’re day will come” or “You’re a mother at heart.” It doesn’t help (especially if you haven't had difficulty conceiving). I’m not asking you to avoid celebration. Mothers work harder than most, and deserve to be treated like queens. I’m just asking you to be more aware. While waiting for my day to come was frustrating at times, I am now experiencing more joy than I could imagine. If you are waiting for your little angel, just know that I have you in my prayers.

I am so grateful for all of the mothers in my life. Specifically, my mom, sister and mother-in-law. I appreciate all you’ve done to teach me how to be a good mom. I hope I can be as good to my son as you have been to me. I love you!