Ryan: Almost 4 months old

I've been so busy with normal household duties, caring for Abby and Ryan, Blythe work, plus all the fun that goes with our surprise baby, that notes about Ryan and his milestones are severely lacking. In fact, I haven't written a single thing yet! I'm keeping it all in my head (ha!) and waiting for the day I have time to write it down.

Randy has been a huge helper by taking Abby out with him today as he went visiting, did grocery shopping for me, and went on a walk, and now Abby is down for a nap, so I've been able to get caught up on some of my "quiet time" things. So this will be my first opportunity to write down some Ryan milestones.

He has been cooing since he was 2 months old, and started smiling sometime in there too. He is VERY ticklish and LOVES having his diaper and clothes changed. He giggles like crazy when you pull his shirt up and touch/tickle him anywhere around his upper chest/armpits/shoulders/neck area. This giggling started when he was around 3 months old. He has finally gotten very good neck control and is getting stronger and standing up better. He spends some time in the exersaucer, but likes playing with the mobile on the floor the most. He started to tip himself to the side a bit the other day, but so far he hasn't shown any real signs of trying to roll over. He gets a kick out of Abby and usually brightens up when she comes around.

He has very blue eyes and light brown hair. I don't know his current length and weight. Haven't been to the doctor since 2 months, and we don't go back until January. Yes, I could get on the scale with him, but I haven't done it. My guess is somewhere around 14 lbs, but that's purely a guess.

I took this picture of him a couple days ago after I had fed him and as I was changing his clothes. He's a solid boy, that's for sure! He likes chewing on his hands nowadays, and so that's what he was doing when I took the picture.

And Then There Were More

Remember my post several months ago about Abby's teeth and the dentist's determination that she probably wouldn't get any more teeth because he didn't see the standard bone structure he would expect to see if she had more teeth coming in her mouth? Well, she proved him wrong a couple months after that visit, and she's in the process of proving him wrong 3 more times!

Yep, she's cutting 3 teeth right now, and when these are grown in, she will have ALL of her baby teeth with the exception of the two front bottom teeth that are still missing. She has an eye tooth and a first molar growing in on her left top side, and a molar growing in on her right top side. Some of these teeth are over a year behind, but better late than never!

Her eating capability has improved significantly already! We're so happy for her because her mouth will look basically normal soon, and she won't have to endure significant tooth work anytime soon. Matthew 10:29 and 30 talk about how God cares about the sparrows and the hairs on our head. Obviously He cares about little things like teeth too! Thank you Lord!


Abby rediscovered this clown in her room, and had fun hauling it around one afternoon. It's still way bigger than her!



Sitting on her special "Tot Spot" chair eating a little snack of mac-n-cheese by the Christmas tree.

He's Ryan Matthew Small now!

It was so much fun to be a part of the National Adoption Day celebration for Ryan's finalization! To see all the other families and kiddos that were being adopted, and to experience the collective support of our own family, plus the other families who were there, plus the fantastic people who organized the day, and the local dignitaries who spoke or were represented. It was just a very fun time!

One of the biggest blessings for me was the people who took time to join us on our big day. Each played a part in encouraging us, and also helping us throughout the 3 hours were were there. Most important is my dear, sweet, hardworking husband Randy. He did so much to get the kids ready for the day and to make sure we had all the little details covered. He gave us curbside service at the courthouse so we didn't have to walk from the parking lot (3 blocks away). He watched over Abby so I could focus on Ryan and visiting. He is just a fantastic husband and daddy, and I'm so thankful to be married to him! Next to Randy, my sister Laura was the biggest helper! She rode along with us, and was indispensable as she helped maneuver the kids and our pile of stuff to/from each location (car, courthouse, thru security, into the courtroom, reception room, back to the car, home, etc.). Her help allowed us to enjoy the day more. My inlaws Mom and Dad Small, Doug, Annette, Alyssa, Annika and Annaliese helped by keeping an eye on Abby and taking photos and videos. There is no way I could've done that while holding Ryan. My Aunt Carol also came as a substitute for my parents, and she got some great pictures too! Lastly, my boss Dave Morse took time out of his busy schedule at work to come spend some time at the reception (he missed the courtroom because he went to the wrong one. Oops!). A huge THANK YOU to each of you!!!

Ryan was very tired and fell asleep soon after we finished our time with the judge and got into the reception room. Abby....well, I was so busy talking to people and holding Ryan and listening to the speeches that I didn't keep very good track of her and what she did. Thus my big THANKS to the other people who were there who helped with that area! I do remember her taking a keen liking to a young lady (NAD volunteer) named Lara. Lara spent time with Abby and helped her color at the kids table. Abby got a heart balloon with a balloon bear attached to it from the balloon man, but she didn't become too attached to that toy. In fact, the heart part popped sometime during the day, and it didn't bother her at all. The bear part is still laying around here at home, dying a slow death. She hasn't played with it at all.

It is absolutely amazing to us how fast and smooth this whole process went. A huge THANK YOU goes to Rebecca and Amie from Bethany Christian Services for their hard work in orchestrating all these events. I know they put a lot of prayer into their job and each of us is very aware of God's hand which was so evident in Ryan's whole story.

(Sorry these pictures are in random order. I can't seem to be able to rearrange them today. Grrrr...!)


Receiving our final, signed, notarized adoption decree, plus a special packet of gifts donated by local people. (A neat adoption story book from Sonlight church, a shirt from Feller Heating, a McD's gift certificate)


Randy helping Abby eat some lunch.


Photo shoot with Judge Snyder after our court time was done. They gave the siblings a Nestle bunny, and the adopted kids a soft bear.


Our attorney, Keith Bode, asking us "Are you sure you want to adopt this little boy? Are you sure you can take care of him? Can you pay for him? and other such goofy questions. He's a very interesting character, but has a good heart and does a good job.


Judy and Ryan (sound asleep!) with Tina and Logan (see story below).


Abby and her friend Lara.


Ryan and Logan. Logan was born the day before Ryan at the same hospital, and both were adopted by Bethany parents. He is the first child of his parents Dean and Tina, and they are so thrilled (as they should be! He's a cutie!)


My sister Laura and longtime family friend Barb VanDalen (Barb's new grandson's adoption was finalized today too)


The little man Mr. Ryan Matthew Small!!!


Psalm 103:11 came to mind as I wrote this blog. I looked it up and decided that the whole chapter is a fitting closing to this post:

Psalm 103 (ESV)

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; [1]
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Ryan's Court Finalization Date Set

On November 20th, we will gather with 15 other families on National Adoption Day to finalize Ryan's adoption. Wow, it is hard to believe that it has happened in 3 months. This can only be the Lord! We are so excited!

Ryan and Abby are growing a lot! Abby is really starting to talk. World, you had better watch out. Ryan is smiling and generally a happy baby. We cannot ask for anything better! Ryan has been sleeping through the night since 7 weeks or so. He loves his mom, too!!!! She loves him a lot. They have bonded wonderfully. I am happy to spend time with Abby, so it works great! Here are some recent pictures:




Abby doing her exercises like her dad.


Ryan ready to go to town!





Abby with her babies.


Abby's new bed. She loves it!

We Are Still Alive

Things have been busy around here. What do you expect with a new baby? By the way in case you haven't heard Ryan's birthparent's rights have been terminated. While sad for them in one sense, we are overjoyed that we are past that part in this process. We look forward to finalizing in the next month and a half!

We took a trip to Seaside, Oregon with my sister Annette and her husband Doug and their 3 girls. We had a great time as we rented a house by the ocean. It was an old house that was leaning in spots. It felt like it may fall over..... Here is a link to it: http://www.seabreezebungalow.com/abreezebungalow.com/. We went to the Seaside Aquarium where the kids could feed the seals. We went to Canon Beach to see Haystack Rock. On the way out of town we all stopped at Camp 18 for their cinammon rolls. Judy and I did not have time to look at the museum although some day we would love to go back.

We then left Seaside to go to Grants Pass, Oregon. We had a great time visiting with many of the church people of Faith Baptist Church where I interned in the summer of 1998. We love the people there, and we got to spend some quality time with our friends Brad and Lola Elkins and their two lovely children Thomas and Barbara. We reminsced how God had provided 4 children (2 to each of us) all under the age of 4 when just 5 years ago we spent time together at a dinner one night wondering how God would provide children to us even though at that time neither of us seemingly could have children. Amazing how God works.

On the way home we stopped in Portland to stay with Uncle Jay and Aunt Mandi for one night. Abby now can look at pictures and identify them as well as many family members.

We are staying very busy, but God has been so faithful. We love serving Him!

Labor Day Trip to Portland

We went to Portland to visit Randy's brother Jay and his wife Mandi over Labor Day weekend. We had a great trip just relaxing and having Jay and Mandi watch the kids a lot of the time we were there. We went to Oaks Park Amusement Park on Labor Day, and got there just as many of the 16,000 people celebrating labor unions were leaving. We spent about 2.5 hours on the rides, which was perfect. Abby was ready to be done when the park closed at 7pm. Abby loved the rides! It was the first time she had gone on carnival rides. The slide was one of her favorites. Judy took her on the Ferris wheel, and A. Mandi took her on several other rides like the Up, Up, and Away and the Frog Hopper.

Here are some pictures of the trip.

It took a LOT of work to keep Abby on the giraffe while we waited for the ride to start. We ended up switching to a pig and I rode on it with her. She enjoyed the ride a lot once it finally got going.

A very serious driver. :)

Abby's very first carnival ride. See the look of fear on her face? She had no idea what we were getting her into, and didn't really want to find out either. But we all cheered her on and persisted, and she caught on quickly.

Frog Hopper. See little Abby next to Mandi on the left side of the ride?

Randy and Abby went down the slide together 3 times!

And they went on the train ride together.

Hi Jay and Mandi! (our view of them from the ferris wheel)

Can you find Randy? (taken from the top of the ferris wheel)

A self-photo while on the ferris wheel

What a happy family :) (U. Jay and A. Mandi with Abby and Ryan)

Abby is learning how to feed her brother. She's a little rough yet, but she's getting it.

Foosball with U. Jay

My high school friend Andrinna lives in the Portland area, and we managed to meet up and visit for a couple hours while we were down there. We hadn't seen each other since we graduated (17 years ago!).

Cute picture of Abby, taken at church on Sunday.

Jay had just gotten a Nintendo Wii, so we goofed off with that a bunch. Thanks for the relaxing weekend guys! We also wanted to mention Jay and Mandi's friends Darryl and Tana as they helped watch Abby one night. They are special people!

Pictures of Abby and Ryan