Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ayla has grown up so much over the last year. She is now 

saying her first words walking and getting into everything! We are looking forward to this new year and can't wait to see what she's going to do next. She is such a happy girl with great spirit! 

Fall fun

Our big girl is now ONE! We can't believe how much has happened in 1 yr.

Last weekend we took a trip to Minnetonka Orchards and had a fun family day picking apples 

and looking at pumpkins. We also got to see a few animals. Ayla had a great time! 

She's One how the heck did that happen?

This past weekend was Ayla's big birthday Party she is now ONE! It's so crazy to think the thoughts that were going through our minds last year at this time. Today is the actual day that we got to meet her for the very first time. A couple of days we will never forget. Everything feels so right and so meant to be. the 14th  is our wedding anniversary and the 15th is her birthday. That has to be a sign from god  letting us know that she was just meant to be with us.  It's been a wonderful year and we love her more then ever! Below are some photos of her big day. 

Way too long..Time goes way to fast!

It seems like just yesterday I was saying it's never going to happen. I am never going to be a mom. And now our baby girl is 10 months old.. How the heck did that happen. Throughout this journey I have had to let go of the control and I now know that everything that has happened was meant to be. I am so thankful for all of our family and friends and their support that has lifted us up and brought us to where we are today!

Our fourth of July was a fun time spent at the family cabin! :) 

Where is the time going?

It's so fun to think back to last year at this time how we were so on edge every time the phone would ring. Is this the call would this be the one. And now our little Ayla is up and moving on the go! She just started crawling and is now pulling herself up on everything.So much has happend since this time last year and we feel truly blessed to have such a sweet lil peanut!

I am not really sure how this has happened but Ayla is now 7 months old. Time has gone by so fast it's hard to imagine life without our little peanut. She is doing great growing and discovering everything she can get her hands on lol.. She has also enjoyed sharing with us her wonderful squeals and screams and lets not forget my favorite her little giggles! 

 

6 months!

Our little peanut is now 6 months old. It's hard to believe 6 months and a day ago was our first morning together. We were exhausted but smiling from ear to ear!:) Here are some photos I took of Ayla yesterday. She is one happy Baby!

Getting so Big! It's Final!

On February 25th we had our virtual court date which really consisted of a conference call with a lawyer in Florida. Our adoption is finally finalized. Which means we are Officially Ayla's parents via the law. Technically before we were by law her legal guardians. We had a great lunch afterwards followed by a walk with the whole family even Libby. 

At Crossroads Adoption Services after we finalized.

At Lunch

Getting Ready for our walk! Daddy can't resist those cute little cheeks

LIttle miss giggle pants

I just had to share this video of Ayla and her giggles. Hearing her giggle is the best thing in the world. It puts a smile on my face! More news is that Ayla just got her first tooth! She is growing up so fast I can not believe it! We have loved and cherished every day with her! I think of her birth mother every day and what a wonderful gift she has given us! She truly is an angel in our eyes. :) Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  

Great Video.. Great Message

While online today I ran across this really great website called Bravelove.org. This is their mission: Our mission is to change the perception of adoption through honest, informative, and hopeful communication that conveys the heroism and bravery a birth mother displays when she places her child with a loving family through adoption. The heartbreaking truth is that many women facing unplanned pregnancy feel unable to care for a child. Sometimes the single-most loving thing a mother can do is place her child with a loving, eager adoptive family. We aim to invite and empower women to choose adoption. I thought this was a great site and needed to be shared. Have a great weekend everyone!

Adoption Increase Campaign from Coffee Productions on Vimeo.

Smiles

It's amazing how fast Ayla is growing it seems like it was just yesterday that we could lace our hands around her tiny little waist. She truly has been such a happy baby she is smiling most of the time.. but be warned if she is not fed on time.. The world will know lol.. And as you have all heard she has some pretty good lungs!

Justin and I have met a lot of great couples on our adoption journey. Two of the couples we have met through one of our adoption groups and another couple that is part of our online adoption group got their little ones. This is such a neat thing to witness and we are so happy for all of them! And Ayla is so excited to meet her new friends. We are always so amazed by the wonderful families we have met along the way. For those of you who read my blog and are still waiting don't give up! It will happen! :)

Ayla on her Baptism what a pretty princess..

Ayla and daddy

Ayla & Mommy

Ayla & Daddy

Ayla hanging out at Zoss Design :)

Little Screamer

Ayla is getting so big. I never thought that just the little things would mean so much to us. Just seeing her grab on to something is so much fun to watch. Lately she has started to let her voice be known to the world with her beautiful screams. Which at first we thought to be so cute and funny and now they are still cute but a bit loud lol..