Sleep deprived and lovin' it!

Ok, the last six days have been hectic and crazy, and completely wonderful! Our new little guy is as precious as can be and everyone in the family is completely in love with him. In fact, I rarely get to hold him during the day because everyone else is fighting over him. His cute birth mom and dad come over every day to see him and spend time with him. It's precious to watch them and it's so obvious how much they love him. I know many people can't understand the openness we have with our birth families, but it works for us. We view them as just an extension of our own family and I can't imagine my life without them in it. There are challenges, of course, that go along with having such an open relationship and at times I find myself having to draw some lines. The reason it all works for us is because we respect each other. I may not like some of the choices made, but as with my own children, that doesn't change how I feel about them. The fact that my children have another family that loves them as much as I do only solidifies my resolve to do all I can to honor and respect that.

Little man has filled our home with lots of fun and excitement, including in the wee hours of the morning. That's my time with him and as most typical newborns, he hasn't quite figured out the schedule. He's up and fussy from about midnight until four or five. I'd forgotten all about the exhaustion that brings! I'm dead tired! Jay spelled me this morning and took over around five and let me sleep in. It was luscious! Now, of course, Janzyn is sleeping peacefully and I'm madly trying to get some things done (like blogging!). I have to keep reminding myself that this is merely a short period in his life and I need to take advantage of this time and just enjoy it.

We have visitors coming next week and I'm so pumped up! Brinlei's birth mom and little sister are coming for a visit. It's the first time she's ever been here and Brinlei can hardly wait. Brinlei hasn't seen her since we went to adopt Maleia, so it's been over six years. She's talked to her several times on the phone, but Brinlei is so shy that she hasn't really opened up to her. We left the choice up to Brinlei whether she wanted her mom to come or not and she enthusiastically said yes. She's been counting down the days ever since. It will be a new experience for all of us, but one we're looking forward to. We have all kinds of plans of things to do with her, starting with a fun trip to Bear Lake next weekend! It's going to be great!