Introducing

Andrew (Drew) Benjamin

Born June 26, 2012 at 7:24 a.m.

7 pound 12 ounces, 21 inches long

Isn't he handsome? He loves to snuggle, is a great sleeper and eater, has very blue eyes and is very content. He also isn't phased by his big brother who sometimes has a hard time containing his love for the little guy. They are darling together.

  

We are truly blessed! Thank you to his incredible birth parents. Yes, I said parents. We'll tell that story a little later.

Countdown

Finally Gone Fishin'

I remember the years we were waiting for a little one to join our family. Sam and I would talk about the things we were excited to do with our future children. The one thing that Sam always brought up was how excited he was to someday take them fishing. Cohen's still a little young to really fish, but Sam couldn't wait.

Cohen practicing casting ... it looked something like a mix between a golf swing and a baseball swing.

 Cohen's favorite part was the ...

Next time, hopefully we'll actually catch something!

Road Trip

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Arizona with Sam's family. Our trip included a day on the rez--driving on some bumpy dirt roads, exploring old abandoned buildings, getting sandblasted by the wind, taking in the beautiful scenery, and eating frybread at Anasazi Inn.  

I ignored the camera most of the time on the trip, but I'm glad Sam brought it along on the rez portion. Here are a just a few of my favorites.

humming bird nest

Doctor, Doctor

Yesterday I had the very cool experience of going to the doc with Beautiful J. I know it might sound weird that I was excited about going to the doctor, but any of you adoptive parents out there know what I mean. It's not that I love going to the doctor, that's for sure! It's that I am so grateful that I get to share these kinds of experiences with my future child and his amazing birth mother. Even though I don't get to feel him moving around in my tummy, even though I don't get to nurture him until he's ready to make his big entrance into this world, I got to hear his heart beat. His perfect, strong heart beat. I got to be there to ask the doctor questions. I got to be there to support J whom I love and admire with all my heart. My favorite part of the whole thing was just hanging out with her. She is one incredible woman!



 

King of the Bed

We finally found a new bed for Cohen. I think he (and his stuffed animals) likes it.

This is my favorite. He's not just relaxed, he is OUT!

Worm Sitting

Last week's snow is gone and the sun is out! The warm weather and moist soil made for a perfect day to work in our garden. Yep, I'm getting an early start this year. I have a little work to do before I can plant and I want beans and greens A.S.A.P!

Cohen was excited to get outside, too. We dragged out a few of his outside toys that had been stored away for the winter--his lawnmower, baseballs and bat, dump truck and slide. These things kept him interested for quite awhile, until he discovered all the worms wiggling around in the dirt. Then he wanted to share his toys with the worms. He came up with the darling idea of taking one of them for a ride on his lawnmower. 

Oh, one more thing. Cohen's found a new hat.

Today There Was A Snowman

This has been the mildest, most boring winter I can remember. I've been wanting to build a snowman with Cohen all winter, but there's only been a couple of days we've had enough snow. Today we awoke to just enough, but I had to go to an FSA meeting. My dad watched Cohen while I was gone. I was one happy mommy when I came home to find this:

I

 love 

it!

Blessing Katrina

Every day when we say family prayers we thank our Heavenly Father for Katrina and ask Him to watch over her while she serves her mission. Recently Cohen has started doing this at every prayer--even when we're blessing the food. If Sam or I ever forget, he kindly reminds us right away. 

It's a ...

 Boy!!!

The little guy was very active during the ultrasound. We got a lot of pictures, but this one is my favorite. Remind you of a famous painting? I'm sure he was just yawning and not screaming. As J said, though, he's much cuter. WE ARE IN LOVE!

Thanks Beautiful J for letting us share this experience with you. We will always cherish it!

Exciting News!

We have a very exciting announcement to make! It looks like our family of three will become a family of four this summer!!! We met Beautiful J via our online profile a few weeks ago, met her in person last week, and this week she gave us the good news. We are ecstatic, grateful and humbled. Even though I've known about this for several days, I haven't written anything because, honestly, I feel at a loss for words. You'd probably think or expect that I'd be shouting it from the rooftops, announcing the news on Facebook, and posting all about it here. But, as I discussed with J and her mom, there really aren't adequate words in the English language to express my feelings. It's also sacred to me in a way that makes me feel very private and protective of everyone involved.

This news also means that our adoption profile is on a hard hold. Basically, this means that it's not online anymore because we have a pending placement/adoption. I can't believe I just typed those words. It still seems like a dream!

Stay tuned ...

p.s. We love you, J =)

Hallelujah!

It FINALLY snowed!!!

This came as a complete and very welcome surprise. I feel like a kid this morning!

We're off to find a good sledding hill. It's about time Cohen's snow boots get broken in!

Also, we've been feeling very blessed, grateful and hopeful this week. Please keep us and beautiful J in your prayers.

** Added several Hours Later ... **

Cohen excited to go "sliding".

This is a video of Cohen learning how to make snow angels.

(please overlook that it's horizontal instead of vertical)

Happy New Year!

As usual, December was a very busy and fun month. Here's what we've been up to:

Sam helped the scouts make snow shoes. Now all they need is snow! We've had a few flurries here and there, but no real snow all winter. How boring!

Cohen in an elf hat he made at a local book store's story time.

Sam experimented making what he called "Grinch Candy Canes".

"I'm not sure what to think about this guy, but I sure do like his candy!"

We've been able to spend some much anticipated time with Katrina's family. One night they all came over for dinner and then we went to Temple Square. Another night they all watched Cohen while Sam and I went to a movie--the babysitter to kid ratio was 8:1. Just one more perk of our open adoption. 

Temple Square w/ Katrina's family

One Christmas Eve we had brunch with and spent most of the day with Megan's family.

The two beautiful Great Grannies who started it all.

Cohen discovering the joys of Flarp.

Megan's Dad, a.k.a. The Pancake Master

Cohen playing Wii "bats" (baseball) with his Uncle Dan and cousin Jackson.

Cohen got at least 10 cars, plus a motorcycle and a helicopter for Christmas. He loves each and every one (especially the latter two).

 Cohen gave Sam and me a much appreciated present on Christmas morning ... he slept in until about 9:30! He got up just in time for a present that surprised us all--we got to Skype Katrina! She looked and sounded so happy. While we miss her a ton, we're so grateful she's where she is. She also received a much needed Christmas gift--an investigator attended church.

After chatting with Katrina we opened presents, went to church and then had family over for dinner.

Cohen thinks his Missionary in Training tag is pretty cool. Too bad he hadn't opened it before our Skype session with Katrina. We'll be sending her a photo.

Cohen got a toy grill--I think he likes it!

Cohen making Sam a delicious plastic hamburger. Yum!

For New Year's Eve we went out for pizza and and then went bowling with some family and friends. Cohen liked bowling, but his favorite part was dancing to the music with his cousins.

Cohen's first time bowling.

This past year has brought us so much to be grateful for: a new job for Sam that he LOVES, lots of time with family and friends, Cohen learned to talk, and we were approved to adopt again. Hopefully the coming year will bring a new addition to our family!