Beautiful Boy

Big Sissy Love

(The following is based on actual discussions about her new brother.)

"Hi, guys, this is Eba, and this is my new baby brudder, Dre!"

"I like him."

"Mostly, I like teaching him stuff, like how to use his hands - he pretty much just flails 'em around all the time."

"Here, I'm teaching him that Mummzie's camera means we say 'cheese,' but he just says spit."

"He'll learn though, because I'm a good helper to teach him."

"He's really small and doesn't know how to do stuff..."

"...like hold up his head - but I help with that."

"I help him get out his bubbles."

 "I keep him warm with hugs..."

"... and a blanket."

"I adjust his music...often. He likes music."

"He also likes pillows, I think."

"And sharing toys."

"Lots of toys."

"Yep, pretty much, if he ever needs a buddy..."

"...I'm always there."

"Always."

Oh Happy Dre!

The transition work is done, the meetings are over, the papers are signed, Dre is home at last!

Our fabulous social worker, Colby.

Our nervous little guy all packed up to go. It's okay, buddy, I'm not leavin' ya. Like ever.

Earthquake craziness traffic = lots of time to rest!

The Welcoming Committee

i heart martinos. Thank you, girls, for this!

 Does he ever wake up? She sat with him for 15min like this.

Dre brought a present! Okay, he can stay.

With Yum-Yum (Adam's mom)

Welcome to our hearts and home, little man.



Introducing the newest little Campbell: Welcome Dre!

DeAndre "Dre" Braddock Campbell

Born: July 17th, 2011

Height: 19.5 in

Weight: 6lbs. 12oz. (exactly like his sister!)

Our first moments meeting Dre and his foster mother.

Check that look on Daddy's face... yeah, that would be pride. "This is my boy." he told me.

"I've waited almost my whole life for you." (since I was maybe 8 years old. Yeah, I cried.)

During his physical, his foster mother comforted him. I spent the afternoon at her house learning from her about his likes and dislikes (of the last one there are very few, he's SUCH a content baby - yet alert! SO fun!)

There's that look again.

First of many. I just adore bottle feeding.

Play time!

He played this game with me all afternoon : Spit out tongue, wait for me to, smile, spit out again. Wish I could get the smile, but the camera was too scary.

Sleep well, my sweet baby. Mama and Daddy are coming to take you home forever tomorrow.



Eva Quote: Silly Paul McCartney

Listening to the Beatles in the car...

e: "Mommy, is the sun going down?"

M: " No."

e: "Is it coming up?"

M: "No, it's right over our heads."

...pause...

e: (burst of forced laughter) "Silly man who sings 'here comes the sun!' " 

e: (quietly to herself) "Silly, silly man."

Adoption Update: IT'S A BOY! Welcome Baby Dre!

It's true, we're bouncing off the walls over here in the Hallelujah House! We got a call from the agency today saying that the other adoption plans for Baby Dre fell through and the birth mother would like us to be his parents!!

So Adam and I are going up to northern VA Monday to meet him and meet his foster mother and learn from her his routine. Then Tuesday he comes home forever! How crazy is all this??? Completely, we say. How fun is this? Heaps, we think. How AWESOME is our God to set all this in place? Quite awesome in every way.

Psalms 118:23

This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

Lam. 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.