Finally Finalization

Dear Henry, 

Yesterday was a really important day for our family.  Important day equals lots of pictures in this post but it was your adoption finalization day after all!  It really didn't mean anything as far as if we are a family or not... there is no doubt that before yesterday we were a family.  We were a family the minute J came into our lives and she made the choice to place you with us.  As she said it, "she was giving us to you."  What an honor Henry,  to have someone view Daddy and Mommy as a worthy gift to her beloved beautiful boy.  Every morning when I get you up and give you your first snuggle J's statement runs through my head.  It has become a mantra of sorts for me, "be the gift that J believes you can be."  It is a little bit of pressure but you're so special that it isn't hard to rise to the occasion.  Even if you're wigglin' around and flippin' when there is a poopie diaper to be changed I feel myself smiling.  

So yesterday it was time for it to be official in the minds of the state.  When I told J that we were going to court to finalize she thought it was a little redundant because she had already placed you with us that should be enough.  

So we got up early and Daddy put on his first custom suit with a green tie and let me tell you Henry, Papa was h.o.t!  I put you in some gray herringbone pants, a little white dress shirt, a little green tie and your cool robot vest and let me tell you Henry, you were gooood look-in'!!!  Mommy wore a green a white dress.  We decided to all wear a bit of green because we wanted J to sort of be there with us.  Green is her favorite color.  


We arrived at the court house in Indianapolis and our family was there.  Grandpa Tim, Grandma LaJean, Great Grandma Hazel, Grandma P, Crappaw, Auntie Kristi and Auntie Carrie.  Auntie Michelle and Uncle Gary wanted to come really bad but there was no way the kids could miss 3 days of school to come.  They were with us in spirit though.  


There were four other babies, and Mommies and Daddies waiting for their time in court.  We were second to last in the line up.  We entered the courtroom and Daddy "took the stand."  They asked him about 10 questions about how we came to know J, what our expenses were, if we were prepared to take care of you forever and so on.  Then Mommy actually had to walk up to the front with you and sit in the witness stand, I took you with me.  I basically had to confirm Daddy's answers and then we returned to Papa's side to hear the final judgement...That you are Henry John Carl Thompson and our petition for your adoption has been granted!  Yeah!  We all cried a little and then we took some photos with the judge.  All was done... then EEEERrKKK... 

Mommy and Daddy had asked the lawyer to ask if there was anything else we would like to add so we could acknowledge J.  He forgot...so rewind, we all go back to our seats and we open the records back up to add how much we love J and respect her decision to place and we hope that our relationship continues as you grow and develop.  It was worth it.  We wanted it all in the record.  

We leave the courthouse and make it over to the Spaghetti Warehouse for lunch.  We were put into a big private room of our own decorated in grand windows and chandeliers from old churches.  It was pretty awesome.  Yesterday was also Grandpa Tim's birthday!  So Daddy had the waitress bring him some cake.  We sang happy birthday and we all ate a little of the cake.  Even you got a little bite and you loved it!  We all got a little dish of ice cream and Mommy and Daddy thought it would be okay for you to have a little.  Crappaw was enjoying giving it to you.  You'd open your mouth like a baby bird.  I think it felt good on your top middle teeth, which made their appearance yesterday.

 

It was time to go home and Mommy noticed that you were red eyed, coughing and sneezin' from time to time. You started whimpering like a sad little animal, you were clinging to me like a Munchichi... you were getting sick!  As soon as we returned from Indy I called the doctor and they were able to see you.  You have an upper respiratory infection.  POOR BABY!  You still tried to play with the stethoscope when Doctor S was listening to your lungs.  He said, "poor little buddy is still trying to play."  With a little Benadryl you'll be on the mend soon.  


Mommy was very proud of you yesterday. You were so well behaved and cute.  You bring light to all of our lives.

 

Love, Mommy