Her Name :)

So, from the time we found out about the existance of our baby girl, I wanted to name her Gabriella Lynn. Once we were told for-sure that the adoption was going to happen, I was excited to use this name- super excited! Except I also wanted to use a portion of her birth name as a sort of memorial to who she is and who gave birth to her. That gave rise to the name Gabriella Lynnsie instead. But for some reason, it wasn't working.

And then the birth mother said that she'd thought a lot about the name Anna during her pregnancy and because of issues with her boyfriend not liking the name, she never did figure out a way to use the name. So she asked kindly that we consider using the name Anna. So we went back to the drawing board and decided that we really liked the idea of going with Gabrielle Anna-Lynn. But! When running the name idea past some very unbiased acquaintances, someone suggested a change. And the change stuck and it fits our baby girl so perfectly- the birth mother even thinks so too.

So, we'd like to announce, that we've chosen to name our baby:

Gabrianna Lynn Beach!

She will still have her birth name legally until the adoption papers go through, but we are calling her Gabby or Gabrianna already.

We chose this name a little over a week ago and there hasn't been any more waffling, so I feel its safe to actually announce it. I love that the name adds what we loved to what the birth mother loved on top of a family name. It all just fits so perfectly.

We are all doing well here. I have bonded with the baby well, although it seems strange at times she's already 2 months old. But I don't feel like I missed anything in those first 2 months, I feel like things happened exactly how they were supposed to. I'm going to be happy to get her back home and start living life again!

Her Name :)

So, from the time we found out about the existance of our baby girl, I wanted to name her Gabriella Lynn. Once we were told for-sure that the adoption was going to happen, I was excited to use this name- super excited! Except I also wanted to use a portion of her birth name as a sort of memorial to who she is and who gave birth to her. That gave rise to the name Gabriella Lynnsie instead. But for some reason, it wasn't working.

And then the birth mother said that she'd thought a lot about the name Anna during her pregnancy and because of issues with her boyfriend not liking the name, she never did figure out a way to use the name. So she asked kindly that we consider using the name Anna. So we went back to the drawing board and decided that we really liked the idea of going with Gabrielle Anna-Lynn. But! When running the name idea past some very unbiased acquaintances, someone suggested a change. And the change stuck and it fits our baby girl so perfectly- the birth mother even thinks so too.

So, we'd like to announce, that we've chosen to name our baby:

Gabrianna Lynn Beach!

She will still have her birth name legally until the adoption papers go through, but we are calling her Gabby or Gabrianna already.

We chose this name a little over a week ago and there hasn't been any more waffling, so I feel its safe to actually announce it. I love that the name adds what we loved to what the birth mother loved on top of a family name. It all just fits so perfectly.

We are all doing well here. I have bonded with the baby well, although it seems strange at times she's already 2 months old. But I don't feel like I missed anything in those first 2 months, I feel like things happened exactly how they were supposed to. I'm going to be happy to get her back home and start living life again!

The Boone Home

My mom got her Bachelor's degree in American Studies- which is a History sort of degree. Her advisor then offered her a job working at the Boone Home as a tour guide where she gets free tuition for her Master's degree in return. Pretty cool deal.

So Matt and I took our girls to the Boone Home to get a tour from my mom. It was really cool. Daniel Boone was a major explorer in the 1800s. Lindenwood University has started gathering old homes from the early 1800s and relocating them to Boone's property- so there are a few homes, a church, a carpenter shop, etc. It was very beautiful (you'll see in the pictures) and fun to see the way people lived 200 years ago. (I don't envy them!)

Below is the Carpenter's shop.

The church is behind the fence in the background below.

This is the side of the Boone Home. (We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the building so we just tried taking pictures of the scenery outside).

There is a steeple in the center of the picture with a bird on top - its the view from the balcony of the Boone Home of the church.

We really enjoyed the tour and learning about life in the 1800s. My mom said they are attempting to figure out where the old out house was. The thinking is that 200 years ago, while going to the bathroom, things may have fallen out of pockets and dropped down the hole and no one would have gone after it! I guess there have been several historical sites in the US who have found the old outhouse wells and really found some valuable things! Its sorta gross, but really cool at the same time. Personally, if I could live in an old house like that, I'd love it. It would be my ideal house. Well, the huge and beautiful lawn would have to come with it :)

Matt's trip to Washington

Part of our jaunt back to the states involved Matt going to Washington to see his dad. His dad is getting older and since we live overseas, we don't know when we'll be able to see him again. So he took a few days to visit family. Matt really enjoyed visiting both his parents and his grandparents. Hopefully we'll be able to see everyone again sooner than later!

A Quantity of Pictures

Carolyn and Emmaline with Baby

Lottie loving Baby

Lottie was trying to pick up the watermellon. I wish I'd gotten the picture a split second later with the 'grunt' face!

Mommy and Lottie at the airport. Lottie wanted the camera :)

Baby in her carseat. I love sleeping babies!

Lottie has been much more curious about the baby than Emmaline ever was, probably because Emmaline was older. I think Lottie thinks a doll just came to life! The next pictures are somewhat blurry but its fun so see how she interacts with the baby!

Lottie mid-fit.

Stylin'- I love the little tongue!

Emmaline and Carolyn watching a movie on the beanbag chair.

On the way home from the airport the girls were so exhausted from traveling for 30 hours, they zonked! Its too bad car seats aren't more conducive to comfortable sleep!

If you ask Matt-

found under a rock!

Uncle Robert said-

it was an alien reverse abduction!

Grandma Hanson said-

a newly discovered Beach!

Cousin Julia said

It was the stork's doing!

What are they all talking about? Our new addition!

Introducting- Baby Girl Beach

(we haven't named her yet)

This very special baby girl was born on June 10, 2011 at 8:51am weighing 8 pounds 11 oz and measuring in at 20.5 inches long.

The background story for this baby's adoption is going to be kept quiet. (So if you already know, please refrain from discussing it with others for the privacy of the birth mom). Suffice it to say, she is an answer to many prayers! We love her already, more than you can imagine!

The girls and I (I have three girls now!!!) will stay in Missouri until after we are able to finish with the legal custody arrangements and then we'll be traveling back to Guam. Prayers that the legal side of this adoption goes smoothly and quickly will be very appreciated.

I hope to get birth announcements out and maybe even have a 'Welcome Baby' party so people can meet her. We are all so excited and we are grateful for the many miracles that occurred to make it possible for this beautiful baby girl to come to our family.

Great News!

This is a teaser post, sorry!

Our family recently recieved some Amazing news that I really really want to share! I hesitate to actually post about it yet because of the nature of the situation, bu I want everyone to know, we are REALLY EXCITED!

We will be going back to the states any day now and I'll be spending a significant amount of time there. Matt gets to be with us for a few weeks, which we are glad for, and we will miss him when he goes back to Guam without us!

If you are in Missouri, I hope to see you and visit and catch up. Keep checking back for an update- I'll post All about it as soon as I feel its the right time :)