On Monday, December 17th we had learned that Belle was officially our girl. The court proceedings had gone through just fine that had terminated the parental rights of her birth parents. We were then told that our agency was doing all they could to get our paperwork through the courts of the state of where Belle was born. BUT, it’s Christmas season and that office has new staff so basically don’t get our hopes up.

It was about 10:30 am on December 20th and I was just finishing up my hair appointment. I had finally come to peace that Belle probably wouldn’t be home for Christmas. I saw that I had missed a call from our social worker that had come through at about 9:00 am that morning. Hhmmm. My cell phone rang then again as I was writing my check out. It was our social worker. The paperwork was done done done. We could go get Belle the next day and bring her home.

It was all a blur. I tried not to scream as I was in a public place but the poor receptionist thought I’d lost my mind. And I do believe my wonderful hair stylist probably got a rather large tip because I had no idea what I was doing.

We drove four hours the next day and picked Belle up at about noon. It was such a weird feeling. I’d prayed for a daughter or son for so long that I still couldn’t quite believe it was happening.

Since that day in December our life has changed in many ways. It’s been so wonderful to share parenthood with Hubby. To give Princess a little sister, whom she loves dearly. It took a good 3-4 weeks but finally, after 3 months home I can say that I really do feel like a mom. Although some days I still ponder the many choices, trials, struggles, joys and sorrow that took place to get us to this point. It’s just amazing.

Belle will be 5 months old on Monday. Some days she looks like a monster. Like last night in the tub. She was laying on her little sponge thing and I noticed her little behind didn’t quite fit on it anymore. She’s grown so much. And then some days she is just a little peanut. Like when she’s snuggled close into daddy’s arms, snoozing away with no care in the world. I take a mental (and often times real) snapshot every time because I know these baby days will go by quickly.

She is adventuring into the land of solid foods. I really wish these little ones came with a manual. My doctor tells me one thing, friends say another and then the internet…well, I love the internet and all but when you’re trying to figure when, what, where and how to give your baby solid foods do not go to the internet. Way too much information.

Belle also is not very happy to just lay on her back and talk to mommy or daddy anymore. She has places to see and things to do. She’s constantly rolling to her tummy and trying her hardest to scoot herself but just can’t lift up on all fours yet. And then she gets mad so we roll her onto her back again and she starts all over.

Belle was baptized on Sunday, March 9th. We had many family and friends there with us as God made a covenant with our girl. Our prayer is that someday when she’s older she will consciously accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. We love telling her about Jesus. How He loves her so much. How he chose her for us and us for her. And how He will love her and walk with her all the days of her life.

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5