Our Family Blog

Well, yesterday was the termination of parental rights (TPR) hearing in Florida. Birthparent rights were terminated yesterday without contest. All went smoothly and barring one more successful post placement visit, our lawyer believes that we will be finalizing by the end of August. I still can not get over how quickly and smooth the process has been.

Josh turned 9 weeks old yesterday. After I had heard from the lawyers office regarding the successful hearing that took place, Josh and I spent time together reading the website from when we heard we were picked until now. He was listening so intently, and I just felt it was really important because as much as I was dreading the time before yesterday’s hearing (just fearful about what could happen) it was absolutely something to celebrate.

What an amazing journey. Have a great weekend.

Those are the most recent stats on Josh. We had another well visit today and he did awesome! He is now 10lbs 12oz, 22.5 inches long and 8 weeks old today! He also had two new shots that he was not crazy about but he was a trooper! He is in the 50th precentile in all areas and growing beautifully.

He is laughing, smiling, cooing, and just being the cutest little boy on the face of the planet. He is such a love and we are so incredibly blessed.

He is sleeping right now as the events of the morning were out the norm for him so he is wiped out!

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Josh and I were both converted to Judaism last Friday. For Josh to be Jewish, I had to convert so last year I started studying with a Rabbi and was waiting all this time for that very special moment when we were converted together. It was such a special day and I feel like it bonded us even more.

Friday wasn’t the nicest of weather days but we persevered and did what we had to do anyway! A couple of weeks ago Josh had his Brit in the presence of the Rabbi, Steve and I, in addition to the Jewish Medical Doctor. This past Friday Josh, Steve and myself along with our families attended services in the morning and then I had to meet with the Rabbi and other members of the congregation to be tested on knowledge of Judaism. I gotta tell you it was not easy. I have a Doctoral degree and this meeting was harder than that! I did great although it was exhausting.

After the testing the Rabbi gave Josh and I our documents, Josh’s Brit Certificate along with my conversion documents. We then headed to Shelter Cove in Toms River for the dunking. It was pouring down rain and I took Josh and followed the Rabbi and my family down the path to the bay and went in the water. It was bizarre being in there because everyone was watching, Josh was just looking around, it didn’t even phase him. I dunk us a little bit but only got down to the shoulders and I looked at everyone waiting on the shore and they pointed to their heads because that was exactly what I did not get wet! So I did it again this time dunking both Josh and I and then ran the heck out of there.

We all said a prayer at the car and took off! It was amazing. Josh was amazing. He is such a trooper. You can take him anywhere and as long as you are holding and kissing him he doesnt care where he is!

When I first started studying with the Rabbi and he said that he would convert our child and myself together I thought that was the most beauitful thing. I knew it would become my reality and I knew in my heart it would be with Josh.

I love him very much and I am so grateful he is here with us.

I’ve truly had an amazing weekend with my family.

I’ll sidetrack from the mushy family talk for a minute… I got the sweetest package in the mail yesterday, 4 days early even. I got my new MAC PowerBook Laptop!! Whoot! I’m typing on its illuminated keyboard right now and it is so damn cool. Loaded to the gills and ready to take on any design project that comes my way.

OK, now back to how blessed I’m feeling right now… It’s Sunday of the long holiday weekend and we’ve got one more day together. It started with a short day Friday, afternoon nap, and a nice hang out on Friday evening. Saturday we all slept a little late and hung out in the morning. Then we all went out as a nice family and ran some errands. That was fun to do, though we had to leave Bosco home.

(took a break on finishing wrting this, now it’s Tuesday)
Yesterday was a great day too… we dipped Josh in the pool for a minute after our afternoon lunch BBQ, he wasn’t crazy about it really but we’ll do it again anyway. I got to get some things done around the house I’d been wanting to do and got some cuddle time with Josh.

This morning was a little difficult, probably more for Jess than I. She went back to work so we both took Josh to Heidi’s for the first time (Heidi is the sitter). She’s nice, got two boys, and lives in a nice neighborhood with lots of kids. It just sucks that I can’t be with him all day long like I dream about. I need to be a milionaire in my next life. I’m used to going to work and leaving him behind, just not with someone other than Jess. I know she’s probably called Heidi a few times. It’s all good no matter what.

I got a chance to plant the Joshua Tree the other day too. This is a Japanese Maple tree that Warren and Joannie gave us in Josh’s honor. So I put it in the yard and was just reflecting on how amazing my life is and how blessed I’ve been. I can remember feeling the same way at previous stages of my life and thinking that it just can’t get better than this. Can it really get better than this?

Originally uploaded by steveguberman.

Josh wanted to wear his stars and stripes swimsuit to commemorate the union’s celebration. What a good kid.

Can you believe it? Josh is 6 weeks old today and getting cuter and sweeter by the second. He is so amazing. Here is what he is doing at this point:

Grunting and groaning A LOT
Smiling at Steve and I - he also smiled at Grandpa today
Laying on his side - unprompted
Drinking 5 oz of Enfamil at every feeding
Incredible head and neck support
Holding on to certain things, pacificer, he even puts his hands around the bottle
Sleeping for longer periods of time
Awake for more periods of time

Without offending my husband, he is simply the love of my life. I am in awe of him and cant believe how fast time has been flying by. So fast in fact, that I have to go back to work next week.

If anyone has experience with this, please share. My only concern is that he will not know I am his mother, which I know is crazy. I know he knows.

Anyway, Happy 6 Week Old Birthday Baby Boy - We Love You!