Looking back on the day we first met Hannah

Below is something I wrote so I could always remember this special day in my life. I thought I would share it with you. I hope you see how God has blessed our family.

Sierra and Hannah-Faith on the day we met. April 23rd, 2006



My Sister Hannah

My family is a foster and adoptive family. We were a family of 3 until my little sister and brother came along. Today, I will tell you a little about the first time with my little sister, Hannah-Faith, or Hannah for short. She has brown hairand blue eyes. She is ten months old and very cute. Well let’s go back to the beginning, when we got the phone call for Hannah.
When we got the phone call for Hannah, we had only been on the adoption list for 3 months. That’s a very short time. My mom and I were actually on our way to a class. While my mom was on the phone getting information about Hannah, I just knew something was going on and I was sooo excited. I could hardly sit down. When my mom got off the phone, she told me what had happened. We were both so happy. We hugged each other and pretty much screamed, but we still had to ask my dad for permission. Of course, he said yes.
After my dad said yes, my mom still had to teach her class. She said that we would get to see Hannah at 4:00. On the way to class our best friend, Aunt Cheryl, my mom and I where trying to pick a name. Hannah was at the top of the list. Little did we know Hannah’s birth mom had already named her Hannah. All we knew was that she was a baby caucasian girl. I wanted to stay in my mom’s class, actually, I did not want to go to class at all. I was too excited but my mom said that I had to go. While we were at class, my mom and I told a lot of people about the new addition to our family.
After class was over, we rushed home and my dad met us there. Then, we went to MUSC to see Hannah. When we got there, we looked for Hannah’s social worker. We waited for about 15 minutes or so before we saw her. My mom and dad were a little nervous. Hannah was on a heart and lung monitor. My mom needed to be trained on the monitor to be able to work it and we were late. First, we went to the baby department in MUSC. Before we saw Hannah, we had to wash our hands. When we saw Hannah, she was 5 pounds and 7ounces, and was on a heart and lung monitor because she was seven weeks premature. Hannah’s first nurse was Miss Tiffany. Miss Tiffany let my Dad hold Hannah first, and then my Mom got to hold Hannah. After my Mom and Dad both got to hold Hannah, we had to leave. My Mom had to get trained on the monitor. I was going to go with my Dad to run some errands, but we decide I could stay and get trained also.
After we got trained on the monitor, my Mom paged Miss Tiffany to bring Hannah to my mom’s room. When she got there Miss Kim was with Miss Tiffany. Miss Tiffany showed my Mom how to change Hannah’s diaper because she was so little and the diapers where so big!! Miss Tiffany also showed my Mom how to take Hannah's temperature, and how to make Hannah’s bottle. After Miss Tiffany left, the dietitian brought my mom her dinner. It smelt and looked good but it was not. So Miss Kim and I went down stairs and got dinner from Chick-Fil-A. When we were done eating and Miss Kim left, my mom let me hold Hannah and feed her one of her bottles. Hannah was so cute and light!! Later, my Dad came to pick me up and dropped off my mom’s stuff for the night. When we were about to go home, Hannah smiled at me. She was so cute. I really wanted to stay with my Mom and Hannah. But my Mom and Dad said that I could not and that I could see her in the morning.
The next morning my Dad and I went back to MUSC, to bring Hannah home. My Dad left me their with my Mom while he went back to work. Before we could take Hannah home, my Mom had to take a CPR class. She said that I could come too. Hannah also, had to take a car seat test. A car seat test is where they put Hannah in a car seat and used a machine to make it feel like the baby is really in a car. The reason they had to do this was to see if Hannah would get sick in the car, but she didn’t. Later, Aunt Cheryl and Alicia came to the hospital to see Hannah, and bring some clothes for her. Around lunch time Daddy came to take us home before we could leave, we had to wait for Miss Kim. When Miss Kim came she had Hannah’s life book. She gave it to my mom, then she took a picture of our family and one with Aunt Cheryl and Alicia in it. After that Aunt Cheryl, Alicia and Miss Kim left. My mom got into a wheelchair with Hannah. We all went to the parking lot. My Dad loaded us up and then we went home with our new family member.
That was how I got my little sister. Hannah, has grown up a lot since then. She gotten bigger, weights about 22lbs and is crawling. She is still so cute. I well never forget the day we got Hannah. That was one of the most exiting times of my life. Well that’s the end of my story. I hope you liked it. Hannah and I say bye.

Sierra Miller.

Oh, how sweet!!

Hannah is not a preemie anymore. She is our beautiful birthday girl.

Happy Birthday - Hannah-Faith

Hannah had her first birthday last Sunday, April 15th. It is hard to believe that she is already one year old. However, Mom said that it is not hard for her to believe. She has stayed awake and heard every cry for the last year. Of course, she would not have it any other way!!

We celebrated Hannah's birthday in three ways. The first way was with our family and friends. They live 3 hours away from us so we visited them on Easter weekend. On April 7th, we had 24 of our closest family and friends over at my Grandma's house for a party.
Hannah had help from Mom blowing out her candle. After that Aunt Sherry, helped Hannah tear into her cake. Hannah didn't like having the cake on her hands or face!!. Despite all the effort Aunt Sherry made, Hannah persisted on not eating the cake. She just started to scream. I think all the people looking at her might have had something to do with her attitude. Also, she was not feeling well.

Above, is a cake Mom made for Hannah. Below is one that was bought for everyone to enjoy. It was Strawberry Cream Cheese. Yum delicious.

Aunt Sherry has more on her hands than Hannah does on hers.



My Mom also made Strawberry Lemonade which was very good. After everyone ate cake and ice cream, Hannah and Mom opened Hannah's presents. Hannah liked the paper and bags more than the gifts. She got clothes, toys, a walker, ride on toy and money. I think the best part of the day was visiting, hugging, and loving on all our family and friends.

The next way we celebrated her birthday was when we went to our Papa and Granny's house. Granny had Hannah a birthday cake and present. Hannah still didn't like putting her hands in the cake. She got a plate, bowl, cup, spoon and fork set.

The third and final way we celebrated Hannah's birthday was on April 15th at our house. We ordered pizza. Hannah had pizza for the first time. Mom made Hannah her cake. Dad helped her blow out her candle after we sang "Happy Birthday". We sat a huge piece of cake on a plate on her highchair tray. Hannah dumped the cake onto her tray. Then she picked up cake in both hands and started to eat. We couldn't believe she was eating the cake. She kept looking at her hands like something was wrong. However, she kept eating the cake, grinning and swishing the cake in between her fingers. She made a huge mess on her, the highchair and the floor. Cotton enjoyed the mess on the floor.

After Hannah enjoyed her cake and got a bath, she opened her presents. Hannah got a set of blocks, a toy airplane, a toy farm, and a teddy bear I made. She liked playing with the farm animals the best. However, the first toy she went for was the bear I made.
Hannah made not realize it this year, but she had a great birthday. I am thankful to be able to share it with her.
A birthday kiss from Daddy. Happy Birthday Hannah.

Getting Better

Mom is feeling better. Hannah still has a runny nose and some congestion. Thankfully, I am feeling better. So far, Dad and Andrew have escaped the germ. Thanks for all the prayers.

Another one down - 2 to go!

Well, I woke up this morning with a sore throat and the feeling that some big glob was hanging out in the back of my throat and wouldn't go down. By 10:00 I was running a fever and my nose was stopped up. I am also sneezing but I haven't gotten the cough yet.
Mom is feeling better but now her lower back is hurting. This is from constantly carrying Hannah around for the last 2 days. Hannah is still not feeling well. She is still sneezing, coughing, and her nose is running. She is VERY fussy!! Hopefully she will feel better tomorrow because it is her birthday. She will be ONE!!
Please pray Dad and Andrew doesn't get sick. Mom says that men are real babies when they get sick. I am not sure if she can handle anymore babies!! However, I know that God gives her her strength. We will depend on Him to get us all through.

Two down three to go!!

Please pray. Hannah is sick. Yesterday we took Hannah to the Dr. He said that she had a virus and that we all would probably get it. Well, Mom already thinks shes got it and is not feeling good today. Hannah is looking a tiny bit better but not much. Hopefully, no one else will get sick. Keep checking back and I will keep you posted.

A Trip With The Family!!

Last Thursday, April the 5th, we went to see grandparents. It is a 3 hour drive from our house. Do you know how much luggage you have to put in a car for 2 adults and 3 kids? Let me show you.

Sierra's bags...

Andrew's bags...

Hannah-Faith's bags... ( She had 3 more but they were not packed at the time of the picture.)

Mom's bags... (Dad's were not ready at the time of the picture. Dad packed 1 bag plus the satellite box. Mom also had to bring the camera bag, bathroom bag, medicine bag, and ice chest which are not pictured.)

While we were on our trip, we stayed at my Grandma and Nanny's house. However, on Friday night, I stayed with my cousins. During the day on Friday, my cousins, uncle, Andrew, Daddy and I went fishing. Andrew was the only one to catch anything. He caught one fish and an uncle. Yes, he hooked Uncle Donnie on the back of his shirt. Even though most of us didn't catch any fish, we still had fun. When we got back from fishing we ate hamburgers and then dyed eggs for Easter. This was Andrew's first time dyeing eggs.

On Saturday, we celebrated Hannah's first birthday with family and friends. We had 24 people in all. Hannah got lots of attention and presents. She didn't like the cake. I will post more about her birthday party later. After the party, we went out to eat with my Papa and Nana. I really wanted to hang out with everybody longer, but Hannah needed to get home. She had a long day.

On Sunday, we wanted to go to our old church but Dad said that we needed to pack up the van. We went to eat dinner with my Papa and Granny and had an Easter Egg Hunt. They also had Hannah a cake and gift. Hannah still didn't like the cake. Around 4:00, we headed home. Look at the picture below with everything we had to take back with us.
The reason we had toilet paper in the back of our van is because my Mom goes grocery shopping when visit grandparents. It is cheaper than buying them where we live.

The 3 hour drive was not easy coming home. Mom had to sit in the back with Hannah most of the way. Hannah was really fussy. I am glad we get to go on trips but it is always good to be back home.

Pictures from March 24, 2007

Just some new pictures we took at the park the other day. In case you do not know, you can highlight any of the pictures we post and then print them.

Hannah's First Slush

Here my Dad is giving Hannah her first slush from Sonic. He thought she might like the limeade. However, I prefer the watermelon. Below, there are some pictures of Hannah's expression when she first tried the slush .

Wonder if she thinks the second bite will taste better if she closes her eyes!

This is just one of Hannah's sour expression. As you can see the limeade is kind of tart!!

This is just one more of Hannah's sour expression.

I am sure Hannah would rather be nursing than have limeade slush. What do you think?