The Mullis Life

I am now blogging over at The Mullis Life. I would love for you to follow me there. :) 

Happy 14th Abigail!

My oldest turned 14 last week! Abigail , Esther and I went up to Virginia on the Thursday and Friday before her birthday. My BFF, Amy and I took her to Breaking Dawn and then we had lunch at O'charleys with Nana and Gramps. Then we drove home and Abby had a basketball game. Pawpaw and Grandma drove over from the cabin for the day and spent the weekend in Kernersville. Nana and Gramps got her a back sac she has wanted for a long time ( since her old one broke)
We went out to Outback with Grandma and Pawpaw and they also took her to the store and bought her a Carhart coat that she has been wanting. She has wanted a new pair of TOMS too and so that is what we got her. I told her you know you are getting old when you ask for shoes and a coat for your birthday!I am so proud to be your mom, Abby. I love you so much, but I really LIKE you too. You are one of my favorite people to hang out with! I can't wait to see how the Lord uses you as you follow Him through your teen years and watch your future unfold. Love you my sweet redhead!

We have MOVED.... Please visit us here

Adjustments

This blogpost is actually a plea for advice! Please comment here or on FB if you have any advice.

Waiting for the kids to come home I spent so much time reading, planning and seeking advice on how to make Micah coming into our family as easy as possible. We have had a really easy adjustment with him (so far) and I am very thankful for that. I really only thought of Sarah Faith as a baby to love and take care of. I have had three babies before..no problem, right?

Wrong.

For one she was afraid of every piece of baby equipment we have, except the bumbo seat because they have those in the TH. I have gradually worked her into the swing, playpen and exersaucer with 10 min increments daily. This morning she played in her playpen happy for 20 min. She still prefers me, but is getting better daily at being in the floor or swinging.

My issues now are with sleep. Naps, she wakes up 30 min in terrified. Screaming with huge tears rolling down her face. All I have to do is rub her back or head and she will fall asleep again, only to repeat this 30 min later. Her favorite way to sleep is on my chest with both of my arms wrapped tight around her.. so she cant hardly move. Her whole body will relax and she will fall asleep right away as long as I lay and hold her like that.

Night time is the same way. She sleeps about 4 hours ...8:00pm- midnight and then is into a 30 min crying out pattern the rest of the night.

Has anyone else had this problem? Tips on helping her get through it? How long will this last approximately? Any online articles I could research? I am sure there are but my sleep deprived brain isnt having a whole lot of luck researching this!

thanks.....

Jackie

** I wanted to add that it isnt that I mind holding her and rocking her! I LOVE doing that ( although I would enjoy a little more sleep at night). I waited 3 years for a baby to love on and I am enjoying it SOOOO MUCH! I am just trying to help her not be so afraid and terrified when she does wake up.**

Micah and Sarah Faith's Adoption video

Here is a video of our adoption story. If you click on the white title on the video it will take you to the full screen version. :)

Embassy Date

We have an embassy date of June 16th! We will arrive June 14th and have our Gotcha Day. We will spend a few days enjoying Ethiopia with the kids, have our embassy day on the 16th, get their visas on the 17th and leave the evening of the 18th.

We will fly 17 hours and land in DC Sunday morning. We will be in NC around 6:00 pm

how I am feeling...

I can't even begin to describe how I am feeling this week. I honestly cannot believe it is finally time to go back to Ethiopia and bring Micah and Sarah Faith home! The best way I can describe my feelings is similar to the week leading up to when I got married

( Which ironically is 16 years ago to the WEEK! Our anniversary is this coming Friday!)

I am terrified and worried something will go wrong one minute and giddy with excitement the next! When I lay down to go to sleep my mind is SPINNING with all I need to do! I have lists for my lists right now and only 7 days to get it all done.

I am so very thankful to everyone that has prayed for us and encouraged us and supported this adoption. I am very thankful to have been able to share so much through this blog and face book. Someone said to me the other day that they feel like they have experienced this with me (even though they live miles away) because of the Internet. It has truly been a journey.

We should find out tomorrow our exact embassy date, but is should be within the week we are there. I will try to post pictures of our Gotcha Day on here from Ethiopia, but sometimes blogger is funny over there and I can only post on FB.

Ahhhhh. .....Only 8 more sleeps till we leave!!!