Jack is 8 months old

 Jack I cannot believe you are 8 months old already.  You are growing and changing almost every day.  You love to crawl now.  You are certainly getting faster at it.  You love to head towards to dog water bowl and light cords on the floor.  We are trying to teach you the word "no" but you don't seem to understand it yet.  You just look at me and grin- it's so hard for me not to grin back at you!  You are eating more real food as well.  You love strawberries and green beans.  Last night, you started making different sounds, so I bet you start talking soon as well.  You have 3 teeth in-  2 on the bottom and 1 tooth on the top.  From the looks of your gums though, you will have more soon.  You love watching the dogs play and are crazy about Breezy.  She's so patient with you.  Eggland likes to watch you from a distance.  My favorite time to cuddle you is when you fall asleep.  I just stare at you and tell you over and over how thankful we are for you.  Sometimes I feel sorry for your Daddy because I don't often share my Jack snuggle time with him.  Your Daddy loves giving you a bath.  We do that after we eat supper and I do the dishes and he bathes you.  I don't know who has more fun- you or him.  You have decided to start standing in your crib.  When we come and get you- you peek out through the bars at us with a big old grin.  We love you so much Jack! 

Jack is 7 months old!

Jack, it's hard to believe you are 7 months old!  Where has the time gone.  You can sit up all by yourself now.  You rock back and forth on your knees so ready to crawl.  You are still the spit up king- we go through so many burp cloths.  You love eating pouches on your own in the mornings.  You still get about 4-5 8oz bottles a day.  We have tried you on many different types of baby food.  You will eat meat and especially like the chicken and apple baby food by Gerber.  You do this squeal thing that we call the Chewbaca sound- because it sounds just like him off Star Wars.  You reach for me and your Daddy and know your name now.  You sleep like a champ and sometimes wake up at 3am just for a diaper change.  You usually wake up about 6am and go to bed around 8.  You are getting so strong.  We love you so much little man! I threw in some pictures of me on this same blanket.  Of course I was 3 1/2 months premature, and I'm not sure how old I am in these pictures.  You by far outweigh me!  

Jack is 6 months old

Jack got his 6 month shots today.  He is getting so stinking big!  We have moved to a bigger carseat as I can't hardly lift him in the one we have now.  He weighed in at 17lbs. 6.8 oz and is in the 49th percentile for his weight.  He is 26 3/4 inches long and his head is a whopping 17 1/4 inches around.  He has jumped from being below average in everything to right on target.  He is eating 4-5 8oz. bottles and about 2 pouches of babyfood a day.

 Jack got to ride in the elevator for the first time.  He was all grins today- well, before his shots.  The crying didn't last long though at all.  I was deemed a real Mom today- I have been trying to drink more water- well more water means more trips to the bathroom.  I didn't think I could make it home, so I used the bathroom at the dr.'s office.  I didn't want to touch more than I had to, so I learned how to potty and hold Jack at the same time.  I'm thankful for my arm surgeries last year as I had plenty of practice pulling up my pants one handed! haha. 

Jack, I can't believe how big you have gotten.  You reach for stuff constantly and get so frustrated when you can't go anywhere on your belly.  You are just before learning how to crawl.  You truly are a happy baby most of the time.  You smile all the time and have just started reaching for my glasses.  We are so blessed to have you in our lives.  I was so happy to be able to get your "old" name off our records at the dr.'s office today and add your final new name.  Your forever name.  Gosh, I wish my grandma were still alive because we would sure be talking about all the feelings that go with adoption as she adopted your Nana.  Your Great Grandma Lillie Mae Hill was a wonderful, patient caring woman.  I miss her everyday and if she were still alive I think I'd still try to sit my 38 year old self on her lap.  Love you my little Jack!

Adoption Day Pictures

Our friend Greg took these cute shots of our family of 3 on our adoption day.  Jack just keeps getting cuter and cuter!  He will be 6 months soon.  These are a few of my favorite shots- including a spit up one! 

Jack's Adoption Celebration

Jack your adoption party was so much fun!  I wish I could upload all the pictures we took, but our internet is so slow and I'm not patient.  We celebrated you being an official Williams member last night at Maumelle Park at Mom and Dad's RV site.  My BFF Tina came and helped us make the decorations and get all set up.  It was SO hot.  Your PaPa worked hard at keeping all three fans aimed our way to keep you cool.  We had 25 cars show up and shower you with love and a few presents.  So many people have prayed for you and us on this long journey.  They couldn't wait to meet you.  We kept our social distance and still had too much fun.  We can't believe we are officially Williams party of 3.  We are so happy to be a forever family finally!

WIlliams Party of 3!!!!!

Jacks adoption was finalized this morning at 10am via a zoom call.  It lasted about 10 minutes and Jack was awake through the whole thing.  Afterwards, he discovered he can squeal and he squealed off and on all morning.  I honestly didn't think this day would ever get here.  I have been anxious for about a week now knowing it was around the corner.  In fact, I changed clothes 3 times this morning.  I finally found a shirt that I felt comfortable in and we went to get Jack dressed.  He was sound asleep in his crib but happy as usual to be up and getting naked.  That boy loves to be naked!  Once we got him dressed in his adorable bow tie and suspenders, we made it to the kitchen in time to take the call.  Right before we got on, he spit up all over my shirt, foot, and the floor!  It certainly helped me to realize who cares what I was wearing.  It wasn't about me anyway! 

  Luke and I have prayed so long for a child- I was afraid it wouldn't happen.  God in His faithfulness knew we needed Jack as much as he needed us.  The Lord blessed us with a wonderful, happy little boy.  I have spent the last few days holding him while he slept.  I wanted to soak up as much of him as I could. His smells, his smiles, and all that baby goodness.  I love that little boy so much!

Judge Cassidy was super sweet on the zoom call.  She read our whole file beforehand and even knew our pets names.  Kandi's attorney Brent is always so nice.  He actually was one that prayed with us at the beginning of last year at an event for Abba Adoption/Abba Charities.  He mentioned in our Zoom call how the Lord answers prayers.  Yes, He sure does- even when we least expect them- and have no kitchen or countertops!  Words can't express how happy it makes me to finally say we have a son.  Jack Alan Williams.  Bring on Williams party of 3!!!!