Blessings, Bliss, and Bailey: The End.

I'm not talking about earthquakes in the southeast or hurricane Irene... August marked the end of a long and incredibly rewarding adoption journey.
In May of last year we officially were listed within our agency after a year of paperwork, homestudies, physicals, psychoanalysis and just about EVERYTHING else you can think of. We ended the year with the arrival of sweet little Bailey :)
Of course, that was not the end, but a NEW beginning - new homestudies and more paperwork! Finally this August 16th, we sealed the deal... meeting the judge.
It was actually pretty anti-climactic. After all we have been through in the past 8 months, going to court, answering some questions, stating basic facts, and taking a few pictures seemed like nothing! We all came home afterwards and kind of looked at each other like, eh... what now? So - we had champagne :)
Many friends asked why it took so long, but it is really the court - waiting for them to have an open slot and all that stuff. Our day in court court did have a few interesting moments... First, we arrived and we were in an actual courtroom. I have appeared in court for traffic tickets, but not a real courtroom! There were all these attorneys getting ready for what we later discovered was a very high profile murder case! Apparently the judges are super busy so when they have these big trials, they try to squeeze in 4-5 easy things before their day begins. So, there were 4 others in the courtroom with us and when the judges assistant came out from the chambers, she asked each of them for their paperwork. They each handed her a file and she asked, "All uncontested?" They each said yes. I was confused. Well, they were ALL there getting a divorce! I was like really? Are we in divorce court? LOL! Christian and I can only imagine what these people were thinking seeing us so giddy and happy about Bailey! Anyhow, she allowed us to go in the judges chambers where we took our oaths. It was pretty cool.
Anyhow, we are just so in love with her and she is growing so fast. She is crawling and can get to a sitting position on her own. She is starting to pull up on stuff around the house and loves to scream! She loves the food I make her and is really enjoying her cheerios.
Of course it has been a summer full of Braves action, so I had to throw a few shots in here of her at the game :)
August marks the end of one long journey, but not a journey for the weak of heart. Now we have a lifetime of exciting memories to look forward to!