Gotcha Day!

Three years ago today, I got a phone call ( at 10am) in my classroom for our social worker asking us if we would foster a 11 day old premie straight from the hospital. Of course I said yes! I didn't even ask Matt and he didn't know about it until later in the day since he was out on the road with his job! I had to work the entire day and prepare sub plans for the rest of the week. We had less than 7 hours to prepare for the baby and my thoughts were on the baby and thinking, WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING FOR A NEWBORN!!! We were expecting a toddler, not an infant. The only thing that we had was a crib and a few pieces of clothing for toddlers. While we were at the hospital, my mom and sister went to the store and bought a few items that we needed. We also had friends and family bring items to us the next day. I will never forget that night and bringing him home on a cold, snowy January night. My mom and dad were waiting for us to get home at my sister's house who also lives on the same street as I. They came down, my sister, niece, and Matt's parents. I was scared to death having the baby on my own that night but my heart fell in love with him! I am amazed at how that 5lb. 2 oz little baby has grown into a 3 foot toddler! He is such a loving little boy and I wouldn't change anything! We are so blessed to be finalizing his adoption in less than 2 weeks!!

New words every day!

Carleigh is starting a language explosion! Yesterday, her new word was "apple." The day before that was "Elmo" which she says "Melmo!" Cody received 5 balloons with Elmo on them and Carleigh loves grabbing all of them, walking around from room to room and shouting "Melmo!!" Her second favorite word is "up!" Cody's new word is "cookie." Matt told me that Cody's bus aide said that his teacher told her that he gives kisses to everyone! I guess my little guy has already got a reputation for being a kisser and he just completed his second week of preschool!

Having fun on the Kangaroo Climber!

Cody's 3rd Birthday Party!

We had Cody's 3rd Birthday party at Ryan's Steakhouse. They have a really nice banquet room and since my house is not large enough to accomodate 25 people, we decided to have it there. Cody's theme was Elmo. He LOVES Elmo and will do a little dance when "Elmo's World" comes on Sesame Street. Cody got lots of clothes, an Elmo backpack, a clock, a tricycle and lots of money to buy spring and summer clothes!! We bought Cody the Kangaroo Climber and they love playing on it in Cody's room (until summer arrives).

We have a court date!

Our lawyer called us today to tell us Cody's adoption finalization date! On Thursday, February 8 at 11:30am, Cody will officially become Cody Matthew Schmidt! Thank you Lord! We are overjoyed and are excited to plan his adoption party. We are looking at February 18 in the afternoon for an adoption celebration. We are also planning on Cody being dedicated shortly thereafter his adoption. I guess we are still in a state of shock that Cody will be legally our son in 3 weeks!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Cody!

Here is Cody all dressed up for his first day of preschool! He loves his backpack and wore it all morning!!

First Day of Preschool!

Today is Cody's first day of Preschool!! I was so worried, scared and happy for my little boy today. He was supposed to ride the bus, but due to miscommunication with the bus transportation, my mom and I took Cody to school. I was relieved because I met his teacher and got to take pictures of Cody in his classroom on the first day.

Loving the table set!!

Enjoying the new toys

Here are a few of the candids taking over the past week or so. They love their new toys that they received for Christmas. And Cody will be getting more this weekend when we celebrate his birthday!!

Update to our meeting

We met with our lawyer for the first time today. She took down all the information so that she could do the paperwork. We meet with her again on Thursday to sign all the papers. She will file for an adoption finalization court date on Friday! So, we should hear when our court date will be on Friday. Praise God!! I am just so thankful for a quick lawyer so that we can get this process over with!! Our lawyer was estimating a February 12th date since it would be about 30 days after her filing in court. What a great early Valentine's Day present that would be. I will post when I know for sure. Now, my thoughts are on planning the Adoption Bash!!

Wonderful news!

Today, Cody became an adoptive placement in our home!! Many of you know that on a cold, snowy Tuesday, January 27, 2004, we brought home a 10 day old premie straight from the hospital. I was called at 10am on my cell phone in my classroom and I was on break when our caseworker called. I was in shock to get a newborn placement! I was even in more shock when they asked if we could be placed with him at 5pm that same day! We didn't know how long we would keep him, but I fell instantly in love with him. I will never forget the day as long as I live. And now, 3 years later, he switched from foster placement to adoptive placement. We were given his lifebook and signed LOTS of agency paperwork. Tomorrow, I call our lawyer to get the ball rolling to finalize his adoption! Praise the Lord!! We are overjoyed! His adoption will probably be in February!! We are going to have an adoption bash to celebrate our dream coming true! And another wonderful surprise is that we can start calling him by his new adoptive name with our last name. This is great because we can enroll him in preschool with his new adoptive name with the notarized papers that our agency gave us.