The Taylors Arrive in Gig Harbor

Hello all. Just wanted to pass on a quick update. Sorry that we haven't had much time to post, but we've been a tad bit busy ; )
We arrived in Washington on Tuesday. Matthew was a champ for the 4+ hour flight here. He slept for most of it. Scott and I managed to figure out that you can change a baby in your lap while seated during the flight.
Our movers came with our stuff yesterday and now we're just working on unpacking little by little- as much as Matthew will allow. I imagine this process will be a bit longer than I had anticipated, but we've got our bed set up, some kitchen stuff unpacked and will finish the bathroom today.
Scott had his first night of work at the new job last night. He said that everyone is really nice and he's looking forward to working at Good Sam.
Well that's pretty much all for now. We won't be able to post more pictures until the computer is up and running (I'm using Scott's laptop now). We have some great photos of Scott asleep with Matthew in his cousin, Carolyn's hammock.
Take care.
Cheryl

Ouch!!

Well, today was circumcision day. Dr. Wheatley did a wonderful job, but I think Matthew still isn't speaking to us. He was much happier this evening after a big nap and some Tylenol.
He saw the pediatrician yesterday and yes, our boy is up to twelve and a half pounds (no wonder my arms are so sore!). Matthew also had a visit from my friend Joy and his future girlfriend, Jada. She's 9 months older than he is and quite a doll.
Matthew seems to be adjusting well and is having fewer crying bouts everyday. He is having more and more quiet, alert time and is almost giving us some social smiles.
He can't wait until his daddy comes back on Sunday. And then all three of us are off to Washington next Tuesday.
Got to run for now. Got some laundry to do, bottles to wash and our boy is going to be up in the next hour or two for another feeding.
Hope all is well with everyone.
Cheryl

Matthew's First Full Day With Us

Well, Matthew has been with me for over 24 hours now. I still find it hard to believe that I'm a mom and now responsible for the little person. Yesterday, was a bit of an adjustment for him. He screamed for an hour and a half straight. Today has been much better. He's actually had some quiet, alert time and was looking very cute.
He made his first trip out with me today to St. Joe's to sign up for health insurance and make a visit to everyone in the NICU. He goes to St. Mary's tomorrow for a going away potluck and I'm sure they will all be happy to see him again.
I'm actually feeling pretty good still. I'm sure some sleep deprivation will start setting in over the next few days. My friend Joy was right, the 24hr shift we used to do at U of M are great preparation for parenthood.
Ooops got to go....my little man is calling.
Cheryl

Matthew's Finally Home!!

Hey all! I only have time for a quick post, but yes, Matthew is finally home. We picked him up at 3pm today and he slept for the whole ride to Canton (2 hours). He is currently out like a light, but I'm sure will be up again in the next few hours. So I need to go and get some sleep myself.
Thank you to everyone for all your prayers.
Cheryl

Sometimes No News Isn't Good News

Well, five o'clock came and went today with no word from the judge. So it looks like Monday may be our day. I think by then we need to start thinking bribery ; ) At least I have the weekend now to catch up on some sleep after all the moving chaos this week.
Scott and the crew were just outside of Wisconsin the last time we spoke. They plan on stopping somewhere in Minnesota tonight and then back at it in the morning. They had a good visit with Matthew this morning before hitting the trail. My parents and I will be going out to see him tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be much longer before he's with us for good.
That's all for now. I will post more Monday. Have a great weekend.
Cheryl

Just waitin' on the Judge!!!!

So yesterday was a great day!!! Everything went well in Jenison. (Jenison is near Grand Rapids, the headquarters of our agency Adoption Associates, Inc.) All the paperwork is complete and everything is signed. We only await the judge's review and signing of paperwork. After the judge signs, we can go and pick him up and take him home!!!

After signing yesterday, we went to spend time with Matthew at Sue and Bob's awaiting the news that everything was complete. He is growing like a champ- He was a little fussy when we arrived, but Cheryl did her neonatal magic and settled him right down. He then had some great face time with Cheryl- he was very awake and happy! Cheryl then handed him to me, all happy and asleep. Needless to say, with a cuddly warm newborn in my arms, I was soon nodding off a touch myself!! Hence the sleepy picture...

The house is packed, the movers were at our house while we were with Matthew. Our wonderful cousin Carolyn met the movers and got them going. We cleaned last night and this am, packed the cars and are ready for the next stage. I take off at 0730 tomorrow with our friends Joseph, Beatrice and Gary- Needless to say, Cheryl is staying behind to take Matthew home, bond with him, and stay up all night with him. Really, I'm sorry I'm going to miss that this week Cheryl... The drivers are going to make a little stop in Grand rapids to see a very special boy on our way out of town.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. God has His fingerprints all over these events... Cheryl and I still can't believe that we are (almost) parents!! It's scary, exciting, and crazy, all at the same time. (People have told us that this is normal.)

Please also pray for Julie and Don's twins, named Charlie and Jack.

More news tomorrow!

The Start of the Big Move

Hey all-
We won't be able to post for a few days since this week is the start of the big move. Our movers are coming Tuesday and Wednesday, so I imagine that we will be very busy. We will also be signing papers Wednesday (God willing) at the adoption agency in Grand Rapids. Then Scott heads out on Friday. So quite a busy week ahead. I will try to post on Wednesday to let everyone know how it went. After that, we just wait for the judge to sign the papers, which could be anywhere from Wednesday to the week after.
Got to run for now. Lots to prepare for next week.
Cheryl

Matthew's Host Family

Lots of people have asked "Where is Matthew now?" He is currently staying with a "host family" just outside of Grand Rapids. They are absolutely wonderful!! Although it means that we don't see him as often as we would like, we know that he's in good hands. They've cared for over 80 babies over the years, so they have lots of experience. We continue to joke with them that about getting Matthew on a schedule for us before he comes home.

These are pictures of our first visit with Matthew while he was staying with Bob and Sue.

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Cheryl's Last Day of Work?

Cheryl had her last day at St. Joe's today before the move. It's very interesting that if Matthew comes home that she will be a "stay-at-home" mom for at least the next 6 months. After working in the Neonatal ICU for 17 years, she may not be in a level 3 nursery for a while. I think being at home with (hopefully) our little boy is the better option!!

I have three shifts left at UM and Hurley. Cheryl has 12 hours on Monday at St. Mary's. That's quite a few life changes, but we remain peaceful and extremely excited about what's happening in our life!

If you want to leave a comment, just click on "comments" below.

We'll keep you posted.

Scott

A Little While Longer.

Well, it looks like our court date has been pushed back to next Wednesday which means Matthew may not make it home until as late as Friday. Bummer!! This really is cutting it close for Scott to be able to spend any time with him before he starts driving out west. But we certainly have no control over it.

We did get to go and visit Matthew today. He has changed so much already in just a few days. We're still working on getting his cues down and figuring out what he likes. We just can't wait to get him home!!

I included a pic from the day he went to host care last Sunday. I'm still working on downloading the rest.

Home with Matthew soon!!

Hey everyone-
Just wanted to give a quick update. Matthew's birth mother and father go to court on Thursday to sign papers. Scott and I will go to the agency office that evening to sign our papers. Then we wait for the judge to finalize things which could be as soon as Friday. So Matthew will be coming home soon!! We are so hopeful that all will fall into place so that Scott has some time with him before he heads out on Friday.
Thank you for all of the prayers and calls. We will post either Friday or this weekend to let you know where we're at with things.
Take care.
Cheryl