8 weeks

This is about how we feel around here.  We are tired.  We are weary.  We are mentally, physically, and emotionally drained.

Yet, all the while, deep down in the deepest parts of our souls, we are thankful.  We have discovered more about ourselves in the past 8 weeks of Addie's life than we have ever imagined.  Here are a few of the lessons we have learned:

-True love.  We know a certain kind of love with each other (Eric and me), but loving your child is a whole other kind of love!  I've heard that from so many people through the years, but experiencing it for yourself is an experience like no other.  I still catch myself looking at her and thinking, "Holy cow!  She's ours!  We get to keep her!" :)

-God is amazing.  He has blessed us beyond belief in the past, and He has helped us grow closer to Him through this season of our lives.  We have no clue why Addie came early, but we've learned to rest in knowing that He's got a plan.

-It's okay to cry.  I can't tell you how many times I've broken down over the past 8 weeks.  I have good days and not-so-good days.  I've been through a plethora (love that word :) of emotions... elated, overjoyed, exhausted, angry, sad, depressed... the list goes on and on.  I've learned to not hold everything in... I feel so much better after a good cry. :)

-Patience.  I will be the first to admit that I'm not very good at this one.  It's been especially hard these past few days.  This past week was by far one of the most difficult.  We are so close to bringing her home... we pray for patience over and over each day.  God has renewed our strength today (thankfully), and we are content in waiting for His perfect timing.

There are other things I could bore you with (ha), but instead, I will show you some pics of our sweetie!  Way more exciting!  She has changed a lot lately... getting cuter if you ask me. :)

Ah, the bottle.  We have struggled with this little thing.  Thank the Lord she is catching on here lately!  We are praying the trend continues so we can bring our little girl home with us! :)

Addie is growing like a weed!  She is up to 5 pounds, 2 3/4 ounces tonight!  We measured her right after we took this picture... she is close to 19 inches now. :)

Her little face is adorable!  Her cheeks are filling out and she makes cute faces from time to time!  We know she probably doesn't have much control over her face muscles, but they sure are precious! :)

We could look at her all. day. long.  Enough said. :)

...and she smells so, so sweet!  Sometimes when we get home from the hospital, I can smell her on my clothes.  Makes me melt... and miss her. :(

She is so kissable!  We kiss her at least a thousand times when we are there! :)  ...and somehow it's still not enough!

She is a major cuddle bug!  After she eats, she loves to curl up on our chests and fall asleep.  Can't wait to do that all the time when she's home with us!

Addie is just amazing.  That's all there is to it!  We are so thankful she's ours! :)