Nella 22 months and Knox 2 weeks old

Our little Knox has been in our lives for 2 weeks! What a sweet little guy he is! We are learning all about him and what he likes and doesn't. He is an eater and is gaining weight really well. In 8 days, he gained 9 ounces!!! He is great sleeper! He only wakes up once during the night. We feed him around 10:30 or 11 and then he sleeps until 2:30 or 3:30 and then doesn't wake up until 7 or 7:30! He also is a great napper! He has the sweetest face and loves to snuggle up with us! He absolutely hates being naked and gets upset when he gets his clothes changed! Lol! He loves his sissy so much and gets so calm when she is around.

Our little Nella is 22 months old! Wow, she is almost 2 now! It is crazy to think this little love girl has almost been in our lives for 2 years! People always told me that time goes fast with little one and it truly does! She is the sweetest little girl!! She is turning into quite the little mother hen! She mothers her friends, her stuffed animals, our dog (libby), and loves to love on Knox. She is a singer and has the most beautiful voice ever! She can sing ABC song, Daisy Daisy, Jesus Loves me, Winnie the Pooh, Hot Dog, Row Row Row your boat, and 5 little Monkeys jumping on the bed! She can count to 10, spell her name, and can identify some colors and letters! She is smart little love and picks up on concepts really easily! She loves to "cook" in her kitchen. She continues to love to be read too and loves to look at books. She loves music, especially Mickey Mouse songs! She loves to color and paint! She loves being outside picking flowers, coloring with chalk, and riding her bike! Her new thing is telling us she needs everything. I need apple...I need juice..I need Knox...it is very sweet! She is becoming more and more independent. She wants to do things on her own and gets really frustrated when I tell her that she needs help to do that! She is a very determined little girl, but also very sensitive and needs lots of reassurance when she is upset or frustrated! She continues to melt our hearts and we adore our girl!

Baby Knox Arrives!!

Little Knox has arrived! We are loving having him home and being a family of four, well 6 if you count Liberty and Gypsy!

On Tuesday evening, we were getting ready to go get some dinner, when my water broke...at least I thought it was. I wasn't sure, but I called the doctor anyway! She wanted me to wait 2 hours and come in. It continued so I was pretty sure it was my water. We had our nanny come and stay with Nella and headed to the hospital at 9. When I got there, they put us in a labor and delivery room, I was pretty sure this was really happening. By 5:30 AM, I was at 5 centimeters! I had contractions all night long and a lot of back labor pains actually through out the whole labor. By 11, I was ready to have him and in a half an hour, he was here! Oh my it was the most crazy, painful, wonderful, heart melting experience. He was so perfect. They put the little guy on my chest, but he wasn't pinking up and he continued to stay a white blue color. They took him over to the warmer. It was so scary because I could totally tell that something was wrong as they kept telling me they were just wanting to get a better look at him. Before I knew it, NICU had arrived and was going to take him because his oxygen rate was too fast and he was having difficulty breathing. I sent Matt to be with Knox and began to pray and pray that our little guy would be fine!!! I felt God, I knew he would be okay. God sent this great peace over me! After I had something to eat, I headed straight to NICU. I was thankful I had a natural labor or I wouldn't have been able to go see him right away. It was scary to see this little guy all under the warmers with leads, IV, and heart monitor on him! They said they found fluid in his lungs and both lungs were partially collapsed. They wanted to keep him in NICU and redo the chest Xray and blood work tomorrow. They were concerned he had pneumonia. We weren't allowed to hold him for a while. That was the hardest. I wanted to be able to hold him and tell him mommy and daddy were here! Knox ending up having fluid in his lungs from delivery and he continued to have to be monitored in NICU the whole time were in the hospital. He had a feeding tube at one point because he wasn't able to drink and breath correctly, then had to drink formula because I didn't have anything yet for him, but we made it! And he is doing great! I am thankful God protected us! I am thankful GOD sent us such an angel!

He is such a sweet baby! Very easy going and very sweet!!!! He has the sweetest little face! And oh boy is he an eater!!! He has gained 6 ounces in 6 days!! Oh my! The nurses were shocked when they weighted him yesterday! He is great sleeper! He has been sleeping midnight to 5 and then waking up around 7:30. He is doing such a great job! He is a week old today!!! Crazy that he has been with us with a week already! I have loved every minute of this little angel!

Oh and my Nella!!! SHE ADORES HIM! She loves him and is constantly kissing and hugging him! She sings to him all the time! And if he is crying or upset, Nella really calms him. Just hearing her voice makes him quiet quickly!!! We are so blessed!

Matt and I were laying in bed together talking last night and we just feel so amazed by our family! Amazed by God's blessing and how he brought our children to us!!! He is so good! We are all so in love!

Today is my due date!

I cannot believe we are here already! Today is my due date for little Knox. It is crazy to think I have been pregnant now for 40 weeks! Crazy to think this little peanut has grown and grown! It has been a very fun journey and one I am thankful God allowed me to have. It is a different journey from Nellas, but not better just different! I love how God has helped matt and I reach both of our children. I feel like each of them has a special story to share someday! And what a testament to God our children are!

There are some things I know about little Knox already. He isn't a huge mover and grover, so I am hopeful that means he will have an easy going calm little guy! I cannot wait to meet him and see what he looks like! I often wonder whose eyes, nose, what his hair color will be, what his little personality will be like, etc. I cannot wait to officially meet this little guy! When I start to worry that he is not moving, he starts to move. I think it is sweet, like he knows I was worrying.

It is weird to think that he will arrive whenever and we just wait. THat in a way is like Nella's journey. We had no idea when God would bless us with her, but then all of the sudden she was here and I know it will be the same with Knox.

There are some things I will not miss about pregnancy. I have slept on the couch for the last 2 months because it is the only way I can sleep. I would like to have the option to be able to sleep on my back again. Other than that, I really have enjoyed every moment. I love watching my tummy grow, listening to his heartbeat at the doctor ( I love that sound), watching my tummy shift when he moves around, having people ask about my pregnancy, and watching Nella kiss and hug my belly. I am not sure if she really gets that there is a baby in there...but she is really excited and really loves babies! I am so hopeful that we are able to shift to 2 kiddos with ease and that our little Nella does okay with this transition. It is something I worry about, but know that Matt and I will do our best to make sure everyone feels loved.

Well, we will let you know when he decides to come and I promise we will have lots of pics of our big girl with her little brother! Thank you so much for all the prayers!! We love you!

xoxoxox,

Matt, Janelle, Nella, and Baby Knox

21/22 months

Our sweet girl is almost 22 months! I cannot believe it! She is growing up so fast and so quickly! She is a little ball of energy and love how she is starting to have her own thoughts and ideas about what she wants to do. She has the prettiest smile and the sweetest giggle!

She just melts us and continues to be such a blessing in our lives. She loves to be read too. She has some books memorized and can remember the words on the page while you read. She really loves Mickey, Elmo, and Pooh books!

She loves Mickey and Minnie and really loves anything about them. She also loves to watch videos of herself and really loves watching Nella.

She continues to amaze us with quickly she picks up on things. She knows her ABC song, can count to ten, spell her name, and sing many songs. She loves to sing and has a pretty little singing voice.

With her new found independence comes her getting frustrated as well. She does get over things quickly and will be very sorry after she gets upsets with us, but she does have to sit out a lot more lately.

Her new thing she says all the time is I need....We say this for everything. I need an apple. I need milk. I need nack (snack). It is very sweet and I have no idea where she got this.

She is such a joy! We adore you little Nella!!!

Another Heart's Wish comes true

My heart has been overfilled with joy since the arrival of our sweet Nella! God is amazing and I continue to feel so much grace that God chose Matt and I to be Nella's parents. Before our sweet Nella arrived, Matt and I tried to have conceive a child. We prayed and prayed for God to help us and even sought medical advice to help us with the process. It didn't feel right....I felt God pulling us into another direction and that direction was adoption! We felt complete peace as we entered into the adoption journey and journey that I didn't realize God wanted for Matt and I, but once he lead us there, I could feel him guiding us and supporting us! After we chose adoption, I gave up trying to conceive a child. It wasn't something I longed for anymore! It wasn't something I thought God wanted for me! I felt God wanted me to be an adoptive mother and felt honored that he chose this for me! I stopped counting days and worrying about trying to conceive. It wasn't what I thought was intended for me and I felt peace with that! Did I wonder what it felt like to have little baby kicks in your tummy? Yes...Was I curious what it felt like to have people ask you about your pregnancy and ask to rub your tummy? Yes I did...but I didn't want that or have to have it like I did before!

Then God sent a HUGE surprise. He really likes to keep Matt and I on our toes! We were gearing up for our second adoption. We trying to figure out timing and praying to God about financing and wondering if this would be God's plan for us. The day I found out I was pregnant, we discussed financing and funding options for adoption....it seemed overwhelming and we were unsure how we would be able to afford it. Then I realized I didn't start and I began to wonder if I was pregnant. I prayed to God and said please God get this thought out of my head because I don't want to think about it if I am not. I am done doing that and I didn't want to slip back into that place. He didn't let the thought leave me. I said okay, God if I am....then when I take this test let read positive. ( I found a test in a dresser drawer and we must have had in the past)...It was even two days past due...lol I took it and it read positive! I am almost fell over! I immediately called up Matt and told him. He almost fell down the stairs and he couldn't believe it!!!!! We went out and got three more tests and all were positive! It was crazy! I keep telling Matt that I think I will be in shock until the day I see our sweet boy! I still cannot believe how crazy God is! He keeps reaffirming in my life....that I can never know what to expect with him......and it makes me trust HIM!!!

We found our little man was a boy at our little party! Our friend, Mia, helped us out big time with a cake. We went to the ultra sound and had the technician seal the envelope and we gave it to Mia. She baked a cake and made the inside the color of what the baby was! Blue for a boy and pink for a girl! Then we had some friends and family join us for a dinner and when we cut the cake. We found out we were having a boy!

Carrying our sweet boy has been amazing! It is so neat to feel little kicks and know that we are helping him grow! It is a different journey from Nella's neither one better than the other.....just unique in itself. I have loved both journeys to our children.....God is SO good!!!!

Nella at 18/19 months

Our little Roo just turned 19 months! WOW, we have a little one over a year and half. How did she grow so fast and where does the time go? It seems like she was just a little a peanut the other day! Matt and I still think about bringing her home on the plane and how tiny she was! She is such a little character! She has the sweetest smile and cutest belly laugh!

At 19 months old, little miss has SO many words. She repeats anything you ask her to and she will repeat things you say too! It is amazing how well her language has developed! She takes one nap for about 2 to 3 hours! She continues to be a good little eater and has gotten to the point where she will tell you what she wants to eat! She loves APPLES especially and has just recently moved to where she can eat the apple like a big girl (we peel off the skin). She has apple radar....she can spot an apple anywhere and when she sees it she wants it!! :)

She is quite the talker and when she is not using words, she speaks in her sweet love language and will use gestures and everything while she tells you a big tale! It is the sweetest and cutest thing ever!

Nella continues to love books and loves to be read too! Matt and I often read about 20 books a day to her.....and sometimes the same book over and over! She loves Oh the Thinks You Can Think, Elmo and Friends, If you Give a Moose a Muffin, and The Little Engine that Could. She has started to love playing with dolls. It is the sweetest to watch her cuddle and love on a baby. She feeds the baby and will make a sucking sound with her mouth like the baby would do. We even caught her sniffing the baby's bottom the other day! lol!!

Big Girl room

She loves her book wall

She continues to be very loving. She loves to give hugs and kisses! Nella loves to pat people on the back and she does it to everyone! She is going through a bit of a mommy phase right now. She wants her mommy to "hold u" all the time! I do love that she wants me, but it is sometimes difficult while trying to cook dinner and I hate seeing her reject her daddy! I know someday the tables will turn though....

Nella knows Mommy is having a baby! She pats my belly and gives hugs and kisses to the baby. I know she will be a great big sister! We are so enjoying our sweet girl and love all the sweet little things she does!!

Our love is 17 months

Our sweet little love is growing SO fast!!!

I am continued to be amazed by her! She is really such a good little baby! Although I know she is getting to be such a big girl.

She now wants to be so independent. She eats with spoon and fork all by herself now and occasionally she still asks mommy for help. She will tell you want she wants to eat now and if she doesn't like something, she is not afraid to share that too!!

She is on the go all the time! She runs everywhere she goes with this huge smile on her face! She loves to talk on her phone, cook in the kitchen, build with blocks, play with puppets, and read. She is still fascinated with books. In one evening, Matt and I typically read 15 to 20 books! The girl LOVES to be read too!!! She is starting to be able to tell you what book she wants...she knows the titles! It is crazy how smart this little love is! She loves to sing and dance! She does spins and tries to jump which maybe the cutest little thing I have ever seen!

She is a talker...and she is constantly talking! Sometimes she will look at her say something for about 30 to 40 seconds (which we have no idea what she says) and then she will say bye and leave the room! It makes us giggle everytime! Seriously so cute!

With her independence has come more, attitude. When she is upset, she will throw herself on the floor, cry and look up at you to be sure you are getting all this....we ignore this behavior and within 10 seconds she is up and saying sorry mommy. Her little sorry melts my heart. Now I have to say....Matt struggles with her doing this. He wants to scoop her up and tell her it is okay when she flings herself on the floor. It breaks his heart to see her upset and I tell him it is just part of it and she is just seeing if our no to that item will change if she tries this. I feel so bad for him because I know it breaks his daddy heart!

Our little roo was an American Doll for Halloween! She hated the box, so it didn't stay on long! But boy did she LOVE trick or treating. She can say trick or treat and loved going up to the door. She would always take the treat out of her bucket and give it back to the person who gave it to her and say fank you (thank you). So everytime mommy would tell her its yours to keep! She loved it! We even went trick or treating at the zoo! She loved it animals plus trick or treating....she was so excited!!

Another huge change for little miss is she will be a big sister, March 15 to her little brother! We are so excited and I know she will do amazing! She loves babies and is really sweet with little ones. Daddy and Mommy have been working on her big girl room! I will post pics soon! I cannot wait! She is going to love it!

We continue to feel amazed by God's love for us! We are so blessed to our Nella and amazed that we are having another little one soon! We cannot wait to meet him!

Talk to you soon!!! Love ya