Our PEPS Group

Program for Early Parent Support (aka PEPS) was been a great experience for Chris and I. When Lily was born we called them up and were matched with six other families with babies all born within 3 weeks, Lily being one of the youngest. We meet every Tuesday night and at first I was worried we wouldn't fit in as we're the only adoptive family. With the exception of commiserating over breast feeding woes, it's been the opposite. Everyone has been great and it's been so valuable to share the ups, downs, questions and worries of new parenthood with a group of moms and dads who totally relate. We're all very different from one another, but that has added to the fun. Last night Johanna, Ella's mom, took this pic of all the babies. From left to right they are Ryan, Parker, Ella, Lily, Ethan, Madeline and Fenton. Yes, Fenton is only 3 weeks older than Lil. When he was born the doctor said to his mom, Andrea, "Congratulations, you've just given birth to a toddler."

Milestones, Milestones

Since going back to work I've been bad about taking pictures, but there have been so many changes that it's worth a post, even if I don't have a pic to go with them...

• Lily is now wearing outfits! Okay, not really a milestone, but she looks darn cute. As she is now almost 4 months old I've decided it's time for her to wear the many clothes people have given us rather than the standard onsies she's lived in the past months. Of course she usually urps on them and winds up back in a onsie, but for the few minutes she is pristine, she looks lovely.
• She's now about 14 pounds - almost double her birth weight! She's grown out of her newborn clothes and socks as well. It makes me sad that the tiny stage is already over, but I do love how plump and cuddly she is and how non-floppy her head has become.
• Sounds, sounds, sounds. She is experimenting with new ones all the time. The main ones are still ohhhh, ahhhh and grunts, but she is increasingly expressive. She's also developed a weird new cry that sounds like the baby velociraptor from Jurassic Park. Not sure how keen I am on that one.
• Hands, hands, hands...she's starting to actually grab and hold things! She is still fascinating watching her own little paws, but now there is some added dexterity that is really exciting to see. Her thumb and finger sucking is also more frequent...must get a pic of that as it really is cute.
• Kicking and squirming - in the morning when you peer into the crib and say "Lily-Lily-Lily!" she smiles, raises her arms up and kicks her legs. It's like she's cheering and it melts my heart.
• Wakefullness. She is napping less and less and alert more and more, always studying things intently and discovering her world. Her eyes are so beautiful and intelligent I know she will accomplish anything she sets her heart to.