Our Post-Placement Assessment

Sounds so official doesn't it?  Well to us it is!  And legally, it's one of the LAST steps to finalizing the adoption of Zane.  The state of OK requires that a social worker visit the adoptive family one time after temporary custody has been awarded to ensure the baby's safety and our adapting to parenthood.  Which is good, considering how much it was!!  Oh my word.  Anyway, the state of NC requires 4!  So we are glad in one way that we could finalize the adoption in OK instead (for that reason only though).

We had our PPA this past Saturday (Nov. 13) - the same social worker that did our home study came to do our PPA.  She is so nice and was ecstatic for us.  It was much less nerve-wracking and I didn't do quite the crazy spring-cleaning that I did for the home study.  She just interviewed us about our experience in OKC, the adoption itself, our relationship with the birthfamily, how the baby was doing at home (how much he eats, how well he sleeps), and how we feel we are doing as parents.  She also went to look at the nursery, although I don't think that was official business ;)

So it went very well.  We chose the expedited version, so the report is supposed to be complete by Tues. of this week and then we have one more hurdle.  We have to travel back to OKC one more time to stand in front of a judge for about 5 minutes and basically show that we are "fit" parents.  And Zane has to come as well.  Unfortunately, that will be another plane ride for him, but we're hoping to just make a day trip out of it and meet up with T. for lunch before heading back home that evening.  This will be the final step in the adoption and after that, it will be FINAL.  We're hoping all this will be completed before Christmas - this would be the ultimate Christmas gift!!

We also had our newborn pics taken this past week by our good friends, Jared & Amanda, who have taken up photography as a side hobby.  Seriously, they are so good at what they do!!  Can't wait to see them.  I will post some of them for sure, when we get them. 

They took some professional photos of the nursery so I'm hoping that I can just post those, but if it takes a while, I may take some with my little measly camera :)  I realize I have yet to show off that amazing space!  I am very proud of how it turned out, and I think Zane will like it too, when he's old enough to appreciate it.

Justin is such an amazing father.  He is affectionate, and gentle, and loving, and patient.  The lack of sleep has been something to get used to... anyone that knows me well knows that I have always needed my 8 square hours.  So this getting up every 2-3 hours for feedings has been really tough.  But honestly, when I pick him up in the middle of the night, my heart is so filled with such joy and love that I've never known before!  So much so, that the fact that I am missing precious sleep time is no longer a big deal.  I will say that the lack of sleep does affect me physically - I've gotten pretty bad headaches, nausea, and terrible muscle tension in my neck and shoulders.  Thankfully I have a fantastic massage therapist I see every month, and in between Justin tries his hardest to work out the knots!  And I've vowed to restart my running routine and want to start yoga & pilates back as well, not only to lose weight but it has been shown to improve muscle tension and relieve trigger points.

I am loving being a mama.  Can't wait til he begins to start interacting with me and smiling and laughing!  Until then, I am getting all the snuggle time and holding him in my arms every chance I get - forget Babywise!!  HAHA!  They're only little once, and one day soon he'll no longer want to be held.  This little boy has my heart, and I am so glad he does.

1 Samuel 1:27

PS - I'm working on editing some home videos and hopefully will have some up this week so you can see our handsome man in action :)