Three Months Old Today

Some other August photos (and yes... she sleeps on her side like a grown-up):

Showing off my new outfit and chillin' with Grandma O

Sometimes I like to finish my catnap in my carseat when we get home

Buddy likes to check in on me occasionally

Back to Work

After six weeks of maternity leave, I went back to work this week... with a little Assistant to join me! Vivienne will be coming to work with me a couple days each week and will stay home with Daddy a couple mornings each week.

Sleeping during staff meeting!

Helping the front office staff answer phones

Nursery Revealed

In these photos the walls look white but the color we used is Jade Ice (soft greenish-blue) with antique white trim. We love it! It's very peaceful.

Card from friends that I matted with scrapbook paper!

Giraffe card & poem from friends "crafted" together!

Love her paper lamp!

Beautiful dresser is a changing table for now

The sweetest thing in the nursery is Miss Vivienne!

Two Months Old Today

Some extra photos from earlier this week...

"I'm a John Deere girl" onesie!

Love my bouncy seat!

Three Necklaces

Dave and I spent a lot of time thinking about a gift to give to Vivienne's birthmother. We wanted it to be a unique and personal keepsake. On the day Vivienne joined our family, we gave T. this silver necklace . . .

We found this customized jewelry at The Vint.age Pearl. We had them add two charms and a pearl. One charm has a 'V' for Vivienne and the other has a heart for the love we all share for this little angel. The pearl is for the beauty of open adoption. 

T. loved her necklace and began wearing it right away. Actually... there are THREE of these "one-of-a-kind" necklaces. One for T., one for me, and one for Vivienne to wear when she is older. A special treasure we all get to share.

A Very "Farm" Birthday

Two weeks ago, my family was in town, and our nephew James turned 6 years old! He wanted to have a Farm Birthday Party at our place. How could we turn down that wonderful request?! We had a great time! As you will see, it was a Star Wars themed birthday as well!

Birthday boy on his ATV ride with Dave

Lots of Darth Vaders at the gift table!

Time for presents!

Getting ready to light candles on the cake

Hayrides next!

And tractor rides too!

Will helping to feed the calves!

Bonfire with s'mores for our finale

Andrew holding his cousin Vivienne (bundled-up-baby)

Oldest & youngest cousins - Colin & Vivienne

My sister and my Mom with Vivienne and me

Dedicated

Today was Vivienne's Child Dedication - a brief ceremony after church this morning. Dave and I wanted to have her dedicated to formally call upon God’s blessing on Vivienne, and to publicly commit to raising her in accordance with the Bible's teachings. Our family, some traveling across country, joined us for the special day followed by a family picnic. Vivienne's birthmother T. joined us for the day also. It was such a wonderful time celebrating Vivienne and all the people who love her!

Our pastor, and friend, prayed a prayer of blessing for Vivienne

Dave spoke about trusting God in our years of waiting

Michelle's sister, Nicole, read a poem written for Vivienne by a friend

Family picnic after the dedication at a local park. Here are two of Vivienne's cousins.

Lots of great food and time with family

Dave's sister with the sleeping princess

We rode the miniature train with Vivienne's cousins

Mommy and Aunt Nicole on Vivienne's first train ride!

In case you are wondering about Child Dedication... The Biblical root of child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 where a Godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year to the Lord to give her a child. God answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son whom she named Samuel. After Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words: "For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition, which I asked of Him. So, I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord." In Luke 2, found in the New Testament, after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple and dedicated Him. In both Scriptural examples, the parents were willing to entrust completely their child to God.