Not Feeling So Spunky................

There are "first times" for lots of wonderful things in the development and growth of our precious Charlie. Not this one though - I woke up sick on Friday and ended up seeing the doctor that afternoon - sinus infection, ear infections and all around feeling crummy. After a Rocephin shot and an oral antibiotic for 10 days, I am well on my way to recovery. But, as I drove up to the the doctor's office for my appointment, daddy called to say Charlie had awakened from his nap with a nose full of green goop. While I was at Dr. S's office, I told her about it - she said to call her if I thought he needed to come in for her to see. Got home - sure enough he had 102.4 temp and wasn't feeling so spunky himself. I could hear the congestion although daddy had already cleaned out his nose. So, I called Dr. S and she said to bring him in on Saturday morning. I told Charlie I figured out his little scheme - you see, since he had just seen her the week before for his reflux issues, he decided her really likes her and wanted to see her again and not have to wait til his June 30th, 4-month check-up. Bet after that visit he won't be so anxious to go back after 3 shots. Now we are back home on 10 days of the "pink" medicine, fortunately no ear infections for him, just allergies and sinus. He's had no fever since Saturday but I can still hear the congestion so you can bet at least one bottle a day is going to come up as he coughs and gags. Godmother Jennifer felt so bad for me since Charlie was not feeling well and I quickly remided her I had been through alot worse than this before. So as Charlie I snuggled Saturday and Sunday trying to make each other feel better, I found comfort in popsicles daddy brought home and so did Charlie.......I'm not sure whether he liked the coldness or the flavor but he loved it and here are some pics to show you just how much. Reminds me of the day my great niece Hannah, who is now 11 years old, was running around in her diaper and had eaten a red popsicle - stains all over her from chin to belly to the top of her diaper and what a cute sight to see. The other photos are of Charlie trying to tell me just how hungry he is - so hungry he could eat his play gym. Father's Day was wonderful - just having reason to celebrate it made it extra special - since we felt bad, daddy just allowed us to "hang out" and have a lazy day at home. I did "country cookin'" on Sunday - a treat we don't have too much anymore. Our final post place adoption visit was Friday and we are glad to be able to move forward with finalization in Mississippi. Just a few more "items" to take care of and prayerfully we will have a court date the first of July....likely after the 4th. Thanks for checking in on us and please keep Godmother Jen's Aunt Julie in your prayers for strength and comfort as she recovers from a broken hip, surgery on Monday and some complications. Keep Jen close in prayer too for sanity - she's got a lot on her right now and needs prayers for guidance.

Love to all!

Charles, Julie and Charlie

I Am Richly Blessed - Are You?????

It's been busy around the Crump Household! Charlie has his first unplanned visit to the pediatrician last week...........................reflux!!!!! I know what you are saying, it's no big deal and I realize it is easily remedied, however; my mind continues to play tricks on me when I see an unfinished bottle. Those are unused calories and Nelson HAD to have every calorie. I suppose it's just my subconscious not ever letting me forget Nelson - that's the way I like to think of it. Zantac and a little cereal seem to be helping Charlie but after a weekend of still throwing up some - we have backed down his bottle to 5 ounces. You'd never know he had it because he is not screaming like lil miss Landry used to do - he's just a happy go lucky kinda guy! He has now determined the most comfortable way to eat is looking to the far left side so I let him lead the way. Good news is when we saw Dr. S last week he weighted 14 pounds 8 ounces and she said he's growing beautifully - sweet music to my ears! He's literally all over the place - put him on the floor and walk in the next room, come back and he's kicking on the frech doors. Something Charles and I had not experienced with Nelson and boy howdy is it different! When I told her he sleeps on his stomach because everytime you turn him on his back, he flips right over again, she walked from the room with a smile on her face, holding her hand in the air saying, "I don't hear you. I'm not listening to you." Thanks for making me laugh Dr. S.

Renee reminded me the other day when I was taking Charlie to spend the night at GranJan's, just how lucky I am to have family here to do things for me - he spent the night and mom watched him so I could get some much needed therapy and my yard could get some TLC. Mission accomplished and he was the perfect angel for her - although at 4:30AM he wound up in her bed and from what I have been told, GranJan and Charlie then slept chest to chest for another hour. I am so thankful he feels safe and comforted with others. Another gracious soul is my mother-in-law, MeeMaw, who arrived promptly at 6:15AM on Sunday morning to watch Charlie while I did a couple of presentations for work. Another someone special who rescued me from the anxiety of having to think about awaking at 4AM with Charles out of town and dealing with getting myself dressed and then Charlie dressed, fed and packed up to go with me to work. Done it before and will have to do it again I know but this time I was rescued. Thanks Renee for reminding me about the little things in life really being the biggest.

So Friday the 13th is the magic day - we have our FINAL post placement adoption visit and I can't wait. We are fortunate to have become friends with our initial social worker, Kathy Burk, who because of MS. law changes last year, was not able to continue as our social worker simply for the fact that she does not work for an adoption agency - never mind the fact that she heads up the Women and Infant's program for the State Health Dept. and she LOVES placing children with families because she knows the love it brings to all involved and she enjoys seeing the Lord at work and assisting him. Our new social worker, Angela Griffin, is just as much a delight and we have enjoyed getting to know her and her getting to know Charlie - you can see in her eyes too the fulfillment she gets from seeing families placed with precious children. After this visit, the next step is to get "termination" from A Act of Love in Utah and then proceed to the Rankin County courts for FINALIZATION! Once again, Charles and I are so fortunate to have someone who cares so much about us as our liason here through this process. She has listened to countless rambling voicemails, much crying and emotional upset throughout the 2 year process, and most importantly, she has guided me with a knowledge and understanding of so much I am a better person having gone through it with her. Thanks Jenny!

All to say, our lives are fulfilled in a way no one will ever be able to fathom unless you have been through exeactly what we have experienced. We are becoming whole again and it feels so good!

Love to all and thanks for making us richly blessed in ways you don't even know.

Charles, Julie and Charlie