2 weeks!

Keaton had his 2 weeks appointment today and did great! He is now 9 lbs 6 oz and 21 inches. He slept through most of his appointment and didn't even flinch when they drew blood from his heel. Such a good baby!

Carter says

Chris took the boys to the circus today leaving Keaton and I at home to relax. Earlier in the day, we had this conversation:

Carter: Mom, are you going to the circus?

Me: No, Bud. I'm staying home with Keaton.

Carter: But why mom?

Me: Well, Keaton is too little for the circus. It is too loud for his little ears.

Carter: I know, Mom! Maybe - and this is a big maybe - maybe we can leave Keaton at home.

Me: By himself?

Carter: Yeah! We'll lock the front door and the back door and put him in the basket (Bassinet)

Me: What if he cries?

Carter: We'll take care of him when we get home.

Then, as they got ready to leave the house we had this conversation:

Chris: Relax, babe. Just sit with the baby, watch a show and relax.

Coen: Mommy, take a nap.

Carter: Mom, while we're gone can you make the whole house nice?

1st day of school

Carter had his first day of school last Tuesday. It was so hard for me to stay home, even with Keaton, and miss seeing him as he entered his new classroom. Daddy did a great job taking pictures for me. Is this kid a ham or what? He is already loving school again with his new teacher, Mrs. Zoey and was extra excited that he got to be the "door holder" on his first day! Boy does he like his responsibilities!

1 Year home..

The boys were a bit confused by the cake and kept wanting to sing "Happy Birthday" but overall, our celebration was a success. We brought out the traditional Ghanaian clothing we bought for the boys hoping it would still fit and were happy to see it is actually still a bit big. Carter insisted he had to take the clothes off to eat the cake so that he wouldn't get anything on his special clothes. Always thinking - that one.

They weren't terribly excited about the photos or video we took in Ghana except for those that had Coen in them, but year-by-year, hopefully they will take more of an interest.

Celebrating 1 year!

Today marks one year to the day that we stepped off the plane in Portland, Oregon with our Coen Kwasi, direct from Ghana, West Africa. I can remember every second of the walk from the plane, rounding the corner, seeing Carter holding his sign that read "Coen's brother". I was exhausted from 24 hours of travel and seeing my family come together brought me to immediate tears. 

Check out photos from that day 1 year ago in Ghana Click to see a video of our crazy man at the airport

There is no way that I could have imagined that exactly one year later we would be at home with our one week old baby.  I'm in love with all three of my boys and can't believe how blessed we have been this past year. Thinking back on harder times, wondering if God would bless us with a brother or sister for Carter, it all makes perfect sense. Good things come to those who wait (you just have to have some faith). 

Can't get enough

The biggest brother

Click on the photo to watch a video..



Carter has been such a good big brother already. He is constantly wanting to hold Keaton who he only refers to as "the baby" and is ready to help at any moment. Coen is excited as well, but doesn't quite understand just how careful he needs to be. Today he walked up to me and asked to hold the baby as he reached to take him, like Keaton is a doll that he can just pick up and walk away with.. He cracks me up.