Some important introductions

We just returned from a week in Wisconsin visiting Pete's family.  It was the first time most of them have met Brady, so we were really excited to get the chance to show him off.  Brady was a good little traveler, and for the most part he went with the flow.  We had several fun get-togethers, way too much food, and beautiful weather.  We only wish that we could have stayed longer!

Brady meets his great-grandparents



Out to lunch with Pete's grandparents




Taking advantage of the nice weather




I'm not positive, but I think Brady is rolling his eyes at the sight of the camera yet again.



Yay for traveling!

I'm so excited that you are going to have to keep me from falling over, Dad!

Doing his stretches




So happy to meet Aunt Tina!

 

And Grandma!

And Grandpa!

Relaxing in his inflatable tub after a long hard day of being cute

Does this shirt make me look fat?

Visiting Grandma at work

Fun with Uncle Shawn

Cozying up to Aunt Jessica

Showing cousin David his tricks

Brady completely CRACKED UP...

watching David and April's dogs play!

Hmmm, should I go for great Aunt Velma's hair or glasses?

With Grandpa and cousin Tony

Uncle Shawn, you didn't leave any food for me?!

The Tonys, Uncle and cousin

Mom is really torturing me by eating that rhubarb pie right over my head!

Tony: Hey, who is the new guy?

The cousins- Alexyia, Brady, Anthony, and Isaac

Brady: Ooh, this jacket is nice.  Isaac: But did you feel his hair?

Tony: Dudes, don't touch!

Staring contest with Cookie Monster

Four generations of G-men

Corn!  Mountains of the stuff.  A crazy sight to this non-Midwesterner.

Our last night with Aunt Tina and Grandma

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig

We arrived home safely yesterday evening.  Brady was wonderful on the flight home, even though he was awake almost the entire time.  Hopefully he'll keep this up next week when we fly to Chicago.

Today we have been very busy unpacking, doing laundry, and cleaning the house.  Here are a few more pictures from our trip to Clearwater.

The view from the front of our hotel room.

Hotel pool

By the pool

Tiny little friend

Sand Key beach

More Sand Key beach

Dinner on game night (our waitress was from Charleston, WV!)

The handsome boys on our balcony

Group picture (this one only took 10 tries- we're getting better)



Sunrise on our Friday morning walk



Home again and happy to get kisses from Daddy

Finalization

We're legal!  Today was our finalization hearing.  It was the last formal step in the adoption process, granting us permanent legal custody of Brady.  The Final Judgement of Adoption orders that his name is now what we have chosen for him, and he is entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligations of a child born to us biologically.

The hearing only lasted about 20 minutes, but it was a very special time.  We each testified to our names, birth dates, address, wedding date/place, our ability to provide financially and emotionally for Brady, and finally, why we want to adopt him.  The last question was incredibly difficult.  Not because we couldn't articulate an answer, but because we were both very choked up.

Brady was his usual charming self during the proceedings.  He was bouncing up and down in our laps, laughing, blowing raspberries, and happily shouting to no one in particular.  He definitely stole the show.

After the judge signed the adoption order, he presented Brady with a teddy bear.  It was only as we were walking out of the courtroom that I noticed that it was wearing a necklace that read "Brady"- how thoughtful  The judge also asked us to email him the picture we took of all of us.  He said that his court reporter takes pictures for him, but she was off today.  He said he usually wouldn't bother since she was gone, but because Brady was so cute he really wanted his picture for his collection.  It's good to know that we're not the only people who think so!

We are counting our blessings tonight. 

Lucky number 13

Getting sworn in

Brady gets in on the action while Daddy testifies

Mommy's turn to talk

Our adoption agency representative

The Honorable Jack Day signs the final adoption decree

Gift presentation

Photo op with the judge

Forever family

Back in Florida

Today we traveled back to FL for Brady's finalization.  The flight did not go as well as his last, but all in all it was not a bad trip.  Certainly better than driving.  We arrived in Clearwater around noon, just in time for Brady to take a nap and Mommy to get in some much needed pool time!  After Brady woke up we took him down to the pool for another try at swimming.  Later, we walked to a Cuban restaurant for dinner.  We are all very tired from an extra-early morning and we are heading to bed early tonight.

Bath time the night before travel.

Taking a walk along the bay.

Trying out the kiddie pool.

Splashing around.

Brady and his chins are all worn out!

Crazy fall weather

While Pete was traveling we had some crazy weather here at home.  Flooding rain, temps down into the 40s, and then he came home this weekend to highs in the 80s.  Heat, A/C, extra blankets on the bed, no blankets on the bed... all in the span of five days!  Brady and I had a good week despite the weather, and we got to visit with friends a few times.  This weekend was very busy since we are in the process of preparing for two trips in two weeks- FL and WI.

On Sunday we went to a local farm's Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival.  It was a beautiful day, even if it was a little weird to pick pumpkins when it's 81 degrees outside.  We enjoyed music, junk food, and a hay ride (Brady's favorite).  We picked two pumpkins, which we hopefully can find time to carve between our two vacations!

Our happy boy.

Practicing his tummy scoot.

Bundled up in his fleece pjs during our taste of winter.

Channeling a very young Tom Cruise.

Enjoying his new toy.

Ready for the hay ride.

Pumpkin patch!

It only took 99 tries to get this shot.

The grown ups enjoyed ice cream and kettle corn, but all I got was this stupid bottle.

Pumpkin picking is exhausting.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

It was a LONG four days last week when Pete was out of town.  Brady had some of his worst nights' sleep ever, and I am convinced that it was because he was missing Pete.  Pete came home on Friday, and Brady began sleeping through the night again on Saturday and Sunday.  Pete left this afternoon for another four nights away, so we will see how this week goes.  I'm not opposed to wearing his aftershave, clothes, and a mask if necessary.

Despite the sleep deprivation, we had a fun week and weekend filled with visits with family!  On Wednesday Brady and I met Aunt Nancy Rae for a yummy lunch and a short walk in a historic district of a nearby city.  It was a lot of fun, even though the weather didn't exactly cooperate.

On Saturday, Dad, Lyla, and Daniel drove in for a visit.  We went to lunch and spent lots of quality time entertaining and being entertained by Brady.  He is quite the social butterfly and loves to perform for an audience.  Just don't tell him it's nap time!

Getting bundled up for a fall evening walk.

Enjoying the view.