Thanking the Giver!

Sometimes it's the simple things that freeze me in my tracks and remind me to be thankful. Tonight it was this:

There was a time that we were pretty sure that Harrison wouldn't be home for Christmas. Tonight, I had to scoot the sweet Little People Farm from underneath the left side of the tree so I could put the rest of the gifts underneath. At that moment, I stopped-smiled and thanked the GIVER of ALL good and perfect gifts!!

What a gift this sweet child of ours is...



Today I went to get my haircut. My mom met me there so she could wrangle the wiggle worm while I got fixed up. My house is further from her than the salon so it worked out! Harrison was super sleepy by the end of my appointment and wouldn't have any part of mom settling him down...as a last result, I took him and he went right to sleep on me as I finished up. Notice I said...finished up..this picture was NOT the final result!!

Know that this stylist has been hearing about Harrison every 8 weeks since his referral in April :o) This was her first time meeting him. During our visit to the salon, the stylist watched as I played (peek-a-boo and other things to let him know I was still right there) with Harrison through the styling product shelves as mom held him and she watched me interact with him as mom would bring Harrison over to my chair as she walked him around the place. She also saw how I got him right to sleep and how easy he just melted into my arms to do so once it was obvious it was going to take me doing it. At the end of our visit, my stylist looked at me and said something like, "I don't see many parents that you can tell love their child as much as I can tell you love him."

and -

A couple of weeks ago our pediatrician stopped before leaving the exam room and literally turned to me as I was playing with Harrison like an airplane (to get his mind off of the shot he had just gotten) to say, "You really love your baby don't you? I said "Oh Yes" and he said, "it's very evident that he loves you too...mom and baby are very lucky" I would say blessed, but hey...we'll take it! These things are such affirmation to me. I am not saying this to pat my own back. I don't act any different out than I do at home. I just hope this helps others see that the old worry about adopting and not being able to love a child like you would if they were of your own DNA! All I have to say is, DNA Shmee-N-A!

And, I hope that Harrison feels what everyone else notices. If not yet, it won't be long before he knows. Sure there will be the times he throws fits, says absurd things, and does something crazy out in public and we'll just learn to love him in spite of those things and be glad they're not watching then!!
:o)

My mom also drove me around so I could pick up things at a few different stores without having to get Harrison out in the bad weather! It was so helpful!

We are VERY thankful for GREAT grandparents. Harrison has a wonderful set on both sides and he has been around them a lot since being home. They are all willing to be there for us and for him. Sunday afternoon, Brandon and I are going to try and catch the movie The Blind Side! Brandon's parents were very willing to watch Harrison for the couple of hours that we go!! We will already be there celebrating that side of the families Christmas early!! We'll let you know how it goes! We are pretty sure he'll do fabulous. He has with everything else. If not, we're only a phone call away.