Two months...a lot of changes

I can't believe it's been 2 months since I've posted on the blog.  The kids have changed SO much in 2 months.  Hannah is now enjoying baby food like chicken & apples, bananas, green beans, squash, etc and she's really gaining weight now.  She's rolling on the ground a lot.  Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back.  She likes to sit up with help and she loves to spend time sitting in her bouncy chair.  She has really discovered her voice and makes a lot of cooing and other noises.  She loves to blow bubbles, now since she's teething, too.
Thomas starts Pre-K in a few weeks.  He's excited to start a new school and a new chapter.  I will begin homeschooling him, 2 days a week, and he'll go to his school 2 days a week.  He's sure a smarty pants!!!  The boy knows so much about airplanes and jets.  Right now, he's really loving the Blue Angel jets.  Most people who meet him for the first time, can't believe he's only 4.5!!  He's half of Jim's height and he can sure eat a lot, too.  He has turned into a little fish in the swimming pool this year.  He has no fear of swimming down in the water, diving or the deep end.  He's really doing a great job!!
Well this momma is tired, but I wanted to keep our blog updated.  Sorry it's taken me so long.

Update on the process

We are so happy that God has answered another prayer of ours!!

We are moving forward in the process to adopt Hannah.  At this phase of the process we were waiting to get a new Adoptions Social Worker, who will be with us from now until the finalization.  I heard that we'd get a social worker out of the office that's closer to us.....North County.  I told Jim, it probably was a slim possibility, but I was praying that we'd get the same Social Worker that we had with Thomas's case. 
Well yesterday, I got a phone call from (caller ID) the County of SD.  So I answered it and heard a very familiar and friendly voice on the phone.  It was Sarah, Thomas's social worker.  She was calling to tell me that she was our adoptions worker with Hannah.  I instantly got chills up and down my spine.  An answer to prayer!!!
We are so excited that Miss Sarah is part of this process again.  She made Thomas's adoption process so much easier and she always had encouraging things to share with us.  What a relief!!!  Jim & I talked about how this will make this process seem easier.  We've always said Miss Sarah was part of our family, since she was Thomas's social worker, but now she really will be a BIG part of our lives, as she's the social worker for both kids!!!! 
Our next court date is in September, so we'll just be patient and do weekly visitations with Hannah's birth mom. 

Hannah has reached the 12 pounds mark and is changing a lot.  She now has a distinct laugh and she has a tickle spot that can make her smile!!  She's already wearing 6 month clothes and stretching out length wise.  She gets every other week baby massages.  She loves spending time with her Daddy, too!!

I apologize for not blogging more often, but it's gotten a little busier around here now :)
I posted a bunch of blogs today.  Hope you enjoy catching up!!

May is here.....almost summer time!!

I don't know why but I love these pictures.  Hannah was asleep and Jim fell asleep while Thomas was watching a TV show.  I guess Daddy's lap was so comfy, that he fell asleep, too!!  It was a nice way to end a day, with everyone sleeping peacefully.

Thomas has loved doing this ever since he was little.  He loves to help Papa do yard work especially when it involves the tractor!!  Papa is getting so brave at letting Thomas drive (in 6 speed) according to Thomas.  They were going fast!!

 We went to the mall as a family, just to get out of the house.  Thomas loves to ride the train there and he wanted Hannah to ride it for the first time.  So I sat in a car with Thomas & Daddy had Hannah behind us in a car.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful kids!!  God answers prayers, in His time, in His way.  Thank you God, for our answers!

Look who I caught playing with Papa.  So special to have these pictures!!

Tennessee trip to see family

 We took a short trip back to Tennessee to see Uncle Buddy, Aunt Kim and families.  It was so different traveling with a baby this time, not just a child.  Thomas did really well on the airplane, especially when the stewardess brought him a juice and crackers. Our flight there was pretty crazy.  We were flying into thunderstorm / tornado watch weather in Tennessee.  As we were descending into Nashville, you could see lightning everywhere.  Thomas had his window open and we were looking outside, when a huge lightning bolt struck the wing of our plane.  It was bright, loud and the plane bounced a bit!!  The pilots did a great job landing us safely even though it was pouring rain.  It was a true thunderstorm.  Warm, lots of heavy down-pour rain and lightning everywhere!! 

Enjoying a free continental breakfast at our

Hannah & Aunt Kim.

Hannah & Nana

Hannah was talking to and giggling with Daddy & Uncle Buddy

If Thomas ever tells you he knows what whiskey smells like, it's not because we've given him any (LOL) but he got to go with Jim & the rest of the family on the tour of the Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg, TN.  Hannah & I had to stay behind, because they said it wasn't good for the baby to breathe the smells of the whiskey vats. 

It's not what you know but who you know!!  Uncle Buddy is a member of the JD's squires.  He has a land deed to part of the property, which he owns.  There's a back room (where only the squire's can access) that has lots of JD memorabilia, and stuff other squires have sent in.  You can see in the background the carving of JD made by the Zac Brown band.  There's bottles that survived hurricane Katrina, and stuff.  The table with all the whiskey is all the bottles of special editions.  The guy sitting next to Jim (black shirt) works at JD and shared a lot of history behind stuff.  Many neat stories to listen to.

Our trip home was LONG!!  We left Tennessee early in the morning, had a layover in Chicago, then a long flight home to San Diego.  Thomas was sleeping under his blanket on the plane he was so tired.  He's done that ever since he was a baby......hides under his blanket when he sleeps.  Kind of cute !!

This is what it looks like flying over Des Moines, IA at 30,000 feet.  They were having some stormy weather.

Our final Seaworld Trip (after 3 yr membership)

Family photo with Cookie Monster, Elmo  & Abby

If you look at the top of the picture, you'll see Jim & Thomas with their hands in the air!!  Thomas finally was tall enough to ride the roller coaster.  They rode it like 5 times, he loved it!!

That's the baby Orca Whale at Seaworld with the adult whales in the background.  Can't believe how big a 2 month Killer Whale is. 

Thomas's favorite show at Seaworld (for 3 years) was the Sea Lion & Otter show.  We always tried to sit up close and we'd get close up visits like this!! 

Daddy & Thomas riding Elmo's flying fish for the last time. 

Thomas is growing up so fast!! He's only 4.5 but he's going on 10!!

Thomas loves his Daddy!  He takes every chance he can get to dress like his Daddy, too.  Hannah & I were walking behind them one day, and I couldn't help but smile and take this picture.  This picture says it all.

Thomas & I went to the Farmer's Market and they had a little petting zoo and pony ride.  Normally I don't let him do those things, but he was so excited to see the pony.  I can't believe how much of a big boy he looks like on the pony.

 

Family visits

 We had a nice visit with our Oregon family Easter week.  The weather was beautiful and we had lots of opportunities to play and visit.  The kids are all getting so big, and this year Hannah was welcomed by her cousins with lots of love and kisses!!  

Cousins Faith & Hannah, spending some quality bonding time.  Faith was ready at almost every opportunity to hold Hannah!!

Nice family afternoon at my parents house.  The kids were all running around and playing, while the adults had a lot of good laughs and shared old stories. 

Aunt Cristy finally got some time with Hannah.  Hannah is so blessed to have such wonderful cousins, Uncles & Aunts!!

Enjoying an ice cream at Grandma's with all the cousins!!  (Gracie, Thomas & Faith)

No better way to end the night, than a good ol' tickle from Uncle Jerry!!