Stats

So, for his unofficial measurements, Mark is 18.6 lbs (that's 18 lb 10 oz) and 27.5 inches. It's a bit hard to tell how tall he is, as he's quite the wiggly worm!

He has two teeth that are fully out, and he's working on several more. We're pretty sure his top two are going to come in any moment now- he's been teething pretty badly these past few days (especially today).

Mark is into EVERYTHING. It's so cute to watch his mind working as he decides what to investigate next. He loves to explore.

8 months

8 months ago our lives changed forever.

Wow, time sure has flown by- and what a wonderful adventure it's been! Mark is doing so much now- and has become quite the "big boy" for such a little guy. There is not an eight month pedi appointment, so we'll measure him by ourselves today. He can sit on the scale himself now, so we get an accurate reading. I figure he's probably about 18.5 lbs, but we'll find out for sure later today. He is just such a joy, and I pinch myself every day that he's here, our little boy, forever and ever.

Gaht

One thing Mark has started doing recently is to say "gaht" and "geeehteeeee" when he sees Precious, our cat. When he spies her he says that, gives out a great big giggle and takes off crawling after her. Often repeating the word, we know that he is trying to say cat and kitty. We call Precious both cat and kitty, so I can see why he calls her both.

Sometimes, if she's nearby he'll pet her. We are working hard with him to actually PET her, but that doesn't always work. If he's able to get ahold of her tail, in to his mouth it goes. Or, he'll take a nose dive toward her and try to put fur in his mouth. You see, our child LOVES to put ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in his mouth. He is very much a texture and taste child.

Anyway, Precious is very tolerant of him. I think that her time spent with nieces and nephews and neighbor kids from their births on up has helped expose her to children. So much that when one came to live with us for good she has adapted pretty well. She will actually attempt to go near him, and go to him for petting sometimes too.

Even as I write this, I'm on the couch, Precious is curled up between Mike and I, and Mark is in Mike's lap. It's not unusual to have our family of four together on the couch or napping on the bed.



One thing Mike did when he flew home while Mark and I were still in Indiana was to bring the cap he wore in the hospital home. I don't know if that made a difference or not, but Precious did get used to the smell of Mark. She was really good with him from the very beginning.



From the time we brought Mark home, the two of them have done well together. Precious is very protective of him. Precious was known to stand by Mark's cradle while he was sleeping, or jump on the couch and fall asleep next to him when he was napping in Mommy or Daddy's arms.



Precious is very tolerant for a 15 year old cat. She recognizes that he's a baby, and not a threat. So she'll let him pet her, come near her. And even let him chase her. When Precious sees him crawling after her she sometimes waits a few seconds to let him catch up. Than she wanders to another part of the house or away from where she is so that he can catch her.



Overall, they make a good pair. Sometimes they "work together". It's funny. One time Mark distracted us and Precious jumped on the coffee table to stick her nose in a bowl. Another, they were both in the playroom and worked together to push on the side to open the door so they could get out. It's funny to watch, and who knows what they will do next!

Forever Family Day

It's official!

As of 9 AM this morning Mark's adoption was finalized. And today, August 22, 2008 is our FOREVER FAMILY day.

We are SO excited, happy, relieved, words can't even say it all... it's been a long journey (and a big THANK YOU to all those of you who have followed along and supported us), but it was oh so worth the wait.


Mike's parents, my mom, one of my sisters, her two kids and my BIL were there to celebrate with us at court (my dad was there via phone, as he's on his way to Alaska right now to fly fish).

My other sister came with her daughter after she dropped her son off at school and we all (except Mike's parents, who went on to Galveston) went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. Mike's parents will stop by on their way back home.

Here are some pictures :)