Heaven on Earth
Where do I start? I guess it would have to be when I first laid eyes on our girl. I knew who she was the instant I saw her. I had fallen in love with her picture when we first got her referral, but that was nothing compared to what I felt when she was placed into my arms. I didn't know how I was going to be able to hand her back to her foster mom. Riley wasn't the least bit afraid of us. She is a well adjusted and sweet baby. I can only say good things about her foster family. It was obvious that they love her deeply and give her the best of care. Our first few hours with her were spent in awe. We just couldn't believe we were holding her and she was ours. When she looked at me with those big brown eyes, she swallowed my heart whole! She laughs and smiles a lot but when she sees the camera her smile disappears. I had often wondered why they never sent pics with her smiling, now I know. Brian was so cute with her! When she had a dirty diaper, he jumped right up and took care of business. Mind you, he was suppressing a few gags but he pressed on. He was so proud of the fact he was changing a stinky! I hated to burst his bubble, but what he thought was a major mess was really no more then a dirty fart! The real mess was a couple of hours later and believe me when I say he wanted no part of that one!!!! We played for the longest time and took a couple of walks around the hotel and met a few other people visiting their new babies. We met a couple on the plane, Steve and Jolene Grove, they were there to visit the third child they are adopting from Guatemala. This was their eighth trip over and they really helped us out a lot. For one thing, I broke our camera 30 minutes before Riley got to the hotel! Steve took Brian out to find a camera shop. It was quite a little adventure for them. Steve knew there was one close by but it took them a little while to find it. I guess just about every store had armed guards. Brian said they saw a few sawed-off shot guns. Any way, the camera was much better than the one I broke so it worked out for the best. I had to endure being called Gracie for a couple of weeks but it was worth it.We just could not get enough of our sweet girl. For one thing, she loves to cuddle. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. One of life's greatest pleasures for me is rocking a baby in my arms. This time it was my baby and I can honestly say I never thought I would be so blessed. I felt like my heart would burst, it was so full of love it was overwhelming. Our first night was long, we had a crib for her but she woke up and cried every time I put her down. We finally put her in bed with us and she settled right in. I assume she sleeps with someone at home. I can say that this was NO hardship having that little one lying next to me. She woke in a good mood and played with daddy, stealing his sheet and heart at the same time. I've always joked that if we ever had a little girl that I would cease to exist. I was a daddies girl, so I know the score. Riley has already developed a lethal weapon to use on her daddy. 
When she gets mad or fussy she blows raspberries! She cried a few time for a few minutes and Brian turned to mush. I should say she makes crying sounds. She didn't work up a single tear! Daddy on the other hand was very near tears, he has no idea how this girl is going to work him. I tease him by telling him he is going to be s sucker dad, not a soccer dad.
When she gets mad or fussy she blows raspberries! She cried a few time for a few minutes and Brian turned to mush. I should say she makes crying sounds. She didn't work up a single tear! Daddy on the other hand was very near tears, he has no idea how this girl is going to work him. I tease him by telling him he is going to be s sucker dad, not a soccer dad.
