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Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Saturday, was a big day for the Laws family! First we got notification from DSS that Carli's adoption was indexed in the state. We will be able to petition the state of Arizona soon for a new birth certificate with her name on it. Then we can get her SS card and other things that we couldn't do until we had the BC.

Later that evening, we went to Belews Blast at the lake. For those that don't know, this is a large fireworks show at the lake. Before the show, Carli played on the blanket with her ball and her buddy from church, Michael. It was so funny to watch them play with each other. I had never seen her do this before.

We were a little nervous about how Carli would take to the noise of the fireworks going off. We knew she would love to watch them because she loves everything that moves. We were not disappointed. Carli didn't care about the noise at all. She sat in Joe's lap and watched every pop and color of the fireworks. Finally they were over and Carli fell asleep on the ride home.

A Month of Firsts!!!

The month of June brought many firsts to Carli's life.

First, Carli began to eat real food. First came the sweet potato. The first few bites were not easy. Joe neglected to tell me that Carli had not had a nap. She would eat a bite, then cry, eat a bite, then cry. After a few bites, I put her down to sleep. When she woke up, she finished all of the potato happily!

Next came butternut squash. Carli liked this one too. We added rice cereal to a few servings and she ate with gusto.

Next...banana. The first bite-what is this!!!??? The second bite-Carli spit out. Then she refused to open her mouth at all. We thought she would not like it, but decided to give it another try the next day. She ate every bite!

Avocado...again the first day, Carli would eat it but make very bad faces. The next serving was mixed with banana...Carli gobbled it up. Finally, she ate some just mixed with formula, and enjoyed it. Now we have a variety of foods to enjoy. Apples and pears are next.

Carli also began to sleep in the big girl bed this month. Prior to this, Carli was sleeping in a Moses bed in our room. I enjoyed being able to hear her breath and move since she was so close. I also enjoyed being able to get to her quickly when she awoke at night wanting to eat. One night last week, I was staying up to read. Carli didn't want to go to sleep. She would lay there playing with her foot hiked up on the side of the basket. Then she began to look at me and eat at the side. I told her that she had to sleep so she was going to the big girl bed. Within minutes, Carli was asleep. She has been sleeping there every night since. But she will NOT take a nap in there. She will just cry and cry. What is the difference???

Finally, we bought Carli her very own little wading pool. At first, Carli didn't know what to think of the big tub of water. After just a few minutes, she began to laugh and play while trying to splash around. She even tried to sit up alone while in the water. At one point though, she fell over onto her side. After just a second of "what have I done" Carli began to play yet again. I believe we have a little dolphin here. Can't wait to get her into a big pool and see what she does.

What will the month of July bring??! Can't wait to find out.

Jeff & Nancy Laws...50 years!!!

Jeff & Nancy Laws

June 4, 1960

On June 5th, the whole Laws clan gathered together at Outwest Steakhouse in Kernersville to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Jeff & Nancy. Afterwards, everyone returned to their house to enjoy wedding cake and champagne.

Jeff & Nancy

June 5, 2010

Jeff & Nancy were married on June 4th, 1960 in Unicoi, Tennessee. They have two sons, Joe and Kyle, and 5 grandchildren: Nicholas, Austin, Hunter, Meredith, and Carli. Jeff and Nancy moved to Walkertown in the spring of 1962 where they have lived ever since. Both are active members of Loves United Methodist Church and are retired from the WS/FC School system.

Congratulations Grandma & PawPaw!!!

IT IS OFFICIAL!!

Carli Elizabeth Laws

"NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the Court: That from the date of the entry of this Decree herein, the said minor is declared adopted for life by the petitioner(s) and that said child shall henceforth be known by the name of Carli Elizabeth Laws."

The feeling of joy and peace is overwhelming. Today the official degree of adoption arrived in the mail. When Joe and I opened it, we had no idea what it was. It looked like so many other papers that we had gotten from the lawyer. We decided to just lay it to the side and email Michelle (our attorney) about it later. About 6:30, Michelle called. She had gotten the same letter in the mail. I confessed that I didn't know what it was and she told me that the wait was over. The paper was the final adoption decree which makes Carli legally a Laws! I couldn't even speak for the tears running down my face. Carli was really ours. After all the prayers, the waiting, the tears, the waiting, the paperwork, the waiting, and encouragement from friends, Carli was officially, legally, and entirely a part of our "forever family". GOD IS GOOD!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

WOW! My first Mother's Day with MY daughter. I can't get enough of saying that...MY daughter!!

The weekend began with a day off so I could take Carli to see Dr. Walker for her 4 month checkup. She has doubled her weight from birth, weighing 13 pounds 8 ounces and is 24 inches long. She did well with her shots, fussing for only a few minutes. She didn't get a fever that day or sleep any differently. We enjoyed some mother/daughter time that afternoon.

Dr. Walker told us to start Carli on rice cereal that evening. So for dinner we mixed the cereal with milk and fed her. She did pretty well. She got it all over her face and hands. She seemed to enjoy it after making a few very funny faces.

Saturday began with more cereal. We left it a little less runny and Carli inhaled it! After breakfast, Daddy, Joe, Carli, and I went to the Spring Follies in town. We thought about how much fun Carli would have with the rides and petting zoo when she was older. We just enjoyed walking around and finding a few things we "couldn't live without." I bought a pink tutu for Carli. Joe asked what I was going to do with something like that...but I imagined wonderful pictures and how much fun she would have later playing dress up with it.

Mother's Day started off with gifts...Carli gave me a figurine of a mother with her baby and Austin gave me one of a mother with her older child. I am so blessed to have a wonderful stepson and a beautiful daughter. I thank God every day for both of them.



At church, all new mothers brought their babies into the service and were recognized. Tammy called me to the front with a huge smile on her face. She (above all) knew exactly how I was feeling! We were given a special flower and congratulated on our new babies.



It was a bittersweet day. I missed my mom terribly today. I know that she is smiling down from heaven watching me have a wonderful day with my little girl. I am thankful for everything she taught me and hope that I can pass on those wonderful lessons to my little girl. Thank you Mom!

Baptism

Sunday, April 11...Carli's baptism day! Joe and I woke up with excitement. It was to be such a special day!

We dressed Carli in her special baptism dress and took the wonderful afghan that was given to us by Pete & Margie. We brought a beautiful yellow tree rose to the sanctuary in honor of Carli's baptism and in memory of my mom's birthday on Monday. We invited all of the family to come to this special day. We had arranged for Chris to conduct the ceremony since he and Summer have been such a wonderful support in our adoption process from the beginning!

The baptism started with Chris calling us up to the front. He looked at Carli and told her not to cry on him. She didn't! When I gave her to Chris, momma's bracelets got caught in the afghan. (Momma had to let me know that she was there too!) Carli just looked around during the whole baptism ceremony. No tears, no fussing, just smiles!

After church, the family went to Jeff & Nancy's for lunch to celebrate. Carli was passed around to be loved on until she finally needed lunch herself before taking nap.


That afternoon, Joe planted Carli's rose in the front yard as a reminder of this special day.

Back to Work!

Carli is officially 3 months old and I have to go back to work today. Last night I had mixed feelings. While I am excited to get back into the groove of things and see all of my kids, I will miss being home with my little girl and watching her grow.

My wonderful sister-in-laws, Nancy, is keeping her. I have the ideal situation in the mornings. Nancy will drop off Hunter at KMS and then stop to pic up Carli, before taking Meredith to WES. Meredith loves begin with her cousin and will feed her on the way to school.

Wouldn't you know that I have a meeting everyday for 3 days!

Carli Elizabeth Laws

Carli Elizabeth Laws

click for a video of her time in Arizona

Carli Comes Home!

Last night was our first night with Carli. She did very well. She woke us up every few hours to eat, right on schedule. Amazing that babies can tell time...almost to the minute! Both Joe and I were exhausted after not sleeping much and then having to get up early to get ready for our flight. We had to leave the hotel about 5:30 in order to get to Phoenix, turn in the car, and get to the airport for our flight.



We had no trouble with Carli boarding. We were worried because we had no birth certificate, but they didn't even ask for one. They only asked how old she was. We were lucky in that the flight was not full so we were able to take her carseat on board with us. (Thanks Margaret for the idea.) We waited until we were taking off to give her the bottle to help her ears with the air pressure. After that it was burping and changing. She then slept all the way to Nashville. Joe and I were the ones nervous. I have never had panic attacks flying before, but this time I had one. I guess I was worried that something would happen with Carli. We sat on the plane in Nashville for about 30 minutes before it was boarded again and we took off for Raleigh. It took less than an hour to get back to good old NC! Daddy, Cheryl and Austin were waiting for us when we arrived. It sure was good to see them all.


When we got home, Grandma and PaPa were waiting for us. Balloons had been tied to the mailbox and were inside. Everyone couldn't wait to get their hands on Carli. Later the rest of the Laws family came by for a visit and brought dinner. The Heath's also popped in. It was good to be home with our little girl and her big brother!!!

Carli Elizabeth Is Born!!!

January 8th began with a delay for school due to the weather. I was on pins and needles since it was the due date for Carli. Before leaving to school, I posted "Guess the real waiting now begins. Wonder how long it will take little Carli to decide she wants to leave the womb and make her entrance!!??? I am so excited I could scream!!!!!!" Apparently not that long...

At 8:30, Misty called to tell me that she was in labor and on her way to the hospital. I was in shock!!! I called Joe to tell him that he needed to come home. I went to the office to tell Brenda that I needed to go home. I was able to get on the intercom to tell everyone that I was leaving later that day for Arizona because Carli was on her way!

When I got home, I quickly began to call the hotel, airline, and car rentals to get our reservations done. Joe got home and we finished packing our bags. We left home for a 2:30 flight. Misty called just after 11:30 to tell us that Carli had arrived, safe and healthy! She was born at 9:32 am (AZ time), weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces, and was 18.5 inches long. After a LONG flight in a packed airplane, we arrived in AZ about 6pm. We finally made it to the hospital about 7:30 and met our little girl. She was beautiful! Pictures were taken and sent to Austin and other family/friends. We spoke to the doctor briefly. So far, Carli showed no signs of withdrawal from the Methadone. Maybe we would be lucky! Saturday...We were not so lucky. When arrived at the hospital Saturday morning, we went first to the nursery to see Carli. We were asked to wait for the doctor. Carli had begun the withdrawal process. She had been moved to the NICU for a little quiet. This can help with withdrawing babies. In the NICU, Carli was hooked up to many wires to monitor her heartrate and breathing. She looked so tiny and helpless. It was hard for Joe and me to see her like this. We were not even allowed to touch her at first.

After some evaluating, they moved her into her own little private room. This was to be even quieter and darker for her. Our new nurse, Debi, came in to give us some info about Methadone withdrawals. She has been a NICU nurse for many years and had seen lots of babies withdraw. One of the things we were told was that it would probably take Carli 6-8 weeks to withdraw. I cried when she left the room! Eight weeks away from our friends and family???!!! How could we afford this? Plus Joe only had 4 weeks of vacation/FMLA time. We petitioned our friends and family for prayers. At this time, Carli is very fussy and has some jittering problems. This is normal according to Debi.

Sunday: Carli is having trouble drinking milk from a bottle. Doctor inserted a feeding tube. Joe and I left the room for this! Dr. Mousser told us that Carli would have an easier time weaning if we held her as much as possible. This is not a problem for either of us!! They started her on Morphine last night which will ease her suffering during the weaning process. They will decrease the dosage every other day or so.

Tuesday: Carli did WONDERFUL yesterday!!! She drank 3 bottles and finished the one this morning at 8 quickly. Doctor is impressed and said that the feeding tube can come out!!! If she continues to do well, they will begin to wean her off the Methadone Thursday!

Friday 1/15: Carli is one week only today! She is doing great! She is almost back to her birth weight. They started the weaning process today. Joe and I go to the hospital at 7:30 in the morning to be there for the 8am feeding. We stay with Carli all day and leave after she eats at 5. Except when we go to lunch, one of us is holding her all the time. Hopefully it will help with the weaning process.

Tuesday 1/19: Boy I wish I had my cloth diaps! She has a bad case of diaper rash!! But then she poops and pees ALL the time. We change her before her bottle and then she goes again during her feeding. About an hour later, she goes again! I hope I have enough diaps at home. Right now, she is laying on her side, butt bare, with oxygen blowing onto it. Hopefully this will help it to dry up. Doctor dropped her meds from 80% to 70%. Hopefully she will do well and they can drop it again soon. I am getting very homesick right now and just want to go home!!!!

Friday 1/22: Carli is 2 weeks old today!! Carli should be weaned to 30% today. If all goes well, they will stop giving it to her on Sunday. The we should be discharged next week if she doesn't set back!!! HOME later next week!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 1/24: Carli is still at 30%. We had hoped they would take her off the morphine today, but the nurses didn't give her good scores yesterday. One took points because she woke up early and wanted to eat. She is doing a little better today. Hopefully they will drop her off tomorrow and we will be on our way home later this week!

Tuesday 1/26: Carli is completely weaned!!! If all goes well these next few days, we will be released Wednesday. Joe and I made our flight reservations for Thursday morning. Keep your fingers crossed. Today we took Carli for her first stroller ride around the NICU.

Wednesday, 1/27: Carli is discharged!!!! This afternoon, the paperwork was signed and Carli was released from the hospital. Debi was working and got us all ready to go. It was really hard to leave the hospital. These wonderful nurses have become our family here in AZ. We couldn't have made it mentally if it were not for them. Shannon, Bev, Marci, Jill and Debi came by our room often to talk about things. We looked forward to the days they worked and when they didn't, the days were long!