Mihaela Update

Well, Erin and I picked up Mihaela from AGAPE on Friday afternoon. We met at 3:00 PM to get her, but before they could let us see her, we had to meet with the head of AGAPE and go over some paperwork where we learned about Mihaela's history. We also went over the adoption agreement that we have with AGAPE as well get briefed on the remainder of the process.

Finally, 45 mnutes later (and let me tell you it was a long 45 minutes) we were taken to the waiting room and Mihaela was brought into us. Erin held her for a number of minutes before reluctantly giving her to me. She was then passed to Ma and finally to Pap-paw who sat down and rocked her in the rocking chair crying his eyes out. She was finally given back to Erin and Buddy (the head of AGAPE) led the staff and us in a prayer over Mihaela. We drove home and a little while later Gary and Hope came over. Hope stayed overnight and took care of Mihaela the first night.

Saturday was a big day for Mihaela. Her Aunt Brooke, Uncle Bill, and four cousins drove down from Huntsville and spent the day here. Not a moment passed that she was not in someone's arms. She was passed aroud and around and around. Everyone was very excited about baby Mihaela. Morgan (age 5) was a little confused about adoption. She asked me about when Mihaela had come out of Aunt Erin's tummy. I tried to explain that Mihaela had come out of another person's tummy but that she wasn't going to be able to take care of Mihaela so she had asked us to it for her. I tried to explain it like sharing...but I still think she is confused. Bill, Brooke, and the kids left about 5:30 to head back to Huntsville. Thus, for the first time, it was me, Erin, and the BABY...our family, alone for the first time...

Saturday night went pretty well. Mihaela went to bed at 11:30 PM and I slept in the guest bedroom so that I could hear her. I got up with her at 2:30 AM to change and feed her. She was back asleep by 2:45. She then woke up about 5:30 AM and I got up with her and changed her. Erin then fed her while I went back to bed. Erin stayed up with her. I ended up getting up about 8:30 AM and we started getting ready for church.

Sunday was just as busy as Saturday (it seemed). We did not go to first service or to class, but showed up in time for second service. From the moment we walked in, we were attracting people like a magnet attracts metal filings. People were swarming around us. We introduced Mihaela at the beginning of Service and she was prayed over by one of our Shepherds. Worship just rocked. I couldn't stop crying as we praised. I was so filled with joy. After service we stayed for lunch at church and to participate in an "emergency" shower that several of the ladies had thrown together. Man, it was an awesome sight to see the outpouring of love from our congergation. They did not know for long about the shower or the need, but they responded. There were two long tables overflowing with gifts. It took Erin 1 and 1/2 hours to open them all. We were so grateful to all who participated.

We stayed in the rest of Sunday and started trying to get a routine down for Mihaela. Sunday night did not go nearly as well as Friday and Saturday. I was up a good deal more. Since I am a night owl and Erin is a morning person, we are trying to arrange it so that I take care of her at night and Erin takes care of her in the morning. It is an arrangement that makes sense to us and appears to be working.

Monday was a good day. We stayed at home all day long. Then, Gary and Hope invited us over for dinner. We accepted because we had to go get some stuff at some stores that were over on their end of twon. So we packed Mihalea up and drove into Montgomery. We took her to the two stores we needed to go to and got the things we needed. It was amazing how many people stared at us.

Last night was better than Sunday night. I wanted to put Mihaela down about 11:30, but she was wide awake. So I rocked her for about half-n-hour. Then I put her in her bouncy seat and turned the vibrator on. This usually (if you can call three days of observations usual) puts her to sleep. But she stayed wide awake cooing and smiling and just having a great ol' time. We watched "Live with Emril" and learned how to make some cheesecakes. She just really liked the show. She finally nodded off and I put her in her crib. She woke up at 3:00 AM for her middle-of-the-night change and feeding, which I attended to. She woke up again at 4:30 feeling a little gassy, so I gave her some Mylocon to settle her little tummy. She then slept until 6:00 AM.

I got up with her and lo...changed my first "stinky." I made it through without wretching or even dry panting. Right as I was finishing up her diaper change, her Mommy shows up to take over the feeding. I went back to bed. I was awaken an hour later so that I could run some errands this morning.

Anyway, as you can tell it has been a busy past couple of days. Erin and I are adjusting well to the change and are learning the nuances of Mihaela. We are both so excited. This just feels right. I praise God for his perfect timing to put her in our lives. She is truly beautiful and truly our daughter.