Wildwood Days..

We ventured in our "matchbox car" to Wildwood, NJ on June 17th. We dropped Sullivan off on Saturday with Titi Christiane and Mr. Jamas as Milly says, he was much better with the departure than mommy was he was enjoying eating Gracie's bones and running around like a wild puppy. Milly, on the other hand had a really hard time leaving him. It wasn't until she fell asleep that she stopped asked about "MY PUPPY." Surprisingly, we fit everything into the car so now Jody is very proud of himself for the purchase. The trip to Florida in August should be interesting. 

Milly was very excited about going to the beach. She couldn't wait to see Aunt CC (Kymberly), Grandmom and Pappy. She was sure to tell us that her baby need to "come to beach with Milly." We assured that he was coming. We had a great time. The kids got their first Wildwood sweatshirts from Grandmom. Although, Milly loved the beach, the sand, the water her favorite were the Seagulls. Pappy took her out to feed the Seagulls on our first night there and I have never heard this child laugh so hard, the smile on her face was priceless, if I would have only remembered a camera! The Seagulls were fondly named "Petey."

 It was a little chilly and very WINDY the first two days we were there, but it quickly warmed up and we had a great time. We missed the free Kenny Chesney concert by one night (I was not real happy about this), but glad everyone else got to see him perform. 

Milly loved the board walk and watching all of the people and lights. She enjoyed french fries. Milly decided that sleeping at a normal hour was not an option at the beach...It was vacation after all. So she enjoyed a card game with us, until she got hungry and took a bite out of the cards =) 

Both Milly and Landon loved their time with Aunt CC, Kymberly was an amazing help we couldn't have done it without her. Landon, did enjoy his naps at the beach. He hasn't slept so much in the last 7 months. The pop up tent for the beach was a lifesaver! He napped for at least an hour both days. We have been going to Wildwood with Jody's family for the last several years, it's always a great time and we are looking forward to next year already! 

Let the Summer fun begin...

I'm on the fence as to how I feel about the summer. The idea of it I love: flip flops, sun, sand, pools, the smell of coconut oil amazing! However the heat and humidity I can seriously do with out. So basically, I'd love the summer if I was the princess I was born to be and could spend my summers at the beach and not at work.

We are venturing to Wildwood, NJ this weekend with two kids in tow! I'm super excited but a little more nervous. First trying to figure out how we are going to fit everything in the matchbox car my wonderful husband decided we needed (yes, still bitter and missing my Jeep)! Second, well the obvious 2 kids on the beach! Thankfully we will have lots of family around to help :) I already know Aunt CC (aka Kymberly) will be my life saver!

Milly loved the beach last summer, she hated leaving the water. I'm hoping it's the same this year! We have a tent and baby pool for Landon (thank you Erika and Rob) and lots of SPF 100++

Can't say our bags are packed, but we are getting there. We are all going to enjoy much needed time away!

Happy Summer!

Legal Standing...

I'm sure you are all wondering where things stand with Landon. At this time he continues to be in the care and custody of the county. The county is anticipating that they will obtain permanence for him prior to his first birthday (December 4, 2011). We are a permanent/ adoptive resource for him. So we could use all the prayers, well wishes, and positive thoughts as we continue our Journey to Forever...

Our Honey Girl (Milly)

I mentioned her before but she needs her own post. I can't tell you where the nick name of Honey Girl came from but it just stuck. Milly is now 2! She spent her birthday with us, she had her Shrek and Fiona cupcakes and a party with all of her friends. Because I was able to build a positive relationship with her mom we still get to be part of her life. I was asked to be Ms godmother. We have M with us now every weekend. Jody picks her up after work on Friday and we bring her home on Sunday. She will be spending summer vacations with us also. She's excited to go back to "gmom" and "pops" in August. She's already told Pops she wants to go to Mickey's House and Uncle Richie needs to take her to the beach. She has the most amazing personality sweet and very sassy all rolled into one!

Firsts...

Landon's Firsts...

This is a long one to try to get caught up, you will see him grow so quickly, I can't believe how true it is. I am sure I missed some, but I will make every effort to document him at least weekly. Who am I kidding, I'll be adding pictures all the time =)

First Day: Landon arrived at our home around 9:00pm after his long journey. Jody was the first to feed him and also the first to be puked on, little did we know at this point that Landon puke was a smell we would become all to familiar with. 

First Night: We are not sure what people complain about...he slept from 11pm - 6am. We on the other hand woke up every 20 minutes to make sure he was still breathing. 

First Doctor's Appointment: Titi Christiane and I took him to the pediatrician. The little munchkin was a whopping 6lbs 11ozs and 20 inches long.

First Bath: Thanks to Christina, he was bathed on the counter and YEP he peed everywhere =)

First Christmas: Was an amazing one for us all. My parents flew in from Florida with my brother, we had Christmas Eve with Jody's dad, Charlene, Uncle Charlie, Mom-Mom, my parents, Uncle Richie and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Phil.

First New Year's Eve: A Knollwood Road tradition, a whole lot of nothing we barely made it to midnight!

New Year's Day: We spent the morning with Nanny and Pappy and his brother's Raiden (2) and Payton (1) and his Uncle Derek (14). We then had the "good luck" New Year's meal with Jody's mom (Grandmom), Bob (Pappy), Aunt CC and Uncle Bobby

First Visit to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Unfortunately, he will have lots of these. Landon has Hydronephrosis (kidney issue, the right kidney is only functioning at 20%) and GI issues (severe acid reflux). He has a Soy, Milk and Milk Protein Allergy. After some scares with weight loss we have found the magic combination of EleCare (formula) and Previcid... he's doing very well. 

First Visit with his "Sister," Milly: Milly came to visit. She was so good with him. Our home couldn't have felt as complete as it did that weekend.

First Attempt at Baby Cereal: This did not go so well. And this is when we learned more about his allergies and found out I would be making all of his baby food =)

First Day of "School:" I could not have asked for a better daycare provider. The first picture I like to call "Mom told me she was going back to work tomorrow."

First Holiday's (Valentine's Day, St. Patty's Day, Easter, Mother's Day)

Sharing Our Journey...

This is something I should have done 6 months ago, but as our lives have been over the past 11 years it's best described as a whirlwind..maybe a TORNADO! Jody and I are high school sweethearts and all the mushy stuff that entails, we got married September 9, 2006 and expected to have a perfect, happy, seamless marriage just like every 22 & 23 year old. Well were we wrong..over the last 6 years we have tested every word in our vows (sickness, health, richer, poorer, good times and bad) we have had them all, but with the love, support and understanding of our amazing family and friends we have come out on the other side and still work everyday in making our lives what we want them to be individually, as a couple and most importantly as a family.


Jody and I always knew we wanted to adopt, but we also knew that we wanted to have our own children, to experience pregnancy, to be able to say he looks like his dad or she has her mom's eyes. We talked about baby names, nursery colors, how many kids we wanted and when we wanted to start having children.


In November of 2006, we were told we would need some help building that dream family. Our team included Ob/Gyns, Fertility Specialists, Allergists, Nutritionist, Urologists and Endocrinologists...5 years, thousands of dollars, hours of research and even more tears, 3 miscarriages brought us to our most important team member... our caseworker from Children and Youth.


In February, 2011 we became Foster Parents. We got the most exciting call just one week later..February 18, 2011 we had our first placement! Milly and amazing 9 month old that was with us for 10 months and then returned to her mother on December 1, 2011. It was an emotional day to say the least. Just when we thought we were cried out. It was a long weekend of relaxation, movie watching and still some tears. Jody and I had a long conversation about whether or not we could remain foster parents, or would it just be too much for us, emotionally. I will be sure to add pictures later as I play "catch up" but on December 6, 2011 before work we decided that I was going to call our caseworker, Joy, now known as "the stork" and put us "on-hold" that we just needed sometime to sort through what we were feeling. The universe had another plan for us..around 10:00am we received another phone call. "Dawn, it's Joy from Dauphin County" I went numb..was Milly okay, is she coming home...Joy must have known that was my first thought as she said "this is not about Milly, I haven't heard anything." BUT...she had a new placement opportunity for us. A newborn baby, baby boy who was born in a different county and would if we said "yes" make a long 5 hour journey to Lancaster, PA.


After a "Family Discussion" Jody and I decided let's go for it. I didn't get a chance to call Joy for a reason...we decided to let go and "TRUST OUR JOURNEY." It has been the most amazing 6 months of our lives. With a lot of ups and downs, but overall the "black cloud" that has been our lives has lifted. 

We are now doing our best to "ENJOY THE JOURNEY"