Nate's First Birthday and June Progress Report!

Today our sweet baby Nate is 1 year old! I can't believe it! It feels like its going too fast yet I want time to hurry up so we can travel to get him! The estimate for travel as of right now is sometime in between April and September 2016.

We received a progress report on Sept 2nd that was written for June 10th (9 months old) and the pictures we received are from May 25th (8 1/2 months old)... go figure! The report states that he is doing well. He has 2 pairs of front teeth (they didn't go in to any more detail so I have no idea where... I'm guessing 2 top and 2 bottom) and he is pulling up and walking around holding on to things. They say he sleeps well and eats well (still on formula and taking supplementary foods in between). In the pictures he is standing up in his crib and also playing on some stairs. He looks happy and healthy which is what we have been praying for!

We had a birthday party for him tonight and it went really well other than him not being here of course.  We had a lot of family and friends come celebrate with us! We did a Thailand theme and Conner made his speciality mandarin chicken and we had some sushi. Not really Thai food but we wern't real confident in our Thai food making abilities... After dinner with the grandparents, every one else came over. Thank you to everyone who came or called us! It really meant the world to us! We didn't open his presents until everyone left. When we started opening, it was just Conner and I and Conner looked at me and said, "It's not fun opening your kids presents, is it?" Nope. It sure isn't. BUT we are trusting in the Lord and His timing. We know we will travel in His time and that is all we can pray for :) 

We have such great family and friends and we love y'all so much!! Here are a few pics from the party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATE!! WE LOVE YOU! 

The non-Thai but delicious dinner we ate with the grandparents before everyone else came over :)

Nate's Thailand themed cake! Publix did a fabulous job! We also saved/froze his smash cake for when he gets home... not sure how it'll taste though :/

Blowing out the candle! Conner's mom saved Conner's first birthday candle and so we used it on his cake! Thanks, Mimi!! 

The grandparents!! 

Conner with Will and sweet baby Alexandria :)

Sweet Kaylie dressing up and celebrating Nate! 

My sweet friend Madison and her husband Blane came :)

Our friends Crazy Will, Sweet Sherri, and baby Alex who is only 6 weeks old. So precious!! 

My cousin Rachel, Sam, and cute little Kaylie Bug. Kaylie was very entertaining during the blessing!! 

Our sweet neighbor friends Ron and Sherri! Our dog Abby and their dog Millie are besties :)

Our best friends Drew and Ashley! They are such a blessing to us and love Nate so much!

Our friends (of many, many years) Micahel and ML! ML is the artist of the "Waiting for You" board in our adoption pictures and she also made a beautiful print for Nate that sits on his bedside table. Y'all are the sweetest :)

Nate's Uncle Brandon and Aunt Kennedy. Yes, they took a picture of themselves and cut them out and brought them to my house because they couldn't be here tonight. How SWEET is that!!

You can't really read the signs they're holding but they say "Happy Birthday NATE!" AND, they're wearing hats! Y'all are hilarious and I love you. 

Nate's Papa and Gramie! They are already setting Nate up for his camo wardrobe! 

Nate's PawPaw and MiMi who are always bringing him surprises for when he gets home :) 

We weren't able to get a picture of everyone who came but we truly do appreciate every single one of you! We love y'all and we'll keep you posted :)

Please be in prayer for early travel dates!