Hotel Room = Jail Cell

Howdy Y'all!

I really feel like our hotel room in Memphis is beginning to feel a little like a jail cell.  We are so ready to get out of here!  You would not believe!  I want to be home.  I have never missed Arkansas so much.

We got word today that the ICPC (Interstate Compact of Placement of Children) offices of TN and AR are arguing over one tiny little piece of paperwork.  Ugh!  The agency said they are hoping it will all be cleared up tomorrow.  I sure hope so.  We want to get on the road.

One more thing, I know I posted this picture (or at least one of these pictures) the other day.  I think these are my favorite pictures of Harper so far, BUT my mom thinks her outfit did not match.  I know you wouldn't normally put orange and purple together, but I LOVE it.  What do you think?

Toodles!

Happy One Week Birthday Harper Aline!

Howdy Y'all!

I really think time flies when you are having fun.  Seriously, our baby girl is one week old - it feels like we have only had her a few hours.  Before Harper, at home, the TV would be running 24/7 (not really, but you get my point) just to give us some kind of background noise.  Now, I feel like we have barely turned it on - and we are certainly not bored.  The time just flies.  I am not sure where it goes, but I love spending it with this sweet, precious little baby girl.

Yesterday, Harper had an eventful day.  We started out the day eating fried apple pies and ice cream - tasty breakfast if I say so myself.  If you are ever in the Pigeon Forge area, you HAVE to try this place out.  It was so yummy!  I wish I had some right now.  This was actually a suggestion of Ariel and her dad's - and I am certainly glad they suggested it!

After our scrumptious breakfast, we sat in traffic for an hour (ugh) and finally made our way to Chattanooga, TN to visit a few friends.  When I went to college at Sam Houston State University, I worked at the Office of Student Life with two of the most awesome men, Dr. John Delaney and Dean Frank Parker.  Dr. Delaney has since moved to Chattanooga and we were so excited to see them yesterday.  They invited the whole family over for sandwiches and we just sat back and talked a for an hour or two.  It was great!  He and his wife are the sweetest people.

We said goodbye to my mom, dad and niece Hailey at Dr. Delaney's house and then, we met another friend at the Marble Slab and enjoyed some ice cream (twice in one day, folks).  After ice cream, it was time to make our way to Nashville - the drive from Chattanooga to Nashville was absolutely beautiful!  Stunning!  I wish I had some pics, but I didn't take any.  Sorry!

In Nashville, Harper's cousin, Anna Grace was SO excited to meet her.  She was actually waiting for us to pull up by the street, but her mom made her come inside to wait.  She loved everything about Harper except her umbilical cord - she was, in the words of AG, "grossed out" by it.  It was just too funny because she kept bringing it up.  HA!  Amy took some pictures for us and Jim held her as well.  Poor Amy didn't get much snuggle time with Harper - we promise to get her some in the near future.

Like I said above, today Harper turned a whopping 1 week old.  To celebrate her "birthday", we had to eat at the Loveless Cafe before we left Nashville.  After eating some yummy biscuits, we heading out to Memphis.  We are now more than halfway home, but can't leave here until we get the word that the Interstate Compact for Placement of Children is complete.  The agency told us today that Nashville has finished their part and Arkansas was supposed to receive it today.  We are hoping that we get word that we can leave either tomorrow or Wednesday to come home.  It will be nice to sleep in our own beds and not have to pack up all of our things every day and get checked out of some room by 11 am.

I'll leave you with one picture from today.

Toodles!

We're Coming "Home"

Howdy Y'all!

Today, we took a step in this adoption journey that we haven't taken before.  We actually left the hospital with a precious baby girl.  Back in March, the birth mom changed her mind before we left the hospital.  I loved Ariel's hospital plan of only seeing the baby at delivery and then before she left.  I think it makes it easier on all of us - I am sure it makes it easier on her to walk away because she hasn't bonded with the baby and for us, we don't have to worry as much.

We still have to wait until Sunday before we know for sure that she is coming home with us - but, I have a good feeling about this one.  Last time I just knew something was wrong from almost the beginning, it just felt off.  This time we will be partying in our cabin at midnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning if we get to actually keep her.  We are already in love - she is an absolute doll!  (Actually, speaking of doll - she was sitting in her Boppy when someone had to come over to get the internet working in our cabin and he actually thought she was a doll until she moved.)  See, everyone thinks she is a doll!  :)

Here are some pictures of today (and some of my favorite pictures of her so far...she is only 2 days old and I already have plenty of faves).

I love this picture of her.

Look my eyes are open.

 I think I am going to blow this picture up and frame it in her room.  I think it is adorable.

 Aren't I beautiful?  My mommy thinks I am.

 I love that little (or should I say) big puff on her head.

Harper, we are so happy you are here - and we will be ecstatic if you get to stay with us forever.

Pretty sleeping baby.

These two people love you more than you will ever know.

Mommy and Daddy admiring a beautiful baby girl.

Nana, PaPaw and Hailey love you too

Bertha thinks you rock too!

 And, we are on our way - I love she is using my blanket my MeMaw made me when I was a baby.

 My parents put this banner out in front of our cabin - too sweet.

 Our home away from home for the week - a beautiful 3-story cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN.

 Harper had more gifts when she got inside.

 Tony admiring his little princess.

 Don't I look cool?  Or at least very comfy?

 I love this blanket - Thanks Tracey! (even though you got me the Kinley version)  :)

Sweet Harper and Rose - I love how she is gripping it.

Harper with her birth mom's favorite childhood story (this was Ariel's copy from when she was a baby).

Hope you enjoyed all the pics - I am sure there will be MANY more to come!

Toodles!

Hospital Pics of Harper

Howdy Y'all!

Here is another post just to show off our beautiful Harper.  And, since the hospital restricts facebook - this is my way of getting the pictures out there.

Enjoy!  (and ignore the fact that I don't have a lick of makeup on)

Look at that serious face

Harper and her birth mom, Ariel

I love those feet - and her finger toes that are just like Hayes Teff, her future husband.

 Sweet baby in a basket.

 Chubby Cheeks - cute enough to just pinch.

She has been flipping people off all day - bad Harper.

I love this girl - and I am pretty sure she loves me too.

Too sweet.

 She loves to snuggle!

Hi Daddy!

Love kisses from Daddy.

Love this one!  I love her tongue!

Look Whooooo's in this picture - Miss Harper

 Sweet baby girl - we love you so much!

Toodles!

Harper Aline

Howdy!
I have to be fast and speedy because this site is not approved by the hospital and I have to use "quota time" to be on here.  So strange.

Here are a few more pics of our pretty girl - she was born last night at 8:54 pm EST, 8 lbs, 8 oz and 21.5 inches long.  She is a beautiful baby!

Enjoy the pics!

Toodles!